Well, enjoy.
Disclaimer is Disclaimer.
Chapter 26: All Changes come with Time: Love for a Child.
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"My Lord!"
Sesshomaru heard grunts as fierce wind threatened to blow him and his party away. He lifted a hand and used his sleeve to keep branches and dirt from pelting his face. The harsh winds didn't last long and when they subsided he stood unsure if he should expect more.
"Are you well sire?"
Sesshomaru ignored the inquiry.
"Leave him alone Yudai, you hover like a gnat," tsked the demoness among them.
"Somebody has to do it I suppose, you certainly can't Sanyu," The male sneered at her.
Opal colored eyes bore holes into Yudai's skull.
Yudai and Sanyu looked to their lord when he suddenly started forward in the direction the harsh breeze had come from.
"My lord, there is blood on the wind. A battle ahead perhaps?" Sanyu glanced at him
Lord Sesshomaru only grunted.
"Is it wise to go ahead ourselves? There may be battle ahead we aren't prepared for…" Yudai glanced quickly at his master, "I mean, not that you couldn't kill them all but it might be the southern lord's soldiers."
"You are a general Yudai; you sound like a coward instead. This Sesshomaru did not bring you along to complain. Rin is much better company if that were the case," Sesshomaru announced as if calling for afternoon tea.
Yudai's mouth snapped shut. He looked thoroughly ashamed. At that moment, another breeze came at them, this time from above. The three daiyoukai glanced up as a bird's form stole their sunlight. The beast swept past swiftly.
"I thought I sensed him, wasn't that Sin-sama, Hironori's boy?" Sanyu pondered aloud.
Sesshomaru frowned and glanced back. Two shadows appeared in the trees. The three of them didn't move sensing who it was before they could see faces.
"Hironori-san!" Yudai called.
Hironori frowned, leaping from his tree route. Hakui paused uncertainly on a branch before leaping to the ground too.
"My Lord!" Hironori dropped to one knee before Sesshomaru. Hakui only managed to look dazed.
"Where are you rushing?" Yudai asked in his lord's stead.
"There is a battle ahead, my son came for help," Hironori responded with urgency in his voice.
Hakui realized he was speaking to someone important but fierce need to make it to Kagome overrode any sense of self-preservation.
"I-I must go, forgive me," Hakui bowed deeply and was off in a burst of smoke. Sesshomaru blinked, managing to look offended at the wolf youkai's rapid departure.
"Who was that!" Sanyu demanded angrily watching as the cloud of youki darted into the forest.
Hironori paused thoughtfully knowing his response could get his friend killed though Hakui meant no harm.
"Hironori," Sesshomaru called irritably. After a long moment, the red-haired general finally met his lord's gaze.
"He is the weapons smith Hakui. His human pup is caught in the battle ahead."
Yudai and Sunya paused and said nothing while their master seemed to ponder the response. Sunya raised an eyebrow at Hironori and was mildly amused at the silent appeal made to the ice prince. If anyone understood the dangers and worries of keeping a human pup it was Sesshomaru.
Hakui had piqued the Western Lord's interest. Hironori breathed out slowly seeing Sesshomaru's gaze become distant in thought.
There was a sudden screech and the ground heaved. They all staggered at the violent shaking and looked as a cloud of debris floated skyward.
Yudai frowned, "A human pup? Caught in that nonsense? Is there a youkai battle the child stumbled upon?"
"She is a participant," Hironori responded uncertainly. He had only heard by word of mouth from Sin and just from the swirling powers and explosions being felt miles away he wasn't so sure he wanted to believe the boy. Still… "I beg your leave. My son – I need to make sure he is okay."
Sesshomaru turned toward the battle as an animalistic roar of anger carried over the trees.
"Go," Sesshomaru ordered. Hironori bowed and launched himself into the trees.
Another breeze reached them, gentle compared to the others they'd been battered with. Without warning Sesshomaru began to walk and his two generals followed, not needing to know more beyond the fact they smelled a certain hanyou's blood on the wind.
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"Inuyasha!"
The air stilled unnaturally and the sounds of battle, the sounds of nature, were non-existent.
The hanyou turned like a fool and the attack he'd launched faded away, dust on a breeze, in wake of Kagome's power. Her launched arrow glowed furiously, pulsing with energy, near blinding in its radiance. The glow spread through the clearing and there was a breathless moment where light engulfed everything. It threatened to purify all it touched but as quickly as the glow spread, it caved in on itself and vanished revealing Inuyasha; not purified despite all that demanded that he be so, but pierced through the heart and pinned to a lesser tree than Goshinboku.
As Inuyasha's eyes closed, the black beast that had stood against the Inu-hanyou landed from his mighty leap. Seconds later, a female's shriek of anger rose from across the battlefield. Sesshomaru stepped from the forest, his ears searching for the source of the scream though his eyes focused on the figure that had stood against and defeated the one with whom he shared mighty blood.
Kagome lowered her bow.
Her shoulders drooped and her whole body threatened to collapse but something kept her on her feet. She spat blood from her mouth and lifted a heavy arm to wipe her lip. With that, she drew herself up and started what had to be a most painful march across the expanse separating her and Inuyasha.
"She defeated the hanyou," Sunya whispered to herself, coming to stand by her master's side.
"After the weapons smith jumped in," Yudai corrected, "But humans are so fragile. She shouldn't be alive, let alone standing."
Kagome paused beside Tetsuaiga; old and raggedy, chipped and filthy on the ground. She squatted uncertainly, took up the blade, and when she was as steady as she could be in her condition, she continued forward. There was a burst of smoke and Sesshomaru looked as the massive wolf vanished and reappeared, a human shaped figure following Kagome's movements with blind eyes.
She paused before Inuyasha and considered him a long moment. Everyone watched as she reached up, her hand hovering near the arrow pinning Inuyasha in place. Detailed fletches carved of pure energy deserved better examination but Kagome instead lowered her hand and took the scabbard from Inuyasha's side.
She turned away and stuffed Tetsuaiga into its sheath. With that, she made her way back across the field.
"Kagome!"
Everyone turned to watch Sango race across the field soggy with blood and water. She caught Kagome in a hug, "Kagome! God's Kagome!" She wailed.
Kagome staggered, blinking the blurs from her vision.
"Sango?"
Sango squeezed her tighter and Kagome swallowed a whimper.
"Kagome-" Sango began only for a hand to grab her arm. She paused in confusion, turning to see pink eyes.
"Release me demon!" Sango screamed snatching away, her eyes wet and wild.
"Move aside Tajiya, the Miko has a goal," Sango turned to find Sesshomaru approaching with long confident strides. She nearly yelled again only for Miroku to catch her arm. He pulled her away forcefully and she stumbled, stunned to be man handled by Miroku of all people.
Kagome took a few more steps forward on unsure feet and stared up at Sesshomaru. He returned her stare, unnerved by her eyes, nearly grey and blind as death wrapped its little hands about her. She struggled to focus in on his face before she seemed to give up and instead closed her eyes.
She held up Tetsuaiga and Sesshomaru watched as the weapon glowed with her power. The blood already staining her fingers raced up the sheath and painted symbols across the glossed wood. When the glow faded, she offered the blade to him. He took it carefully in his hand, half expecting burns from her power, totally forgetting to be wary of Tetsuaiga's wards.
She looked at him with a small smile, "Tetsuaiga was meant for the protection of humans and to restrain your brother's youkai blood. I've sealed it because he didn't use it for either. For some reason it did not restrain his blood, he protected no humans and probably hasn't in a long time, and he used it recklessly, even by our standards."
Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow and Kagome's battered face glowed with amusement.
"Normally it wouldn't have been able to harm me, the one who pulled it free, but there is youki in my blood and it didn't recognize me. I brought that on myself without thinking." She wiggled her fingers before her face though she probably couldn't see them.
She turned back to Sesshomaru, "He will be released when I die. Do with him what you will, I've given up."
"When you die?" Sesshomaru repeated.
Kagome's knees decided right then to give out and Sesshomaru reached out, surprised. There was nothing to grab, she wore no shirt to snatch hold of, only a breast binding; a shoulder or her arms were just out of reach.
Jiji slipped behind and caught her. He gently lowered her to the ground, cradling her close.
Sesshomaru pulled his hand back as Kagome pet her Jiji's chest in surprise.
"What did you do to it?" Sesshomaru asked finally, suddenly aware that Tetsuaiga's wards weren't reacting. She looked back to Sesshomaru after a long moment of contemplation.
"Are you surprised you can touch Tetsuaiga?"
He paused.
"Yes."
Yudai and Sunya stared at their master.
"Like I said, Tetsuaiga is a sword that was made to protect humans, in more general terms 'the defenseless'. You've been doing that all your own my lord. I do remember a little girl named Rin."
Sesshomaru blinked slowly considering his father's fang warily. Finally, he nodded to her.
"Tensaiga will revive you."
Jiji made a face, deciding that was the strangest expression of gratitude he'd ever heard.
"You can't revive a soulless husk Sesshomaru-sama," Kagome mused. She'd given up trying to keep herself upright or even pretend that she could see him because she simply couldn't. Kagome let herself drape against the arm supporting her. She was so tired…
"The Undead Miko will take your soul?"
Kagome didn't answer, grey eyes fixated on the curve of her Jiji's jaw.
"Little one?" Hakui shifted his shoulder, bringing Kagome closer. He put a hand to the back of her head, "Kagome, you must answer me," He pleaded.
"Yah!" The cry of a horse and the sound of hoof beats startled those present. Minawo had taken up one of the few remaining horses and raced to where the undead Miko had been vomited up. He drew his sword and the horse trotted around the foul-smelling yellow mess in confusion.
"She has fled!" He called back before urging his horse on to where he thought she might have run.
"Kill the Miko, she will run to Naraku," Sesshomaru ordered. Yudai took off toward the forest and was stunned when Sango found Hiraikotsu and was hot on his heels.
Kagome remained quiet and Hakui finally stood, lifting her into his arms. He turned and walked away, ignoring when the bow fell from her hand.
"Hakui!"
Jiji paused.
Sesshomaru looked and saw Hironori and an unconscious Sin draped across his father's back.
"Where are you going?" Sin's father demanded.
"She is still alive, I will go to my mother's cave and beg for Kagome's life to be spared."
"You're going for a human?"
"She is mine! What don't you understand about that!" Hakui snapped angrily. He cursed and shifted Kagome in his arms.
"Hakui-sama, I don't think she will make it," Miroku pointed with a pinched expression. He got the nastiest glare and when Hakui's nostrils flared, the monk thought he would have to dodge a bull charge. "She won't make it unless your mother's cave is nearby," Miroku soothed.
"Your clan lives a day's journey from here," Hironori pointed out angrily, "Don't be so rash!"
"I have to do something!" Hakui spat.
Miroku reached in his sleeve and pulled out a few sheets of paper.
"Forgive me Kagome-sama," He pressed a finger into one of her wounds but she didn't stir. He wrote out a note and stuck it to her forehead.
Miroku stood firmly before the bigger male, "Kagome-sama is my first friend and I care very much for her, however, I am all too aware of the limits of the human body. If she dies and you are unable to help her at this cave you're about to go to, you are to take this paper off her forehead and let her die."
Hakui stared and it took a second for Miroku to realize the demon before him was blind.
"This paper, it will keep her alive?"
"I am not a god," Miroku retorted, "but Kikyou is not banished from this realm yet. Kagome-sama will be tortured in Kikyou's body if something isn't done. I can't keep her alive but I can keep her soul from rushing to Kikyou for a short while. This note holds her fast to her body."
Hakui tensed and he held Kagome a bit tighter.
"So she will die…but if her soul remains…"
"I cannot revive her if she does not have her complete soul," Sesshomaru cut in, "If she dies, then she is gone unless the undead woman is caught and destroyed before then," he glanced back toward the forest, his gaze bored, "it is doubtful they will find her if they have not yet."
Hakui cursed once more, "How do I take your little paper off Monk, I am demon," he huffed.
Miroku fixed the taller male with a glare, "How do you think? You rip it off even if it burns your hand demon. I wouldn't have put it on her if I was not aware of how she touches every soul she meets. You fought for her and you care for her," Miroku glanced to Kagome, "So I trust you are willing to suffer a few more wounds for her sake."
"Don't underestimate me monk," The old youkai responded, somehow managing to sound thankful through a bitter sneer.
"You say a day's journey?" Sesshomaru called glancing coolly to the wolf youkai holding Kagome close, "Is there a particular reason you are going to your clan?"
Hakui groaned, "I must find a place to speak to the gods, my mother's cave is the only place I know."
Sesshomaru nodded in confirmation, "There is another place. A lake nearby."
"Where?"
Sesshomaru glanced at Tetsuaiga once more before slipping it into his sash. The demon lord grunted and beckoned him. Hakui followed him with a wary huff.
"Sire?" Sunya called after them uncertainly.
Sesshomaru ignored her, leading the wolf youkai and his ward into the forest.
Sanyu sighed at the very blatant, 'leave me alone,' and looked to the monk across from her. She somehow wasn't surprised to find his face twisted in a grim expression. She looked to Hironori and Sin, then the black haired human on the ground, the green of his uniform smeared strange colors. The solders helped the older human to his feet and all of them considered the damaged area where an impressive battle had taken place.
"What do we do now?" She asked rather pitifully.
"We go back to Hakui's cave and raid the place for medicines," Hironori sneered, "He won't mind if we steal some bandages either."
Miroku considered his options before finally nodding, "our comrades will find us," he assured.
Sanyu watched the soldiers and monk follow warily after Hironori, one of the strangest scenes she'd ever seen considering all three sides were enemies to the other in some way or another. She glanced back at Inuyasha, the hanyou slumped in a seemingly peaceful sleep. Shaking her head, she followed the rest of the group to Hakui's cave.
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Naraku squinted, unnerved by the quiet around Sagisoto. It had been a long time coming and by this point, most people he chose to 'favor' with his presence were batshit crazy.
Sagisoto was not infallible. Naraku saw that the human lord had in no way escaped the rabid insanity that attacked users of the Shikon jewel. Howling in laughter, Naraku had watched as Sagisoto had hit the lowest of the low in mental ability.
He'd gone from a reasonable if not tyrannical lord to a slobbering infant who couldn't hold his bowels let alone lead an army. However, like most tyrants he'd been smart enough (or dumb enough from some people's point of view) to gather likeminded people who lusted for power.
A group of ambitious soldiers had taken over leading the growing army in their sires stead and they had worked together toward a goal of power instead of splitting into factions. Sagisoto was still royalty and as a snotty infant-minded creature, he was easy enough to control. They could still get all the power and wealth they so pleased with Sagisoto on the throne, but they certainly didn't have to deal with his paperwork.
Nobody, Naraku most of all, had expected Sagisoto to recover.
Like any dramatic up and coming evil, he'd regained his wits about him when a group of young demons boasting the western crest had attacked his encampment. He'd had the pleasure of watching Sagisoto rise from his bed, take up a sword and march across his camp ass naked to the front lines.
Nobody had questioned where his adult diapers had gotten too (they all insisted it had been a fundoshi). Like all good soldiers who knew when to step back when in danger of being killed for treason, the leaders during Sagisoto's time of illness had vanished back into the crowd and Naraku hadn't seen hair or hide of any of them.
After a staggering defeat to the young demons, there had been a lull. Everyone forgot about Sagisoto's insanity, his sudden recovery, everything that had made him seem weak (death threats were very good at handling those issues), and instead they chose to focus on how great he was and the good things he would do when he had snatched all the lands from corrupt lords and distributed the wealth equally.
…right.
"My friend, wouldn't you like some tea?"
Naraku blinked deep red eyes at the human lord.
"No."
Sagisoto glanced back with a content expression. Bulging veins danced against the pale skin of face, branching from the glimmering jewel shard in the center of his forehead.
Naraku eyed Sagisoto. He'd never seen such a transformation in a human but it was rather interesting. The only issue Naraku had with this change was that he couldn't control Sagisoto, in fact the fool was more defiant than the norm, especially when he felt himself justified.
"What's wrong, you don't want to share tea with me all of a sudden. Think I still want to poison you," Sagisoto teased.
Naraku didn't bother to answer him.
There was a shriek and a murmur raced through the crowd spread around Sagisoto. The human lord blinked and looked back in time to be splattered with blood. He sputtered as the headless body of a young demon collapsed to the ground not ten feet away.
The executioner stepped away nervously as Sagisoto struggled to wipe the blood splatter from his clothing, "I just got this!" he complained. The poor man prostrated himself in a very Jaken like manner soling his own clothes in a mixture of blood and dirt.
Sagisoto sighed and set his red sprinkled teacup back on the tray. "Why is my camp full of imbeciles," he snarled in irritation. With a huff he stood, "Execute the rest of the prisoners."
The line of pitifully whimpering demon soldiers only stared at him, already resigned to a painful death.
"Chop their heads off?" inquired one of Sagisoto's men.
The human lord waved a hand, "That'll take too long and they'll cause a ruckus, feed them to the horde."
The human soldiers didn't bother to unchain their wards before they were running away. As if on cue, the tree line began to shake and hundreds of glowing red eyes opened in the darkness. The young demon soldiers screamed in alarm but everyone watched from a safe distance as the crowd of demons surrounded them like a swarm of bees and wet snaps and shrieks of pain filled the air.
Sagisoto took a rag from a nearby bucket and worked frantically to save his favorite outfit from the bloodstains.
Naraku stared.
"Created a monster, haven't you?"
The spider Hanyou snorted, glancing at Kagura from beneath his pelt.
"Where have you been?" He asked instead.
"Hunting for rumor of the Shikon shards or Inuyasha's group like you told me too," She snapped.
"Kagura…" Naraku warned impatiently.
She sniffed at him, "The Inu-tachi seems to have dropped off the map. They haven't been doing their usual good deeds for filth in the villages."
Naraku blinked slowly watching as the demon horde receded back into the forest. They were afraid of Sagisoto and to touch the prey he hadn't designated for them meant certain death.
Satisfied for the moment, they went quietly.
"Did you use Kanna?" Naraku asked sensing the nothing demon standing nearby.
"Of course I did!" she snapped, "Don't take me for a fool."
"It is difficult at times," He admitted.
Kagura snarled low in her throat. "Kana hasn't been able to sense Inuyasha for a long time. Some strange energy is interfering with her power. The two humans were easy enough to find but they weren't with Inuyasha and they didn't have the jewel. It seems the shard hunters have fallen apart, one less issue to worry about right?"
Naraku didn't answer figuring if at this point she was stupid enough to think there was 'one less issue to worry about' then she could be stupid and dead perfectly fine on her own.
"What of the little Miko?"
"Like Inuyasha, I couldn't track her down. There are rumors but none fit quite right."
Naraku heaved a sigh and tugged his hood off. He rested his chin in his palm and pondered what to do with this new information.
"Well, Well, where have you been my delightful little pet."
Kagura turned and sneered at Sagisoto.
"Don't you have better things to do besides harass people?"
Sagisoto hummed in thought, "Well I can go torture a certain monk that won't give me information but that's gotten boring. I'm thinking about killing him and hunting down another."
Kagura rolled her eyes and Naraku glanced up from his seat on a tilted slate of granite. He eyed them both.
Sagisoto slid forward without shame and grabbed a handful of Kagura's backside; he yanked her into his chest despite her shriek of anger.
"Don't touch me you scum!" She clawed him across the face and snatched away. Sagisoto glared at her even as his face repaired itself with frightening speed.
"Why do you keep going for my face," Sagisoto hissed looking as if he would strike her.
"Because you keep touching me you idiot! Next time I'll stick my fist through your chest and we'll see how quickly that heals," Kagura sneered.
Naraku could swear he'd seen this scene before.
He watched Kagura and Sagisoto argue a long moment before the likeness to Sango and Miroku smacked him viciously across the face. They were so much like the monk and Tajiya of the Inu-tachi that he found himself mildly disturbed.
How did this happen? Do I have a tachi now? Came a thought brought on by pure boredom and a need to find the Inu-tachi's scattered members.
Kagura and Sagisoto = Sango and Miroku.
Naraku glanced over his shoulder, Kana was Shippou and all he had to do was find a random Miko of obviously scandalous origins and turn Kohaku into a fire cat.
…does that make me Inuyasha?
He shuddered at the thought.
Or perhaps I'm Kagome, I do oppose her very existence in every way.
Kagura's shriek of anger drew Naraku from his thoughts in time to see Sagisoto's face fold in upon itself in wake of Kagura's fist.
Kagura stalked off and Naraku glanced to Sagisoto. The human lord moaned in pain but his face was already repairing itself.
"Have you heard word from the group you sent out with the monks?"
Sagisoto wiped his lip, "Actually I haven't. I was going to send a group out to find them." He stood and dusted off his already ruined robes.
"Good, tell me when you do."
Sagisoto glanced sharply at Naraku and the spider hanyou glanced away, having forgotten Sagisoto wasn't his usual prey, and there would be no commanding him unless something changed.
"It's important" Naraku lied in explanation, a kind smile on his face, "If those monks got away and convince their clans to fight, there will be more armies to oppose you. The horde of demons will be useless against an army of spiritual beings." He'd taken the body of a young human lord that could charm the pants off the devil, Naraku knew when to use the abilities of his human form even if he hated his human blood – his human half, Onigumo.
Sagisoto glanced away, his expression annoyed, "True. I'll keep you updated. In the mean time give me that feisty woman." His eyes flashed lustfully following Kagura's retreating form.
Naraku waved a hand, "You are welcome to use her. She is my scout so you can't have her."
Sagisoto shrugged in disappointment. He turned and walked off. Naraku watched him go thoughtfully.
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This was a nightmare. Hakui had never imagined he would end up fighting against anyone before the war got in full swing, certainly not the infamous Inuyasha, and he certainly hadn't planned to be fighting for his little one's safety.
I have failed
The mournful whimper echoed in his head. If he'd known the undead Miko was much trouble he'd have kept her down to be digested in stomach acid. If he'd known his pup could get into such horrid trouble he'd never have left her alone. If he'd known he would be rushing frantically after the lord of the west to save Kagome's life he could have done things differently. Nevertheless, he didn't have that luxury of foresight and so he could only pray.
Kagome felt cool to the touch. She was slowly slipping away. As if to add fuel to his fears, the paper seal on her forehead gleamed. He could only make out the lettering but it was powerful magic for his blind eyes to make out anything other than aura. The glowing had just started and if what the monk said meant anything, it confirmed that Kagome's soul was ready flee from its mortal prison.
Besides his fears for Kagome's life, his mother was no kind cretin. She was wild and powerful and did not always follow the logical train of thought most people valued in another. There was no guarantee that she would come to him, there was no guarantee that Kagome would be spared torture trapped in her own or Kikyou's body, there was no guarantee any of them would survive the encounter.
Hakui turned his gaze forward, listening to the rapid beat of Lord Sesshomaru's feet on the forest floor.
The old wolf gave another distraught whimper despite how shameful it must have sounded to the proud demon lord leading the way.
He heard an answering whimper and glanced down surprised. Kagome had regained consciousness but looked to be trying to stare her way through the seal across her face.
"Kagome?" He shifted her in his arms.
"Jiji…" She whispered.
He could have cried at the sound of her voice.
"Stay awake little one, we're nearly there."
At least he hoped they were nearly there.
Ahead, Hakui could sense the cool stiff aura from the youkai lord. Under the imposing sheet of ice he wrapped himself in, there was curiosity and confusion. Hakui somehow thought the young lord amusing despite everything. Lord Sesshomaru couldn't possibly hope to hide his aura away from Hakui who was much older and had only managed to survive by reading people's auras.
Sesshomaru paused in his jog and Hakui took the breather to listen to Kagome's mumblings.
"Jiji… are ee?"
"We're going to get you healed. You must hold on."
Kagome frowned in distaste but was ignored as her Jiji took off running again and Sesshomaru led the way. They made good time to the lake and Hakui immediately knew lord Sesshomaru had been correct to lead them there.
Upon entering the territory, a chill settled over Hakui's skin. White light suddenly clouded his vision and he staggered uncertainly. Blinking few times, he couldn't believe his eyes as cloudy shapes appeared where before there had been only black before. Blinking a few more times, his sight cleared and for the first time in his life, he was able to see the forest. He stopped and stared stupidly.
"Oh my…"
"Weapons smith"
He looked to the white clad Lord Sesshomaru and found him a frightening and beautiful at once. Narrow amber eyes considered the old demon warily.
"The lake is there," Sesshomaru motioned ahead.
The comment made Hakui glance down to his ward.
She was not what he had imagined. His first real look at Kagome drew tears from his eyes. She was a tiny thing with a fierce personality that had made him imagine her as a somehow bigger woman. She was black and blue, smeared in liquids; dirt and blood. The seal that had only appeared as annoying light drawings before were now a reality. He wanted to rip it from her face so he could see her properly, so that she could be safe from the monk's magic like his instincts demanded. Across her face were sprawled graceful designs – symbols of a youkai. She was his and her markings brought a new surge of protectiveness. This child was not youkai but her markings spoke of stored Youki on a young female pup.
"Oh," He held her close, uncertain what to do.
Grey dull eyes fluttered weakly and she gave a ragged sigh.
"You cry for a human?"
Hakui glared at Sesshomaru as if the demon lord had held him at sword point.
"Yes I cry for a human, she is mine. I don't suppose you would know anything about this would you. I'm sure I must look absolutely shameful to a male who wouldn't cry for his own slain father."
Sesshomaru snarled low in his throat and Hakui stared, unafraid of the younger demon.
There was the sudden crackle of fire and both males looked as the forest lit up like a firework. Before either of them could register what the sound meant they were ducking. A ball of glowing energy rushed past with a sharp whistle. Both males stared after the projectile.
"It is mother, she came," Hakui announced as if awed.
I'm a fool, fighting with the Western Lord when Kagome needs me!
Both males rushed ahead and ended up paused at the lake edge, standing in carpet layers of grass. Sitting a length away from the lake's edge was a fire as tall and wide as a bolder. It was white, more so than Sesshomaru's hair, sparking a crystalline blue every so often.
Hakui stared a long moment before he shook his head. Sesshomaru looked as the Wolf laid Kagome on the grass gently.
"You came for your mother correct?"
Hakui glanced shortly at the fire before looking back to Kagome.
"She will emerge when it so pleases her."
A hand twisted in his top and he glanced down surprised. Kagome squinted up at him and tugged to bring him closer. Hakui pet her hand and lay it back on her stomach. Shrugging off his outer top he covered Kagome's nearly naked body and glanced warily at the cloud of pink mist hovering just over her body.
"What is this?" He muttered waving a hand to dispel the fog.
"Youki. She is expelling the extra," Sesshomaru announced coming to stand over them.
"Expelling! I will give you more, you need energy Kagome."
Kagome managed to shake her head quite viciously, "No!" her voice cracked miserably.
"Kagome–"
"It hurs,"
"I've brought you hear to heal you."
Kagome shook her head.
"No"
Hakui sagged in defeat, "Why?"
Kagome took a deep breath, squirming on the ground, "tired."
Hakui closed his eyes, defeated.
"You are running from your duty Miko."
Kagome closed her own eyes, not denying this fact.
"Tired Sesshomaru-sama. Hurting."
"That is life," he announced sharply.
"I know," She smiled sadly and Sesshomaru suddenly understood her desire to flee.
"You offered your assistance with Sagisoto – with the war," He accused.
She didn't respond.
"What of the Shikon Jewel shards?"
"What about them!" Her scream startled both males. "I've wasted years of my life searching for them. I've lost friends, I've hurt my family," there was still a slur to her words but they understood very well what she was saying. She began to cough and Hakui quickly helped her onto her side. She spat up blood that made Sesshomaru's stomach turn. He wrinkled his nose at the smell and Kagome's face twisted in disgust, finding she hated the smell the same as he.
She breathed slowly, her eye's flickering with anger but dull with pain. She felt rather stupid trying to glare around a seal on her forehead. She reached up to yank it off but Hakui caught her arm. She tugged at his grip but he held her.
"You have a duty woman. Nobody else can banish that accursed jewel," Sesshomaru sneered.
She strained against her surrogate father's grasp, "I don't care. I want my baby!"
Sesshomaru looked as if he'd been slapped.
"I want my baby! I want Hitomu. I want to be with Hitomu, I'm his mother. You don't understand," She shrieked madly.
Sesshomaru stared at her, his expression ice.
Hakui shifted warily watching the whipping wild colors of Sesshomaru's aura. He couldn't pin what emotion the youkai lord was feeling but if he didn't know better he thought Sesshomaru was about to have a pretty nasty mental shutdown.
Hakui had found the father of Kagome's lost infant and damn near couldn't believe it.
The youkai lord's aura jerked back into conformity and Hakui found himself horrified by the youkai lord's iron control.
Kagome began to cough again. Hakui rubbed her back as she stifled the occasional sob and coughed up blood. She finally glanced up, tears streaking ravines through the filth across her face. "If I die, I can take care of Hitomu and I'm out of your way Lord Sesshomaru."
He glanced away from her wild eyes.
He wouldn't lie and say he wasn't tempted to let her die. If she died, 'the incident,' would never be spoken of again. It would be his personal burden, a memory lingering at the back of his mind but his alone to deal with. On the other hand, he would have to find a replacement to rule her lands or let the little fools fight about who should have the territory. This new slew of fighting would probably break out while two other wars waged in large scale across his lands. There was no one else to collect the jewel shards and rid the world of a long time nuisance. Those were only a few whys and wherefores on a long list of reasons not to let her die.
Sesshomaru frowned when he realized she was too valuable to kill off. He was in no position to lose an ally like her.
The fire sitting on the water pulsed once. Hakui glanced back warily. He slipped his hand under Kagome head and sat her up slightly.
"I won't force you to stay if you don't want to Kagome. You need to make a decision."
His gaze rose to meet Sesshomaru's and they glared at one another. Hakui reached up and pulled the seal from Kagome's forehead. His hand burst into flames but he didn't so much as flinch. He tossed the little paper aside before breaking his gaze from Sesshomaru's amber one. He kissed Kagome's forehead gently and laid her back on her side.
"Thank you," She murmured, turning her face into the soft grass to await death.
Hakui stood and behind him the fireball blossomed, graceful white petals of flame opened on the water. There was a sound, like the coo of a curious animal and Sesshomaru saw a woman uncurling her body from the fetal position. Her body, shamelessly naked, was covered in an unnatural glow that rippled like the flames. The fire – the energy – that surrounded her danced between blues, yellows, and oranges. Her hair, every bit that Sesshomaru could see, was a splash of gold and red, her eyes were the color of red brick flashing from beneath her wild unkempt hair.
The woman grinned, flashing a demon's canines. Sesshomaru realized belatedly that this creature was not demon. She was the Spirit of Fire.
Hakui went to his knees on the shore. The woman stood and came to him, her feet burning circles in the water where she stepped, leaving rings of what looked like rust.
"Mother," Hakui greeted solemnly.
Sesshomaru looked down at the sound of a shuddering breath. Grabbing hold of Kagome's breast bindings, he lifted her into a seated position ignoring her moan of pain. "Your Hakui brought you here to have your life spared. He may have to pay a grave price for summoning such a powerful spirit here and you say you don't want his help?"
Lines of confusion creased Kagome's face but she said nothing.
"You have no will to live because of our pup? What about your kit and other wards? Your life is not your own anymore."
Kagome's voice cracked when she spoke, "I'm fated to be alone. I really just wish it were all gone Sesshomaru-sama. Surely, you've wished something, anything in your life, had gone a different way. If you say you haven't, you're a liar."
Sesshomaru growled low in his throat. He would sooner be a liar than tell her he had. Instead, he chose not to answer. She lifted her head and smirked at him knowing very well what had crossed his mind.
"I want my son, my own flesh and blood. Just for a while, just so I can hold him again and make sure he is okay, so I can kiss him and tell him I love him. Hate and scorn me if you like, It's simply not the same holding someone else's child." Tears slipped unbidden from her eyes as she looked skyward again, "I want my child and I can never have that again."
Sesshomaru was confused.
"You want a male to pup you? You cannot fight that way."
Kagome cracked a wary grin, "You're so innocent sometimes, Sesshomaru-sama."
"Why can't you have a pup?" he demanded ignoring her comment.
"Because no man wants a woman as like me, they fear me," She mused drowsily.
"It is no great feat to make them like you. You are needed alive." He insisted.
Kagome barked a laugh, "Your ego offends me," she snapped around helpless giggles, "you can't make a man love me Sesshomaru."
"You need the love of a pitiful human man so that you can live?"
Kagome started. Hearing it aloud made her sound pitiful. In fact, it made her downright uncomfortable and angry.
What do you know!
The expression of disgust on Kagome's face told Sesshomaru exactly what her thoughts were.
"This Sesshomaru knows more than you believe woman. You forget this burden belongs to the both of us."
Kagome's eyes widened and she suddenly felt ashamed. It was easy to forget that Sesshomaru was not immune to the sufferings of the world though he certainly liked to make people think so. He felt emotions just like everyone else and he'd proven it when she'd announced Hitomu's death to him.
She hiccupped miserably and he leveled her with a stare, "You seemed content with the love of a pup, was this Sesshomaru wrong to assume?"
Kagome shook her head tiredly.
Sesshomaru nodded firmly, "Then pups will be provided to you so long as you do your duty. If love is what you desire then you will receive it from the pups you raise well."
She stared at him dumbstruck, shock racing through her system.
"Sesshomaru are you–"
"Augh!"
Sesshomaru looked up sharply to see the fire woman had taken her son's hair and forced his head back. She had all but forced her hand down the Weapons smith's throat. Hakui struggled wildly in her grasp but she wasn't deterred. From Hakui's mouth emerged a ball of red swirling energy that the she-creature swallowed without pause.
When she finished with Hakui, he collapsed to the ground limply, his clothes smoking ominously. The fire spirit paused, staring thoughtfully at nothing, her eyes flashing. Had Sesshomaru been from another era, he would have thought her like a robot processing information.
The woman allowed another animal like coo and her frame visibly relaxed. Red eyes turned on Sesshomaru – more on Kagome. His instincts howled of danger but of course a creature like this would make him nervous, she was not human or demon but other.
He glanced to Hakui, uncertain if he should move away or not. They had come, after all, to see about Kagome's healing. He looked to Kagome and was stunned to find her hanging limply, face twisted in pain but eyes closed in peaceful sleep. Sesshomaru laid her down slowly and moved away as the fire spirit approached.
Sesshomaru would be the first to admit he was confused. He had not seen Kagome's soul flee upon her death but then they were in an unnatural area.
He stepped a bit faster unnerved by the brick red gaze following him even as the Spirit of Fire walked carelessly toward Kagome. He went to the downed Hakui seeking council on how to handle an elemental spirit but paused not a foot from the wolf demon.
Hakui was dead.
The Weapons smith was dead; there was no breath in his body or a heartbeat.
At that moment, there was a deafening crack and the light of fire made strange colors dance across the trees. Sesshomaru turned and was left speechless by the sight of a bonfire raging where Kagome had lay seconds ago. It was as white as his hair and by far the largest fire he'd ever seen that hadn't come from a beast's mouth or that wasn't consuming the forest greedily.
There was a figure moving in the fire on hands and knees where Kagome had been but just as quickly, the horrendous heat consumed it. Sesshomaru felt sweat touch his brow but he stepped forward anyhow. The fire reached him even so far away, making his skin tingle uncomfortably. Wayward sparks nibbled away at patches of grass and his own clothes but set nothing on fire.
He didn't move watching as strange shapes curled unnaturally in the fire before crumbling to ash. After a long while, the fire flashed to a familiar orange and red. A form hoped from the flames. It was vaguely human shaped but made completely of orange fire. The figure threw up its arm shaped limbs alarmed and danced from foot to foot as if it stood on hot sands. The creature raced frantically across the water and Sesshomaru watched numbly as it vanished into the forest as if it'd never been there.
He looked back to the still raging fire. Everything that could have gone wrong had.
Sesshomaru slowly sat down on the ground and stared at the fire that had made his life that much harder.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
"Have a drink of water. You're dehydrated."
Sesshomaru's eyes shot open. He lifted his head from his arms and was stunned to see pink eyes considering him.
Hakui passed him a bowl of water. Sesshomaru uncurled his arm's from about his knees and took the offered drink, his eyes glazed in disbelief.
"You look like you had one hell of a night," Hakui mused.
Sesshomaru stared shamelessly.
"You are dead," he told the wolf youkai firmly.
Hakui nodded, "I was but now I'm back."
The baffled youkai lord continued to stare.
"Mother wanted to speak to me. She has lost the ability to speak like us over recent years and so she found another way."
"Why did you struggle then?"
"It's mighty painful," Hakui told him, expression defensive. "Drink before you pass out again."
Sesshomaru obeyed, bringing the bowl to his lips with unsteady hands. He glanced at the water where the fire spirit had stepped and paused remembering the rings of rust or perhaps it had been ash.
"Don't be childish," Hakui warned him as if reading his mind, "you need the water and it has already cycled to clean itself."
Sesshomaru snorted and downed the liquid.
"Mother's presence is…different. You were already showing signs of stress earlier and I hoped you would have passed out before things got to where they did."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. Hakui obviously had no idea who he was dealing with. The youkai lord ran a hand through his hair and looked back to where he'd left Kagome. There was a much smaller fire still going but the girl's remains were long destroyed.
"The Miko is dead."
Hakui glanced to the fire. A tight and wary expression crossed his face. "We can't know yet. There is a chance that Kagome is alive. There is an equal chance that she is gone as you say."
Both males were silent, watching the fire.
"She died before the fire started," Sesshomaru told Hakui.
The old wolf shrugged, "Mother is cruel at times but not that cruel. If Kagome is to be spared, she will have what she needs, including her soul. If otherwise, it is the will of the gods and nothing can be done." Hakui pet Sesshomaru on the shoulder. Amber eyes snapped around to glare at the appendage and a snarl issued from Sesshomaru's throat.
"Go wash your wounds in the water. The fire has burned your skin."
Sesshomaru could feel the sting of burns each time he blinked. He looked at the hand holding the now empty bowl; he found his skin pink, and peeling. With a huff, he smacked Hakui's arm away, "Do not be so familiar with me wolf."
Hakui only seemed amused, "Of course my lord."
Sesshomaru sniffed and got to his feet. Despite his behavior, he obeyed the warning and washed his arms and face in the cool lake water. There was almost instant relief. He watched the pink fade from his hands before glancing back at Hakui. The playful and mocking demeanor was gone. The old wolf sat with an expression of worry, watching the fire and waiting for it to burn itself out.
It was hours later when the sun began to cast pinks and oranges across the sky, that the final bit of embers faded and the heat became bearable so they could approach. Already on his feet at this time, Sesshomaru was the first to draw near and see the results. He pressed his lips together at the grim scene before him and Hakui sighed mournfully coming to his lord's side.
The fire had burned a fair sized pit in the ground and in middle of the pit lay charred remains. Kagome's body was pitch black from head to toe and no features were discernable, not even a lock of her black hair had survived. She was one large block of charcoal, curled awkwardly in her grave.
Sesshomaru stepped into the still smoking pit and went closer.
Her right arm, that had probably been the most damaged part of her body, was gone. A few inches from the elbow and down had crumbled into ash.
Sesshomaru glanced at the sleeve of his own missing arm.
"She is dead," he announced with stiff finality.
Hakui said nothing, only came forward numbly. He stared at the thing that was supposed to be Kagome.
"Was she beautiful?"
Sesshomaru's gaze darted to Hakui.
"I can only see in places touched by the gods," he announced gravely, "My first time seeing Kagome, really seeing her, and she was a bloody beaten shadow of herself fighting for life. I just want to know if she grew beautifully."
Sesshomaru looked away and to the charred body.
Well, if he spoke of the time between her leaving the shard hunters to this point there was an obvious answer. Still Sesshomaru didn't want to be bothered with these matters. He wanted to leave. He wanted to rest and forget all this had happened. Still…
He thought of Rin, of what he would want for her, of what he would want for any child of his.
Glancing back at Hakui he considered the wolf. He obviously had no children but had claimed Kagome as his own and set her on a path so that she could blossom gracefully.
He thought of the shrieking little thing in a most indecent Kimono, then thought of the woman who had fought him for her life and bore him a pup. He thought of the woman who'd just stood against Inuyasha without fear…
"No"
Hakui glanced at him surprised before he threw his head back and laughed, tears streaming down his face. "You smell of deceit my lord, in fact you reek. Is it really proper for someone of your station to lie?"
Sesshomaru turned without response. He had work to do and what would he accomplish watching this wolf mourn his loss.
Hakui's laugh was smothered and Sesshomaru glanced back. The old wolf was staring down at the body with a curious expression and when he suddenly knelt beside Kagome, Sesshomaru turned fully.
There was a crack, like the shell of a hatchling's egg falling away.
Sesshomaru stepped closer seeing blood coating the strange extension protruding from the blackened stump that had once been an arm…and once again was an arm and a hand. Hakui stared in awe at the crisscross of white, reds and blues, hanging limply.
Before their eyes, the bleeding ceased and a light sheen of liquid covered the appendage that was supposed to be a hand. Skin reappeared and a paled delicate hand hung from the black shell of charcoal seconds later.
Another crack and Sesshomaru glanced at Kagome's head. It had been bald before but the shell had cracked and a wave of black hair now sat on her head, black as midnight, littered with debris, and only about as long as Sesshomaru's finger though getting longer before his eyes. When her hair was finally long enough to spread itself out on the ground, Hakui snapped from his stupor. He pried away the shell over her face and set it aside with reverence.
Kagome moaned and wrinkled the bridge of her nose in displeasure.
"Oh Kagome," Hakui sighed touching a hand to her face. She shifted and the shell over her body cracked. Hakui brushed away the debris, revealing Kagome's naked body, unblemished and glowing with life.
"Oh, little one you are incredibly blessed," Hakui laughed.
Sesshomaru could only stare in awe at her quickly growing hair spread across the fire pit.
Hakui lifted her into his arms and moved her from the pit. Delight and panic colored his aura.
He turned to Sesshomaru, "She must eat, she must eat!"
"Take her and I will find food," Hakui passed Kagome on to Sesshomaru who only stood bewildered with his new burden. Kagome growled in her sleep, obviously displeased with all the movement.
Hakui pet her side indulgently as he pondered what to hunt down for his revived pup.
He brushed the obscenely long hair from her face and Sesshomaru stood stiffly as Hakui nodded.
"You are beautiful Kagome, very beautiful." He glanced up at Sesshomaru eyes glowing in amusement, "You were right my lord." And then Hakui announced "Please see to her while I find food."
It would have appeared a request had Sesshomaru been give the chance to agree or decline. Hakui rushed away excitedly.
Sesshomaru stood with a bewildered expression, holding Kagome's naked form in his arm.
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(7/28/12)