Chapter 28
REUNITED **REWRITTEN, and previous chapter 28 deleted**
The Southern Kingdom
On the first fine spring morning, Taro walked down from the stone room that was his study in the Eastern wing of his holding; his thumb and forefinger pinching at the bridge of his nose, where a headache had formed. Despite the lands becoming reunited under one rule, the joint rule of himself and his dearest friend Tashio; there were still many disputes regarding the exiled lord Kiros, that fought against any harmonies he created. Everyday he would attempt to quell the fears of the villagers within the old boundaries, only serving to give himself one hell of a headache in the process.
Last night he wrote a conscription parchment, detailing his ever increasing workloads, and sent it to his friends eldest son, in the West to assist. Taro sighed, he knew deep down in his weary soul, that Sesshoumaru would likely refuse the assistance, the southern lands were never stepped upon by the young pup. Memories of his lost love, and Taro's only daughter plagued him the minute he stepped onto southern soils, however Taro had no choice but to ask.
The gorgeous weather had not helped keep Taro focussed, not when the song birds kept distracting him outside his open windows; he had thought to close them, but to close the beauty and freshness away only served to make him more distracted. Taro walked the long winding stone corridors of his keep, searching for his dearest friend Tashio. As usual he had no trouble finding him, when the weather was glorious like today, he had only to follow the peels of Kiyoye's laughter from outside in the gardens, to walk over the small blue bridge over the meandering river to the Sakura tree, that no longer blossomed.
Kiyoye and Tashio sat beneath the emerald Sakura tree, on the other side of the small river that flowed through Taro's home. Kiyoye was laughing in pure merriment, dancing under the bulky tree, which was dropping light almost pink coloured snowflakes. Taro looked closely once again, as he noticed that they weren't snowflakes at all, they were cherry blossoms, falling from the unyielding tree.
A stab of pain raced through Taro's chest as he looked at the sturdy old tree, the one in which his only pup, his deceased daughter loved with all her heart. It was the tree she would hide in when she was frightened, the one who supported her when she was frail, the one her mother had planted in the courtyard as her gift to him upon their union. The tree that had wept its blossoms when Amanae had died, refusing to blossom for one hundred years in mourning; the tree that again wept its loss of Kagome, the last three-hundred years. Now blooming anew, its delicate blossoms falling like gentle snow.
GJS
In The Western Regions
Kagome sat beside Sesshoumaru the morning after they had left Touma's catacombs mulling over thoughts of how she could speed up the process of being released from Kikyo completely. As she stared into the flames of their small camp fire she suddenly thought about the essence within her. 'Midoriko, do you feel pain within me, when I am full beast?' moments later the feel of warmth filled her soul as she felt the essence that called itself midoriko filled her 'no Kaya, you do not cause me pain, as I hope I do not cause you pain' staring deep within the flame, watching as the golden heat swallowed a branch into itself, becoming one with the ground around it, sparked a thought inside Kagome that had her raise her head and look out to the clearing. "I have an idea in how to release myself that bit more from my dead miko" earning a rueful glance from Rin.
Instantly Sesshoumaru looked at his mate and stoked the firepit once more "what is this idea? Will it harm you?" the wind played with his hair, sending wayward tendrils across his face that fluttered back into the perfection of his mane once the breeze settled. "I am a fully fledged Jigoku-Inu, I have a savage beast deep within me, I have been a miko's shirei; housing pure essence inside me along with a Kikyo's soul. Neither Kaya nor Midoriko harm each other when one part of me takes more control than the other. So if I were to deliberately push my baser power and the miko essence into each other, I could fuse them together as one"
Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose tightly "you could fuse them together or you could annihilate yourself, I refuse to allow this, I will not lose you again on the basis of a never tested theory"
Rin watched her daughter and Sesshoumaru interact, and thought about what Kagome had said in trying to fuse the two parts of herself together. She looked at Ah Un and voiced her opinion much to Sesshoumaru's dismay "Sesshoumaru, If Ah and Un can fuse together without annihilation, there is a chance that Kagome could do this also. It is worth a try is it not?" The camp was filled with the sounds of Sesshoumaru's growls aimed at Rin "Don't growl your displeasure at Rin Sesshoumaru, we are merely seeking solutions and this is worth a try" Kagome tried to placate her mate, placing a tender kiss on his cheek "Just let me try, If it doesn't work then we can think of something else". Sesshoumaru looked dejectedly at Kagome wanting desperately to throw an order at her not to be reckless, but his Kagome was no wallflower, and she was his equal. "Alright, but we do this on your homeland, with both our Sire's close by if something were to go wrong".
Kagome smiled as Sesshoumaru stood up, his knees cracking in the early dawn silence. "Stay and I shall fetch the mornings meal, once we have fed we shall leave for the South so you can attempt this fusion" with that said he sped off into the woods on the hunt of fish in the nearby creek that would be waking up to its last morning.
GJS
Across the Southern Border
Taro sat in his chamber absently stroking his right wrist, his thoughts were presently on the blooming Sakura tree he was under this morning, making him wonder why it suddenly flared to life after three-hundred years. Had the tree mourned all it could, had it decided to accept the fact that it would never feel the young female in its boughs, never have the opportunity to feel her own pups swinging from its branches? Taro sighed, slipping out of his haori as he entered his bathing chambers. He sat in the folds of the hot waters, relaxed as his muscles unwound, his headache thin out to a dull murmur, he allowed his eyes to close as he relaxed further. A light giggle broke out around him, Taro realised too late that he had fallen asleep in his bathing chamber, that he was being drawn into his subconscious where his beloved mate and daughter lived.
'ready to go?' Taro asked as he sat atop a huge blue-black Stallion of his fathers breeding. He extended a hand down towards a female who looked up, slightly unsure of the huge beast. 'sure' she grinned, her side ponytail being lifted by the autumns afternoon breeze. Taro loved the way his Amanae placed a portion of her hair in a side tail, it made her more unique, and allowed her beautiful onyx eyes to shine. Amanae looked up at him, she passed a hot lustful glance over his body that made him harden instantly. Taro helped Amanae onto the horse, sitting behind him. Her long graceful fingers twisted her long hair into a braid that ran down her spine. She placed her arms around his waist, as she slid her body closer to his. Taro almost moaned, he could feel every inch of her pressed intimately against his skin, her pert breasts on his back, her inner thighs against his hips.
Taro snapped his eyes open instantly, drawing in a steadying breath. He lifted his hands to rub his face, when he caught sight of what he was absently rubbing earlier on his right wrist. His mate's mark. The small crescent shaped scar was under his right thumb. On his slightly tanned complexion the black fading scar stood faded like the moon on a cloudy night, slightly obscured. The scar had once been a navy blue when his Amanae was alive, the single star that symbolised his pup was nestled within the centre of the moon. Taro's brow dropped in confusion, the mate's mark changed colour on the death of the bestowed, turning black in their mourning, then a faded deep grey. As would be the same for any pup's, yet Kagome's single mark upon his flesh shone a faded blue over the last three-hundred and fifty years, was now a brilliant bright blue on his skin.
Taro couldn't understand, believing himself to be half asleep and seeing things he wished were true, and knew them to be unlikely. He hauled himself to his feet, then proceeded to his bed chambers to call it a night.
GJS
Over in the West.
Two hands placed themselves gently on Kagome's waist, lifting her with gentle ease and grace; placing her on the saddle of the twin headed beast. Her fingertips wound their way into the reigns, clutching them as her hands filled with the leather. Satisfied that Kagome would not fall off, Sesshoumaru turned towards the Southern lands, then proceeded to walk towards them, with Ah-un following just behind him, Rin on their left side, Shippo on the right, and Jaken following up the rear.
They had walked the countryside for three hours, three hours of pure silence. Rin was too busy watching her daughter, as was Sesshoumaru. Kagome had remained silent, lost in her own mind conversing privately to both Kaya and Midoriko of the upcoming attempt at fusing them together whilst sitting on the back of Ah-un. Jaken grunted and grumbled more often, as the silence disturbed him. He was usually accustomed to silence, seeing as his Lord rarely spoke to anyone, or anything. As of late, sine the arrival of these two females; he had been more talkative, just like when he was but a pup. Jaken's brow dropped in thought, his beak like lips pulled back in a scowl; there was something distinctly familiar about the silent females, the elder one especially though he could not place it directly.
Rin looked over her daughter, a soft sigh escaping her parted pink lips. Conversations were shared throughout the journey, Shippo had even tried to entertain the party with kitsune magic tricks, but his kitsune bi soon faded to a flicker as he overexerted himself. A soft gurgling growl suddenly permeated the area, Rin automatically ceased walking, as did Ah-un. The twin heads both turned inwards, looking at the female on their back. Her head was bowed lowly, her raven tresses creating a curtain of midnight, one hand had left the reigns, and had settled on her stomach lightly. Jaken grunted once again, as he looked disapprovingly upon the group that had stopped, merely because the female was hungry. Shippo looked slightly shocked, he knew of Kagome's breeding, meaning that an Inu of her character needed to hunt, and that was dangerous.
Sesshoumaru ceased his own footsteps, facing the group that was no longer following him. "why have you stopped?" Jaken's ear piercing voice cut through the forest like a katana against rock. "Kagome-chan is hungry" Rin answered "she needs to hunt, it wouldn't bode well for anyone if she doesn't" Shippo added. Sesshoumaru advanced upon the group, placing a cold hand on her face, she didn't even flinch, nor flutter her eyes to a close at his touch, like she used to. "then she will hunt, we all will" Sesshoumaru stated, this caused her to lift her head a fraction, her eyes moving in their sockets of silken flesh and feather eyelashes as she contemplated his words. Soft, pale lips parted, for the first time in many hours, she spoke one simple soft word "No".
Sesshoumaru grinned lightly, he knew he would get a reaction out of her. It was forbidden that any youkai, were to hunt alongside a Jigoku Inu; mainly because they were so unpredictable. They were natures finest predators, refined hunters. No-one could outsmart a blood Inu, not even Sesshoumaru himself. "I will go alone". Kagome jumped off Ah-un, walking swiftly into the forest around her. Rin and Shippo shared a glance towards one another. "I'll set camp" Rin stated, nodding in approval.
GJS
Four very sharp fangs broke the velvet soft skin of a small boar. Hot, salted liquid flurried from the wound onto a salivating tongue. Two crimson eyes closed in bliss, as the delicious nectar flowed over lips, dribbling down her chin, whilst the majority flowed effortlessly down her throat. Her small hands gripped the body of the small beast tighter, her fingers crushing the bones beneath the skin with relative ease. Kagome was one with her inner youkai-Kaya. The two of them fed upon the natural world, sinking fangs into soft flesh, drinking the hot blood wine with keen wanting.
A soft heart thrummed behind them, gentle in takes of air alerted them that they were not alone. Kagome gently stood as if she had not known there was another watching her. She flexed her fingers, flicking the blood off her long claws, her tongue darted out licking her blood drenched lips of their quarry. She stepped lightly, deeper into the underbrush, being careful not to make a sound. Whilst she was in her hunting mode, there was very little she would miss. She heard every sound, every heartbeat miles away, every vile ningen as they moved or so much as breathed, every small creature that she would snatch and sink her fangs into. Everything around her was her prey, nothing was exempt.
The snapping of dried foliage on the earth brought her musings to a sudden halt. The thrumming heart, was only just ahead of her. It was a large youkai, one who's heart pumped precious blood through veins and arteries much smoother. Kagome's mouth watered at the thought, of the sweet blood that coursed through veins of her next victim. She dropped to a low crouch, her muscles coiling ready for the spring, her fingers curling, positioning ready for the best strike. The victim moved about, as if almost searching for something; upon not being able to find whatever it was they sought, they turned and began walking unknowingly towards Kagome. She smiled in satisfaction, she was a fine predator. Her binding with Kikyo did nothing to hinder that, to which she was thankful.
The next victim, casually placed one foot in front of the other, walking with unaware gait towards Kagome. She recoiled a little more, the spring being gauged carefully, to the next victims assumed height and body mass. As the bushes ruffled, indicating their imminent approach she launched herself into the air, towards the unsuspecting youkai.
She slammed her whole body into that of the youkai. Knocking him off balance, his body instantly crashing to the ground, with her sat atop him. One arm lifted, as fingers clicked in anticipation. It darted towards the jugular in a swift movement that left no room for error. "Shit… No Kagome!". The demon female halted, it was a male youkai for sure, but in the haze of the hunt, there was no face, no appearance other than the thrumming of a heart, and the desire for blood. However with her name spoken on lips that were parted in slight fear and surprise, she began to look at the victim, that lay sprawled on the ground underneath her. Those golden eyes, moonlight silvered tresses, maroon slashes on his refined cheekbones, and upper eyelids, ivory skin, she knew those features all too well "Sesshoumaru?" her hands left his prone body, lifting up to cup her face, hiding her eyes from his, her death promising fangs.
Two hands closed over her own, pulling her hands away from her face. "Don't hide from me, let me see you, as no other has" he spoke, Kagome snapped her eyes shut, twisting herself so as not to see her face. "be not a fool Sesshoumaru, others have seen me like this, usually right at the point of death" she was steadying her breathing, the third slash marking on her face, slowly dissipating, which meant behind those soft eyelids, Ruby eyes would be changing to a soft cerulean. "Look at me" Sesshoumaru asked, never having been able to witness the change of a blood Inu, from 'harmless' to deathly. He could read her body language like a parchment; she was fighting against the urge to comply to his simple request, yet wanting to keep him innocent of her split personality. In the end, Sesshoumaru got what he wanted.
Kagome was still sat upon his hips, her hands on his shoulders her face staring down at him. He watched as her crimson eyes slowly faded to an off reddish-purple, to a softer lilac, then finally the cerulean that belonged to his Kagome. The third stripe that adorned her cheeks in a jet black contrast between the two navy ones had completely faded into nothingness, as though the artist had wiped away the offending trickle of paint from the masterpiece. The second set of fangs that sat in her slightly parted rosy lips, receded into the softer, flatter teeth beside the permanent fangs. "beautiful" Sesshoumaru whispered as he witnessed it all, Kagome shook her head in disbelief, beginning to gently remove herself from his person.
"why did you follow me?" Kagome asked as she now knelt over him. "I am just worried that I'm going to lose you again". Sesshoumaru's hands clasped tightly around her small wrists, emphasising his want to keep her close to him. "I could've killed you" she said in a haughty whisper.
"you couldn't kill me Kagome, you just proved that" he affirmed. Her eyes snapped open filled with anger and disgust. "you did this, to prove to me that I can't kill you?" Kagome hissed in his face. "for the love of everything noble…Sesshoumaru you idiot! I have been feeding for the past two or three hours, of course I am sated, if you were the first victim, you surely would be dead! You are the most irresponsible, thick-headed son-of-a-bitch…" Kagome didn't get a chance to finish her ranting, due to the fact that Sesshoumaru had pulled her down across him, lips claiming hers. She moaned at how good he felt, how wonderful he tasted. She could even feel his erection under her hip. Her body softly melted against his. The next moment, he had her flat on her back and was leaning over her, running his silken fingertips along the flesh of her upper arms and chest. "you always were talented at distracting me whenever I shouted at you" she mused enjoying the soft touch of him.
"On the contrary, the more you insult me, the more you seem to turn me on. I am a male, that I will not deny that your insults are what drives me to touch you in manners I should not" he admitted kissing the valley between her breasts. "Then I shall have to insult you more often" she breathed. Chills shot the entire length of her body as he nibbled on the skin just below her jaw, his hot sweet breath scorching her, as his larger hand gently cupped a breast. His lips returned to her own, dancing together in a silent act for dominance. The sound of someone clearing their throat caused them both to suddenly stop. Sesshoumaru lifted his head to the one who now stood amongst them. His eyes curtly narrowing at being interrupted - yet again. "go away Rin" he spoke heavily, not wanting to be rude, but unable to be less than such.
"We have a problem, back at our small camp" her eyes flowed over Kagome, who was somewhat covered by Sesshoumaru. "I'll deal with it later, leave" he added again, now becoming more infuriated by the second. "I need you to come back, else she'll kill Kagome" two moonlit silver brows furrowed in confusion over Rin's words. Kagome seemed to understand long before Sesshoumaru did "She's found me, she's here" Rin nodded, confirming her worst nightmares, her form began to tremble in fear, her world was around her. All of them could be killed in a simple command. It was far too precarious for her to be around them. She shoved Sesshoumaru off her body, clambering to her feet. He was instantly by her side, a hand intertwined with one of hers, not allowing her to contemplate leaving with the miko.
The three Inu returned to their camp, where the Kitsune, Kappa and single entities that were Ah and Un all surrounded the living-dead miko; Kikyo. Kagome's breath caught in her throat, as she eyed Kikyo once again. "what do you want wench?" Sesshoumaru sneered, his golden eyes were hard filled with contempt and hate. The glacial hostile glare chilled Kagome more than the frigid winds in the Northern territories. Kikyo smiled evilly. "any more of that lip from you, Lord Sesshoumaru" she mentioned his name and title in a mocking manner that had all the youkai in her present company growl at her. "and there will not be much left of that pretty little bitch you cling so dearly to" without so much of a word, Sesshoumaru walked towards Kikyo with a predator's deadly grace, lips curled into a permanent snarl.
The miko's gaze slid from his angry face to meet Kagome's worried one. "take another step, see what happens" the miko taunted. Sesshoumaru was beyond pissed, he advanced another step towards the miko, his clawed hand raising, the claws shimmering a eerie shade of jade. Kagome's shrieks of discomfort dragged him from all thought pertaining to the death of a certain badmouthed miko. His golden gaze cut towards the female in his hold, who seemed to hold her left side in pain. "enough, back off Sesshoumaru" Rin shouted towards the Inu Lord. Said Lord was confused, Kagome seemed to be in pain, her face screwed tightly as though someone had shoved a searing hot katana blade into her flesh, twisting it into her body. A prickle of miko power scratched at his skin, radiating from Kagome's body. His eyes widened in sudden realisation and horror. Miko could purify the shirei, with a single thought. He was the one harming Kagome. Advancing on the miko, caused her to harm his intended. Reluctantly Sesshoumaru took three steps back, snarling as his intended female continued to hiss in some discomfort. Kikyo looked around herself, at the others who dared remain in a position to harm her. "Shippo, Ah-Un, Jaken … step away from the vermin" they each complied with Sesshoumaru's order, albeit they were just as reluctant to do so. Kikyo stood before them all, a triumphant smile adorning her features.
"I had a feeling you would attempt to take her home, this I will not allow." she smirked "shirei…" Kagome scrunched her eyes tightly, her hands shaking in pure adulterated fear, that this was the moment she would kill all those she loved, with the next words that would likely pour from the miko's mouth. "come" she continued. Kagome breathed a slight sigh of relief, she began to release her hand from Sesshoumaru's. he attempted to hold onto her, tightening his grasp on her hand. Kagome smiled lightly, that he wanted to hold her, to protect her so much. She released herself, then advanced towards Kikyo. "wait…Kagome belongs with us, she is Sesshoumaru's mate" Shippo spoke up, trying to stall the miko.
"That is where you are wrong Kitsune, she does not bare the mark, nor does he, I am not stupid" Kikyo voiced. Sesshoumaru instantly grabbed Kagome, sweeping her hair to one side of her body exposing the naked flesh of her neck. He ran cool fingers against the spot, eyeing the miko all the while. "a small matter that can be resolved instantly" Kagome ripped her body away from his, a hand clutching at the bare neck that he would have marked. "No, I do not wish to taken in such a degrading manner" Sesshoumaru sighed, he would not want to mark her in such a way, but if it was that or nothing, he would surely be able to ignore her hatred of him for a few hundred years. For she would be free of the miko wretch. "fortunately for me, her father disowned her many years ago, therefore no family ties can save her from coming with me…Shirei" Kikyo commanded. Kagome hung her head, resuming her gait towards Kikyo.
"Now that is where you are wrong bitch, Kagome's father may have disowned his daughter to which I will be having stern words, but her mother would never do such a thing" Sesshoumaru growled. Kagome's head shot up instantly, at the mention of her 'deceased' mother. "you lie!" Kikyo snapped "lying is dishonourable, this Sesshoumaru is anything but dishonourable" he smirked triumphantly, now the miko had no say in Kagome's fate. "show me then, where is her mother? I see her not amongst you…only that small inu brat that I ordered to be killed some years ago!"
Her seething gaze met that of her Shirei's. But Kagome was awestruck looking at Rin, very carefully. It wasn't possible, her mother was dead. That is what everyone believed her, Kagome, to be…yet she was here, alive. Could the same be said for the Inu female that stood before her. Was the Inu 'child' was just a façade?
"Mother?" Kagome whispered.
GJS
Oops the Inu's out of the bag…
Reviews
FLUFFY AND KAGOME - Released, not yet…there's more to be sorted out yet - There's a huge plot twist in the wings, and I need Kagome tethered a little bit longer to Kikyo.
SOUSIE - Ahh, they'll be together, sorta
LADY OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES - Tashio was written into this chapter along with Taro ;)
JUST-LET-ME-GO - another update - and I'm half way through writing the next chapter already J AHOTW is still gonna be Kikyo lol.
JAMMYDODGER217 - Thanks for your review, and yeah the options are laid out - although there will another plot twist later, regarding those options.
