Chapter Twenty-Nine
Months passed in much the same way. They went out when something needed to be taken care of, fetching the humans to go with them. But mostly Inuyasha took his duty as Lord of the Western Lands very seriously. He gained control over the third piece of his power and his friends saw him much changed from the man he was before.
Inuyasha had grown taller and more muscular. His hair was a long silky sheet as opposed to the slight mess he had before. His demon markings were vivid, his eyes shifted to red anytime he grew angry or when he fought. And we was no longer the cocky teenager. He was now the proud and sure demon Lord. He dressed in silks of white with purple accents and a red obi. The chest armor and large shoulder plates and bracers made him look powerful. When he drew his sword, he looked like something to be feared. He was a changed man.
And now, the battle had finally begun. The one they had been working so hard towards. Naraku.
They had never fought a more difficult battle. Even with his increased strength, Inuyasha fought just as hard as the rest of them. The biggest shock came when Sesshomaru's arm regrew and a new sword appeared in his hand. Sesshomaru was now able to really help with the battle, destroying large pieces of Naraku's body. The end finally came when Kagome pierced the jewel with an arrow.
And then disappeared.
And Sesshomaru panicked as he watched Inuyasha follow her.
For three days he paced the area where he disappeared. He could still feel his mate. It was faint, but he was still there, where the well had disappeared.
And then the well reappeared. And so did Inuyasha.
Sesshomaru fell on him, sobbing as he finally let out his fear of being left alone without his mate.
"Shh. I'm here." Inuyasha pressed his lips to his mate's forehead. "I'm here. I wouldn't leave you." He closed his eyes and just enjoyed the feel of having his mate hold him with two arms. It was different, and it was wonderful.
"You did leave me, damn it! You followed that damned human girl into oblivion! How was I supposed to know you would ever be back? You were gone for three days, Inuyasha!"
"Three days? It's been three days? I was there for only a few minutes."
"Time passes differently there. I thought I'd lost you." Ignoring all the rules, he cupped Inuyasha's face and kissed him. He pulled at his clothes until he had him naked and pushed him to the ground. He straddled his hips and had him inside of him before Inuyasha could protest that they were out in the open being by the well.
Feeling his mate's desperation, he allowed him control for a moment. Besides, it felt incredible when Sesshomaru rode him. He loved watching him move over him. Sesshomaru threw his head back and cried out as he came and Inuyasha rolled them over. He pulled out long enough to flip Sesshomaru over and pulled him up onto his knees. He looked over his shoulder when he heard a sound and turned to see Miroku's retreating back, Shippo hanging by his tail in his hand.
Sesshomaru clawed at the dirt under him as Inuyasha pounded into him. All of the fear and anger that had built up over the last three days faded as his mate touched him and his power washed over him, warming him and comforting him.
Inuyasha's head fell forward as he finally finished. When the tie faded, he rolled Sesshomaru over and pulled him up to kiss him. "I love you. And I hate you. But I mostly love you."
Sesshomaru swallowed and looked into Inuyasha's eyes. "I love you, too." He wrapped his arms around his neck and pulled him down on top of him, kissing him thoroughly. "What happened to you?"
"I couldn't leave her there. I promised to protect her. I found her. She wished the jewel to destroy itself. And then I was back here."
"I thought I'd lost you." His hands roamed Inuyasha's body. It felt wonderful to be able to touch him with two hands.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't leave her."
"You left me."
"I know. I'm sorry. But I'll never leave you again. It's over now." He lifted Sesshomaru's left hand and kissed the palm. "Your arm."
"I know. I've had three days to get used to using it again." When Inuyasha let go of his hand he ran it through his hair. "Don't ever leave me again, Inuyasha."
"I won't. This problem with Naraku is finally over. Let's go home."
They stopped by the village on their way back. Inuyasha explained what happened. He was glad to see that Miroku was free of his curse. And happier to know that he and Sango were going to be married. Sesshomaru officially turned over care of Rin to Kaede and Kohaku decided to stay with his sister so they could rebuild their village. Shippo wanted to stay with the others.
So Inuyasha and Sesshomaru returned to the castle. There was a celebration held by some of the servants celebrating their conquest and their safe return. But all Inuyasha wanted to do was take his mate to bed and sleep.
