Kagome's POV
"Finally," I flop back on the couch, yawning, "I got the kids to sleep. I've got about an hour to sleep." Just as my eyes drift shut, there's a knock on the door. Growling, I stand up and march to the door. "What is- Ban?"
"Hey, sis." Ban wraps his arms around me, kissing my cheek. "How are ya?"
"I'm fine. What about you? And how'd you know where I was, or how to get here?"
He smirks, following me into the house. "How else? Inuyasha. Sesshomaru come to check on you sense he left for work?"
I sigh softly. I chose to remain here at the cottage until after the battle. Sesshomaru wasn't too happy about it, and he's here at least 13 hours, whenever he isn't at work. Kaede comes sometimes when he isn't here to help me with Amai, and the strange triplets, that's what I call them. "No. He should be here in an hour and a half."
Nodding, he sits on the couch beside me. "Then, I'll keep you company 'til then. So, where are my nieces and nephews?"
"Finally sleeping," I murmur, laying my head in his lap. "This is wearing me out, Ban. Three babies, and sometimes I'm all alone. Then there's the fact that Sesshomaru's almost always here. If I wanted to be around him, I would have gone home. And Naraku, the nerve of him, breaking up with me. And he doesn't even call to check on his daughter…or me." Smiling gratefully when Ban grabs my hand, I sigh. "Why is life so stressing?"
"I don't know about you, but I think it makes life all the more…interesting." Bankotsu replies softly, using his free hand to stroke my head.
Leaning into his hand, I shift into a more comfortable position. "It almost seems like Naraku would rather I be with Sesshomaru. He keeps telling me that there are things about him that I don't know, that I need to look at the facts before going to him." I look up at Ban and find him nodding, a thoughtful look on his face. "B-but what if I don't want to play it safe? What if I just want to follow my heart and my head?"
Bankotsu smirks. "If you did that, you'd pick Sesshomaru for sure. Picking Naraku is the safe way out for you. You know Sesshomaru is capable of hurting you because he has. Naraku hasn't yet…has he?"
"Well, not in the same way as Sesshomaru…When I ran away from Sesshomaru, it was because he had begun ignoring me again. I went to Naraku, but after a few nights, he made me leave. He just threw my clothes at me and kicked me out. I cried the hardest I had since Sesshomaru practically raped me."
"So he has hurt you." He sighs. "Have you truly forgiven Sesshomaru? And Naraku, have you forgiven him?"
"Of c- I don't know. I guess."
"You have to let these things go. Don't forget, just let it go."
I clench his hand tighter in mine, willing away tears that have suddenly sprung up. "…I can't, Bankotsu. I can't just forgive. I'll just push it to the recesses of my mind like I always have."
Bankotsu continues threading his fingers through his hair. "You can't do that, Kagome. It'll only hurt you in the end. You'll have a mental breakdown. Believe me, I know." He says sternly.
Sitting up, I bark at him, "You don't know what I feel! You don't know anything! You've probably never even been so confused and hurt like this!"
"Oh?" He asks calmly. "My mom's a slut. Since dad, she's slept with at least a hundred guys. She decided to marry one of 'em, Jon, Ryu's pop. I thought, 'Cool, I finally have a dad.'" His eyes harden. "But Jon was no father to me. He beat Ryu and I anytime we breathed wrong. I thought things couldn't get any worse, but then, when I turned 14, he started whoring me out to his friends."
"His friends?" I whisper softly.
"Yes, his male friends. Turns out, the bastard was bisexual…I struggled with that, Kagome. Not knowing whether I was gay or not because I let guys fuck me."
"Oh, Ban, I'm sorry." Tears began to shed anew.
He shrugs. "Doesn't matter. I'm over it now. I dealt with it. I unleashed all of my anger on Jon one day, and the prick had a heart attack and died. Me and Ryu were in the car with him at the time, so it was this huge wreck. When I woke up, though, everything was fine. I felt better, and knowing that he couldn't hurt me or my brother anymore only made me that much happier. I fucked my first girl at age 17, and everything came together then."
I fling myself into his arms. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to get so worked up! You're life is as hectic as mine, and here I am, whining about it. I'm so selfish."
"No you're not, Kaggy. You're too unselfish. You need to start thinking for you, caring for you, realizing what it is you want."
"I know."
Smiling gently, he kisses my forehead. "Everyone has trials, Kagome. It's up to us to be strong enough to overcome them. And we don't have to be alone. You've got a big brother now to help you. Then there's Sota, who might as well be your big brother too, and father, and everyone else, even Sesshomaru and Naraku seem to want what's best for you. Just, consider it. The battle is tonight."
Nodding with a small smile, I look down at my lap, fiddling with the hem of my shirt. "Hey, Ban?"
"Yeah?"
"What Jon made you do…was that how you met Jak and the other's?"
"Yeah. I met Jakotsu and Renkotsu first, then through then, I met Suikotsu, Mukotsu, Ginkotsu, and Kyokotsu. How'd you meet Jakky?"
I sigh fondly. "High school trip to France gone bad. Inuyasha and I got lost, and we met Jak in an alley. You should have seen the way he clung to Inuyasha! It was hilarious!"
"I should have known." He shakes his head with a chuckle.
"Yup. Inu is his little fantasy." I yawn into my hand.
"You might wanna rest up while ya can, Kag. You're gonna need your strength."
Nodding, I cuddle further into his lap, curl up into a ball, a drift off. My big brother is…alright.
Naraku's POV
Looking up toward the crescent moon, I smile softly. This is a great day for a battle. Of course, it will be difficult to stand still as I watch Sesshomaru attack her. But it will be worth it in the end, I know. I wonder how Kanna has been behaving. It's been terrible being away from my angels, longing for them when I could not have them near. I wonder if they wished for me as well. My Kanna seems wise beyond her years, looking at the entire world with eyes of the elderly who've seen all. She will make me extremely proud some day.
Pushing through the branches as I make my way through the forest to the battle grounds, I feel Kagome's aura flare. She must be practicing. I smile upon reaching the grounds, leaning against a tree and watching my beloved whip her sword through the air. It is quite the weapon: strong steel, seemingly Tamahagane, beautifully crafted hilt, made for a firm grip. Yes. It is perfection. She is indeed perfection, and yet, she lets me know that having imperfections is nothing to be ashamed of.
"Naraku?"
My eyes snap up to meet hers. I hadn't even noticed her turn to face me. "Hello, Kagome."
She frowns. "What are you doing here?" As I approach, she begins to swing her sword back and forth anxiously. "I thought that you didn't want to see me."
"You misconstrue my words, my miko." I come to a standstill before her. "I want nothing more than to be with you. But I want you to want nothing more than to be with me. If thoughts linger in your head about Sesshomaru…Are you ready for the battle?" I change the subject.
Kagome shrugs lightly, lifting her sword and striking out into the air. "I'm ready as I could be, having given birth only two short days ago. I'm feeling tired, fatigued, and weak, but I'll survive."
"Hm." I eye the other sword on her hip. "Would you like a sparring partner?"
"That would be…nice." She replies with a strangely shy smile, tossing me her other sword. "Come at me and strike with as much force as you can. I don't think Sesshomaru will hold back."
"As you wish."
Panting heavily, I stare across the clearing at Kagome. I had absolutely no idea that my little miko possessed such strength, skill, and general know-how. She hunches over, trying to catch her breath. Smirking, I take my chance and lunge at her. Looking up, her eyes widen as she's caught by surprised. She manages to raise her sword, but we both go tumbling to the ground.
Kagome blushes as she looks up at me. "Oops?"
Chuckling, I peck her lips gingerly. She is simply too amusing sometimes. I quickly find myself lost as I gaze into her eyes. "You'll never know," I lean down until our minds are touching, "just how much I truly love you." Placing my hands on either side of her head, I kiss her passionately.
Moaning, Kagome arches up into me, wrapping her arms around my back and intertwining her fingers in my hair. I pull her closer to me, nuzzling my nose up and down her neck. "Oh, that feels nice."
"You smell amazing." I suckle her neck, licking and nipping just to feel her shudder against me.
Suddenly, she sits up, stiff. "Sesshomaru and the other's are coming."
"Oh…would you like for me to release you?"
"I…No." She smiles at me, leaning into my chest. "They can see if they want. They'll have to get used to being around you anyway, now that we have Kanna."
"And how is our daughter?" I ask, twirling a strand of her hair around my finger.
Kagome sighs. "She's stressing. She likes her milk every night at 1:45 am, and while she's trying to drink, I have to play with her hair or she won't take anything. Then there's her fascination with mirrors. She stares into the mirror on my dresser every time I pass it, and when I walk away, she cries."
I shake my head and laugh. "Babies are strange that way, Kagome."
"I know…I'm just so tired, and always. I don't even get to eat often." She settles herself in my lap. "Things will be better, I assume, when you're there to help with her."
"When I am there…"
"You will be there, right?" She asks worriedly. "No matter the outcome?"
I caress her back comfortingly. "Of course. I must be there."
She opens her mouth to reply, then closes it again when her family, including Sesshomaru and his, step out into the clearing. She tenses against me, but makes no move to get up.
Normal POV
Sesshomaru's fists tightened at his side as he gazed ahead of him at his mate and her hanyou lover. As much as he wanted to rush over, pry the halfbreed from her, and tear him to shreds, he held back. This battle would make it known to all that she was his and he hers. Stepping forward, he spoke, "The battle will begin."
Kagome stood before extending a hand out to Naraku, who took it and stood. Brushing himself off, he gently touched her shoulder and whispered, "Whether you lose, and remain his, or you win, and choose, I will forever love you, Taisho, Kagome." He kissed her cheek, turned on his heels, and walked toward Sesshomaru. When they were face to face, he bowed. "Banzai, Sesshomaru-sama."
The demon lord crossed his arms over his chest and eyed him. There was no insincerity in his voice, and his eyes shone with honesty and nearly overwhelming pain. "Hn." Brushing past him, he paused, "Should she win, by some chance, and you are her choice…you are to take care of her, to love her, to guard her with your life. Am I understood?"
"Of course, milord. I understand." He bowed again, crossed his arms, and went to watch from the trees.
Inutaisho waited for his son and daughter-in-law to go to separate ends of the clearing, before announcing, "There are no rules in this battle! Anything goes! You must stop when you find your opponent unconscious. This is obviously not a battle to the death. Being the alpha male, Sesshomaru, you may make the first strike."
Sesshomaru nodded once, waiting for his father to leave the clearing. 'Kagome…forgive me for this.' Sprinting at her, he drew his arm back. A swift blow to the head would knock her out and end this. But as he swung at her, she leapt, and his fist connected with her stomach.
Kagome bit back a howl of pain as she flipped backward, landing on her feet and skidding back a few inches. Wincing lightly, she pressed her palm to her stomach. She could feel a little blood, warm as it trickled down her thigh. She continued to narrowly dodge Sesshomaru's blows. She knew that he didn't want to hurt her, but that he was doing what was needed to keep her.
'Why won't she simply collapse?' Fighting his love was taking its toll on him. Her blood was starting to stain her battle suit, the pale pink soiled with red around her inner thighs. Then there were the various nicks and scrapes he'd dealt. The more of her blood he smelled, the more worried he became, especially when she looked at him with unfocused eyes.
Kagome cried out when her back hit a tree. When her feet touched the ground, she immediately fell to her knees. Her head fogged, she coughed, "Don't stop, Sesshomaru."
"Kagome," He knelt, touching her face gently, "give up your fight. We could reschedule. You only just gave birth through a Cesarean section, a surgery." He cringed at the blood on her stomach.
"We can't reschedule, Sesshomaru. The youkai rules say so."
"I will change them. I am the Western Lord. I will present the case to the elders."
Kagome shook her head, forcing herself to stand. "They'll think I'm weak. They already hated that you mated a human. Now, you'll be changing the rules for one. I'm a youkai now, Sesshomaru. I can handle it. And if you won't fight me, then I'll fight you."
Sesshomaru sighed. At least she had pride and honor, even if she was a stubborn fool.
Deciding that he was taking too long to answer, Kagome kicked him in the chest with as much force as she could, watching as he was tossed backward by the force.
Easily, Sesshomaru landed on his feet. Yes, his female had managed some blows, and he too was bleeding, but not nearly as much as her. When she flew at him again, he caught her by the arm and tossed her away, none too gently, but not as roughly as he could. Every muscle in his body tightened when Kagome hit the ground hard and didn't get up. "Miko." He started toward her. "Miko!" Her aura said that something was wrong. She was more hurt than he'd thought. "KAGOME!" He ran to her.
Inutaisho and the others stayed back, not wanting to be in the way though they too were worried. He crossed his arms, leaning forward on his toes. "Come on, Kagome."
"Little one?" Naraku whispered to himself.
Sesshomaru rolled his mate onto her back. Her face was scratched up terrible, a large gash on the right side of her forehead. "Kagome," She wasn't unconscious. That he could tell, so the battle wasn't over, "Kagome, say something."
Her eyes dilated and began to glow a faint magenta as her youkai beast blended with her miko energy. She looked to him, blinked, then smirked broadly as her aura began to flare wildly around her. Oh, the Battle was only getting started.
