Author's note: Well here's the next chapter. Sorry for how late it is. Only two chapters left.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea
Chapter 29- Vamps, Vamps, Vamps
The following morning was a buzz of activity. Esme and Carlisle would be heading to Europe to talk with an Irish coven and an Egyptian coven. Rosalie and Emmett would be searching America for a guy named Garrett. Kagome and Edward would take the children and Seth (who won a fight against Leah) to go see the Denali coven. Bella and Jacob would explain what was happening to the wolves and Charlie later.
Alice and Jasper had disappeared sometime in the night unnoticed.
Kagome made sure both her children were eating, telling them if they behaved today they would get to play in some snow later. "Mama, where's Aunty Alice?" Sayoko asked as Kagome sat her plate down.
"I don't know baby, I think she and Jasper are in the woods somewhere."
Jacob distracted them by telling them about snowball fights he had when he was younger when he suddenly stood up. Kagome looked up from making her own plate to see Sam walking up the path. She told her children to remain inside and followed the others. Sam held up his hands upon seeing her, one which held a note. "Alice and Jasper passed through our lands to the ocean last night. She explained about the Volturi and the rogue demons. She asked me to give this to you." He held the note out to Kagome.
She opened it, reading out loud. "Gather as many witnesses as you can before the snow sticks to the ground. That's when they'll come for us." It was vague. With her years of knowledge it didn't take long for Kagome to decipher the hidden message. They were looking for witnesses of their own. They would return. "They'll come when the snow sticks. We stick to the plan until then." She crumpled the paper up in her hand.
"The wolves are with you." She looked up at Sam. "I…cannot apologize enough for our actions against you and your family. We protect our own and since the imprinting your children, they fall under our protection as well. When the time comes we will stand beside you."
It was as close to an apology as he was giving. Kagome nodded and gave him a hug. "Just don't piss me off again." He nodded with a slight smile. "And I'm sorry for kind of spilling your secret to the tribe."
Sam laughed. "Most figured out what was going on. The Elders had to explain in more depth but if Alice's explanation was anything, more of us will be changing. Jacob, Leah, and Seth will be stationed around the house when not on patrol."
"Thank you." Edward said coming up beside her. Sam nodded and held out his hand. Edward was shocked but clasped his hand and shook it.
Afterwards it was a buzz of activity. The twins said their goodbyes to everyone as they left for different parts of the globe. Kagome spent her time strapping in the car seats, no need for them to get pulled over cause her kids weren't buckled in correctly. Edward locked up the house while Leah said goodbye to Mason. Leah would remain behind to keep an eye on the house and forest.
Seth sat in the middle in the back seat with a kid on either side. Edward would drive, since Kagome didn't know where they were going, she sat in the passenger's seat quizzing her children on their numbers in Japanese. The drive only took a few hours, Edward driving fast while he could and taking it slower in the snow and slush. She could hear the excitement in Mason's voice as he saw all the snow.
Soon they pulled up to a snow covered house that closely resembled the Cullen house. "Wait here." Edward got out and headed to talk to the others first. She waited as she saw them talking until Edward motioned for her.
Kagome turned to look at her children. "Okay, time to meet some new people."
They both looked unsure now. "What if they don't like us?" Sayoko asked.
"Hey now," Seth moved some hair out of her face, "they'll love you. They've just never met anyone like you two before." The twins looked at each other for a second, Kagome could have sworn they were somehow communicating silently, before they both nodded.
"Okay." Mason smiled slightly.
Kagome nodded and got out first. She nodded to Edward and helped the twins out of the car. She heard several intakes of breath and one of them stating that they'd be killed.
"You get that thing out of here." Tanya hissed to Edward. Kagome placed her hand on Mason's shoulder, pushing him toward his sister who was hiding behind Seth unsure.
"They're not what you think," Edward tried to explain.
"This is a crime!" Tanya attacked Edward. He was able to throw her off but Kate grabbed his arm. Kagome could feel the pulsing air of electrocution. She let go of Mason's shoulder and rushed to Edward's side. Using a barrier she pushed Kate away and positioned herself next to her husband. Bother sisters moved to attack again.
"I gave birth to them!" Kagome shouted, causing them to look at her. Now that they had their attention she continued. "They are half-vampires, there is blood flowing through their veins. They eat human food as well as blood and have human needs like me." She stepped forward to grasp each of their hands. "I know your history with immortal children and I swear to you, they are not ones. Your sister didn't let us explain and now the Volturi is coming. My son can show you we speak the truth."
Edward waited for Tanya to nod and then turned and motioned for Seth to bring them forward. Sayoko held up her arms to be picked up while Mason hurried toward Edward and hid slightly behind him while peaking out to see the sisters. Edward picked him up, telling him it was okay, and waited for him to hold out his hand. "This is how he communicates."
Tanya was the fist, Kagome could see her eyes slightly widening as images were flashing before her eyes. Suddenly she pulled back shocked. "It's true, they're not immortal." Kate was next, shock was also evident in her eyes, before Carmen and Eleazar each took a hand. Once everyone had seen the truth Edward explained in more depth what was happening. No one noticed when Mason had slipped away until Sayoko shrieked.
Kagome turned, expecting an attack, only to find her two twins having a snowball fight. Seth laughed and jumped in on the fun, scooping up snow and dumping it on both of their heads. The children shrieked and giggled. Edward shook his head with a chuckle while Kagome outright laughed.
"They still act like children in many ways." Tanya pointed out.
Kagome hummed. "We've discovered that they age both physically and mentally fast, though their development has slowed down lately. This is however the first time they've seen so much snow. Sayoko's more outgoing than Mason who prefers to curl up with a book and read. They both love to listen to stories and I think when they get older they'll want to travel." She smiled at her laughing children.
"We'll help witness." Kate said with a smile. Sayoko ran up to them to hide behind Kagome. She giggled as a snowball went flying past them.
"Okay, peace." Kagome held up her hands. Seth and Mason groaned but stopped throwing the snow.
Sayoko turned toward the Denali coven. She bit her lip for a second before stepping forward. "Hello, my name's Sayoko Cullen." She bowed to them like her mother had been teaching her. She looked up to Kagome to see if she got it right. Kagome nodded with a smile.
Tanya smiled as she kneeled down. "Hello little one. I'm Tanya and this is my sister Kate. These are our good friends Carmen and Eleazar. Do you have any gifts like your brother?"
Sayoko pouted. "Not a vampire gift, but mommy says I'm a miko like her and when I get older I'll be able to create barriers and purify demons like mommy." The little girl smiled at the end, bouncing on her feet. The group around her laughed.
"We need to be heading back, the other's are sending more witnesses to the house."
They quickly left in two cars. Kagome felt slightly better now that one hurdle was done. She slept on the way back home listening to Seth read from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. She awoke as Edward lifted her from the car, she nuzzled his shoulder as he walked into the house. He set her down on her feet just as Leah exited the woods. The Denali's each froze but Kagome waved her hand. "Everyone inside," Mason and Sayoko rushed by, "stop running in the house! If I have to tell you one more time you'll each sit in a corner for an hour." The two groaned but nodded.
Kagome continued into the kitchen where Kate followed. She pulled out a full packet of animal blood from the fridge and some eggs. "How do you two want your eggs?"
"Omelet!" they both called out. Kagome chuckled as she pulled out some peppers and onions.
"You were brave." Kagome looked up at Kate. "You didn't have to carry them."
The miko hummed as she prepared the eggs and pan. "True however ask anyone who knows me well and you'll know that I adore children a lot. When I found out I couldn't carry safely I was divested." She looked up from chopping the peppers. "Mason and Sayoko are my little miracles and the only biological children I'll ever have." She went back to making the food. "If I had to make the choice again, I would do the same thing."
She cut one of the finished omelets in two, poured two half-filled glasses of blood, and carried them out to the table. "Foods ready." She called out. The two twins hurried to the table. The Denali coven watched as they children ate both the food and blood.
"Who else is coming mama?" Mason asked.
Kagome sat at the table with her own food. "Well, Carlisle and Esme were going to visit the Irish coven and the Egyptian coven. Rosalie and Emmett were looking for a man named Garrett as well as a few other American nomads." The boy thought for a moment before nodded and going back to eating.
"Where are Alice and Jasper?" Tanya asked.
Edward shook his head. "They left the other night. We don't know where they are but Kagome believes their looking for something."
She swallowed what was in her mouth. "I don't think Alice would just up and leave like this without a good reason. I mean she kept an eye on me when you guys left and visited when she thought I was dead. They'll come back when they've found what their looking for." Edward stood up and looked outside. "What is it?"
"The Egyptians." He stood to head outside. Mason and Sayoko giggled and took off while Kagome huffed at their empty plates. Kate smiled and helped her carry the plates to the sink before they headed outside. Kagome leaned against Edward as they waited.
They stopped a ways away from the family. There were two men and two women. The first man, who Edward stated was Amun, had a slight olive tint to his pale skin and black hair that was slightly gray with a beard. His mate, Kebi, had long, slightly curly black hair and she also had an olive tint to her skin. The second male, named Benjamin, had short black hair, olive tint to his skin, and looked to be about twenty to twenty-five. The last member and female was Tia, Benjamin's mate. She had the same olive tone of skin and heavy, straight midnight-colored hair.
They each had red eyes that focused on the twins. Kagome held onto Edward's arm as Benjamin stepped forward. Sayoko took her brother's hand and together they walked up to new vampires. Benjamin kneeled down, allowing the twins to approach him. Mason held out his hand and placed it against Benjamin's face. They waited as Benjamin saw the images before smiling and clasping Mason's hand. He turned to the other's. "They were born."
Tai looked shocked as she hurried to see what her mate saw. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Amazing." She looked toward Kagome. "Simply amazing." Amun and Kebi were unsure but they too stepped forward to see. Tai looked toward Sayoko. "Do you have a gift child?"
Sayoko shook her head. "Not a vampire one. I'm a miko like mommy. Mommy says it's the equivalent of a priestess. When I'm older I'll be able to fight demons and be powerful like mommy." She gave a big grin as she bounced on her feet. They adults who lived in the area laughed.
"Sayoko," Kagome waited until her daughter looked at her. "What have I said about power?"
Sayoko blinked. "Power comes with great responsibility. Just because you have the power to do something doesn't mean you should. It is our actions not our power that determines who we are."
Her mother nodded. "Good girl."
Benjamin took Mason's hand, moved it back and forth for show, then opened it. Kagome watched in awe as a swirl of dirt spiraled up into the air. "Benjamin has complete control of the elements." Edward said with awe evident in his voice.
Benjamin looked toward Sayoko. "May I see what you can do?"
Sayoko looked toward Kagome who stepped forward. "Go to daddy." She motioned with her head to Mason. Kneeling beside Sayoko she smiled. "Okay baby, just like I showed you." Sayoko nodded and held up her hands. She cupped her hands like she was taking water from a river. Biting her lip, she concentrated as her hands started glowing pink. "Slowly, baby. Don't force it." Sayoko nodded as she focused on the glow. The pink light began to take shape into a ball. "Okay now, slowly lower your hands but don't stop focusing."
The group of vampires watched in awe as a small pink ball remained floating in the little girl's hands. They could see the power flowing about the balls like the vapor off of dry ice. "This is the most basic form of a miko's power. A miko can channel this power into any weapon of their choice. This power can cure certain injuries and turn demons and, with enough concentration, a vampire into dust. Okay baby, pull the power back into you but slowly."
Sayoko nodded and slowly the pink ball disappeared. "Sayoko doesn't have enough power to purify a vampire but I can with enough force." She smiled gently at them. "Lessons, now." She looked at both children who groaned playfully and hurried toward the house. The others followed and headed inside. Kagome moved to wash the dishes while Edward grabbed a book and started in on their history lesson.
"You are an amazing woman." She looked up from washing to see Amun standing in the doorway. "To have slept with a vampire and carry the child to birth." He trailed off as if he couldn't find the right words.
"I've been told that a lot lately." She handed the last plat to Tanya who quickly dried it and put it away.
The rest of the day was spent with the twins' lessons, their new friends talking about their countries history from their point of view. Kagome talked mostly with the woman who wanted to know more about how her pregnancy went. Kagome showed them the full research they did on both Kathrin and herself, comparing the differences between the two pregnancies and the complications they both had.
By night fall they were joined by two more vampires, Peter and Charlotte. They both had short brown hair. It was their first word on Alice and Jasper. Jasper had asked his old friend to help protect his family. He didn't state where he and Alice were going next, Peter stated that they had only took off after they, Peter and Charlotte, confirmed they would head to forks.
They too had been amazed at Kagome and her children.
Despite her best interest, Kagome allowed the kids to have a "sleep-over" in the front room. She allowed them to pulled their blankets and pillows from their rooms as long as the vampires knew they had to go to sleep by ten. She headed upstairs with her husband. "You know what sucks." She looked at her husband as he hummed. "No privacy." He chuckled. "I want to take a bath but…" she looked back down the stairs. "…they'll hear me."
Edward hummed. "How about we share?" He smiled at her and gently kissed her lips. "That way, I can hear what they say." Kagome giggled as she pulled him down the hall.
The following morning Kagome hurried down the stairs to see her children kneeling in front of a map and Amun pointing at something. She smiled at see her children so carefree. "Did you two eat?" They both nodded but were engrossed with whatever Amun was telling them.
"They've both eaten food but not blood. We couldn't find any in the fridge and no one wanted to disturber you two after last night." Tanya said as Kagome blushed.
She cleared her throat. "Well, um, Car-Carlisle keeps the packet blood hidden in his office because the twins like to try and sneak some for a late night snack." She turned to hurry back up the stairs only for Edward to come down with two packets. She glared at him as he smiled and headed toward their kids.
"Knock, knock." Bella called out as she opened the door. "I come bearing gifts for the twins and take out for us." She walked up the stairs but paused as every red eyed vampire looked at her. "Woah, um hi I'm Bella, I'm Kagome's cousin and I'm not food." Kagome laughed as she took the bags as the twins hurried to give her hugs and take their gifts. "Hey, my god you're getting so big." She handed the boxes over. "They're from my dad, he hopes you like them."
They took the boxes and quickly opened them after getting the okay from Kagome. Inside were stuffed animals the twins liked.
Jacob entered behind Bella. "Seth and Leah are doing their rounds right now, they should be done by noon."
Kagome nodded. "Everyone this is Isabella and Jacob. The wolves will side with us once the time comes. Until then their doing patrols of the woods so no spies from either the Volturi or the Rouge army get through. Jacob, Seth who you met yesterday, and Leah will be stationed at the house."
"Charlie also wants you to check in with him. He's agreed to take vacation time once it gets closer to the snow sticking with Sue Clearwater." Bella said as she followed Kagome into the kitchen.
"Uncle Charlie and Sue Clearwater? Didn't see that one coming."
Bella laughed at Kagome as she handed over a container of food. "So how many more are coming? The packs starting to get restless at the small amount you have now."
Kagome sighed as she opened the container to some fired fish. "Rosalie and Emmett should be arriving soon with at least three more by tomorrow at the latest. Carlisle and Esme are talking with an Irish coven and should be back the day after tomorrow. No word on Alice and Jasper since they sent Peter and Charlotte."
Before Bella could comment she heard Edward call out for her. They headed outside where he was staring at the woods with Jacob at his side and the children in between them. Before Kagome could ask two dark haired and skinned woman jumped down from the trees. "Who are they?"
"Zafrina and Senna, from the Amazon. Alice sent them." Edward nodded to her that it was okay and watched as he and Jacob escorted the twins to meet the new arrivals. As the others had been the two Amazon women were amazed over them.
She had agreed to give them a free day to play. While the twins were learning about their new friends' powers, Kagome was on the phone with Inuyasha.
"…Twenty from the Southern army have been confirmed gone. Also word got to us about a large traveling group of about sixty to a hundred demons. They were heading through Afghanistan to Iran at a fast pace. While Hikatrou is looking to go after you…"
"Many are seeking the jewel. Damnit." Kagome sighed as Kate set a bottle of soda in front of her. "Alright, I'll have Bella move into the house and I'll set up a monitoring barrier around Forks and La Push."
"We'll be there by tomorrow morning. Keep your head up till then."
With that Kagome hung up the phone. "Bad news?" Kate asked.
Kagome scoffed. "The demon army coming just tripled in size," she downed half the soda in front of her. "I need to get a perimeter-barrier up before any scouts get here." She stood up and headed up to her and Edward's room. She pulled out a stack of sutras and quickly headed outside. "I'll be back late tonight. Jacob tell the wolves to stay in the forest or La Push until I get back."
"I'm going with you." She turned to see Kate beside her. "You may need the protection." She pointed out before Kagome could argue.
The miko nodded and together the two headed out into the forest. Kate kept at Kagome's pace as they moved from one point in the perimeter to another. Kagome would place a sutra on a tree and infuse it with a bit of her powers. The sutra would glow pink for a moment before it blended into the wood. They moved from tree to tree as fast as they could, marking out the whole perimeter in three hours. Reaching the last point Kagome let the sutra fade before sighing.
"You might want to step back." She looked at Kate. Closing her eyes Kagome let her mind clear of everything but the foundation of the perimeter-barrier. She could see the light pulsing of pink light that circled the area. Focusing on strengthen it and linking it to her mind, she threaded each sutra to another and another before a huge web of her power was in her mind. Nodding that everything was strengthened she withdrew from her mind to see Kate staring at her. "What?"
"You were glowing pink, I mean a bright pink." Amazement was clear in her voice.
Kagome giggled as they started back toward the house. "It took me a long time to focus it though something other than a bow and arrow. When I first discovered my powers I could only channel them though an arrow and that took me weeks to learn how to use it on command. Now I can do all sorts of things like barriers or this perimeter-barrier."
When they arrived back at the house the Irish coven had arrived. Kagome was introduced to Siobhan, her mate Liam, and their adopted daughter Maggie. Kagome was informed of Maggie's ability to tell when she was being lied to. The miko had smiled. "Wished we had something like that back in the 1600's. Could've used it when we had a huge rogue army and a spy among us."
Kagome informed them of the barrier, stating that they could come and go as they pleased she would just know so she could monitor if any rouges arrived. She allowed her kids to "camp out" in the living room as long as Tanya got them to bed on time.
The next day three nomads appeared with Rosalie and Emmett. Garrett was an American Revolutionist who hated anything from England. Randall was young compared to many of the others and quite. Mary, though quite, didn't share the Cullen's value on human life. They were each introduced to Kagome and her children. As each one saw the images from Mason, they looked at Kagome with awe. The twins were happy to have their aunt and uncle back and asked them all sorts of questions about their time away.
Carlisle and Esme arrived with one last nomad named Alistair. Alistair was pessimistic and socially awkward around Kagome and Bella. He would stare at Kagome as if debating something before walking away.
Around midday Kagome looked up from her book as she felt Inuyasha and his guard pass through her barrier. She waited for a few minutes before heading outside. The vampires all paused around her, waiting to see who would arrive next, when Inuyasha and Kikyo stepped out of the forest. They were both dressed in royal garbs, as was the guard, with the western symbol showing proudly on their chests. The guard all fell to one knee as Inuyasha approached her. She waited as he stopped in front of her.
"The West has heard a plea from one of their own. We have answered that plea. We will proudly fight alongside you once more, and if the occasion arises we will shed blood and die alongside you." He held out his arm.
Kagome stepped forward and clasped his forearm and he clasped hers. "Oh behalf of the Cullen family I thank you for coming. On the fields of battle we have often fought together and I will proudly fight with you again."
The two smiled before Inuyasha drew her into a hug. "God Kags, when Rin and Kikyo informed me of how bad you had gotten I was scared. I wanted to come down here and hurt someone." He released her. He looked her up and down for a second. "You've got this glow about you I haven't seen in a long time." He looked past her toward the porch where Edward was standing with the twins. "And this must be Mason and Sayoko." He knelt in front of them. "I know we haven't met yet but I'm Inuyasha, Kikyo's husband."
Kagome watched with a small smile as he looked them both over, moving Sayoko's hair out of her face and sighing. Mason placed a hand on his check getting Inuyasha to gasp as images flew before his eyes. He smiled at them and turned to face Kagome. "Their beautiful Kags."
She nodded. "I would have taken you in." Inuyasha froze before closing his eyes. Kagome wrapped him in a hug. "I would have loved you." He buried his face in her shoulder.
The twins looked at Kikyo confused. "You see, your uncle Inuyasha is a half-demon but he's also half-human."
"Like us." Sayoko stated.
Kikyo nodded. "Yes but see Inuyasha didn't have anyone when he was a little boy. He had to face this world alone and Kagome was letting him know that she would have loved him." The twins nodded and watched their mother.
They remained hugging one another until Inuyasha finally pulled back and wiped the tears away. "Now, fill me in on what's been happening here." Kikyo directed the guard to take positions around the forest and keep an eye out for demons. Kagome filled Inuyasha and Kikyo in, doing the same with Kanna and Shippo who arrived, as they changed into normal clothes.
"You need to focus Bella." Kikyo said as she pushed against Bella's barrier. The vampires around them watched as Kagome and Kikyo continued on Bella's training. Leah and Seth were playing with the twins, rough housing under the watchful eye of Edward. Kikyo paused as the barrier dropped again after fifteen minutes. "We need a good medium for her."
Kagome hummed. "Okay Bella try this, when you create your barrier think about how whatever that is trying to get though is going to hurt Renee or Charlie. And they're not just going to hurt them, they're going to damage them so bad they won't live."
Bella nodded slightly pale and tried again. Kagome and Kikyo waited for a few minutes before attacking the barrier. After a few basic attacks the barrier still stood strong. Kagome and Kikyo smiled and began to attack it in force, throwing some of their most power miko attacks but the barrier remained.
"I think you got it." Kikyo said with a smile. "Now it just takes time and practice to strengthen it."
Eleazar stepped forward as they took a break. "You never told me your cousin was a shield?"
Kagome looked confused. "A what?"
"A shield, it's a defensive talent. It's why I couldn't read her mind." Edward stated.
"She has a very powerful gift even as she is now." Eleazar stated.
Suddenly Kate appeared out of nowhere and tried to shock Bella but nothing happened. "Oh yeah, she's a shield alright. That should've knocked her out."
"Or your voltage has been exaggerated." Garrett poked playfully.
Kate held up her hand. "Maybe it only works on the weak." Garrett stepped forward, ignoring Carlisle's warning, and touched Kate's hand with a finger. He was quickly brought down to his knees.
He looked up at her. "You, are an amazing woman."
Kagome giggled as she could see the attraction there when suddenly she felt two vampires cross her barrier. She looked toward where the intruders came from. "Two unknowns, southeast, moving at a fast pace." Carlisle took off with Edward, Kate, Carmen, Eleazar, and Inuyasha.
Seth and Leah took the twins inside while Kagome and Kikyo remained outside in defense stands waiting for the others to return. Soon, as night began to fall, they returned with Jacob and two Romanian vampires named Vladimir and Stefan. They headed inside where they listened to why the Romanian's came.
"No one said anything about a fight." Amun said looking at the Cullens.
"When Aro wants someone from a coven, it isn't long before evidence turns up proving that coven committed some crime." Eleazar said. "It happens so rarely, I never noticed it was a pattern."
"So Aro chooses someone he wants, states that the coven committed some crime, and pardons the one he wants." Eleazar nodded at Kagome. "So his "witnesses" will more than likely be pardoned vampires who will be willing to fight."
"Aro wants Alice," Edward spoke up. "I read his mind, he doesn't have anyone like her."
"But why does he need witnesses?" Emmett asked.
"To spread the word that justice has been served." Alistair said from against a bookcase. "After he slaughters an entire coven."
Amun sighed. "Benjamin, Tai come. We're leaving."
"Where will you go?" Kagome asked getting everyone to look at her. "What makes you think he'll be satisfied with Alice? What's to stop from going after Benjamin next? Or Zafrina or Kate or anyone else with a gift? Anyone they want. They don't want to punish, they want power." She sighed. "Carlisle might not ask you to fight, but I will." She looked each vampire in the eye as she spoke. "Not only for the sake of my family, but for yours. And for the way you want to live. I'm not asking you to fight against the demonic army that's headed this way, but if it comes down to a fight against the Volturi I'm asking you. Please.
"For the first time in my life, I have everything I've always wanted. A loving husband, two wonderful, biological children, and people who don't judge me for who and what I am. And in a few days all of that might be taken from me because some asshole in power wants something he can't have. If it comes down to it, I will fight and die to protect my family. Would you not do the same for yours? Or would you continue to run, to hide?"
There was a pause before Jacob stepped forward. "The packs will fight." Bella stood taking his hand and smiled at Kagome with nod.
"We will fight as well." Tanya stood along with her sister and Carmen.
"This won't be the first time I fought a king's rule." Garrett stepped forward.
Benjamin nodded. "We'll join you."
"No." Amun quickly stated.
"I will do the right thing Amun, you may do as you please."
"I'll fight." Mary said with a smirk. Each of the other nomads quickly agreed.
"We will stand with you." Zafrina said.
Siobhan quickly stood up. "So will we." Peter and Charlotte nodded.
Kagome looked at each of them. "Thank you."
"That didn't take much." Vladimir said to Stefan.
"You're all foolish." Alistair said as he moved to walk away.
Kagome glared at him. "What the hell is your problem?" Alistair turned to look at her. "No, you know what your problem is? You're afraid to stand up for yourself. You're afraid to fight against someone in power for whatever reason. I'm willing to die for anyone in this room just because they listened to us. You do what you want Alistair, but remember this. Until someone stands up to them, the Volturi will continue to push others around. But when you finally take a stand they'll learn that not everyone can be bullied into submission."
"The Volturi have a treaty with the Demonic Western Court," Inuyasha spoke up. "That treaty states that the Volturi can't attack anyone of blood to those listed on the treaty or that is on the treaty itself. That includes Kagome and her biological family. Isabella was injured when a newborn army attack the Cullen family last spring, an army that never should have been. We will be using that leverage against the Volturi. Depending on how the Volturi act, they may not live to see another sunrise."
Kagome looked at Inuyasha and knew, Sesshomaru had given them the go ahead to destroy the Volturi.
Kagome sighed as she watched the snow falling and sticking. The Volturi would be arriving by tomorrow. The day before Sam had arrived at the house to inform them of a huge open clearing that would be perfect to fight in. In total twenty wolves would be standing alongside them.
But today was supposed to be a happy day for it was Christmas.
Though Kagome had only celebrated the holiday twice while in America, she didn't want to deprive her children from their American heritage. So they went to Charlie's where the Clearwater's were joining them.
Charlie and Sue would be leaving later that day for a fishing trip so they wouldn't get caught in the crossfire. Sue had been worried about her children fighting but simply stated that she trusted Kagome.
"Present time." Charlie called out causing the children to bounce around. Kagome watched as Seth gave Sayoko a bracelet he had made, Leah gave Mason a book about tribal legends, Charlie and Sue gave Bella and her a thousand dollar check for whatever they wanted. Edward gave her a small box that reveled to be a necklace with the Japanese symbol of forever on it outlined in small diamonds. She looked up at him a smile.
"Forever." She whispered. He pulled his wife to him and gave her a kiss. Their lips didn't touch for more than a few seconds before they heard two high-pitched giggles. Kagome looked toward her children who seemed to find the ceiling interesting.
Lunch was served, a more finger meal than a sit down one, when Charlie pulled her aside. "How bad is it?"
Kagome sighed. "We don't have any word on the Volturi, but the demon army looks to be about mid-size. That's not bad but it's not good."
"Just be careful." Charlie said as he hugged her close. "And take care of Bella."
"I will."
Kagome looked in the mirror at the outfit Inuyasha had given her. The form fitting black jeans, black sleeveless style halter top, and knee-length black leather boots with a slight heel looked good on her. The entire outfit was outlined in bright pulsing purple showing her power and the bright blue crescent moon on the back of her shirt. On the bed beside her was an ankle length form-fitting trench coat. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she grabbed the box of jewelry she would have to wear and placed it in the pocket of the coat.
Sighing one more time Kagome left her bedroom and headed down stairs. Everyone was outside waiting for her so they could move to the clearing the wolves had found. They would camp out tonight and tomorrow deal with the Volturi.
"Okay, Sayoko, Mason stay with your guard. Kanna keep an eye on the Rouges, I don't want to take any chances. Seth, Leah stay close." Everyone nodded and headed out. Some took to the trees, some remained on the ground. In one large group they headed up the mountains heading north. Along the way they met up with Sam who lead the group. It only took an hour and a half, mostly due to the fact that Kagome and Inuyasha kept stopping the group as a caution.
Emmett and Inuyasha set up the small camp area while Kagome and Edward went with Sam to the clearing. It was vast, it was flat, it was perfect. "The packs will hide among the tree-line until the Volturi come. Until then we'll be stationed east of you guys."
Edward nodded. "Until tomorrow then." Sam nodded and they parted.
As night fell the snow came down lightly. Bella was shivering so Jacob gathered wood for a fire. Benjamin showing off used his powers to light the fire. Bella huddled into Jacob's chest for warmth. Kagome put the children to bed, telling to that tomorrow they had to be brave and then they could live in peace again. "Now I want you two to know something." She waited until they both were looking at her. "Tomorrow mommy is going to become someone very…dark, bad I guess is a better word. But that doesn't mean I would ever hurt you."
"We know okaasan." Sayoko said.
"I know sweetie, but you're going to see a side of me that I never wanted you to see. I just want you two to remember how much I love you." She kissed each of their foreheads. Tucking them in she left them to Kikyo who was guarding them for the night. Heading out to the others she noticed they were gathering around the bonfire.
"Name any American battle, I was there." Garrett said.
Jacob looked in disbelief. "Little bighorn."
Garrett sighed and held up his hand, fingers close together. "I came this close to biting Custer. But the Indians got him first."
Kate appeared on Garrett's lap. "Try Oleg's assault on Constantinople. He didn't win that one on his own."
"If you're talking battles, you're talking the Eleven Year's War. No one does a rebellion like the Irish." Liam said.
"You lost the Eleven Year War." Garrett pointed out.
"Ah, but it was one hell of a rebellion."
Soon everyone had gathered, some just listening, others talking about battles they had seen. When Kagome joined them, sitting on Edward's lap, Vladimir was talking about when they were in power. "When we ruled everything came to us. Prey, diplomats, favor seekers. Such was our power. But we never put on white hats and called ourselves saints."
"We were honest about what we were." Stefan said.
"We sat still for a very long time. We didn't notice we were beginning to petrify." Vladimir looked slightly thankful, at least Kagome thought so.
"Perhaps the Volturi did us a favor when they burned our castles."
"We've been waiting 1,500 years to return the favor. We have been ready to do battle for ages." Vladimir looked toward her. "Though I have to wonder what it is you can do."
Kagome simply smiled while Inuyasha scoffed. "I may not know much about the Volturi but I do know that Hikatrou is going to get his ass kicked."
"Inuyasha." Kagome in her no nonsense voice. "What have I told you about cussing in front of children?" She glared at him.
He pointed to the tent where her kids were. "Their asleep."
She looked at him with a disbelieving look. "You know with my luck their still awake."
The half-demon hummed. "Anyway if there's one person you don't ever want to piss off its Kagome here."
"I have to agree." Shippo said from his perch in a nearby tree. "Our battles were never written in the human history books but if you want a good war, the Invasion of 1604."
Kagome shook her head while Inuyasha smiled. "Now that was a good war."
"What happened?" Emmett asked.
"In the early days of 1603 word reached the Western Lord that rumors were spreading about a gathering of high ranking demons is northern China. Scouts were dispatched to bring intelligence of where the rumors started. Instead they brought word of an army heading toward Japan. At first it was small for a demon army, a hundred lower and mid-ranking at most, but the further southeast they got the more demons joined them. They were after three things. One, Japan itself. The land was vast and once all the humans had been removed then it would be the perfect island for demons.
"The second was they wanted to kill the miko who slay both humans and demons without a care. They wanted to kill not only her but all miko's so there would be no one to challenge a demon so easily again. And third, they wanted the jewel of great power. For a year we waited, planned, and prepared. When the army reached the shores of Japan their number had grown to three thousand plus. We met them on a prepared battlefield and in the month of May in 1604 a small army challenged a large one. The four Cardinal Lords came together with their armies making a total of just over a thousand.
"For two days these armies fought, so much blood was spilt that the ground could no longer soak it up. Bodies were piled everywhere, blood fell from the sky as air born demons attacked one another. And in the middle of it all, creating the most blood spilt, was the Western Lord and his brother. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were creating such devastation that many were afraid to approach them. I was melting the skin and bones of any demon that crossed my path.
"At the end of the two days the leader of the army challenged me head on. I had been fighting nonstop while he had been sitting behind his army watching. In two hours time his head was mounted on a spear and carried throughout battlefield." Kagome smirked.
Inuyasha laughed. "Oh what a sight it was to see Kagome carrying a spear with a head on it."
"Challenge me if you will," Shippo stated in a high-pitched voice. "But know that I will kill all who face me." The group of demons around them laughed. Kagome picked up a rock and chucked it at him. "Hey."
"How I sometimes miss the days when we didn't have to hide." Kikyo said as she sat next to Inuyasha. "Those days were sometimes the most simplest and the best."
There was silence.
"Perhaps," Kagome spoke up after a minute or two. "One day we will no longer have hide. Perhaps one day, everyone, no matter if their demon, human, vampire, immortal, or shifter, perhaps one day we can all walk among each other like in the past."
She looked at Inuyasha who smiled back.
