Thank you for your incredible patience! Happy New Year and I hope you all enjoy! Reviews are totally welcome!
The next few days were are flurry of activity. Dai and Sesshomaru personally took on the task of training Kagome and Inuyasha. The bond between them strengthened by the hour and they quickly learned to sense what the other needed while fighting and how to send it. After 3 days of almost non-stop training, Inuyasha and Kagome's combined power was able to quickly take out Dai and even Sesshomaru discovered he had a hard time remaining standing.
The last step was learning to merge the power of the two swords. The four of them retreated to a clearing deep in the woods. It was heavily warded to prevent discovery by an unsuspecting hiker and by Yuji or his minions. Inuyasha and Kagome were awestruck by the size and beauty of the clearing. Clearing his throat, Dai recaptured their attention.
"We brought you here to practice combining your swords power without destroying everything. I know you know how to combine Inuyasha's sword with your sacred arrows, Kagome but this particular merger will be able to take Yuji down after he has been stripped of his power."
Unsheathing their swords, Inuyasha and Kagome entered the warded clearing, their swords humming against the power of the wards. Sesshomaru stood behind them, ready to offer critique but this was clearly Dai's show. He moved the couple through paces for what felt like hours before actually letting them pull the power of the swords forth.
"Now." Dai ordered. "Call the powers!"
Kagome called the cutting wind as Inuyasha unleashed the dragon strike. The two powerful waves of energy first danced around watch other before blending into a blinding flash of light. All four watchers shielded their eyes and were stunned at the aftermath. Kagome and Inuyasha stood with their mouths hanging open. Sesshomaru's face was impassive but Inuyasha knew him well enough to recognize the pleased gleam in his eyes. Dai wore a satisfied smirk. He knew they were ready for Yuji. It was time for this to be over.
ooOOoo
After another hour of practice, the group returned home. Kagome hurried to find Sango while Inuyasha, Dai and Sesshomaru retreated to the latter's office. Miroku and Iaso were already present, their grim faces greeting the trio as they entered the room.
"Our spies have reported seeing Yuji in Kyoto." Miroku reported.
Taking his seat behind his desk, Sesshomaru looked over the papers on his desk.
"So we can expect him at first light?"
Iaso answered. "I'm certain. The wards around the area will alert us when he is in the area."
"We aren't going to wait for him to come to us." Inuyasha replied. "We need to meet him."
Dai nodded. "I agree with the young one. We have an advantage of location and the Inu connection to nature and this land. This is still all the Western lands and your family's magic is old magic."
Quickly, Sesshomaru gave instructions, reminding everyone of the Sesshomaru of old. Gone was the business mogul. In his place was the brilliant but ruthless leader that had fought both demons and humans alike. His plans were merciless and required everyone to be at their peak. Kagome and Sango were brought in and they were briefed as well. After several hours of planning, dinner was quick and bedtime was early.
ooOOoo
Inuyasha lay across the bed, thinking about the challenge they were getting ready to face. A single bedside lamp dimly lit the room while Kagome was in the bathroom and for a few moments, he wished there was a way to lock her in there and protect her from Yuji. Listening to the phone call she made to her mother broke his heart but at least this time she had the opportunity to speak with her. When they fought Naraku, it had been weeks since she had been home and there was no final goodbye. Closing his eyes, Inuyasha just wanted to this to all be a bad dream.
Kagome came out of the bathroom, clad only in her nightgown and robe. She had been thinking how this could be their last night together. Inuyasha was determined to treat her like a fragile piece of glass but Kagome was determined if things went south and she had to leave this mortal plane again, she would do the one thing she had wanted since the first time she had been with Inuyasha. She knew he'd try to resist her seduction but if tonight was her last night on earth, Kagome wasn't going to be deterred. Looking at him lying on the bed, clad only in his sleep pants, she knew exactly what she wanted.
"Inuyasha, we need to talk."
At the serious tone of Kagome's voice, Inuyasha sat up, his legs dangling over the edge of the bed. She moved to stand between his legs and wrapped her arms around him. Looking him in the eye, Kagome began.
"Even though you say you don't, I know you still sometimes see me as Kagome from the feudal era. You need to understand while she is a part of me, she is not me."
Inuyasha opened his mouth to protest but Kagome silenced him with a finger to his lips.
"She was a young, teenaged girl and I am not. I am the woman you profess to love and this woman refuses to let this night pass without being made love to by you."
Kagome had to restrain her giggles at the shock expression on Inuyasha's face. For a long moment, he simply stared at her, his mind over loaded from her speech. Kagome's amusement faded to be replaced by desire as the look on Inuyasha's face switched from shock to lust.
Inuyasha pulled her close, breathing in her clean scent.
"Profess to love you? Woman, do you have any idea what you do to me?"
Inuyasha began to lay kisses down the side of Kagome's neck, causing her to slowly melt. Between kisses, he kept talking.
"Do you know how hard it is to lay next to you, night after night, and not ravish you until dawn?"
His hands reached the tie of her robe and, in one fluid movement, he untied and removed the silky material, leaving Kagome in her thin gown. After taking a moment to drink in the sight of her nearly bare body, Inuyasha gently grasped Kagome's head and pulled her mouth onto his. As their lips met, the long repressed passions ignited and for them, time ceased to exist.
Inuyasha's hands moved down and caressed her soft body. Later, Kagome couldn't explain how she wound up totally nude and lying on her back in the bed. Somehow, Inuyasha had removed his pants and the feel of skin on skin was highly erotic to them both. Kisses soon turned into touches and both became lost in the sensations long denied through time and circumstances. Nothing in the world mattered except the two of them. As their bodies joined, they could feel the bond between them strengthen. Unbeknownst to them, however, their auras expanded and filled the room. As they both reached their peaks, their auras shattered, releasing a burst of energy that informed anyone sensitive to auras of their combined power and the love behind it that would take the kamis themselves to separate.
ooOOoo
Sesshomaru, Dai and Isao were in Sesshomaru's office when the wash of power swept through the home and the surrounding countryside. None spoke but all of them knew exactly what it meant and were please to know the final rite of the bond was finally consummated.
ooOOoo
The rush of power woke Miroku from a sound sleep. Smirking in the darkness with the warm body of Sango curled up beside him, Miroku couldn't wait to tease his friend.
ooOOoo
Even though he was 10 miles away, Yuji could feel the rush of power charging the air. Rage filled him as he recognized the power signature.
"No hanyou will have what is mine!"