So what do you guys think so far? Probably didn't see InuHoshi coming. I have thought long and hard about the coming chapters including revealing Takeshi's past. Hope everyone still loves it.
Unfinished Conquests 36
Touga could feel they were steadily being surrounded. He didn't like the looks of things and he is certain that Takeshi is planning on leaving with Kagome and will only be more adamant now that her pregnancy has been found out. To some degree he is upset that the child apparently isn't his. On top of that he has to prevent Takeshi from establishing his mark so it will go away on its own. If he succeeds in marking her further then her body will be at constant war and may likely suck away her life and if she makes it to childbirth, she may likely die during it. These possibilities pulled at his heartstrings making his heart ache as his worry grew before he turned it into determination to keep her from being captured. No one would ever be able to stop him from going to the ends of this world and the next for her. He would crossover into Hell just to bring her back. Nothing and no one will keep him from her.
She stood watching the two males battle while ignoring the sisters behind her back. They have battled far more intensely at other times, only determination kept their tired bodies going along with the last vestiges of energy they have. With so many battles lately their bodies have not been able to store extra energy as it was always running on dry by the time they finished. This kind of persistence and determination was beyond her as she didn't see why they are now essentially fighting over her. She met both for the first time on the very same night and from that point on they had their sights set on her but she really didn't see why at least with Takeshi. With Touga she can understand it deals with their souls but what is this attachment, this possessiveness that Takeshi continues to display even if it isn't always at the same level as Touga? No answers will be coming for her right away and she wasn't sure what she could even do about this situation. How much longer will she have to endure this before she finally feels some peace and goes back to enjoying the little things in life rather than happy to still be in one piece at the end of each day?
All she could do at this point is stand there while the others fight. Above her somewhere is the palace she had been in but she cannot see it from here and isn't sure how far away she is from the Western castle. The fighting just seemed ridiculous on some level but they also have to bring back the sun and the moon as well as get rid of these creatures. In the forest they lingered, staying at bay but their hungry eyes are fixed on them, she can feel it, even hear their growls, and smell their putrid body odors. Her eyes could only search the darkness, barely able to see anything outside of the light glows from the demons with their auras making them more distinguishable. It would be like a creepy scene out of a movie, a lone human girl surrounded by demons and monsters on a moonless night with barely a light to see even the trees and shrubs around her. You can hardly move because you have no real assurance of what is there or which step could be your last, you only know that right now the monsters are staying back likely because of Takeshi. Standing in the middle of this battlefield with the sounds and glows of everything demonic in your ears didn't bring hardly any comfort. The one comfort she does have is knowing Touga is right there and hopefully when this is over she can feel safe in his arms again or even wash the blood from his body. Gripping the tree by her she lightly clung to it while watching the males battle it out. A hiss and a plop of slimy liquid hit the top of her head and her arm. With a startled shriek she jumped backwards, wiping the gunk off as it burned her skin a little. The hissing drew her eyes up to a goopy creature that seemed similar in proportion to a komodo dragon. A tongue came out tasting the air as its diseased yellow eyes looked at her. Backing away slowly in a blind attempt to get distance she could hear Touga call out to her and yell something but she just kept backing up.
InuKimi also shouted something her way, it sounded like she wanted her to watch her step. Trying to look behind her she reacted when the creature suddenly leapt at her and with another step she slipped on something squishy that she hopes is just mud. The creature was charging after her and she was sliding backwards as fast as a waterslide, hitting the roots and trying to stop but as a minute went by she went slightly airborne with her hands going up into the air where she found them hitting something soon after as it grew even darker yet. It was cool with an earthy smell and she was still sliding at a fast pace with no clue if the creature still follows. Apparently she is now underground and could feel the ground become more sandy and rocky until she slid across a damp cave floor where she was finally at a stop. The trickle of an underground stream sounded to her left but the rest was silent and completely pitch black. Judging by her senses she is around a mile away from where she started and away from the safety she had there. Without her powers and the ability to see her surroundings she is a sitting duck. For now it sounds like she is alone in here, any putrid smell is just a hint in the air here. Groping the floor beneath her she slowly sat up and could feel the roots coming down through the dirt ceiling. All she can do now is just stay put and stay alert. That and hope it is Touga that will come for her if not InuKimi.
He watched his mate suddenly disappear into the darkness after she slipped in a muddy area and went sliding away backwards with that creature in pursuit. With a quick spin he sent his fangs of blood after it, killing the creature so it couldn't harm his mate. Now the stakes have been raised to who will get to her in time. Takeshi didn't look pleased either that she is now out of sight. A theory developed where he began to wonder just how much control this other demon has on these foul creatures. Judging by that creature going after Kagome he guessed very little since they have only shown to be mindless and bloodthirsty from what he has observed. Kagome is now in even more danger than ever. Although he can still see alright he doubted it is the same for her and she isn't supposed to use her powers as he could clearly see they are causing her harm. It is doubtful that any help should be coming for them; no one likely knows they came under attack. The exchange of blows went on and on as he had no choice but to try and defeat the enemy first.
The thudding of footsteps overhead had her going as still as can be while loose soil rained down on her every time they walked right over top of her. Drawing her knees to her chest while hugging her body she waited in the darkness for someone to rescue her. Above her is a demon, not one of those creatures and she isn't sure which is scarier. For all she knows they could work for Takeshi or just be an enemy of another nature. Definitely not someone she recognizes from the Western Palace. Time seemed to stretch on longer, her heartbeat sounded a lot louder in this place but in her mind she knew the last thing she should do is panic or draw attention to her in any way. The demon walked overhead once again and she could hear soil being dug up. Listening with wide eyes and a stiff posture she is now completely certain she is the target, why else would they be digging into the ground directly above her. Wanting to move but scared of what might be around her she became frightened, paralyzed with fear as she became indecisive. If she had one of those amethysts then the stream would be her first choice but once she is out where all those creatures are she can kiss her life goodbye. The digging continued and she curled into a ball as her senses told her Touga has yet to come this way, all of their positions being the same. The feeling of air movement as more soil rained down on her signaled that they are almost all the way through. With a stomping of their foot they broke through the rest of the soil and she went as still as a statue but a demon's vision is better than a humans, they would be able to see her in even this darkness.
Panic flared up as a large clawed hand gripped the back of her outfit as they started to pull her out. Flailing her limbs she gripped anything and everything in her attempt to get free but her grip was never strong enough. Ready to scream they already had her out of the hole and clamped another hand over her mouth before replacing it with a cloth as they gagged her before shoving her face down on the ground to restrain her hands. On instinct, without really thinking she flared her powers and heard as they hit a tree with a crack of wood splintering as she scrambled to get up. The pain that came in response brought her right back down to her knees as she gave a short cry of agony and clutched her neck. She couldn't even get over the pain before they lumbered over from the tree. It hurt so much she could barely focus on anything else as she whimpered. They scooped her up, forgoing the restraints before whisking her away through the forest. They were miles away by the time it subsided, her kidnapper being quick and silent as they fled.
Touga and Takeshi both paused as they sensed something was wrong through the bond along with the sense that she is in pain. Takeshi could tell because of his partially established mark in reaction to her powers. The jewel pulsed in the folds of Touga's clothing, his way of distinguishing what was going on with her. Both of their heads were turned in that direction, still tense as they didn't trust the other to not take advantage of the distraction. Both were torn and neither willing to give a temporary truce, just wanting the other to drop dead so they could chase down whatever has Kagome. As the distance grew greater Touga finally jumped into the air, beginning to form his cloud when Takeshi jumped up and slammed him into the ground with a strike from his elbow.
Sitting up with grunt of pain as he felt the soreness of his ribs in the impact area he looked almost questioningly at his opponent with anger in his eyes. Crossing his arms as he looked down at the silver haired male with steady eyes he said, "I'm not letting you go anywhere so DIE already!" He drew his sword and with a swing he sent the poisonous crystals his way and Touga missed the majority of them, getting minor scrapes on his arms as he rolled out of the way.
Normally he wouldn't use such dirty tactics but he needed to get to Kagome. With a fist full of dirt he threw it at his opponent with a spray of acid following right after. Takeshi hissed in pain as it hit his face and began to furiously brush the dirt away. When he opened his purple eyes he found Touga gone. Pissed that he got away he took to the sky seeing him speeding away in the same direction Kagome was taken. Leaving the demonesses behind Takeshi took chase having a hard time catching up. Both of them could tell after a few minutes that they are already gaining ground on the abductor which felt like good news to them. Continuing in an eastward direction they went further and further away, leaving the western lands entirely.
Kagome looked up at the lightly tanned face with thick reddish-orange spiky hair and serious blue eyes that was reminiscent of a deep blue sky. Removing the gag as she finally released her throbbing neck she felt wary as she asked him seriously, "What do you want with me?"
His eyes would flick down by her, keeping on guard to make sure she wasn't about to scream while so near to his pointed ears. As she continued to just stare and wait for an answer he decided to reply. "You're the mate to my enemy so naturally you're bait but now I see you have been marked by another as well."
Troubled eyes drifted down after getting a small glare from him. His strong jaw was tense she could see and so she kept quiet and fiddled with the fabric he had used for the gag. "Only Touga is my true mate and he will come for me, he always will," she declared quietly.
He drew his eyebrows in with a slightly puzzled expression. "So you refuse to accept Takeshi as your mate then?"
"I never accepted him in the first place, he forced it on me," she looked up at him angry, challenging him to say otherwise. He glanced down at her but remained quiet. Feeling something coming from the distance behind them he looked over his shoulders and sharpened his eyes on a dot that only his eyes could see. Closing her eyes and focusing she let a small smile play on her lips. "See, he is coming for me."
Adjusting his hold he looked over his shoulder again and could see they have grown closer. Behind that one was another dot, the one he is targeting. "So long as the other comes too I don't care," he decided and then he dropped out of the sky suddenly, a hand already covering her mouth as she screamed at the surprise descent. Dropping her legs he held her close as they continued to drop, going between the ridged cliff walls of a canyon and down to the start of a cave going into the ground under a dry riverbed. Feet touching the ground she gained her balance and was released for a split second as he instead grabbed her wrist and pulled her to follow him while his free hand shot out a burst of energy into the dark hole. The area lit up with torches showing her where to step safely. "Now come," he sped up the pace. The first set of torches went out as soon as they began passing the third set leaving the entrance to grow darker as the second set went out as they passed the fifth set.
"Are you after Takeshi," she asked, really hoping it isn't Touga.
"Yes," he answered and looked at her from the corner of her eyes as she relaxed slightly. He had her practically jogging to keep up with his quick strides.
Kagome glanced back towards the entrance before they rounded a corner, she was hoping to see silver hair, a white outfit, and golden eyes but instead it was empty for now. He will come, she can feel him, she just wishes he was already here. They turned into a short path leading right up to a tall crate being held up by a thick rope. He cornered her in there to prevent her from fleeing while he took a wheel that looked like it once belonged to a ship and began to turn it in a quick motion, lowering them through the hole beneath it.
Touga landed in front of the cave and could smell that she was being led inside, even see the rushed footprints. Taking his first steps in he proceeded cautiously and followed her steps and scent on down the corridor. So far he couldn't smell any of her blood in the air but he could tell there is more than just them in this cave. Nothing happened as he proceeded into the darkness with his every sense in full focus on his surroundings to make sure he doesn't walk into any traps.
Kagome looked around as they continued on down, seeing a large cavern lit with many torches and lanterns around the columns with several landings jutting out. Covering her mouth with a startled gasp she noticed the homes carved into the rock formations as different ones came out and stared at them with the kids mostly hiding behind their parents. "Wha-what is this, who is everyone?" Her eyes looked up at him as he finished the last of it, landing on a rock formation and pulling her out of the crate.
"This-this is many of the people from the Eastern lands that lived or worked at the palace or around it. The only reason we are still alive is because we fled and made a new home until this darkness has passed. He dragged our Lord Akihiko away and imprisoned him as a way to show his power over us." He watched her slowly look around stunned before she grew sad.
The name stuck in her mind though. "Wait your Lord!" She spun to look at him excited to give him news. "I might him recently. We had both escaped Takeshi and he tried to get me to the Western Palace. Just the other day we fought off those creatures together. He was doing well and stole some important scroll from Takeshi. I think him and Lord Sesshoumaru were working together to bring down Takeshi."
"He's alive," he looked at her and took a careful sniff, finding his Lord's scent on her but a few days old. It was a small relief to find his Lord has survived and might be on to something. Straightening up he pulled her with him, "Regardless you are still bait and pregnant with that bastards heir. We will destroy all traces of him when he walks into the trap," he grew cold towards her, his hand squeezing her wrist harder than need be as his words struck fear into her heart.
Feeling distressed she looked around helplessly as those around her looked on with hard eyes and flexed claws, the threat to her and her unborn child's life clear. Inside she felt panicky that they will likely attack Touga when he comes in to save her. Things were quiet from there on as she worried just what they have in store.