Chapter 37

The flash of energy left the area in complete silence. Takeshi, Shippo, General Goro, the soldiers and the humans that were conscious didn't move. Everyone was afraid to break the spell that settled over the clearing. Kagome finally lifted herself from the ground. She looked around, ignoring the cheers of the others as she crawled over to Sesshoumaru's still form.

Shippo and Takeshi raced towards her, only to stop in their tracks as a pulse of power from Sesshoumaru echoed all around them.

Kagome sat back, watching as Sesshoumaru's body began to glow. He was slowly drawn up into the air, the tips of his boots barely touched the ground. She let out a gasp as his black eyes flew open and focused on her. Just as suddenly, the demon's head flew back, his back arched further and a scream left his throat, the likes of which no one had ever heard before or wished to ever hear again. Thousands of voices cried and echoed all around as black sand flew from the male's mouth and wounds. The beads on his neck began to dissolve. Just as quickly as one would fall away, another would leap from one of the humans and speed over to the main set, only to dissolve as well. The foul sand seemed to fly everywhere and cover everything.

As if a switch was flipped, the screaming energy turned off, dropping Sesshoumaru and the black sand to the ground. He lay next to the stunned priestess. The necklace was gone.

"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome cried. She reached over and cradled his head in her lap. "No, No, No...You arrogant dog!" shouted as the tears started to fall. "Don't think if you die, you'll be getting away from me. I'll force your damn sword to bring you back so I can kill you myself!" She didn't pay attention as a young boy came up on each side of her. "This wasn't the plan, you idiot! Wake up you jerk!" She started hitting his unwounded shoulder.

"Woman... you will cease your assault of this Sesshoumaru's person." came a rough voice.

Kagome looked down. Blood-shot, gold eyes watched her closely. A black tear made it way from the corner of one eye. Black sand and dust clung to dried lips. She frowned as her tears falling on his cheeks went ignored. He was almost taken over by thousands of demons and nearly purified and he was still as arrogant as ever. "You didn't still didn't stick to the plan, you ass."

"Plans change." he replied.

She narrowed her eyes. Before she could say another word his hand found the back of her head and he pulled her down into a silencing kiss. Her eyes widened before closing completely. The kiss was gentle, loving. It was a touch she never would have thought him capable of giving. After a moment, they gently pulled away from each other. "You're still an egotistical male." she said softly, slightly blushing.

"And you are still a mouthy female." He replied quietly. She was determined to see more of the small smirk he gave her.

"I will never be meek and quiet." she said.

"I will never be overly emotional." he replied.

She sat up and taking her sleeve, she gently wiped the back from his face. "You look like hell." She said.

"Hn." he replied, showing her several leaves he pulled from her hair before dropping them to the ground.

She sat back and pulled a boy under each arm, hugging them tightly. She looked closely at Takeshi. He looked tired and... guilty? "What's wrong?" she asked him.

He hung his head in shame. "I was too weak. Legion took control. I could have killed you."

She embraced the boy even tighter to her. "You were not weak." She started. "You were battling 5,000 hell demons that were thousands of years old. You are sane and alive. There is no shame in that. Only strength." and she kissed the top of his head.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the young fox demon that sat near him. "Where is Rin?" He growled.

Shippo pressed harder into Kagome's side as he rubbed the back of his neck in a nervous fashion. "She's at Masao's village, Lord Sesshoumaru, as you instructed." Before either adult could say a word he continued. "Jaken is there, watching over Rin, as you instructed. I made sure she got there safely, as I was told to do." He gave a small "heh." at the glare the adults were giving him.

"We will discuss this later." Kagome said, then she pulled him in a tight hug. "I'm glad you're okay, though."

A shadow suddenly loomed above them. "Lord Sesshoumaru, I am Goro, General to the Eastern Armies." The tall lizard introduced himself with a deep bow. Kagome noticed his battle worn appearance and the bandage wrapping his side. He seemed tired, but otherwise okay. "What would you have done with the human prisoners, my Lord?"

Kagome looked behind him as his men brought the remaining 20 or 30 priests, priestess and one or two remaining soldiers before them, forcing the humans back to their knees. All were tied with their hands behind them. Many were bruised, cut and bleeding. Along one side, a few of the prisoners were still unconscious. Kagome and Sesshoumaru looked at each other for a moment, before she spoke. "If I may?"

"Hn." Sesshoumaru gave a slight nod. He knew her soft heart would take over, but he didn't care at this point. There was no honor or challenge in killing weak prisoners. Legion was dead, his mind controlled pawns were of no consequence.

Kagome looked up to the General. "If you would, please have your men wake the unconscious ones. I wish to speak to them all." The General walked away to give the order. She watched as Takeshi offered his hand to his father to help him stand, and the proud older demon took it. She leaned on Shippo as she got to her feet.

The small group, though battle weary, stood proud before their allies and enemies. Recognizing a stronger power, all bowed.

Kagome spoke up. No one would be able they didn't hear what she said. She wanted no excuses. "I am the Priestess Kagome. I was the guardian of the Shikon no Tama. I am the bonded of Lord Sesshoumaru of the West, protector and caregiver to Takeshi, heir to the West, and Shippo, ally of the heir. We are Pack." She took a breath, allowing the introduction to sink in. "The humans here are a disgrace, and at this time, I am ashamed to be counted among you." Many gave her a hateful look. She decided this was not the direction she needed to go, but they had to see their mistake. "Yes, Legion was a demon, a single demon comprised of thousands. He saw the darkness in your hearts, the pride and he fed on it and in turn controlled you."

"You are saying you have no darkness, then?" a voice from the humans rang out. She held up her hand before the soldier closest to him could do more then strike him on the back.

"I have seen the darkness in my heart." She gave a nod. "We are not gods. We all have moments of pride, anger, hate and sadness. There are times where we are driven to become demons. The difference between us is that I have accepted this about myself. This is the way we are all made. Human, half-breed, demon, none of us are gods. We were given certain gifts to balance the world around us. In your foolish arrogance, you moved to destroy that balance and in doing so, are destroying yourselves."

No one said a word. Many had a look of confusion. "In your haste to cleanse the lands of the demonic race, I believe you have weakened yourselves. I believe this is the way the gods are trying to maintain the balance. What would be the point of having strong spiritual beings without their counterpart? You are all weak as shown by your willingness to follow a mad man." She looked about the clearing, trying to make eye contact with each individual. "Also think on this, in your haste to run into a battle of your own making, you left behind your sacred duties. Who healed the sick in your villages while you were away? Who protected those villages?" She watched as many bowed their heads in shame. "The farmers with their sickles? Who helped birth the children? Who negotiated with cruel leaders and fought foul thieves? You should be ashamed." And most were. She had held up the mirror and many did not like what they saw. "From this point on, your allegiance will fall to Lord Sesshoumaru. You could all be executed for your crimes against, not only the West, but the other lands as well. Many died for your arrogance, you will not get off so easily. Each of you will give your name and your mark. You will show us where your home village is on a map. It will only be then that you will be released to treat your wounds. When my Lord requires it, you will answer his call. He has generously given you life, and he can take it away just as easily. When you are ready, return to your homes, and make things right again. Take with you what you learned here. None can help how they are born, the gods made that decision for them. Judge only how they live. Judge a being based on that, not the blood in their veins." Most of the priests and priestesses bowed low, though there were a few that sat proud and defiant. They would need watching.

Sesshoumaru stared down at the cluster of humans. He would have taken their lives without another thought. Instead, his bonded has obtained a small regiment of spiritual beings to be at his call. He may be able to use them, particularly if any of the other lands would dare go against him.

A noise drew is attention as off to the side a wild eyed Yoichi jumped up from his vine bonds. "Fox, you didn't tie the knot tight enough." He glanced down at the boy, who looked a bit sheepish.

"Sorry. I relaxed my hold on the magic that was controlling the vines." Shippo said in a tired voice, watching the human leave out a maniacal laugh as he jumped and ducked from several lizard soldiers.

"You!" Yoichi shouted, pointing a knife he obtained somewhere at Kagome. "This is your doing! You took my power from me. My voices!" And he charged at the young woman who what currently on her knees looking over a map with one of the priests.

Kagome glanced up in time to see Yoichi run at her. Before she could stand, Sesshoumaru was in front of her, his arm raised and clawed fingers pointed. Yoichi's body fell to the ground. Eyes still glaring in hatred.

The mad man was dead. Sesshoumau's family honor was restored. Takeshi found his closure.

A/N: One more chapter :)