DISCLAIMER: All Inuyasha goodness belongs to the amazing Takahashi-san!

The Sword Smith's Secret

By MissKatt

Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Aftermath

The former leader of the Four War Gods elegantly touched down on the sullen ground a few seconds after Sesshoumaru did. He brushed his loose, blue hair behind a pointed ear as he looked smugly up at the sky as Naraku was destroyed from the inside out.

His Intended had done that.

His Kagome had purified the West's enemy from the inside out, leaving the jewel hovering in the air with her arrow lodged through the middle of it. Crimson eyes blinked as a cracking sound filled his ears. Was the jewel breaking? He soon had his answer when he was forced to look away when a blindingly brilliant light filled the sky as the pieces scattered across the lands. When the light subsided, he started to turn with a smile towards his woman, but froze when he felt her aura flicker before disappearing.

His body suddenly felt like stone as he tried to turn and look. As his eyes fell on the scene, his breath left him. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. It felt like time itself stopped as she fell back lifelessly, Inuyasha's arms moved painstakingly slow as they reached out to catch her.

"H-hey! Oi! Get a hold of yourself! Kagome!"

Then Sesshoumaru was there, taking her body from his brother's arms and holding it against his own. That was when he forced his body to move forward, shaky legs carrying him the short distance. He fell to his knees across from his lord and stared down at her unmoving form as it was clutched to battle-clad chest of the enraged inuyoukai. He could not even force his hands to pry her away from him; he was not sure he could bring himself to even touch her.

The duet of painful howls fell on deaf ears.

As Sesshoumaru lowered her back to the ground, all Ryura could do was watch helplessly as the remaining color in her cheeks faded away with her soul, leaving it a hue of ash grey. He was vaguely aware of his hand moving on its own as it hesitantly reached out to brush her ebony bangs from her forehead. His hand recoiled a bit at the misplaced coolness of her skin; it was wrong that it wasn't flushed with its normal warmth.

It was all just wrong.

With a slap of reality, he bent over her as he cupped her cool cheek, his long grey-blue hair falling over his shoulder to blend with hers. He ignored the angry flare of the Western's lord aura as well as his snarl as he pressed his forehead against hers. He wouldn't let Sesshoumaru ruin these last moments with her, wouldn't let him ruin his last chance to etch her being into his mind for the years to come; for the years he would spend without her. She would not be there with him because he had not protected her.

He had failed her.

The shocking revelation made him pull away from her body, sending him back on his ass. Ryura stared down at his calloused, blood splattered hands in horror. He, the most feared dragon since Ryūkotsusei, had killed thousands. He had spilled others' blood numerous times over the centuries that he had lived. He had elatedly earned his former title as War God as he led his brethren across Japan, striking down those who they deemed fit and those who got in their way. All that strength and all those battles…and yet he could not protect one fragile human.

Could not protect his only treasure.

"Hey, Ryura, are you okay?" Inuyasha asked softly, his hackles finally smoothing down as Sesshoumaru's aura settled for a moment. He had watched the dragon all but leap away from their deceased friend. He knew the dragon harbored deep feelings for the assistant, but had no clue as to how he was feeling at that moment.

The Western Guard closed his eyes tightly and pressed his fists against them. "I should be dead with her," He admitted. "I should have protected her."

The hanyou's ears drooped slightly. "You can't blame yourself for this. I brought her back here. If anything, it's my fucking fault."

As if remembering the earlier accusation, Sesshoumaru turned his red eyes on his half-brother. With the extra power of his beast simmering in his veins, he rose to his feet and promptly swung his booted foot into the side of Inuyasha's face, sending him a good ten feet away from them. Claws dug into the flesh of his palm as Inuyasha growled and picked himself off the floor.

"What the hell!?" He shouted, rubbing his rapidly bruising cheek.

"It is your fault," His tone was low and dangerous. "You should have never brought her back."

Inuyasha's ears pressed flat against his head with guilt. "But…she killed him."

"And look at what it cost."

"Enough, Sesshoumaru, the fault is not his own," Ryura spoke up from the ground. "Kagome would have dragged herself here even without his help. You know how she is-was."

The silence following his correction was suffocating.

The red faded from Sesshoumaru's eyes as he shoved his beast back, letting it take out its rage in the depths of his mind without affecting his demeanor. With his stoic mask back in place, he turned to the two. "Gather the miko; we will give her a proper burial." As he turned away from the three, he froze mid-step when he felt a strong pulse at his hip. With a slight widening of his eyes, he looked down at Tenseiga to watch as it pulsed again, the aura urging him to wield it.

Drawing the sword from its scabbard, he turned back around with golden eyes pinned on the human. "Stay back." He ordered, ignoring their confused looks at his contradicting order.

Ryura, never seeing Tenseiga in use, furrowed his brow. "What do you intend to do, Sesshoumaru? Do not mar her body any further."

Once again, he ignored him and narrowed his eyes slightly as Tenseiga pulsed once more, showing him the messengers from the underworld. He saw their chains and wicked smirks of joy as they captured their new prize. With a slight curl of his lip, he easily swiped through them, sending them back to where they once came.

He nearly dropped the sword from the sudden, powerful jolt that ran through his body. He recalled something similar happening when he revived Rin, but it was not to this extent. With her it had only come from his hand and then to his chest. This time it went from his hand and then spread into his chest before running along each pair of his markings: wrists, face, hips, and ankles. The first time it had come and gone in a flash, but this one was lingering, leaving his whole body tingling uncomfortably.

A loud gasp drew him from his musings and back to the miko. He kneeled down on one knee next to her as her eyes flew open. He lifted her shoulders from the ground as she began to cough violently, her small frame convulsing as life surged through it once more. His beast, filled with relief and delight, made his lips tilt up in the briefest of smiles when her confused, glazed orbs met his.

"S-Sesshou…maru?" Kagome breathed softly. She stared up into his molten honey eyes and felt her heart flutter in fondness. What was that feeling? And why was she on the ground? What happened? All she remembered was- "Ah, the jewel! Where is it? What happened to it? I need to-"

"Sh," He ordered, taking note that she immediately sealed her lips. "That can be discussed later." He felt his own hand trying to touch more of her as it tightened slightly on her shoulder. His beast was starting to affect him too much, once again. He heard a strangled whine and looked up to see Ryura and Inuyasha staring at them with wide, disbelieving eyes.

The dragon waited for her eyes to meet his. "K-Kagome," He stuttered, not believing that she was alive in front of them when she was dead moments ago. "I-"

Inuyasha cut him off when he moved closer and grinned down at her. "You idiot, you had us all worried."

With the inudaiyoukai's help, she sat up fully and gave him a weak smile. "Sorry for worrying you, Inu-kun. But, I'm not sure how I did?"

"You died." The guard stated, not being able to keep the brashness from his voice.

She blinked a little. "Died?" She asked with a furrowed brow and then looked at the Tenseiga in Sesshoumaru's right hand. "You…brought me back? Like you did with Rin?" She shifted a bit, no longer feeling any of the pain from her wounds.

The Western Lord nodded as he released his hold on her shoulders and stood up, sheathing Tenseiga as he did. "Killing Naraku at least earned you your life back." He answered as he looked away, not paying attention to the icy throb in his chest.

As soon as his person left hers, she felt a deep slice of cold fill her. She tried to ignore it and she patted Inuyasha's shoulder when he apologized. "It is not your fault, Inu-kun. With or without you, I would have come here. Besides, look, I'm fine! Please, do not beat yourself up about it."

He gave her a small smile of thanks and ruffled her hair affectionately. "Just don't go and do anything so stupid again."

"I make no promises." She said with a grin. "But, for you, I will try my hardest."

"I guess that's all we can ask for." Inuyasha replied with a smirk.

"Enough," Sesshoumaru spoke up. "Let us get back to the West."

"Yeah, yeah," The prince mumbled as he stood and helped her to her feet. "Always barkin' out orders."

She wobbled uncertainly and felt Inuyasha's hands steady her. "Ah, thanks." She smiled and then felt her knees buckle under her, a small grunt of pain coming from her when Sesshoumaru began to walk away.

With a mental sigh, he stopped walking. He knew this bond was going to take a greater toll on him than Rin's did. All he did was take a few steps away from her and he could feel the cold throb turn into an irritating pang. As with Rin, he knew her side was much more intense. He knew it would be best if he carried her himself, but he would not arrive in his homelands with a miko in his arms.

"Maybe Ryura should carry you back to the West." Inuyasha suggested before Sesshoumaru could voice the idea, much to his beast's dismay.

The dragon paled. No, no. he couldn't. He could barely look at her without his heart splitting painfully in his chest. "Ah, no, you should carry her. My armor would only be uncomfortable. I will go on ahead." He stated lamely before darting forward past his lord, trying desperately to ignore his scrutinizing eyes.

Kagome frowned at Ryura's response. That was so…unlike him. She thought he'd be happy knowing she was alive, but he seemed almost disappointed. Was he angry with her? She couldn't imagine why. Maybe because she had been captured in the first place?

With a forced smile, she climbed onto the offered back like before and felt Inuyasha's arms secure her. "Thanks again, Inu-kun."

"Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru began, looking at the hanyou as he approached his side. He had measured the steps he was allowed from the miko without causing them discomfort. "Do not stray more than three lengths behind me. Fail to do so and I will kill you."

Inuyasha blinked at the order. "Keh, whatever. Just go." He grumbled and let his brother lead the way before running after him towards their homelands.

*~~~SSS~~~*

"Sesshoumaru-sama, your bath is ready." Eri stated with a bow as the pair entered their lord's receiving room. She then walked over to the right set of doors before sliding open the door for them. She glanced at the filthy miko and then at her lord. "As requested, we placed it in your bathing quarters closest to the door. Also, a fresh pair of clothes for you and Kagome-sama have been placed inside. I hope you find it to your liking." She bowed once again.

"I'm sure it's fine, Eri-can," Kagome spoke up for him with a grateful smile. "I just really need to get clean." She looked up at Sesshoumaru, who was standing quite close to her so that neither of them felt the nagging pull. "Are you sure this will work?"

He stepped into his bathing room and looked at the large basin, steam from the hot water coming up in tempting wisps. Deeming it close enough, he turned back to look at her. "It will work if you stay close to the door." With that, he slid the door shut and began to disrobe.

Once the door was shut, Eri looked at Kagome with wide eyes. "What is going on?!" She hissed as quietly as she could.

Kagome sighed softly, knowing she would have to explain what was going on to Eri as well. She had already explained it to Totosai, much to her surprise that he was even there in the West, and he had taken the news quite dramatically.

"I cannot really explain it in detail, but I am now a part of Sesshoumaru's pack," She began. "He saved my life and now I am bonded with him. It will be a little while until we can be apart from each other." She gestured to the bathing room door. She personally preferred the hot spring in the shiro, but unless she wanted to bathe with Sesshoumaru, this was the only option.

"Oh! Like when Rin-hime first came here, yes?" She asked.

"Yes," She nodded and then sighed as she placed her hand on her chest. "But even Sesshoumaru said this was worse." She murmured.

Rumbling stomps and cheers of joy reached them as soon as they reached the castle gates. She couldn't help but smile as the soldiers of the West welcomed back their Lord and Waka with their howls. She could only imagine how relieved they were that the war was over and how they could then return to their normal lives.

"Stay close," Sesshoumaru warned as she slid off Inuyasha's back to stand next to him. "Hold your head high; word of your accomplishment will soon spread. I know your body is fatigued, but this will only last a moment."

She nodded and did as told. She waved and smiled tiredly to the many inuyoukai who bowed to her and praised her name. She stopped with him and Inuyasha at the shiro and waited as Sesshoumaru relieved his troops before leading them inside.

Instantly, they were greeted by Jaken. "Sesshoumaru-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama! Oh, thank the Kami that you are well!" He squawked.

"Jaken," Sesshoumaru's baritone voice rumbled. "Are you insinuating that This Sesshoumaru would be so easily defeated?"

"N-n-no! Of course not, my Lord! I just-when everyone returned, but you did not, I feared the Southern Lord had kil-ACK!" He wailed as a large bumped formed on his head.

"Inform a servant to fill a basin of hot water in my bathing quarters. Make sure it is close to the door." He ordered.

"H-hai!" The toad stammered before taking off down the hall.

"Bathing basin?" Kagome asked, lifting her hand to rub her eyes. She pulled the dirty hand away from her face a cringed; a bath didn't sound too bad after all. She looked over at Inuyasha when his own personal servant came and greeted him, the two talking in hushed tones before they disappeared together. "What's going on?"

Amber eyes slanted her way. "If we are to be forced to spend time together, you will do so while being clean," He answered. "Things are going to change due to our predicament. Your life is not going to be what it was until the bond allows us distance."

She frowned. "How long is that going to take? I cannot just stay here forever, Sesshoumaru."

"I am aware," He replied. "However, I am not sure. This bond is very different from the one Rin and I have."

Okay, so he didn't say it was worse, per say, but he did say it was very different. She wasn't sure if that was good or bad, but either way, she had a feeling this bond was going to be a very trying experience for the both of them. How were they supposed to spend so much time together without driving each other mad? What if they found themselves in another predicament like the one at her home?

Blood rushed to her cheeks as she remembered their kiss.

It had been amazing.

'Where did that just come from!?' She thought in horror.

Her stomach twisted with butterflies with the sudden urge to repeat the incident.

'Stop it, Kagome! What are you doing to yourself!?'

After a few heartbeats, Kagome jumped when she heard the door snap open and lifted her head to look at him. She instantly blushed once again at the sight. He was in a sleeping yukata, his hair wet and clinging to him, but it was the hungry, molten honey eyes that stared down at her that made her squirm and shy away.

Eri raised her fist to her mouth and cleared her throat with a smirk. "Kagome-sama, shall I wash your hair?"

Tearing her eyes from Sesshoumaru, she nodded and followed the girl into the room. When the door slid shut behind them, she exhaled quietly. What had that intensity been? Shaking her head, she shed off what was left of her yukata and climbed into the basin. Idly, she answered Eri's questions regarding her ruined yukata and what had happened on the battlefield as she scrubbed away the dirt and dried blood on her body with the offered soap.

They hurriedly finished, not wanting to keep Sesshoumaru waiting, and Kagome pulled herself from the basin and began drying herself off as Eri went to grab her sleeping yukata. When she turned back around, the servant gasped and dropped the clothes. "Kagome-chan?" She asked hesitantly, once again using the familiar honorific once they were alone. "What is that?"

"Eh?" Kagome followed her gaze down to her left thigh and felt her eyes widen in surprise. There, on the outer side of her upper thigh, was a purple crescent moon the size of her entire hand. It was facing to the left and there were two magenta stripes that crossed each right next to the middle of the rounded part before they swirled to either point of the moon.

With her mouth slightly agape in both awe and horror, she snapped her head up to look back at Eri who was looking as dumbfounded as her. They stood there in silence for a moment longer, both staring at the anomaly, hoping it would provide answers of its own, but it remained silent and cryptic.

"You should ask Sesshoumaru-sama about it," Eri finally suggested as she began to dress the sword smith. "He will probably know."

She nodded absent mindedly. "Yes, you are probably right." She agreed as she rung out her hair, making sure to get the rest of the loose water out.

The fellow human smiled as she finished tying the robe and patted her on the shoulder. "I am sure it is nothing." She tried to reassure her and then slid open the bathroom door. She blinked to see her lord standing directly in front of the door, "Ah, Sesshoumaru-sama," She bowed and then gestured with her arm to the side. "If you are ready for bed, I have already turned down the covers for you."

Sesshoumaru barely heard her as he stared at the miko. She looked away from him, and he took that as his opportunity to try and find what it was that the two were talking about. Not finding anything, he assumed it was something on her body. Whatever it was, he was sure she would ask him about it as the servant suggested.

'Perhaps it is in a most intimate spot.' His beast purred.

'Silence. We are to be sharing a bed chamber together; so you best behave.' He warned.

Kagome blushed as Eri slid open the doors to Sesshoumaru's sleeping quarters. Two futons were laid close to each other and it dawned on her then that they would be sharing the same sleeping space. Sure, she had slept somewhat close to him before when they had traveled together, but somehow she felt as if this was more intimate.

"Good night, Sesshoumaru-sama, Kagome-sama, sleep well." Eri bid them before sliding their door shut and leaving Sesshoumaru's quarters all together.

The miko fidgeted nervously as she stood their awkwardly. Why did this feel so weird? Why did she feel so nervous? She wanted to be in her own room, but knew Sesshoumaru would not have it. She watched him make his way to his futon before following in suit as the bond urged her to close the distance. She sat down on her futon and pursed her lips together as she one again thought about the mark on her leg.

Sesshoumaru had purposefully left his candle lantern lit, expecting to need it to see whatever it was that she wanted to show him, but grew impatient when she just sat there. "Was there something you wanted to show me?"

Kagome blinked at him before looking down at her hands. "I forgot your hearing was so keen. You see, I have this thing," She admitted, letting her eyes glance to her hidden mark. They then widened into saucers when she realized that she would have to show him what it was. Maybe she could just describe it? But, what if he demanded to see it? No, no, no! She was not prepared for that!

Even with the dim candle light, he could see her face turn darker with a blush. Had his beast been right? Was it in an intimate spot? He felt a sudden desire to tear off her yukata and go searching for it himself with his tong- no. These sudden thoughts had to stop before he actually acted upon them.

"Perhaps we should discuss it in the morning." He suggested.

She gratefully took the proposal. "Yes! I agree. Let us sleep, ne? I'm really tired too." She forced a yawn and flopped back against the bed before pulling the covers up high to her chin. "Sleep well, Sesshoumaru." She murmured softly.

"As you." He replied shortly and also laid down for sleep, all the while trying to push the image of him exploring her naked body from his mind.

A/N: Super later here. Sorry if there are typos, but I just wouldn't wait to post this! If you see some typos, please feel free to point them out. Also, I will probably try to sketch a picture of Kagome's mark so you guys get a better idea of it (: Happy reading!

-MissKatt