Talia's POV

Despite his banged up legs Koga would be alright. I used Valerian to heal him and made Blade go with Koga's group so they could get off Mount Hakurei safely. Afterwards did I get back onto Ballerion and head in the direction of Sesshomaru's scent.

"Sesshomaru will most likely scold you for leaving Rikku's castle" Ballerion told me as he made his descent.

"No he won't" I replied to the black dragon. "He knows better than to flare my temper up"

Ballerion gave a low laugh before a growl followed. Below I saw Sesshomaru holding Tokijin and ahead of him was Jakotsu. Jakotsu for who knows what reason was attracted to males but one thing was clear he was not going to touch my mate. Jakotsu threw his sword forward but Sesshomaru dodged the attack. My mate counted with an attack of his own which alarmed Jakotsu.

Ballerion landed near Rin, Jaken, and Inori.

"Lady Talia!" Jaken exclaimed as I got off Ballerion's back.

"Are you three alright?" I asked.

"For now we are" Rin said coming over to me. She hid behind me and I didn't blame her. Jaken on the other hand was hopping up and down with glee laughing.

"Silly mortal!Spare yourself the suffering and let him slay you quickly!"

Jakotsu heard that and he threw his sword forward. Rin screamed as I drew out So'unga and blocked his assault.

"Touch them or die" I hissed at him.

"You're the chick who killed Renkotsu and Ginkotsu!" Jakotsu exclaimed backing away.

"Damn right" I growled. "And I hope my mate has the pleasure of slaughtering you"

Right on cue Sess appeared behind Jakotsu and I chose that moment to gather Rin, Jaken, and Inori in one arm while I held So'unga in the other. Getting to Ballerion I made sure Rin got onto his back first with Inori and Jaken following. I put So'unga back into its scabbard and got onto Ballerion's back.

The black dragon took flight. Suddenly something shot out of the mist and Suikotsu swung his wolverine claws forward which slashed at Ballerion's right eye. The dragon roared in pain and Suikotsu was about to attack him again when Jaken used the staff of three heads to send flames at him.

I smelled blood and saw blood trailing from underneath Ballerion's eye.

"I cannot fly with my eye like this" Ballerion said. Inori chose that moment to transform into her larger state and she hovered in the air as Rin, Jaken, and I got onto her back. Ballerion's body smoked and I was quick to grab him. Inori was about to make her escape when Suikotsu attacked again and he hit Inori in the side. The demon cat roared but she was quick to recover and she ran for it. Suikotsu gave chase and I had enough.

First he tried to hurt Rin and Jaken, then he injured Inori and Ballerion, I was done waiting around. I took off my swords and leapt from Inori's back. I called to the demonic beast within me and I began to transform into my dog demon state.

Once I was in my true form I came upon Suikotsu and I swung one of my paws forward and hit Suikotsu with my claws. The assault made him go flying back into the mist. I landed on the opposite side of the bridge and saw Sess looking at me. His eyes told me to get the hell out of there which I did. Now all I had to do was follow Inori's scent.

It took me a good bit to find it and the sun was already setting. I was glad I reverted back to my demon human form because being in my dog demon state used a lot of energy. I just hoped Rin and Ballerion were alright. I was definitely concerned for Ballerion due to his eye injury. It took me another hour and a half when I came upon the village Suikotsu supposedly once lived.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Rin was unharmed and she was holding Ballerion. The other village kids suddenly got scared as I came upon them.

"Talia!" Rin exclaimed as I went to my knees and drew her into me for a hug.

"I was worried about you kid" I told her.

"I'm okay and Ballerion is too"

She pulled away and showed Ballerion to me. His eye had been wiped clean but a scar was now encrusted underneath his right eye. Inori chose that moment to greet me and I stroked her as Rin placed the black dragon into my arms.

"Where's Jaken?" I inquired noticing he wasn't with Rin.

Rin shook her head telling me she didn't know.

"Ah you must be Rin's friend"

I looked up to see Suikotsu only he didn't have his green markings. I forgot he had a good side.

"I took care of your dragon friend he will be alright" he reassured me.

"You have my thanks" I told him. Suikotsu's name was called and he turned to see some old folk from the village coming over on horses. One of the old fools said something he shouldn't have and the next thing that happened was Suikotsu's claws came out and the human man was slaughtered. Rin and the other kids got frightened and I didn't blame them as the two older humans backed away. As Suikotsu went after the old men, Rin ran for it. Then she was picked up by Jakotsu.

"Get your f*ing hands off my daughter you prick!" I yelled. I ran towards Jakotsu using my demon speed and slashed his face using my claws. Jakotsu let out a girly scream and I was quick to snatch Rin out his grasp. I still clutched Ballerion in one grasp while I set Rin down onto her feet. I was pissed off now, I felt my eyes turn red. The children looked afraid and Inori chose that moment to change shape. Suikotsu then walked towards the kids and I was quick to get into his path.

"Touch them and die" I threatened.

"Suikotsu! She's the one who killed Ginkotsu and Renkotsu!" Jakotsu shouted. "She's also Sesshomaru's mate finish her off!"

"F*k you!" I snapped at Jakotsu. Inori chose that moment to get to the kids and they climbed onto her back. I gave Rin a look and she hesitantly went to Inori. She got onto the demon cats back and Inori took off. I smirked glad the kids were safe and it was then something sharp went into my shoulder. I had been so concerned with the kids and Rin that I didn't notice that Suikotsu had used his clawed weapon and now it was in my shoulder. It hurt like a bitch and Jakotsu was laughing as Suikotsu withdrew his weapon which was now covered in my blood. I tried to move but only pain surged through my body.

I fell onto my back and my body returned to its normal self. Suikotsu tried again to attack but Valerian and So'unga were quick to come flying over and I grabbed a hold of their hilts. I blocked Suikotsu's second attack using my swords and I kicked him hard in the gut. He swore as he was thrown backwards and he landed on the ground next to Jakotsu. Suddenly something white caught my vision and the next thing I knew Sesshomaru was holding me in his grasp.

"You've fought enough Luna" he told me. He kissed my forehead and I finally passed out. When I came to I felt my body was on something soft. I looked around to see I was in a cave of some sort. A fire was crackling nearby. Ballerion was sound asleep on a pile of furs and so was Jaken. Alarmed hit me when I didn't see Rin. Oh god was she okay and the kids?!

A brief shot of pain scene went through me as I sat up. It was then I saw Rin and Inori. The demon cat was still in her larger form and she had her body coiled around a sleeping Rin. I had my shoulder bandaged up which Sess most likely did. I was in my black under clothes while my kimono and other things rested against the cave wall nearby. Valerian and So'unga were near the fire in case I would need them.

"Good your awake" Sesshomaru said as he appeared out of the shadows. He carried a dead rabbit in his grasp and my stomach growled. He handed the rabbit to me and I started to cook it over the fire. A half hour after cooking I greedily tore into the rabbits hide.

Sess chuckled as he sat down next to me. He had used his boa for me to rest on along with some other furs. I offered my mate some of the rabbit but he shook his head.

I ended up devouring the whole thing. I felt my face turn red when I saw my mate was shirtless to the waist up. I guess he took off his armor while I ate. Sesshomaru noticed I had been eying him and he smirked. He pulled me into his lap and used his tongue to lick away the rabbit blood from my lips.

"You shoulder will be back to normal by tomorrow" he said. "I take it Rikku is watching our daughter?"

"Yes and Yuna misses you" I scolded him.

"I will come to see her once the Band of Seven are slaughtered"

"Are the other kids okay?"

"Yes, Inori was able to find a village a safe enough distance from this mountain, afterwards she returned with Rin"

I breathed a sigh of relief and coiled myself against Sesshomaru's chest. My mate kissed my forehead and he lay our bodies down against the furs. I suddenly put my arms around Sesshomaru's neck and pulled his face down and pressed my lips against his. It had been a long time since I last kissed my mate.

It didn't take long for Sess to respond he tongue pushed it's way into my mouth and our tongues danced for dominance. God's I had missed my mate so much. After two minutes of a mind blowing lip lock did his lips pill away so we could catch our breath. Sesshomaru chuckled quietly at my flushed face before he began to plant kisses on my neck. I arched my back and entangled my fingers through his silver hair. I jumped when my mate then began to lick my neck. He took his time teasing me before finally pulling away.

"We don't want to wake the others" he whispered.

I nodded in agreement as Sess removed himself off of me. Again I coiled my body against his and he placed both of his arms around mine. It wasn't long until the both of us were asleep and I hoped the fight against the Band of Seven would end soon as dreams came upon me.