Chapter 55 Wei on the Run

Uncertain how it came to be, Sesshoumaru found himself lying face down on the hide of the leviathan Wei had commanded.

Rolling, he brought up the Tessaiga to defend against any incoming attacks from Wei. None were forthcoming though; an eerie quiet had fallen on them all. The fortress was silent save for the sound of Kouga's soldiers trying to regain themselves. Rising up, Sesshoumaru spotted the samurai armor Wei had been using. It lay empty on the ground, like a discarded shell.

"Where is Wei?" Kouga asked, he sounded as disoriented as Sesshoumaru felt.

"I'm not su..." Sesshoumaru stopped mid-word as the frightening answer hit him and Kouga simultaneously: Wei had to return to the future if he intended to ensure China's continued existence.

"Kagome," they both whispered at the same time.


Moving through Japan's country like a blur in the moonlight, Wei struggled to take in the utter failure of his plans and dreams. The futility of his journey, the impossibility of saving his people from the Japanese, the pointlessness of his struggles. It was as though fate was mocking him.

I've been on a fool's errand all this time Wei reflected furiously.

Had his patron known all along this would happen? The foreigner certainly had an agenda of his own and for his own reasons had facilitated Wei's travel to Japan and the feudal era. Wei hadn't cared particularly about it at the time, as their interests had seemingly aligned with the destruction of Japan. Now though, he would demand answers. There would be an accounting for this; he would not tolerate being sent on a futile chase for an unobtainable goal.

This outcome was preordained. I cannot rewrite history without endangering China.

The knowledge that he nearly destroyed his own homeland made the blood race through his veins like cold torrents of black fear.

His captive, Kagome, trapped though she was in nightmare, must have sensed his agitation. He could feel the walls of her prison begin to crumble as her will strained against them, chipping away at them relentlessly. This was not terribly surprising considering her spiritual power, but the body carrying her would be hard pressed to restrain her - and indeed the possibility of doing so seemed remote- if she awoke before they arrived at the well.

Still, it is possible to achieve a sort of personal of victory.

As soon as he learned that tampering with time would destroy reality and thus China, Wei had broken all his bodies at the fortress and immediately sent that power to join the body carrying Kagome where he re-centered his consciousness.

That body already had a significant head start in heading for the well and the rest of him was rushing along like a river to join it with additional power.

Kagome stirred once more and her eyes fluttered open for just a moment. Wei tried to contain her, but knew it would be impossible for much longer.

Sleep just a little bit longer. When we are safely on the other side, then you can awaken to the nightmare of having the living hell raped out of you.


The scent of Wei's blood was distinct from all humans. While it had a metallic scent like that of copper, permeating that scent was also an undertone like ozone. It was sharp and made the nerves feel like electricity was arcing across them.

In his transformed state, it was so intense it pushed Sesshoumaru's predator instincts into overdrive. Hunger for blood intertwined beautifully with the desire for vengeance granting him a superb focus.

This is the second time you have taken from me what is mine, Wei.

On some level he wanted to blame Kouga for Kagome's capture, but Sesshoumaru knew that was irrational and he was above such pointless hysterics.

With thirty wolves guarding her, and Wei focused on defending himself, she should have been safe.

Seeing the wolves lying catatonic on the ground with their eyes rolled into their heads, the yawning space between them all where Kagome had been, Sesshoumaru immediately had transformed to track Wei and give chase. He had heard Kouga shout some orders for the wounded and then Sesshoumaru felt a sudden weight attach itself to his mane. Looking back, Sesshoumaru had seen Kouga grab hold of his bloodied mane and locked his amber eyes with the wolf prince's icy blue ones.

Words were unnecessary. An alliance of convenience had been strengthened by blood and battle into something more.

We're coming for you, Wei.

Kagome's safety, ironically, was guaranteed by Wei. He needed her to travel through time back to the modern era. For as long as it took to get to the well, Wei would keep her alive.

He also needs to collect the rest of himself before going through the well.

Ahead of them, Sesshoumaru could see the tail end of the dark ribbon comprising Wei's essence, as it gleamed in the moonlight. Like a shadow given substance and life, it went raging through the countryside, blasting through anything in its way as it took a direct path back to the well. Approaching a forest, the liquid shadow plunged in and Sesshoumaru heard the sounds of timbers breaking, as the violent deluge slashed through it not even slowed by the arboreal obstacles.

Ignoring the pain of his throbbing shoulder and the bite of the wind on his wounded face, Sesshoumaru put on a burst of speed and closed the distance to just behind the dark flood racing across the land.

Where is the one with Kagome...?

Sesshoumaru didn't entirely discount the possibility that he was being diverted away from Kagome, but strategically it wouldn't have made much sense. A large portion of Wei was taking a straight line back to the well where all of him would need to meet with Kagome in tow if he didn't want to threaten China's existence.

Although Sesshoumaru could not claim to understand completely the mind of Wei, he did know that Wei was devoted to his homeland and would not risk a delay in returning for any reason if it was under threat from his actions.

The faintest scent of Kagome came to Sesshoumaru and he felt Kouga tense on his back as her scent reached him as well. In other circumstances, Sesshoumaru would have felt a sense of relief knowing he was gaining on her, but he could also see the clearing around the bone eaters well in the distance now. Judging by the speed of approach, the well would be reached simultaneously with Wei.