Misconceptions And Misunderstandings

Chapter 51

Down on the beach, Sesshoumaru wondered briefly why sea dwellers would be attacking them. They had long ago forsaken the surface world and the conflicts with humans. They lived in peace and secrecy. What had motivated them to once again involve themselves with the surface dwellers? And why were they attacking one who was once their ally?

He had flared his aura when he identified them. It had not deterred them at all. They had to have recognized his aura, but had not shown the faintest sign of hesitation. They intended to attack, knowing full well that the lord of the west was their opponent. Where was Dalos? Did their lord know of the attack? Did he condone the declaration of war this represented?

Beside him Matsushita had come to the same conclusion as to the origins of the fast approaching enemies.

"Stay alert and focused. They are sea dwellers. Without the pressures of the depths, they will be faster and stronger on land."

His warning was punctuated by a flying tackle executed by his opponent. Matsushita went down. But did not stay down. He quickly leapt to his feet, morphing into his panther form as he did. Deep claw marks appeared on the chest of his attacker. The demon hit the sand with a snarling black cat pinning him down.

All of the sea dwellers shared a similar appearance. They had long green hair, the color of seaweed. They were tall and pale skinned. The eyes, a milky white, held no trace of a pupil. On the sides of their necks were slits that opened and closed. They resembled gills, but were not as pronounced. The feet and hands were webbed. The scant clothing they wore was iridescent and scaled.

Matsushita's easy victory was revealed as premature when his prey shifted, throwing the big cat back some thirty feet. He shook his head and snarled, charging forward to engage the enemy again. The speed of his cat form was deceptive. The easy grace giving the impression of slowly stalking his prey. His claws grazed the demon's side and left three bleeding gashes in their wake.

Kenta had decided that water and fire really did not mix. He brought his formidable fire powers to bear, only to be reminded that while fire would evaporate the water the sea dwellers needed to survive, that same water extinguished fire. A lesson he learned painfully as water surrounded him in a small waterspout. He was left on his knees gasping for air. He decided long distance tactics were called for and hurled a fireball which caught the water demon off guard.

Ito was holding his own, his bear form making his fight one of brute strength and razor sharp claws. Tsukuda didn't bother with his animal form. There wasn't much a condor could do against an enemy that could blast him out of the sky with a spray of water. He was however a master of twenty three different martial arts. Most of them did not require weapons. Several were not to be used in less than a killing situation as there were no moves that were not killing moves. Saito, depending on his fox magic and trickery, kept his foe off balance and confused.

Inuyasha would have preferred to have Tetsusaiga at his side, but he had learned to fight without depending on it as much as he had in the past. Granted, if he and Sesshoumaru had their swords, this fight would probably be very short lived. He ran a sharp claw down his chest and sent his blades of blood at the enemy, who managed to dodge some, but not all of them.

Sesshoumaru brought forth his poison whip. Of all of them, he was the only one with sufficient speed to keep his opponent on the defensive. His whip lashed out time and again, each graceful arc of movement like a choreographed dance. The strikes that connected were taking deep bites and leaving festering wounds behind.

The wounds were slowing the demon down, but the determination to continue could be seen in his eyes. Sesshoumaru took the time to analyze his opponent. The attacks were not as controlled as they should have been. There were strong emotions involved. Anger. Bloodlust. This attack was personal. Why?

His whip lashed out, catching his attacker's leg. He pulled swiftly downward and the demon hit the ground. In seconds, Sesshoumaru had his foot on the demon's throat. Gasping for air, the demon writhed and clawed at the foot pressing him deeper into the ground. The gill-like slits on his neck were now half buried in the grainy sand. Any more pressure from the foot and the sea dweller would not be able to breathe at all.

Unconcerned with the other fights still raging around him, Sesshoumaru wanted answers.

"Why have you attacked us? Where is Dalos? Does he condone your actions against his allies?"

The demon spat.

"I see no allies! I see only traitors. And your cowardly attack on our city left Lord Dalos severely injured. We do not yet know if he will live."

Sesshoumaru was so shocked that his disbelief flashed briefly on his face.

"What is this you speak of? I have ordered no attack on your city, nor would I. What would I gain by attacking an ally in a time of peace?"

"You want to take our lands. You aren't satisfied with what you have. You want more. Your kind always does."

Sesshoumaru snorted.

"Even if that were true, why would I want to rule a land of water? I am inu. A creature of the land. I breathe air, not water."

"You lie! Our true ally told us of your treachery when he and his forces drove your army away from our city. He carried Dalos to us, still broken and bleeding from your unprovoked attack."

"And this true ally you speak of. Did it never occur to you that his presence was suspiciously convenient? Has Dalos named me as his attacker?"

"He is still unconscious. What is it you are saying? Speak plainly."

"I am telling you that I did not order an attack on your city. Nor was I present to carry out such an attack."

"How can I trust you? How can I be sure?"

"Describe Dalos's wounds to me. Were they festering with my poison?"

The demon briefly closed his eyes.

"No they were not. They appeared to be inflicted by a normal sword."

"Give me the name of this supposed ally who would falsely accuse me. I am willing to bet he is none other than Kouro, heir to the southern house."

The demon's surprise showed on his face.

"How did you know?"

"He has made several attempts on my mate's life. I have claimed the right to take his life as soon as the coward can be found."

Sesshoumaru removed his foot from the demon's neck and offered a hand to assist him to his feet.

"You have been used. Kouro has fooled you into taking up the battle he knows he cannot win. He seeks my death at the hands of another. One more cowardly act committed by one who has no honor."

The demon took the hand and gained his feet.

"Brothers. Heed me. Our fight is not with the lord of the west. We have been duped. We must return home and gather our forces to aid our ally in the defeat of our true enemy."

"That is unnecessary. My forces are more than a match for Kouro. He does not have the support of his house. Go in peace. I ask only that you send word of Dalos's condition. My ally's well being is of concern to me."

The demon bowed to Sesshoumaru and collected his followers. They were in various states of injury. The battle had been costly in terms of injury on both sides. Sesshoumaru turned to assess the damage to his team when he sensed the powerful surge of miko energy.

"Kagome."

He took off at a run, his movements no more than a blur. Inuyasha and the others hot on his heels.

Kagome was beginning to wind down after a thorough purging of her anger. Mariko had been silent throughout the tirade. She understood her lady's anger. She had gotten to know Kagome during these last few days. She had heard the stories of the shikon miko and the evil hanyou's defeat. She now recognized Kagome for who she really was.

She was not a weak little human, and Mariko could understand her anger at being cosseted like a porcelain doll. Of course she understood her lord's attitude too. He was inu. Even if he weren't a powerful lord, an inu was obsessively protective of his mate under ordinary circumstances. With her pregnant… and a contract out on her life… It was no small wonder that he didn't have her locked away somewhere. It was a clear statement that he not only respected her power, but her feelings as well.

Mariko sensed the return of the demons. Only there were more of them. A lot more. Unknown to her, several had moved to engage Sesshoumaru and the security team. When they discovered the battle on the beach, they had returned, secure in the knowledge that there would be no aid from the human's mate.

The demons advanced knowing there was only one lone wolf standing between them and their objective. Mariko sat down, her back against the tree.

"We seem to be in a little bit of trouble."

Kagome joined her on the ground. She had felt the approach of the demons as well. And it appeared for some reason their confidence had increased significantly.

"What do you mean?"

"I only have the one clip and it's almost empty. I have a backup, but it's only a .38 with six rounds. Looks like this is gonna be hand to hand. We can't expect help from your mate or the others."

"Why not?"

"There is no tsunami. They are engaged in their own battle."

Kagome turned concerned eyes toward the beach. She couldn't think about that now. She had to focus.

"We need a plan."

"How long can you hold your barrier?"

"A while. Never really timed it. But you won't be able to shoot from inside it."

"Don't intend to. The barrier is for you, my lady."

"Don't piss me off Mariko. I'm not cowering inside a barrier while you take them all on."

Mariko gave a short laugh.

"Now why doesn't that surprise me? I guess I can only pray for a swift death then. Because not only am I going to get fired, your mate will kill me for putting you in danger. I think these guys will be a little more merciful."

Kagome had to laugh with her.

"I guess you've worked for Sesshoumaru a long time then?"

"Not so long. But all of the demons of the western lands are raised on stories of him."

"You know, sometimes stories are exaggerated?"

Mariko snorted her disbelief. Kagome shrugged.

"Then again…"

Mariko sat up.

"They are coming."

Kagome knelt beside her, looking at the ground as she dug her fingers into the sand, scooping and sifting.

Mariko looked at her curiously.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking for rocks, seashells, anything I can throw."

Mariko straightened and removed her belt, handing it to Kagome.

"Ever thrown a shuriken?"

Kagome took the belt and removed the throwing stars from it.

"No. But it doesn't matter. Whatever happens, don't get in front of me."

"If we can clear a path to the door, we can put up a barrier to keep them out."

Kagome held one of the shurikens in her right hand. Calling on her power, it began to glow a soft pink. Mariko felt the hairs on the back of her neck tingle. She had to move away a short distance to end the discomfort. She knew the power that the shikon miko was said to possess. She was now witnessing it first hand.

Mariko raised her .45 to take aim, intending to pick off the demons who got past the miko's purification, if any did. She watched as Kagome flicked her wrist as if the shuriken were a Frisbee. The pink glow intensified and spread out as it sailed toward the first group of demons. All those engulfed in the light shimmered and disintegrated into dust.

It gave the remaining demons momentary pause, but not for long. They regrouped and charged ahead. Kagome infused another shuriken with her power. The second attack wave fell to miko energy. Those who were left began to rethink their plan of attack. No one had told them their target was a miko, let alone such a powerful one.

There had been no mikos of any significant power in centuries. Not since the demons had begun concealing themselves. It was believed that the mikos had outlived their usefulness now that demons were believed purged from the world. Not since the shikon miko had any possessed such power. And she had disappeared after the defeat of Naraku, centuries before.

Kagome was breathing hard. The demons had halted their head on charge. Thank the gods. It had been a long time since she had used her miko powers for battle, and especially with the pup, it was a drain on her energy.

The demons that were left had devised a new strategy. Mariko shifted to put herself behind Kagome, facing outward. The demons were spreading out to surround them. Mariko raised her weapon and Kagome charged another shuriken.

There were only a handful of demons left, but they were so spread out that Kagome couldn't take out more than one or two at a time. And she only had two shurikens left. Once the last one was gone, she had no doubt that the demons would attack.

Kagome made a decision. She trusted Mariko. She had seen her shoot, never once missing her moving targets. Mariko had not used any of her remaining ammo and she had said she had another gun with six more shots. She launched the shuriken, taking out two more demons. As she charged the other one, she took a step backward bringing her closer to the woman at her back.

"This is my last one. Once I throw it, start shooting. There will only be a few left."

Mariko nodded. Then realizing that Kagome couldn't see her, she answered.

"Understood. I don't suppose you are any more receptive to the barrier idea?"

Silence was her answer as the last shuriken took out another two demons.

Mariko hit the ground and began firing. Kagome was strangely tired. Using so much energy had taken a toll on her. She sank to the ground as she heard Mariko's shots. Mariko dropped the .45 and pulled her .38 from its concealed holster.

She hit the last visible demon and he went down. She turned quickly to assess Kagome's condition.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah. A little tired. Been a while since I used this much energy. And the pup…"

Mariko holstered her weapon and leaned over to help her lady to her feet. She didn't sense the last demon until he was on them. He didn't give them time to react. He pointed his gun at Kagome and pulled the trigger.

The sharp report of the gunshot was drowned out by an anguished howl torn from the throat of the angry demon lord racing up the path from the beach. He had been too slow, arrived too late to prevent the shot. The demon with the gun smirked, but had no time to savor his victory as his head was abruptly removed from his body. It took a moment before the body pitched forward to the ground, a slave to gravity.

Sesshoumaru was on his knees beside Kagome in an instant. As he smothered her in his embrace, two trembling arms went around him.

"You're ok."

He pulled her tighter to him at her whispered words. Then he pushed her backward and began searching for the wound. She put a hand to his chest and pushed with her waning strength. He let her go and she crawled to Mariko.

The wolf was lying face down in the sand. Blood covered her back from the hole torn by the bullet.

"I didn't have time to throw up a barrier. She tackled me."

She began to sob as Sesshoumaru took off his shirt and laid it out on the sand. Then he carefully rolled the wolf over onto it. He had outdistanced his security team on the run from the beach. They arrived to take in the scene. Various degrees of shock and sorrow clouded each face.

Kenta walked forward slowly. He dropped to his knees beside them. He stroked the pale cheek of his professional rival. She was so still. So cold. He reached for her hand, taking it into his. She was breathing, but barely.

He let out an angry growl.

"Wake the hell up, Nishimura. That's an order."

His gruff command was met by silence.

"Damn it, Nishimura. Don't you die on me. I've never lost a team member. I won't let you ruin my record. You hear me?"

He clutched her hand. Willing her to open her eyes.

"Mariko…"

Kagome laid her hand on his arm.

"Give me some room, please."

Kenta looked up at her with shimmering eyes. He reluctantly let go of Mariko's hand and stood up. Matsushita put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Kenta."

Kagome asked Sesshoumaru to roll Mariko over onto her stomach. When he had complied with her wishes, she got on her knees and spread her hands out over the wound. Pink light surrounded the wound. After a moment or two, the bullet rose into the air. Once the foreign object was removed, the flesh began to knit. The wound slowly sealed until not even a scar remained.

When the pink glow faded, Kagome collapsed. Sesshoumaru pulled her tired body into his arms.

"Rest miko. You've earned it."

Mariko slowly opened her eyes. She didn't feel the pain she expected. Was she dead after all? Once she rolled to her back, she stared into the relieved faces of her team. Her eyes lingered on the face of her team leader. His eyes were suspiciously damp. She turned away not wanting to examine the implications too closely at this time.

When she turned her head, she caught sight of her lord. He was holding his unconscious mate in his arms. She sighed and closed her eyes.

"I guess I'm fired after all."

To be continued….