Thanks for your patience, hope everyone had a good holiday! So this chapter...not much action, a bit slow but dun-dun-daaaa, drama! with a capital D lol
Thank you for your support and reviews, please let me know what you think. :)
"You were going to battle with Naraku without telling me? You're freaking lucky Sesshomaru got there first! What would you have done if everything went bad, again! What if Sesshomaru didn't get to you on time had you got there first?"
Shippos ears rested flat against his mane, a pout on his face as Kagome scolded him from where they sat atop Sesshomaru's back. Unfortunately for the Kit, despite the harsh winds of their altitude, Kagome had always had a strong set of lungs on her, her voice carried, like a curse. The kitsune could hear his mother's words loud and clear.
He'd always hated it when she was angry, even back then when most of the time her anger was directed at Inuyasha. Shippo adored Kagome, and from the first time they'd met, he'd felt that kinship from her. Shippo was not used to scolding, bullying sure, from Inuyasha, like siblings squabbling, but never scolding; and it had been so long his memory of life with his biological parents was abstract at best. It was now Shippo would learn the feeling of shame, for actually doing something wrong.
Kagome, finally calm and the vein throbbing in her forehead soothed, took pity on the scolded kit and opened her arms, "Come." Shippo, quick to take any comfort he could get, scampered into her awaiting hold, and she didn't disappoint; like always she was warm and her embrace was tight, like nothing could break it. "Don't ever do anything like that without telling me. Do you understand?"
"Yes." He sighed, and Kagome nuzzled his mane in satisfaction, "You know, your kinda sounding a bit like Papa." At that she blanched, and the dog demon rumbled in protest, otherwise, remaining indifferent to the conversation. He would not argue with how she disciplined her kit, as that was none of his concern, unlike most demons, there was no possibility she would kill her offspring in unchecked rage.
Sesshomaru had experienced that kind of unpleasantness in his youth, which had been a catalyst to him embodying a cold disposition. What Inuyasha did not know about their sire was the darker side of what people had described as "passion", yes, he was a passionate daiyoukai with interest in humans and a sense of compassion, but that also included his rage that- yes though often restrained- was never questioned. And so you could imagine, the irony and recklessness when the daiyoukai bred a human and chose to keep them.
Had the half breed runt been raised by their sire, Sesshomaru doubted there would have been any difference to his upbringing, and when the human woman discovered the dog demons wrath, it would have been a likely scenario she would have ran or died by Inu no Taisho's hands.
At first Sesshomaru had somewhat been apprehensive of his own disposition, however the other half of him, his mother's half, allowed him to consider everything with logic rather than emotion. Her teachings, although sometimes eccentric and psychologically cruel, were necessary. She was a doting mother. Sesshomaru suspected Kagome would be the same. The only difference in the two generations was, now their young would grow with warmth in their bellies and hearts. No sire's rage would harm their flesh, and despite his icy demeanor, he would...try.
In the end, Sango had waited for the group nearby Kaede's village, she could not see herself travelling completely alone with her morning sickness as bad as it now was. As soon as she had reunited with them she realised the sour atmosphere.
"What happened?" Her question was ignored as Inuyasha was already in a rant.
"-I can't fuckin' believe he did that!" Inuyasha yelled as they hastened. Sango and Miroku, sitting astride Kirara were also surprised by Lord Sesshomaru's actions and remained quiet, both contemplating the situation from different viewpoints. Sango was more worried about Kagome and Shippo's safety after witnessing a demonstration of Sesshomaru's true anger, and of everyone's reaction once they discover Kagome was in fact alive.
Miroku was confused, it appeared he was missing a lot of context to the situation, not knowing didn't sit well, however prying it out of Sango would be a battle within itself, so he was stuck to contemplate and deduce for himself. He just hoped, whatever the outcome, Inuyasha would have enough sense to not pick a fight with the Lord in his own territory.
"Calm yourself Inuyasha. Keep your bearings. Naraku's escape is a fact. However we know he is weakened." Kikyo interjected to Inuyasha's ranting. To end the discussion she pushed her horse to hasten it's gait, and remained just ahead of the inutachi, leading them on the fastest route to the Western lands. Her eyes remained on her spirit catchers as they flew ahead, only they knew the path, and she truly trusted their judgement, she just hoped they arrived at the edge of the territory that was close enough for Kagome to sense them. With Sesshomaru's recent behaviour she doubted he'd be so accommodating.
"And you know what, since when did that asshole become Shippo's father! When I find out what the fuck is going on I'm gonna tear that brat a new one!"
Miroku was the one to reply, "Remember Inuyasha, he also lost Kagome," Sango winced at that, a hot flash of guilt shocking her chest. The action didn't go unnoticed by the monk. Though he could not know that the guilt was for lying to him. "The loss must have hit him hard, and in that kind of stress he would have been susceptible to become dependent on the next adult that assumed the role of kin. We should be grateful he returned to us at all."
"Seriously, you guys need to catch me up properly." Sango added,
"Sesshomaru almost killed Naraku, but stopped when we arrived. Instead he took shippo and left" Miroku stated.
Koga blanched, almost dropping Kagura from his arms. "Well good, cause I'm gonna be the one to kill Naraku!"
"Get in line! First we need to find out what's going on, Sesshomaru wasn't acting like himself."
"My since when did you become so insightful Inuyasha." Kagura teased, of course, she already had her suspicions of what was going on but she couldn't be sure, from what she had observed of the Lords Sesshomaru already, the demon at times could be a complete mystery.
Any retort Inuyasha may have provided became white noise as the Western Lord's territory edge came into view and all of a sudden, the immense power of a Daiyokai filled the air. The Inutachi came to an abrupt halt as a thunderous roar sounded through the land, shaking the ground itself. Kikyo's horse kicked up, spooked by the sound; the priestess gasped, holding tighter to the reigns and clenching her thighs as she was almost dislodged.
"Holy-" Inuyasha cut off his own words as the offending demon shot down from the sky above and landed in front of them with enough force to leave the earth dented. Sesshomaru's face was twisted into a snarl, absolute, unrestrained aggression.
This was their only warning.
"Sesshomaru! Where's Shippo!" Inuyasha called out. Carefully eyeing the daiyokai's response, he searched his half brother for anything strange, like those black lines and abyss eyes.
Although Sesshomaru did naught but growl at them - the fact he didn't look like he was actually going to attack this time - Inuyasha was sure he was normal again.
"You let Naraku live for some reason, but considering the damage you left there was no way you was gonna show mercy. He's gonna want revenge, something tells me it's gonna get interesting around here real soon." Koga was the one to talk, everyone just looked to him in surprise of how respectful he was acting, "We want in."
At that Sesshomaru reared his head and looked behind as if listening to someone else speaking. Little did the Inutachi know there were in fact two passengers astride the Lord's back.
"Mama they're here you know."
Kagome was too busy panicking to respond. Face pale and squished between her hands she let out a quiet wail. 'Ahh I'm not ready. I can't do this. Nooo why is everyone here - what do I do' That wail, translated as screaming in her mind. A cry to Kami to save her.
Memories flashed through her mind of the past. The group, her friends, the times they'd shared, both good and bad; and the events that had lead her to this. It was too much, her emotions were running wild. Anger and hurt still clenched like a knot in her belly, and around that satisfaction and relief.
"Mama…"
The string connecting her spirit to Kikyo gave a sharp tug, like a flash of hot white light. Kikyo knew, that she was here, hiding behind Sesshomaru. It was like she was reprimanding Kagome, saying 'Since when were you a coward?'.
That's right, since when was she…
There was no shame in this.
Kagome finally looked up, acknowledging Shippo as he fussed over her, only for her eyes to connect with Sesshomaru's as he stared back at her. It was like wildfire, with just a look his confidence became contagious to her and the discomfort within her belly was dissipated. He was by her side now, there was no judgement upon her besides his.
And he would never hurt her. He would always protect her.
Her cheeks were wet from her tears, but they would dry. She stood on strong legs and walked across her mates back, until her hands were in reach of his muzzle, not once did their eyes break contact. Finally when she was calm enough she sent a tug of her own to the priestess, assuring there was no longer any distress.
Everyone stared up at the Lord Sesshomaru, curious as to what he was so focused on. That's when the three demons of the group, Koga, Kagura and Inuyasha, heard it, the unnatural rustle of movement on the daiyokai's fur, that sounded familiar, like bare feet walking through grass.
Kirara yawned, unbothered and familiar with the scent of this known stranger.
Sango and Kikyo starred in apprehension of the shadow coming into view. They knew. And Miroku frowned at the smile curling onto Sango's face, as she stared up at Lord Sesshomaru like the sun had risen in his wake.
No.
As he focused, he realised she was staring past him, following his beloved's line of sight, finally, he too realised the moving shadow, the figure of a person slowly stepping up onto Sesshomaru's shoulder and into the moons light.
There a woman, dressed in royal garments of a silver silken kimono tied tightly at the waist, slit mid-way on both sides to reveal smooth delicate legs, and long sleeves that overlapped the woman's hands concealing them from view and the cold night air. No one could deny, she was somewhat beautiful. The hip length black hair, though unruly, framed her face perfectly, accentuating her bright eyes and flushed cheeks. There were faint scars on either cheek however, markings like Sesshomaru's, and as expressionless as she appeared she looked like a demon, but Miroku could not feel any demonic energy.
Inuyasha was the first to realise, as the unforgettable scent of the girl he loved... "K-Kagome?"
"What!" Koga hissed, shocked by the revelation. Taking in a deep breath, he sought the woman's scent, mostly, she smelled of the dog demon, actually it was kind of overwhelming- clearly they had mated- despite his distaste he focused on the scent even more until- there! The underlying sweetness of honey and cinnamon.
It really was her?
It did not come so much of a shock to Miroku however, sure he was surprised but this simply created context and confirmed his suspicions of Sango's secretivity. This was why. Emotions overwhelmed the monk like never before and he wrapped his arm tightly around the slayer's waist, resting his head on her shoulder in emotional defeat as both grief and relief flooded through his being. "Sango..."
Her hand came to rest upon his in answer, though she did not break her gaze from her beloved sister, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you," She smiled softly, "But now you know." Miroku clenched tighter, burying his face deeper, never before had he shown tears, he wouldn't start now. But the monk was grateful.
He was grateful and thanked kami more-so.
Inuyasha, looking as betrayed as he felt yelled out at his half brother, "Sesshomaru what did you do!" Fury bubbling up inside him. Inuyasha had already suffered one resurrection with Kikyo, he could not withstand a second haunting.
That's when she spoke, Kikyo, "Inuyasha calmed down. Everything is as you see, there is no illusion." What she was really saying was, 'get over your shock quickly.' and he understood it.
So he spun around to the woman who had- had lied to him, "You knew? You fucking knew and you didn't tell me?" She had let him believe Kagome was dead. He had grieved, he thought he had lost her!
Kikyo, understanding of his state kept a cool disposition and hoped that the two of them would survive this, the last revelation, the last of the lies between them. "It was not my secret to tell." And hopefully, the slow burn of their rekindled affection would survive this too.
Kagome observed the group below, finally able to make a calm decision, she stroked her mate's fur. Shippo came up behind her, tugging on her kimono for permission that she did not deny, before diving down to reunite with the group joyfully and prove his good health despite Sesshomaru's aggression.
"We should lead them back, slow, resolve this before we get home. I want a stress free evening." Kagome mumbled so only Sesshomaru would hear.
It appeared he agreed, as moments later Kagome felt herself falling through the air. She heard a distressed shout, but took no heed as a strong arm wound beneath her thighs and cushioned her landing onto a sturdy humanoid shoulder.
Sango starred in shock at Kagome's graceful landing upon Lord Sesshomaru's shoulder, she had yelled in surprise when he had transformed back into human form, only for Kagome to fall fifty feet. However, with one arm he caught her, effortlessly, and replaced her to sit on his right shoulder without effort, as if she was not a fully grown human woman.
At Sango's shout, Inuyasha had turned back in time to see Sesshomaru, with Kagome on his shoulder, turn his face into her thigh and witnessed the dig demon tongue slip from between his lips to give a sensual lick.
No way! That was- that was just wrong. Heart hammering in his chest, Inuyasha felt a vein throb in his forehead and anger knot in his stomach. "The fuck! Did you just-"
"I will do as I wish with my mate. You will not interfere, Inuyasha." The half-breed's name came like venom from the daiyokai's mouth. With that, the argument was defused, for now. Sesshomaru looked over the group, eye's narrowing on the wind demon that accompanied them, her presence was not one he would warmly acknowledge, "You will all abide by my laws upon this land, or you will be executed." This was the only mercy he would give.
Inuyasha, outraged, looked to Kagome, however unlike what he had expected, she remained still, no disagreement or defense came from her lips, in fact it seemed she was busy watching Shippo as he bounced around, like a mother watching her toddler, ensuring it didn't stray too far.
"This isn't over Sesshomaru. This is far from over!" Inuyasha seethed, though managed to check his anger for the time being.
With no argument to be made, Sesshomaru turned away, and began walking. "Follow." Was all Kagome said to the group, in explanation of Sesshomaru's actions and swept her hand through her mates hair, "Shippo!"
Like a well trained puppy, the kitsune perked up at his mother's call and lept of Kirara, running along after his...parent's?
Sango was the one to speak up, "Are we heading for the Grand pavilion? I'm sorry but the nausea is getting to me, I would like to rest soon."
"Hn." He replied, which meant to say, 'Keep up.'
Hope you enjoyed.
Can you predict what will happen in the next chapter? I see a boss fight coming up, Inuyasha not happy~ ;)