A/N: Three chapters in one go! Whew!
Alright, so listen up, y'all! We're in the home stretch now. There may or may not be an epilogue; I'm still deciding that. But you can expect another chapter to tie this all together.
Can you believe it? I started writing this fic on Oct 12, 2013 on FF. It's been almost 7 years and yet it's finally winding to a close. I've grown so much as an author during that time, and I'm sure that's visible in how the work has matured as I have. And I no longer have just one InuYasha FF, either. I've written over 40 pieces and 30 of them are Sess/Kag. It's incredible.
I hope you all have been enjoying the journey and I hope it continues to be enjoyed long after it's done.
Anyway, sorry for the word vomit. This story has just seen a lot over the years.
The tenseness, the anticipation, it all led up to this moment as Itsetsuhiko's army arrived in the forest Kagome and her friends had retreated to to defend themselves better. A clearing would be too open, allowing for arrows and scrolls infused with holy power to target the vulnerable yokai in their army.
A forest, however, would make it difficult for those weapons to be as effective, but their own army would not be as impacted. All of the yokai amongst them could fight in close quarters, though they would be more limited. InuYasha had already been cautioned against going wild with Tessaiga and opening up more land for their army to be spotted and targeted.
It was finally time.
Kagome gripped her bow, though she doubted she'd get much use out of it. If her plan succeeded, she'd incensed Itsetsuhiko into targeting her directly and, once he was in range, they would be enshrouded in Shin's barrier for her chance at defeating the weapon Itsetsuhiko carried.
"There is still time to let Lord Sesshomaru know," Shin whispered next to her.
Kagome shook her head. "No," she said firmly. "He would try and stop me and he can't, Shin. This is the only way we have of defeating and breaking Itsetsuhiko's bisento before he tries to use it to absorb any of our friends. If we fail, if we lose here, there won't be any yokai in the future. I can't let that happen."
Beside her, Shin shuddered at her ominous words. He hadn't realized Kagome had the gift of foresight, but her prediction rang with an eery truthfulness that he couldn't shake off. "Then we must win, Lady Kagome. I will do everything in my power to see to it," he promised her. Though he'd never admit it aloud, he was grateful to the priestess for taking the chose to kill Itsetsuhiko away from his mate.
She would have never dared revealed her plans to him, knowing he'd stop her, but he knew her better than she'd realized. He knew what she'd been planning and knew that it would only feed into her bitterness and anger. Itsetsuhiko needed to die, but if his mate was to survive and thrive, she could not have a direct hand in it.
Otherwise, he was positive the Azumi he knew would never return to him.
"Be calm, young cubs," Shiyuri said, flexing her claws. She was under no delusions. Though this had been the priestess' plan, the priestess would not be the one to slay Itsetsuhiko.
Long had she dreamed of this moment. At first, she'd savored every plan that ensured Itsetsuhiko would suffer, but as time drew on, she'd realized the folly of such a plan. She would not risk his escape or possible survival. Though he might deserve to suffer, she would leave that up to the kami themselves. She would deliver a quick death, one that would ensure that he could never be revived.
The kami could do with his soul as they willed after that.
For a moment, she thought of the child she had born. She had never looked upon it, never desired to see Itsetsuhiko within it, for she knew if even a trace of her enemy had been visible in the child, she would have despised it on sight. Her injuries, extensive as they were, had been the only reason the child had been carried to term; she hadn't been strong enough to insist on its termination.
What might the child have become?
She dismissed the thought almost as soon as it came to mind. The child wasn't hers, even if she'd born it. It had been raised by loving parents and, she was positive, would never know the truth of its origins, let alone the horror of its father.
She would ensure that no other children would result from Itsetsuhiko. His reign of terror ended here, now.
Kagome sensed Itsetsuhiko well before she saw him, his army carrying him into battle within a grand omikoshi. It was ostentatious, gilded from top to bottom in gold. Even the screens were painted in gold paint with occasional splashes of red for dramatic effect, depicting a ferocious tiger yokai destroying his enemies. On top of the roof of the omikoshi sat four golden tigers, teeth bared, each with a single paw raised to strike. Red tassels dangled alongside golden chimes, announcing loudly to all that a kami was in tow.
I never stopped to consider what type of yokai Itsetsuhiko is, Kagome thought as she eyed the omikoshi, but it makes sense. If he was part of Shiyuri's territory or pack, that could explain why she was the only one he managed to kidnap. She was already in the perfect position for him to do so. From what Sesshomaru said, no one even saw him as a threat, so I doubt he was a ranked member. He could probably come and go without too much notice.
As Itsetsuhiko's army approached the forest Kagome's friends and allies hid within, they came to a halt, stopping to allow Itsetsuhiko to open the omikoshi and step out and settle upon the ground. Surrounded by his army, he was currently untouchable, but Kagome knew the moment he sensed her. He turned his head and stared right at the tree she was hiding within and a cruel smile touched his lips.
Behind the army came two large cages on wheels, full of women, and Kagome heard several gasps around her. At least they aren't dead, she thought to herself, but as she eyed the condition the women were kept in, she wasn't sure it was much of a consolation. As if showing off his power over them, none of the women had been allowed to wear anything at all. They stood naked in the cages, huddled together for warmth in the mountain's cool air.
Kagome's heart went out to the women and she promised herself she would personally ensure that all were taken care of after they won the war. Some of them might not have families who would take them back in, but she wouldn't allow them to suffer further. She'd find homes for them all, even if it meant they had to live with her.
"This one is Itsetsuhiko-kami-sama," he announced, preening for the both armies as he showed off golden robes. "He has descended from the heavens to right the wrongs upon the earth. As a kami, he is generous. He will allow you the chance to worship his graciousness and join his cause. All that shall be required of you is a hoshi no tama, created by your own power, to prove your loyalty, and you shall not be harmed. This one swears it."
He licked his lips. "Of course," he continued, bringing out his bisento to show off the blade, "to fight against the kami would be foolish."
Kagome stared at it. So this is the Tamashi no Ha. It looks kind of...ordinary, except for the golden hilt and red tassels at the end, though somehow I think that's probably Itsetsuhiko's touch.
And yet, she could sense the malevolent aura emanating from the bisento. It's stronger than even So'unga was. No wonder Inu no Taisho entrusted it to monks at a temple to purify; it was probably beyond his capacity at the time to conquer its aura, given how young he must have been. Inu no Taisho probably hadn't even come fully into his power then.
And the bisento has probably only gotten stronger since then, fed by the hoshi no tamas that Itsetsuhiko has been collecting. I don't think I've ever seen a weapon stronger than this one. I'm not sure Inu no Taishi could have subdued it now, even if he'd been here to do it.
Despite that, she could not sense a will of its own within the Tamashi no Ha, unlike So'unga. If there was a presence within the blade, it appeared that Itsetsuhiko had controlled it—or it had controlled him.
"You would be defeated and for what? This one has already stated he shall not harm you. He is here to bring about a new era." Itsetsuhiko lifted the bisento and the blade shone in the afternoon sunlight. "The females who yield shall be treated well, taken into this one's court as his courtesans. The males shall be given positions in his army in relation to their power and station. It is not a terrible bargain, is it, to be compensated so for your duty in serving your kami?"
InuYasha scoffed. "Like hell, bastard. You're not one of the kami; you're just a smelly old demon who can't even see his life is over."
Itsetsuhiko directed his gaze to InuYasha, who made himself visible in the trees. "Ah, the son of Inu no Taisho. Or, rather, the second son. Half-breed and half-power," he sneered. "You should already have learnt your place serving your betters, hanyo."
"Keh. Without that fancy blade, you're nothing," InuYasha retorted. "Even a hanyo like myself can smell the weakness on you."
Kagome hid a laugh, feeling some of her tension fade at InuYasha's retorts and the old memories they invoked. Oh, InuYasha.
"Enough," Itsetsuhiko barked. "This one wishes to speak to your general, not the son of a mongrel."
"Oy!" InuYasha bristled, his claws moving for the sword at his hip.
"Calm yourself, InuYasha," Sesshomaru said quietly. "Do not let him bait you."
"Keh." InuYasha folded his arms as he huffed.
Sesshomaru made himself visible. While some of their army had taken refuge in the trees for distance attacks, Sesshomaru and many of the yokai remained on the ground to fight their enemies face to face. "No one here will surrender to you, Itsetsuhiko. You were banished and this one shall ensure that the banishment is upheld. Retreat to the mainland or forfeit your life."
"Surrender your power and the priestess and this one shall spare your lives," Itsetsuhiko called back. "But for your audacity, son of Inu no Taisho, you shall not be allowed to live."
"Very well. So be it." Sesshomaru drew Bakusaiga from its sheathe. "This one will savor your demise."
"So be it," Itsetsuhiko echoed. "Attack! But remember, the priestess is mine!"
Kagome turned to nod to Shin and Shiyuri next to her. "Be ready," she whispered, knowing that Itsetsuhiko would seek to take advantage of the chaos to seek her out himself. Sesshomaru would attempt to stop him, but she doubted he would immediately succeed.
Shin nodded, bringing his hands together to clasp the scrolls he'd need between them, ready to use them the moment Itsetsuhiko was within range.
Shiyuri flexed her claws before reaching for her own blade. "He will not live to see another day," she promised darkly.
Sesshomaru gave the signal as Itsetsuhiko's army charged and her allies retreated deeper into the forest, seeking to draw the army down into the thicker part of the forest. Kagome moved with them, following Shin as Shiyuri fell behind her, careful to remain distant enough that Shin would be able to enact the barrier as soon as Itsetsuhiko found them.
She didn't let herself focus on the sounds of battle around her as Itsetsuhiko's army met her own allies and friends in battle. She had to act quickly, had to gain enough distance, to ensure that Itsetsuhiko was destroyed before she lost any of her friends.
She moved as quickly as she dared, following one of the paths through the trees that Ayame and the other wolves had directed them to earlier. She wouldn't risk going to the ground until Itsetsuhiko was in the area. But she veered off to the right path, rather than the left one she'd been directed to.
Doing so would leave the warriors Sesshomaru had assigned to watch her behind—InuYasha included.
"Hey! Kagome!" InuYasha bellowed. "Where do you think you're going?"
Kagome ignored him, though her heart pang to do so.
None of them would understand.
Shin and Shiyuri followed as she took the path they'd agreed on earlier that day in their planning, pushing herself to run to the destination they had in mind.
"Ah ah, priestess." Itsetsuhiko's voice rang through the clearing. "You have nowhere to go. This one can sense your power as clearly as he sees in the sunlight. There is no point in hiding. Surrender now. Or is it that you enjoy the chase?"
Up ahead was the small clearing they'd chosen for this purpose, but Kagome could feel Itsetsuhiko's dark presence bearing down on her.
They wouldn't make it in time if she stayed in the trees.
"We have to drop," she muttered to Shin and Shiyuri before doing just that, dropping to the ground with a thud as she ignored Shin's horrified protest. "Hurry!"
She ran, ignoring the burning in her legs and lungs as she pushed herself to reach the clearing before Itsetsuhiko closed in on them. She could hear Shiyuri and Shin running alongside her, though she didn't dare look to see where exactly they were.
"Almost there!" she huffed, seeing the edge of the clearing fast approaching. "Move!"
She felt something shove her just as she reached the edge and she sprawled forward, head first, into the clearing. Rolling onto her feet, wincing at bruises she knew she'd find later, she turned to see that Shiyuri had pushed her and Shin both, though Shin had been slower to move to his feet behind her.
Itsetsuhiko stood before them, a triumphant smile on his face. "So, the dog has left you with fools for guards, has he? What a delightful and unexpected gift."
Kagome felt a twinge of guilt for InuYasha and the wolf yokai she'd left behind. Sesshomaru would probably chew them out later, even though it was her fault. "I'm not yours to claim," she informed him, hoping to spur him into stepping just a little closer in response to her challenge.
Just a few more steps and Shin could erect the barrier.
Itsetsuhiko licked his lips. "This one looks forward to draining you of your power." His eyes glowed red for a moment. "Oh? Ahhh, it seems that today is most fortuitous indeed. Shiyuri, how I have longed to seek revenge for what you have done."
Shiyuri bared her fangs. "Try it," she hissed. "This one looks forward to bleeding you dry."
Itsetsuhiko chuckled darkly. "The little kitten grew into her fangs, it seems."
Shiyuri snarled.
"Don't worry, kitten. Your moment will come. But first, the priestess." He turned his gaze back to Kagome as he stepped forward, bringing his bisento fully into view. "It will be painful, draining you of your power, but this one thanks you for the strength you will give him."
He took another step forward, lifting the bisento and moving it towards her chest as Kagome did nothing to stop it.
Now!
Shin's barrier went up just as InuYasha came racing into view. "Kagome, you idiot!" he snarled as Tessaiga turned red. Shiyuri snarled as she saw the hanyo, her claws moving to her sword if needed to prevent InuYasha from attacking Itsetsuhiko before their plan was realized.
The barrier breaking Tessaiga! Kagome panicked as she saw the blade; she hadn't expected InuYasha to be able to follow her. Thinking quickly, she blurted, "Get Sesshomaru, InuYasha! I need help!"
InuYasha paused on the upswing of his sword. "Idiot! I can save you myself!"
"No!" Kagome felt the cold bite of metal as the bisento cut into her priestess clothing and touched her bare skin. "Sesshomaru is the only one who can destroy the bisento! We need him!"
InuYasha stared at her for a moment longer and then snarled as he sheathed his blade, leaping up in to the trees as he took off to presumably find Sesshomaru. Shin, to his credit, never faltered, continuing to chant to keep the barrier active.
"Foolish priestess. Your mate won't arrive in enough time to rescue you," Itsetsuhiko gloated. "Your power will be mine!"
Kagome raised her chin as she glared back at Itsetsuhiko. That's what I'm counting on, asshole. I'm going to ensure that this weapon can never be used again.
I will make sure this ends here and now, Itsetsuhiko. Your time is up.
