A/N: I'm doing my best to edit this story appropriately as I go, but I promise there will always be typos or mistakes because this Demonic Damsel is also *spoiler* human.
Kagome and Ayame sat together in Kagome's favorite drawing room for several hours. She had decorated it herself with pretty reds and yellows to match her mate's iconic style. Being in this particular room comforted her when Sesshoumaru was away from home. Or it usually did. Now she couldn't help but stare out of the window, hoping to hear the familiar bugling at the gates that meant her mate had returned home.
The doors opened, making Kagome jump out of her seat. Ayame frowned as her friend's face fell, seeing that it was only her son whom had entered. Kagome sat once more with a sigh as she saw frustration on his face.
"I searched everywhere I could think that she might be hiding, even the catacombs below. I don't think she's still on the grounds, Mother," Seiya said quietly, his fists clenched.
"Your father will find her, Seiya. Between him, my mate, and Yoru, there couldn't be a better team of trackers," Ayame said, moving to offer him a cup of tea with her reassurances. He accepted it with a curt nod but didn't drink, walking to the window and watching for a sign.
"Young Prince! Lady Kagome!" Jaken screamed, running into the room.
"What is it, Jaken?" Kagome asked, staring down at the tea in her hands hopelessly.
"It's Lord Naraku Gumo and his son Muso! They are at our gates! They have Lady Sari with them, and she's injured!" Jaken jumped as Kagome and Seiya both dropped their cups, the twin echoing of shattered glass filling the room even as the two Ladies and Prince ran out of the room.
Kagome paused for a moment, turning back to the imp.
"Jaken, take Ah-Un and find Sesshoumaru. Hurry!"
"Y-Yes MiLady! Right away!" Jaken yelled, running off to the stables to find his master.
By the time Kagome had caught up with Ayame and Seiya, her son was lifting a limp Sari out of Naraku's carriage. There were many dark rumors about the lord of the Northern lands, enough that Kagome was weary of the tall figure before her. However, she cast those thoughts aside as she looked her daughter over.
"Sari? Can you hear me?" Kagome pet her hair back as she looked her over. "Look, she's bruised and scratched up. Seiya, bring her to the infirmary and summon the doctor right away!" Seiya obeyed, bowing slightly to Naraku before running ahead, his sister in arms.
"Lady Kagome, I'm sorry we had to meet under unpleasant circumstances. I am Lord Naraku of the Northern lands, and this is my son, Muso," he said gesturing to Muso as he climbed out from the carriage. They both bowed deeply.
"Here, this was with her when we found her," Muso offered the wrapped cloth bag that Sari had brought with her, the personal items Kagome saw within it confirming their suspicions that she had run away.
"Thank you, Lord Naraku, and Muso, for bringing my daughter to me. This is Lady Ayame of the southern lands." Ayame bowed slightly before linking arms with Kagome and walking with her to follow Seiya's path. "Please follow me," she spoke, seeing the way Ayame eyed him.
"Lord Naraku," Ayame started, seeing him look over to her as they walked. "How did Princess Sari come to be in your care?"
"May I?" Muso asked his father, seeing him nod. "I was taking a walk to stretch my legs from the long carriage ride when I sensed a demon near the river. When I investigated, Princess Sari was being held by insect legs and being smothered with a thick poison. I killed the demon before he could feast on her but she lost consciousness."
"My Lady Kagome, I believe your daughter will be just fine. It wasn't a particularly strong demon that attacked her and I'm sure that Princess Sari is strong, like her father and mother before her," Naraku said smoothly.
"Of course," Kagome said offhandedly.
"Lady Kagome, why don't you see to Sari and I'll show Lord Naraku and his son to the drawing room? I'm sure after a long journey and such a surprise they could use some tea and snacks," Ayame offered, seeing her friend struggle with manners and the concern for her child.
"Yes, of course! Forgive me for being a terrible hostess, Lord Naraku." Kagome said, seeing him shake his head.
"Not at all. I can only imagine you'd want to be with your daughter when she awakens. Please, do not fret about us and see to her."
Kagome bowed and hurried off to the infirmary, leaving Naraku and Muso in Ayame's capable hands.
"This way, my lords," Ayame said with a practiced smile.
Naraku and Muso shared a small smirk as they followed Ayame down an adjacent corridor.
Yoru was quick to find her trail, ignoring the wolves and running ahead to follow it, both demon lords on his tail. He knew what Koga and Sesshoumaru did not: Sari had run away. He doubted that anyone would be able to sneak into the Taisho palace to attempt to abduct her. Sesshoumaru was too powerful and guarded with his family for that. He also knew that he was partially to blame.
The love that Yoru felt for her, the need his inner beast felt for Sari, was more than he would ever be able to express. He also knew that he had not done a great job of trying. His emotions were strong and he had smothered her with his own selfish choices and feelings, exposing her secrets to her family before she was ready. He felt like such a fool!
Lifting his nose to the air, Yoru scanned for her scent as it became stronger. His eyes widened a fraction when he smelled the faint scent of her blood in the air, mixed with... miasma? He knew Sesshoumaru had caught it too as he sped past the young man, only to stop at the nearby river.
"I smell it too, Lord Sesshoumaru. She was here," Yoru said softly, scanning the area.
There had clearly been a battle. With a few drops of Sari's blood and the disturbed earth, combined with the still tainted air of demon miasma, it wasn't a hard guess.
Yoru knelt, brushing his fingers over the dirt where he smelled his love had been. He was more concerned for her than ever. Sari was strong. If something was able to hit her, it was either strong, clever, or both. It terrified him inside.
"Milord!" came Jaken's voice from above, flying in on Ah-Un at incredible speed.
"What is it?" Sesshoumaru asked curtly.
"Lord Naraku and Muso arrived at the castle and they had Princess Sari with them!" Jaken jumped off on the steed and waddled up to his Lord.
"Was she hurt?" Yoru asked, unable to stop himself as he focused on the imp demon.
"She was unconscious and a little beat up but she did not seem gravely injured, though I do not know the full extent of her injuries. Lady Kagome sent me here to get you," Jaken finished.
"Koga, Yoru, get on Ah-Un," Sesshoumaru spoke, already floating. They did as told and quickly mounted the beast.
"Milord!" Jaken cried, quickly grabbing onto the end of his Mokomoko, screaming in fear as they flew back to the castle with haste.
Sari's eyes fluttered, her vision blurry and her thoughts cloudy as she fought to breach into consciousness. When she was able to focus her gaze, she saw what looked like the infirmary at her family's castle... But that couldn't be.
"Sari, you're awake!" came a voice that sounded like Seiya's from her right.
She sat up slowly, holding her right head in her hand as the room spun around her. She risked looking around for a moment and confirmed her thought. She was home and lying in their medical ward with her brother beside her. How?
"I'm going to get Mother and the doctor." She sucked in a breath to protest but found herself coughing uncontrollably as he hurried away. She noted her bag was hanging off the edge of the bed and sighed. At least she hadn't lost her necklace.
"It's good to see you awake, Lady Sari," came an unfamiliar voice from the corner of the room.
"Who-" she broke off with another coughing fit, covering her face with the edge of her blanket.
"Don't try to talk just yet. Your body is still processing the noxious gas from that insect demon," she heard from the young man as he stepped closer. "I'm Prince Muso, Lord Naraku's son. I found you earlier when you were attacked. Do you remember me?"
Sari started to shake her head but paused as a sharp pain struck her head. She brought her other hand up and squeezed at the pain a moment before the vision of Muso swiping his claws toward the demon creature that had ambushed her flashed in her mind. Her memory of the incident faded as she released her head and gave a slight nod toward him.
"That's good. It seems the miasma didn't affect your memory," Muso said with a polite smile. He stopped as Kagome, the doctor, and Seiya came rushing in together.
"Sari!" Kagome's eyes watered as she launched herself at her daughter and squeezed her, the doctor waiting patiently at the foot of the bed.
"How could you do this?" Seiya yelled, seeing her flinch and cast her gaze downward.
"Seiya, enough. Now isn't the time," Kagome said, pulling back as Sari coughed into the blankets more.
Muso moved in, grabbing a glass and the pitcher of water that was beside her to fill it for her. He offered it and she nodded her thanks before releasing the blanket to take and sip it.
"She's coughing blood," Seiya voiced his observation, gritting his teeth. His mother was right, she was lying on a medical cot, but he couldn't help but want answers! He walked out of the infirmary to cool off, seeing the doctor move around the bed to begin his examination.
"This is common after dealing wtih demon insect poison. She should be back to herself by tomorrow," he addressed Kagome first, then turned back to Sari. "You must rest and drink plenty of fluids. It will be uncomfortable but the poison will have to clear your lungs by itself. Until then, lay back and stay in bed."
Sari obeyed silently, feeling the doctor take the water from her hand and set it on the table beside her. He moved to bring her a fresh blanket and several cloths to cough into.
"Thank you, Doctor," Kagome said, sitting on the bed beside Sari. She could see the crippling despair in her daughter's eyes even as she refused to look back at her.
"I'll be back to check on you later. If there's anything you need, Lady Sari, use the bell string on the head rest," the doctor spoke before leaving them.
"I see you've awakened, my dear," Naraku spoke as he crossed the threshold into the ward.
"My father, Lord Naraku," Muso introduced, seeing her nod mechanically.
"Forgive us, Lord Naraku. My daughter is not really up for visitors at the moment," Kagome spoke, standing. "I appreciate you coming to see her-"
"Of course, Lady Kagome. My son and I will remove ourselves in a moment. However, there is one detail we'd like to discuss, as callus it may seem."
Kagome frowned at him, stepping to the end of the bed and seeing Muso move to his father's side.
"I'd feel more comfortable if this could wait until Sari is back on her feet and my mate is home."
"I am here, my wife," came Sesshoumaru's low voice as he stepped in behind Naraku. With a bow, Naraku moved aside to let the great demon cross to his wife.
"Sesshoumaru," Kagome said with relief, feeling him move to stand beside her, a wall between Naraku and their daughter.
"I'm grateful you brought our daughter home to us, but any further discussion will have to take place at a later time and place. You will leave the infirmary so that Sari may heal from her encounter." Sesshoumaru's tone left no room for arguement.
"Of course, Lord Sesshoumaru," Naraku gave what could be percieved as a polite smile or a sinister one, depending on your perspective, before taking Muso and exiting the room.
"Thank Kami you came back. He didn't want to take no for an answer. It would have been awkward to have to purify a guest in my home," Kagome teased, looking up at her mate. He gave an indiscriminate grunt, still staring where they had been.
The silence in the room became deafening for Sari as she heard the familiar tone of her father's voice while dealing with Naraku. She felt her chest tighten, coughing into the cloth in her hand as she curled onto her side, away from her parents. She felt shame and disgrace. Her eyes burned with tears she would not shed. Her head buzzed with all of the things her father might choose to say to her.
"Sari," Kagome started, turning to her daughter. "Do you need some more water?" She shook her head no. Kagome turned back to Sesshoumaru, ready to coach him into saying something... but he was gone. "That idiot."
Yoru waited impatiently for his chance to see Sari. Not that he could prove it, but something seemed strange about the story his mother told him about how Sari was found. He knew, better than anyone, how talented Sari was as a fighter. For her to be defeated by a rogue insect demon? It was strange and unlikely, even with the emotional turmoil she had to be feeling.
He cursed to himself as he reminded himself of his love's pain. He needed to be with her, to soothe her and fix the mess of stupid that he'd created since he showed up.
"It looks like the gala will be able to proceed as planned," Ayame said, cutting through he silence of the room.
Koga nodded, sitting beside his wife, tensed but still well mannered before Naraku, even though he had a bad feeling about him.
"Sari should be recovered by then, and in plenty of time for things to resume as scheduled," Koga said, hearing the slight growl and gnash of teeth from his son in the corner of the room. He raised his brow slightly but said nothing as Naraku made a sound of amusement.
"We'll see, won't we?" he took a sip of the tea in front of him, ignoring the look Koga and Ayame shared.
"I'm going to find Seiya," Yoru said abruptly, giving a quick bow to those in the room before walking out.
He couldn't stand to listen to more idle talk, especially of the gala. There shouldn't be a gala. There shouldn't have been a plan for a gala. He should have marched up to his parents and Sari's and stated his intentions of courting her.
Yoru heard the young lord cursing before he knocked on the door to Seiya's room. A few more quiet curses and stomping feet later, Seiya opened the door, letting Yoru step inside.
"How could she just leave? Without saying a word to me? Or you?" Seiya vented immediately, knowing Yoru had to be feeling the same. "How does leaving solve anything? It's literally just running from your problems and not fixing them!"
"She doesn't think she can fix any of them because she doesn't value herself," Yoru said with a sigh, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms.
"I know she's always been hard on herself-"
"Seiya, I can't betray more of her confidence in me, but it's not as simple as her being critical. I need to talk to her, dammit!" Yoru bit with a growl.
"She's coughing too much right now to talk to anyone, really. Mother and father are in with her now. I really hope they don't say or do anything to make this worse," Seiya sighed, running a hand through his hair.
There was a quiet knock on his door, interrupting both of them.
"Excuse me, my lords. Dinner is ready," came a maid's voice from behind the door.
"I don't have an appetite. But our mothers will be expecting us both," Yoru said, both of them sighing.
Dinner was awkward and quiet. The light scraping of silverware against the plates and the tap of glasses being placed down after sipping was all that was heard.
Sesshoumaru was deep in thought. He had been planning to have a discussion to finally sort through the mess he'd made with his daughter. Instead he had run across the country and back because she'd run away, suspiciously defeated by a demon that he could have killed with a flick. It did not sit well with him. He was frustrated with himself and Sari, and he knew not how to address it. This also lead to him not saying a word to her when she returned safely.
Emotions were still difficult for him, even with his many years with his mate. Conveying those emotions to his equally emotionally stunted daughter? That was more difficult than any battle he'd ever fought.
"Lord Naraku," Koga started, addressing the pale demon across from him. "Are you planning on staying for the gala?" He grunted when he felt Ayame step on his foot and glare at him from the side.
"Lord Naraku graciously accepted the invitation for him and his son. We weren't expecting them until the week before the gala, however. We do apologize for the lack of proper accommodations. Your rooms should be ready by the time dinner is done," Kagome said, turning her head to address him.
"I apologize for arriving too early, however it did seem rather pressing to return the bell of the ball to her castle. We were taking our time across the countryside when we happened upon her, and naturally we hastened our way here accordingly," he said with a smile still planted on his face. "If I may ask, what was Lady Sari doing so far from home and without an escort? It seems rather... unusual for a young lady of her status."
"She's a strong, independent woman. More than capable of handling herself beyond the palace walls," Ayame spoke, not enjoying the implications the Northern lord was offering up.
"I'm not entirely certain of that, given the circumstances of our first meeting," Muso said from behind his father.
Sesshoumaru lifted a brow at him, not impressed with the way he was speaking about his pup. Naraku turned his head away from the table to give his son a quick, sharp look, making Muso draw back a bit and swallow hard to keep his composure.
"Again, I apologize. My son is young and sometimes quick to speak before choosing his words."
"Sari is home and safe. The matter is settled," Seiya said shortly, looking to his mother and seeing her smile gently at him.
"I'm afraid it isn't, not quite yet," Naraku said, his wine in hand as he smiled toward Sesshoumaru this time.
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked, tilting her head at him as the table all stopped to look at him.
"It's the custom of a life debt," came a raspy voice from the door.
"Sari," Yoru moved to her, ready to move her into a chair or back to the infirmary bed if necessary.
"You're supposed to stay in bed!" Kagome scolded, following Yoru.
"Lord Naraku, Lord Muso," Sari bowed to them. "Please state your wish."
"What wish are you talking about?" Kagome asked as she saw Yoru tense beside her.
"When a demon saves the life of another demon, that demon is owed a debt of life. It equates to any one wish that is equal to the magnitude of what the demon who was saved is worth. It's a royal custom. Muso saved my life. A debt is owed," Sari rasped, coughing as she finished.
"I see you've paid great attention to your lessons, my child," Naraku spoke. "That is indeed what I mean when I say the matter is unsettled."
"You want some kind of reward for saving my sister?" Seiya asked, standing as Naraku and Muso stood as well.
"Sari, you need to get back into bed. Your father and I can take care of whatever reward Lord Naraku and his son wish for-"
"I would rather Sari stay as we make our request. She'll be the person honor bound to fulfill it, after all," Muso spoke, walking up to Sari and grasping her hand. "My request is simple. This," he said, lifting up Sari's hand.
Sesshoumaru, who had stood when the lord of the Northern lands moved toward his wife, narrowed his eyes at the young man touching his daughter.
"You want my arm?" Sari asked, her eyes sharpening as she looked at his face. He and his father laughed.
"No no, not your arm. Your hand," Muso said, seeing Kagome gasp. "In marriage, of course."
"No!" came the echoing cries of the two other princes in the room. Koga grit his teeth as Ayame growled, both of them seeing Sari pale even further.
"That's too much!" Seiya snapped, stepping forward. Sesshoumaru lifted a hand to stop him.
"You don't believe your sister's life is worth her hand in marriage? I would think it's a perfectly equitable exchange," Naraku's polite smile shifted into a smirk. He knew exactly the position he was putting them in.
"A life for a life," Sari said quietly.
"No. Sari, this isn't about what your life is worth. We can't let you be boxed into a corner like this," Kagome argued before turning to look at her mate. "Sesshoumaru!"
Sesshoumaru looked at the misery on his pup's face, seeing the distress in the eyes that wouldn't meet anyone else's as they stared at her hand in Muso's. He saw the anguish in his wife's matching eyes as she pleaded with him for a solution. Yoru's eyes tinted red as his beast threatened to take control and resolve the situation in a much more primal manner.
"My family will not yield to a ridiculous demand. If you proceed with this as your wish, we will refuse and our lands will go to war."
Sari's head shot up to his, seeing the seriousness on his face as he stared Naraku down. Her mother nodded, pulling her other arm to tug her away from Muso as she stood by her husband's conviction. Against her better judgement, Sari turned her head to look at Yoru, her heart breaking once more at the torment she saw he was in at the thought of her with another male.
"As allies to the Western lands, my army will join with the Western forces, Naraku. I suggest you choose your wish wisely," Koga warned from behind Sesshoumaru. Sari's head whipped over to Koga, her eyes widening.
"I'm afraid we'll have to insist," Naraku said with much amusement in his voice.
"Then you should go and prepare your lands for war," Sesshoumaru spoke, his eyes cold and hard.
Naraku shrugged and Muso echoed the action as he stepped aside to let his father pass. The smug look on their faces confused Sari for a moment, until she realized this was exactly what they'd wanted to happen.
"Wait," her voice was still weak and raspy. The two continued, not hearing or not caring that she'd spoken. She stepped toward them and away from Kagome. "Wait!"
Naraku and Muso turned back, the smug look still in their eyes as they locked onto her.
"Your wish will be honored," she said and bowed, suppressing her coughs. "The debt is mine to pay. I alone choose to accept or deny the choice you make."
"What the hell?!" Koga yelled, feeling Ayame place a calming hand on his shoulder.
"You're prepared to leave your family behind? Everything you've ever cared for?" Naraku said, displeased with her choice but doing his best not to show it.
"Sari, enough. You don't need to-" Kagome stopped as she saw Yoru step between the Gumo pair and Sari.
"I will pay the debt in her stead. I offer my life to you," Yoru said, hearing his parents instant protest in the back.
"No!" Sari tried to yell, reduced to coughing as the poison in her lungs continued to challenge her.
Yoru turned to her, cupping her elbow and keeping her steady as her coughs died down. He brushed a few strands of hair back from her face and looked at her. Even though she was paler than usual and ill, she was still beautiful to him.
"I thought I was doing what was right by sharing your secrets with your family. I was wrong. I can make things right by taking your debt for you and letting your family stay together."
"No, Yoru. You have your family. This is my burden to bare-" she stopped as she felt something splatter against her face after hearing a horrific tearing, squelch-like noise. She brought her hand to her cheek as she saw a look of pain and horror flash across Yoru's face. The hand she'd used to wipe her cheek was bloody. Everything seemed in slow motion as she heard a cacophony of distress behind her and saw Yoru drop in front of her.
Naraku chuckled and recalled his arm, the one that had penetrated Yoru's chest like a blade.
"I'm sorry, boy. But you did say you would give your life in her stead. The debt is repaid."
Sari felt something inside of her snap. She felt dissociated from herself as she looked down at Yoru, Ayame holding him upright now, seeing a bloody hole in his chest where Naraku had just pierced. Her right eye felt hot and she let out a feral growl. Her claws extended and her aura darkened, pulsating to grow with her rising anger. She stepped into the hall toward the Northern lord, her eyes unfocused but locked onto her enemy.
Her energy spiked and loosed a shock-wave, pushing everyone back, except her father who caught Kagome in time to bubble her from the energy.
Naraku also braced himself but it was all her could do to handle the waves of energy coming at them. Muso had taken a knee, covering his face as he grunted in annoyance.
"Father, let me stop her," he called to Naraku.
"Let's just see what she can do, first. All this energy..." Naraku smirked. "She could still prove useful."
"That energy... Sari, stop!" Seiya yelled over the growling sounds she was making.
"She cannot hear you. Her inner demon is taking over," Sesshoumaru said, his brow furrowed. "It's never good for half demons to lose control of their demonic side. It puts them at risk of losing themselves entirely."
"You have to stop her, Sesshoumaru. We can't lose her, too," Kagome said, looking as Koga and Seiya guarded Ayame and Yoru from the shock-waves with their demonic energy.
"We won't lose-"
Sesshoumaru stopped as Sari moved in a flash that was almost too quick for him to follow. She charged at Naraku, catching him off guard and sending him flying back into the wall on the far side of the hall. Before he could recover, she turned to kick Muso at a downward angle, slamming him into the ground, hard. She grabbed his ankle as it bounced off the floor and sent him flying toward Naraku. There was a satisfying crack of bones as they slammed together.
Naraku pushed Muso off of him mercilessly, ignoring his groans of pain as he stared Sari down. Her body was throwing of energy uselessly. He knew she wouldn't be able to maintain the state she was in for much longer. Her right eye was now completely red, her teeth enlarged as she growled and hissed at him.
"Is that all you can do?" Naraku taunted, wiping the blood from his lips as he stood up, ready to fight.
Without warning, Sari's energy cut off. The shock-waves stopped and she stood motionlessly in the hall between her family and the Northern lords.
"That's what I thought. Let's go, Muso. Why don't you grab your door prize on the way out?"
Muso chuckled, despite the pain he felt, and rushed over to Sari. As he reached out to grab her, his hand struck a barrier of some sort. In his haste, he couldn't stop his motion until his arm was halfway through. When he pulled it back, he found it was missing, dissolved by the purification power of her barrier. He stood in shock for a moment before looking at her face, seeing her chin was pointed up so that she could look down on him with a void, cold stare.
The scream he loosed could have woken the dead. He jumped back to his father's side, holding what was left of his right arm in disbelief.
"Father, kill her!" Muso ordered, gritting his teeth in agony.
"You disgrace. You're too weak to bother with," Naraku said, his arm shooting out to pierce Muso in the same way it did Yoru before throwing him into Sari, letting her barrier dissolve him instantly.
Sesshoumaru took the opportunity to rush past Sari and swipe his poison claws at the demon lord. Naraku disappeared with a laugh into a cloud of miasma.
"I'll be back for you, Sari. I promise not to keep you waiting!"
Sesshoumaru growled and turned back to Sari, seeing her barrier was still up.
"Sari, control yourself," he said to her as he stepped close. He could feel the strength of her barrier and dared not touch it himself.
His words seemed to go unnoticed as she turned around and walked back into the dining hall. No one moved as she stepped over to Yoru. Her barrier faded slowly, turning into a purple hue of energy that engulfed her body as she knelt down beside the fading wolf demon.
"Sa... ri..." Yoru reached up to touch her face, seeing the single tear that escaped from her eyes as she stared blankly down at him.
"Yoru, don't!" Ayame warned, afraid to see him dissolve as well. He didn't, thankfully.
Sari cupped his hand over her cheek, another tear sliding down her face before she leaned down and kissed him softly. As their lips touched, Sari's light begain to wither and she started to return to normal once more. Her claws retracted, her ears softened, and her eye, though both were closed, resumed it's golden hue, though it remained red rimmed.
"Look!" Koga said, seeing Yoru's wound closing, Sari's energy surrounding the wound and healing him.
"I didn't know she could do that," Seiya said, stunned as the gaping hole in Yoru's chest shrank considerably.
Sesshoumaru now stood beside Kagome, holding her close as they watched their daughter performing what hoped to be a miracle. He could sense her auras had calmed down, her entire being relaxing as she kept her lips against Yoru's. That was something he didn't know how to feel about just yet.
"Sari, he's about healed. You should stop. You're not well yourself," Seiya said, his words falling on deaf ears as the kiss and healing continued.
Yoru felt himself strengthening as Sari poured her energy into him. He slid his hand from cupping her cheek to behind her neck as he deepened the kiss for a moment, damning the consequences. He then pulled back, levering himself up onto his elbow as he pushed her back gently by the shoulder.
"Sari, you saved me," Yoru spoke quietly, not registering his mother's tears of relief or Seiya's pat on the back. He frowned as he saw her eyes remained unfocused. "Are you with me?"
Her eyes closed and she began to fall to the side in a dead-faint. Yoru moved to catch her but was beaten by Sesshoumaru as she was lifted into his arms.
"She healed you, but you should still come to the infirmary with us and be examined by the doctor, Yoru," said Kagome from behind Ayame as she helped her friend stand.
"Welcome back, son," Koga said, offering his hand to his son to help him stand as well. Yoru was quick to take it and move to follow Sesshoumaru. "That was one hell of a dinner party," Koga said, scratching the back on his head as he looked down the beaten up hallway where his friend and son were already across.
A/N: I'm not great at fight scenes, I'll be honest, but the tension that comes from them? Fantastic. Tell me how I'm doing!