"Unbreakable Bond"

viealle

Summary:

Kagome and Sesshoumaru's souls are bonded much to Inuyasha's chagrin. When he attempts to stop the bond from progressing, his actions result in unintended consequences.

Rated:

T

Warnings: Cussing, threats of violence

Notes:

SessKag Annual Falloween Event (SAFE) Submission

Prompt: "Red String of Fate"

Challenge: Kagome and Sesshoumaru discover a sensation that is pulling them together like magnets. When Inuyasha tries to intervene by severing the bond with Tessaiga, this results in disastrous consequences for Inuyasha and/or the bonded pair.

Level: Full Demon (3000-5000 words)

Golden eyes narrowed in irritation as a sharp, stinging pain crawled up his claws, past the magenta markings on his wrist, and through his upper arm. A growl of irritation feathered through his pale lips as his eyes stared at the offending appendage.

'How disagreeable…' The daiyokai thought as the pain worsened. His left hand grazed the skin of his right, feeling for anything amiss.

He swiftly brought his hand up to his eyes and studied it silently. Ever so gently, the mist of a lime green aura began swirling around his hand lazily. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened in response as displeasure bloomed in his chest.

'What unfortunate timing. This Sesshoumaru has one too many tasks to complete.' He mused silently as the burning sensation worsened. The circulating aura began to pulse, as if it were a heartbeat. Despite his apparent distaste, the daiyokai stood up swiftly and began walking toward the edge of a forest. His traveling companions did not awaken as he stalked silently towards the east.

"Ouch!" Kagome exclaimed in pain as she sat up quickly. A thin sheen of sweat covered her brow as she rubbed her hand and glanced around Kaede's hut. All of her friends were still sleeping peacefully. It seemed like her outburst didn't faze her tired friends. 'A bug bit me, maybe?' Kagome thought to herself as she threw the cover of her sleeping bag off of her sweaty body.

Slowly and deliberately, Kagome exited the hut and relished in the cool night air. She let out a sigh of relief as it instantly cooled her heated skin. Kagome began wandering away from the hut as she wiped her brow. As she neared the pathway to the Bone Eater's Well, a wave of heat overtook her.

"I feel like I'm on fire." She mumbled miserably into the air. Suddenly, the sensation she felt all over began to gather in her hand. It was like she was being burned with fire. She grasped it tightly as tears began to slip from her eyes. Kagome collapsed to the ground and began rubbing her aching hand.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha called out as his white hair appeared from one of the many nearby trees outlining the entrance to his namesake forest. When she didn't immediately answer, he leapt down and crouched beside her. He placed a roughened hand on her shoulder.

"Kagome! I smelled tears. What's the matter?" Inuyasha questioned as he tried to pull her to a sitting position. His ears swiveled and twitched quickly as his eyes darted from Kagome to the path that would lead them back to their friends.

"Okay, just hold on! I'm gonna get you some help." Inuyasha gingerly picked up Kagome and began to carry the squirming girl back to Kaede's hut. As he moved closer to the path that she came from, her restlessness grew worse. "Stop! Inuyasha, stop! It's getting worse! Please stop…" Kagome begged as if his movement worsened her pain. Her left hand wrapped tightly around her other one as he came to an immediate stop.

"What…but, I need to get you to Kaede so she can help you!" Inuyasha argued. Kagome flinched at the loudness of his voice. She shook her head slowly as her body began to tremble. "Just put me down, please. I don't know what's wrong… It's my hand. It's burning!"

Inuyasha returned to a crouch and lowered her softly to the ground. He briefly inspected her uninjured hand before leaning back. "Okay, fine. I'm just gonna have to wake the old woman up!" He grit out. His hand lingered on her shoulder before he set off towards the village.

Kagome took several deep breaths to mitigate the pain that was starting to radiate from her fingers up her arm. It was a searing, almost yearning pain. Her fingers felt like they were being tugged by an invisible force which was threatening to dislocate them from their sockets. Tears continued to sting her eyes as she closed them tightly and waited for her friends to arrive.

Sesshoumaru paused briefly as a wave of pain pulsated up his arm. His eyes narrowed in response and his fangs bared slightly. The usually stoic daiyokai twitched in irritation at the annoyance circling his hand.

As if he was not inconvenienced enough by what this meant. "This Sesshoumaru has no need for a mate." He ground out coldly, as if chastising the Gods who put him in this unfortunate predicament.

Sesshoumaru's eyes closed softly when his remark received no response. As if to mock him, another sharp pain shot through his arm. His patience was wearing thin. The Gods had chosen his mate and he was not one to delay, no matter the circumstances. With red creeping into the corner of his eyes, he continued on his trek at a faster pace.

After what felt like several agonizing years, she heard the familiar footsteps of Inuyasha and the others. "Kagome! Tell us of what ails ye." Kagome heard Kaede ask. But she sounded so far away. Kagome could only grimace in response to Kaede's question. The other voices of her friends wavered in and out as her vision began to darken.

"She…she said her hand hurts. Like its burning. But there's nothing wrong with it!" Inuyasha quickly explained to Kaede, who gently reached for the suffering woman in front of her. When her hand touched Kagome's, Kaede immediately recoiled as if she too was burned by the heat of a fire.

"Young Kagome…must continue traveling in the direction ye found her in, Inuyasha." Kaede said quietly as she leaned back to look at the hanyou beside her.

"Why? What does that have to do with her hand?!" He bit back at the old woman. A sigh escaped from her lips.

"There…is an old tale that tells of two souls marking each other as…mates." Kaede began slowly as the others came closer to listen to the conversation. "When two souls are destined to intertwine, the bond that pulls the two together manifests in a burning pain that will lead them to each other. It is a physical representation of their souls' desire to be near one another. Kagome's hand isn't hurt. It is but a compass to lead her to her destined mate. The pain will subside when she touches the hand of her mate, and their souls join."

Anger flashed in Inuyasha's golden eyes as he sprung to his feet in protest. "There's no way! She chose to come back here to be with me. There's no way she's gettin' together with anyone else! That is a stupid story made by stupid people with too much friggin' time on their hands!" He growled in anger. There was no way that there was anyone else for Kagome.

"Why is it even happening now? We defeated Naraku and she's been comin' here for years! Why now?" Inuyasha questioned to his friends and the surrounding trees. His heart sank at the possibility that Kagome…might not his.

Before Inuyasha could continue on his rant, Kagome stirred slightly. She lifted her left hand to her head as she tried to sit up.

"Kagome, no! Ye must conserve your energy." Kaede started. Kagome's eyes traveled from the old woman to Inuyasha, who was staring wistfully in her general direction. Their eyes did not meet.

"What's….going on?" Kagome asked weakly as she propped herself on her left arm. The radiating heat and pain from her right hand was slowly dissipating.

"Why is she suddenly awake?" Sango asked as she knelt with Shippo on Kagome's other side. She ran a cool hand over Kagome's feverish forehead.

"Her mate…may be on his way. If this is the cause, he will be in similar distress as well and will wish for the pain to subside." Kaede murmured. Kagome looked between the two women.

"Would someone please fill me in? I'm getting scared, here." Kagome laughed nervously. Mate? Who?

As Kaede began to fill in Kagome of the old tale, the wind shifted quickly. The sounds of the nighttime animals in the forest came to a halt. Inuyasha's ears twitched furiously as he swiveled around to locate the being that caused the change in the air so quickly. He lifted his nose and began sniffing.

"No…" Inuyasha muttered incredulously. Kagome sat up quickly to the surprise of her friends. She stole a glance at her right hand, which now felt as though it was only being kissed by the gentle heat of the morning sun. The unbearable pain was gone. In its place was the faintest shimmer of pink around her hand.

"What's the matter Inuyasha?" Miroku inquired as the hanyou turned angrily toward the dirt path he found Kagome on earlier.

Inuyasha let out a low growl that resonated in his chest. He swiftly drew Tessaiga and pointed it down the path.

"Sesshoumaru." He ground out as the daiyokai appeared at the edge of the forest.

"Little brother." Sesshoumaru acknowledged, before surveying the small group of people huddled around Kagome. His golden eyes narrowed dangerously as they focused on the miko laying in the dirt.

"Why are you here?" Inuyasha bit out before adjusting his grip on Tessaiga. The daiyokai's keen eyes focused on the minute movement before he lifted his chin.

"This Sesshoumaru…is in search of something that belongs with him." He stated coolly. His sharp eyes watched as the green aura around his hand slowly became more vibrant and began creeping towards the group. Discontent filled his mind at his circumstances. Despite her humanity, the woman was not completely unworthy of his matehood. Still, he was not happy with this turn in events.

Inuyasha's eyes widened before they narrowed into slits. "What? You're finally coming after Tessaiga again, even after everything that happened with Bakusaiga? I thought you couldn't get it without finally letting go? What's your problem?" Inuyasha questioned loudly.

Sesshoumaru's lip twitched slightly in amusement, bringing him out of his thoughts. "This Sesshoumaru requires not the Tessaiga. I have come for something else." Sesshoumaru stated as he began to advance on the small group of people while following the green aura.

Inuyasha retreated until he was just before Kagome, who had stood up behind him despite the protests of the others.

Kagome felt her fingers begin to tingle as the pink aura flared brightly. Slowly, it began to creep towards Sesshoumaru's direction.

"Oh…no…" Kagome whimpered before her blue eyes shifted to look at Kaede who nodded solemnly. Her hands flew to her mouth before she let out a quiet sob. Sango's strong, yet comforting grip took her arm to steady the young woman as Inuyasha wheeled to look at Kagome. Her cries alerted him.

"It's him…My aura is reaching out to him." Kagome cried, as gestured towards her hand. Everyone around her stared at her unblemished hand quizzically.

"We don't see it, Kagome." Sango stated softly as she pulled Kagome into a side hug. Kagome's eyes welled with tears as she silently continued to watch her aura extended further.

Inuyasha's features contorted into a look of shock as his grip on Tessaiga loosened slightly. Just as quickly as shock washed over the hanyou, anger took its place. He swiveled to look back at his silent brother who had drawn closer.

"You seem really calm about this whole damn thing. How come?!" Inuyasha questioned. Sesshoumaru eyes narrowed further, a visual representation of his dwindling patience at his brother's impertinence. Despite most of the pain subsiding upon his arrival, the dull ache of a pulling sensation still nagged at the back of his mind.

"One cannot simply defy the will of the Gods. Not even this Sesshoumaru." The daiyokai admitted honestly as a lilt of irritation further edged his voice.

"I don't accept this! There's no way I'm gonna let you take Kagome away from me! Kaede, there has to be a way to free Kagome from this bastard. What did your stupid old wives' tale say about that?" The hanyou bit out as his eyes stayed trained on the unmoving daiyokai.

Kaede cleared her throat. "Only death will release the bond of two souls." She stated quietly as the hanyou's shoulders started twitching. Inuyasha bared his fangs before Tessaiga pulsed and turned black.

"MEIDO ZANGETSUHA!" The hanyou yelled as he launched the attack at his half-brother, who loftily jumped away.

"You inherited this technique from this Sesshoumaru and yet you entertain this foolishness?" The daiyokai questioned as a smirk tilted his lips upward, revealing sharp canines. His voice sent shivers down the spines of the humans and the young fox demon, who instinctively retracted away from his hardened gaze.

"Inuyasha, please stop. We can figure—" Kagome began as she grabbed for the sleeve of his robe. He smacked her hand away. Betrayal flashed in his eyes as he returned his focus on Sesshoumaru.

"Stop it! Don't I get a say in this, Inuyasha?! You can't just kill him!" Kagome argued as she rounded on him, putting herself between the two demons. "There's obviously no way…to fix this. I'm not going to let you kill each other. It is what it is. It just has to be." She stated firmly, despite her quivering voice.

Kagome turned slowly to look at the daiyokai behind her. Her right hand pulsed as she noticed that her aura began to intermingle with a lime green light originating from Sesshoumaru's right hand. She let out a gasp as her hand began having the same tugging feeling as earlier. Only this time, it was more incessant. It was as if her aura was beckoning her to follow the trail of light it provided to her. Kagome felt herself begin to move towards man in front of her, who mirrored her steps.

The sounds of her friends' voices calling for her were silenced by the tempo of her heartbeat filling her ears. She wanted to stop, to find time to fix this predicament. But it was if her body had a mind of its own.

As the two drew nearer, their fingers began to extend towards one another. When they were a few paces away, Kagome was jolted out of her trance when she felt a rush of air behind her.

Kagome didn't have enough time to react before Tessaiga crushed the earth between Sesshoumaru and Kagome. Startled, she turned her watery eyes to see Inuyasha standing between the two with Tessaiga resting in a crater of dirt, blocking her from continuing on to meet the daiyokai.

Despite Inuyasha's intrusion, the connection of shimmering power remained between the miko and daiyokai. However, his stunt was not unnoticed.

"Your impertinence will result in your untimely death if this charade continues." Sesshoumaru lilted, as if bored by the unfolding situation. His golden eyes were trained on his hanyou brother, who returned his gaze furiously. "I'm gonna cut this damn connection you have with Kagome. If not, I'm going to kill you." Inuyasha promised as he yanked Tessaiga from its earthly cradle.

Sesshoumaru's impassive eyes bore holes into Inuyasha's as Tessaiga took on a diamond appearance. "Inuyasha, no!" Kagome screamed as he furiously swung the blade, sending diamond shards towards the elder demon. A cloud of dirt erupted as the shards impacted where Sesshoumaru was standing.

Silence fell over the group as they waited in bated breath for the next move. The sound of crackling electricity reverberated throughout the trail as an explosion of green light dissipated the cloud of dust.

"He's unscathed." Kagome whispered while staring at the demon who was destined to become her mate. Standing before her, Sesshoumaru lowered Bakusaiga to his side. The diamond shards had been blocked by Bakusaiga.

"Your feeble attacks are wasted on this Sesshoumaru. Stop this tirade post haste lest you do something you regret." Sesshoumaru instructed as he twisted Bakusaiga at his side. The lime green light from his hand pulsed aggressively as if the very essence of Sesshoumaru's being was annoyed about being disrupted.

Forgoing attacks on the stoic demon lord in front of him, Inuyasha turned his vision to the link between Kagome and Sesshoumaru that he could not see.

'She said that her aura was reaching toward his…But no one can see it except for her. What if I could see the vortex that is linking them?' Inuyasha mulled over. Suddenly emboldened, he raised Tessaiga and focused on identifying a potential vortex of power located between the two. He sniffed deeply and scoured the air between the two. Located several meters away from the crater he inflicted upon the ground was the faintest glimmer of pink and green. It smelled of a stormy night and lavender…Their two scents.

Without another thought, Inuyasha lunged toward the intersection and crashed Tessaiga down upon the vortex. Pink and green light appeared from the impact which sent out rays of bright flashes.

"I hit it!" Inuyasha exclaimed as a confident smile spread across his face. With renewed determination, Inuyasha pressed deeper into the vortex hoping he would destroy it with brute force. As the hanyou pressed further, the swirling auras became tumultuous and reared in response to the strike. A deafening grinding sound emerged from the connection point before a blinding light lit up the entire clearing.

The sound of a heavy item falling to the ground reverberated against the still trees. At Inuyasha's feet lay the Tessaiga's blade, which was slowly reverting to its rusty, dormant form.

Inuyasha glanced unbelievingly at Tessaiga's hilt before his eyes began to bleed red. He turned quickly to Kagome, who had her hands clasped over her mouth in silent horror.

"Kagome, I'm—" Inuyasha began before he let out a loud, guttural scream. With Tessaiga in disrepair, there was no seal on his full-demon energy.

Across the field, Inuyasha's friends stared in stunned silence at the unfortunate outcome before rushing to subdue the unraveling hanyou. Kaede looked on in disbelief as the younger members of the group ran towards their friend.

"The bond between souls is absolute. Even the mighty Tessaiga could not withstand it." Kaede whispered quietly to herself before sinking to her knees.