Chapter XIII

Time seemed to slow down when Sesshomaru sped ahead as Inuyasha, with Kagome on his back, running close behind him. Once they arrived at the dojo, time seemed to go on its original pace. They felt the change, especially, Kagome. She was about to voice it when she saw a fresh, bloody corpse of Sesshomaru's general and Inuki was no where in sight. Sesshomaru, with hurried steps. went to Hikaru.

Kagome was behind him and asked, "Is he...?"

Sesshomaru knew what she was asking and answered, "Yes." Suddenly, the Tenseiga pulsed; letting its wielder know that it wasn't the said person's time, yet. Sesshomaru didn't hesitate to unsheathe Tenseiga. As soon as he saw the little imps to drag his soul to the Underworld, he sliced through them. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru focused on his heartbeat. When it was elevated to its' normal beat rhythm, Hikaru immediately opened his eyes as he also gasped for fresh air. Hikaru sensed that he wasn't alone. He called out his intended-to-be's name. Only to heard the voice of his lord.

"She's not here. What happened, Hikaru?"

Hikaru looked around and back to his lord in confusion, "She was just here." He paused and memories started to flash in the mind. "Arashi and his sons were here. They wanted a rematch from our earlier matches. Arashi challenged me. We made a pact saying that if I win, he would leave and never have anything to do with the West, all except for business. If he would win he would take Inuki. Once the pact was made, Inuki tried to dissuade me from the pact. She told me it was invalid since it has something do to the West, too, not just her. She said that you had to be the one to make this pact; not me."

"She was right in that. However, the rematch from the earlier match, made a loophole for Arashi."

Kagome interrupted; can't stand not to give her two cents in. "But I thought that she and Hikaru, especially her, had to accept."

Hikaru sighed, "She didn't accept, at first, but then that bastard challenged her faith in me. Faith in one's mate is essential as much as loyalty is. It means that they have no doubt in their mate's strengths and/or abilities. It happened in the blink-of-an-eye. It felt as though time slowed down. Arashi and his sons came at me. Time may had been slow with me, but not for them. I remembered hearing Inuki screaming my name and running towards me. I kept on calling for her and tell her to run and get help, but Ryutaro and Ryu stopped her by grabbing her as Arashi gave me the fatal blow. Inuki screamed out to me. I tried to get up, but time was still slow. I also heard them laughing and gloating over their victory. Then I saw black afterwards and now here I am."

That was when they felt another presence entered the dojo, the said person said, "It was Time Magic."

All four heads turned to where they heard the voice, Kagome said as she furrowed her brows, "Time magic? Is that even possible?" Yes she knew how stupid it sounded. After all, she was able to use the well as a time portal, but a magical portals and spells are different, right?

Inukimi smiled, "Of course, it's possible. Anything is possible, dear. After all that time portal uses time magic to get you here in our present to your present. The only difference other than the obvious is that the portal's magic is benevolent while this time magic was malevolent. Magic in all itself is neutral. Magic is only evil if it's used for evil purposes. The magic effected me, too. I was trying to stop this from happening after I received a forewarning from an unlikely ally."

Sesshomaru frowned, "Who's this unlikely ally you speak of?"

"Yuki. She came to me after the females' matches. She wished not to be mixed up in her father's schemes, which was a reason why she agreed to come with them to act like she was going after Sesshomaru. Yuki. You can come in now. No one won't harm you."

Yuki gulped nervously as she walked in the dojo.

Sesshomaru still didn't trust her. Perhaps, Inukimi sensed that from him. "Yuki, why don't you tell Sesshomaru what you'd told this Inukimi?"

Yuki nodded and told Sesshomaru and all who were present the schemes that her father is doing, but only the ones that she, herself, overheard. She was also sure that her father has more elaborate schemes that has not been act upon yet. Sesshomaru growled after she told him everything that she knew.

Inuyasha was confused on what reason would Arashi want to do with Inuhime other than the obvious reasons; like mating. "Why does that bastard want Inuhime for? I mean, if he only after mating, then, why go through all this trouble?" Inuyasha wasn't stupid like some people believe him to be. His instincts is telling him there something off. Something very bad will happen. He wasn't the only one, either. Kagome felt it as well. There was a sense of foreboding in the atmosphere.

Sesshomaru wasn't really all that surprised that Inuyasha didn't know why Arashi was after their sister. He decided to answer his brother's question. "Arashi has been after Inuhime for many years now. Every since the day he had first met her. He knew of her power."

"And what is that." Inuyasha asked impatiently.

Inukimi answered before Sesshomaru could, "She's a miko-youkai."

Inuyasha furrowed his brows, "A what now?"

Inukimi sighed, "A miko-youkai. A youkai born with holy power is very rare. Although, she isn't the only one. Her best friend is one too. Two miko-youkai in the same generation is even rarer."

Kagome asked, "How is that even possible? How is she not dead? I mean, it holy power should had killed her. I don't understand."

Inukimi smiled, "It just is, Kagome. I don't know how she's not dead. It's what she is. Her father and I tried to keep her power hidden. We even sent her to Midoriko to train her. Also to show her how to hidden her aura when she needed to. We tried to find some answers how could a youkai be born with holy power. Our research revealed that a youkai born with holy powers could bring forth a pure blood youkai. It wouldn't matter what youkai her mate would be. Whatever her mate would be; so will their offspring be."

Sesshomaru interjected in his usual bored monotone voice, "Arashi is planning to impregnate her to restore their dragon clan."

Hikaru added, "Yes, but I fear it's more than that. I think they are planning to take over the lands."

Kagome asked in a shaky voice, "Does it only have to be a youkai with holy powers?" All youkai looked at Kagome. She cleared her throat. "I mean, could a miko such as myself bore a pure blood youkai?"

Both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru looked at each other. Inukimi answered, "It's possible, Kagome."

Hikaru was getting impatient with their trivial talking. "Milady, how is it that we are going to rescue my intended if you're just standing around and talking? Who knows what Arashi is doing to her as we speak!"

Inukimi rose an eye brow at Hikaru. He'd never spoke to her that way. "First of all, she isn't your intended, yet. Second, they have time magic in their arsenal. Thirdly, we must counter that magic to save Inuhime. Lastly, we must be ready for war. It may be inevitable to go to war. This one will call forth the other two lands to ally against Arashi. Now, Kagome. Inuyasha, this isn't your fight. You may want to return to your village."

Kagome thought, "Is Inukimi trying to keep Inuyasha from fighting?" She looked at Inuyasha and then at Sesshomaru. "I'm staying."

Inukimi was almost out the door, when she heard Kagome. She asked, "What did you say?"

Inuyasha was shocked at Kagome's declaration to stay. "Kagome, what are you doing?"

Kagome walked up to Inukimi in a nonthreatening manner as she ignored Inuyasha's question, "I am staying."

Sesshomaru spoke before his mother did. "You will not. You will go with Inuyasha back to Edo."

Kagome temper flared. She walked up to him and poked his chest with her forefinger. "And just who you think you are to tell me to go?! You can't tell me what to do! I am my own person!"

Sesshomaru was amused by her little rant. However, he said, "You will return to Edo."

"I will not!"

They went go on like that for awhile as Inukimi, Hikaru, and even Inuyasha looked at the two in wonder. If Kagome was someone else, she would have gotten herself killed when she poked at Sesshomaru and going against his commands.

"... Why do you care?! I am human, after all! You hate humans!"

Sesshomaru growled in frustration as immediately grabbed her and deeply kissed her. He care not if his mother, his half-brother, or his general was there watching. He wasn't ashamed. Kagome had her eyes opened at first because she was shocked by this move. One reason because it was in front of people. Soon after, all thoughts left her mind as she returned the kiss, which earned her an approved growl from Sesshomaru.

At first, Inuyasha was shocked. Never in his 200 years that he would see his half-brother kissing a female; a human female, nevertheless. After his shock was over, he immediately went over to Sesshomaru and Kagome. "Get your ice prick face away from Kagome," he yelled as he pulled Kagome away from his brother. Was he jealous? No. He just want to protect her.

Sesshomaru growled in displeasure. Kagome was getting tired of Inuyasha and his interruptions. She yelled, "Sit boy!"

Inuyasha was yelling profanities as he was getting out of his body-shaped hole in the palace's dojo floor. "What the hell was that for, wench?!"

"That was for breaking mine and Sesshomaru's make-out session!"

The three daiyoukai didn't what a 'make-out session' was, but this was no time to ask questions for that. It was time for make a plan for Inuhime's rescue.

Sesshomaru yelled, "Enough! Kagome, you will return to Edo! I will not back down on this!" When she was about to protest again, he pulled her against him. He leaned in to Kagome's scent that was calming him down. Kagome was getting goosebumps from his hot breath on her neck. He said w/ his beast present, "Kagome, please."

Kagome looked at him with widen eyes. Sesshomaru was not one to say 'please' to anyone. She looked into his golden eyes. She knew that she couldn't refuse him now, especially, when he said, 'please'. It just sounded wrong coming from him. She nodded reluctantly. Sesshomaru gave her a little smile.

Inukimi heard what he whispered into Kagome's ear. She was shocked to hear that word coming from her son's mouth. Then she smiled and cleared her throat, "Now we got that done. Kagome, you should go gather Rin and Shippo. You, as well, Inuyasha. While Sesshomaru, Hikaru, and I will plan for my daughter's rescue."

Sesshomaru looked at Inuyasha as he said in his serious voice, "Inuyasha, you best protect her, Rin, and the kit."

"Keh! Like I need you to tell me that, ice prick! Come on, Kagome."

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru like she was burning his image in her memory. Sesshomaru noticed her longing expression. "Kagome, I will come for you, make no mistake about it." That statement earned him a radiant smile from her. Then she walked towards Inuyasha, who was waiting for her, impatiently.

They exit the dojo going to gather Rin and Shippo and leave for they were walking, Inuyasha sensed her sadness.

He sighed and said in his usual rude manner, "Hey, wench, the bastard will be alright!"

Kagome smiled at Inuyasha. "I know, Inuyasha. I just don't want to leave him."

It was evening when Kagome met Inuyasha at the front entrance. He went ahead to go to the entrance while she went to get Rin and Shippo. When she arrived, she saw Sesshomaru there with Jaken and Ah-Un. She felt the awkward and tense atmosphere coming from around them.

"Hey, Inuyasha. Lord Sesshomaru. Jaken...' she walked to Ah-Un. She always wanted to pet him. She looked at Sesshomaru silently asking permission. He nod in return. 'Hi, Ah-Un, I am Kagome.' she giggled because they'd rubbed against her cheek like a cat does.

Rin spoke, "Ah-Un says that he knows who you are. They also say that they like you."

Jaken said, "That's stupid, Rin. Like... like you, a human, could understand Ah-Un. Only those as myself and youkai could understand them."

For that remark Ah-Un swung his tail and threw Jaken out of the estate and hit a nearby tree across from the entrance gate. Ah-Un snorted. Inuyasha laughed. He doesn't like that imp... toad... whatever the hell he was. Kagome giggled. Sesshomaru smirked. He believed that Jaken deserved what he got. He would usually reprimand Ah-Un for any inappropriate behavior, but he felt that Ah-Un deserved a reward for that. He looked over his shoulder and looked at Ah-Un. It seem like they are communicating telepathically. After which, Rin giggled because the dragon steed was happy. Whatever Sesshomaru said pleased Ah-Un. He made his day.

Rin asked Kagome to bend down to her level. When Kagome did, Rin whispered, "Lord Sesshomaru appraised Ah-Un for punishing Master Jaken for his remark towards Rin. Then Lord Sesshomaru gives Ah-Un permission to punish Jaken while they travel with us."

Kagome was shocked to hear that Jaken and Ah-Un were coming to. She just have to ask, "Um... Sesshomaru?"

"Hn?"

"Is Jaken and Ah-Un coming with us?"

"Yes, they will come with you for extra protection for you, Rin, and the kit."

Inuyasha gripped, "Like we need them. We won't need that ugly toad. He's annoying."

Sesshomaru silently admitted that Jaken was, indeed, annoying and loud, but before Sesshomaru could say anything Kagome said, "Inuyasha, I think that having them around will be good. Especially, the new moon is tonight." Oops, that just slipped out. Kagome put a hand over her mouth once she realized what she just said out loud.

Inuyasha was shocked and horrified when she let that fact slipped. He yelled, "Kagome!"

Sesshomaru rose an eyebrow after Kagome said that. "Calm yourself, little brother. This Sesshomaru already knew of your human night."

Inuyasha and Kagome was shocked to hear that. Inuyasha shouted, "You knew that! How?! Since when?!"

Sesshomaru replied, "It doesn't matter on how or when this one knew. You should be grateful that this Sesshomaru hasn't kill you during those times in the past."

As usual, Inuyasha took it the wrong way, "Why you...!," he shouted as he wast starting to pounce onto his half-brother. However, just before he could get his claws into him, Kagome shouted, "Sit!' Inuyasha, instantly, crashed into the ground making his body-shaped whole in the process. 'Gosh, Inuyasha! If he wanted you dead, I believe that you would had been dead a long time ago! We wasted time just by standing here. Let's get moving."

Sesshomaru couldn't help, but finding that amusing. He watched Rin and Ah-Un walking towards where Jaken was. "Ah-Un, you had hit him hard that he's knocked out cold.' She sighed. 'I don't know why he says such things to or about me." Her voice sounded sad, which Sesshomaru heard perfectly.

Sesshomaru walked to them. "Rin?"

Rin looked up to him. "Yes, milord?"

"Don't listen to Jaken. He's an idiot. Also this one wishes you to listen to Lady Kagome. Only her unless you think the slayer and the monk is worth listening to, then do so."

By this time, Inuyasha jumped out of his crater and said, "Hey, what about me?"

"What about you, half-breed?"

"Since I am alpha of my pack, she has to listen to me, too!"

"Rin will listen to you if only she finds you worthy of listening to." Sesshomaru turned and looked at Kagome. He walked towards her. "Kagome?"

"Yes, my lord."

"This Sesshomaru trusts you with his ward. He knows that you will try anything within your power to protect her."

Kagome smiled, "I'll do my very best, my lord."

He smiled a little."This one knows. You best be going."

"Oh, right. Come on, Inuyasha, let's go home."

"About damn time."

Rin ran to her lord and hugged his legs. "This Rin promises that she will be good and do whatever Lady Kagome says. Rin will miss her lord. She hopes that her lord will find her auntie Inuki and will bring her home safely."

Sesshomaru gave her a small smile and pat her head. "Do as you wish, Rin."

She smiled again and ran to Jaken. She pick the toad up and laid him down on Ah-Un's back. Then she walked in front of Ah-Un and said to them, "Let's go, Ah-Un."

Kagome, with Shippo on her shoulder, and Inuyasha, who was getting impatient, was waiting for Rin. "Okay, this Rin, Master Jaken, and Ah-Un is ready now."

Inuyasha said, "Come on, we still have at least a couple of hours before sunset."

Sesshomaru watched them go until they were out of his perfect vision. Hikaru found his lord still stand there, watching.

"Milord?"

"Hn?"

"The Lady Mother was looking for you. Did you see them off?"

Not that he had to answer his general, but he did anyway. "This Sesshomaru did." He turned around and returned to the palace.

Hikaru looked toward where Inuyasha and the others were. "Kami, he has it bad. For his sake, hell, for everyone's sake, please stay safe Lady Kagome and you, too, Miss Rin." Then he returned to the palace.

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari