Chapter 38

Sesshomaru glanced over at Kagome, his face impassive. However, inside his emotions were in turmoil. They were attacked. Kanna and Kagura had managed to both distract and attempt to harm Kagome. Of course, Kanna lost her life, and they had one last advisory to deal with, but that didn't change the fact that they had gotten close to Kagome.

Sesshomaru had always thought of himself as all-powerful. Before he was changed into Titan, he had been an unfeeling killing machine. He didn't care who was in his way as long as he got the desired result. If someone stood to close to an enemy, he would cut them down. It didn't matter if they were good or not.

Now he was letting distractions get in the way. He was letting the others stay his hand if they were too close. He especially wouldn't attack if Kagome would be in danger from his move. He felt like he was getting weaker from the pack he surrounded himself with.

He should hate it.

But he didn't.

Kagome was his family. His mate and she was pregnant with their son. Anything that meant keeping her by his side, he could never hate. That meant him having to be more aware of the people around him when he battled, he couldn't bring himself to loath. The pack was there for Kagome, not him, and as long as she was happy, he was content.

Still, that meant he needed to become stronger. Already they had, had far too many close calls, and he needed to make sure they never got their hands on Kagome again. If he lost her… It was not a thought he would think about.

She meant far too much to even assume there would be a time that she would not be by his side. He wouldn't allow that to happen, and that meant he needed to train. Grabbing the hilt of his sword, he narrowed his eyes. When the others slept, he would practice. He would build up his strength, both mentally and physically, and become a better version of himself. It was the only way he could keep Kagome from getting hurt.

"Are you okay, Sesshomaru?" Kagome grabbed his arm, and he looked down at her. Eyes softening, he nodded, and she smiled brightly. He would do anything if it meant keeping that smile on her face. That smile would always light up something within him, though he would never admit it.

"Nature calls." Miroku stood, stretching as he did. "I will return shortly."

Sesshomaru nodded at him, and then looked back to Kagome. "How is our son?" He reached out, placing his hand over her growing belly. The attack had only been a few days ago, and he was still worried about their pup. He knew pregnant women and stress did not mix, and Kagome's soul was nearly taken from her. If that wasn't considered stress, he didn't know what was.

"He is fine." She smiled, placing her hand over her belly. Her brows furrowed in concentration, and he knew she was pressing her aura against their son, speaking to him. They didn't speak through words but instead, feeling. He found himself jealous. Looking back up to him, she grinned. "He likes hearing your voice."

"Does he?" Sesshomaru growled low in his chest, and Kagome laughed, leaning into him. Soon he would be able to interact with his son but in a different way. It would also take a while before he could do it. Their son would have to be older, able to be felt by his mother while still in the womb. When it got to that point, Sesshomaru would be able to growl, and his son would be able to respond by moving. It wasn't anywhere near as intimate as Kagome, but he still couldn't wait for that day. He was excited to be a father.

A sudden masculine yell followed by the wind tunnel appearing had Sesshomaru standing. He ordered InuYasha to protect Kagome and then took off, heading for Miroku. The wind tunnel had only lasted for a second, and now there was nothing.

Following Miroku's scent trail, he came across the monk, completely covered by mole demons. Harmless, but an annoyance. Sesshomaru quickly disposed of them, counting at least three dozen. When they were all destroyed, Miroku sat up, looking around bewildered.

"They came out of nowhere." He scoffed, rubbing the back of his neck. "At least I got to finish my business before they attacked. I was walking back when they came from all around. I've never known mole demons to do such a thing."

"They were a distraction." Sesshomaru pointed to Miroku's neck, eyes beginning to bleed red. The monk reached up, eyes widening when he felt the collar that was an exact match to Kagome's. When Miroku fell back with a yell, back arching as he screamed, Sesshomaru knew he had tried to use his reiki.

It was at that moment that Sango arrived with Kirara, her weapon drawn. When she saw Miroku, she ran to him, tears in her eyes as she saw her fiancé in pain. Sesshomaru growled, seething. "The council has struck again. They intend to use both Miroku and Kagome in their army."

Lyra appeared behind Sesshomaru; arms crossed as she looked down. InuYasha was right behind her, holding Kagome, who immediately went to Miroku. The monk was panting on the ground, limp from the agony he had just felt.

"We have to do something, Sesshomaru." Kagome was looking up at him, pleading with him. His eyes caught her own collar and he growled again, hands clenching into fists.

"This Sesshomaru will think of a way. For both of you." It was a promise, one that he intended to fulfill. He would protect Kagome with everything he had, and that meant protecting her friends as well.

"I'm starting to think the council is worse than Naraku." InuYasha knelt down and helped Miroku to his feet. The monk looked to Kagome, their eyes meeting. They both had collars on, both felt the agonizing pain that came with them, and have both lost their reiki.

"Ya think." Lyra scoffed, rolling her eyes at the hanyou. "We should forget about this Naraku person and focus on the council. They have an army. One made of Monks and Mikos. Demons don't stand a chance against them."

"We can't forget about Naraku." Sango stepped forward, looking to Miroku and then all the others. "We have to kill Naraku before the curse kills Miroku. If we wait too long…"

"I will be okay, Sango. They are right. Kagome was one of the strongest Miko's I knew, and they got her collared easy enough. If they can get her, there is no telling who else they have. Not to mention they also have shapeshifters and elementals in their grasp. They could have secrets that no one knows of. They are a threat to not just us, but all of the lands." Miroku held out his hand, and Sango grabbed it, letting him pull her to him. "We will kill Naraku, but we must think of everyone else first."

"I don't like it, but I don't think we have another choice. We stop searching for Naraku and go after the council." Kagome looked to all the others seeing them all in agreement.

"It will mean war. As the Western Lord, I will travel to the North, South, and the East. We will request that their armies join us, and we will make our own." Sesshomaru flicked his eyes to Kagome. "Koneko, you will-"

She held up a finger, cutting him off. "I will not go back to Satori's. Besides, she is going to fight in this war as well, and I will be left unprotected." The others chuckled as Sesshomaru growled in annoyance. Kagome knew him well. "It might do us well to get humans involved in this war. The council is enslaving us, so that means they hold no value in our lives. The humans also won't be hurt by reiki, so they can get a lot closer than the demons can."

"She's got a point." Lyra look at Kagome impressed. "You have a mind for war. I like it. Now, how do we get a bunch of demons who hate humans to join a demon war? That is going to be easier said than done."

…

Sesshomaru stood, narrowing his eyes as he looked to the horizon. He could feel the Eastern lord approaching quickly and was surprised to run into him so quickly. They had just made the decision to involve the other lords a few days prior.

"Uh oh." InuYasha smirked, plopping himself down as he crossed his arms. "This is going to be entertaining." Sesshomaru noticed Miroku and Sango also getting themselves comfortable. His eyes narrowed, and he looked to Kagome who was worried about something.

"So, Kouga…" She fidgeted her fingers together, and he raised an eyebrow in curiosity, prompting her to continue, getting it all out in one quick whoosh. "He kind of claimed me as his woman in front of his entire pack…"

The snarl that was released had everyone feeling sorry for the wolf. Kagome looked to InuYasha, pleading with him. "Please stop him. I don't want him to die, and you know he will if he does his usual greeting."

"Nope. I had to deal with that fucker getting all over you, now it's Sesshomaru's turn." InuYasha picked at his claws, unbothered by what was going to happen.

As expected, Kouga blew right into camp, heading straight for Kagome. Before he reached her, however, Sesshomaru's hand snapped out, catching the wolf by the throat and stopping him instantly. InuYasha whistled, impressed with Sesshomaru's speed while Kouga eyed the big dog demon in surprise.

"You have two seconds to realize why touching her will mean your death." Sesshomaru's eyes were bleeding red, and Kouga began to squirm, realizing his life was in trouble.

The wolf looked to Kagome, taking a second to figure out what was going on. He had just been coming to say hello to his woman when he was attacked. As he breathed in, he caught Kagome's scent and his eyes widened in shock and hurt. The moment he did, Sesshomaru let him go, watching as he fell to the ground in a heap.

"Kagome?" Kouga looked at the woman that he had wanted and then to the demon that he would never come close to defeating. Kagome was lost to him forever. "But I love you."

"I'm so sorry, Kouga. I love Sesshomaru. I have only ever seen you as a friend, and I have told you that a few times. You wouldn't listen." Kagome didn't like the idea of hurting Kouga, but it had to be done. She was with Sesshomaru now, and if Kouga didn't back off, he would be killed because of it.

"I see." Kouga swallowed, and then stood. "I hope he makes you happy." He wanted to fight for her, but he knew better. Sesshomaru would rip him to shreds. Turning to leave, he stopped when Sesshomaru growled.

"We are going to war against the council. Will you accept an alliance knowing Kagome will never be yours?" Sesshomaru paused, seeing that he had Kouga's attention. "If you accept, this Sesshomaru asks that you use your wolves to spy. They would be inconspicuous and could get closer than any of us. You would report to me."

"I'm surprised it took you this long to go against those bastards." Kouga rolled his eyes and then took off running again. His voice ghosted back to them as he ran back towards his home. "I accept and will keep you updated."

Just like that, half of Japan was in agreement to go to war against the council.