AN:Sorry for the late update but I'm very sick right now XD I'm also moving at the end of March so please be patient with future updates ^^
Instinct
Burrowing deeper into thick silver fur, Kagome clung to the cloud-like, rippling strands arching over Inu no Taisho's shoulder. The snowstorm had given way to clear skies, yet the bitter cold remained.
Raising herself slightly on trembling knees, blue eyes squinted against the lashing breeze. Up ahead, thick dark clouds loomed in the distance.
"Don't tell me Instinct is in there?" She called to her ride.
A rumbling chuckle shook his shoulders slightly. "Surely it is a preferable alternative to staying within the lands of Fear since you did not care for the snow, little one."
"W-wait are you saying we just left Fear?" Kagome looked over her shoulder, seeing the cloudy grey plume of snowfall behind them. "What were you doing there?"
"Looking for Fear himself. I do not know if he has been captured by Repression, but I have not seen him in many months."
Shivering, Kagome ducked down again, curling her fingers through the luxuriously soft fur. Remembering the final battle with Naraku and what Fantasy had described of it from Sesshoumaru's end, she frowned. "...What does Fear look like? What colour crest does he have, I mean?"
"Mn, it is a light purple."
Kagome nodded thoughtfully. So he was there when Sesshoumaru found me unconscious within Naraku. "Like a lilac, right?"
"This one does not care to know the particulars of colour, that sounds like a tailor's job."
Huffing, she held on tight while the inuyoukai soared onwards. Soon enough, black specs began to float down from the heavens as his form became swallowed by the black plume of smokey clouds. Kagome raised a hand and watched a spec settle into her palm, feeling the texture. Ash.
Countless spots of ash wafted towards her face and Kagome flattened against Pride's back, expecting it to be difficult to breathe. However, her lungs remained blissfully unaffected by the gushes of smoke they raced through.
Leaping down through the thick cover of dark clouds, the grey whisps cleared enough for Kagome to see the land down below. Decimated houses lay in broken ruins. Banners of armies swayed, tattered and forgotten. Fire's licked at the remaining debris. Ash peppered the black, scorched earth and covered the countless corpses of humans, their helmets layered with blood.
Raising a shaking hand to her mouth, Kagome's breath hitched.
"My son had to live up to his name."
She shivered and forced herself not to look away. It was no secret Sesshoumaru had a talent for killing. "He's been involved in a lot of wars and battles, hasn't he?" She murmured.
"Hm, it is what he was bred for. Pay it no mind, this is just one section of Instinct's land."
"Why...is this horrible place here and not in Discipline's lands? I'd have thought war would be part of weapon techniques and fighting strategy."
"Not for demons, little one," he rumbled. "When we fight, instinct often guides our claws and teeth far more than any weapon or pre-plan of attack. A well of bloodlust dwells deep within Sesshoumaru's heart."
Kagome frowned and faced forward, curling her hands a little tighter in his fur. "It's not the only thing in his heart though. Fighting and killing...that's not all that he is."
He chuckled, shoulders shaking as the inuyoukai turned his head to glance at her, crimson eyes gleaming. "Spoken like a true mate," he teased.
She pinched his side, "stop that," Kagome huffed.
While continuing to chuckle, Pride glided over the war-torn lands and burst out of the ash clouds, flying into a dusty looking area with white, dead trees and clear air. He flew down, landing on the grey earth and leaning down to allow her off, before violently shaking himself. Kagome made a noise and shielded herself while soot flew out of his fur.
Once it stopped, she glanced at her dirtied arms, glancing up at him flatly. "Thanks."
"Keh."
Walking around his great form and shaking her limbs, Kagome fluffed at her hair, noticing a large dark pit in the ground. "What's that?"
"That is where Instinct awaits you."
Walking up to it, she felt her skin prick with unease. The drop looked pitch black. No bottom could be seen. Kagome glanced over her shoulder while Inu no Taisho's form rippled and shifted within red youki. "Aren't you coming with me?"
He straightened into his inhuman form, brushing some ash off his shoulder. "You must face him alone. This one will wait here."
Swallowing, the miko nodded timidly. She turned slightly but his voice halted her: "Wait."
Pausing, she blinked as he drew Tetsusaiga from his side, two other familiar swords remaining at his hip. He then placed it into her frozen hands. "Take this with you."
Kagome gripped the scabbard, giving a smile and brief thanks. Turning to face the hole in the ground, she steeled her quivering nerves. Taking a deep breath, as though planning to plummet into water, Kagome leapt from the earth and dropped down into the seemingly bottomless pit.
The gloom eagerly swallowed her whole. Dark hair kicked up to lash above her head, summer dress fluttering in the fall. The breeze rushed by her body, stinging at wide, blue eyes.
Staring down at the depths, a glint of light catching on poised teeth caught her attention. Two rows of red eyes flashed, an inuyoukai awaiting her at the bottom, spreading his jaws wide. Yelping, Kagome's nerves exploded into action. Drawing the sword while falling, she let go of the scabbard and thrust the rusted blade into the earth to the side her. The scabbard plummeted and bounced off a sharp tooth somewhere below.
Tetsusaiga made a screeching noise as the blade dragged down black rocks until it snagged on harder stone. Kagome yelped as she abruptly stopped, body jostling while she hung onto the sword for dear life. Her arms mercifully remained in their socket, muscles straining. She'd stopped just shy of the demon's waiting jaws, legs swinging above his muzzle.
The inuyoukai huffed, it's tongue curling within its mouth. Steam hissed out of glistening teeth.
"A-are you Instinct?" Kagome yelled down at him, closing her eyes as steam ruffled her dress. "Close your mouth, you big jerk! I'm not here to let you eat me!"
His jaws clicked shut, head tilting slightly. A deep, reverberating chuckle rang out. His four eyes smiled, making a shiver run down her spine.
Kagome's arms trembled, fingers slipping slightly around the hilt. "I want to talk to you about...a-about becoming Sesshoumaru's potential mate!"
Instinct's ears perked, interest flitting over his canine appearance. He huffed, "drop then, human."
"You promise you won't eat me?"
Another chuckle caressed her hearing. When he spoke, it were as though many voices whispered and hissed alongside his words. "That depends if you try my patience."
Kagome felt her arms crying out in agony. She didn't have much choice but to let go. Planting her feet on the rock, she tugged the sword with all her might, pushing off with her legs. Breaking free with Tetsusaiga, she let out a squeal from the short fall, landing on Instinct's muzzle.
He turned, lowering his head to the ground where she gratefully hopped down, clutching at the grey, sandy floor of the cave. Never have I been more thankful to be on the ground again!
Quickly snatching up the fallen scabbard, she slid Tetsusaiga back into it, glancing around. The cave spread wide, like an incredibly large hall. Instinct, as towering and great in size though he was, looked more like a pup within the vast space. Obsidian rock gave off a slight shine within the walls. Though they had no light source, Kagome could see everything clearly.
Kagome got to her feet, watching as Instinct's tail flicked out. His many eyes remained locked on her.
"Speak," he rumbled in a hiss, tongue sliding out to lick around his maw.
Her throat closed in fear, so Kagome cleared it and clutched Tetsusaiga close. No, I have to be confident here.
Lowering it to her side, Kagome raised her chin. "I'd like for you to accept me as a possible candidate to be Sesshoumaru's mate, please. After that, if you'd be so kind, you could join me in defeating Repression who has seized control of Sesshoumaru's other emotions."
A growl thundered through the cave, bouncing off the walls. "You come here and start listing off demands?"
Kagome frowned, "isn't that what a mate of Sesshoumaru would do?" She challenged, hoping he wouldn't call her out on her bravado. Her limbs were slightly shaking from the fall and Instinct was still eyeing her like she were some sort of snack.
His many unique markings glowed, size more towering and giant than the other inuyoukai. He tilted his head slightly, mouth curled up in a perpetual grin despite his annoyance. It terrified her.
"State your name and blood."
Kagome briefly thought he was asking her blood type, before shaking herself and trying to adjust her headspace into his. This wasn't the eloquent, aristocratic demon lord she was speaking with.
"Kagome Higurashi. Daughter of Miyoko Akiyama and Kadri Higurashi. Sister to Souta Higurashi, granddaughter of-"
He huffed, "do not list your entire family tree, female. Now tell me what you can offer this one as a mate."
"What I can...offer?" She tested the last word on her tongue. "I can provide knowledge about the future?"
Instinct tossed his head, prowling around the large space. "Something easily known within a few centuries."
Kagome's blood boiled. "I'd use my powers and skills to protect and defend him!"
"We do not need such things. We are strong enough on our own."
"I'd care about him!" She burst. "I care now. I'd make sure he felt loved."
Instincts tail swished and he hummed. Kagome's hands curled into fists, "if you doubt my resolve- I was told we were supposed to fight today. So let's settle things that way."
Thin lips lifted into an elongated smirk, "now those are some pleasing words."
Swallowing, Kagome nodded. Setting her shoulders, the miko padded forward until she stood opposite the inuyoukai. She noted that the grey sand cushioned her feet fairly well, her weight feeling supported rather than sinking ankle-deep.
"Since you are such a tiny female and you do not have your funny little arrows, this one will make things slightly fairer."
Kagome frowned just as Instinct shrank from his monstrous size. The dog demon shifted down into the size of a bear if it stood on its hind legs, or perhaps a shire horse. Making a low rumbling noise in the back of his throat, Instinct's hackles raised.
Kagome steeled herself, inwardly shaking. A lot rode on this fight. She needed to win. She'd just have to rely on her reiki and the sword. Her grip tightened around it. Lend me your strength, Inuyasha. "S-so is it the first one who yields loses?"
Giving a short bark of a chuckle, his smile widened. "Very well," he purred, before rearing back on his hind legs slightly to spring himself forwards- clearing the distance between them in a single bound.
Gasping, Kagome stumbled out of the way of an incoming paw.
Deciding to try something, the miko summoned blazing reiki to her hands, swinging Tetsusaiga against his leg. Pink light coiled out along the sword's sheath, making a hissing noise when it connected. Instinct snarled, jolting and glancing at his leg. Steam coiled off the silver fur, which appeared slightly singed.
Kagome gaped, "I-I'm sorry. I didn't think it would do so much damage-"
Red eyes narrowed, lips curling wider as he lunged for her. Kagome yelped and dove away- but wasn't quick enough.
His muzzle slammed into her, knocking her back and causing her to gracelessly land on her ass. His paw snapped out to press down on her leg, keeping her pinned in place. Now above her, Instinct let his jaws snap open, letting familiar-looking purple acid leak forth like deadly drool.
Blue eyes widened and the miko tightened her grip on Tetsusaiga's sheath, feeling the hot substance coat her head and shoulders. She wagered that if she let go of the sword for an instant- her flesh would be melted off her bones. Holding her breath, Kagome coiled reiki out onto the sword again, this time stabbing it down into his paw.
Instinct snarled and the pressure on her leg loosened. Sliding it free, Kagome dove out of the sludge-like acid, shaking it from herself and hurrying away to try and get some distance between them. Her heart hammered wildly. I could've died, she panted. He's serious about this.
Glancing at the sword in her hand, Kagome's eyes become thoughtful. But he knew the sword would protect me. This has happened before, so...I guess he trusted I'd defend myself.
A bark sounded out behind her, just as the ground started to shake.
Looking over her shoulder, Kagome shrieked as the Lovecraftian nightmare dog bounded after her like an enthusiastic puppy. He seemed oddly pleased, tongue lolling out, feral smile stretching impossibly higher.
Kagome raised a pink shield, quivering behind it as he struck his head down to shatter it. As sharp teeth made impact and broke the energy to pieces, the miko ducked underneath him and planted her hand on his neck- letting out a short burst of reiki and moving to quickly escape again.
Instinct was faster, howling in pain and swinging his tail out to wrap around Kagome's waist. She yelped as her feet left the ground, weight supported by his tail. He held her close to his canine face, eyes laughing.
"Let go!" She thumped her fists against the offending fur around her waist. Garbled laughter rang out of the inuyoukai, tail moving to jostle and bounce her mid-air mockingly.
Glaring, Kagome reached forward and grabbed one of his floppy ears, raising it to her mouth and biting down as hard as she could.
Yelping like a pup, Instinct dropped her and swiped the miko away with his paw. Grunting, Kagome rolled across the grey sands and landed in a heap beside the wall, head hitting it slightly.
Panting, she weakly rose on trembling limbs, wincing and touching her skull. That was going to leave a bump.
This wasn't good. She could feel herself getting tired already. She'd been so stressed, worried and hyped on adrenaline for days, it was no doubt taking a toll.
Those four eyes of his blazed like fire, markings glowing bright magenta. Snarling, the inuyoukai leapt through the air, sailing towards her.
Kagome faced him head on, raising her hands to summon a shield- only to feel her reiki sputter and fail.
No! Blue eyes widened, trying desperately to grasp the energy inside her.
Kagome looked up just as Instinct was about to crash into her- only for the demon's body to become see-through and lighter than air to the touch. The markings remained visible as he flowed through her like heavy water.
Kagome gasped, vision swimming and becoming clouded over.
Weary feet touched down on wet earth, rain pelting her shoulders. Somehow Kagome inexplicably found herself outside on a soggy night. Where's Instinct?
She stood behind some low bushes, overlooking a steep incline down to a traditional-looking compound. Lamps burned behind sliding doors, bathing them orange.
Hearing a twig snap, Kagome glanced to her side, seeing Sesshoumaru, younger, perhaps a teenager, shifting in place. He wore red and white silks, the flower pattern a little different on his fine clothes. W-what? What the hell is going on?
His expression looked tense, eyes brimming with anger and perhaps latent hate.
"Sesshoumaru," she whispered. He gave no indication that he heard her. The orange glows of the lamps were soon extinguished. Sesshoumaru waited a decent amount of time, frozen tensely in place.
The demon eventually leapt from his hiding spot, soaring down through the air. Kagome squeaked, feeling herself be tugged by an invisible string to follow. She staggered, automatically squeezing her eyes shut. Instead of plummeting off the ledge, however, Kagome stumbled onto cool flooring. Prying her lashes open, she looked down at the tatami mats. Glancing around, she assumed she was standing inside the building they'd been spying on. Sesshoumaru brushed by her. Following quietly, Kagome felt swallowed up by the deathly silent room. Thunder clapped above, the place bathed in shadows. She dared not step too heavy.
Sesshoumaru moved like oil through water, near soundless despite the wet footprints he left behind.
A few soft noises grabbed Kagome's attention before she noticed the crib. A baby stirred within it, making a few quiet grunts, fussing in their sleep. She could see their tiny legs kick at the blanket covering their body.
Sesshoumaru stilled, gaze fixed on the baby. Kagome tilted her head and squinted, breath catching upon catching sight of small triangular ears atop a head of white hair. She approached and knelt beside him, heart-melting.
Sesshoumaru seemed less enthused. He scented the air, boots moving forward haltingly. Golden hues burned, lips drawing back in a cold sneer as he leaned over the crib like a spectre. Silver hair slid free from behind pointed ears.
Inuyasha stirred awake, yawning and smacking his lips softly. He blinked up at his brother curiously while Sesshoumaru drew closer with treacle immediacy.
A large hand slowly rose from his side, claws flexing wide. The sneer melted away from his features to be replaced with something unreadable, watchful. Those deadly nails slid ever closer, hovering over the child- only for his pinky to be snagged mid-air.
Sesshoumaru visibly stiffened, expression flickering. His eyes widened, Inuyasha grabbing at his hand without fear and cooing. Golden eyes, so like his own, blinked with interest, before his half brother smiled and gummed at Sesshoumaru's hand.
The Daiyoukai stared, tilting his head slightly. Kagome released a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. It felt a little surreal, watching Sesshoumaru be rendered helpless. The baby held his fingers captive, getting drool on them.
With treacle immediacy, Sesshoumaru's frozen face shifted. His shoulders fell slightly, eyes softening just a touch, a crack in the facade that only Kagome was privy to. He curled his nails away when Inuyasha attempted to nibble at them, instead briefly touching his hair. It could've been a trick of the light, but Kagome could've sworn the pads of those murderous fingers dragged in a slight, gentle stroke.
"Toga?" A sleep drenched voice inquired.
Sesshoumaru and Kagome jolted, looking up at the forgotten futon lying not too far away. Izayoi had rolled over and was now staring at Sesshoumaru, horror and awareness slowly registering on her face.
Blurring through the air, the demon was upon her while she fiddled with a knife- knocking it clean from her hand. The blade skittered over the tatami mats out of reach.
Inuyasha started wailing from the sudden movement, filling the room with cries. Sesshoumaru bore down on Izayoi from behind, hand wrapped around her wrist- the other shoving her head into the bedding. She whimpered.
"You are weak," he uttered lowly. "Father died for nothing."
Izayoi's lips thinned and she squeezed her eyes shut. Sesshoumaru watched her dispassionately. Kagome had never seen him so cold and hateful, not in all the times he'd fought Inuyasha and Naraku. This was a personal grudge.
He gave a quiet noise of derision, releasing the woman and straightening into a stand. He then turned and made to walk away.
"N-not...nothing."
Sesshoumaru stilled, narrowed gaze swinging back to her as Izayoi crawled over to Inuyasha and held him to her chest, trying to soothe him. Her brown eyes were soft and filled with tears. "Not nothing. He loved us."
Despite the cool, ageless beauty he possessed, Kagome noticed Sesshoumaru looked incredibly young for a moment. The flash of confusion, envy and too many emotions to count flitted over his features before he tilted his chin up haughtily. "If he loved you so much, why keep you a secret?"
Izayoi brushed her hand through Inuyasha's white hair, looking away. "Because very few would understand," she said softly.
Sneering, Sesshoumaru moved to take his leave, crossing the large expanse of the room in quick strides but halting at the door and holding still in pensive silence for a moment. "Did you know of us? Mother and I. Did he tell you of our existence?" He uttered in a quiet hiss of sound.
"...Yes," Izayoi admitted gently. "He loved you, very much. Even if he couldn't show you."
Kagome was unable to see his expression, but a low chuckle caressed her hearing.
Glancing over his shoulder, Sesshoumaru glanced at Izayoi with a sardonic smile. "Do not presume to tell me what my Father felt for me," he uttered. Sliding the door open, the demon disappeared out into the night.
Kagome's brows pulled together just as she was harshly tugged again by an invisible thread.
Landing on her hands and knees, this time she came to within the cave. Instinct stood a little ways away, eyes narrowed. "You were not supposed to see that."
"What was it?" She choked, holding her arms. "A-a memory?"
"It was not for you to know," he tossed his head. "For a moment you connected with a memory that is tied to me. Enough of that though, human. Get up," he barked. "Fight."
Kagome shakily picked herself up, touching the space above her heart. It had been a supremely odd sensation, having a being flow through her. And that memory...I don't even think Sesshoumaru knew what to feel about his little brother.
Another bark sounded out.
"Okay, okay!" Kagome frowned, picking up Tetsusaiga.
Shifting on the sand, she glanced down at her shoes. Lips thinning, Kagome decided to reach down and take them off, setting them aside. She felt a little wilder without them, able to focus on what Instinct needed from her.
Bouncing in place and rolling her shoulder, the miko suddenly rushed forward. Instinct snarled and spat out another round of acid from his jaws.
Dropping to her side and feeling the momentum send her skidding between his legs before he could make contact, Kagome struck the sword up into his stomach. It bounced off but he let out a noise of outrage, striking his leg beneath him and hitting her chest.
Winded, Kagome gasped and felt herself be flung out from beneath him- but when the inuyoukai lunged salivating jaws down at her form, she acted on impulse. Grabbing a handful of sand, she fought dirty and threw it straight into his four, gleaming eyes.
A deafening roar sounded out that shook the walls of the cave. He squeezed them shut, rubbing at his irritated eyes with his paw.
Making use of his distraction, she wasted no time. Grabbing at his hide, Kagome scrambled up his leg, keeping Tetsusaiga tucked under her arm. Instinct bellowed out a roar, thrashing onto one side and attempting to throw her blindly. Yelping, Kagome grit her teeth and locked her ankles around his throat as best she could while sitting at the base of his neck. Holding Tetsusaiga's sheath in her left hand, she swung it under his jaw, latching onto the other end with her right on the other side.
Acting on blind instinct herself, Kagome yanked the sheath towards herself in order to strangle the beast. He made a thin noise, snarling and kicking out with outrage. His head rocked back and nearly smacked her chin. Kagome desperately held on, keeping the pressure pulling on his neck.
"Yield!" She barked.
The inuyoukai bellowed and whined, kicking and rolling. Kagome squeezed her eyes shut and held on, blood thundering in her ears. Adrenaline pumped, drowning out all else- until a whimper reached her hearing.
Kagome's heart shuddered and she immediately let go. Instinct snarled and bucked to knock her off, sending her sailing to the ground. His shadow soon loomed over the fallen girl.
"You are too soft, human," he leered.
Panting, Kagome stared up at him dazedly, her limbs sprawled. "I was...hurting you," she said quietly.
Lips peeled back to expose spittle coated teeth, steam hissing out between the sharp canines. "Foolishness. That was the aim of the fight. You were proving if you could defend our young or not. Stand beside me. Be an equal."
Kagome's eyes slid tiredly shut, trying to catch her breath. I guess I failed then.
A heady breeze fanned over her face, ruffling dark bangs. "Get up. This one finds you worthy."
Jolting a little, the miko's lashes snapped open. Instinct slid a long, wet tongue along her cheek. Kagome shivered a little at the sticky saliva, but remained still, reeling.
"Bare your neck, foolish girl."
"O-oh, okay."
Tilting her head and brushing her hair aside, Kagome cried out. The tips of his fangs clamped down over her skin just a little, yet heat licked over her flesh, youki coiling within the teeth marks.
When he pulled away, the faint outline of a semicircle of teeth remained branded on her skin, looking like a toothy crescent moon.
"What's that for?"
Instinct straightened, "you are first choice in my pick of females for a mate. Should you become one with the host and bind each other in mating, that will fill out into a solid marking. If you do not mate, the marks will fade in a few months."
Gingerly picking herself up and getting to her feet, Kagome touched the mark. A slight smile came to her lips before she touched the soft fur of his leg.
"Thank you, Instinct."
His ears perked, the eldritch monstrosity rumbling something incoherent, perhaps in another language.
Setting her shoulders, Kagome grasped his fur and climbed up onto his back, gripping the longer strands of his hackles. "A deal's a deal though. Let's go and put a stop to Repression before I discuss any mating stuff with Sesshoumaru."
"Humph, bossy little female, are you not?"
She smiled slightly just as Instinct leapt up, causing her to squeak and rock back. Quickly gripping silver fur, Kagome squeezed her thighs around him while the beast flew into the tunnel. He sailed further through the opening in the rocks- soon bursting forth into the very clearing where she'd left Pride behind.
Inu no Taisho's clone straightened, expression morphing into something quietly approving as Instinct shed his smaller form, exploding with red, bursting youki into his monstrous size. Despite the display of strength and his deafening, blood-curdling war cry drowning out most of the noise, another sound could be heard; that of a miko letting out relieved, hopeful giggles.