Chapter Five
Within a few weeks, Kagome and co. was able to go back to Sengoku Jidai, thanks to Sesshomaru's healing sword, Tenseiga. Even though Miroku was still a bit sore, he was obviously feeling much better. Much to Jaken's dismay, Sesshomaru decided it was best to remain with Kagome's group, since his memories of friends and enemies were gone. Yet, as the days passed, new memories were forged. While on the trail for more jewel shards, Kagome noticed that the brothers would take long walks together, talking about their father, mostly. Then, one day, while Sesshomaru was taking a path to a stream, he heard something approach and crouched, ready to fight. He was surprised to see a wolf youkai rush out of the foliage, a wild, panic-stricken look plastered across his features.
"Lord of the Western Lands! Sesshomaru-sama!" the wolf youkai yelped, his voice a mixture of relief and fear of the youkai lord.
"What is wrong? Why do you call me by name, wolf?" Sesshomaru asked, calmly. The wolf youkai trembled as he kneeled before the imposing Lord of the Western Lands, but tried to speak as calmly as he could.
"Milord, there is trouble. Great trouble. The leader of my pack, Kouga, sent me to find you. Some sort of great cat has just attacked our pack. It's torn several of my kin to shreds and Kouga-sama has fared no better." The wolf youkai said, shakily. Sesshomaru gazed at the wolf youkai; he could see that this was a relatively young youkai, and probably didn't know of the natural rivalry dog and wolf youkai had between one another.
"Why would your leader send you to find me? Has he forgotten the rivalry between our kinds?" Sesshomaru asked. The young wolf nodded.
"Iie, Milord. He hasn't forgotten, but this is a dire time." The young youkai replied, with urgency emerging in his voice.
"Tell me, what is your name?" Sesshomaru asked.
"My name is Jax, Milord." The youngster replied.
"Then come with me, Jax. My companions will be interested in hearing your tale." Sesshomaru said, as he turned to walk away. Jax silently followed, eyes averted from the youkai lord's back as a sign of respect.
"So the damned wolf has decided to crawl to us for help, eh?" Inu-Yasha said, with contempt in his voice. Jax growled and nodded, his ears (which were similar to Inu-Yasha's, only dark brown in color) flattened against his head.
"By the sounds of things, it seems that one of Kirara's kin has attacked the wolf clan. But why? Why would the cats go out of their way to attack the wolves?" Sango asked.
"Good question." Sesshomaru murmured, thoughtfully.
"Maybe it was Naraku." Miroku suggested, with an undertone of hatred in his voice.
"Naraku?" Sesshomaru asked, the name seeming to be familiar to him, yet not at the same time.
"Our enemy. He's after the Shikon no Tama as well. He may also have been the one who sent the thing that had attacked you." Kagome said, grimly.
"So, what do we do, brother?" Inu-Yasha asked, with almost eagerness in his voice.
"I'd say some revenge is in order. The wrath of the Western Lands is upon Naraku now." Sesshomaru said, with a rare smile.
"Then you'll come with me to the wolf clan's lair?" Jax asked, with hope in his eyes.
"Lead on. And maybe this will lead us to the one who poisoned me, and others." Sesshomaru replied, as Rin hugged his leg.
"But Milord…………………………!" Jaken stuttered, but went silent when his master gave him a stony glare. Then they started on their way, under the guidance of the young youkai. Before they were even upon the territory of the wolf clan, they could smell death in the air. Even the humans in the group could smell the smell of blood and decaying flesh.
"It certainly smells like there's been a massacre up here." Inu-Yasha said, wrinkling his nose as they got closer to Kouga's cave.
"I smell a whole lot of death, but there's still some life nearby. This way." Sesshomaru said, as he started leading them, his keen nose following a scent that the humans could not detect down into a cave. They followed Sesshomaru's lead until they came upon a chamber where the remainder of the wolf clan now hid.
"Sesshomaru! It's Sesshomaru! The Lord of the Western Lands! Jax found him!" one youkai shouted, as he raced into the back of the cavern. In a strange show of reverence, the wolf youkai cleared the way for Sesshomaru and his group, and they all got to see what kind of condition the survivors were in. Many were lying on makeshift beds and looked up at him as he passed, eyes shining with pain, fear, and hope. Others stood alone (with much effort) or leaned on one another for support. The worst out of all of them was Kouga himself; his entire torso was swathed in bloodstained bandages and his face was marred with cuts and bruises. His eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow; Sesshomaru knew that it was only a matter of time before the wounds overtook the wolf leader.
"Wow, Kouga looks terrible!" Shippou murmured, from his place on Kagome's shoulder.
"Sesshomaru-san, do you think the Tenseiga would have the same effect on Kouga as it did on Miroku-sama?" Kagome asked.
"I don't know. It may have worked on the houshi because he's human, but it might have the opposite effect on a youkai." Sesshomaru said, with doubt clearly evident in his voice.
"Nay, Milord! You used it on me before, and I returned to life moments afterwards!" Jaken said, for the first time saying something that actually helped his master.
"That's the most helpful you've been all century, toad!" Inu-Yasha sneered, getting an indignant look from Jaken and a giggle from Rin. Sesshomaru turned to the wolf youkai that guarded Kouga.
"Do I have your leave to try?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Do what you deem is right, Milord." One said, speaking for all of them. Without further word, Sesshomaru unsheathed the Tenseiga and gazed at it. For a moment he saw his father's face in the gleaming blade; eyes filled with love and approval. With a very slight nod, Sesshomaru turned and swept the sword downwards, through Kouga's wounded body. For a moment all activity stopped as they all watched the Tenseiga's magic begin. At first it looked like nothing was going on, then they saw a pale blue glow settle over their leader's still form. When the glow had gone, the bandages had fallen away, revealing healed flesh, and Kouga was regaining consciousness. Gently, Kagome kneeled down next to the wolf, not realizing that she was being stared at by two jealous youkai (namely Inu-Yasha and Sesshomaru). Slowly, Kouga opened his eyes and gazed blearily up at Kagome.
"Hey, how do you feel?" Kagome asked. The wolf shrugged.
"A bit stiff, but better. When did you get here?" Kouga asked, too tired to be his usual boisterous self.
"Not long ago. Inu-Yasha and the rest are here as well, as well as the Lord of the Western Lands." Kagome said, looking back at a somewhat smug-looking Sesshomaru.
"The Lord of the Western Lands………………….I didn't think he would come……….Jax did well. We'll talk later………………I'm too tired……….." Kouga murmured, as sleep overcame him.
"It appears that he will be fine now. Will you let us know when he will awaken?" Sango asked.
"We will." The wolves said, as a few led them to an unused cave where they could stay for a while.
"At least it's dry and warm in here." Shippou commented, as he snuggled into one of the warm furs.
"In times long past the dog and wolf youkai used to shelter in these caves during the winter months. Some of these caves were used to store food, while others were dwelling areas. That was before the fallout." Sesshomaru said, as he removed his furry pelt and placed it near Kagome and Sango so they could keep warm.
"Fallout?" Kagome asked, curiously.
"It happened so long ago that it was a legend even in our father's time. It isn't recorded in any documents, and only faded memories from the Elders remain. In time it will be forgotten entirely, and only unnamed hatred will remain." Sesshomaru said, as he reclined on some furs, allowed Rin to curl up beside him, and drifted slowly into slumber.
"I didn't know things were so complicated between the different youkai clans." Kagome murmured.
"I didn't either." Sango said, as Miroku took up a watch at the cavern entrance and as Inu-Yasha nodded off as well.