Times of Change

Disclaimer:  Inuyasha and all of its characters don't belong to me.  Neither does Kurama (he's from the cast of Yu Yu Hakusho).  I do claim all original characters though, even the bad ones.  Well that about wraps it up, let me know what you think at the end!

Learian Words and their translated/loosely translated meanings:

Kreelie- idiot

Tione- sister

Tionto- brother

Eliree- lover

Lireeh-tionto- Heart-brother

Lireeh-tione- Heart-sister

Lonii- Son

Lanii- Daughter

Ceriee- Mother

Cireen- Father

Chapter 15:  Creatures of the Night

            We are night creatures; to be a creature of the night you must be a part of the dark around you.  Blend and take it into yourself so that there is no you, only the night, the dark, the hunt.  Old training began to set in immediately for Destiny as she lowered her body's temperature and slowed her breathing down.  Most things that hunted at night usually went for vibrations or body heat; she had no intention of making herself an easier target.

            What are you doing wench?  Sesshoumaru demanded but in a worried tone.

            Oops, I forgot that he isn't used to Shad and I.  Destiny thought in embarrassment.  Don't worry.  I'm just lowering my body temperature.  She reassured him but only received his silence as an answer.  That didn't bother her too actually; she was too busy trying to sense what was in the caves and her family and friends. 

            How do you know where to go?  Sesshoumaru asked after about fifteen minutes of silence.

            Energy, or aura, signals.  I would know Shad and Kurama's in my sleep and I'm nearly as familiar with Inuyasha and Kagome's.  She was quiet for a moment as she felt the main source of two of those energies flicker and brighten.  Hmm…  Inuyasha and Kagome are waking.

            And what of your brother and mate?

            I don't know.  I can feel that they're all right but I can't tell if they are conscious and keeping their powers to a minimal or if they're unconscious.  She answered after a minute.  Silence once again reigned between the two.  By now they had both fully adjusted to the darkness that surrounded them and could somewhat see where they were going.  Destiny seemed to be following something that only she could sense for every time they came to a cavern that had different pathways she would stop, focus for  a few seconds, and they would continue on their way.

            Why?  He asked.

            If Sesshoumaru could have seen her face he probably would have laughed when her face scrunched up in confusion as she mouthed 'why what?' and rolled her eyes a bit.  Why what?  She asked a moment later.

            Why do you and yours help all of us?  There is no gain that I can see for you, so why?

            Because you, all of you actually, were crying out silently for help and drowning in your own silence.  We are Guardians Sess, cries that come from the very heart are not something that we can ignore.  It is our nature to help, to protect, and to love.  Once these qualities made our ancestors rulers for centuries of good will and peace; but those same qualities helped us make our decision to destroy all that we loved and held most dear so that others may have a chance to feel such emotions.  As for the gain…  We have gained a family have we not?

            You are very strange.  Sesshoumaru stated.

            Aren't we all though?  She teased and Sesshoumaru actually managed to smile slightly in the concealing darkness.

            "Where are we?"  Kagome groaned as she began to wake.

            "Shh…  I think we're in one of the caves below the village."  Inuyasha answered and Kagome finally realized that he was holding her in his arms.  She shivered slightly and he looked down at her in concern.  "Are you cold?"  He asked and rubbed the pad of his thumb gently over her bottom lip.

            "No."  She answered and shivered again, although it wasn't from the cold.

            "Then why are you shivering?"

            "Because I'm cold."  She answered without thinking and blushed when she realized what she said.  "I mean I umm…-"

            "I know what you mean."  Inuyasha interrupted while gently nuzzling her neck with his lips and from the light of a single torch he watched in satisfaction as she blushed even more deeply.

            "Inuyasha?"  She stuttered when he used his fangs to softly graze the sensitive skin just below her ear.

            "Yes?"  He asked and moved his lips over her jawbone.

            "Inuyasha…"  She said again and he chuckled as he let his lips graze over hers.

            "Were you expecting someone else?"  He asked in a teasing manner before fusing his mouth to hers.  It wasn't a gentle kiss like they had shared so many times before but one that was born from love and hunger.  Careful as always not to harm or scare her, Inuyasha nipped lovingly at Kagome's lips and then laved the love bites with his tongue.  He felt a jolt of intense satisfaction as she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him even closer to her.  He chuckled then and slowly touched his tongue to hers, inviting her to join in the play.  Kagome did just that and he let her explore his mouth just as he had been exploring hers.  Oh God, she tastes so sweet!  He thought and laid down, pulling Kagome along with him so she landed on his chest.

            "You're beautiful."  He whispered against her lips and kissed her.  "And kind."  He whispered and kissed her again.  "Sweet."  He added with a kiss.  "Honest…  Loyal…"  He continued to whisper kissed her after each word.  "But best of all, you're mine."  He finished and fastened his mouth to hers hungrily.

            Kagome was nearly in a daze from all the things that Inuyasha was saying and doing to her body.  Not that she doubted him for a moment, for his loving eyes and unwavering sincerity backed every word that he spoke.  Her whole body felt flushed and he continued to fan the flames by stroking his hands over her back and hips.  Even now he was careful not to go beyond what he thought she wouldn't want him to go past.  When he broke off that last searing kiss so that they could breathe she touched his face with her hand and looked into his amber eyes with her storm blue ones and said, "I love you Inuyasha."

            He smiled up at her and cupped her face delicately in his hands.  "I know."  He said quietly.  "I love you too."  He added and brought her face down so that he could tenderly kiss her slightly swollen lips for a moment before he continued.  "Kagome, I want you to be mine."

            "Wha-What do you mean Inuyasha?"  She asked.

            "I want you to be my mate.  I want you to belong to me as much as I want to belong to you."  He answered honestly and gazed up at her.

            Kagome looked back at those amber eyes that she loved so much and saw both the love that he had for her and the fear that she would tell him no.  "I've always belonged to you."  She whispered and knew in her heart that she had made the right choice.

            "Kagome…"  He barely managed to say as he pulled her to him again and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.  His entire body burning at the thought of touching her and making her his…

            I hope we're not interrupting anything.  An all too familiar voice said in an amused tone.

            Kagome gasped in surprise and scrambled off of Inuyasha, who in turn, glared at Shad and Kurama.  "How did you two find us?"  He asked finally, trying to get things back under control.

            Same way you find anything in the dark.  Use your hearing, smell, sight…

            "Or you can take the easy way and just lock onto your energy signatures."  Kurama interrupted.

            I was getting to that.  Shad protested  and glared at the silver kitsune.  Hey, they got a torch!  How come we didn't get any light?  He complained angrily.

            "Shadow, be serious."  Kurama said and looked around the room curiously.

            Aww…  But why?

            "So why are we down here anyway?"  Inuyasha asked and stood up.

            "Good question.  If anyone knows the answer, do speak now."  Kurama replied dryly.  Silence was his only answer.

            Don't you think that we should be trying to find the way out of here?  Shad asked.

            Kurama nodded and was about to answer when Inuyasha suddenly spoke up.  "Do you guys smell that?"  He asked.

            Shadow and Kurama glanced at each other and then began to sniff the air around them, hunting for any unusual scent that would have caught Inuyasha's attention.  That was when they caught it too…  The stench of wet earth, dried blood, old death, and evil all rolled into one.  It was so bad that all three of them began to cough in distaste.  "What is that?"  Inuyasha snarled, placing his body in front of Kagome's to protect her.

            Methinks we're about to find out.  Shadow growled and he and Kurama each stood on either side of Inuyasha, preparing themselves for an attack.  As it turned out, they wouldn't have long to wait.  As if it had melted out of the darkness a huge snake-like creature slithered into the light.  Its scales were black as death and covered in an oil substance.  The creature's ruby red eyes had no pupil and shone with an insane light.  Kagome nearly screamed in terror when those eyes focused on her.

            "What's wrong with it?"  Inuyasha hissed.

            It's mad!  Shad answered, the disgust plain in his voice.

            "What's that mean?!"  Kagome demanded.

            "A demon that feeds off the blood of those with special powers.  The powers probably mixed together and made it insane."

            "Very good fox."  Hissed the creature as it looked them over.  "It hasss been a long time sssince I've had the pleasssure of eating ssso many delicioussss looking treatsss.  I can't decide if I want you or the girl firssst."

            "How about neither!"  Inuyasha yelled and attacked the snake with Kurama right behind him.  Shadow didn't move except to change his stance so that he was in front of Kagome and stood in a half crouch, ready to defend her and his family to the death if the need was great enough…

            Up above, Sesshoumaru and Destiny were having problems of their own.  They'd reached the end of the tunnel they'd been following only to have Destiny almost fall into a large pit that looked to be well over a hundred feet in length.  Fortunately, he managed to snatch her back before she could fall.

            Idiot!  Haven't you ever heard of watching where you step?  He yelled at her.

            Aww…  But I really wanted to see if gravity still works.  She mock whined and he stared at her.

            You are crazy.  He decided finally.

            Maybe.  She conceded with a grin and knelt down next to the edge of the tunnel and placed her hand on the rock.  What the…?  She stared at her now oily hand and sniffed it.  Instantly she began coughing and tossed her head a bit to clear the smell from her senses.  Gross.  She muttered.

            What is it?

            Can't you smell this stuff?  She asked and wiped her hand on the cave wall in disgust.

            I've been smelling that ever since we entered this hell hole.  He stated.

            Why didn't you say anything?!  She demanded.

            How was I to know that you're sense aren't as good as mine?  He asked arrogantly.

            Destiny glared at him and poked him in the chest warningly.  Don't test me Fluffy.

            FLUFFY!  How dare you call I, Sesshoumaru, such a disrespectful name!  He thundered in her mind.

            Destiny winced and rubbed her temples before calmly answering, because I can.

            WHAT!

            Stop yelling!  She snarled and yanked up all of her shields to block out his mind-speech.  Her entire head was throbbing now and she wasn't about to lower her shields until he calmed down.  For a long moment the two glared at each other icily as only royals could.  Each time Sesshoumaru attempted to speak to her through mind-speech he received a 'mental' slap from her shields that grew stronger each time he tried to break through.

            "I apologize."  He finally said aloud and looked away from her.

            Destiny sighed and reached out her hand and gripped his larger one firmly.  "As do I, brother."  She answered and lowered the shields back down to what they had been.  I think we're going to have to go down though.  She said and frowned down at the abyss. 

            Why do you say that?

            Because down is where the path leads.  She answered and stood up and placed her other hand on his.  Do you trust me?  She asked.

            Why does that matter?

            Because in order to get us down there safely I require your trust and your promise not to tell anyone what you see.  She replied.

            So you have to trust me as well…

            Destiny grinned impishly at him and removed her cloak and tied it around her waist before taking his hand in hers again.  I always have.  Even when I threatened to take Rin from you it was to make you angry.  She admitted and had to fight very hard to not laugh at his shocked expression.

            Why?

            It is not right for brothers to fight over something as trivial as a sword.  Even one that can kill a hundred in one blow, any sword can kill.  How many can give life?  She replied.

            Sesshoumaru sighed and looked at her in defeat.  Do you do this to your mate and heart-brother as well?  He asked.

            Of course!  She answered.

            Very well.  I trust you then.  He said simply.  She smiled her acknowledgement and Sesshoumaru suddenly felt a warm heat tingle through his entire body, not a heat that burned but comforted.  It was then that he noticed he and Destiny were surrounded in a brilliant blue light.  Magic?  He questioned softly, even as Destiny stepped off the edge and pulled him into the abyss with her.  Is death to be my punishment for trusting you?!  He demanded.

            Not hardly, brother!  She laughed and allowed her wings to come out to their full length.  The walls were close but she was a safe distance from the rock.  The ethereal white wings that were edged in silver emitted a glow of their own and lighted the way for them.

            "What are you?"  Sesshoumaru asked aloud in his shock.

            "Just a Learian.  You see me in my truest form Sess, but also the one I hide the most."  She answered.

            "Why?"  He wanted to know.  "Do not take this the wrong way but your wings are beautiful."

            "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  My wings serve as a purpose Sess, even though I can 'fly' without them there would be no way that I could hold you up as well even with the spell I have cast on you."

            "What kind of spell?"  He asked suspiciously.

            Destiny laughed and shook her head at him.  "One that makes you weigh nearly nothing.  My wings are designed to support my weight and perhaps that of a young teenagers, certainly not a full grown youkai!"

            Sesshoumaru sighed and shook his head.  "You are so strange.  Did all the females of your race have wings?"

            "No.  Only mine."  She answered just as they touched the bottom.  In the distance they could hear the sounds of a fight going on.  "Remember your promise."  Destiny said and folded her wings into her back again and put the cloak back on.

            "I wouldn't.  Though why you keep it a secret is beyond me.  You could have men and youkai alike worshipping you as either a goddess or an angel."  He stated.

            "But I am neither.  Why would I want to be worshipped for something I am not?  Besides, there is only one God."  She answered and moved quickly towards the sounds of battle.

            "True enough."  Sesshoumaru agreed and followed after her, heading towards the dim light in the distance…

Shad – No!  Don't go near the light!

S.D. - *smacks him with a pillow*  Would you be serious?

Shad – Not in this lifetime.  *smirks*  You're just mad that you've been so sick.

S.D. – Shut up fuzz ball.  *glares*

Shad – Hey, it's not my fault that you got sick.

S.D. – *sighs*  Sure it's not but anyway.  First off I want to apologize for taking so long to update.  I really have been sick and that medicine keeps me knocked out for awhile.

Shad – Yep, it was almost too quiet around here.  But anyway, to Niasdreams, now you say that if you were a Learian you'd want me but you'd probably go after so other Learian.  *sighs dramatically and hides a grin*  I am slick aren't I?  Hopefully Inuyasha and Kagome won't find that out.

S.D. – *groans*  Please don't encourage the mutt.  He can barely has room for the ego he has now.

Shad – You're just jealous of me. *preens*

S.D. – Whatever you say fuzz ball.  Back to Niasdreams, they're heart-father will show up later.  How much…  Umm, maybe chapter 18?  I'm not really sure.  Sometimes he hasn't shown up until the very end but he has a bigger role this time.  And nope, I haven't seen the Inuyasha video (can't seem to find it anywhere) *sighs*  Happy late 26th Birthday!  Sorry that this chapter came out so late!  *looks over at Shad slyly*  I don't know, I think we can arrange to have Shad delievered…

Shad – Hey!  No being mean to me allowed!

S.D. – Since when?

Shad – Since now.

S.D. – Aww…  Poor baby.  Twin Star of Suzaku, I hope you like the Inuyasha and Kagome part.  (Still doesn't seem like a lot does it?  Oh well, just means I get to write more!)  Alright!  Next chapter includes slicing and dicing a snake!

Shad – She gets violent after being sick doesn't she?

S.D. – Keep it up and you'll sleep on the floor.

Shad – I'm so abused!