First off, thanks to Cara S., Aria^o^, The Fallen Angel of Death, and hageshii mouse for all their help on this chapter. The author humbly apologizes for leaving you all hanging.



Ok, I believe there were some questions.

Can Sesshoumaru go through the well?: I've given this one some thought. At this point, probably not. At the end of the story the opposite will probably be true. You'll see what I mean.

What's Naraku doing all this time?: Don't worry, we'll be getting back into the diabolical mechanization next chapter.

Will Inuyasha be back in any way?: Not really-but there are one or two loose ends left to tie up concerning him. Probably won't accomplish that til the last chapter.

Cat Goddess: Yeah, I'm not really much of a clothes person. (Sorry) Anywho, picture a miko outfit like kikyou's, but both pieces are blue. As for Kagome's mother knowing about Sesshoumaru-It's safe to assume Kagome has told her very little about him before this point, and most certainly never embellished on all the dangerous situations.

Last Chapter:

"Something's wrong..." she whispered, glancing around nervously. "It feels like..." She came to a sudden realization. "Youki."

The sensation washed over Sesshoumaru just as she spoke. She was right, there was something powerful approaching. It was more than simply powerful, however. It seemed to come from every direction. "We're surrounded."

Kagome's eyes widened as she reached for her bow. "There are no shards," she told Sesshoumaru. "But it's so strong."

"I know," he said softly. He was angry at himself for letting them corner him. He wasn't sure how many there were, but he could smell them now. "I'm sorry, Kagome. I did not think this would happen at this time. I have put you in danger."

Kagome shook her head. "What are you talking about?"

Sesshoumaru took a stance protectively in front of her. "They've followed us here. I misjudged their boldness."

Indistinct shapes appeared at the tree line, advancing in synchronicity.

"The opposition from the Western Lands has come for my life and yours."

Chapter 21: Righteous Union

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes in wrathful scrutiny as youkai stepped singularly into the clearing, ringing them completely. The figures became more distinct, moonlight glinting off of fangs, claws, and flashing eyes. The figures were humanoid in form, all of them of great enough power to control their appearance.

He recognized few of them, which meant they had likely been commissioned by one of his more powerful enemies. He scanned the line, trying to pick out the leader.

He could feel Kagome nervously pressed against his back, almost taste her fear. He cursed himself for putting them in this position. His rivals in the western lands had never been so organized, but the number of his opposition suggested that some form of alliance had been struck. He had believed they would not venture into unfamiliar territories and that any battle would have taken place after Naraku's destruction. He could have planned his return home... and made sure Kagome would not be at risk.

"Don't leave my side," he said almost unperceptively, praying she would listen to him for once. He saw her nod slightly, her red lips pressed tightly in anxious determination.

He turned his attention as one stepped forward. The demon had dark features, with eerily green eyes that mirrored the moonlight. Tied to his waist was a particularly vicious looking blade.

"Zankoku," Sesshoumaru addressed the other youkai scathingly. Probably the strongest in the group, one who had always been openly ambitious, but certainly not popular. Sesshoumaru wondered vaguely why the others were following him.

Zankoku smirked at the youkai lord's concealed wrath. "Sesshoumaru-sama. Good to see you haven't forgotten your loyal subjects in the West. But I suppose you have been particularly busy lately."

Zankoku moved forward a little, stepping to the side and staring openly at Kagome. "So it's really true. The great lord has fallen to some human bitch. You're supposed to fuck them, kill them, and move on, not keep them as pets."

Sesshoumaru stepped firmly in front of Kagome, putting her at his back again. Zankoku's voracious eyes urged him to strike, but he could not leave her.

"But I can't blame you, she does look delicious. That skin looks soft... very nice." He ran his tongue slowly across his lips, making Sesshoumaru's blood boil. "Perhaps I'll take her before we kill her--or after."

Sesshoumaru slowly drew Tetsusaiga from its sheath, aiming it at the youkai in front of him. "You have one chance to leave, or you will all die."

Zankoku grinned. "Your father's blade: it will not help you against Gingenei." He casually put his hand over the silver and black hilt of the blade at his side. "You bluff, Sesshoumaru. You wouldn't give us a chance to leave unless you thought you couldn't win."

Sesshoumaru had taken careful stock of the situation, not liking his position. If he were alone, he would simply have broken their line, returning to pick them off one by one. None could compare to his speed and his skills as a hunter, their numbers would have meant nothing. That option was closed to him, and any attempt to separate her from the battle would be disastrous. He would not be able to get her out of the clearing until every single demon was dead. There were too many to fight while protecting her, and Zankoku knew it.

"When I say I will kill you, be assured it is truth. Tell me who organized this foolish stunt. I have difficulty believing that all gathered here are stupid enough to follow you."

Zankoku pulled his blade slowly, white light glinting off the serrations on the blade like sparks. He bristled at the obvious insult. "I'm the leader of this group, and you would be wise not to take me lightly. Your rule ends tonight."

"It will take more than a blood-thirsty fool to destroy me," Sesshoumaru said coldly.

The other youkai grinned, his fangs showing dangerously. "Just like your father. The ruler of the West can have no affections for humans. Did you really think we would tolerate a lord who would attempt to set a human above us? You've just chosen your downfall, and the death of the bitch who was stupid enough to stand beside you."

He felt Kagome shrink back, her heart pounding so loudly every youkai in the clearing must have heard it. The line was advancing again; he had to attack before they got any closer.

"Stay," he commanded Kagome lowly.

Sesshoumaru lunged forward, swinging Tetsusaiga down, lighting up the forest with blazing lines of golden energy. As soon as his stroke was begun, the demons leapt forward singularly, metal and fang flashing.

Zankoku leapt above the kaze no kizu, slashing downward at Sesshoumaru with Gingenei. The demon lord saw the flash of silver as the blade began its motion. He brought Tetsusaiga up to parry-only to watch his opponent's blade disappear.

The silver blade reappeared, flickered briefly on the edge of his vision before slamming powerfully into his side. The combatants leapt apart, the crack of Sesshoumaru's armor resounding through the woods as most of it fell away.

The rest of the demons were nearly upon Kagome, tightening the noose around the couple. Sesshoumaru blurred in a ring around her, his toxic whip slashing those that had dared to come close to her.

He reappeared in front of Zankoku, who was holding Gingenei in front of him with a look of twisted amusement on his face. Sesshoumaru watched the blade warily-somehow it had seemed to vanish when Zankoku had swung. The other demon was nearly a match for his speed, if not his strength, and if he couldn't find a way to see the sword, he couldn't block it.

"You won't see it until it's imbedded in your flesh, Sesshoumaru," Zankoku taunted. "How long do you plan to guard that woman? You can't fight if you won't come after me."

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes as he thrust forward again, aiming the Tetsusaiga to slash Zankoku's throat. He lost sight of Gingenei again, but saw the movement of Zankoku's arms as he brought the blade up to deflect. Sesshoumaru felt Tetsusaiga jar as the fang hit invisible metal. In the back of his mind he registered Zankoku's laugh.

The faintest breeze was the only warning he received before a silver arch slashed across his chest. He felt a rush of cold, as if the touch of the metal was searing his flesh with frost. The stroke blasted him backwards, sending him flying into the ring of demons behind them.

Keeping his feet, he spun and released the kaze no kizu at the demons behind him, destroying those in his immediate path. He rushed forward to Kagome's side again, his eyes locked on Zankoku.

Sesshoumaru watched as Zankoku smirked as he examined the bloodied end of his sword. The wound burned cold, it felt as if tendrils of ice were creeping through his limbs.

"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome's fearful voice came from his side. Sesshoumaru wondered vaguely how bad the cut looked.

"I'm fine," he tossed at her. "Stay."

He stepped in front of her again as Zankoku chuckled mirthlessly. Zankoku should not have been able to cut him--Gingenei should have been blocked when Zankoku chose to parry him. It was almost as if... Gingenei had passed straight through Tetsusaiga.

Sesshoumaru slashed out again against the advancing demons, this time only managing to harry them instead of inflicting real damage.

"Tired already, Sesshoumaru?" The demon lord met the mirrored eyes of Zankoku coldly. "You see now--you can't win. You can't see my blade and you can't block it."

Sesshoumaru stood firmly upright, the only outward sign of his pain the few lines of blood staining the torso of his white silk. He was beginning to question his ability to defeat all of his opponents. Even if he managed to destroy Zankoku, the rest would not break. And they had already wounded him.

Sesshoumaru blurred forward again towards Zankoku, bands of power coursing up and down his blade. Zankoku lifted his arms in what appeared to be a defensive maneuver, Gingenei morphing out of sight.

Sesshoumaru watched him carefully. The sword could be in Zankoku's right or left hand--he couldn't tell which. He had a fifty-fifty chance to guess which position was defended, high or low. If he was wrong...

Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed red as he swung at Zankoku's gut. Sesshoumaru growled as he felt his stroke jolt to a stop centimeters in front of his prey.

Tetsusaiga and Gingenei both stalled for the slightest of moments. Zankoku grinned as he pushed his blade up and through Sesshoumaru's.

Sesshoumaru felt the bite of the sword's cold teeth again, crossing the previous slash on his chest from his hip to his shoulder. Gingenei sent him flying again, throwing him to the ground. Sesshoumaru skid until his back shattered a tree. He shakily regained his feet, only to realize he had been tossed out of the ring. Kagome was still standing where he had left her, her bow held tightly in her right hand, her left reaching behind her for an arrow. Zankoku and the rest now stood between them.

Zankoku sneered as he lowered his blade at the demon lord. "Get the girl," he called back to the others. Sesshoumaru flashed forward in an attempt to reach her before the other demons did. 'Too slow,' he thought as he moved. Sure enough, he felt Gingenei sink into him once more, tossing him back.

Sesshoumaru's rage swelled, his youki crackling darkly around him, fangs lengthening as his true form struggled to emerge. Some part of him insisted that to let go of his swords would be fatal, and in the moment of hesitation Zankoku advanced again.

He saw Kagome disappear from view, several Youkai grabbing hold of her in the same instant Gingenei was thrust into his chest. His vision blurred as the serrated edge of the sword tore at his flesh as it was yanked out. He didn't feel the pain of the blow, all he could hear was the snarling and laughter of the demons engulfing Kagome.

Kagome felt many pairs of strong hands clamp down on her, but stood rooted to the spot, watching Sesshoumaru through the mass of bodies. She watched in shock as the strange silver blade appeared in Sesshoumaru's chest, saw Sesshoumaru's stance sag as the blade was ripped out. Tetsusaiga fell from his hand.

"No!"

Every creature in the clearing threw up their arms in response to the bright white light that exploded from the center of the clearing. Sesshoumaru heard a dull thud managed to look up at the youkai in front of him.

Zankoku's face held a mixture of shock and pain as a pinkish-white light swept through him. The blazing light engulfed him completely, Sesshoumaru had to squint to watch him as he seemed to explosively disintegrate.

Gingenei clanged to the ground, followed by a white-fletched arrow. Zankoku was simply gone. Sesshoumaru raised his sight to find Kagome, now standing alone in the center of the clearing. All those touching her had been obliterated. She stood in a hazy sphere of white light, like a pastel star descended to settle in the woods. At the core Kagome was perfectly still, her twilight-colored robes draped around her so still they looked sculpted. She had another arrow already drawn, settled decisively on the youkai closest to Sesshoumaru. One youkai broke the line and charged her again, only to be shattered by the hazy aura surrounding her.

Sesshoumaru picked up Tetsusaiga and straightened himself. The entire clearing had gone completely still. The eyes of every youkai were trained on the girl in the center of the clearing while Kagome held her taut bow with uncanny steadiness. He could feel the fear that ran through the group; the youkai under the arrow's point was actually shaking.

He noticed a few nervous glances in his direction, oddly colored eyes darting from himself to the miko. He realized only about half of their number still remained, a few lying dead from his attacks, but most of those gone had been destroyed by the miko. 'They think they've been led into a trap,' he realized. 'They're expecting to be destroyed by her.' The moment stretched, the youkai in frozen in fearful awe in the shadow of the radiant centerpiece of their stalemate.

Sesshoumaru saw a golden opportunity.

The pain from his own wounds faded into the background as he sheathed his sword. Gazes shifted as Sesshoumaru began to slowly approach his miko. Kagome seemed to ignore him, keeping her intense scrutiny on the demon she was aiming at.

He could feel the tension thicken as he reached the white light she was casting. Fearlessly, he advanced into it, reaching out to lay a hand over the girl's on the bow. At his touch the light rushed back into the young female, as if recognizing him. The energy was uncomfortable, but he endured it impassively. He could almost hear the wheels spinning in his enemy's heads at his seeming immunity to the massive purification powers.

Kagome felt a soft touch on her left hand as Sesshoumaru stepped calmly in front of her bow. His hand broke her concentration, her fear and confusion flooding her eyes. Sesshoumaru was looking at her so seriously, which only added to her agitation. She looked up at him helplessly as he slowly pushed her bow down.

Sesshoumaru wanted to reassure her, tell her he knew what he was doing, but to do so would destroy the image he wanted to weave. Instead he stood, tall, proud, and powerful, his eyes lofty and commanding. 'Whatever you do, Kagome: don't speak.'

Her look of fierce determination had vanished, she looked hopelessly girlish and uncertain now. He could smell the adrenalin coming off of her as she silently expressed her fear. But the other demons did not have to know that it wasn't him she was afraid of.

Every other demon watched as the image of a vengeful goddess faded at Sesshoumaru's whim. She had appeared ready to destroy them all... but she seemed afraid and humbled before Sesshoumaru... who for some reason had stopped her attack.

Kagome slowly relaxed the bowstring. Sesshoumaru gently, but insistently, pried her fingers away from her bow and her arrow, letting each clatter to the ground. She was hopelessly confused. Her body screamed at her to run, to fight, to yell, to do something, but every motion and look Sesshoumaru gave seemed to command restraint and trust.

'Stay,' she thought to herself. 'Just stay.' She repeated Sesshoumaru's command as a litany in her mind. Her body felt like lead anyway.

Sesshoumaru stepped behind her, locking one arm tightly around her waist. The gesture was obviously one of possession. At the same time he hoped to calm her a little, firmly pressing his fingers against her abdomen in what he hoped was a reassuring gesture.

Sesshoumaru allowed his youki to seep out of him, engulfing both of them in fiercely crackling dark energy. He knew his eyes were reddening and he could feel his fangs and claws lengthen. Unlike his brother, he had perfect control over his transformations. He swept her hair to one side with his other hand before locking his other arm across her shoulders. A satisfied smile twitched on his lips as she lowered her head in submission. She was cooperating perfectly, even though she did not know what was going on.

She shook a little in his arms, her breathing coming in short and ragged gasps. He realized being such close contact with so much dark energy was probably very uncomfortable for her... perhaps even painful. 'Just endure it a little longer,' he pleaded silently.

Glowing red eyes glared over Kagome's shoulder at the demons who were watching the exchange, some shrinking back at the intensity of Sesshoumaru's power. Sesshoumaru lowered his head against her shoulder, nudging her collar down with his chin. He lightly brushed his tongue and fangs over the creamy skin of her neck and shoulder. Unseen, his thumbs pressed in circular patterns against her skin, trying to tell her he was in control and she had nothing to fear. He had planned to do this under different circumstances, after giving her some sort of explanation. Instead he would have to hope her trust of him would hold.

He held her tightly as he tasted his venom gather on the tips of his canines. He would have to hurt her... but maybe in doing so he could keep her safe. Slowly, he lowered the points of his fangs to her skin, just above her collar bone. She jerked and gasped, but he held tightly to her and she resettled. Carefully he dragged his teeth up, his mouth leaving two green sizzling tracks in a partial arch reaching part of the way around her fragile neck. He lifted his teeth and gently licked the path he had made, cleaning the excess poison.

Kagome was completely tense, but she remained compliant. He heard the faintest of whimpers from her as he felt tears fall from her bowed head onto his arm around her. He could, to an extent, control the potency of his venom, but it was intended to scar even youkai. Her teeth were clenched in pain as her whole neck and shoulder seemed to burn.

He shifted her hair over to the other shoulder. Kagome seemed to know what was coming as she inclined her head to the other side, giving Sesshoumaru access to her other shoulder. He heard her sniff and could smell her fear and her tears, and he regretted that he could not offer her more comfort at the moment. She lurched a little in his arms as she swallowed a sob. A little quicker this time, he burned a path into her skin to mimic the one he had made on the other side. He licked the second mark, laying a secret apologetic kiss on the back of her neck.

Sesshoumaru looked up from his work, his red eyes sparking at the remaining youkai, a sharp contrast to Kagome's still-glowing acid burns. He could imagine what they were thinking: Sesshoumaru was not the fool he was rumored to be for falling in love with a human. He was the fierce unconquerable demon lord he had always been, and now he had somehow secured control of a very powerful weapon in the form of the woman before them. A weapon that only he seemed resistant to. Only he had been able to subdue her, only he had been able to claim her as he had so boldly displayed for them to witness. He glared at them, as if daring one of them to challenge his claim.

"Leave," he commanded, shooting the group one final glare before lowering his head to nurse Kagome's wounds. He did not even watch them leave, his attention directed at his 'pet', limp and completely subdued in his arms. The silence at last broken, the demons broke and retreated, shocked that they had been granted mercy.

Kagome was biting her lip against the pain, Sesshoumaru's tight grasp the only thing that kept her from falling like water. She felt Sesshoumaru's youki recede and unclenched her eyes. Her breathing steadied as Sesshoumaru affectionately kissed and licked her wounds, his arms loosening a little. She blinked a few times and raised her head to find they were alone again in the clearing. Her neck stung so badly. She forced herself around to face Sesshoumaru, needing to see his face.

Her soulful brown eyes looked up at him in pain and worry, begging him for an explanation.

Sesshoumaru cupped his hands over the lines on her neck, kissing her softly on her forehead. "You did wonderfully," he said soothingly. His hands felt blissfully cool against her scars, and she exhaled sharply as the pain eased a little.

She looked at his front, rediscovering his wounds. "Oh no! I forgot you were hurt!" Kagome laid her delicate hands over the slashes on his chest. "Are you going to be ok? I thought you were going to die, I was so scared I would lose you too."

He picked her hands up, massaging her palms to help ease her down from her adrenalin rush. His wounds burned, but he knew they were not as severe as they would have been had the battle gone on any longer. He would heal quickly. Thanks to Kagome's arrow, Zankoku's mysterious blade had not finished him off. He glanced up to see where it had fallen, and was not really surprised to see that it had been taken by the retreating demons.

"I'm fine," he told her. "I will heal quickly."

"Why did you let them go?"

Sesshoumaru kissed the mark on the left side of her neck. "Because the word will spread. Within a week, all of the Western Lands will know I have taken a mate." He shifted to kiss her other mark. "And rumors will spread..." He raised his head to kiss her cheek softly. "...about her great power..." He slid his mouth to find her lips. "They will fear to come after you... and they will know you're mine."

Sesshoumaru slid his hands over her body, searching for injuries. "Are you hurt?"

Kagome shook her head. "Just your..."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "They are the claim marks of my family. I am sorry. I know they hurt, but it was necessary. The pain will pass, but they will not fade."

Kagome raised her hand and traced the stripes on his cheek with two fingers, then reached to touch her own marks. "Are yours...?"

"Mine are natural. Every male and most females in my family bear them. It is a display of our toxicity; we are recognized for it. Inuyasha's blood was diluted, he lacked a poison attack."

"Diluted..." Kagome said softly.

Sesshoumaru cursed himself for his careless phrasing. "You have nothing to fear. Our children may not be full youkai, but they will be powerful. I am glad it is you who will bear my heirs. Even if they lack them, I will give them the marks of our lineage as I have you. It is a tradition by which we have accepted new family members with for centuries."

"What about Inuyasha and his mother?"

"There were... complications." His inflection indicated he intended to go into no further detail.

"Oh..." she said. She flinched as she brought her hand to her stinging neck.

Sesshoumaru pulled her hand away and once again resumed nursing her marks with his tongue. She was surprised to find that the pain did soften with his contact. "Sesshoumaru, shouldn't we take care of your chest?"

"Doesn't hurt," he said. "There is no one left to bother us for the rest of the night." He kissed her firmly on the mouth. "Let's take advantage of that, shall we?"

Kagome fingered the edge of his haori along a cut. "Please? I have bandages in my bag at the well. It won't take long."

Sesshoumaru gave in. "As my lady wishes." Kagome rolled her eyes at the hint of teasing in his voice. "But after that, no more delay."

Kagome sighed and pressed herself into him. "As my lord wishes."

Author's Notes:

To clarify- Gingenei is the name of Zankoku's sword. I'm just guessing that confused someone out there.

I've come to accept that this is one of those chapters I'll never be happy with, so I might as well post it. I deliberated for the longest time about cutting it out. Chapter 22 took me FOREVER to write, for all that it's not much longer than usual. I'll try to get it posted soon.

I was going to write a lengthy defense of this chapter explaining why the hell I would even write such a thing, but I think I'll forgo it. Just tell me if you liked it. And I'll try to clarify if I need to.

Chapters to go: 'bout 4

News:

My webpage is finally a webpage. Link to it from my profile page.

I have a new one shot out-its kinda fluffy. The part I'm writing for this story right now is kinda depressing, and I needed a distraction.



Gah! (Author bangs head in frustration) If you all hate this chapter, let me know and I'll drop it.

Review please



This chapter last modified: Thursday, June 26, 2003