{Disclaimer: See chapter one big baby! ^.^}
Chapter Six: Trial by Fire
Sango woke up in the highest branches of a nearby tree, which was odd since she went to sleep on the ground beside Kagome. She turned her head and gazed into Sesshoumaru's eyes. He wasn't watching her, but watching something below her. She turned her gaze to follow his and found Inuyasha asleep beside Kagome, one arm draped possessively around her waist. Sango snickered, bringing her to Sesshoumaru's attention.
"You find it funny, too?"
Sango nodded and turned to kiss his cheek. Sesshoumaru gave her one of his rare smiles in return.
"I have a little surprise for you," he told her as one of his arms tapped her side. Sango looked down and noticed the new arm. It looked human, except for the stripes on the wrists…
Sango gasped.
"Is this your arm?" she asked him. Sesshoumaru nodded, observing her obvious excitement. Sango raised his hand to eye level, leaving one arm and a fluffy tail around her waist to hold her up. She spread each clawed finger, bending each digit, before tracing a fingertip lightly along his palm. He shivered slightly. Sango tipped her head in curiosity, then did it again. Again, Sesshoumaru shivered. She smiled and kissed his palm, waiting for his reaction. A sharp intake of breath and a low growl were her reward. Before she could think of anything else, a sneaker zoomed in their direction, just missing them.
"Sorry to disturb you," sang Kagome. Sango and Sesshoumaru looked down at her. Inuyasha sat at her feet, rubbing his eyes in fatigue.
"But we do have more pressing matters."
Sango blushed as Sesshoumaru lowered her back to the ground. Sango muttered her thanks and caught up to Kagome and the others, who were again on the road to where Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha last seen Naraku. Inuyasha caught up to Sesshoumaru in the trees above the group, smirking at him.
"Can't wait, can you, brother?"
Sesshoumaru scowled. "Go to Hell, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha snickered. "I already have someone intent on doing that."
Sesshoumaru turned to him suddenly. "Speak of the bitch, what are you going to do about her?"
Inuyasha stopped smiling. "I meant what I said. I will avenge her, but I won't let her hurt Kagome."
"Good. Prove it."
***********
The battle was long and hard fought. Naraku was still where the brothers saw him last, his castle a dark looming shadow in the distance. His lesser demons kept the fighters busy as they tried to press through his defenses. Kouga stumbled on the battle by Kagome's scent, only to be batted around like a catnip toy in Kagura's hands. Even Kagome was having a slight problem, though she seemed closer to Naraku than the others were.
Naraku leered at her. "So, Kikyou's reincarnation has come to me. You know, you almost killed Kikyou during your last battle. Tisk, tisk, tisk. You should be more careful of your power, little one."
He licked his lips at the sight of her, her blue jeans stained with demon blood and her t-shirt drenched in sweat.
"I'm going to have fun corrupting you."
Inuyasha heard every word and as Kagome blasted through another demon, he slashed through Naraku's leg, sending the half demon stumbling against the castle steps. Naraku glared, but smiled at Kagome as she came closer to him. He reached for her with one of his tentacles, only to have it blasted into nothing by her ki. She smiled back.
"I'm getting tired of your games," she warned, her hands glowing like two stars.
Naraku laughed and summoned Kohaku. Taking no notice of his sister, he came out of the castle, with Rin in his arms. Naraku raised his hand and Kohaku raised his blade to the child's neck, causing her to shriek.
"Help Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama!"
A low growl came from behind Kagome, and she turned around. Sesshoumaru was getting angrier by the second, his hands balling up and releasing over and over in an attempt to control his rage. Sango placed her hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear.
"Calm down, love. You can't help Rin if you lose control."
Sesshoumaru nodded and breathed deeply, his rage pooling back to the edges of his mind, caged for the moment but not contained. Naraku laughed again. "So, the demon exterminator, mated to a demon of all things. What do you think, Kohaku?"
"Disgraceful," Kohaku whispered. Tears sprang up instantly in Sango's eyes. Kagome rested her hand on her shoulder, much like she had just done to Sesshoumaru.
"You know that isn't true. Kohaku loves you. He would never be ashamed of you."
Sango nodded and wiped her tears away. Naraku watched them in interest. His gaze left them and turned to Inuyasha.
"Would you like to see your love, half breed?" he cackled. Inuyasha jerked his head to Naraku as Kikyou stepped out of the castle. Inuyasha charged, and another wave of demons stood in their way. Sango and Kagome stuck together with Miroku as Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha took separate sides of the battle. Miroku marveled at the progression of Kagome's powers.
"Lady Kagome, you seemed to have changed in Sesshoumaru's presence. Unfortunately, you are not the only one."
Kagome scowled at him. "You can NOT be serious. You want to bring that up now, when we're so close to freeing you from your Wind Tunnel! {Again, the influence of the Cartoon Network. Bakas} Can't you think of a better time?"
Miroku blushed, but decided to bean one of the approaching demons in the ear instead of answering Kagome's question. Kagome turned to yell at him again before she noticed Miroku was gone, with someone else standing beside her.
"Kouga?"
The wolf prince smiled at her before dispensing of the demon in front of him. He jogged to her side, his arms wrapping around her waist.
"Kagome, I'm so proud of you! You have mastered your power! Now I know you're the perfect mate. No lowly dog is worthy of you!"
Growls from ahead jerked her attention away from him. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha were glaring at them, both giving Kouga the look of death. Kouga ignored them, choosing instead to lavish Kagome with his words of love and encouragement. Kagome gasped before raising a ki shield against his back as a demon rushed to take advantage of his disregard of the battle around him. Kouga glanced back before laughing and stroking her cheek.
"Worried, love? Don't be. I'd never let anyone hurt you."
Kagome gently pushed him away. "Kouga, I believe I see Kagura over there."
Kouga twisted his head in her direction before releasing Kagome and running to challenge the murderer of his people. Kagome sighed in relief, then gasped in horror at what was taking place in front of her. She dashed forward, using a speed she'd only used at the Demon Tournaments, praying she wouldn't reach him too late.
***********
Inuyasha reached Naraku before anyone else, using his time to slice through the vile creature. Naraku only laughed and dodged Inuyasha's advances. As he grunted and swore, Kikyou watched on. 'Is he fighting for me?' she asked herself. 'Of course he is. How silly of me to think he'd fight for that girl. Speaking of which, where is she?' A sudden blast from her right caught her attention and Kikyou turned around. Kagome and Sango were helping Miroku to his feet. The monk shouted a warning behind them, and Kagome turned to face the demon running toward her. She raised her hand and blasted a hole through its stomach, turning her back to it as it dropped dead. Kikyou watched her with mild fascination as Kagome and the others fought.
The wolf prince had her now, and even though her displeasure at being handled was plain on her face, she tolerated him enough to raise a defense to keep him from being killed from not paying attention to the right thing. Kikyou frowned. 'I wouldn't think twice about letting the demons kill each other, but she seems to protect a few of them.' She watched Shippou peak at the battle from a nearby tree. 'One seems to think of her as its mother. I would never allow myself to be lowered as such. What did she say at the battlefield? Oh yes
"A miko, fighting for a demon. Dressed as a demon general, no less. You don't deserve to share a soul with me." Kagome snarled, her senses kicking into overdrive.
"I don't fight for them, I fight with them. I won't stand by and watch Inuyasha die, by your hands or another's."
'So, she would protect Inuyasha, would she?' Kikyou raised her arrow at him as he stood unaware, waiting for Naraku to make his final move.
'We shall have to test that.'
********
Inuyasha waited for Naraku, panting slightly. Naraku was faster than he expected, and seemed to only be teasing him, goading him into doing something stupid. Inuyasha snarled as he charged again. A whizzing sound caught his attention and he stopped.
A flint of metal and a streak of black suddenly appeared in front of him as the scent of blood assaulted his nose.
He looked in his arms and stared into Kagome's eyes.
She winced as three more arrows embedded themselves into her back.
-----
SF: {::running across the stage as readers throw everything and a little old lady at her::} Hey! Don't do that! Don't you know that it's wrong to disrespect your elders like that? {::keeps running as Inu-chan decided to join the chase::}
Inu-chan: {::grabs SF by the front of her shirt::} What's the big idea? Why'd you kill Kagome like that?
SF: I-{::turns blue::} Can't-{::turns darker blue::} Breathe! {::passes out::}
Inu-chan: Oh no you don't! I asked a question, and I'm going to get an answer, even if I have to beat it out of you! {::Inu-chan raises his hand:: ::a jet of water knocks him aside, then picks up SF as a cloaked figure appears onstage::}
Inu-chan: {::shaking water onto the readers::} And just who are you?
Cloaked figure: I was told about you, Inu-chan. {::cradles SF::} Shame on you for trying to hit a girl.
Inu-chan: I said 'Who are you?'!
Cloaked figure: You'll see Wednesday. Anyway, {::turns to the readers::} The preview is at the bottom. Don't worry about SF. She'll be fine in a few moments.
Chapter Seven: In Mourning of the Rightful Priestess
"You love her. Be happy with her. You deserve to be."
She plunged the rusty weapon in her chest as he moved to stop her. She smiled at him as it sank deeper, ripping out her back.
SF: I'm so sorry minna! I totally didn't have time to do reviews! Thanks to everyone that reviewed the last chapter! I hope you guys aren't mad at me! {::whimper::}