Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Inuyasha series or characters or any other copy written stuff that I may have referred to or used in this story. God does the pain ever end???
From Our Past
Chapter 12 Cold Reality
Sesshomaru looked out over the back gardens thinking back over the day. All in all it had not been as bad as he thought it would be. Kagome and Sango were more then receptive to the operation of the youkai base. He was skeptical in the beginning but it seemed once again he had under estimated someone based on old beliefs. He shook his head to relieve the stress. A gentle touch from Rita made him turn and look at her. The smile on her face was genuine but he did not share the feelings that she currently housed. Guilt gripped his heart when he thought back on what was making her smile this way. 'What was I thinking?' He had asked him self that question at least a hundred times that day and now still didn't have an answer.
He knew the reason even though he tried to deny it. It had been centuries since he had done something so selfish and cruel to another living being. Natai didn't completely deserve what he did. For all he knew she was forced but his beast took control of his weakened state and reeked revenge as it saw fit. Thankfully Natai survived, that much he knew for sure but he could not feel her emotions any longer. It was worse then before his attempt to take her back, at least then he caught a twinge of her emotional state from time to time. That is how he knew she was still alive after two hundred years of searching. But now there was nothing as if a cold rift had severed the last strands of emotion from her. He could barely feel anything when he concentrated. A life force so faint it seemed to be too weak to respond. Nothing beyond that knowledge came to him. Perhaps she put up a barrier to shield her self from him. She had the power to do so but he didn't know if she knew how to use said power. He had sensed it the first time he saw her setting at that pond so many years ago. With a sigh he hung his head in defeat.
"Are you going to sulk out here all evening? Your brother and your other guests are still waiting in the parlor for you." Rita's smooth voice broke his train of thought again. He looked at her with emotionless eyes but turned and offered his arm to her. Guilt was the only emotion he seemed to be able to register right now. Guilt for seducing the fine woman on his arm into believing he had feelings for her he didn't and a larger part of his heart cringed with the guilt and regret for what he had done to Natai. They walked in silence down the stone steps to the parlor where the others were waiting for him. Rita didn't say anything but he could feel her uncertainty. He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes and decided that perhaps she would make a good mate after all. She was pretty, steadfast and loyal. More then intelligent for a human and was almost as stubborn as him. What more could he want? His heart almost stopped when the face of his love entered his mind.
Before he realized it they were standing at the doors to the parlor. Rita had already opened them and was looking at him with questioning eyes. He nodded for her to continue and walked in after her. The others all turned toward him and raised their glasses. It seems they had already drank a few before Rita was able to pry him out of his self induced stupor. Well who was he to squash the life out of a party. He quickly walked over to the bar and made himself a very stiff drink. This he shot down in one swallow then made another. With a smile plastered on his face he turned suddenly and raised his glass to the others in the room.
"To long and healthy relationships. May we all be happy with our chosen ones." They all saluted him as he slammed down the second drink only to turn and make another one. Inuyasha glanced over at Miroku and saw the same look of surprised on his face that he felt. Neither had known Sesshomaru to drink in such an uncontrolled manner. In fact neither had ever seen him drunk before so this night may be the first of many new things when it came to the stoic youkai they both called their boss.
"We need some music." Sesshomaru spun quickly and headed for the massive stereo system in the room. "What would you like to listen to?" He turned and looked at the others for suggestions. Inuyasha and Miroku looked at each other then back at him with blank looks. Rita once again saved everyone from stressing over something so trivial.
"Why not something slow? That way we can all just enjoy the moment." She smiled sweetly. Everyone quickly agreed happily. Once again Sesshomaru was amazed at how she could relieve the tension so easily. He was positive now that she missed her true calling in life and should have been a diplomat. After selecting a music disc that had an assortment of slow romantic music by various artists, he pushed play and walked over to Rita taking her hand in his. He spun her around a couple of times then pulled her to a spot where they could dance with out bumping into any furniture. He held her close thinking about everything that had happened again. Some how he had to make himself stop obsessing over it. With a deep breath he leaned back to look in her eyes. She looked at him and smiled. Gently she ran a finger over his cheek then shyly looked down between them. He was touched by her regardless of the lack of actual emotion he felt toward her.
"Rita I must confess to you," she stopped him by putting her fingers over his lips.
"You don't have anything to confess. I understand that today was something you didn't have planned. I also know you well enough to realize that what you did this morning was not because of me but because of something else. I don't know what but I am sure eventually you will tell me or I will find out on my own. "She smiled at the shock on his face.
"You truly are amazing." He leaned down and nuzzled the side of her head with his nose. "I made a mistake and didn't mean to drag you into this." He whispered so that his brother would not hear him but still loud enough for her.
"I know. You were a bit out of control there for a bit. Not that I am complaining any. I will admit that no man has made me feel like that. I understand that you don't have those feelings for me and I accept that. The unfortunate thing is that you marked me. Now I don't know much about youkai relationships but I do know that a mark means something." She leaned back a bit to see his eyes. As usual there wasn't any emotion to be seen there. "You may not show your emotions on your face but I can feel them. I have been all day. Tell me what this mark means and what are we going to do about it." With a sigh he lowered his eyes then pulled her off to a corner where they could talk more privately.
"To be honest Rita it is a claim." He began still trying to sort out the best way to break it to her.
"A claim for what?" She asked persistently.
"It is a mark to show other youkai that I have claimed you as mine. None will attempt to be with you and in the case of humans they would have to be very dumb to not feel that something was different about you." He admitted reluctantly. Her face twisted into a scowl as her mind processed the information.
"I think that perhaps I should leave now." She said abruptly and headed for the door. Everyone else was so caught up in their little conversations that they didn't even notice the couple as they headed out the parlor doors. Sesshomaru stopped her at the front door.
"I am afraid I can't allow that Rita. It is too dangerous for you to be wondering around with out my protection." His calm smooth voice only made her angrier.
"What the hell do you mean safe for me? Who would possibly want to hurt me?" She crossed her arms defiantly and glared at him.
"I have many enemies and it would not take them long to find out that you belong to me." He stated matter-of-factly.
"And just what do you mean by 'belong' to you. I am certainly not property and the last time I checked slavery was against the law in this country." She hissed lowly.
"I don't mean it like that. Please forgive me. This whole situation is getting out of control but the main thing is you can not leave here with out my protection. It all comes down to the mark. It shows others that I claim you as mine. For what reason is not the problem. The problem is that I have enemies that would hurt you to get to me and I will not allow that to happen because I was being an idiot this morning. This whole mess is my fault and I will take care of you." He said hurriedly still worried that the others might come out of the parlor at any moment and hear that he made a mistake.
"So I am a prisoner until you decide that I can leave." It was a statement not a question that she hissed back at him.
"Please can we talk about this upstairs. I don't want others to over hear the problem and start trouble." He held his hand out toward the stairs.
Throwing her hands up in the air she stormed up toward his bedroom to talk things out. He quickly walked beside her still trying to explain himself. Little did he realize they did have an audience. Four faces ducked back behind the doors of the parlor as the two crossed the entryway to go upstairs. Quietly they watched until the feuding couple were out of ear shot then closed the doors and went back in to their drinks.
"Damn he really screwed up." Inuyasha said absentmindedly. Both women looked at him questioningly. "We will tell you upstairs. I think Miroku understands what happened." The hanyou looked over the other man who nodded in agreement. The two couples decided that now was as good a time as any to get some rest and talk about what had happened.
The pain was what she remembered the most of what happened. That unbearable pain that sent fire through her veins with each heart beat and shattered her soul at the same time. Anger, hate, loathing and fear were only a few of the emotions she was desperately trying to keep under control right now. She blocked out everything and everyone. There was no room for emotion now and certainly no room for any distractions. She had closed off her mind to him on purpose. There was no need in letting him know they were coming now was there? Where was the surprise in that?
Her cold ice blue eyes glared down at the dark mansion from the hill top they stood on. Shortly they would get the signal that Hiten and Maten had taken out the perimeter guards then Lobo and Kagura would enter from the north while she entered from the south. The lay out was a simple design and it should be easy to find him then get out with out much problem. Their inside source had already confirmed that he was there and already retired with his woman.
'His woman. What a joke?' She thought to herself as the anger rose again. She wanted to see this female that had seduced him into taking what belonged to her. His love, his body, his life where vowed to her two hundred years ago and she was damned if someone was going to waltz in between them. 'Damn him to hell. If I can't have his loyalty then no one will.' Of course she didn't tell Naraku that her mate was the one they were killing tonight. In fact she wanted to do it herself then they would be able to die together. Their blood mixed for all eternity. She had the prefect weapon for it. The slender dirk was bladed on each end with a solid handle in the middle to grasp it. It's design was for fast forward and back thrusts in close combat so the user could impale an attacker in front and behind smoothly with in seconds of each other. In this case she would simply hold it between them and use her own body weight to shove it into each of their hearts at the same time.
Of course this was if he was in a prone position which she would make sure he was even if it meant hurting him some. That surely wouldn't not be a problem after the pain he had caused her by his little liaison. She patted the weapon at her side as if to reassure her self that it was there. A movement from beside her caught her attention but she didn't look at Lobo as he took a step closer to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder as if to lend her his strength but she didn't need it. She smiled to her self under her black mask. He was very concerned that the incident had caused her to loose her mind. 'Indeed!'she snorted then put a reassuring hand on his to comfort him. 'Insane? Never! More cold hearted? Yes. Just like her mate.' After this night none of them would need to worry about her again.
She stiffened when she saw the signal light from the edge of the mansion. All the guards were taken care of, it was time. Mechanically she walked over to where Kagura and Lobo were waiting on one of Kagura's feathers. This form of travel was old fashion but served the purpose of surprise well enough. They landed soundlessly on top of the house. With hand signals they three split up to begin their search. The only thing that worried Natai at this point was if Kagura were to decide to take it upon herself to kill him instead but then she was looking for a dark headed human. If she knew Sesshomaru he liked to relax when he rested and would be back in his normal human form with long silky white hair, strong body and angelic face. Her heart sent another painful shock through her veins. She stumbled slightly from the stress of the attack but regathered her self quickly. All she had to do was hold it together until she found him, then it would just take a matter of seconds and it would all be over with.
Silently she scaled down the vines on the south side until she reached a ledge where she could securely stop. Breathing shakily she concentrated just enough to focus on his life force then shut it off again. There he was only two balconies away. Looking down she could see the gardens below. Of course he would have his bedroom above the gardens he loved flowers. As smooth as a shadow she slid along the ledge until she reached the first balcony. As quiet as a whisper she glided across it to the rail unconcerned with the occupants with in the room. Once again she crossed on the protruding ledge thanking the heavens that architects like conformity in their designs. It made her job so much easier in times like this.
Just as she reached the desired balcony she heard Kagura's shrill voice on the earphone set. Quickly Natai clamped her hand over the ear piece to keep any unwanted sounds from escaping. The woman was only doing her job and confirming her location but still she could have been a bit quieter. Lobo followed with his confirmation that he was in the west hall.
"South side balcony above the gardens." She whispered so low she almost couldn't hear herself. Screw them if they didn't hear her. Nothing else was said so they must have heard. "South eastern bed chambers has innocents come back." She whispered and waited until she heard two voices reply "Acknowledged." Smiling she turned her attention back to the balcony door and found it had been left open. 'You and your fresh air are going to be the death of you.' She mused to herself as she slipped into the room. Slowly she turned around until she saw the bed. Large four post western style. 'Looks comfy.' She thought as she carefully picked her way across the carpeted floor in the dim light.
The closer she got the more she could make out the raised forms in the bed. She hesitated at the end and stared at the two lumps. Her hands fisted closed then open several times while she fought with the pain that serged through her veins. Swallowing hard she forced her feet to walk around to the larger lump. Light from the moon cast across the bed giving off just enough light she could see them more clearly now. The one was definitely a female. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the usurper that had taken him from her. 'Maybe she should kill her first for revenge?' She shook her head to clear the insane thoughts from her clouded mind. 'No! It wasn't her fault. He is to blame. Naraku had said so. It was him that used me then threw me away like garbage.' Her cold hateful eyes refocused on the still form of the man in the bed.
Just as she thought, he was in his usual human form. The covers had been pushed to the side and he lay on his back revealing his lean muscular chest. One arm rested on the pillow above his head while the other rested comfortably between him and his 'new bitch'. She had to suppress a snort at the thought. His silvery white hair glittered in the moon light like strands of fine silk. She so wanted to run her fingers through that silky substance one last time. Cautiously she climbed on the bed. Her movements were so slow and gradual that it seemed to take hours to crawl from his feet up to where she was now straddling his hips with a leg on each side of him. The time was actually only a matter of minutes but the stress of this action was trying on her every muscle. At any moment he could wake and kill her not even realizing who she was. She covered her scent and aura on purpose to keep him from being aware of her presence.
Careful not to make any noise she pulled the dirk free of it's sheath with one hand while she watched the two sleeping people for any signs of wakefulness. Painfully slow she raised up on her knees while holding the dirk between his and her bodies so that one quick thrust would drive the instrument of death through both their hearts at the same time. The glitter of the moon light played across his hair caught her eyes. Again she felt the need to feel the silky softness of it. Her eyes darted to his peaceful face. 'The face of an Angel.' She thought while suppressing the urge to run her fingers along the strips on his cheeks. Shoving the nervousness down she laid the dirk on the bed next to her right knee then focused on the one thing she wanted before this all came to an end.
Putting her weight on her knees she hovered over his chest as she reached for a strand of hair that was loose enough she could touch it with out waking him. She looked into his sleeping face and listened to his breathing before she took her glove off and ran her fingers through those strands. It was as soft as she remembered. At that point her heart gave way to the dam of emotions that she had locked inside. All the penned up anger and hate left her to be only replaced by a sadness so deep she could not fathom how to control it. Her shaking hand moved on it's own to his elven like ears and softly ran along the edge from tip to back. He moan but didn't open his eyes. She stiffened when she felt his hand on her hip but she couldn't stop. Her eyes became blurry with tears that were left unshed. She blinked trying to stop them to no avail. One slid from her eye and dropped on his cheek.
The first sensation was like a dream. It was like his heart was reaching out for someone lost in the darkness. Then it was gone. With in moments his instincts died down and his body relaxed to that state of half sleep half wakefulness as he calmed. He began to slip into a deeper sleep. A wonderful smell filled his mind. One that he remembered from somewhere but it felt distant. Then that sensation came back stronger, more direct. This time it was not going away so he reached out with his senses to grasp it. The familiarity of it was confusing but felt right. There was hurt, a lot of pain but most of all a deep sadness struggled for control. The closeness of the sensation was almost overwhelming his senses but he welcomed it with his heart wide open. Physical contact was the last thing that he expected but that sensation became a seductive physical action. First his hair was being stroked then it played with his ear. 'What sort of dream felt so real?'
He couldn't resist reaching out and touching it. It felt much like a well shaped bottom but in a dream it didn't mater did it? That scent it was more then familiar it was a part of him, he knew that much. The warmth of something wet hit his cheek just as the state of half sleep left him. Realization seeped into his mind as fingers gently wiped the liquid from his cheek only to be followed by another. A gasping sob came to his ears so soft he almost didn't hear it. This was not a dream. 'She' was here. Broken heart and all she came to him. Slowly he opened his eyes to find watery clear blue ones looking back at him. "Natai?" He whispered. Another contained sob was his reply as she shook her head and looked away. Tears steamed down from her eyes into the black mask that covered most of her face.
Hesitantly he placed a hand on her cheek hoping beyond hope that she would respond. When she rubbed her cheek into his hand his heart almost soared out of his chest. His other hand slipped from where it had been resting on her thigh to the bed beside her right knee and he felt the cold metal object resting there. His fingers slid cautiously over the cool surface to determine what it was but soon it registered in his mind exactly what he had his fingers on. Setting up slowly he looked down at it and his eyes became wide with surprise. The dirk was something out of a dark story beyond the imagination of real life. But yet here it was setting next to him on the bed waiting to be used.
She didn't seem to notice his discovery since her face was turned the other way and her eyes were still closed. It suddenly occurred to him that she was there to finish the assignment she had been given originally which in turn had made it possible for them to reunite. But yet here she was a sobbing mess much like she had been all those years ago before he had lost her in the beginning. A scared woman-child that had no one to turn to. His heart melted his thick icy blood that kept his emotion in check. Slowly his fingers worked at the material that kept him from seeing her face. She looked back into his eyes as he pulled the final piece free from the hood. They looked at each other for long moments while his fingers traced over the features of her face. His thumb wiped at the tear stained cheeks.
A shaky hand that had been clutching the material over her heart stretched small fingers out to touch his lips with gentleness only she had. Her eyes stared into his with a desperate longing that ripped at his soul. He had caused this in her. This great sadness and despair was a mirror to the soul he had shattered with his selfishness. It was her soul and the other half of his. 'How could I be so stupid?' He asked himself again for the hundredth time. On impulse he leaned closer and kissed the tears that ran down her face. He brought his other hand up and held her face in both hands as he placed butterfly kisses on each eye lid then her nose. He leaned back a little and studied her lips for only a second before he pulled her closer and brushed his lips to hers in a chastised kiss. Little by little she leaned more into him with her hands bracing her weight on his chest. His hand slid to the back of her neck holding her closer to deepen the kiss. He wanted desperately to show her the passion he had in his heart. She began to respond by sliding her hands up to his neck when they both heard the voice of a man.
Startled she pulled away from his grasp her eyes as big as saucers. She clasped a hand over her ear and whispered "Yes I am here." She looked back at him with fear in her eyes. He started to say something but she placed her fingers over his mouth to stop him. "I am fine. Just had to get my composure." She swallowed the lump in her throat as she stared into his eyes. Blinking a couple of times she glanced over to the woman that was in bed with him then back at him. "No he is not here. Second bed chamber has innocents. Come back." She said as she stared into his golden eyes. Again he tried to say something but she held her hand over his whole mouth this time while she listened to the voice on the ear piece. Quickly she slid from her perch on his lap and walked over to the open balcony door. There she waved then stepped back into the darker shadows so who ever was outside could not see her inside anymore.
Her head hung as if defeated. Slowly she walked back to the bed side where he sat waiting patiently for her. He lifted her chin with his fingers and stared into her eyes that were now filled with sadness. No words needed to be said between them as she flung herself into his arms kissing him with more passion and love then he had ever felt. Just as suddenly she pulled away and grabbed the dirk from the bed. This she placed back in it's sheath then looked back at him. She placed a hand over the mike of her communication piece.
"Stay here and don't leave your room for your own safety." She turned to leave but Sesshomaru grabbed her arm.
"Don't leave." He whispered. His voice had never sounded so desperate to her before she had to look at him at least once more. "I should have been there that day but... I don't want to loose you again." He pleaded holding her hand in his. She looked from him to the sleeping woman on the bed next to him.
"You already did." She felt his hand slip away in defeat but before she stepped back into the door way to leave she looked at him with her hand still over the mike for privacy. "She is pretty." With that she dashed out the door with out a sound. Sesshomaru stared at the open door. The pain in his heart made him want to howl but he knew that would endanger all of them with in the mansion. So lost in his pain he didn't even notice the shifting of weight on the bed.
"That was her wasn't it?" Rita asked softly as she placed a soothing hand on his shoulder. All he could do was nod. He wanted release from the torment of his mistake. Loving her had never been a mistake but maybe her loving him in return was. Her life was in shambles and it was his fault. His body and mind were tired of it all. He simply went limp and leaned into Rita's embrace. She held his head against her bosom as a mother would a child stroking his head soothingly. For the second time in his life since his mother died he cried and both times were due to losing her.
Inuyasha woke with a start. All his senses were on guard and the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. He took a deep breath to see if he could smell anything. The faint scent of wolf reached his sensitive nose and that of another that he didn't recognize. As quietly as he could he pushed the covers off his body to get up. He turned and looked at Kagome's slumbering form before putting a foot on the carpet. Noiselessly he padded over to the door and opened it just a crack so he could see out into the hall. Everything was dark with no sounds at all. Again he took a deep breath to see if maybe he was just imagining something but he still could smell the wolf and the other. The scents were faint enough he was sure they were way down the hall on the other side of the building but that was still too close for him to feel comfortable. Looking back at Kagome one more time to be sure she was still asleep he slipped out into the hallway shadows to investigate.
Carefully Inuyasha crept down the hall using the shadows when he could. There was more then once he wished he didn't have white hair. It was times like this when it was easy to see him in the dark that he regretted it. He stopped for a second across the hall from Miroku's room contemplating if he should check on them or not but decided that if it didn't smell like blood then he and Sango were alright. Again he looked intently down the hall toward the west wing of the mansion. The smell was stronger now but still indicated that who ever was still far enough away they have not detected him yet. He was almost to the steps that lead down to the entry hall when he heard muffled voices arguing then the first shot rang out shortly followed by the alarm causing all hell to start. Instantly he was caught between duty and the desire to guard his mate. He choose his mate and made a mad dash back to his room to make sure she was alright.
As soon her feet touched the ground, Natai collapsed in a sobbing heap. She could barely hear Naraku talking to her trying once again to calm her down enough for her to continue. In her mind she couldn't comprehend what to do. She was so lost it felt as if her soul had finally left her with nothing more then a useless husk of skin. Naraku's voice raise an octave trying to be more forceful to get her to listen to him.
"Natai! Listen to me before you get yourself killed. Calm down and tell me what happened." He almost screamed through the mike.
"I can't....I ... I can't do this. Please Naraku don't make me do this." She pleaded sobs catching in her throat. "I want to go home, Naraku please." She begged setting on her knees holding her stomach. She couldn't see the look on his face but knew he was not happy with her breakdown.
"All of you turn off your communication devices for approximately five minutes. All accept Natai." There was a period of silence then he added. "That includes you Kagura." A definite hmf was heard then the line was clear. The silence was making her more nervous. "Natai?" His smooth calm voice tickled her senses like an addiction. He didn't say anything waiting for her to reply. He always waited for her to acknowledge him.
"Yes." Her voice was shaking as she struggled to regain her composure.
"Have I ever told you something that got you hurt?" His voice was gentle and soft. She knew he didn't want the others to hear him talk like this. It would show weakness and he couldn't afford for them to think he was weak.
"Not really." She replied setting cross legged now staring out into darkness.
"Then you have to listen now. Go in there and finish your job. I promise that it will be your last but I need you Natai. None of the others will do it right. You have to go in there and finish what you started." She could hear the control he was using in his voice now. He was really pissed off at her. She swallowed hard. Her mind ran through all the scenarios she had thought of before. She could easily take the dagger and finish all this torment that gripped her heart. But she couldn't do it.
"I..I'm tired Naraku. I want to go home and stop killing like this. Please I will do anything you want just don't make me kill anymore." She pleaded softly.
"I understand sweetheart but I need this done tonight. We may not get another chance. Do it for me Natai. Do it for revenge."He cooed at her.
"I can't he isn't here. Iyoutai isn't here." She replied quickly but as calmly as she could. There was an unbearable silence after she said that
"Who is in there Natai? Why are you so upset?" His voice held a cold edge to it. She shivered trying to avoid answering him directly.
"N--no one." She whimpered weakly. He knew the answer but wanted her to say it. Anger was beginning to build in his cold heart.
"Is it your mate Natai?" Silence. "Answer me damn it. Its him isn't it." Naraku hissed. All he heard was her sob and knew his suspicions were correct. "Shit!" He all but exploded verbally. "What connections does he have with Iyoutai? Tell me or I will put the mark on him." This new threat brought her out of her self induced stupor.
"No Naraku, please don't. Nothing, he isn't anything more then acquaintances. Please Iyoutai isn't here can we go now. There will be another time. I will work really hard to get another chance please Naraku I have to leave here." She sobbed. About that moment a gun shot could be heard. "Oh gods no." She bolted up and ran toward the sound.
"Natai don't go back in there come here now!" Naraku ordered. His whole plan was falling apart and it was because of that worthless mate of her's. If he found out who it was then they would die just for the inconvenience of this night let alone for the way Natai was acting.
It was way past the five minute mark but Lobo had taken Kagura's head set from her so she couldn't listen in on the conversation. He really didn't care how much she ranted and raved but if she didn't stop soon she would awaken someone and get them all caught. Unfortunately his assumption was correct when a someone took a pot shot at them from the door leading to the servant quarters. The bullet barely missed hitting Lobo in the head. He grabbed Kagura and ducked behind cover. He immediately dropped her head set and pulled out his gun. He looked around frantically to shoot back but couldn't see exactly where it was coming from. Then he saw a flash of white up on the walk of the second floor not far from the stairs so he shot at that.
Inuyasha ducked behind the support beam. The bullet had grazed his shoulder but nothing much. He growled wishing he had a weapon so he could shoot back but if he moved he would not make it very far before they picked him off. Then a thought crossed his mind, 'if Kagome woke up she would come to see what the commotion was and get hurt'. He could not let that happen so taking in a deep breath he darted down the hall toward his room as fast as he could praying it would be fast enough.
Another shot from the servant's quarters got Lobo's attention away from the fleeing form up the stairs. He fired in that direction while at the same time trying to convey to Naraku just what had happened. Kagura stood frozen in disbelief at the turn of events but soon came back to reality when she heard Lobo growl as he spoke into his mike. She quickly picked hers from off the floor where he had dropped it just in time to hear him tell Naraku that it was her fault due to her big mouth. The hiss from Naraku was enough to tell her that she was in deep for this mistake and sleeping with him would not get her out of it this time.
"Natai entered through the garden entrance. Find her and get the hell out the front. Hiten, Maten and I will hold off anyone following. I will deal with Kagura later." His voice was more then calm. It was down right colder then ice. Lobo looked at her with an evil grin.
"It's about time you got yours bitch." He chuckled then fired repeatedly at the servant's as he dashed across to where he thought he could find the garden entrance. Kagura's mouth fell open and closed as she fumed over his words. A near miss by a bullet caught her attention and she was forced to dart after him. She ran into the door he had went into just as he contacted Naraku on the mike again.
"I found the garden doors open but she isn't in here. I can't smell her so she is camouflaging her scent." Lobo's voice was stressed a bit but you couldn't tell anything from his cool expression.
"Forget her then, she can take care of herself. Get to the front we are half way down the drive." Naraku answered with that still calm voice. Kagura started when she heard a muffled 'fucking bitch' come from the ear piece and she looked at Lobo as he looked at her. Both could see the question in the other's eyes but didn't voice it.
"Let's go." Lobo whispered soberly not sure if the statement was referring to Natai or Kagura. She followed him without protest darting past him out the front while he fired at the servants that had gained some courage during their absence from the outer room. Once outside they used miscellaneous bushes, trees or statues for cover as they worked their way down the drive toward the front gates. Other shots zipped by them from different directions telling them that more servants and guards had joined in the assault. A sudden crack of lightening split a tree where one of the guards had perched frying both the tree and the man. Lobo looked up and saw Hiten nod at him. Kagura took this opportunity to sprint to where Naraku waited to grab her chosen weapon.
After the first shot split the air Miroku was up and grabbing his pants. Sango clutched the sheets in complete confusion then reality sunk in when more gun shots filled the air. She quickly grabbed a robe and followed Miroku out the hall door with her own gun. They found Inuyasha in his room trying to calm a hysterical Kagome who was trying to warp a piece of cloth around his bleeding shoulder.
"What is going on?" Miroku looked from Inuyasha's shoulder then back at his face.
"We are under attack. Or are you too stupid to recognize gun fire?" Inuyasha replied sarcastically.
"No duh ass hole!" Miroku snapped back irritably. Sango and Kagome looked at Miroku in shock since he had never lost his temperature in front of them before. "What?" His eyes were blazing from the aggravation. They both looked away quickly as if nothing had happened. Sango handed strips of cloth to Kagome while she continued to wrap Inuyasha's wound. Taking a deep breath Miroku calmed himself to ask again. "Inuyasha, I was asking if you knew what we should do?" He said with more control.
"I don't know for sure. I looked in Sessh's room but he wasn't there. Only a very upset and scared Rita. She mumbled something about 'he went to look for her' then started to cry. We should probably go try to find him but first we need to secure the building. I can hear more gun fire outside so we will probably find him there. But who was Rita talking about?" Inuyasha could tell the others were as clueless as he was. His eyes met Kagome's but she had a strange distant look. He was about to reach out to her when they focused again.
"My god, I haven't felt that much youkai ki before. There is a powerful youkai somewhere in that direction." She pointed toward the front of the house.
"Are you sure it is only one Kagome?" Sango asked anxiously.
"There are others but only one that stands out with that much energy." She replied calmly. Too calmly for Inuyasha. He looked at his mate strangely wondering just how powerful she was. Sure he knew she was a miko but he knew of only one in history that could feel ki from a great distance and she had died many hundred years ago. There was no time to contemplate it further as his mate and the others headed for the door. This new information he stored in his memory to ask her about later and he dashed after them grabbing his gun and sword from the dresser as he passed.
They stopped by Sesshomaru's room but found he and Rita were both missing now. There was no time to look for them at this point. The explosions coming from the front of the house were enough to let them know where the action was and Inuyasha knew that was where they would find his brother. They could only hope to find Rita there as well. Carefully they advanced toward the stairs that led down to the main floor. When they reached an area where they could see down they saw servants and guards shooting out the front door. They quickly ran down the stairs to help. The door to the study was open so Inuyasha detoured them into that room where they could get access to the front of the house via the french doors that opened out to a walk that ran around the house to the back but was level with the entrance to the mansion its self. They found Sesshomaru there using a green poison whip and the power of his sword, Toukijin.
Massive blasts of energy were coming out of the darkness just beyond the lights of the house. All other lights that were usually lighting up the front lawn and drive had been shut down somehow. Inuyasha watched as Sesshomaru used the power of Toukijin to divert another blast only to have more follow quickly after. He jumped to his brothers side and used Tetsusaiga to deflect the next one. In one fluid motion they joined the energy of the swords and sent a blast of their own out toward the direction of the last blast. A scream of pain was heard from the dark that was soon followed by a large mass of flesh that fell just inside the range of the lights. It soon became evident that it was a demon unlike any that Kagome had encountered so far. Kagome and Sango stood in awe of the massive power being exhibited by both sides. A roar of anguish filled the air that caused everyone to stop firing their weapons to see where it had come from.
From out of the darkness another demon appeared. His long braid flowed in the breezed created from the round wheels that seemed to be his source of levitation. The blood red eyes on his handsome face were focused on the large demon that had fallen to his death. Slowly he kneeled next to the lifeless body and placed a tender hand on it's massive bald head. Another scream of rage escaped his body as tears flowed freely down his face. His demeanor became cold and hate filled his eyes as he wiped the tears away. He turned toward the brothers glaring hotly.
"I am Hiten. Last of the Thunder Brothers and you will pay for killing my brother." He roared and shot a bolt of lightening at the people on the landing as he flew back into the air to continue his attacks. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were hard pressed to get Kagome, Sango and Miroku out of the way to avoid the blast but managed to dive away just in time.