Disclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha or any of its characters. Any original characters mentioned in this fiction are of my creation and are not to be used in other fics unless you ask me first. Those characters are Suya, Rossel, and Ryna.
Warning! Warning! OOC Sesshoumaru in this chapter!
Voting Update:
Inu/Kagome:12
Sesshoumaru/Kagome:14
Sesshoumaru is still in the lead. Keep voting people! If you want an Inu/Kagome romance than keep voting for them.
I need feedback people! Please leave a review with your votes so that I know if I'm doing something wrong. I need your opinions to keep me going. Oh, and could somebody please tell me the correct spelling for the healing sword Sesshoumaru has and Inu-Yasha's sword. I'd really appreciate it.
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Ch. 11: The confrontation/Identity Revealed
(Inu-Yasha)
Inu-Yasha sat in silence. He had sent Kagome home just half an hour ago to protect her from what he knew would come. His brother would come for her. That couldn't be allowed so he'd sent her to the only place he knew for certain that she'd be safe. Her time.
Though she had practically begged to stay with him he had insisted she go to her time and that she stayed there until he came to get her.
Now all that remained was the waiting and the fight to come. He knew he'd have to fight Sesshoumaru for Kagome. It was the only way he could keep her with him.
Inu-Yasha knew his half brother was close even before the distinct scent of the powerful lord reached him. The pure, unchecked fury Sesshoumaru was directing at him completely screamed the youkai's presence. The hanyou was well aware of his older brother's presence by the time the youkai lord came into view.
The sight that met his amber eyes was not at all what he had been expecting. He had been waiting for his calm, non-emotional half brother not this emotional wreck of a youkai now before him. This fierce, raging creature could not possibly be Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands, yet he was. The calculating killer he could handle, but not a fully-grown, furious, dog youkai. The normally cold look that appeared in Sesshoumaru's eyes was now replaced by a righteous fury that made his amber eyes seem almost golden. His usually neatly kept hair was wild and the fur on his tail bristled with indignation and anger. The calm aura normally associated with Sesshoumaru was now in chaotic turmoil. The ragged breathing and drawn sword completed his brother's total look of lost composure.
Inu-Yasha could tell that his brother was frazzled beyond the limits of his calm demeanor. Sesshoumaru had never been in such a state before. What surprised him the most, though, was that Sesshoumaru had yet to detect his presence.
Jumping down from his tree branch and landing in front of his half brother Inu-Yasha said, "Looking for someone, Sesshoumaru?"
The hanyou's words had barely faded from the air when Sesshoumaru slammed him into a tree.
After letting an angry roar like sound out at the surprised hanyou he said, "Where is she?!"
Inu-Yasha grabbed his brother's arm and said, "Somewhere safe from you!"
Then he threw the youkai lord away from him and into a grove of trees.
A fierce growl rang through the air then silver blur came flying through the air towards Inu-Yasha. The sound of metal against metal fills the once still afternoon air.
Two powerful beings; one a half-grown hanyou and one a full-grown youkai lord, were about to clash. Two swords were drawn. This battle would decide the fate of one human miko.
(Kagome)
She'd tried to stay in her time, she really had, but something told her that she was needed in the past. She could hear a faint screaming in her head. It sounded oddly like a vexed Inu-Yasha or maybe an irritated Sesshoumaru. The closer to the well Kagome came the louder and clearer the voice became.
It didn't take her long to distinguish the voice as belonging to the long dead father of her hanyou protector and his nonchalant half brother.
When she had reached the lip of the well the all-to-familiar voice said, *Thank the gods you heard me! There is still time! You must stop this senseless battle before it destroys one or both of them. The healing sword Tensugia and the fighter's sword Tetsuiguia were not made to be used against one another! I'm begging you miko, please stop them. I don't want to loose either of my sons. They hear me, but do not heed my words. Please make them stop. *
Kagome leaned against the well and said, "How do I stop them? The effectiveness of the subduing spell is chancy at the most."
A soft sigh was heard before he said, *Subdue both of them then speak to them. They will both listen to you. Don't worry I won't allow harm to come to you. *
Sitting on the lip of the well she said, "I trust you so I'll go, but if either of them come at me I'll find a way to harm you."
A chuckle rang in the air, but the voice did not return.
Taking that as her cue Kagome jumped into the well then climbed back up using the vines. The loud crashing of metal against metal sent a fearful chill through her body and made her heart leap into her throat. She definatly needed to stop this.
She had expected an indifferent youkai and her valiant hanyou protector, not these two out of control forces of nature. She was used to their battles for the sword, not this unrestrained fight over her.
Both of them had numerous wounds. Luckily they were only flesh wounds and would heal within the hour.
Pulling herself to hide behind the well Kagome watched the two brothers as they fought. It was apparent that Sesshoumaru had the advantage with his superior height, weight, and skill. Inu-Yasha was cunning and strong, but this battle would be difficult on him. She watched in silence as they swiped, dodged, and countered one another in rising ferocity.
A loud yip of pain brought her attention to Inu-Yasha just as his feet were swiped out from under him. Blood pooled around him from a deep gash in his side. Kagome was about to intervene when Inu-Yasha suddenly brought his sword up and stabbed Sesshoumaru in the chest.
Kagome's blood ran cold as the powerful lord staggered three steps then collapsed on the ground, unconscious.
Inu-Yasha slowly climbed to his feet and was about to finish the older youkai when Kagome came back to her senses and yelled, "Don't kill him, Inu-Yasha!"
The hanyou's amber gaze came up to her as he said, "Oi, Kagome, what are you doing back here?! I told you not to come back until I came for you! Leave now, this is not something you should see!"
Kagome ran over to the injured hanyou, looked him directly in his tired eyes, and said, "Don't kill him. Please, Inu-Yasha, you can't do this. You can't kill your own brother even if he is your enemy."
The hanyou looked at her as if she was crazy. Why would she save the life of his enemy?
(Sesshoumaru)
Pain was all he registered. It saturated every particle of his being. Yet he was still alive. As hard as it was to fight off the darkness that had claimed him, he knew he had to open his eyes. Immense pain racked his body as he slowly opened his amber eyes. The female he had come for was standing on the other side of his half brother.
Her voice was low, but he could tell that she was pleading with Inu-Yasha for his life. The way she kept glancing over her shoulder at him was proof of that.
Her long hair was free and flowed around her shoulders in a ripple of ebony beauty. Her clothes surprised him. This was no demure feudal lady, but a head strong, independent, young woman. Everything from her form fitting black pants to her gray tube top spoke of her defiance.
She was a world apart from every other female he knew.
It was then that Inu-Yasha saw that he was awake. With a fierce growl he lunged at the fallen lord and raised his sword for the killing blow.
Sesshoumaru could hear the female yelling at his half brother, begging him to stop.
Before the hanyou reached him the female squared her shoulders and yelled out, "That's it! Inu-Yasha, SIT!"
THUMP! The hanyou hit the ground. Yet the subduing spell had not harmed.
Gathering his strength Sesshoumaru said, "Why did you save me? I've caused you nothing but grief."
The female knelt before him, her eyes on his wound, and said, "I told you before, Sesshoumaru, to me all life is precious. No matter what a person has done or how they have lived, their life is important. You have two worried friends and a little girl at home that expect you to return. Your brother doesn't see that. I look at you and I see the youkai that cares deeply for a human child. I remember what I saw in your castle. Rin is waiting on you, and that is enough reason for me."
Before he could say anything the female was forced away from him. The subduing spell had worn off.
Since he couldn't move to see what was happening he had to rely on his hearing. Upon hearing the sound of a sword being drawn he prepared himself for death. He would go down fighting like a true warrior if he could manage to stand in time. He was mortally wounded and nothing short of a miracle would save him now. Thus a miracle is precisely what he got.
He heard soft footsteps then he felt the subtle presence of the female at his side. In a pure fluid movement she grabbed the Tetsuiguia from its scabbard, swung her body around to face Inu-Yasha, and skillfully blocked the blow that would surely have killed him. (AN: Kagome has been around Inu-Yasha so long that she picked up sword fighting.)
His amber eyes were wide with surprise. Forcing himself to endure the pain he sat himself up against a boulder and stared openly at the young female. Her position spoke of her skill with a blade. One of her legs touched the ground at the knee while the foot of the other pushed against the ground to gain leverage.
His half brother could not hope to over power her as long steady defensive stance. The Tetsuiguia was no longer transformed since it wasn't made to harm humans. This helped even the odds somewhat. The hanyou's arms were shaking with the force he was using to break her defense. She was using the hanyou's own strength against him.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened, as he saw what his brother did not. The hand that pressed against the flat of Tensugia's blade was bleeding. The healing sword had caused harm.
'This is the reason Tetsuiguia and Tensugia were never supposed to be used against one another! When used to fight in the same battle the Tensugia becomes a lethal weapon. I must get up! Her blood should not be staining my sword!'
Though weak from blood loss and practically helpless Sesshoumaru managed to bring himself to his feet. His stance was set wide in attempt to stay on his feet, but it did little to balance him. The sound of metal against metal followed by a thump sound made him glace at the female once more. She had managed to overbalance Inu-Yasha and had sent the hanyou sprawling.
She met his gaze for a fleeting moment then walked over to stand at his side. His momentary relief of her well being turned to severe concern as his eyes strayed to the blood running down her arm from a deep gash on the palm of her hand.
With gentleness not usually in his possession Sesshoumaru wrapped one of his long fingered hands around the wrist of her injured hand and brought it closer so he could examine her hand.
His voice was soft as he said, "You got hurt protecting me."
She nodded then said, "It isn't bad. I've had worse and lived."
Then changing the subject she said, "This senseless battle has to stop."
"Yes, I see that now, but how? I came to bring you home and Inu-Yasha is intent on keeping you."
"You can't fight anymore. Not with this injury. Let me handle Inu-Yasha. He'll listen to me if he knows what's good for him."
His concerned amber eyes locked with her determined blue ones as he said, "But.... you'll get hurt again."
She gently shook her head and said, "He won't hurt me, Sesshoumaru. You have to trust me."
She paused, turned to look at Inu-Yasha, and said, "SIT!"
THUMP!
Then she turned back to the youkai lord and said, "Believe my words. I will be fine."
Sesshoumaru let his hand drop from her wrist then brought it up to rest on her shoulder for balance. It was starting to be a struggle to simply remain on his feet. He was brought out of his thoughts when he felt the female move.
He looked down just in time to see her pres one small hand to the wound in his chest. A sharp stab of pain nearly made him cry out, but he managed to turn it into a grimace just in time.
"What are you doing?"
Dark blue eyes focused on him as she said, "Putting pressure to this wound. I don't want you to bleed to death."
As she spoke Sesshoumaru's hand came up without him realizing it to cover hers where it pressed against his chest. He found that he didn't mind her touch as much as he should have. Nobody had really cared about his life and well being since his mother had died. Yet a fragile human female was defying everyone to keep him alive.
He knew this young woman better than he had any right to. She was an angel brought into this world of darkness and death to return feeling to a youkai lord's frozen heart. Someone like him had no right to be near someone like her.
He was brought out of his thoughts when Inu-Yasha's voice rang out in the afternoon air. "Oi, Kagome, get away from him! What has gotten into you today?! Sesshoumaru can rip you to shreads easily! Get away while he's too weak to hurt you!"
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Please read and review.
Warning! Warning! OOC Sesshoumaru in this chapter!
Voting Update:
Inu/Kagome:12
Sesshoumaru/Kagome:14
Sesshoumaru is still in the lead. Keep voting people! If you want an Inu/Kagome romance than keep voting for them.
I need feedback people! Please leave a review with your votes so that I know if I'm doing something wrong. I need your opinions to keep me going. Oh, and could somebody please tell me the correct spelling for the healing sword Sesshoumaru has and Inu-Yasha's sword. I'd really appreciate it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ch. 11: The confrontation/Identity Revealed
(Inu-Yasha)
Inu-Yasha sat in silence. He had sent Kagome home just half an hour ago to protect her from what he knew would come. His brother would come for her. That couldn't be allowed so he'd sent her to the only place he knew for certain that she'd be safe. Her time.
Though she had practically begged to stay with him he had insisted she go to her time and that she stayed there until he came to get her.
Now all that remained was the waiting and the fight to come. He knew he'd have to fight Sesshoumaru for Kagome. It was the only way he could keep her with him.
Inu-Yasha knew his half brother was close even before the distinct scent of the powerful lord reached him. The pure, unchecked fury Sesshoumaru was directing at him completely screamed the youkai's presence. The hanyou was well aware of his older brother's presence by the time the youkai lord came into view.
The sight that met his amber eyes was not at all what he had been expecting. He had been waiting for his calm, non-emotional half brother not this emotional wreck of a youkai now before him. This fierce, raging creature could not possibly be Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands, yet he was. The calculating killer he could handle, but not a fully-grown, furious, dog youkai. The normally cold look that appeared in Sesshoumaru's eyes was now replaced by a righteous fury that made his amber eyes seem almost golden. His usually neatly kept hair was wild and the fur on his tail bristled with indignation and anger. The calm aura normally associated with Sesshoumaru was now in chaotic turmoil. The ragged breathing and drawn sword completed his brother's total look of lost composure.
Inu-Yasha could tell that his brother was frazzled beyond the limits of his calm demeanor. Sesshoumaru had never been in such a state before. What surprised him the most, though, was that Sesshoumaru had yet to detect his presence.
Jumping down from his tree branch and landing in front of his half brother Inu-Yasha said, "Looking for someone, Sesshoumaru?"
The hanyou's words had barely faded from the air when Sesshoumaru slammed him into a tree.
After letting an angry roar like sound out at the surprised hanyou he said, "Where is she?!"
Inu-Yasha grabbed his brother's arm and said, "Somewhere safe from you!"
Then he threw the youkai lord away from him and into a grove of trees.
A fierce growl rang through the air then silver blur came flying through the air towards Inu-Yasha. The sound of metal against metal fills the once still afternoon air.
Two powerful beings; one a half-grown hanyou and one a full-grown youkai lord, were about to clash. Two swords were drawn. This battle would decide the fate of one human miko.
(Kagome)
She'd tried to stay in her time, she really had, but something told her that she was needed in the past. She could hear a faint screaming in her head. It sounded oddly like a vexed Inu-Yasha or maybe an irritated Sesshoumaru. The closer to the well Kagome came the louder and clearer the voice became.
It didn't take her long to distinguish the voice as belonging to the long dead father of her hanyou protector and his nonchalant half brother.
When she had reached the lip of the well the all-to-familiar voice said, *Thank the gods you heard me! There is still time! You must stop this senseless battle before it destroys one or both of them. The healing sword Tensugia and the fighter's sword Tetsuiguia were not made to be used against one another! I'm begging you miko, please stop them. I don't want to loose either of my sons. They hear me, but do not heed my words. Please make them stop. *
Kagome leaned against the well and said, "How do I stop them? The effectiveness of the subduing spell is chancy at the most."
A soft sigh was heard before he said, *Subdue both of them then speak to them. They will both listen to you. Don't worry I won't allow harm to come to you. *
Sitting on the lip of the well she said, "I trust you so I'll go, but if either of them come at me I'll find a way to harm you."
A chuckle rang in the air, but the voice did not return.
Taking that as her cue Kagome jumped into the well then climbed back up using the vines. The loud crashing of metal against metal sent a fearful chill through her body and made her heart leap into her throat. She definatly needed to stop this.
She had expected an indifferent youkai and her valiant hanyou protector, not these two out of control forces of nature. She was used to their battles for the sword, not this unrestrained fight over her.
Both of them had numerous wounds. Luckily they were only flesh wounds and would heal within the hour.
Pulling herself to hide behind the well Kagome watched the two brothers as they fought. It was apparent that Sesshoumaru had the advantage with his superior height, weight, and skill. Inu-Yasha was cunning and strong, but this battle would be difficult on him. She watched in silence as they swiped, dodged, and countered one another in rising ferocity.
A loud yip of pain brought her attention to Inu-Yasha just as his feet were swiped out from under him. Blood pooled around him from a deep gash in his side. Kagome was about to intervene when Inu-Yasha suddenly brought his sword up and stabbed Sesshoumaru in the chest.
Kagome's blood ran cold as the powerful lord staggered three steps then collapsed on the ground, unconscious.
Inu-Yasha slowly climbed to his feet and was about to finish the older youkai when Kagome came back to her senses and yelled, "Don't kill him, Inu-Yasha!"
The hanyou's amber gaze came up to her as he said, "Oi, Kagome, what are you doing back here?! I told you not to come back until I came for you! Leave now, this is not something you should see!"
Kagome ran over to the injured hanyou, looked him directly in his tired eyes, and said, "Don't kill him. Please, Inu-Yasha, you can't do this. You can't kill your own brother even if he is your enemy."
The hanyou looked at her as if she was crazy. Why would she save the life of his enemy?
(Sesshoumaru)
Pain was all he registered. It saturated every particle of his being. Yet he was still alive. As hard as it was to fight off the darkness that had claimed him, he knew he had to open his eyes. Immense pain racked his body as he slowly opened his amber eyes. The female he had come for was standing on the other side of his half brother.
Her voice was low, but he could tell that she was pleading with Inu-Yasha for his life. The way she kept glancing over her shoulder at him was proof of that.
Her long hair was free and flowed around her shoulders in a ripple of ebony beauty. Her clothes surprised him. This was no demure feudal lady, but a head strong, independent, young woman. Everything from her form fitting black pants to her gray tube top spoke of her defiance.
She was a world apart from every other female he knew.
It was then that Inu-Yasha saw that he was awake. With a fierce growl he lunged at the fallen lord and raised his sword for the killing blow.
Sesshoumaru could hear the female yelling at his half brother, begging him to stop.
Before the hanyou reached him the female squared her shoulders and yelled out, "That's it! Inu-Yasha, SIT!"
THUMP! The hanyou hit the ground. Yet the subduing spell had not harmed.
Gathering his strength Sesshoumaru said, "Why did you save me? I've caused you nothing but grief."
The female knelt before him, her eyes on his wound, and said, "I told you before, Sesshoumaru, to me all life is precious. No matter what a person has done or how they have lived, their life is important. You have two worried friends and a little girl at home that expect you to return. Your brother doesn't see that. I look at you and I see the youkai that cares deeply for a human child. I remember what I saw in your castle. Rin is waiting on you, and that is enough reason for me."
Before he could say anything the female was forced away from him. The subduing spell had worn off.
Since he couldn't move to see what was happening he had to rely on his hearing. Upon hearing the sound of a sword being drawn he prepared himself for death. He would go down fighting like a true warrior if he could manage to stand in time. He was mortally wounded and nothing short of a miracle would save him now. Thus a miracle is precisely what he got.
He heard soft footsteps then he felt the subtle presence of the female at his side. In a pure fluid movement she grabbed the Tetsuiguia from its scabbard, swung her body around to face Inu-Yasha, and skillfully blocked the blow that would surely have killed him. (AN: Kagome has been around Inu-Yasha so long that she picked up sword fighting.)
His amber eyes were wide with surprise. Forcing himself to endure the pain he sat himself up against a boulder and stared openly at the young female. Her position spoke of her skill with a blade. One of her legs touched the ground at the knee while the foot of the other pushed against the ground to gain leverage.
His half brother could not hope to over power her as long steady defensive stance. The Tetsuiguia was no longer transformed since it wasn't made to harm humans. This helped even the odds somewhat. The hanyou's arms were shaking with the force he was using to break her defense. She was using the hanyou's own strength against him.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened, as he saw what his brother did not. The hand that pressed against the flat of Tensugia's blade was bleeding. The healing sword had caused harm.
'This is the reason Tetsuiguia and Tensugia were never supposed to be used against one another! When used to fight in the same battle the Tensugia becomes a lethal weapon. I must get up! Her blood should not be staining my sword!'
Though weak from blood loss and practically helpless Sesshoumaru managed to bring himself to his feet. His stance was set wide in attempt to stay on his feet, but it did little to balance him. The sound of metal against metal followed by a thump sound made him glace at the female once more. She had managed to overbalance Inu-Yasha and had sent the hanyou sprawling.
She met his gaze for a fleeting moment then walked over to stand at his side. His momentary relief of her well being turned to severe concern as his eyes strayed to the blood running down her arm from a deep gash on the palm of her hand.
With gentleness not usually in his possession Sesshoumaru wrapped one of his long fingered hands around the wrist of her injured hand and brought it closer so he could examine her hand.
His voice was soft as he said, "You got hurt protecting me."
She nodded then said, "It isn't bad. I've had worse and lived."
Then changing the subject she said, "This senseless battle has to stop."
"Yes, I see that now, but how? I came to bring you home and Inu-Yasha is intent on keeping you."
"You can't fight anymore. Not with this injury. Let me handle Inu-Yasha. He'll listen to me if he knows what's good for him."
His concerned amber eyes locked with her determined blue ones as he said, "But.... you'll get hurt again."
She gently shook her head and said, "He won't hurt me, Sesshoumaru. You have to trust me."
She paused, turned to look at Inu-Yasha, and said, "SIT!"
THUMP!
Then she turned back to the youkai lord and said, "Believe my words. I will be fine."
Sesshoumaru let his hand drop from her wrist then brought it up to rest on her shoulder for balance. It was starting to be a struggle to simply remain on his feet. He was brought out of his thoughts when he felt the female move.
He looked down just in time to see her pres one small hand to the wound in his chest. A sharp stab of pain nearly made him cry out, but he managed to turn it into a grimace just in time.
"What are you doing?"
Dark blue eyes focused on him as she said, "Putting pressure to this wound. I don't want you to bleed to death."
As she spoke Sesshoumaru's hand came up without him realizing it to cover hers where it pressed against his chest. He found that he didn't mind her touch as much as he should have. Nobody had really cared about his life and well being since his mother had died. Yet a fragile human female was defying everyone to keep him alive.
He knew this young woman better than he had any right to. She was an angel brought into this world of darkness and death to return feeling to a youkai lord's frozen heart. Someone like him had no right to be near someone like her.
He was brought out of his thoughts when Inu-Yasha's voice rang out in the afternoon air. "Oi, Kagome, get away from him! What has gotten into you today?! Sesshoumaru can rip you to shreads easily! Get away while he's too weak to hurt you!"
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Please read and review.