Kagome's heart pounded so hard in her chest that she feared it would burst right out. This new ability was both amazing and frightening. She had a little trouble controlling her distance from the ground and occasionally had to pull up just before crashing. She was scared to fly higher, because that would mean falling farther. It was a long way to the hard ground below.
In between strained focusing she had a chance to take in the scenery. The forest was lovely from the ground, but the canopy of trees decorating lush hills combined with the curving waterways was breathtaking. The wind rushed against her body, whipping her long hair behind her. She flew in the direction that she last seen Kouga run. Kagome really had no idea where he was headed, but felt sure it involved a cave of sorts. That was where his wolf pack usually hung out.
During her search she tried different mid air poses. She put her hands out like she was super girl, then she pulled her legs apart some and moved her arms to stretch out from her sides. Finally she pulled her upper body forward and up to a comfortable angle and placed her hands behind her back, while holding her feet together. This position became the most comfortable so she adopted it as her mainstay.
Traveling through the air proved to be so much faster than walking that Kagome soon had sight of a small mountainside a few kilometers ahead. Her mind was occupied with getting to the frightened little girl, as well as keeping herself aloft. A sudden blast rang out through the open sky, and she found herself falling. With the tree tops closing in fast it took a great deal of focus and energy to pull out of her deadly descent.
She was too close to completely miss the limbs that would surely tear her skin, so without a second thought she unleashed her long claws and swiped the offending branches before they had a chance. She pulled out of the fall, and headed to where she heard the explosion. It could be something else, but chances were pretty good that Sesshomaru had located the pack.
The dust filled the air as rocks slid down the cliffs. Kagome gasped at the sight before her eyes. Many of Kouga's clan lay dead and injured as her mate tore through them like a well controlled predator. The wolves charged bravely at the demon lord trying in vain to defend their position. Sesshomaru cut them down with his powerful whip between blows delivered with Tokijin. She could actually feel his fury, even from the distance she hovered.
Kagome caught sight of Kouga as he charged Sesshomaru once more. His actions were slow, which was not at all like him. She knew the wolf prince was injured pretty badly. The only thing that would bring this to an end was to find Rin. Kagome searched the hillside until she saw Ginta. He was crouched in a battle stance, preparing to face death at the order of his revered leader. Behind him was a small opening.
'That cave has to be it,' she thought. Everyone involved in the raging battle was focused on the enraged taiyoukai. No one saw the angelic figure as she descended toward the cave.
Ginta almost screamed when Kagome landed rather awkwardly in front of him After regaining his composure her pulled back his sword as if to strike her down. It took him a moment to realize who it was that suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Kagome? Is that you?," Ginta asked warily.
"Yes Ginta! It me. Where is Rin?!" There was no time for pleasantries, as Rin was the key to bringing her mate to his senses. Kouga appeared to be close to death as Sesshomaru was just short of destroying the wolf prince.
Ginta turned to the cave and Kagome rushed past him. She found the terrified child sobbing, as she lay curled into a pile of furs. Her heart went out to little girl, and she quickly pulled her tightly into her arms. She held her close and whispered soothing words of comfort as she rubbed her hands over her hair. Rin's sobs began to slow, and Kagome began to rock slowly while humming a slow tune. The sound further helped to ease the child's fright.
"Rin, listen carefully. You are safe now. Nothing can harm you, I promise, but I'm going to have to take you out of this cave so that Lord Sesshomaru can see that your safe. Do you understand?" She made Rin look at her eyes so that what she said would register. She nodded in response and Kagome swiftly swept her up and rushed out of the cave.
Sesshomaru was a couple of levels below completely focused on destroying his enemy. Kagome's heart sank at the devastation that he wrought the wolf pack. Only a handful remained. Even Kouga lay motionless on the ground. She had to draw the attention of her Lord, so she sat Rin carefully down as she calmly told her why. Rin was still afraid, but reluctantly released her hold.
Kagome focused on the ground and felt herself lifting. She dared not move too far away from Rin, but needed a little height to achieve the effect. Once in place she began to pull the energy around her. The air cracked and sparks popped as the energy pulsed. A flash of pale blue light sprang forth from her hands to crush a huge pile of rock just left of the demon lord.
Through possessed red eyes Sesshomaru looked to the nearby explosion. Something registered that no wolf caused it. He glanced up to see his mate hovering just above the cliffs beyond him. His mind was filled with the destruction of the wolves, but her ethereal image brought the thoughts to a halt. He lowered his hands and took in the sight of her.
Sesshomaru watched as she lowered herself and picked up his ward. Without a second thought he flew to her side.
When Rin saw her beloved protector standing beside her she leapt from Kagome's arms to securely envelope the demon lord in a gripping embrace. "I knew you'd come for me Sesshomaru-sama! I knew you wouldn't leave me!," she cried.
Kagome breathed a sigh of relief, and watched as her mate awkwardly took the girl in his arm. Not one for openly showing affection, he looked a little unsure of himself. His obvious relief to have Rin back safely eased his youkai back into it's slumber.
After a short while, he stood and looked down at the destruction left in his wake. Hundreds of fallen wolves lay at the foot of the mountain. 'The fools should not have brought forth the wrath of this Sesshomaru.' He turned back to Kagome who was also looking down upon the carnage. It pained him to see a tear fall from her eye.
Kagome's heart went out to the wolves. They were only following the orders of their leader and their leader did this because of her. It seemed that no matter how hard she tried she always brought misery to those around her. Without hesitation she took to the air then landing beside the limp form of the wolf prince.
She knelt down and spoke her thoughts aloud, "Oh Kouga, you fool. Regardless of your reckless stupidity, I will miss you." She reached out to touch his cheek, and then he moved. Kagome almost thought she'd imagined the shifting of the wolf's body, but breathed a sigh of relief when he opened his eyes.
"Ka...go...me," His voice was riddled with pain, but he was alive.
Kagome looked to her mate as he lighted beside of her, still holding Rin close. When he became aware that Kouga was still drawing breath he began to speak, "Wolf, you brought this on yourself and your clan. This child whom you so selfishly took as your prisoner, once approached this Sesshomaru as he lay injured near her village, with no fear. The ningen filth of the village had beaten her ruthlessly, yet the child still held happiness in her heart. As I rose to take my leave of the place, I discovered her lying dead in the road. She had been mangled by wolves. This Sesshomaru saw fit to bring her soul back from the netherworld. Your foolish actions brought the child face to face with the one and only thing that she fears." With that said he turned and walked calmly away.
Her heart felt heavy. They always knew the girl traveled with the demon lord, and they always wondered why. Nothing seemed stranger to Kagome and her friends than to see the ruthless Lord Sesshomaru traveling with a young human girl. It became an accepted, if not strange, relationship. To hear the reasons behind it made his actions today even more clear to her. She looked down at Kouga.
"I messed up bad, Kagome. I hope one day you will forgive me," the defeat and pain in Kouga's voice made Kagome feel horrible. The tears began to fall, and there was nothing she could do to stop them. "I forgive you Kouga. It's not in my heart to hold a grudge." She stood as Ginta walked slowly up to her. Leaning against him for support was a wounded, but alive, Hakaku.
"I'm, so sorry sister, for all of this," Ginta said sadly.
Kagome hugged him briefly and turned back to Kouga. "Ginta, please see to his wounds. I have to go to Sesshomaru." He nodded his response and she took her leave.