Tranquility

Chapter 8: The Confrontation

When Inuyasha, Kikyou, Sango, Miroku and Kirara finally reached the foregrounds of Sesshoumaru's castle, they were greeted by a strange sight. Sesshoumaru, who had obviously been expecting them stood with a beautiful maiden by his side. They were both simply…standing there, as though the arriving trespassers were going to put on a show. Sesshoumaru was, as always, dressed in his full armor with both the Tenseiga and the Tetsusaiga sheathed at his sides. The girl with him, she wore blood red robes—he just would have his whore wear that color, Inuyasha had thought—with silver patterns on the sleeves and hems that glinted in the sunset. Her hair was pinned up so that long, cascading locks fell down her back, and two bangs hung over her shoulders. She was beautiful though, they all had to admit—Inuyasha actually wondered who she was, and Miroku's eyes glazed over with that familiar lust (at least until Sango promptly hit him over the head). Even Kikyou did not recognize her. It couldn't have been Rin—she was not nearly that old. "What the hell did you do with Kagome!" the Hanyou yelled in his typical angry fashion.

Everything was still—even the birds were not roosting this evening. There was too much tension in the air. Sesshoumaru hated knowing that his brother was on his territory, and hated even more knowing that the hanyou had come all the way here, killing countless demons for his Lady. Kagome was a treasure, yes, and one that he intended to keep for the rest of his life. I thad been a rough few days for him, trying to cope with the fact that his father had been right; that humans were not as bad as they had seemed. He had not wanted to confront that issue even after he had adopted Rin; but his attraction to Kagome had made the dilemma even more obvious and had he not settled things within himself he would have driven himself mad. Kagome was wonderful and he was glad he had set his foolish pride aside to see that. Throughout his travels he had seen the fortitude of the humans that Inuyasha clung to, and one thing was true enough; they were all made of better character than he. If Inuyasha could be so lazy and despicable, certainly it stood as proof that humans and demons both had their lesser and higher ranked groups.

Sesshoumaru casually glanced over at Kagome, who stood expressionless. He almost chuckled at the realization that they did not know who she was. How idiotic. "Nothing," he said to his half brother.

"Where is she? Where the hell is she?" Inuyasha was livid, made even more angry by the fact that everyone else seemed to calm. Sango and Miroku stood at the ready in case anything physical happened; but this was what typically transpired when Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha were in earshot of each other. Sesshoumaru goaded Inuyasha and Inuyasha almost always took the bait. Even Kikyou was silent, pursing her lips until she could figure out what exactly was going on.

It took Kagome to realize that neither Inuyasha—nor anyone else for that matter—had recognized her. That glance from Sesshoumaru had been all it took to bring it to her attention. Kagome suppressed a giggle, determined to keep a straight face. Did she really look that different? "Perhaps, dear brother," Sesshoumaru answered, "she is right before your eyes." All eyes landed on Kagome.

"Kagome?" Sango said suspiciously.

Kagome almost opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. She looked to Sesshoumaru; she wasn't sure whether she was allowed to speak during situations like these. What do you mean, allowed! A voice told her. They're your friends! Kagome shook her head to herself. She was his Lady now. She would have to play the game by his rules. She accepted that. She trusted him, as he had not done a single unkindness to him during her stay. His golden eyes burned in her mind's eye, that determined way that he'd told her he would protect her playing itself in her head over and over again. She would have to trust him. Sesshoumaru nodded slightly, and so she spoke, feeling more and more like his Lady with every passing second. "Yes," she said, allowing a small smile to form on her lips.

Inuyasha looked extremely confused, so Sesshoumaru decided to clear it up for their insolent minds. "She is my Lady now," he explained, "aren't you, Kagome?" It irritated him that it took this much convincing; Kagome's presence should have been enough, but such was the understanding of humans…and one ignorant bastard of a hanyou.

The response was immediate, which pleased him. "Yes, my Lord Sesshoumaru."

Everyone gasped slightly, even Kikyou. The miko had never guessed that such an alliance would form. "Liar!" Inuyasha shouted, not even bothering to think about the possibility. "You've brainwashed her, you bastard!"

At the mention of insult to her Lord, Kagome regarded the hanyou with both anger and contempt that confused him even more. Sesshoumaru had treated her like part of his family—as strange as the idea was—and he didn't deserve that sort of accusation. "Inuyasha," she said coldly, "Don't be such a fool."

There was silence for a moment, before Sango voiced the question on everyone's mind. "Kagome, why?" Sango asked. Inuyasha simply stood there, stunned.

Sesshoumaru stood there quietly. No one had attacked anyone else yet, and so he relaxed a bit. His Lady would handle these questions, even if he felt awkwardly idle. Kagome smiled sweetly. "Because, Sango…" she replied, glancing at her Lord, "I love him." The phrase was becoming more and more true the more often she said it.

She received more gasps in reply. "He's tried to kill you so many times, Kagome!"

Sesshoumaru said nothing. He had no doubt that Kagome would remain by his side, no matter what they said. Kagome, as he expected, shook her head. "He has tried to obtain the Tetsusaiga so many times. I…we…were simply in his way." And she honestly believed that. There had never been an occasion, now that she was thinking of it, where he deliberately attempted to kill any of them. He simply fought Inuyasha for the Tetsusaiga—even when they'd killed Naraku, he could have slaughtered all of them considering how weak they were, but he hadn't. He simply took the Tetsusaiga and left.

Sango shook her head. She couldn't understand it at all. Miroku smiled. He knew exactly what Kagome meant—maybe because he was a bit more perverted than the rest of them. Just a little. "You can't who you fall for," he whispered into Sango's ear. Sango slowly nodded. Kagome had good judgment, and she didn't look like had been abused or mistreated. Quite honestly, Kagome had never looked so radiant, even in the clothes that she'd brought back from her time. If this was where she wanted to stay… she would always support her friend. "We…"Miroku said on their behalf, "are not sure how this came about…but Sango and I are with you."

Kagome beamed, and Sesshoumaru was tempted to smile. His Lady was content.

"Kagome," Kikyou called suddenly, and Kagome's smile faded. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. She was the one had to look out for. She was after his Lady's soul. He had known it from the second they'd met, after she had been resurrected. "Kagome, don't you think that you're being a bit rash? You…were only gone for three days. And yet…you've betrothed a demon. We…were worried…" If she could only Kagome to question her decision…

Sesshomaru smirked; words were petty—what exactly was she trying to do? "Stop your verbal games, miko."

Kikyou's bow was being drawn mere seconds later.

"Kikyou," Kagome said, her eyes narrowing. "You will not harm my Lord Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha, restrain her if you must." But Inuyasha did no such thing. Kikyou kept her bow aimed at Sesshoumaru. Miroku and Sango stepped closer and were repelled by her invisible forcefield, suddenly hostile to anyone who already wasn't inside of it. Yes, this demon was strong, but she, the most powerful miko, was stronger. "Inuyasha knows that this is right, too. We cannot continue to allow this demon to manipulate you." And, she thought, after I destroy the one you love, Kagome, you will be weak and heartbroken; You won't even put up a fight.

"Kikyou," Kagome said forcibly, "don't." Sesshoumaru said nothing, glancing at his Lady. He could feel her strength growing, and Kikyou's strength weakening, bit by bit, but it was more emotional than anything else; unpredictable. He had agreed not to kill anyone so long as they did not intend to harm her. He could take the purified arrow from Kikyou. His tactical mind was going into action, calculating what was liable to happen and how he would react to it. Anything for his Lady Kagome. Kikyou let go of her arrow, its tip glowing with purified energy. Sesshomaru swiftly moved in front of Kagome and stiffened his body, bracing for the impact of the arrow against his flesh. "You won't," Kagome said, and the arrow lost speed, slowing to a halt at Sesshoumaru's feet. Kagome looked down at it, stepping from behind her Lord and the energy at the tip dissipated. "You will not harm my Lord Sesshoumaru," she repeated, trying to keep her words from choking on her. "Not if you expect to escape with your life."

Inuyasha was surprised; she had never wielded her powers like that before. They were so…strong. Kikyou gasped. "Are you challenging me?" Inuyasha put a hand on his lover's shoulder, but she shook him off. "We came all this way to find you, you ungrateful wretch, and this is what you say in gratitude?"

"I am merely protecting my Lord," Kagome replied. She was trying to remain calm, to push back all of the emotions that were threatening to take her over. It hurt to know that Inuyasha had stood there while Kikyou attacked them. But she pushed it all back, and tried to stand strong. Sesshoumaru would expect more from her than that. She expected more from herself than that.

Sesshomaru smirked, he'd figured it out—it wasn't that difficult in the first place. No doubt the monk and the warrior girl had already had their doubts. The only one fooled was his imbecilic brother. "Kikyou, why do you not speak the truth?" Kikyou looked at the demon. He knew?

"What truth?" Inuyasha said. "That you kidnapped Kagome? Leave Kikyou out of this!"

"Inuyasha," Kagome said bluntly. "If Kikyou attacks me, she will die. My Lord Sesshoumaru does not appreciate those that threaten his Lady." She felt a bit full of herself while saying it, but considering how badly Inuyasha had hurt her feelings she didn't feel obliged to be any more polite.

"That imprudent demon could never kill me!" Kikyou said heatedly.

"I know what it is you want, Kikyou," Sesshoumaru said, "and…you cannot have it."

Both Kagome and Inuyasha were at a loss at that statement, however. What was it that Kikyou wanted? Kagome, however, did not question her Lord. Such was the might of Lord Sesshoumaru, and she would wait and ask him to explain it later.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Inuyasha roared. Clearly he was not as patient.

"Oh, shall we tell them, Kikyou?" Sesshoumaru said mockingly. Things were growing a bit more…interesting, he supposed. He yearned to sink his claws into her, to feel flesh upon his hands—or Inuyasha's, which would be better—but he had promised. He would keep his word.

Kikyou wiped sweat from her brow. She could feel herself weakening. She looked at Kagome. The brat was taking her soul. The way that she stood there next to that youkai, making it look effortless, like she didn't know she was doing. She knew when she was being mocked!

"Kikyou…are you all right?" came a sensitive questioning from the hanyou beside her.

"I'm…fine, Inuyasha." She wanted to keep Inuyasha as calm as possible—a large fight would only give the girl an opportunity to escape.

"Kikyou…"Sesshoumaru said slowly, "You're losing your soul…why don't you take it back? Isn't that what you came here to do?"

"Silence…demon!" Kikyou hissed.

"What is he talking about, Kikyou?" Inuyasha asked, leaning closer to her.

"Ka-Kagome…she's taking…my soul…" her last word riddle with pain, Kikyou dropped to her knees. Kagome looked to the weakened miko, and could feel the sudden power flowing through her veins. Her power. Her soul.

"Stop it, Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled in anguish. "You're killing Kikyou!"

Sango opened her mouth, and said the one thing that she felt would make any sense to him at that moment. "Inuyasha…isn't Kikyou…already dead?"

And as the words fell from her lips, the memories replayed themselves in the hanyou's mind. He could see Kikyou, who was really Naraku in disguise, as she shot the arrow that bound him to a tree for fifty years. He could see the anger, the utter disregard in Kikyou's eyes back then…when she shot that arrow. When she walked away, leaving him heartbroken, lonely, hurt, confused and…sad, wondering why she would do something, anything like that. He had almost forgotten. She had died, hadn't she? Even when he'd found out that she was being impersonated by Naraku, that same look had been on her face when she came back; she had been vengeful—she had not been willing to listen to Inuyasha when he pled his case with her, to try to tell her that Naraku had impersonated the both of them. It was only after Naraku's death, when the Shikon Jewel had been pieced back together that she had approached him with the idea of reconciliation.

"See what you cause, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru said, breaking the hanyou's thoughts. "You blamed yourself for Kikyou's death, and in never forgiving yourself resurrected this…imposter, so full of hate and malice that she could not return to the afterlife even after her death was avenged. She is not Kikyou, and I say this kindly. She is a replacement, a mere shadow of the real Kikyou. All the events, all the moments, have come from some…mannequin with the memories of another."

Inuyasha looked up at his brother as Kikyou struggled to rise. Was it true? Was everything just…a marvelous dream? Was Kikyou…not real? How could one who could stir such emotions in him…not be truly alive?

"I will…reclaim my soul!" she spat, aiming an arrow even on her knees. Its tip was directed at Kagome. Inuyasha had heard that Kagome had said before; if Kikyou attacked Kagome, she would die—again. Would it be worth it to do that to Kagome? To make her live half of a life because of a woman that could not accept what she had done with hers? Although it had seemed fair at first, it seemed horribly imbalanced to him now. As he looked down and saw the malicious expression on Kikyou's face, he thought of how different that seemed from the Kikyou had known. She had been so much nicer, giving, forgiving—much more like Kagome.

"Inuyasha!" Miroku shouted. "Make her lower her bow. Sesshoumaru will—"

"I know," he said sadly.

"Kikyou," Kagome tried one last time. "Don't do it. Please." Even now Kagome was trying to keep Kikyou from doing the one thing that would result in her demise. Even knowing that she would live half of a life, she was still trying to save Kikyou from her death.

Kagome saw Inuyasha turn away. She closed her eyes, knowing that he had accepted his lover's fate. Then she heard Kikyou release her arrow, filled with the last piece of energy she had left. Next to her, Sesshoumaru shifted. "I have kept my word, my Lady Kagome," he said.

"I know, my Lord Sesshoumaru," was Kagome's response, her eyes still closed. "Do what you will."


EDIT 6/10/10: Wow. I'm astonished at the number of fans I had for this story back then. It's my most popular one, honestly, but these were people who stopped by chapter after chapter to give me a review because they honestly liked me and they cared about telling me how they felt about the story. It was touching then and it's touching now, looking at the names that I can see below. I wonder if they would like the revision that I made. I wish that I had fans like this now There aren't too many people who review fics nowadays. I hope that I get to meet more people like them ^^

OLD COMMENTARY:

Yay! ONLY ONE MORE CHAP LEFT! I'm glad that all of you guys stayed with me through all of this. And I am happy with the number of people who will be on that cliff with me, ready to jump at our Lord's orders.

And for the people who want to be Kagome. (XtopangelX)

Also, to penguinlover7, thank you for making me your god. I-I would like to-to thank the academy... (j/k)

Seishi Sairensuno, I just wanted your name here because it's so cool...and thanks for staying up so late just for little ole me...

Theblackdemoness, I accept your award graciously. Thanks, although I don't think I'm the best.

LunaML, one of the coolest reviews I ever got!

treelovr, I hope that you didn't have to hold your breath too long!

Tiny Snow Fairy-, I'm glad I made you enjoy reading. The first thing my sister ever enjoyed reading was Gravitation #9 (if your know what Gravitation is, you'll laugh—she's only twelve)!

And another one of my reviewers, Vi3t Babii, says that I belittle Rin...I'm not trying to, but she's just not the main issue.I think she does have status, considering her small but important role in the scheme of their relationship...However, if you like, I would be willing to start a fic that will appease you...

The ANNOUNCEMENT that will be coming at the end of the next chapter is very important, so I would like to request that you not be so mad at me for ending the story that you don't read my author's notes at the end. I need you to READ ALL OF IT! so that I can get the message across. If you wish to punish me, then don't review, but you HAVE to read it.

Thanks again to all of you who hung with me to the end... I love you guys. Not as much as I love Sesshoumaru, but I love you guys...

"I will return, for I am the darkness..."