Disclaimer: Inuyasha is Copyright of Takahashi Rumiko

Nothing Without The Other

Chapter 32

"This is near the area where we found those rogue youkai during the patrol," Sesshoumaru pointed to the map where Hideki indicated the youkai were waiting. "It seems they are an extension of that clan, probably trying to gain support from other youkai I have yet to exterminate."

"Keh, if these youkai are anything like the ones we took care of before, it is going to take some time to defeat them. They never give up," Inuyasha added.

"Our troops will assist you, Lord Inuyasha," Hideki informed him. "With our combined efforts, it should not take long to address this problem."

"Iie, Inuyasha is correct. We have little information on how large the clan has grown. And rogue youkai from the Northern territories may join in as well."

Sesshoumaru moved from the table, taking a moment to gather his thoughts and find a quick and efficient way to deal with these youkai. "Hideki."

"Hai, Lord Sesshoumaru."

"Deploy half our units and have them set up camp a few miles from the front-line. Take anything you feel is necessary and when everything is place, deliver the letter. We shall join you shortly." he said.

Hideki bowed and turned to leave the room, nearly colliding into Rin as she stepped through the door. "Gomen ne, Lady Rin."

"It is alright, Hideki-sama. Make sure your bring plenty of arrows for Kagome-chan and I. Our extra bows as well," Rin added as she sent him on his way.

Inuyasha took one look at her and Kagome and nearly exploded in anger. "Iie. Absolutely not. And where the hell did you get that armor, Kagome?"

"It doesn't matter, Inuyasha. I'm going with you, don't argue with me."

"Iie. There is no way I'm letting you-" he cut himself off with a growl, unwilling to argue. "Tell them Sesshoumaru."

He hesitated for a moment. "Perhaps you both should stay behind until we know exactly what is going to happen."

Rin stared at him in disbelief. "We've already had this conversation, Sesshoumaru. You agreed that it would be best if we all fought."

"There is no guarantee that fighting will occur, therefore it would do no harm in staying behind for a while," he told her, rolling up the scroll and putting it away.

Kagome scowled at him. "You would not be making such grand preparations if there was not a guarantee there would be fighting."

"We are merely being cautious, Kagome," Inuyasha growled out.

"We aren't fools, Inuyasha," Rin told him, brushing past him as she went to Sesshoumaru. "We're going with you. Thats final."

"This Sesshoumaru has the final say. You will wait here until I send for you."

"Wait?" She said with a laugh. "You want us to wait? If you two have your way, we would be waiting until this whole thing is over!"

"Keh, now that you mention it, I say thats a fine idea. Now why don't you two take off that armor and relax."

"Osuwari!" Kagome shouted as anger got the better of her.

Rin watched Inuyasha hit the ground with a loud thud, wishing she had such control over Sesshoumaru, if only for a moment. "Why are we arguing? Has my training been all for nothing? Were you lying to me when you said I could fight with you?"

"This Sesshoumaru simply changed his mind, as he is entitled to do. Do not be difficult Rin," he warned, feeling his anger rise as she continued to challenge him.

Inuyasha pried himself off the ground and stared Kagome directly in the face with a cold and angry expression. "You can do that a hundred times and you will still not fight."

Kagome looked at him in surprise. "Inuyasha! Why are you being like this? I have always fought with you in the past."

"In the past, when we didn't have three children to worry about. Three Kagome," he repeated. "They need their mother for support while I am gone."

"Damare! Both of you just stop!" Rin shouted. She pulled something from her sleeve and shoved it into Sesshoumaru's hands. "If I don't fight, if I don't prove myself worthy as Lady of the Western Lands and worthy as your mate, this may never be us."

Sesshoumaru stared at the picture the miko had taken earlier. Rin with her bright and happy smile. Ito clinging to him with a shy smile on his face. Kazuo walking proudly beside him with a self-satisfied smirk. A portrait of a family, but not Rin's family. She wanted the pups in the picture to belong to her, to be spawned from their love. She would have to wait until it was safe and at the moment, he had no idea when that would be or if it would be.

He let the picture slip from his hands and turned away.

Kagome looked down at the picture and placed a hand on Inuyasha's arm, squeezing it lightly as she watched Rin do the same to Seshoumaru. "Inuyasha...I have too. For all of us."

Inuyasha pulled her into his arms and held on tightly. Kagome knew she had his permission.

Coward, Sesshoumaru berated himself. Selfish, weak, coward. He had no reason to doubt that she would be safe, Tenseiga would see to that. She was skilled and the miko, who was also skilled, would by her side. Other archers would be by her side. And he would never allow anyone to get close enough to even breathe on her, let alone strike. Yes, he knew she would be safe, yet he was still afraid.

"Sesshoumaru," she whispered to him. "I'm afraid too, but I have you so I will fight fearlessly. If you allow me."

Rin stood in front of him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He hesitated for what seemed like forever before leaning down to embrace her. Then he let out a breath that neither of them had been aware he was holding and pressed the side of his face to hers. When he was finally sure of himself, he released her and turned his attention to the miko.

"I will designate an area for you and Rin. You will not so much as move from that spot. Is that understood?"

"Of course," Kagome said.

He glanced at Rin. "You are to remain within view at all times."

She nodded. "Hai, Sesshoumaru."

"Fumiko, Kimiko, and Yumiko can watch the pups. We will move them to a safe location near the troops quarters. They will be guarded at all times. Should they be in any danger, Ah Un and a few guards will escort them to Inuyasha Forest as we discussed," he told them, turning to his brother for confirmation.

"Fine," Inuyasha spat. "Lets get this over with."

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When they reached their destination, the fighting had already begun. Rin and Kagome stood a safe distance away alongside the other archers. Sesshoumaru left Tenseiga with Rin, and Inuyasha left Tetsusaiga's sheath with Kagome before they both took off for the front-line. Neither woman hesitated before taking action.

Rin focused her attention solely on Sesshoumaru and every youkai near him. She had to admit that she was not prepared for the many youkai that littered the area and at first she found herself intimidated. But the feeling did not last long as she notched an arrow and let if fly, easily hitting her intended target. Not that she could miss with so many running about, but she had to be cautious of not hitting their troops. Somewhere deep inside her though, she silently wished she could be fighting with them.

Kagome cleared a path for Inuyasha as she let her purifying arrow fly ahead of him. He dashed through the bright blue dust that was left behind, slashing at youkai who approached him. There were hundreds of youkai ranging from one species to the next, each determined to kill them. He tucked Tetsusaiga at his side for a moment and flexed his claws with an eager grin. He would teach them never to underestimate a hanyou.

Sesshoumaru followed his brother's example. He ripped through all manner of youkai with his whip, melted them with Dokkasou. But still they came, fearlessly, or perhaps foolishly, challenging his power. He met them head on, eager for bloodshed, and spared none that crossed his path. No one was allowed beyond the front-line, he would see to that.

Rin fired her last arrow and waited for her supply to be renewed. "Kagome-chan, something is in the trees. Archers, aim high!"

"I'm on it!" she called, and turning her line of vision to the tree tops, she quickly released an arrow.

Moth youkai, and other flying creatures Rin did not have time to recognize, quickly took to the sky as they escaped from the trees. They rose high into the air and swooped down toward their targets, only to be met with lightening fast arrows. Some were killed immediately by Kagome's arrows, others had their wings pierced with so many arrows that they began to fall from the sky like rain. Troops quickly descended upon the fallen enemy, ending their lives with one final thrust of their blades.

"Kaze no Kizu!"

And just like that, Inuyasha cleared the sky again. The archers resumed targeting those on the ground. Rin's technique made the arrows much more affective. Where most arrows would have broken after piercing through only a thin layer of flesh, these nearly went straight through, rendering whole limbs useless when they hit. As more and more wounds were inflicted, their troops had less difficulty expending of their enemies.

Thus the battle raged until nightfall, when finally the enemy began to retreat.

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"So Lord Sesshoumaru was attacked. I warned him." Shunsuke said to himself and looked at his messenger. "How did he fare?"

"Very well, my Lord. As did his mate, his brother, and the Miko."

"Oh? They participated as well, how interesting," he sat on a large cushion. "Give me the details. How did they fight?"

"The Lady and the Miko are excellent archers, as is the rest of the squad. I have never seen arrows pierce so affectively," he admitted.

"And the Miko's powers?"

"Quite astounding, my Lord. Nothing in her arrow's path survived."

Shunsuke drummed his fingers on his thigh. "What of Lord Sesshoumaru and his brother's abilities? The swords their father left them were rumored to have incredible powers."

"Lord Sesshoumaru did not use his sword, and his brother used his just once. He was able to kill at least fifty enemies in one swing."

"Are you sure?"

"Hai, my Lord. I saw it with my own eyes."

Shunsuke rose to his feet and walked toward his messenger. "You have done a very fine job of acquiring this information."

He bowed deeply. "It is my duty, my Lord," and knowing he was excused, disappeared quickly.

"Letting women join the battle," Cheiko scoffed as she appeared from the shadows. "It seems these young lords fear nothing, not even their mate's death."

Shunsuke paced the room. "Or they are very cocky and have no doubt that they will win."

Cheiko ran her fingers through her hair. "It would have been better if you took over the Western Lands while Lord Sesshoumaru was absent. When you had a chance."

He scowled at her. "Damare! This is not over yet. Those foolish inu-youkai do not deserve the Western Lands and I will put an end to their rein of power."

"You may as well give it up, Shunsuke," she purred. "Even if this plot works, Lord Sesshoumaru will not ask for your aid."

"Oh but he will, Cheiko. He will," he said, cold determination in his voice. "And when he does, he will have no choice but to take Yoko as his mate to get it."

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--/-- Damare:Silence/Shut up --/-- Wakaranai:I don't understand --/-- Wakatta:I understand --/-- Hai:Yes --/-- Iie:No --/-- Demo:But --/-- Nani:What --/-- Gomen ne: Sorry --/--

I plan on responding to comments at the end of this story, right now I'm just trying to it all uploaded before I get even more pressed for time than I already am. So please keep your questions/comments coming, I promise I'll get back to you!

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