Authors Notes: Okay, this is one of those chappys where I'm not sure if Im rushing into things or not. Granted it is Chapter 21, I still don't know…Oh well. If you guys don't like it tell me. I've had to rewrite the last few chapters before I decided to post anything.
And do you guys know that currently I'm working on SIX Sess/Kag fics alone! SIX! The others I haven't posted yet, except for the Strong Will Never Fall, which I have decided to write more onto. Yeah, I know I said it'd only be a one shot, but I started this out with a one shot and look at it now. I've also noticed a lot of my fics take their names from songs, but that's okay. You guys just wait and see. The stories are awesome and original I hope. SO yeah. They probably won't come out until I'm done with Bad Day though. I really like this story and apparently so do you guys.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha or Fuel and their Lyrics.
Bad Day
Chapter 21-Our Rusted Hearts Begin To Beat Again
(Tell me which song the chapter title's from and I'll give you a cookie)
The next morning Kagome awoke still tired. Somewhere in the back of her mind the dreams lurked. One after the other they had come, like some sort of torture. She had watched Sesshoumaru verbally beaten by his father in front of many, saw his hatred for Hasu and Inu Yasha, and finally understood it. She finally understood why he hated his father so much.
Kagome concluded Inu Taisho had been a cruel, heartless bastard. That or just a cruel greedy bastard who cared nothing more for his own pleasures. At least, if her dreams had been true.
And if they had, even at a young age Sesshoumaru had been very strong. And he had been so angry. Kagome couldn't disagree with his anger, at least towards Inu Taisho. She couldn't say his anger towards Inu Yasha and Hasu were justified, but in such odd circumstances, it seemed like he had reacted like any normal teenager would(minus the super powers).
Kagome thought again of the crescent moon scar. Did his father really bear such a scar? Had Sesshoumaru really said those things? Had he done anything afterwards to Inu Yasha or Hasu?
Kagome stretched and got out of her bag, then began to roll it up, as was usual for her now. She noticed Sango, Miroku and Onryou were already sitting around the campfire. Sango still taste tested the food, checking for poisons. It wasn't meant to insult Onryou, but Sango was still wary around the demon. Onryou was understanding and merely shrugged it off.
Sesshoumaru was nowhere to be seen, and Kagome wondered where he had wandered off to.
"Morning sleepy head. About time you woke up," Onryou chirped happily. He and Kagome were becoming friends Onryou had explained one night around the campfire that family honor demanded he seek revenge, but when he found out it was karma, there was no way he could honorably act. Kagome had understood this in a way and was reminded of the fast decisions made in the future by teenagers, decisions based on misinformation.
Onryou handed her a bowl of some sort of stew and Kagome gladly accepted it and a pair of chopsticks, then began to eat as she watched for Sesshoumaru.
"He's out scouting the path. He'll be back soon. After we eat I thought maybe you could show me some of your books. I have never had the time for proper schooling, despite my station. I know how to read, but arithmetic is beyond me," The crow youkai admitted with more than a little embarrassment.
"It's okay. I helped Sango learn to read while we were traveling with Inu Yasha. Do you think we'll have enough time before Sesshoumaru gets back?" Kagome asked as she continued to eat the meat out of the stew with her chopsticks.
"I don't kno- oh kami it's him Kagome," Sango muttered suddenly. Kagome looked in the direction Sango was pointing and saw a whirlwind. She knew this had to happen sooner or later, but why now? When Sesshoumaru wasn't there to be a very cold, sinister presence that might dampen Kouga's enthusiasm?
"Kagome, I've been looking everywhere for you! I heard you finally left dog face," Kouga said as he took her hands. Kagome felt like hitting him upside the head for his lack of tact but quickly quelled the urge as she saw Sesshoumaru land close behind the wolf youkai.
"Take your hands off of her," Sesshoumaru said in a quiet voice.
"Sesshoumaru? What's she doing with you? She's my woman," Kouga growled. Kagome sighed and wished (fervently) for a wall or other hard surface to bang her head on. None was provided and she cursed Kami (once again fervently) for not being on her side for once.
"We're looking for jewel shards," Sesshoumaru said. He was wearing an apathetic mask, but Kagome felt like there was…Something lurking underneath, some volatile emotion he wasn't revealing.
"Then you should look to your younger brother. He's supposedly got three. Other than my two, there's supposed to be four others besides the ones in Naraku's grasp," Kouga told him. Sesshoumaru nodded.
"And why haven't you tried to get Inu Yasha's?" Miroku asked in a sensible voice.
"He's gone crazy or something, sprouting off about traitors and such. That weird woman's with him, the one that smells like a corpse. I thought you guys knew and that's why you weren't with him," Kouga said. Kagome began to sway and fell backwards, and before Kouga could catch her, Onryou had caught her and held her in a warm embrace.
Kouga growled sharply, but before he had a chance to aim a foot into Onryou's face, Sesshoumaru spoke.
"Enough. You will tell me where my brother is."
"He's about two days journey from here. That's on foot, well, mine anyway. He's destroyed a village. Isn't that why you left him?" Kouga asked Kagome, who had by this point, released herself from Onryou's embrace.
"It's a long story Kouga, thank you for the information," Kagome told him. Kouga smiled as his two friends Ginta and Hakkaku arrived, panting heavily.
"Anything for you Kagome. I promise I'll see you soon, and with Naraku's head!" Kouga exclaimed and began to run off, right before Sesshoumaru caught his wrist.
"I too am hunting Naraku. If I find him, do not get in my way wolf," He told the astonished youkai.
"And just who the hell are you to tell me what to do?" Kouga demanded.
"I am Lord Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western lands and chosen by the other three lords of our land to find Naraku and kill him," Sesshoumaru told him point blank. Kouga blinked as Sesshoumaru let him go and turned away.
"That means my father's friend Kentetsu trusts you. So I'll trust you Sesshoumaru. But if I get there first, don't be mad," Kouga boasted as he ran off in a cloud of dust. Ginta and Hakkaku sighed once more and began to run with only a wave to the small group.
"That has got to be the first time I've seen Kouga leave without arguing," Sango said, stunned. Kagome nodded dumbly. Even with the departing remark, Kouga had never just left that easily.
"Let's count ourselves lucky then. But, what about Inu Yasha?" Kagome asked. If Kouga had been telling the truth, it sounded as if Inu Yasha had let his demon blood take over, like the time he had killed all of those bandits.
"If he has broken tetsusaiga then we must have it fixed. If not…He has let the demon blood take over. Intense emotions can trigger it. He has…Let himself be controlled by his emotions," Sesshoumaru said. Everyone could tell what he was thinking.
'Foolish Half-Breed'
"What do we do if he hasn't broken tetsusaiga?" Kagome asked, fearful of the answer.
"We either imprison him or kill him. There aren't many choices. If he has indeed given in to his demon blood, then he will kill everything within his sight," Sesshoumaru told them all.
"What about Kikyo? Kouga said he was with her. If this is true, then why hasn't he killed her yet?" Miroku asked, puzzled.
"There can be two reasons. One, he knows her despite the demon blood and knows he doesn't wish to hurt her. Or two, demons have strong passions, and because of this, he might be keeping her so that he may use her," Sesshoumaru answered honestly, looking at Kagome the entire time.
Surprisingly, Kagome didn't look hurt at all. She almost looked…Relieved?
Sesshoumaru mentally puzzled over her reaction, knowing that only a few short weeks ago she had fancied herself in love with the hanyou. Now, she seemed like everything was okay.
What was it she had said to the foolish half breed the last they had seen him?
'I've grown up'
Yes, she had said that she had grown up. Growing up meant sometimes growing apart. Was that what she had meant?
Sesshoumaru thrust the puzzle of Kagome into the back of his mind to deal with the problem at hand.
"I know that this may sound like a rather foolish request, but is there any way we can merely imprison him or bind his will?" Sango asked.
Kagome brightened suddenly, a slight smile on her face.
"I have an idea! I'll need to get to the village where Kaede lives. She can make another rosary and I can put it on Inu Yasha and use a command, similar to the sit spell on him, except I can make it something else, like stay, and make sure the effect of the rosary can freeze him, or bind him or whatever," Kagome said. Sango and Miroku nodded, Onryou only looked confused, and Sesshoumaru wanted to groan aloud in frustration.
"Kagome, just how do you plan to get it around his neck?" Sesshoumaru said. He managed to keep his voice calm and cool when he merely wanted to shake her for her stupidity! She knew better than that, he wanted her to use her intelligence dammit!
"Umm, well, that's where you come in," Kagome mumbled.
"What do you mean?" He growled.
"I need you to hold him for just a minute or two," Kagome told him. Sesshoumaru nodded. At least she had faith in his abilities to defeat the hanyou.
"I see. Then we must change our route. We will find him after we go to Kaede's. We're not far from there, let's go," Sesshoumaru said.
Onryou flew into the sky, and Sango and Miroku once again hopped upon Kirara, and Kagome sat atop Ah Un, Sesshoumaru sat behind her.
"Why are you riding?" Kagome asked.
No answer.
Kagome merely huffed and tried to think of the spell and word she would use on Inu Yasha. Stay sounded good, but he might still be able to move. She had to think of something that would literally freeze him in place. Then it struck her. Freeze. The perfect word. It would have the effect that cops wished upon most people. He would be stopped in his tracks.
She hoped.
After a time they arrived at Kaede's and Kagome ran into the hut where the old woman lived.
"Kaede, I need your help," Kagome rushed as she began to grab the basket of beads from the small chest and rushed over to Kaede.
"With what child?" Kaede asked.
"Inu Yasha has let his demon blood take over and we need a spell to subdue him, and I have an idea but I need a new rosary," Kagome said in a rush. Kaede nodded and quickly assembled one of the magical rosary.
"What will be the spell ye cast upon him this time child?" Kaede asked as Kagome rushed to where Sesshoumaru stood.
"Freeze," Kagome said with a smile as she grabbed Sesshoumaru's hand and pulled him out of the hut.
Kaede marveled over Kagome's easy manner with the demon lord. She had been just as free with Inu Yasha, but the hanyou and demon were worlds different.
And Sesshoumaru had allowed it.
Was there something there Kaede needed to find out? Or would she just watch as it happened? She went to her chest and replaced the basket of beads within, and quickly rifle through the different object, looking for something important.
"Aha!" She exclaimed as she removed the medallion from the chest. Quickly she walked over to her meditation area and sat down carefully, then began to focus very hard on an old friend's face.
Soon, a sort of illusion appeared, and Kaede smiled indulgently as she saw Kentetsu playing with a small girl and…Shippou?
"Kentetsu?" She said. The youkai looked at her with a jovial smile.
"Children, go play with Jaken," Kentetsu said. The two children quickly left and Kentetsu once again gave his attention to Kaede.
"Why is Shippou with you?" Kaede asked.
"Oh, Kagome left him here with Rin, she thought it would be safer," Kentetsu said. Kaede nodded.
"Speaking of Kagome, how are she and Sesshoumaru doing?" Kaede asked.
"Denying everything. Hmm, Kaede, would you like to keep an old man company?" Kentetsu suddenly asked.
"Lecherous old lout," She snapped.
"Not in that way woman! I mean, to help those two come to terms with their feelings," Kentetsu said with a smirk.
"I see. Well, how soon can you get here?" Kaede asked.
"I'll send one of my animals to fetch you," The old kitsune said. And with that, Kaede let her focus drift and suddenly everything was back to normal. She picked up the medallion and put it around her neck, quickly calling for one of her novices and explained that she must leave for several days, if not a few weeks. The girl was puzzled but asked no questions.
Soon after, a leaf was spotted right outside of Kaede's hut. The only reason this was unusual was the fact that it was three times the width of a man and longer than one as well. Kaede quickly came out of her hut, her pack filled with odds and ends that she thought might come in useful, and hopped onto the leaf.
Sesshoumaru and Kagome had been flying on the back of Ah Un for several hours and finally decided it was time to check down in another village. Kagome felt her stomach drop at the steep dive Ah Un always made when they landed, and the jarring thud as his hind feet dropped onto the ground.
Quickly she hopped off and ran into the village.
"Hello? Hello?" Kagome called out.
"Who's there?" An strong male voice called out.
"Is it a demon?" Another shouted.
"I'm a human, the demons with me mean no harm. We are looking for a hanyou with long white hair," Kagome called out.
"He's been here alright. Killed half our men and even some of the women and children. We have no welcome for demons here! Nor those that would consort with them!" The man said as he came out from one of the small houses.
"I understand. Please, please understand he is not like all demons. Inu Yasha is trapped under a spell," Kagome said.
"You look quite a bit like the woman that was with him, the miko. Is she he one with him under a spell?" The man asked.
"I'm not sure," Kagome lied. She was saving Inu Yasha's ass and knew it might be wrong, but if she could subdue him it would be alright. But what about the women and children he had killed the innocent men? They could never be replaced.
How could she ever look at him the same again knowing he had killed innocents?
"Do you know which way he went? We're trying to find him and break the spell," Kagome told him.
"Towards the west, said something about finding traitors and killing them off, and his brother," The man said.
"Oh God," Kagome whispered in a fearful voice. If that was true, then Inu Yasha could get there soon, maybe before them, and possibly hurt Shippou and Rin, maybe even Kentetsu!
"Thank you," Kagome shouted as she ran back to Sesshoumaru.
"To your castle and fast," Kagome told him. Sesshoumaru nodded and picked her up in his one arm and flew into the air.
"Follow us," Sesshoumaru shouted behind him.
"Why are we not on Ah Un?" Kagome asked.
"I can get there faster. I'll need you for the spell. How many died in the village?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"I don't know. The man said half the men and some of the women and children. My god Sesshoumaru how will I tell him?" Kagome asked. "How will I ever face him again knowing he is so…" Kagome couldn't finish.
"He is a killer deep within. A dark best lurks within all youkai. It is just up to us to control it," He answered simply. Kagome knew his meaning. Inu Yasha hadn't controlled the beast.
Suddenly Kagome knew why it was so imperative for a youkai to keep a tight reign on their emotions. If they didn't, they could easily kill hundreds.
As Sesshoumaru flew, the sky began to darken and stars came out. He kept going, and Kagome realized eventually that if he had traveled on his own, Sesshoumaru could have reached Naraku in a matter of days instead of the possible weeks it would have taken her and her friends.
Well after midnight they landed in Sesshoumaru's courtyard. Kagome noticed Sesshoumaru trying to catch a scent on the air.
"He has not been here yet, there is no blood. I smell the old miko though," He told her as he rushed into the building. Kagome followed, running behind him and they went for the inner gardens.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Kagome heard Shippou's happy voice and Kaede's, Rin and Kentetsu's.
"Everyone, you will go inside and remain there. My brother is but an hour's journey away from here. I do not wish for you to be caught in the fray," Sesshoumaru told them in a solemn voice.
Inwardly he reflected on the irony. It was within these very gardens that Sesshoumaru had almost killed his father that fateful day. And today he might just kill his half brother.
I see. Kaede, go and take the children to the nursery with Lin. Tell the guards that they are to remain with you and make sure there are some stronger youkai as well," Kentetsu said, giving the old miko's hand a warm squeeze. Kaede nodded and quickly took the children inside and disappeared into the maze of hallways.
"I included you in that order old man," Sesshoumaru growled.
"I know Sesshoumaru. But I have seniority by age and I will stay here and help you two if need be. Where are the others?"
"They got left behind. I don't want them fighting against their former ally," Sesshoumaru told the older kitsune.
"Very considerate Sesshoumaru," Kentetsu said.
"I didn't want them to turn against us, and considering their past with the hanyou it is possible," Sesshoumaru practically snarled. What a foolish thought, him, helping out humans and concerned for their safety? Foolishness indeed. The old youkai must be going senile.
"What about me?" Kagome demanded, poking a finger into Sesshoumaru's chest.
Sesshoumaru didn't even want to contemplate her right now. Half the time she was aroused, at least half the time she was around him, and the scent of her heat had made him want to pounce and make her his. And right now the fire in her eyes didn't help!
"What about you Kagome? We have other things to worry about. I have your vow that you would not betray me," Sesshoumaru growled, gritting his teeth.
The urge to kiss her was so tempting, so very, very tempting.
Kagome accepted the admission, but did not like his tone of voice. Her period was making her hormones go out of whack, and she was tempted to kiss him and slap him at the same time.
Kentetsu saw both the reactions to one another and almost smiled.
Ah, the folly of youth.
An hour and a few minutes later Kagome almost sighed in relief when Inu Yasha arrived. Almost. She had hated the wait, but the pure, unadulterated hatred in his eyes made her shiver in fear.
Kikyo was on his back and she quickly slid off, caressing the hanyou's arm as she did so. Kagome didn't know if this was to antagonize her or if it was to comfort the hanyou.
"Traitor! Bitch!" Inu Yasha shouted at Kagome.
"Inu Yasha," Sesshoumaru said in a deadly calm voice.
Suddenly Inu Yasha seemed to notice Sesshoumaru.
"You," The hanyou snarled. Suddenly he launched himself at Sesshoumaru, snarling like some rabid dog. Sesshoumaru smiled evilly. Kagome had the rosary ready and right as Sesshoumaru pinned Inu Yasha to the stone wall of the tea house, Kagome went up to the struggling hanyou and slipped the beads around his neck.
"Freeze," She whispered, tears in her eyes.
Suddenly the struggling stopped and Inu Yasha stood totally still.
Kagome turned towards Kikyo just in time to see an arrow flying right at Sesshoumaru.
"No!" Kagome screamed as she pushed the demon lord out of the way.
Blood soaked her shirt as the arrow pierced her side. Right near her liver.
A soul stealer made its way to Kagome, who felt fear rise up in her. Would she at last be united with Kikyo? What would happen now?
Her questions were answered as Sesshoumaru deftly cut through the soul thief's and looked squarely at Kikyo.
"You dare hurt my woman! Go to hell you corpse," Sesshoumaru snarled as he ran for Kikyo.
Kikyo herself grabbed a hold of one of her remaining soul stealers and rose into the air. Sesshoumaru about to follow and make easy prey of the undead miko, but a mewling sound stopped him.
He ran to Kagome.
As he took in her dying body, the blood soaking her shirt, he let out a howl of agony. This was the second woman taken from him as a result of his kin's actions.
"Sesshoumaru," Kagome whimpered. Sesshoumaru brought her to him and felt the sorrow within him build.
She had taken an arrow for him, when in the last few days he had acted as nothing more than a cold, cruel youkai to her.
"I love you," She whispered. Sesshoumaru looked down at her, stunned.
She loved him? How? Why?
'Don't ever forget how to love.'
His mother's words came back to haunt him. For a moment he had thought it was only his imagination, bringing a memory to the surface, but then he realized Kagome had spoken the words.
"I'll go get Kaede, she might know how to heal her," Kentetsu said as he ran, quite deftly for his age, to go find Kaede.
Sesshoumaru looked at the hanyou, who had since gone back to his normal self, but he still couldn't move, as if he was invisibly pinned to the stone wall of the tea house.
'I hope the old man sees this you runt. I hope you're proud. Both of you have continued a legacy, taking the women from my life. The women that gave a damn about me,' Sesshoumaru snarled within his head.
Suddenly he noticed something.
Teardrops were falling from Inu Yasha's eyes. And he watched them slide down.
"I'm sorry," The seemingly frozen hanyou said.
"The only reason you are not dead is because of her Inu Yasha. She never betrayed you. She left you for her own sanity. She was stronger than you ever were," Sesshoumaru snarled.
"I know," Inu Yasha sobbed brokenly.
Stunned, Sesshoumaru looked at the frozen figure of his half brother.
And he felt something warm trickle down his cheek.
Tears.
How was it possible? He hadn't cried since the death of his mother. Why would he cry now?
But his question went unanswered as he saw Kaede and Kentetsu rush from the castle and descend upon Kagome, who lay, her breathing shallow, her pulse fluttering wildly in her throat.
Sesshoumaru watched, unable to do anything. He knew of killing, but not healing.
Unless…
He pushed the old youkai and woman to the side and pulled the arrow out savagely, his heart constricting as he watched Kagome arch and cry out in pain. He heard the gasps of all around him. Then he quickly unsheathed Tenseiga with him one arm.
He swiped the blade across Kagome's midriff and watched the wound close.
After a few minutes the only sign of her injury was a ragged hole in blood stained shirt.
Something he said a long time ago wrapped itself around his mind and wouldn't let go.
'Why protect them? Why miss them? Why love them?'
He still didn't know the reason for his actions or his tears, or why his heart felt so tight as he watched Kagome's eyes flutter open.
"What happened?" Kagome asked.
"Sesshoumaru healed you dear girl," Kentetsu said. Kagome looked up to Sesshoumaru, who had by that point, moved her into his lap. He looked down at her, his eyes a dark crimson, her were a serene blue.
"Thank you," She whispered. Sesshoumaru nodded and said nothing, but Kagome felt his arms tighten around her a little bit, not much, but just enough for her to notice. She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled her face into his chest.
She never noticed the sadness in Inu Yasha's eyes, or Kaede's startled glance, nor Kentetsu's happy grin.
She only felt like for the first time in a long time, she was right back where she was supposed to be. Once again she heard the heavy beat of Sesshoumaru's heart and while he looked down, shocked, she fell asleep, clinging to him.
Sesshoumaru carried Kagome inside. Inu Yasha was still stuck against the tea house wall, and Kaede looked at him with fury burning in her eyes.
"I never thought to see you do something so foolish Inu Yasha. Rumor has it you destroyed a village and killed several people in others. How could you do such a thing?" Kaede demanded.
"Kaede, it isn't the time. Can't you see the boy realizes such things now? I will take him to the room we prepared and shield it. Can you undo what Kagome has done?" Kentetsu asked.
"I can, since I made the necklace some of my powers are within. Move Inu Yasha," Kaede told him. Inu Yasha staggered and fell forward. Tears ran down his cheeks and he hugged himself tightly.
"Come Inu Yasha," Kentetsu said in a calm, low voice. Inu Yasha obeyed and walked behind the kitsune into the castle. Kaede followed Inu Yasha and watched as Kentetsu put him in a guest room, then shielded everything.
Not even the wash basin would break if Inu Yasha threw it now.
Next Kentetsu closed the door firmly and then put a shield on it. Inu Yasha could not break out or walk out. He could not escape at all.
Shall we go check on the children?" Kentetsu asked.
"Shippou and Rin are asleep," Kaede responded.
"Not those children. I was talking about a certain pair," Kentetsu said slyly.
"No, let them be old man. They need time now that Kagome has been honest and open with him. Only he can make the move now I suppose," Kaede said.
"Then may I have the pleasure of escorting you to your room?" Kentetsu said, holding an arm out. Kaede wove her arm through his and he escorted her to her room as he had asked. But he also didn't let her sleep along that night.
For the first time in so many years, Kaede lay next to a man with his arms wrapped around her.
Author's Notes:Nine whole pages for you guys. Yupperz. Okay, I know you guys might be a bit confused about Kentetsu and Kaede's relationship.And no you hentais, they didn't have sex +gags+ Let's just say that it's going to be explained in the next few chapters. Kaede is able to use the new spell on Inu Yasha because she made the rosary. Sesshoumaru is now in a state of confusion, but this is just the beginning. The real emotional meat starts in the next chapter, and watch and find out what Inu Yasha does. And Im sorry about the lack of fight scenes. I'm just not too good at that. Besides, this isn't really an action adventure story. As for the Kikyo thing and her letting Inu Yasha run wild, it's also going to be explained. In time everyone. We're about halfway through the story, if not further(I hope). And does anyone ant a prequel?
Thankies to: Sesshoumaru Lover(your words made me so happy I almost cried), Kjinuyasha, Draegon-Fire(you'll find out), InlovewithSesshoumaru, Golden-Eyed-Girl, sakura-no-hana-hoshi, Hoshiko Megami, Lyn, Joey, EmChi, WTF101, Ranchan23, DemonQueen14
Also, I will not be changing my name. I figure I'll be one of the few authors who keeps their names the entire time. So reveiw people! I wanna hit over that 200 mark! It'll make me uberly happy!