Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or YYH.

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The Aftermath

Golden eyes bore into soft, blue ones. Sesshoumaru tightened his grip on the girl's neck – no one got in his way without paying the consequences. She had to die, but then, why hadn't he snapped her neck yet? He found his eyes locked on her innocent blue eyes – eyes that held purity and ignorance. He snapped out of his thoughts when he felt her small hands gently wrap around his wrist.

"Leave her alone!" Sango shouted as she struggled to move.

Sesshoumaru snapped his head up when he felt several powerful energies moving towards the battlefield at break-neck speeds. The reinforcements had arrived – He was here.

"Watch out!" shouted Ayame, deflecting an arrow that had been aimed at the defenseless Sango. Ayame quickly heaved Sango to her feet as more Dark Warriors surrounded them.

Without thinking and unsure of what drove him to do this one act of mercy, Sesshoumaru waved his free arm, creating a black portal that swirled with dark energy. Just as his long-time rival arrived, he tossed the injured girl into the black hole – if she lived, so be it – if she died, it wasn't his problem.

"No!" Sango shouted as she watched the Dark Deity toss the girl who had risked her life for her to her doom. "I'll never forgive you for this, Sesshoumaru! I swear I will kill you!" she cried as she surged forward, prepared to fight to the death. Sesshoumaru was slightly surprised the archangel had been able to move, but in her weakened condition, she was nothing but an idle threat. He easily smacked her to one side as the other girl, Ayame, charged towards him.

Ayame gasped when her enemy easily snatched her sword from her hand – he was definitely not just a Dark Warrior. Her thoughts were severed when she felt her ribs collapse under her enemy's repeated assaults. Ayame released a shrilling cry when she was sent soaring through the air by the enemy's powerful dark energy. She waited for the hard impact, but was surprised when gentle arms enveloped her, cushioning her fall.

Ayame turned her head and instantly became enraptured by her savior's ethereal looks. She winced in pain when he gently settled her on the ground next to the barely conscious Sango. It was hard to breathe because of the pain that accompanied each breath, but Ayame was determined not to cry out again – she would not give her enemy the pleasure of knowing he had caused her pain.

"Kurama," Sesshoumaru stated; his eyes hardening at the sight of the red-head.

"You will not win tonight. Reinforcements are arriving – you were foolish to attack us on unknown territory." Kurama smoothly replied, belaying his inner turmoil. He would have arrived earlier with the reinforcements if news hadn't spread about the Princess being kidnapped. "Give us back the Princess and we will allow you safe passage home."

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes before unsheathing the demon blade from his waist. Ayame bit back a startled gasp at the sudden release of dark energy – it was suffocating…not that she could breathe very well to begin with. The Dark Deity chose not to reply as he clashed blades with his sworn enemy. They exchanged blows, but their powers were equally matched.

Hours later, the battle around them slowly ceased. The Dark Army was on one side, headed by Yusuke Urameshi. The Army of Light was on the other, led by Miroku, who was being supported by Kuwabara and Shizuru. They had slowly stopped fighting when both sides felt their energies deplete. The only two left standing and still fighting were Sesshoumaru and Kurama. Both were severely wounded, but neither intended to lose this battle.

Ayame watched enraptured by the battle, not even noticing when Botan timidly asked if she was all right. Kohaku, Sango's younger brother, was trying his best to clean out the residing poison in his sister's system with the aide of Keiko. However, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up when Yusuke shouted 'retreat' at the top of his lungs after both Sesshoumaru and Kurama were flung back after a powerful exchange of blows.

Sesshoumaru didn't budge, keeping his eyes glued on his opponent. Kurama must have felt the same way, because a second later, they were clashing again. Their swords were locked – the battle was reduced to one of brute strength as each tried to push the other back. "Return the princess," Kurama panted.

"Damn it Sesshoumaru! I don't know what your limits are, but at the moment, I don't give a damn! We have to go NOW! We have just received a direct order from the King to retreat!" Without waiting for his companion, Yusuke quickly retreated with the remaining Dark Warriors.

Sesshoumaru clenched his teeth before swiftly jumping back, causing Kurama to stumble forward. "We'll finish this another time." he growled before running to catch up with Yusuke.

Kurama dropped to his knees and closed his eyes. The ground beneath him was quickly coated with a thin layer of his blood. "Commander," Kurama shouted, startling Miroku out of his reverie.

"Yes sir," Miroku replied, quickly standing straighter.

"Prepare for war in a week."

"What? Milord, but many of us…"

"They have the princess!"

Miroku's eyes widened, the seriousness of the situation finally clicked in his mind. "Yes sir, my army will be ready for war in exactly a week. We will get the princess back or die trying."

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Sesshoumaru headed towards his office after receiving treatment from Tsubaki, the Dark Healer. She had stopped his bleeding, healed his minor wounds, and reduced the size of his major wounds. Before he even reached his office, his sensitive nose detected the scent of his despised half-brother, who no doubt, heard of his lose and came to rub it in his face.

As soon as he entered his office, where not even a ray of light could shine through, he spotted the silhouette of his younger sibling. He didn't have to wait long – the idiot began talking immediately. "Hey, why are you back already? Did you win or lose?" a gruff voice taunted, though he already knew the answer. Sesshoumaru, instead of replying, made his way towards his table. "Hey, I'm talking to you, Sesshoumaru!"

"That will be Sesshoumaru-sama to you." the Dark Deity replied in a frigid voice coated with disdain. "As for answering you, I feel uncompelled to do so. Don't overstep your station, or you'll soon find yourself in more trouble than you can handle." he warned, but not because he cared.

"Keh, you can cut the 'I'm superior to you crap'! I'm not taking ANY orders from you!"

"Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru hissed in a cold voice. "As your superior and elder half-brother, I demand respect from you." A sneer of utter contempt could be heard from the younger sibling. Inuyasha turned from his elder brother in favor of regarding a large pool of murky, black water.

"Show me Sesshoumaru's pathetic loss today." Inuyasha commanded the inky, black water. It gave a small ripple, but soon stilled. "Damn it, I said show me his pathetic face after losing!" The water shook slightly, but no changes could be seen. A superior smirk lighted Sesshoumaru's lips as he stepped up to the pool of water.

"Show me what the idiot, Inuyasha, has been doing in my absence." Sesshoumaru calmly commanded. The water swirled rapidly before a vision of Inuyasha running into a village formed on the surface of the liquid. A few seconds passed before Inuyasha stopped right in the middle of a town square and pushed over several of the human's markets. Then with quick agility, he moved away, making it appear as if the neighboring human had pushed over the other human's market. Soon, a brawl had started as the humans began accusing each other.

"Why can't I see you!" demanded Inuyasha while crossing his arms across his chest.

"Your antics are childish and pathetic." Sesshoumaru commented as he continued to watch the argument between the humans. "And I've told you before that this water will only show you images of those who are beneath you."

"Are you saying you're saying you're superior to me?" Inuyasha demanded angrily, fisting his hands into tight balls.

"I did not say that." Sesshoumaru replied, much to his half-brother's surprise. "Because there is no need to repeat a fact." he finished, causing Inuyasha's blood to boil with fury. Without a glance at his sibling, Sesshoumaru headed for the double doors, intent on leaving, even though he had just entered his office a little while ago. Any extended period of time spent in his half-brother's presence could cause him a severe headache.

"Hey damn it, where's Youko?" Inuyasha demanded, halting Sesshoumaru from leaving the room.

"That would be Youko-sama to you." Sesshoumaru corrected with a tint of annoyance in his words. "As for his whereabouts, that will not concern the likes of you." he stated, before slamming the doors tightly shut behind him. Inuyasha was once again enveloped in total darkness.

"Damn you Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha hissed, digging his long, sharp nails into his flesh. Drops of fresh blood rolled down his hand and splattered onto the floor, the scent and sound being the only indication of his injury.

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Kagome slowly allowed her eyes to flutter open. The first thing she noticed as soon as she regained some consciousness was the painful throb in her arm – had she been wounded? What happened? Everything was hazy and unfocused. She closed her eyes and opened them a few seconds later. She slowly made out the outline of someone hovering over her.

"I'm glad you're awake, miss!" sighed a relived voice.

Kagome struggled to sit up, which the stranger promptly aided by propping her up against some straws. "Who are you?" she asked in a cracked voice.

"Ah, I'm Hojo, how are you feeling Miss…?"

"Kagome." she answered.

"What happened?" he gingerly asked, in case it was a tender subject that was best left unasked. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to!" he quickly added when Kagome lapsed into silence.

"It's not that," she hoarsely whispered. "I just can't remember…anything except my name."

"Oh, that's okay."

"Can I have some water, please?" she asked.

"Right, of course, I'm such an idiot!" he cried as he poured Kagome a cup of tea. "Anyway, the village priestess has checked your wounds. She said you had minor scratches and stuff and that you would be fine. The only wound she was worried about was your arm – she said the arrow had been poisoned. However, you'll be fine if you get plenty of rest." Hojo handed the cup of tea to Kagome, who greedily downed the liquid.

"Can I have some more?"

"Of course," he replied, quickly refilling her cup.

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"Damn, you cheated!" a handsome man growled before brushing his dark tresses out of his face. "We agreed we would NOT charm the girl! We said we would do it out of pure persuasiveness!" he continued, an unhappy frown marring his perfect face. One of his two companions just snorted at his childish behavior. "Hiei, are you disagreeing with me?" he challenged, glaring at his short companion.

"Kuronue, I think you are overreacting. It was just one human girl." his other companion smirked. "Just admit defeat, it's not that hard, you know?" he stated, his golden eyes alight with humor.

"I wasn't talking to you, you cheater!" Kuronue accused before glaring down at Hiei. Hiei narrowed his eyes defensively. Yes, they were companions and good friends, but that didn't mean they didn't fight. On the contrary, fighting and arguing was one of the few ways they showed each other that they cared – sort of.

"I don't recall cheating." his companion smoothly replied. "Can I help it if the human just turned to mush at the sight of me?" Hiei released a snort that sounded oddly like 'vain'.

"You're not THAT handsome!" Kuronue retorted, running his hand through his hair.

"Stop it," Hiei growled.

"Stop what?" Kuronue asked in annoyance.

"Playing with your hair." growled Hiei.

"Heh, what are you going to about it?" Kuronue taunted, before turning his attention back to his other companion. "Now where was I? Oh yes, you're not THAT handsome."

"I know," his companion replied, shocking both Hiei and Kuronue. "I happen to be gorgeous and extremely beautiful."

Hiei snorted, "You are both disgusting." This caused both of his companions to grin in a devious manner.

"We think you're pretty too, Hiei."

"Just not as beautiful as us." added Kuronue, earning a chuckle from his companion. Hiei scowled…he was going to blow a fuse…

Suddenly the air around them shimmered before Sesshoumaru stepped out from within a black rip in the air. "Ah, Sesshoumaru-sama." announced Kuronue, a smirk on his lips. "Have you finally decided to join us?"

"No," Sesshoumaru replied coldly, directing a glare at Kuronue. "I want to see you two in my chamber tonight." he continued, eyeing both Hiei and Kuronue. Sesshoumaru, Hiei, and Kuronue turned their attention to their forgotten companion when he began to tisk.

"Sesshoumaru, I never thought you to be one to do this."

"What are you talking about?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"For one, I prefer woman. But I guess we each have our preferences. But both of my companions at the same time?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his golden orbs. "I know they're great, but it might get a little rough if you borrow them at the same time. (Those two can't stay near each other for five second without fighting if I'm not around.) Now that I think about it, why don't I join the three of you tonight as well? We can use this experience as a bonding of some sort."

"You sick idiot," Hiei growled, causing a light chuckle to rumble forth from his companion's throat.

"That sounds like a great idea." Kuronue grinned. "I greatly approve of this." A look of disgust flickered over Hiei's face, causing both of his companions to fall into hysterical laughter.

"I do not delight in this carnal pleasure that you are so fond of," Sesshoumaru spat, "but tonight we are discussing important business."

"Does that mean next time will be friendship bonding?"

"Think what you will," Sesshoumaru replied before stepping into a black portal.

"Hey, Youko, I think we might have scared away Sesshoumaru-sama." Kuronue laughed.

"I don't think he's the only one we repulsed." Youko chuckled, motioning to the empty space their other companion used to occupy. "I really don't see why though…I only suggested that we become closer friends…what do you think they were thinking? And they said MY mind was always in the gutter."

Kuronue chuckled before narrowing his eyes. "You're still a cheater."

"I did not cheat!"

"You did too."

"I did not, but this isn't getting us anywhere. I propose a challenge."

"What challenge?"

"Two weeks."

"For what…?"

"Get the best girl. The loser proclaims, 'I'm an idiot and I am ugly, but will you be my mate?' to every living thing he meets for a whole week – regardless if the living thing happens to be a tree or a human. While asking this, he has to be on his knees and groveling."

"…"

"Scared?"

"You're on." Kuronue replied. "Be prepared to admit you're an ugly idiot to the whole world! I will have you licking the ground I walk!"

"Dream on…"

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TBC

Read and Review. :)

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews...for all my stores. :) You can only guess how surprised I was (in a good way) to find my mailbox flooded with inspiring reviews. I'm not going to answer any questions, because sooner or later, they'll be answered in the story. And if you guys want (tell me), I can explain how the system (angels, archangels, and etc) work.