Disclaimer: Wow, what a great idea. I could own Inu Yasha. Shoot, Rumiko Takahashi already does.
A/N- I know this chapter has been a long time in the coming, but I had a bit of writer's block with it. Personally, I don't think it's my best work, but I'm sure you'll still enjoy it. Please forgive me for the long wait. Review Responses at the end.
Chapter 5 – Battle Cry
Ishimaru tapped her foot impatiently and watched as a large white dog bounded into the small clearing. "Report."
There was a swirl of air and the dog became a man. He dropped to his knee. "My lady, I delivered your warning as ordered. However, I am grieved to tell you the pup and human still live."
"What! You are pathetic, Kikomora. How could you allow that human to live?"
"The hanyou had allies."
"Allies?" She raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Yes, a priest and demon slayer."
"Two more humans? You are quickly loosing my confidence."
"I do not wish to displease you, my lady. Mirori did manage to severely injure the hanyou's mate, although, he was slew in the process."
"Weep over your pet kitsune some other time, preferably out of my presence." She scowled and sniffed the air. "My men have arrived." Her gaze returned to the man before her. "Fail me again, Kikomora, and I will personally severe your worthless head."
Behind Kikomora, three swirling clouds appeared and three men dropped to their knees. "We are here to serve," they spoke in unison.
Ishimura's eyes glowed. "At last."
----
Inu Yasha laid Kagome gently in the bed of furs. She had fallen asleep a little while ago from exhaustion. He had sat and cradled her and their pup close, simply cherishing their presences. Pulling the furs up, he tucked them safely in. He kissed her brow and stroked her hair. She moved deeper into his touch, making him smile. 'Even in her sleep she knows where I am.'
Slowly and very reluctantly he moved away, knowing if he didn't leave now he wouldn't be able to. Before leaving he secured a large boulder in front of crawlway. 'I won't fall for that twice.' He glanced over his shoulder one last time at his sleeping mate as he moved out the entrance.
Outside, Miroku and Sango sat together beside the entrance. Shippo had been sent back to the village to check on Shinkuha. In truth, they had sent him away for his own safety. The black kitsune was no where in sight. Miroku had disposed of the offending creature earlier. The sun was nearly kissing the horizon. "How is Kagome?" Sango asked from her position in the grass.
Inu Yasha sighed. "Sleeping. Miroku, could you put some of your sutras around the entrance and the back crawlway so no demons can get in."
Miroku blinked. "I suppose I could, but it would prevent you from also getting in, and perhaps even Kagome from leaving with your son."
Inu Yasha snorted. "Don't you have some sutras that are full demon specific and will allow a hanyou or lesser to pass?"
"No, not on hand. And unfortunately I don't have any supplies to create any new ones."
Inu Yasha glanced back at the entrance. For a moment fear flashed in his eyes. 'I don't want to be separated from her, but if it will keep her safe.' "You and Sango will still be able to pass. Do it. I don't want to take any chances."
Miroku nodded and headed inside. "I will seal the back entrance first by the inside."
For a moment Inu Yasha's instincts swarmed at him to keep the perverted monk away from his mate. He took a step forward to follow Miroku, but Sango put a hand on his shoulder. "I'll make sure he behaves himself." She followed him inside.
Inu Yasha turned his back on the entrance, standing guard over his home, and sniffed the air. He couldn't scent the dog demon from before or even any other. He relaxed ever so slightly. At least he wouldn't have to do battle for a little while longer. His ears twitched as Miroku and Sango reemerged from the cave. He glanced at Sango.
She nodded. "Kagome's still sound asleep. She must be so tired with all this running around just after she gave birth."
"She is very strong to do so, considering even Sango remained in bed for nearly three days after our daughter's birth." Miroku placed a sutra on one side of the cave entrance.
Sango nodded again. "Yes, but it is amazing the strength you can have, when your child is in danger."
Inu Yasha's ears flattened and he groaned. "She shouldn't have to protect him. That's my job."
"It is her job, too. She is his mother, Inu Yasha. And a mother with her child being threatened is perhaps the most powerful and dangerous creature in the world." Sango watched as Miroku placed a sutra at the top of the entrance and another on the other side. Now there were three sutras creating a barrier across the archway of the cave.
Miroku dusted his hands. "All done, no demons will be getting in here any time soon." He turned to look at the sunset. Yes, the sun was nearly gone from view and that meant their enemy would be raising her ugly head very soon.
Inu Yasha looked at the entrance to his home. He really didn't like being separated from his mate and pup. But another part of him knew it was for the best. His nose caught the scent of dog. In the scent he could pick out that it smelled somewhat like his half-brother, but not entirely. That meant that it was Ishimaru. He turned toward the forest growling and Kirara transformed beside her mistress.
"Is it her?" Sango asked taking up her hiraikotsu.
As if on cue the silver haired demon stepped from the forest. She stepped slowly closer and paused when Inu Yasha snarled fiercely. "Step aside or die."
"No way in hell, you disgusting wench."
"My, my, such hostility. What's wrong Inu Yasha didn't you enjoy my gift?"
Inu Yasha's snarl became deeper and louder. "I ought to rip you to pieces for even setting a foot near my home. And as for your 'gift'…" He cracked his knuckles and displayed his claws. "You'll never be able to do that to my pup."
"Oh?" She raised a delicate eyebrow at him and snapped her fingers. A moment later the three soldiers appeared behind her. "I think I will. Attack, bring me that mongrel's head!"
The three demons sprang from their kneeling positions and attacked. Sango threw hiraikotsu at the demon that charged her and Miroku fought off his demon with his staff. Inu Yasha didn't wait for the third demon to attack, he charged in unsheathing Tetsusaiga. The blade transformed into his father's fang and he sent it crashing into the demon's arm. The demon hissed in pain and backed away a step, only to grow angry and charge in dodging a second blow and slice his claws into the hanyou's shoulder. Inu Yasha's anger was already reaching its peek. He spun as the demon landed behind him and sliced the surprised inuyoukai right in half. The problem was there were two others, not including Ishimaru. But she seemed content to watch the display with that somewhat bored expression Sesshomaru always got.
Sango cried out as the demon she was fighting off with her sword in one hand and hiraikotsu in the other, knocked her giant bone weapon away from her and in the process breaking her arm. Miroku threw a sutra at his demon warrior and made a run for Sango. "Sango! I'm coming!" The demon tried to take advantage of his turned back and sprang at the escaping monk.
Lucky for Miroku, Inu Yasha had just finished off his own demon attacker and was able to tackle Miroku's opponent to the ground. Inu Yasha dug his own claws into the inuyoukai's stomach. The demon's only response was to shove the hanyou off him and rise to his feet, a stoic expression in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Miroku reached Sango's side just in time to stop her attacker from slicing her with his poisonous claws. Slamming his staff into the youkai's stomach with great force, he was able to send the demon a few steps back but with little other effect.
Inu Yasha and the second demon were fighting in close quarters, which was making it difficult for Inu Yasha to use Testsusaiga. He growled and slashed at his opponent with his claws. The blow fell short and the inuyoukai smashed his fist into the hanyou's jaw. Inu Yasha staggered back, cursing. Now, however, he had enough room to swing his blade and swing he did. This youkai was faster than the first and was able to escape the blow aimed to at his middle.
Kirara took her opportunity to try and attack Ishimaru, who struck the fire cat with her energy whip. Kirara cried out in pain and jumped back to avoid another strike. Ishimaru merely took a step back and continued to watch the encounter with the bored expression again.
Inu Yasha was becoming frustrated with the demon dodging his blows. 'Damn it, I need more space! I can't use the Wind Scar this close to Kagome and the pup.' He chose to try and move the battle further away from the entrance, by attempting to attack Ishimaru. "You won't lay a hand on my pup!"
The loud and bold attack drew both demon attackers away from the cave and back toward the forest in order to stop Inu Yasha's attack. This gave the poor demon slayer a chance to catch her breath and grit her teeth against the pain in her arm, and a chance for her husband to give her quick look over for other injuries.
Inu Yasha was stopped in midair by another male inuyoukai, Kikomora. The demon drew a small sword and slashed the hanyou across the chest, leaving a deep gaping wound that bled freely. Inu Yasha landed clumsily and stabbed Tetsusaiga into the earth, leaning on it. "Damn you." A second later his previous opponent struck from behind, crashing a foot into his back. Inu Yasha collapsed to the ground.
Miroku ran forward leaving Kirara to protect his injured spouse. "Stop this! This battle is pointless." Ishimaru raised an eyebrow at him in question. "Inu Yasha and Kagome would rather die than allow you or anyone else to lay a hand on their child. Besides, Inu Yasha has no intention of trying to take back the western lands from Sesshomaru. Can't you allow them to live in peace?"
"You are a mortal, how could you possibly understand my position. The pup must die to prevent any attempt at taking my own son's rule. I will not even allow a future threat to grow."
Inu Yasha pushed himself from the ground slowly. "Don't waste your breath, monk. She won't listen to you. I'll just have to kill her." He pulled Tetsusaiga roughly from the earth and pointed it at her. "Prepare to die!"
The three male demons charged the hanyou at once. Inu Yasha braced himself for the impact and preparing his own attack. Suddenly there was a small explosion and the air filled with a noxious vapor. The full demons reeled from the vapors backing away toward the forest. Inu Yasha covered his nose with his sleeve. 'I know this scent.'
Miroku looked back at Sango. She had thrown one of her slayer powders into the midst of the demons. They watched as Inu Yasha emerged from the fumes chocking. "Why the hell did you do that?"
"You could say thank you, you know." Sango scowled.
"She has a point, Inu Yasha. She probably just saved your life." Miroku pointed out.
Inu Yasha growled. "The hell you did." The vapors were clearing, revealing four very angry inuyoukai. "I'm going to finish this right now." Inu Yasha started forward brandishing Tetsusaiga.
"You are pathetic, Inu Yasha, depending upon your mortal companions to do your fighting. Your father would be very disappointed." Ishimaru taunted.
Inu Yasha growled. "You think I care about that! I never knew him, when he was alive! Like care I'd care what he'd think!" This, of course, was not true. He did care what his father thought of him, but he wasn't about to admit that the demoness had hit a swore spot. The hanyou stopped and crashed his sword into the earth. "Wind Scar!"
Ishimaru was quick enough to avoid the blast, however, Kikomora was not and was swallowed in the demon sword's flames. Inu Yasha smirked where he stood panting. "Sorry, about your servant Ishimaru."
"I had no further need of him anyways." She flicked her wrist and the two remaining males attacked the very tired and injured Inu Yasha.
-----
Meanwhile, Kagome had woken to the sounds of battle and the absence of her mate. She clutched Inu Denkou to her tightly. He whimpered slightly in response and his little hands tugged at her chest, indicating that he was again hungry. She sat up and began to pull open her kimono front. She had stopped wearing her modern clothes after she had gotten pregnant. The kimono was easier to put on an off with a round belly and made easy access for her pup to feed.
Her heart thumped hard in her chest as she heard Inu Yasha cry out in pain. She wanted so badly to run to him and make sure he was all right. But she remembered that she had another responsibility now, one to protect their son. She gave the pup a weak smile and ran a finger along his tiny ear. It was not a dog ear like Inu Yasha's but it was not human either. It was pointed at the tip, reminding her of Shippo's ears. Thinking of the fox, she glanced around the chamber for the little kit. But there was no sign of him. Then she noticed the boulder blocking the back crawlway and the sutra that was placed on top of it. 'Miroku must have done that.' She glanced at the entrance. 'I bet he put sutras there, as well.'
Inu Denkou pulled away and fussed a bit. Kagome lifted him gently to her shoulder and began to rub his back to let the air bubbles out of his stomach. She focused all her senses on what was going on outside. Inu Yasha was cursing and there was the sound of the wind scar. A small tremor followed the blast and Kagome watched the vines over the entrance sway a bit. "Daddy's putting up quite a struggle, my little one. He won't let anything happen to you, and neither will I." She rubbed his back a little more and a tiny burp escaped him. She chuckled lightly despite their peril. "Don't worry, Daddy will take care of us. He always has."
-----
Outside, the battle was now several hundred yards from the entrance to the cave. Inu Yasha was fighting off one of the inuyoukai with his claws. Tetsusaiga had been knocked from his hands when the demon had struck him from behind. Miroku and Sango were battling the other inuyoukai, while Ishimaru watched again with growing annoyance in her eyes.
Sango took up her hiraikotsu once more, but in her uninjured hand. She aimed right at the youkai. The demon sprang in the air, dodging the giant weapon and landed gracefully where he'd started from. Unfortunately for the demon, he didn't realize the weapon would return to on the same trajectory. Taken off guard, he was cut in half.
Inu Yasha's opponent, who seemed to be the elder and wiser of the three warrior demons, was watching this display while fighting the hanyou. He would not be would not be caught in the same trap.
Unbeknownst to those in the battle, from the stream behind the cave, a sole figure approached. He watched the battle for a moment and calculated that the demoness did not have long before she would be defeated. However, he also calculated that the hanyou would loose his life before the battle was over. The creature was loosing a great deal of blood and was becoming weaker by the minute.
Turning his attention to the cave he stood beside, he noticed the three sutras that guarded the entrance. With a flick of the intruder's wrist, he sliced through the sutras with a whip of green energy. The sutras fell to the ground in half. They were not strong enough to hold back a youkai of his power. Slow him down perhaps- but not hold him back.
Inside the cave, still curled up in the furs at the head of the bed, Kagome looked up and gasped at the man before her, so startled that she forgot her kimono was open to the world. "Sesshomaru…."
(A/N: I really wanted to stop here. But I really don't want to be eaten by angry fans. LOL)
"Get up, girl."
"What?" Kagome continued to gap at her mate's half-brother. Suddenly realizing her state, she franticly closed the kimono. An angry blush colored her cheeks. "What in the world do you think you're doing?"
"Get up and come with me."
Kagome felt fear run through her. "Why?"
"If you continue to ask questions, your mate will die." He gave her a look that was almost pleading. When he scented her fear, something else flickered in his eyes. Had that been pity? "I have no interest in harming you. Now follow me." He waited for another moment patiently for Kagome to obey. When she didn't he stepped forward and took a hold of her arm. "Now, wench."
Kagome tried to pull away. "No! I won't go anywhere with you."
"So, do you desire my brother to die?"
Kagome went pale. "N-no! Is Inu Yasha hurt? What did you do to him?"
"I have done nothing to him, but my mother will surely kill him. Now come." He pulled her harder this time and she came out the bed of furs stumbling slightly. She would certainly have a hand print shaped bruise tomorrow.
She looked at entrance with trepidation. "Inu Yasha told me to stay here."
"So you will not come willing, then I shall take you." He started to drag her toward the entrance.
"Wait!" Kagome pulled back again. Sesshomaru was quickly loosing his patience with this wench. How his brother could tolerate such a disobedient woman was beyond the demon lord. He narrowed his eyes warningly. She indicated the bundle in her arms. "Just let me…" She trailed off, while accomplishing her task. She tucked the tiny infant into her Kimono and secured him there. The pup which had begun to whimper, calmed almost instantly.
Sesshomaru gave the child a bored look and took hold of Kagome's hair this time, dragging her toward the entrance, ignoring her protests that she needed her bow. Emerging from the fire lit cave, Kagome discovered that it was nearly pitch dark. In a clearing a few hundred yards away her mate and friends were still battling the inuyoukai. Sango and Miroku were trying to get Ishimaru, but she held them at bay with her own energy whip. Inu Yasha had been stabbed deep in the arm by the male youkai's sword. His vision was becoming blurry from loss of blood and he could feel his legs becoming weak.
She watched in terror as he suddenly collapsed. "Inu Yasha!" Sisshomaru responded to the outburst by pulling Kagome along by here hair. She hissed in pain but there was no use in struggling with him, it only made the pain worse. Tears blurred her vision as she watched the male youkai stand over her mate and prepare to sever his head.
"Halt." Sesshomaru ordered flatly.
"Sesshomaru?" Miroku and Sango gasped in unison. 'This is quickly going down hill.' Miroku stepped closer to Sango, protectively.
The warrior spun with the anticipation of a new enemy. Once realizing who stood before him was the Great Demon of the West, he dropped to his knees and threw the sword to the side. "My lord."
"Finish the mongrel!" Ishimaru was furious at the interruption.
Sesshomaru tossed Kagome unceremoniously to the ground beside his brother. He turned his gaze on the warrior. "Leave."
The warrior knew better than to argue with his lord. Without a single word he turned tail and ran into the forest.
Kagome was beside Inu Yasha, desperately trying to get the wound in his chest to stop bleeding. The pup inside her Kimono whimpered, sensing his mother's distress. Tears brimmed in Kagome's eyes as she called her husband's name. "Inu Yasha? Inu Yasha, please wake up."
Inu Yasha blinked in pain, trying to force the blurriness from his eyes. "Kagome?" Despite the pain, his eyes snapped full open. "Kagome, what are you doing here? I told you stay in the cave."
"Enough." Sesshomaru turned to Ishimaru. "What is the meaning of this mother?"
"You know very well what this is about. That pup must die."
Sesshommaru took a few steps forward. "You dishonor me with your actions."
Ishimaru seemed shocked and her jaw even hung for a split second. Then the cold fury rose in her eyes. "How dare you pup! I am the one who bore you! And if I deem the child a threat to your position or mine, I will eliminate it."
Sesshomura nodded slowly. "I see, it is your position you are concerned about." Ishimaru hissed in anger. Sesshomaru glanced over at the miko kneeling beside his injured half-brother. "You believe your position has been taken by my brother's mate, for you are no longer in our father's household. Therefore she is now the sole female."
"What! You believe the great Ishimaru to be jealous of some human!" She crossed her arms fuming. "I was merely concerned for your well being, and the pup could become a threat to you later on."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. "You insult me, mother, to believe that a mostly human pup, a human, and a half-breed could stand against me. You have dishonored me with your actions. I should slay you myself for such an insult."
"I am not so easy to kill, my boy."
"Do not force my hand, mother. You should have left this stain on my father's house alone and let it die away quietly. Instead, you have made your actions known and thus have disgraced me."
"Who are you calling a stain!" Inu Yasha growled sitting up with Kagome's help. Miroku and Sango were standing near their friends now, ready for battle but hoping it was over.
"Silence mongrel." Ishimaru hissed.
"Quit calling him that!" Kagome angrily shouted.
"Silence mortal." Sesshomura replied flatly. His gaze never left his mother. "You will leave now, or I will have to take further actions to reclaim my honor." Ishimaru didn't move. "I am the Lord of the Western Lands, you will obey me or die for your insolence or worse be banished to the main land."
That seemed to snap the inuyoukai into reality. Here she had her son's protection, she was respected and obeyed. But out there beyond his borders, she was unknown and would have to fight to survive. "Fine, I will leave them be, if that is what my lord desires." Sesshomaru nodded ever so slightly. She turned her back and started to walk away.
Everyone released a deep sigh, except for Sesshomaru who remained silent and Inu Yasha who growled loudly. "I should've killed her when I had the chance."
Sesshomaru ignored the comment, turning his back on the group as well, and began walking in the opposite direction. When he had moved away some distance, Ishimaru stopped her slow pace and turned back to the group. She attacked in a flash so quick that only Kagome, who'd never taken her eyes off Ishimaru, saw the attack coming. She released Inu Yasha and threw her hands into the air, sending a bolt of energy at the youkai. Ishimaru, who had encountered that attack before, dodged the energy bolt.
She landed before the couple with an evil glint in her eye. Inu Yasha tried to shield Kagome with his own body, as the demon reached for her. He snarled, but Ishimaru disposed of the weakened hanyou with a backhand that sent him flying. Kagome cringed as the youkia took hold of her wrist and reached for her chest where the pup was securely fastened. Kagome shrieked. "No!" Her whole body glowed with the pale purple light of her miko powers.
Ishimaru never had a chance. She was far too close to not be struck by the blast from the terrified young mother. Ishimaru's cry was mixed with the wail of the pup. Kagome could sense his discomfort, but she also knew he was safe. Her powers and fears were focused on Ishimaru. She could not – would not – allow this creature to lay a hand on her son. Everything that lay inside a human mother's heart sprang to the surface strengthening the miko's purifying powers. Instincts flaring protectively, she released everything at once. What was left of Ishimaru was thrown in the blast some fifty yards away, where she landed unmoving.
Sesshomaru, who had turned back at Inu Yasha's snarl, shielded his eyes from the light that engulfed the miko and his mother. When the light finally subsided enough for him to see into it, he saw a half dissolved shape land heavily upon the ground several yards away. He then saw the miko fall to her knees, her eyes roll back in her head and she collapsed to her side, arms wrapped around the wailing infant. Sesshomaru moved toward the heap of flesh, knowing already what it was. He looked down at what remained of his mother and closed his eyes against the sight. 'This is what I had tried to avoid, but you would not listen.' He knelt beside her, quietly looking into the half dissolved face of his childhood.
Inu Yasha crawled back to Kagome. He was still bleeding and when he had attempted to stand, his legs had felt like jelly. But hearing his child's wails had given him the strength to crawl to his mate's side. "Kagome?" She was out cold, sweat dripping from her brow. He stroked her cheek gently with his clawed finger, as he gave her quick assessment. She seemed relatively unharmed, except for the wounds from earlier. He pulled her head into his lap gently. His attention was drawn to her chest where the infant squirmed and still wailed. Drawing the pup from her kimono and cuddling him close, he made a low rumbling noise in his chest in an attempt to soothe his son's fears.
Miroku and Sango had positioned themselves between the couple and the fallen demon. "We are sorry about your mother, but it was of her design that she died. Take her now and leave. I shall say a prayer for her soul." Miroku, who was the least injured of the group, held his ground a few steps in front of his wife.
They watched as Sesshomaru stood and turned his gaze toward them. "This is over." From the forest emerged the two headed dragon, Ah-Un. He lifted the remains of his mother onto the beast's back.
"Sesshomaru." The demon lord looked at Inu Yasha out of the corner of his eye. "I'm sorry things turned out this way. I wish they could have been different."
There was a soft snort from Sesshomaru. "Do not pity me, Inu Yasha. Your mate has cleansed me of the dishonor my own mother brought upon my house." He turned back to the dragon and the forest. "This changes nothing between us, however. One day I shall possess our father's fang." He fingered his own fang and left without another word. The truth was he intended to allow his brother to live out his hanyou existence and then return for the blade. As long as his younger brother remained in his forest and out of the demon lord's affairs, Sesshomaru had not intention of confronting him.
Inu Yasha watched Sesshomaru go, with the raw memory of his own mother's death in his mind. 'Well, at least he had the chance to be with her for a long time. My mother died when I was still a child.' He rubbed gently at his son's back. The pup had finally quieted. He looked down at his mate, she was still unconscious. 'Well, at least. We're all still alive. Thanks to you, Kagome.'
Kagome shifted slightly and opened her eyes. "Inu Yasha? What happened?"
-----
A/N: Thanks for the great reviews. I hope I answered a couple of questions in this chapter. But here are a few more responses.
Some said Kirara was spelt wrong. Well here's a quick lesson in Japanese. Although in the English dubed version the fire cat is pronounced Kilala, that is not how it is written in the Japanese Romanji where there is no such thing as a L. In the Japanese language R is often pronounced as a cross between a D and L. If you have any of the movies, swift the feature over to hear the Japanese version. I'm still learning the language myself, but this is how it is also being taught to me.
2. Inu Denkou – which literally means dog of lightening - I decided not to give him doggy ears. It's been a little over done I think. Although I really thought about it, but when I did the math there was only a one in four chance he'd get those cute ears. You never know, if they have more I might give one of them the ears.
Well, I hope I answered some of your questions. Stay tuned for the next chapter. It probably wont be as long in coming as this one. I had real hard time writing this one. Please R&R!