Rena Moon-Thanks and yeah, better late then never, but I wasn't worried. Oh Please don't cry things will turn out all right. Thanks again.
Sesshomaru's Mistress-Thanks, I just write what I see in my mind. Yes Bankotsu has, but I do believe, it is more to force Sesshomaru to confront a few things. 'Chuckles,' Splitting hairs for Sesshomaru are we? Yes, it is true about the lunarian demon comment, however, there is the human blood that once frequented her veins and that has to be resolved. 'Wags finger,' Now, now, no telling on what Hakudoshi may do, 'nods,' I agree about his infant self. Yeah, Hotaru and Usagi should be crossing paths soon. 'Winks.'
Lunabelle0-He doesn't love her less, he just has to learn the past belongs in the past.
Thanks for all the reviews, you don't know how much it means to me. I don't own Inu or SM.
Usagi appeared a few hundred feet from the cave, being that she was unfamiliar with the terrain. Solemn tears alighted on her face, but her sickness had been cured when the ginzuishou had reacted on the doubts. Wearily she curled her legs under her body, and gazed into the lake that was just a few inches from her.
InuYasha sighed as he felt Kagome approach him. "InuYasha?" She inquired. InuYasha reached behind him and brought Kagome around in front of him. He rested his head upon hers, but didn't answer her. "InuYasha, what is wrong?" She asked. InuYasha drew a breath in, and his nose caught a familiar scent. Lifting Kagome into his arms, and took off, to which the inu-tachi shared a look and took off behind him.
He skirted to a stop as he caught the blond hair, but something seemed off about Usagi. InuYasha let Kagome down, who rushed toward her friend with a hug. Grasping Usagi around her shoulders, she gave a tight hug to the desolate girl. "Your human, and well!" Kagome shriek surprised, which brought InuYasha over in curiosity.
"You are a half-demon?" InuYasha questioned and watched as Usagi turned to him.
"Not exactly." She answered him, and turned away in hurt as his looks reminded her of the Taiyoukai. Kagome interfered before InuYasha could continue questioning the distraught blonde. Though she had her own turmoil she felt the need to help Usagi.
"Hey, you want to come with us for a bit?" Kagome offered, glaring lightly at the sure protest that was to come from InuYasha. Yet, InuYasha didn't say anything, and nodded in support to Kagome's suggestion.
Usagi thought over the offer, trying to ignore her selfless behavior. She needed a retreat, Sesshomaru and InuTashio could protect the children and Kaede. So she nodded and stood shakily with help from Kirara who had finally landed. Usagi hugged the cat, and Kirara nudged her unto her back as Sango hopped off with Miroku. Since they were a few hundred feet away from their camp, they decided to walk back as Kirara carried Usagi. The mood was solemn as they arrived, the doubts rising and brooding beneath everyone's eyes. Usagi sighed as her kindness prompted her actions. The rest settle into camp as Usagi drew Kagome aside.
"What happened, the last time I saw you, it was hugs and kisses, now the air is tense." Usagi stated. Kagome glanced at her with sadness that lined her eyes. Usagi leaned forward and hugged the sadden raven-haired woman. "Tell me." Usagi instructed kindly, and Kagome spilt out every single doubt that had been building. Usagi nodded and comforted Kagome until she fell asleep in her embrace. Tapping into the crystal's reserves since her demon strength was out, it allowed her to carry Kagome back.
InuYasha growled in warning as he saw Kagome out in Usagi's arms. Usagi glared back, as she set Kagome down and tucked her friend in. "You and I mister are going to have a talk!" She shouted harshly, but lowly enough not to disturb Kagome. Sango, Kohaku, and Miroku glanced at the two, as Kirara kept an eye out. Usagi waved a hand of no worry at the group who nodded. InuYasha feh'd and crossed his arms, but followed none the less. Usagi, turned on her heel when they were far enough away.
"What in the world are you thinking?" She screeched out, as she stared at him. InuYasha shuffled beneath the scold and anger that was surfacing. So he did, what he normally does when caught in a prospect that he couldn't deal with.
"Wrench." He snared out. Usagi glared at him, as ice played on her fingertips.
"Fine, if that is the way you want to play it." Usagi warned and lift her icy fingers at him. "Then you are going to stand there silently and listen." She instructed.
"I think no.."He was cut off as she flung out one of her attacks.
"Mercury Aqua Mirage!" Usagi yelled as she froze the young hanyou in ice, but not enough to kill. "Now, we are going to have an uninterrupted chat." Usagi stated and leaned against a tree.
Sesshomaru had his anger with no outlet, flicking a cold gaze to his knocked out father, he was disturbed by a childish yawn. Rin stretched, and rubbed her eyes of sleep. "Usa-mama?" Rin called out looking for her mother figure again, as she caught site of Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru fought down the feeling known as guilt as he locked gazes with Rin. "Lord Sesshomaru, where is Usa-mama?" Rin asked. Sesshomaru glanced down a mere moment before answering.
"She is gone." He stated and before he could say more Rin bust out crying.
"She doesn't like me." Rin cried out, and Sesshomaru was overwhelmed with the guilt that he had forced away.
"No, Rin, I made her go." Sesshomaru stated plainly. Rin stared accusingly at him, with teary eyes.
"Why?" She asked, willing to give her lord a chance.
"She was human.."His excuse sounded weak to his own ears, and Rin had no trouble telling him so.
"Lord Sesshomaru-sama, I want Usa-mama!" Rin demanded, and Shiori who had woken a few sentences ago looked at him too.
"Lord Sesshomaru-sama, WE want Usa-mama!" They both demanded, and the lord silently cursed his sensitive hearing.
"Stay here." He ordered, and stepped outside to find the blond ningen. The silent time was reflection for the young lord. He thought about what exactly drew his attention to Usagi. Sesshomaru admitted to the attraction of the power she contained, and she still did, just without her demonic strength. Referring to the crystal still reacting to her wishes, even after her demon side was vanished. Still, it was trust that was hard for him to come by as far as humans were concern. Yet, as he reviewed his interactions with the blonde, he realized it had been him who had been untrustworthy. She had trusted him to know her, no matter her race, and he practically threw the trust back at her. Sesshomaru was becoming acquainted with another emotion, this one was guilt's friend named shame.
As he nosed the air, he was reacquainted with his hanyou's relation scent. Now he felt one emotion that he was well known for, cold fury. Off he sprinted, not willing to apologize, but was willing to give the human Usagi a chance.
InuYasha stared guilty down as he listened to what Usagi spoke of, and his thoughts were broken by her question. "Wha?" He asked in response.
"I said do you love Kagome?" Usagi asked. InuYasha glared indignation, as he had made the declaration before her very presence a weeks ago.
"How can you ask me that, I said I love Kagome." InuYasha declared, growling at her.
"I know you said it, but do you feel it?" Usagi inquired, and InuYasha was hit with a silence. "It can be the most powerful force of all, and it can be the worst hurt of all." She stated, reviewing every battle and hurt she had suffered by it. A rustle in the bushes caught a iota of her attention, but not enough to distract her. "So do you feel it, love, do you?" Usagi asked InuYasha.
Sesshomaru felt a tremendous strike against his chest region as he had caught the tail end of the conversation. However, he waited to hear what his half-brother would answer.
"Yes," InuYasha answered seriously, "I do." He stated.
'He said yes, I have lost again to him.' Sesshomaru thought and his blood was darkening his eyes.
"Then go tell her." Usagi instructed.
'Go tell her?' Sesshomaru wondered, his blood forcing his demon though since it was tired of his controlling logic. The inner demon had no problem with whatever race Usagi belong to. So his dog demon form came out, disturbing the two, Usagi turning to him with confusion before it turned to hurt. Usagi freed InuYasha, and ushered him to Kagome. "Go, this is between me and him." Usagi ordered.
"But you are human!" InuYasha argued, Usagi shook her head, and pushed him on.
"Please just go." She pleaded, InuYasha huffed and turned to leave. Sesshomaru would have none of it, and leapt in front of InuYasha, causing him to draw the Tetsusaiga. Usagi prayed for help and guidance as she jumped in between the brothers tossing her arms wide. "NO!" She shouted loud enough to startle them, and draw Kirara's attention. The cat flew to where she had seen her companions walk off to. Usagi turned misted eyes of order to the cat demon, making a motion for her to draw InuYasha away. "Sesshomaru?" Usagi called trying to get through the dangerous haze he was in. The dog demon looked down, and lowered his muzzle to her height. He snuffed, checking her over, before reaching for her with an open mouth.
Usagi was not born a true demon, so she misunderstood the action. Fearful, she took off into the underbrush, well aware of the lumbering crashes behind her. Only for her to crash into a hard body, glancing up she caught an amused glance. Her eyes strayed to the purple cross on his forehead. "Looks like you need a hand, come on." He urged her, pulling her along. She nodded, but her eyes locked onto the long blade resting on his shoulder. "Don't worry, this is Banryuu." He introduce his weapon as they ran. "I'm Bankotsu." He added, Usagi nodded.
An angry growl had her turning to look, which sent her stumbling, or would of if not a large white paw had not caught her. The paw drew her behind the large dog demon, as Bankotsu turned with a smirk. "Hello Sesshomaru." He greeted cheerily, obviously not disturbed in the lease by the large demon. Sesshomaru lowered his fangs toward the impudent human, and smirked. In response, Bankotsu whirled Banryuu off his shoulder, and with the flat-side smacked the muzzle away.
Before Sesshomaru could tear into the stupid human, the blond stepped in between them. "No more fighting!" She cried out, and the ginzuishou sent out an answering pulse, flinging the two fighters away from each other. This cause the demon to receded, and Sesshomaru regain a human form. His golden eyes caught the glowing sapphires, he allowed a side glare over her shoulder for the approaching Bankotsu. "Sesshomaru?" She questioned as she heard him growl. Bankotsu smirked behind her to infuriate Sesshomaru, lip syncing the word 'mine.' Sesshomaru leapt forward aiming to tear out his heart. Yet, Usagi stepped in the way again. He glanced at her in confusion, and anger though not directed at her, she misread it. Hurt once more, she brushed pass Bankotsu, and summoned the ginzuishou to transport her again.
"You keep causing her to run, it's becoming tiresome." Bankotsu stated while shouldering Banryuu. Sesshomaru glared at him, his claws lengthening. "Now if you excuse me, I have someone to 'take," He commented while his words took on a double meaning. Bankotsu rushed off, quickly disappearing into the foliage. This was done easily as Sesshomaru was wondering at the reason for her leaving. He ignored the taunting of the mercenary until the words truly sunk in. 'No!' He growled in thought and took off after him.
Usagi teleported to where the crystal thought she needed to be, right on a ground of dead. She withheld a gasp as she studied the strewn bodies of wolves and demons. "HIME?" A voice called out, drawing Usagi's attention.
"Hotaru?" She questioned in return as she squinted to focus her eyes.
"Hime!" Hotaru chirped out, drawing her tachi's attention. Kouga wondered at her happiness and stood up. Walking over he was followed by Kagura, Kanna, and Hiten. As Hotaru kneeled and caught her princess in a hug, she felt the sadness that cloaked her princess. "Hime?" She inquired softly. Usagi smiled sadly and patted Hotaru's head.
"Usagi, Hotaru, Usagi." She prepped, and Hotaru nodded.
"What is wrong Usagi?" Hotaru asked.
"Hold a on a minute Hota-chan." She instructed and raised her ginzuishou. "Did Naraku do this?" Usagi bit out.
"Yes." A dark male voice answered, and she turned to see a slightly stiff Kouga. She nodded to him and turned back to Hotaru.
"Can you help me, I'm fairly drained." Usagi pleaded and Hotaru paled.
"No, wait until you've rested." Hotaru ordered. Usagi smiled at her senshi, but shook her head.
"I can't, and you know fair enough why." Usagi answered.
"Yes hime, your large heart is going to get you killed." Hotaru told her as she transformed into Saturn.
"I know, doesn't it." Usagi remarked in irony. Together they focused their powers on the gem, and the light speared over the bodies covering them. The group gasped as life could be seen in the eyes of the fallen. Half the group rose, followed by the other half, as the two women caught the sign of life they cut off the energy flow. Kouga caught Hotaru as she stumbled, while Kagura braced Usagi. The wolf tribe were surprised, but got up and walked off ignoring the strange group.
Usagi smiled back at Kagura before letting her body pass into sleep. "Damn it Hime!" Hotaru cursed out, as she struggled from the hold Kouga had her in. "Let me go, damn it!" Hotaru yelled as her transformation had slipped when the energy cut off. Obviously she had spent much, too much time with the Senshi Uranus.
"Let her rest." Kouga whispered in her ear, and she ceased struggling. "That's better, and I order you to rest too." Kouga continued, which started her struggling again. "Don't worry, I'll watch over the both of you." He promised, and Hotaru sighed.
"You won't take Hell No, will you?" Hotaru resigned.
"No, sorry woman, now rest." Kouga ordered once more.
"Fine." Hotaru answered and curled into his arms. 'Much better,' he thought.
Naraku listened as his Saimyosho reiterated all that had happen. Naraku frowned as he heard Bankotsu's claim on the blonde demoness. "Now we can't have that, can we Bioijin-ko?" He questioned harshly to the open air. If it was possible the Saimyosho may have rolled it's eyes. "Hakudoshi!" He called his other self in, and the white haired pre-teen appeared.
"What!"Hakudoshi snapped out, he was Origumo's essence in part.
"Go destroy that mercenary." Naraku ordered, glaring at the white-haired demon child.
"Be a little more specific." Hakudoshi whipped back.
"Bankotsu!" Naraku flushed out, his face becoming red. He couldn't kill this detachment of his because it possess part of his heart. Hakudoshi glared back and walked out fully aware of Naraku's thoughts.
"Damn it, and I can't kill him either." Hakudoshi commented as he reviewed the same reason Naraku had just thought. 'Damn Irony.' He recalled in thought. So the bandit's essence in the detachment went after the rogue mercenary.
There, the next chapter. Well look at whose getting protective. Yes, Usagi will be fixing the damage that Hakudoshi had wrought upon the doubts, of course except her own. Sesshomaru is going to have to fix that himself, good lord, will be here forever! 'Laughs gamely,' No offense. Anyways enjoy and please review. Hmm, perhaps Hotaru shouldn't hang around Haruka any more.
Much Care,
WCB.