Groaning drew Kagura from her watch her eyes turning to the moving blond. Getting up she walked over and shook the blond fully awake, sapphires stared blearily at her. "What's wrong Kagura-chan?" Usagi mumbled while rubbing her eyes clear of her drowsiness. Kagura glanced down in confusion at the mumbling blond.
"What?" Kagura inferred, blinking at Usagi.
"You look sad." Usagi stated softly sitting up. Kagura gazed for an instant at the battle-scared land, then a quick gaze at Hiten, before returning her gaze to Usagi. "Oh.." Usagi said softly hugging her friend. "You deserve life Kagura, how can you be blamed for things out of your control?" Usagi inquired, stroking her friend's hair. Kagura begin softly crying, but not enough to draw the attention of the others.
"How do I, after all I have done?" Kagura asked her, pleading for answers.
"Kagura, answer me truly, do you enjoy your freedom?" Usagi inquired.
"Of course!" Kagura answered in positive. Usagi nodded while hugging her friend closer.
"Then stop acting as if I wasted perfectly good energy giving it too you." Usagi stated while looking in Kagura's eyes.
"Wha?" Kagura ensued.
"Kagura, you were under control, just like I was, and though I feel interminable guilt, I live to make up for it." Usagi explained, her eyes darkening. "I make up for it, by helping those who need it, and living life as if each day is my last." Usagi exclaimed and Kagura smiled softly.
"Truly?"Kagura muttered.
"Truly." Usagi responded, hiding a flash of guilt as she thought over her situation with Sesshomaru. "Now, there is a cute man over there that needs your support, go get him." Usagi ordered pushing Kagura over to him. Kagura smiled cleanly and walked over to Hiten, dragging him off to talk. Kouga raised a confused eyebrow, but turned his attention as Hotaru started shifting.
"Afternoon." Kouga greeted, hugging the girl. Hotaru blushed, and quickly hugged Kouga back before weaseling out of his hold. Kouga withheld a growl of displeasure, because he saw Hotaru bound over to Usagi. He had come to terms that he can't protect everyone from everything, but he'd be damned if he couldn't protect Hotaru. He smirked as he remembered her skills. Even though she is quite capable of protecting herself. He admires a potential mate with the ability to be equal to himself. Amused he watched as Hotaru tackles the blond human.
Usagi caught Hotaru as she leapt toward her. "Now Hime, what's got you upset?" Hotaru asked, watching her hime closely.
"You first Hota-chan." Usagi stated, and halted her protest. "Now don't deny it, I can see it in your eyes." Usagi commented observing the slight tilt in her senshi's head. A flick to Kouga had Usagi smiling widely. "Does little Hota-chan have a crush?" Usagi teased, as Hotaru blushed darkly.
"Hell No!" Hotaru exclaimed as Usagi chuckled.
"Forgive me.."Usagi offered while lightly smirking. "You are in love." Usagi added, and watched as Hotaru turned an interesting magenta.
"Hime.."Hotaru began.
"Usagi." Usagi corrected.
"Usagi, I...I can't" Hotaru stated, looking down. Usagi tilted Hotaru's head up.
"Why not?"Usagi enquired softly.
"My duty." Hotaru answered.
"That my dear is not it." Usagi returned. "You know very well I can protect my self so try again." She added, looking into those mysterious orbs. "How about the truth sera senshi." Usagi ordered, and Hotaru sighed.
"You are stubborn, you know that." Hotaru remarked.
"I'm been told that, but mind that not." Usagi commented.
"I, I can't because, well.."Hotaru struggled, pleading silently for her princess to read it in her eyes. Usagi studied her senshi closely, and nodded.
"Trust is a very valuable thing Hotaru." Usagi chimed glancing over the land. "The greatest reward comes when you trust someone else with you heart." She told her still looking away.
"What if they break it?" Hotaru asked.
"It's worth the risk." Usagi answered.
"Still what if..?" Hotaru started, but shushed her quietly.
"What if's ruin things that could of been great." Usagi started and looked into Hotaru's eyes. "If they do break it, then they didn't deserve you in the first place." Usagi stated and made her gaze fierce. "Yet, you can never no the wonders if you don't take a chance." Usagi told her and flicked a gaze to Kouga. "Though I think you are safe." Usagi commented, and once again urged one of her friends to take the plunge. Swallowing back the guilt that she couldn't follow her own advice.
Usagi observed as Hiten and Kagura came back with large smiles. Hands clasped together and an arm wrapped protectively around Kagura's waist. Her eyes turned to Hotaru quietly talking to the attentive Kouga, his tail swatting lightly. Then he tackled Hotaru in a hug and lightly kissed her cheek. Usagi swallowed the shallow bile that crept up her throat. Tired of her self pity, she looked at Kanna who seemed put out with the whole thing. Usagi stood and walked over to Kanna. Staring over at the group, she came to a decision.
"I'm going back, and I am taking Kanna with me." Usagi called out halting the group's activity.
"What?" was the combined cry from the group.
"It's time to take out Naraku, Kanna will be safer with me." Usagi answered, and held up a hand to halt the denial. "We will need the power of her mirror to protect Rin, and Shiori." Usagi explained. The group nodded in response, and the ginzuishou glowed to her wishes.
"Be careful Usa-hime!" Hotaru cried out as the light appeared once more.
InuYasha had just finished his explanation about his behavior to Kagome. She blinked trying to decide between slapping him and kissing him. So she decided on both, a loud slap echoed in the forest. "I love you so much InuYasha, but sometimes you can be so thickheaded." Kagome stated. Then she yanked InuYasha forward by his bangs and kissed him soundly, before he could react to either action. As he made to respond, she yanked away and flounced off. InuYasha blinked, and then growled going after her. He brought her flushed against his chest and stared down at her. Kagome looked up smug before her lips were caught in a demanding kiss.
Miroku and Sango watch this exchange from separate bushes, both unaware of each other. They both stood up, and caught each other's eyes. Miroku grinned lewdly while Sango just rolled her eyes walking off. Quickly he walked over to her, and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder catching her attention. Sango turned to him with a sad confusion in her eyes. Miroku brought her into a gentle hug and leaned his head toward her ear. "I just want you to be happy." Miroku stated softly and let go of her walking off. Sango blinked and her heart to do something. Catching up to him she whirled him around.
"What if it is you that makes me happy, and sometimes irritated." Sango told him. Miroku smiled down at her and hugged her once more. "Please, can we take this slow?" Sango pleaded, as trepid with her heart as Miroku is with his.
"Sure, just one question." Miroku respond, and then smiled becomingly. Sango nodded staring questionably at him. "Will you do the honor of baring my children." He asked and a slap was heard.
"Uh, incorrigible monk." Sango muttered walking off, but smiling. Miroku chuckled and walked after his ladylove, who knows, maybe they could come to that point where they could express it.
Usagi appeared in the forest where she had left the two fighters. She wasn't quite ready to face the one she was misunderstanding. Fortunately the Inu-tachi was still right where she had left them, and there was various improvements in the air. As she saw Sango and Miroku exchange comforting and sweet glances. Usagi and Kanna shared a sigh as they saw the two young boys roll their eyes. Kohaku saw the two standing there and ran over to give Usagi a hug. While she was being hug she felt heat against her waist. Glancing down she saw the beginning of jealously in the eyes of Kanna. 'Hmm, interesting, will it's time to give her a chance as well.' Usagi thought and looked up just in time to see InuYasha coming back with a blushing Kagome in her arms. Kagome looked over when she felt eyes on her and squealed. Usagi smiled and waved at the newly made couple with an soft air.
"I'm just here to entrust Kanna into your company." Usagi stated and watched as Kanna flicked a confused glance at her. "I figure you guys need her help, and she could be better protected buy you." Usagi said, not fully explaining her sentence. Kanna blushed as Usagi's eyes darted meaningly between her and Kohaku.
"What about Shiori?" Shippo called out. Usagi raised an eyebrow as a plan entered her mind. "It's time to take out Naraku, the jewel is nearly completed except for the six shards we have in our possession, and the one in that Bankotsu's possession." She commented, raising a fist, and turned her eyes to Kagome. "I am going to bring Rin and Shiori here." Usagi motioned, and held up a hand. "I want you Kagome to take Rin, Shiori, Kohaku, Shippo, and Kanna to your future." Usagi ordered, and Kagome nodded as she saw the logic behind it. Shippo and Kohaku was going to argue but Usagi glared at them. "Thank you." Usagi offered and nodded. Quickly she powered up her jewel and focused on the children. They all saw her vanished, and sighed.
Usagi appeared once more before Toto-sai's home. Checking to make sure Sesshomaru wasn't around, she slipped into the cave. She was pleasantly surprise to find an awaken InuTashio and Kaede, ah lip-locked. Usagi coughed and watched as they separated. "Well, looks like you two work fast." Usagi teased. InuTashio chuckled as Kaede blushed with a glare.
"Usagi..."Kaede warned. Usagi shrugged and waved her off. She explained what she wanted to do, and they agreed, she also asked them to explain it to Sesshomaru if he came back before she did. Usagi had grown tired of all the attacks and arguments, it was time to end this. She explained her planned, they protested about being away from their 'Lord Sesshomaru.' Yet, in the end they agreed to do as she asked. Usagi smiled and nodded, leading outside the cave.
"Where do you think you are going?" Bankotsu's voice inquired as Usagi stepped outside with the children. Usagi's head snapped up at his inquiry and saw one of Naraku's pet wasps hanging around him.
"You work for Naraku." Usagi growled out, pushing the children behind her.
"Not by choice." Bankotsu answered lightly. Usagi felt her conscious war within her again. He was being controlled, though he truly didn't seem to mind. "Power is a pretty controlling thought you know?" Bankotsu asked cheerily as he shifted Banryuu. Usagi felt despair rise up, however she was save by someone leaping in front of her. Bankotsu let out a chuckle as he saw who it was.
"Well, Sesshomaru, protecting a human.." Bankotsu stated with a laugh, un-shouldering his Banryuu.
"I don't care." Sesshomaru growled out. Usagi felt a catch in her throat.
"Please, you?" Bankotsu jeered, and the two males locked in battle. Sesshomaru ducked the sweep of Banryuu as InuTashio came out with Tenseiga in hand. Quickly he tossed it to his son, who caught and made to jump in when Sesshomaru knocked him back. InuTashio peered confused until he noticed the confused blond beside him He smirked with a nod and walked in the cave knowing his son could take care of it. Bankotsu smirked and scoffed at the Tenseiga being held at him. "Right.." Bankotsu sneered.
Sesshomaru sensed the new power originating from the Tenseiga. A smirk itched at his lips as he leapt to protect the blond human female. His thinking alone had made him realize a few things, and he didn't want Bankotsu taking the female from him.
Usagi observed the onslaught of clashes and she wondered why Sesshomaru was drawing it out. She could see that he could easily overpower him. However, the fight was interrupted by a flash of white followed by brown. Her eyes widened as a limb was struck through Bankotsu's throat. Quickly she turned the children away so that they wouldn't see the horrors before them. Her eyes traced and noticed a white-haired pre-teen staring unaffected, with eyes like Naraku, at her. He smirked in hello and vanished before either she or Sesshomaru could move.
Usagi glanced up and caught the eyes of the lord staring straight at her in promise. She gulped and urged the kids into the cave, something was warning her what was to be done. The kids glanced between their two parental figures before dashing inside with giggles. Two smirks were missed as they drew back into the cave. As Sesshomaru approached Usagi drew out her halberd, it was time to prove herself. He smirked in response and raised the Tenseiga with a bow.
Tense, frigid moments were lining their shoulder as they waited for who would make the first move. A sound was what spurred the two fighters forward and their blades connected. One would strike and the other would parry. Usagi tried desperately not to lock blades as Sesshomaru would over power her easily. Suddenly she smirk as a plan alighted in her mind. She dashed forward, while Sesshomaru shook his head mentally at her impulsive behavior. He leveled his sword to crash with his, but at the last moment she ducked under his arm, striking upwards. Her handle struck his fist making both swords fly from their hands.
Yet, impressed though he was he would not yield so quickly. In that moment he locked his arms around her, and glanced down. "You lose." He whispered lowly. Usagi glanced off to the sides before smirking.
"Not yet." Usagi whispered back and kissed him, causing him to loosen his arms in surprise, especially when she started to glow. As the light died away she had flipped from his hold and stood in her demon form. "Now, shall we finish this?" Her demon blood resounded in her voice. Sesshomaru now realized he had no problem with whatever race Usagi belong to, but this was a vast improvement. A nod answered her statement as they both fell into a crouch. Both leapt forward, getting near and leaping away with a scratch. Each felt their demon blood answer and coil ready pulling their conscious into change. Loud growls erupted from both as a large dog, and a large tigress was left standing.
Feelings drove them as the tussled, wrestling on the grass. This was important though Sesshomaru had already seen her as an equal, but how much of an equal resided in her demon blood. Finally he managed to pin her down, and he smirked in accomplishment. Yet, the surprise wasn't over, as she strained her powerful neck to nip his shoulder. She had marked him first! Sesshomaru chuckled in response at the ironic twist, as she sealed the cut with her saliva. Both powered back to their humanoid forms, which had Usagi panting in Sesshomaru's arms. She glanced down ashamed of her brash actions.
"I, I'm sorry." She whispered, knowing her human blood is a curse to him. Sesshomaru lifted her head with a gentle claw and stared at her.
"I'm not." He answered. Usagi glanced up, and her eyes locked on that crescent moon on his head. Suddenly she smiled and gestured for him to lean down a bit. He blinked, but leaned down, and was pleased to feel a kiss upon his crown where the crescent was, at least until he was hit by memories that wasn't his own. The onslaught stopped, and he took a moment to assimilate the information. "You are not human." Sesshomaru stated in a slight wonder. Usagi smiled and shook her head. "Hmm, how very interesting, a lunar demon." Sesshomaru named her new breed. Usagi sighed, and hugged the tall taiyoukai.
"Sesshomaru?" Usagi asked, and Sesshomaru grunted that he was listening as he kept her in the circle of his arms. "It's time to destroy Naraku, and I want the children in Kagome's future when we do go to take him out." Usagi explained. Sesshomaru glanced down into Usagi's eyes.
"Fine." Sesshomaru agreed, but didn't let Usagi go yet.
"Sesshomaru..."Usagi whined lightly. Sesshomaru merely ignored her plea, just wanting to spend a few minutes uninterrupted, especially since they may never come back from their fight with Naraku. This same thought must of crossed Usagi's mind as she tightened her grip on the Taiyoukai. "Sesshomaru.."She started, put he laid one clawed finger on her lips.
"Hush." he ordered. Usagi tried to shake her head.
"I want to tell you that I.." Again he cut her off, but this time, he kissed her harshly with demand. Lifting his head away he gauged the emotions in her eyes.
"Tell me, tell me after we kill Naraku." Sesshomaru ordered.
"But.." Again his claw silenced her.
"Tell me after kill Naraku, not before." He ordered. Usagi sighed and nodded.
Naraku growled, as he heard Hakudoshi report. He had once again failed in retrieving the demoness. Anger clouded his amethyst turning them blood-red. It was time to end this foolishness, as he felt the last of the demon's that he absorbed aligned with his demonic energy. "I'll do it myself." Naraku promised, as his body cocooned into a ball of demonic flesh, the jewel's power coating the cocoon as well.
It was done, the pieces were set, as Usagi said goodbye to the children as Kagome took them to her time. Usagi nodded her thanks, as Naraku's power and scent permeated the domain of the Inu dimension. She bowed and turned back to her group, it was all most time. The air was thickening with the miasma that was be expounded from a mountain far to the west. Naraku was poising the land and air to give him an advantage. Usagi sighed, as her mind begin formulating a power of counterattack. It was all most time to her way, and her eyes slid to the cool taiyoukai, and earn her love.
Hmm, one or two chapters left. Please review. I no own Inu/SM.Much Care,
WCB.