My notes are short, sweet, and simple...kinda.'
First, it is with a great amount of wonder that I inform my readers that this story has somehow achieved second place in the IY Fanfiction Guild's Best Alternative Pairing category. A massive thanks to ladyrinremix for nominating me. Believe when I say that I didn't even think for one moment that this fic would be as good as people say it is. Guess I'm just weird like that.
Second, I am going have my person site up soon and I can't wait to show you guys what it's like since it's my first application of what I've learned in school. It has my fics and some of my art as well. I think I'll post the address in my profile once I upload the epilogue to this story (which IS finished BTW, I'm just tweaking it).
Third, in case you're wondering when Sesshy had time to write his story, please recall that he had a good amount done before his attempted suicide and use your imagination for the rest. This was a good point to bring up.
Thanks, as always, to my beta Rikou Suiyou who is still wonderful even though she didn't get a change to help me with this chapter. Also to Aishiteru Inu who has supported me so much in this endeavor and has given me so much encouragement up to this, the end of this nearly two year long project.
I'll be posting up the names of everyone else in the epilogue which will be up in the next week or so. Please bear with me and remember that you've all made it possible for me to change into a far better writer than I was when I began.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Warning: this part of the fic contains references to the prequel/spin-off about the Miyazawa family and their decent into ruin. If there are some things you don't understand about Kagura and Yura, don't worry, you aren't mean to…yet.
If you're wondering why it seems like Sesshy is going crazy, it's because I had his memories of being a youkai come out strongly because of his heightened emotional state.
Also, be warned that this is completely un-beta'ed and barely edited.
You have been warned.
Thread Bound
Chapter Twenty-Four
The One Who Holds My Heart
When does a story begin?
When does a story end?
Does it not change with each telling?
Does not each character have a story and life of his or her own?
Is not a story often the reflection of the truth? Or the past? Even the future?
There are two sides to this story…
…Yet the ending will always be the same unless the characters take it upon themselves to change what will be. For is it not true that happy endings must be shaped by the very ones who act out the tale? Neither pride nor innocence…neither pity nor anger…neither life nor death can truly end a story.
There are two sides to this story…
…A man and a woman…
A monster and a child.
Characters are introduced…
Once upon a time there was a girl who was killed in a most terrible way, her body torn to shreds by beasts which were not truly beasts. A child who had much in the way of courage, held back by nothing - save her own humanity and untimely demise.
Once upon a time there was man who was not truly a man but a monster in the guise of a mortal. He was beautiful beyond imagining, a master over lands that stretched as far as the eye could see and holder of power without limit. A being who had everything and yet…was filled with emptiness.
Characters meet…
Once upon a time there was a girl who died and was raised up again. She opened her young eyes and blinked in surprise for above her where last there was a wolf, stood a man who must surely be one of the gods who walked the heavens. A decision was made on the spot to follow him.
Once upon a time there was a man who was both monster and lord and happened across the body of a young girl. She had been savagely killed by wolves and as he stared upon her innocent young face, he felt a heart that he had long since forgotten begin to beat. He had a sword, a most wondrous sword that could restore life to one who had passed and he used it. Watching in fascination as she opened her eyes and gave him a such a look…He knew that he wanted to keep her. And he knew that she would follow him.
Emotions emerge…
Once upon a time there was a girl who served the lord who restored her life to her. However, as time passed and the girl grew to adulthood, she began to fall in love with the lord who saved her. She followed him every day. Watched him everyday. Longed for him every day.It was a cycle that went 'round and 'round until she finally gathered up the courage to confess her feelings to him…and he broke her heart with his cold words.
Once upon a time there was a man who could only be himself with the girl he saved. He watched her as she grew into a beautiful young woman and his heart longed for her. However, he was a man full of pride for he believed that it was all he truly had. How could he have known that he possessed her heart as well? Alas, the time came when she confessed her love for him and he, fearing the differences between them, turned her down and killed off a piece of himself at the same time.
The ending…?
Once upon a time there was a man and a woman. She had been a girl at one time and he had been a lord with no emotions and no hope. And yet, by enduring so much together they became something more. They wanted to live happily ever after but it was not to be. For she knew not how to fight for what she wanted and he knew not how to let go of his pride. They separated and lived their individual lives, each without the other in it but their story could not end because they never stopped loving one another.
Time passed and new trials arose.
Time passed and their descendants crossed paths again and again.
Time passed, but the story could not end because they continued to repeat their mistakes. Pride that was too much for him to bear, the fear of rejection that sealed her lips.
Always…it was always too late…
…Until now.
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If the ceiling had come crashing down and buried her…
If the world had come to an end and she was destined to die…
If Sesshoumaru pulled out a gun and shot her through the heart…
…Rin would have died happily. Each scenario was instant, painless…over before she began to feel the hurt. She could live with the fact that Sesshoumaru hadn't been completely honest with her. She could also live with the fact that she had suffered in the past and that Naraku had betrayed her.
What she could not live with….
What she could not forgive…
What hurt her the most...
…Was that it was Onigumo who revealed the half-truths and the deceptions to her. That Onigumo was actually her…her… She couldn't even finish the statement in her head.
That was what she could not forgive…could not escape.
Why him? She asked herself through the fog of fear and pain. Why, why, why, why, WHY!
"Why?" she hadn't meant for the question to be spoken aloud and when it was, she didn't recognize the lifeless voice as her own. She wanted to run away but she couldn't. Her legs didn't seem to work and he was strong, much too strong…always too strong for her.
"Rin, Rin, cute little Rin. All will be revealed in its due time," a smile, there above her head, full of too many teeth and not enough humor.
"But, my little Rin, this is neither the time nor the place. Shall we retire from this drab affair and go to where the real party will be?"
He was speaking rhetorically of course and she tried to shrink back from the malice gleaming in his eyes, the deep burgundy of old blood now. As if they were lovers he pulled her closer and stepped back, his eyes moving up to stare at the crowd. She knew that he was looking at Sesshoumaru and she jerked weakly against his grasp, casting brown eyes out over the crowd. It wasn't hard to find him - since people were giving him a wide berth - and she managed a tiny smile, strength flowing back into her through a tiny trickle.
"Sesshoumaru," his name was a prayer on her lips and it almost seemed that he had heard her because his gaze narrowed and his pace quickened.
"Yes, Sesshouamru-Sama will save me," she heard a young voice say and her memories of that other time, that other Rin, allowed her a glimpse of something similar that had happened. She had been taken away by a man who was frighteningly similar to this Onigumo who held her. Her lord, her "Sesshoumaru-Sama" would come for her. He came for her when the wolves got to her, he would come for her now.
Strong, be strong Rin she reminded herself.
With great effort she took a deep breath and began to struggle against the hands that held her. It was weak but she didn't care, as long as she could see Sesshoumaru...as long as she knew that he wanted her she could be strong. She could forget that whatever hold the demon above her had, it was only physical. The past was the past, it needed to be buried and bury it she would.
The crowd, apparently sensing that her husband had a purpose began to part, making his way easier, and her smile widened just a fraction when he at last stood before the stage.
"Return my wife to me Onigumo, she has nothing to do with your grudge against me" he said, his eyes never leaving hers.
"I beg to differ Sesshoumaru, she had everything to do with this. How else would you understand the pain I felt when you took Kikyo away from me."
"I did nothing of the sort Onigumo. She committed suicide right in front of me."
"Really," his hands tightened to bruising force and she bit back a scream.
"Really, Onigumo, that is the truth."
"Oh, and I'm so sure that you, the emotionally damaged man who conveniently couldn't remember what Kikyo's last moments were like would know all about truth. I think it's time for you to be a little more honest with all of us Sesshoumaru."
"I am…" her koi began, his arm outstretched as if he could close the distance between them, but a very audible click sounded and she suddenly felt very afraid.
"Tell me Sesshoumaru," something very hard and very cold was cruelly pressed against her temple and she stopped breathing.
"Oni…" her husband began but he was cut off.
"Spare me your pleading, the time for that is past. I want one thing from you Toyotomi. I want you to tell me when I request it of you…or would you rather I show these people how well her pretty little head takes to being shot…point-blank?"
The other man's silence spoke volumes and she felt more than saw, Onigumo smirk.
"I want to ask you, Sesshoumaru Toyotomi, why did you kill Kikyo?"
Rin desperately wanted to scream at her half-brother that her koi had done nothing of the sort but wisely held her tongue as did Sesshoumaru.
"What, no answer for me? The all-mighty Sesshouamru has nothing to say?"
"No, I simply know when to let your madness continue and when to interrupt. Tell me, if I actually answered that question, would it have stopped you from shooting Rin right here?"
A short bark of laughter sounded and she screwed her eyes shut as the gun danced across her cheeks with his movement.
"Ah, Sesshoumaru, you know me all too well. So well in fact, that I feel the need to take this to the next level since there is, after all, a method to my madness."
So saying, he began to back away, tugging her along and keeping the gun steady.
"I'm going to take Mrs. Toyotomi for a little car ride and I want you to meet us at the destination."
"Which is," gold eyes briefly left hers to send l look towards her captor.
"Why, I want you to meet me where this all began," he began to back down the stairs leading up to the platform, "surely you know where I'm going with this."
"I suspect I do," came the flat reply and his eyes came down to hers once more, warmth flickering through their fathomless depths. I'll come for you was the message they sent and she locked it deep down into her heart as Onigumo opened the door leading to the hallway and pulled her through, shutting out her last sight of Sesshoumaru.
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Kohaku poked his head through the door of the dining room and immediately closed it again. The young man had intended to see what the weird commotion he heard going on inside was and wished he hadn't. He was on the phone with Izayoi, who was trying to get in contact with Sesshoumaru and then Jaken. When both failed, she called him since he was both the editor of her step-son's book and brother of one of Inuyasha's friends.
"Kohaku, get your behind back on the phone this instant! This is an emergency," Sesshoumaru's step-mom all but growled on the phone.
He quickly placed it over his ear and said, "I know, I know, but I think it's a bit too late to warn Sesshoumaru."
"What do you mean? Don't tell me he's been hurt."
"It's something like that. There's a commotion going on and I just took a quick peek…"
"…And…" she prompted, her voice sounding unusually soft.
"That…that man…he's…holding a gun to her head."
"That man? Do you know him! What does he look like! What happening to my children! Tell me now Kohaku!"
It was heart wrenching to hear the note of panic in her voice. He was so used to hearing the self-assured Izayoi, that he forgot that she was also a mother who loved her children very much.
"Calm down, Mrs. Miyazawa."
"How can I be calm when I don't know what's going on over there, Kohaku?"
"You have to be calm, please, for both of our sakes. I can't stand to see Rin like this, so hurt and vulnerable. Give me a chance to explain the situation to you."
Quickly he described what was taking place – at least what he could tell from his quick glance. He hesitated and took a deep breath before describing his initial reaction to the man who held Rin captive and what he looked like.
"I don't understand it Mrs. Miyazawa, I just knew that there was something wrong with him but I couldn't pin it down and now he has Rin. He ran a hand through his hair and leaned his head against the wall.
"This entire thing is my fault. He snuck in and I was so blinded by fear that I didn't even question him thoroughly about how he got in."
A long silence followed before he heard he voice again.
"Take another peek into that room and tell me what's going on. I need to know the situation. I have an idea of what's going to happen but I'm stuck in traffic right now with no way of getting there before something bad occurs."
"I…see," he frowned and lowered the hand with the phone, she didn't even want to talk about his mistake; she must have been angry.
"And Kohaku…" her voice brought the phone back to his ear, "don't blame yourself for anything that's happening. I get the feeling that this is something that started a long time ago. I thought that foolish boy, Onigumo, was going to pull something else. I never imagined that Rin was…" she sighed, "that poor girl, I'm sure she didn't know either."
"Know what?"
"That the man holding her is her brother, a half-one at least. But there's time enough to talk about that later, we need to have a plan."
"Yes, of course. I'll call you in a few minutes," he closed the cell phone, opened the door, and took a long look this time.
It was utter chaos inside.
Someone was screaming and he frowned as he noted several of his painstakingly crafted bouquets being trampled on the floor. Sesshoumaru was surrounded by a group of gentlemen who looked as if they were ready to do him damage if he didn't produce a good explanation for why their party had been ruined.
Onigumo – as Izayoi had called him – was nowhere to be seen and his frown deepened; that didn't bode well. A movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention and, without thinking, he grabbed at whoever it was trying to slip past him and through the door.
The person immediately began to struggle but he held fast and turned the individual around to face him. A gasp escaped his lips and he very nearly let go of the man.
"You," he breathed and Onigumo's look-a-like stared back at him with haunted eyes.
"Let me go, boy, you have no right to hold me here."
"Are you kidding me! You came here with that man. No way am I letting go."
"Are you deaf, I said you have no right to hold me here," he renewed his struggles and Kohaku watched with interest as he cast frightened eyes towards the spot where Sesshoumaru was standing.
'Now this is interesting' he thought 'he doesn't want to meet with Sesshoumaru…which is a good enough reason for me.' He tightened his grip and looked over the man's head, meeting the eldest Toyotomi brother's eyes. The look in them was enough to make him flinch. The silver haired man looked, for lack of a better word, murderous and his every movement screamed the same as he broke through the crown of men demanding answers from him – as if they weren't there - and strode over to them.
He halted a ways from them and cold amber eyes glared down at the man. Sango's brother was acutely aware of just how tall he was and almost pitied the man who had doubled his efforts to escape…'before Sesshoumaru gets to him.'
"Bring him outside, Kohaku," it wasn't a request and Kohaku didn't dare refuse ever if it were. Rin was gone and probably frightened, he suspected Sesshoumaru wasn't going to let Onigumo's "twin" off very lightly.
'The things a man does for love.' He marched their "prisoner" out of the room and the silver-haired man followed, closing the door behind them. His footsteps fell eerily silent and Kohaku got the distinct impression of a wild beast on the hunt. He was so glad that he wasn't the fool who had dared to separate Rin from her husband. 'I'm so glad he stopped me from killing her.' the childish voice of that other Kohaku whispered and he shuddered, his head filled with visions of a tiny girl in a checked kimono with unruly hair and a scythe held tightly in his hands. He shook it away and focused on the present, determined to see a shrink if they lived through this.
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She supposed it was the sight of Sesshoumaru that did it, but the moment Onigumo took the gun away from her head in order to force her into the car – a black Mercedes Benz - she was on him like a cat on mouse.
'Sesshoumaru' she whispered to herself for strength.
"Let me go this instant," she screamed at him, her hand flailing towards him, nails out and ready to do damage. He shoved her away hard and she fell back, her head cracking painfully on the opposite door.
Her half-brother took that opportunity to hand his gun to the dark haired driver who looked more like a woman than a man; he obviously thought that she wasn't going to fight more. It was a definite mistake on his part. Getting in, he closed the door and was therefore unprepared when her fist connected against the side of his face.
'Sesshoumaru,' her body wanted to cower in the corner but she forced her painful memories of Onigumo aside and replaced them with memories of the man she loved.
His eyes flashed, more red than hazel now, and he grabbed her hair. He used it to hold her still as he landed a hard slap across her face.
'Sesshoumaru.' She would never forget the day she saw him lying there after he tried to kill himself.
Se ignored the pain in her face and scalp and sank her teeth into his hand, biting so hard that she tasted blood.
"Move it Jakotsu," she heard her tormentor yell before, he caught her across the face again with a backhanded blow.
'Sesshoumaru.' She would never forget the time they had almost kissed.
"Think to become a fighter now, little Toyotomi whore," his breath was hot as he taunted her, and she realized that her dress had hiked up enough to free her legs. She immediately kneed him in the groin and felt a thrill of satisfaction when he howled and clenched his legs, too preoccupied with her to curl into a fetal position.
"Minx!" he growled, spitting at her and she whimpered in humiliation as she felt his saliva trailing down the side of her cheek. Her eyes widened in fear as she felt him curling his hands around her neck, constricting her airways.
"Familiar, isn't it," he laughed and there was a mad edge to it that chilled her to her core.
'Sesshoumaru.' She would never forget the first time he kissed her and the way he held himself in check for her sake.
The fingers dug in deeper and spots began to dance before her eyes.
'Sesshoumaru.' She would never forget the way he looked at her as she came down the stairs in her wedding gown.
The edges of her vision were growing fuzzy and she was vaguely aware that they had been moving for some time now.
'Sesshoumaru.' She would never forget the way his lips felt as he sealed their joining in holy matrimony with a kiss.
Her lips were moving, but her ability to speak had long since gone due to the pressure on her neck. Darkness rose up before her and she didn't have the strength to fight it.
"Sleep now little whore and when you wake up, we'll be where it all began," she heard someone whisper and her mind slowly began to slip away as the pressure eased.
Her lips were the last things moving and in the end, they formed one name.
'Sesshoumaru.'
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"You really know how to pick them, don't you Kagura?"
Kagura turned to stare at Yura before looking away again. Her friend – the only real one she'd ever had – had a way of making her feel like that scared little girl again.
"Don't be so mean to her, Yura," Hiten said, his brow wrinkling in disapproval.
"Was I speaking to you? You're just her little boy-toy Hiten," Yura said, her dark eyes narrowing.
"I am not," he replied indignantly, his eyes turning towards Kagura for defense. She pointedly ignored him, providing more than enough answer and he scowled as Yura chuckled.
"Looks like your 'precious' employer agrees with me but, if it's any consolation, I don't think you'll be getting into her pants again anytime soon – let alone her good graces."
His expression was crestfallen and Kagura felt a very mild stirring of pity for the man – he had done everything for his family after all.
"Cool it you two, now isn't the time."
"Sure, sure, whatever you say but," Yura's face became serious, "I want to know more about this situation. I know your cousin is screwed up but why should you care what he does? I'd think you'd be happy that he's going to take care of Sesshoumaru and his girl. They've been nothing but trouble."
"Maybe so, but I guess you could say that I'm tired of Onigumo having his way. Anything I could do to screw him over is good enough for me."
"Man girl, you are cold. And here I thought you might be feeling just a teensy bit bad about what you've put them through, I mean, you did burn down the girl's home. I'd have to kill you for something like that."
"Since when have I ever really regretted the things I do, Yura? I am satisfied with the fact that most of the choices I make are my own."
"Except when Onigumo has his hand in it," the other woman muttered in a not-so-quiet-voice.
"Yes, which is exactly why I want him out of the picture. I'll do whatever it takes make sure he can't touch me again."
"There's a good girl, Kagura," Yura's smile turned this side of warm, "there's the person I always wanted you to be."
"Don't be arrogant," she snapped waspishly but her own lips twitched anyways. 'I guess I have come a long way' she thought as she recalled the many times she'd been hurt by the people who claimed to be her family. And now…now she was going to break her chains at long last.
She looked at the two people flanking each side of her and steeled her resolve. For perhaps the first time, she wasn't alone and the very knowledge gave her strength. 'This is my revenge for you, Kanna. I won't let him get away with what he did to you.'
"So where are we going now?" Hiten asked.
"Do you even need to ask?" Yura replied.
"We're going to where the real party starts," Kagura said quietly.
'Time to reclaim my heart' she heard someone whisper. Someone with the same voice as hers. Someone who had suffered as she had so many, many long years ago.
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Red.
His entire world was swamped in red.
Red for anger.
Red like the blood that he desperately wanted to shed.
Red like the color that crept along the edges of his eyesight.
Sesshoumaru wanted Onigumo dead. He wanted to sink his claws into his chest, tear his heart out, and crush it before his dying eyes.
Oh, and he would laugh as he did it - baring his fangs to the moonlight, his stripes an even more vivid crimson along his cheeks.
'However…' Sesshoumaru flexed the very clawless hand that was currently the only thing keeping Naraku upright '…I am a human, despite what the original Sesshoumaru-sama might have been. Such a pity.' It was probably the only time that he would ever wish to change places with his ancestor.
"What does he plan to do with Rin, tell me," he commanded the pitiful man before him, his voice cold.
"Let me go and I'll tell you," came the weary reply from his captive, all fight having long since left him.
Sesshoumaru watched as his hand, almost as if it had a mind of its own, glided across the expanse of jacket and found its way to the slender column of Naraku's throat. His touch was gentle as he wrapped long fingers around the dark-haired man's neck and rested a thumb over his Adam's apple, applying a slight pressure that increased until he felt the protrusion bobbing as its owner tried to take in air.
"Sesshoumaru, what are you doing?" from somewhere behind him he heard Kohaku's panicked voice, but he paid it no heed, his mind pre-occupied with thoughts of killing this man, this pitiful human, this worthless "hanyou" who had dared to aid his enemy in taking Rin away from him.
"I should have known that I would never be rid of you," he growled, as he stared into the other man's eyes – relishing the fear he found there. He ware aware, in some remote part of his mind, that the other Sesshoumaru – the lord who had loved Rin so very much – was the one in control right now. He could hear his thoughts, as if they were being whispered in his ear. 'This one needs to die. He shall not take her from me yet again.' It might have been disturbing…if he wasn't in complete agreement with his other self.
He even snarled when he felt Kohaku prying his hands from the Naraku's neck, his young voice frightened as he pleaded with his humanity, "You can't do this Sesshoumaru. We need to get to Rin immediately. Do you think she wants you to become a murderer!"
The thought of Rin's pain if he were thrown into jail for murder - no matter what his justification was - provided enough of a foothold for his sanity and he slowly let go, doing his best to ignore the urge to rend the man limb from limb. 'This one lives only because we choose so. He and Onigumo, one and the same, they think they can escape because they were born into separate bodies this time' he heard "Sesshoumaru" growl as he was forced to the back of his mind.
His prey sank down to his feet, coughing as he sucked in copious amounts of air but the silver-haired man couldn't bring himself to feel sorry for his actions.
"Are you going to tell me or not?"
Red-hazel eyes came up to meet his own before turning aside, unable to endure the hard glare of intense gold centered with depthless black.
"I think he plans to have her die in the same place where Kikyo died."
"He's taking her to Takahashi High," it wasn't a question but.
The Younger Miyazawa brother nodded, shaking hands coming up to rub at the dark bruise forming over his throat.
"That's all I needed to know. Kohaku," he turned to look at the younger man and staggered back as something knocked the wind out of him. He had just enough time to realize that Naraku had head butted him before the other man shot past him with a surprising burst of adrenalin, quickly disappearing around the side of the building.
The Kohaku made as if to follow but Sesshoumaru stopped him.
"It's fine, we'll hunt him down later. I want you to call my mother, tell her that I'm going to Takahashi High."
"But Sesshoumaru, she told me the police are on their way here."
"It's fine. Tell Izayoi to sent them to my school instead."
"Are you sure it's safe to be doing this by yourself. Maybe you should…"
"…Wait?" he finished for him, his voice mocking, "Rin will be dead by then."
"But what if it's a trap?"
"There's no 'if' about it. This is a trap and I have every intention of springing it before something happens to my wife."
Sango's brother frowned before shaking his head and digging in his pocket for a second and producing his car keys.
"Here, there's no stopping you so I might as well help in anyway possible. Use my car, it's the white Toyoto with a dent in the front passenger door."
"Thanks," he murmured, pocketing the keys and pausing for a moment.
"And think you…for before," he added, obviously unused to showing gratitude two times in a row.
"For what?"
"For stopping me this time…because I don't think I'll want to once I get my hands on Onigumo."
Kohaku shuddered and thanked Kami twice over that he hadn't hurt Rin.
Footsteps sounded and he raised his eyes to see Sesshoumaru's back retreating, his hair moving with a silent 'swish' since it had long since been freed from its tail.
A thought occurred to him. Why now, he didn't know, but he had to ask before something happened and he never got the chance.
"Sesshoumaru…"
The other man stopped and turned around half-way, pinning him with those penetrating eyes of his.
"Tell me…before you go. Do…do you love her?"
A long minute passed before pale lids lowered over brilliant amber and he bowed slowly, his hair hiding his face and his voice a near whisper as he replied gently, "I would give my life for her."
And then he was gone.
It was a long while before Kohaku could move and when he did, it was to lean against the building. How he pitied Onigumo for deluding himself into thinking that he could lay his hands on what belonged to Sesshoumaru.
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Bankotsu whistled as Onigumo dragged Rin's prone form from the car.
"Man, Onigumo, are you sure she isn't dead," he said, staring pointedly at the thick, purple, finger-shaped bruises on her tiny neck.
"She's not and it doesn't what shape she's in since she'll be dead in a bit anyways."
"Do you need me to carry her upstairs for you?"
"No, I can do it by myself. I want you and Jakotsu to stand guard for our company."
"So Sesshouamru's going to come? Are you sure? I can't see the 'Ice Prince' coming after a little girl like her."
A humorless smirk touched the eldest Miyazawa's lips. "You say that because you weren't there when I got her. You should have seen the way he acted when I had her. He thinks he so good at controlling his emotions but I knew it the moment he saw me with her…" he closed his eyes, a pleasurable look on his face as he recalled those accursed golden eyes so full of fear. He completely missed the disturbed look on Bankotsu's face as he watched him.
"Uh, yeah, if you say so," he shot Jakotsu a look but his companion just shrugged in response and pulled out his knife, slowly drawing it over the back of his hand in a shallow cut to make sure that it still had it's edge.
'Forgot that he's an even bigger freak than Onigumo. Man, Bankotsu, you just know how to pick your friends don't cha.'
"He's become weak over the years," his employer continued, "I have no need to hold back."
"So what's the game plan?"
"You are going to guard the second stairwell and, just in case, I want Jakotsu to guard the door leading to the roof."
"So what happens if he has other people with him?"
"That's the point of you staying behind. I want Sesshoumaru to reach me and no one else. Do you have your gun?"
"Of course," he replied with a grin, patting his pocket where he kept his much beloved pistol.
"Catch them by surprise if you have to and no showing off if you please."
"Know me too well don't cha?'"
"Unfortunately, yes," he adjusted his grip on Rin and swung her up to hang over his shoulder like a sack of grain.
"What about the girl?"
"She should just be coming around when Sesshoumaru gets here since I'm sure he hasn't wasted anytime in pursuit."
His longtime friend moved to head for the roof but Bankotsu stopped him with a hand on his free shoulder.
"What do you want Bankotsu?"
"Onigumo…are you sure about this?"
"Are you turning into a weakling as well? First Jakotsu and now you? How many times must I tell you that have the situation in control? Unless something incredible happens, both Sesshoumaru and his little whore will be dead tonight. If either of you ask me that again," he glared and for the first time Bankotsu realized that he might just be more than a little insane. 'Kami Kikyo, you're still driving men crazy from beyond the grave.'
"Are you threatening me Onigumo?"
"Are you questioning me Bankotsu?" he returned.
"And if I am?"
"If you are, then I'll have to kill you," his boss answered, a genial smile on his face and his tone joking.
Bankotsu wasn't fooled. 'He's serious.'
"Do you have something else to say?'
"Not at all, you're the boss Onigumo." 'It's your funeral' he added silently as he watched him walk away.
"Really Ban-chan, you should know better than to get smart with him," Jakotsu said.
"I can't help it, it's in my blood. I just don't understand why he can't listen to anyone."
"I think it's because no one ever used to listen to him, Ban-chan."
They fell silent for a while before Bankotsu asked softly, "are you still going to follow him? Even if it means your death."
His friend's smile was unusually gentle as he replied, "of course, I owe him my life?"
"Yeah? Same here I guess. I owe that idiot too much to put into words, though I can't guarantee that I won't bail if it gets too dangerous. I still have things to do."
"Is that so? That just goes to show how different we are," he replied and his friend grinned, clapping him across his thin shoulders.
"Whatever, catch you on the flipside girlie man."
"As if I want to see a barbarian like you again," he returned with a mock huff.
Together the two entered the building, each with memories of a painful, lonely childhood and a certain young boy - with red-hazel eyes and an incredible way of seeing things – who gave them something to live for.
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'It's too quiet' was Sesshoumaru's first thought as he entered the building. Someone was here, he knew that because the school was still in use and it should have been locked at night. 'I should have brought a weapon' he thought in irritation. He would be fine if he got into a fist fight but he wasn't inhuman enough to survive getting shot several times or even one well placed bullet.
'Too late to go back now.' He had just made it to the first stairwell when a voice stopped him.
"Sesshoumaru."
He stopped and turned to face the speaker, a scowl on his face.
"What are you doing here Kagura? I don't have time for your crap right now."
His ex-wife stepped from the shadows and ruby lips that had once enticed him onto the road to ruination curved into a smile. Her voice was firm as she replied, "Then make some time for me. You are walking into a trap after all."
"I'm aware of that."
"Then you're also aware of the fact that you shouldn't be doing this alone?"
"I don't have much of a choice."
"Only because you insist on being so dramatic about this whole situation."
"Is this leading to some sort of point," he cast his eyes towards the stairs. Every moment he spent talking to this woman brought him closer to him losing Rin forever. 'Why am I speaking with a woman that I hate?' However, something told him that he needed to listen to her just this once.
"My point…is that I'm willing to help you…"
"…If? I know you don't do things for free, Kagura. What's your price?"
She scowled and turned away her hair hiding her eyes as she replied quietly, "My freedom."
"Your freedom? From what?"
"From Onigumo. I want you to take him down."
He gave a short bark of laughter, his expression not in the least bit amused.
"You," he sneered, "want me to help you achieve freedom? Even when you refused to give me my own!"
"Yes."
"Don't make me laugh," he spat and turned his back on her, preparing to ascend the stairs.
"Please," her voice was even quieter and for once the arrogance wasn't in her tone.
"Why should I Kagura?"
"My companions and I all have something against Onigumo, it's in our best interests if he was taken out of the picture. You can do it, I know you can."
"Funny, wasn't I such a 'coward' and a 'worthless man' before? I want nothing more to do with you."
"Sesshoumaru," she looked directly at him then and he was taken aback. This scene…it was familiar. He searched his mind before he knew - through the memories of the other Sesshoumaru – that this wasn't the first time something like this had happened. 'She asked me this before and I said no then, why should I help her now?'
"Just this once, please lend me your aid Sesshoumaru."
He wanted to yell at her. 'How dare you ask me for help after what you've done. How dare you presume to think I should help you. How dare you humble yourself only after I've had to suffer.' There were so many accusations that he wanted to throw at her, but no one was more surprised than he when his mouth opened and he replied coldly.
"Just don't get in my way."
'What am I talking about?'
"Thank you," she replied, her smile genuine this time. It was yet another first.
'Why would I do such a thing' he asked himself as he went through his memories of Kagura, both the person woman she was now and the pitiful woman who had once begged the first Sesshoumaru to free her from her master and creator. 'Is she perhaps bound to the past as well?'
He shook his head and headed for the second story, noting that Kagura had been joined by Hiten and Yura who had both, no doubt, heard the way she pleaded to him for help.
Was Kagura forgiven in his eyes? Never. But he would not be so petty as to reject help when he knew he was outnumbered. He would not lose Rin again because of his pride.
'Never again' he promised himself.
They marched on in silence with Sesshoumaru in the lead and he had just cleared the second landing when a shot rang out and he heard Hiten cry out in pain. Alarmed, he looked back to see Bankotsu standing behind them a smoking gun in his hand and a wide grin on his face.
"Going to rescue the princess from the evil dragon, eh, Sesshy-Poo," he said mockingly.
Rin's husband paused and began to turn but Kagura stopped him and took his hand, pulling him towards the next set of stairs.
"Hiten can take care of himself, I know Bankotsu. He's not here to stop you or you'd have a hole in your head by now," she said.
"She's right," Yura said as she took his other hand and pulled him forward.
'Guraded by two women' he thought sardonically, though he kept moving forward as urged. His last sight was of Hiten, catching Bankotsu by surprise as he moved to aim his gun at one of the two women flanking him. The left shoulder of his suit was dark with blood, but he clearly heard their struggle even when they made it to the fourth floor.
Gunshots sounded out and then all was still and he found himself silently hoping that Hiten had somehow managed to get the gun away from the bigger man.
"The next set of steps leads to the roof. We have to go through one more door," he said and the two women exchanged a look as Yura slowed until she came to a stop.
"Yura?" he looked back at her, his own steps slowing.
"Now, now Sesshy Hon, don't tell me you actually care."
"Hardly, I'm wondering if you're abandoning me. It wouldn't come as a surprise."
"I'll have you know that I'm very loyal to my friend – I mean Kagura of course. I'm doing this for her…but I have a little ah…business to take care of. You can keep on going without me can't you?"
"Of course," he replied and showed her his back as he and his ex-wife continued on.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Yura watched them go, a tiny smile on her face before she began to hum a little song to herself. Her steps were slow and measured as she hiked the hem of her dress up and removed the wickedly curved knife that was strapped to a harness around her upper thigh. Only one other person in the world had one like it and he was somewhere in this building.
'Come out, come out, wherever you are' she chanted silently, her feet leading her to a door that she had noticed as they headed down the corridor. It was cracked slightly when it should have been shut and locked up tight. Most people wouldn't have noticed but her training had served her well in life and she picked up on the irregularity immediately.
Placing the tip of her knife in the crack, she slid the door open and entered, shutting it behind her.
"Hello, hello, Jakotsu, I know you're here. Don't you want to come out and play, cousin?"
"I'm sure I'll enjoy playing with you," came the sarcastic reply and her rather effeminate relative stepped out from his position behind a bookshelf.
"It's been a long time Jaku-chan. Tell me, do you think you can beat me yet?"
The moonlight glinted off of a knife as it was drawn – it was the twin to her own weapon.
"Why don't we see?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sesshoumaru pounded up the stairs - Kagura right on his heels - and nearly pulled the door off of its hinges as he threw it open and they burst out into the cool night air.
Amber eyes seemed to automatically know where Onigumo would be and he locked them onto his form, his legs following.
His enemy paid him no mind, keeping his back turned toward him as he gazed at the moon – a magnificent crescent shape that seemed unusually close.
"Sesshoumaru," Kagura said his name in warning and he stopped.
Something wasn't right about this.
He took in the scene again before it hit him, there was a bundle at Onigumo's feet. A bundle wrapped in white. A bundle with long black hair. A bundle that wasn't moving.
'Rin…' he felt his heartbeat pick up and his lungs felt as if they couldn't hold anymore air.
'No…no, no, no, no, no. Don't take her from me. Not again. Rin.'
"Onigumo," he said as coldly as he could, though his heart felt as if it were breaking and his eyes couldn't seem to leave Rin's form..
"Yes?" Onigumo answered, turning his head just enough for the other man to catch sight of one red-hazel eye and the corner of his smirking mouth, "is there something you wanted? Perhaps you're looking for someone?"
"Don't play your games with me Miyazawa. There is no reason for you to be doing this."
"Of course there is, Toyotomi, I've told you so many times since we've been reunited. I want revenge for Kikyo…and what better way to exact it than in the exact same place…in the exact same way. Though I think that, this time, I'll remove you both."
Sesshoumaru started forward but a hand, Kagura's, stopped him and she stepped forward instead.
"Don't say anything," she ordered him quietly.
"My, my, my, is that Kagura? My dear sweet cousin who thinks she doesn't need me? Have you sunk so low that you went back to your poor, pitiful EX-," he placed a special emphasis on the prefix, "-husband?"
Only Sesshoumaru saw her flinch but she straightened her back immediately and said in her ever confident voice, "Don't make me laugh, Onigumo. You always were a brat. Tell me, do you honestly think that a girl like Kikyo would have tied herself to you for the rest of her life?" she began walking towards him.
"Shut up, Kagura. You have no business speaking her name," her cousin's face was rapidly losing its cool expression.
She ignored him and continued advancing, "Do you want to know why she really killed herself?"
"I gave you an order Kagura."
"You don't own me. Not anymore. Just like you didn't own Kikyo. She killed herself because she wanted to get away from you. Because she knew what a cold blooded murderer you were!"
"SILENCE!" he reached into his pocket and pulled out his gun, aiming it at her.
Ignoring it she stepped forward until she was almost touching the gun, "I won't be silent. I won't stop. Not now and not EVER. You've put me through too much. You've taken so much. But you took from the wrong person this time Onigumo…and I'm here to watch you pay."
'What is she doing…' Sesshoumaru might not have liked the woman but he didn't want her dead, not anymore. Behind her back, he noticed Kagura's hand, waving him towards the spot where Rin lay.
'She's distracting him' he realized and he slowly began to circle the two, heading for Rin while her captor's attention was elsewhere. The problem was, Kagura stood a very good chance of being shot, given Onigumo's state of mind. 'Why should I care?' he asked himself. 'Because she was also used by this man' came the reply.
He was almost next to his wife when Onigumo finally noticed him and the gun swung towards him.
"You die," he hissed, apparently too pissed to revert back to showing off.
A shot sounded and he screwed his eyes shut, throwing himself over his koi's body and bracing himself for the impact of the bullet…
…which never came.
Long lashes lifted themselves up and he watched in slow motion as blood spattered into the air. Liquid red gems that turned to iridescent rubies as they touched the moonlight. They were followed by black, waves of it that danced and separated as their owner staggered back, her heels sliding across the hard ground – trying to find purchase so that she didn't fall. She hunched down and clutched her hand to her chest, her breath coming out in gasps.
Beyond her, he saw the smoking gun and heard its holder curse before his feet were moving on their own yet again. He had enough time to see those accursed red eyes focus on him before his fist connected with the side of his face, driving him back and causing him to lose hold of the gun which clattered to the ground.
Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard Rin stir and was glad of it…before his senses were swamped by years of anger.
Anger at this man and his counterpart who had taken Rin from him not once but twice – in both the past and present.
Anger at Kagura for never being strong enough to fight for herself and for playing him for a fool.
Anger at Kikyo for killing herself and bringing this situation down upon their head tens years later because of her selfish decision.
Anger at himself for ever having let Rin go in the first place all those centuries ago and for trying to take the coward's way out.
His vision bled red and it wasn't his imagination this time.
He could have sworn that he felt the prick of fangs against his lips as he hauled his hand back and swung on Onigumo.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
Again
And again.
And again.
The smell of blood reached his nostrils and it was the sweetest of perfumes to his youkai senses. He watched in satisfaction as Onigumo's nose break beneath his onslaught, a tide of red staining his face as he looked up at him in fear.
Fear was good.
Fear made him feel alive.
Fear was the proper emotion when these paltry humans looked upon his face and realized that they saw Sesshoumaru-sama, the Taiyoukai of the Westernlands.
"Sesshoumaru, stop it," he heard someone cry.
'Why should I stop?' the other Sesshoumaru snarled.
"You're going to kill him," he heard the voice say, a rasp to it that didn't belong somehow.
'I want him dead!'
"You'll go to jail for this."
'I could care less.'
"I don't want to lose you. Not again."
'He took my Rin away from me.'
'Rin…' it was as her very name were a balm to his soul.
"Please, don't do this Sesshoumaru," he realized that it was Rin who had been pleading with him and he felt…ashamed. Her voice was filled with such pain, her throat choked with tears.
'Didn't I promise myself that I would not hurt her? Didn't I promise myself that I wouldn't make her cry?' The past Sesshoumaru was there, with his bloodlust and his pride and his remembered hurts…but he was the only Sesshoumaru alive now, he would not submit to the desire to kill.
He was a human.
He was bound to human laws.
He had changed.
Yes, he had promised to change.
For Rin.
Always for Rin.
Only for Rin…
..Did he allow his hand to unclench from Onigumo's throat and watch in silence as his body slid to the ground.
He turned and looked behind him, his eyes moving past Kagura's fallen form with a tiny pang of worry before landing on Rin who was standing up on shaking legs, looking resplendent in the gown she'd been wed in. Her face was streaked with tears but her expression was full of relief…relief and love, so much love for him.
Sesshoumaru had never seen anything more beautiful in his entire life and it felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
A hand – his hand – was held out to her and she came forward and took it, ignoring the fact that it was sticky with her half-brother's blood. Drawing him close, she pressed her small form against his own and whispered again and again.
"I love you Sesshoumaru."
His vision blurred and he nuzzled his nose into her hair, inhaling deeply of her scent and all but crushing her to himself.
They stayed like that for a while before their interlude was cut short by the sound of a gun being cocked.
He separated from Rin and thrust her behind his back as he face Onigumo. The man's fingers were barely able to keep the gun trained as he spit out a broken tooth and said, "I'm not through yet."
His wife was trembling behind him and he glared at the pitiful man before him. Golden eyes with pupils that were more than a little feral gazed into angry red-hazel and spoke volumes. He would kill Onigumo if he dared to do anything else to either of them. And neither the Kami in heaven nor Rin herself would be able to stop him.
In the end, it was Onigumo who turned away first.
"I won't spend the rest of my life locked away…," he began before looking at his rival and enemy once more.
"…And I won't allow you to bring me to my end."
He brought the gun up and looked the older man in the eye.
"My other half is still out there." He raised his eyes towards the moon and whispered one word as he pulled the trigger.
"Kikyo…"
A single gunshot rang out.
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As stated before, if there are things you don't understand about Kagura, Yura, and their other relationships…READ THE BOLD PRINT AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE!
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