Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. This story was written for the purposes of entertainment and I by no means will profit from the story other than the satisfaction of exercising my imagination and writing abilities.
Chapter 25:Approaching Storm
The shadows of the surrounding forest began to deepen as the sun made its way to the western reaches of the sky, its daily journey almost at an end. Its light was still bright, as it had not yet begun to sink beneath the horizon giving way to the darkness that would encompass the land. The small form of the moon was just a thin silver line in the eastern sky, and almost non-existent. A lone figure stood silently, not taking in the daily ritual as something unnatural in the heavens had his full attention.
Dark eyes glittered dangerously as they watched the overlarge feather float through the sky carrying its passengers on their trek back home to him. Anger and disappointment pooled in their inky depths as he silently promised to punish the wind witch for her incompetence. Ten days and she had not found a trace of them. His patience was wearing thin. Anticipation of the pain he could cause the siblings was wearing on his nerves, stretching them as if he were a mere human.
It had been over fifty years since he had anticipated something so badly, and that incident's ill planned execution had consequences that only now were being remedied…one by one. Steadfast patience had seen to that. For fifty years he had wandered this god forsaken land growing in power. He knew the instant the jewel had been reborn. Its power called to him…as it had when he was a mere human. But this time it would be his. He would not repeat the mistakes of the past.
Dark eyes narrowed as memories of how foolish he had been started to encroach. He had let his emotions get in the way and had lost what was most important… the jewel. Naraku would not do so again. Once again he pushed the feelings that ran through his human heart aside. Onigumo's human heart may still beat within his breast, but he was now a great and powerful demon whose name invoked fear wherever it was spoken.
Naraku pulled himself together, forcing any remaining thoughts from his mind as he watched the wind witch come closer. Her failure and his disappointment were to be dealt with soon. There would be time to reflect on the past later. He wondered what her excuse would be today, certain she would echo her sentiments of the past few days.
The foolish sorceress was convinced that his quarry was purposely hiding from him. He refused to believe that his enemies would do such a thing. And he refused to believe that such a feat was possible. Naraku was certain that there was no way they could be hidden.
Dark obsidian eyes glittered dangerously as suspicious thoughts filled his mind. The evil hanyou knew there was something amiss. Inuyasha and the humans he traveled with did not have the means to conceal themselves. Something was not right at all.
Had it not been for Kohaku's presence with his independent incarnation Naraku would have suspected her of her usual deceit. The evil hanyou was not ignorant to the fact that Kagura would betray him without a second thought if the wind user thought she could earn her freedom.
A sneer of satisfaction graced his face as his dark eyes glanced at the heart he held within his grasp. The wind sorceress would not risk her life unless she was certain of success. Naraku knew with absolute certainty that Kagura would do nothing in front of the boy whose loyalty no one could readily determine fickle as it was. She may have been desperate but she was not stupid. The two were close enough for Naraku to see the catatonic look in the mortal's empty eyes. For the moment Kohaku was loyal to him.
The boy too had betrayed him more often than he'd like. Love for his sister was seared into the very marrow of his being. It had gotten in his way once or twice. If it wasn't for the memories that tormented the boy, Naraku knew he would have no hold on the youngest taijiya. A malevolent smile tugged at the corners of the hanyou's lips as he thought of the blissful oblivion of amnesia the boy clung to. As long as the memories caused him pain, Kohaku would be loyal to him.
The familiar buzz of his faithful spies ended that line of thinking. The insects were the most useful allies. They were only too eager to follow Kagura. Naraku's malicious smile deepened. They too did not trust the sorceress. However they were faithful and loyal to him and Kagura knew that. The hanyou knew that Kagura would not lie to him when they were by her side. She knew that they would tell him everything. Kagura had only one choice. His troublesome incarnation had no other option but to be truthful about her failure.
Kagura would pay the price for failure yet again to satisfy his own pleasure. But the pain she suffered did nothing to satisfy his craving; especially not when the prospect of the taijiya siblings' reunion loomed in his thoughts. Naraku was not fool enough to believe Kagura had not searched everywhere possible, nine days already she had paid the price. Today would make ten.
Somehow Inuyasha and the others were eluding him. But how was it all of a sudden possible for them to do so? Kagura hadn't been his only incarnation to fail, nor the only means he had employed to find them. It was almost as if they had disappeared. Naraku knew this to be impossible.
"Master Naraku," Kagura's submissive voice broke into his thoughts. Dark eyes flicked down to the wind sorceress who knelt before him the picture of a faithful servant paying homage to a revered master. Naraku knew better. Her fear and anxiety filled the air, she knew what was coming despite this little show of hers. "I've searched the Western Lands."
"I see the boy is with you still." Naraku stated in deep silky tones. The sneer of malice that graced his face deepened. He could sense her fear rise with each word he spoke, he reveled in the feel. The demons within him hungered for more. Having been denied his intended quarry once more Naraku decided he would make due with what he had.
Obsidian eyes glittered with sadistic glee as he walked around the kneeling figure of Kagura, his very closeness added to her distress just as he had known it would. "Yes, I searched everywhere I had not explored previously. No one has seen a thing master." Kagura whispered.
Naraku smiled with malicious satisfaction upon hearing those soft feminine tones laced with fear. She knew it was coming. He could tell part of her hoped; a foolish hope really, but part of her hoped that he would spare her. Hadn't she learned by now that she meant nothing to him? He knew the demoness that lay prone before him was powerless against him. She was nothing but a creation of his; a child in essence, his child, to do with as he saw fit. Like a child she was disobedient and longed to be independent but would forever be tied to him by the blood that flowed within her veins, the flesh that covered her bones and the memories that resided within her mind. He was her creator. It was his flesh and his blood that gave her life. Everything she needed to live he had given her… all but one essential element. Her heart was safe in his keeping. He knew what she feared the most. Today he would spare her that pain.
Without another word or even blinking an eye, Naraku wrapped a tentacle around the wind witch's neck. In the workings of an instant Kagura was held aloft struggling from breath. Her agony was a source of satisfaction for the hanyou. But it was short lived. Ten days of the same thing when he had longed to indulge himself in the heartache only Sango could feel on having to confront her brother. This was a poor substitute. Still he did not release his hold. Poor substitute though it may be, it was something. And Naraku had learned long ago something is better than nothing. He would relish what he could.
The pain Kagura suffered at his hands was not enough to distract his thoughts from where they had been earlier that evening for very long. The wind witch was not held in his suffocating grasp but a mere moment before Naraku once more was fixated upon the puzzle this particular group of enemies now presented him with. Where were they? A simple question, but one that he found he could not answer as readily as before. Always he had been able to find them one way or another he had drawn them out into the open.
The hanyou was certain that none of them had the ability to conceal themselves from the world. One of them had the potential to create such a barrier but lacked the training. Kikyo's reincarnation was a mystery to him. The strange human girl had no idea what she was capable of nor had she any control of what she could do.
Kagome… that name hung in his thoughts. Its syllables like a vile curse to his senses. She was Kikyo, yet she was not. The strange girl was far inferior to the woman she so resembled. So much potential lay dormant in that single human, but the girl had not blossomed into the woman that Kikyo had been, let alone the powerful miko his heart's obsession had been, and still was.
Kikyo walked this earth a shadow of who she had been but her powers still remained intact. Though Naraku's heart found empty satisfaction in her current state of being at the same time it reveled in the fact that she was there. Her beauty was as unearthly to him now as it had been that day she had found him in the cave. He relished the hatred that now burned openly for him in her ebony eyes. It was a far more preferable emotion than the pitiful disdain she had looked upon the dying Onigumo with. She was a dark priestess to him, beautiful and terrible all at once. He thrilled with the malice he felt from her, though he wished it had been him that created such feelings. In a way it was, but he could not have done so if she didn't harbor feelings for that hanyou Inuyasha.
Naraku forced the vile name of his nemesis from his thoughts. That hated hanyou had nothing to do with this. Other than his demon strength the foolish hanyou who challenged him had luck on his side. Inuyasha was not capable of such a feat. If anything he was more reckless, undisciplined and emotional than the poor replica of Kikyo that traveled with him.
Many times he wondered if the powers were Kikyo's alone, and just as many times he had discovered that he had been wrong in those thoughts. All too often he had underestimated what this reincarnate had been capable of and had paid the price. Once or twice it had almost cost him everything.
These thoughts were just as fruitless as all the others. Kagome may have powers that he doesn't know about but he was certain that the girl didn't know about them either. As many times as she had surprised him he knew without a doubt she had surprised herself as well. Reckless, impetuous, and emotional, these were the very things that set her apart from Kikyo; and they were the very things that made him certain that she was not behind his inability to find the group. Whereas Kikyo had complete control and knowledge of what she was capable of, this cheap facsimile knew nothing of the power that flowed through her. Naraku knew it was mere luck that the girl was still alive.
Briefly Naraku wondered if perhaps this was something the girl had done without thinking, as she had done so many times before. Even as the thought hung in his mind Naraku knew better. Shielding yourself and others from the world was not something that one did accidentally, not for this amount of time.
Naraku knew there were demons powerful enough to conjure such a barrier without thinking twice. Demons like Inuyasha's elder brother, Sesshomaru, were capable of such a feat. None of whom would dream of forging an alliance with these particular enemies. Kagome's being a part of the group would see to that. No demon with any sense of honor would openly aid a miko against another demon.
HHHH There were an abundance of demons that would like nothing more than the demise of this entire group. Even the hanyou's own brother… Naraku stopped there.
Sesshomaru…
Yes, that could be it. A sneer of satisfaction graced his lips. It was well known that the taiyoukai had a particular disgust for his brother. More than once Naraku himself sought to use Sesshomaru to affect Inuyasha's ultimate demise. Each time the taiyoukai had failed. Somehow or other Inuyasha had survived stronger than he had been. Naraku had entirely given up the notion that Sesshomaru had the ability to kill his half brother. Maybe now it was fortuitous that he had not integrated the taiyoukai into his body.
The cold malicious smile that the hanyou so often wore had formed on his lips as he remembered the surge of power he felt when the taiyoukai was almost a part of his body. More than anything else, more than the taste of pain and suffering, the feel of his increasing power gave him pleasure. The knowledge that with each demon he took in, with each shard of the jewel he collected his powers intensified was an intoxicatingly distracting notion.
That was all he truly ever desired; to be more powerful than any other being. In time even the gods would bow before him, and they would all pay. Pay for the life fate had dealt him. Pay for every injury he had ever suffered, pay for the love… the life that should have been his but hadn't been. Naraku vowed he would put an end to the lie of love and the empty promises it made. Every living creature would tremble with fear at the sound of his name. The world and all that dwelt within it demons, gods, humans they would all in time answer to him.
Obsidian eyes glittered with wicked delight as the thought of his deepest desire crossed his mind once more. Tenacious as always the pernicious hanyou knew despite his longings he must move slowly and carefully. After all he hadn't survived this long by giving in to fervid stray thoughts. No, as always he would bide his time and all would come to him.
For now he would find Sesshomaru. If anyone knew where that loathsome hanyou Inuyasha was and the filthy humans that traveled with him were it would be Sesshomaru. Once the taiyoukai had given him the information he required, then Naraku would consume the taiyoukai as he should have done long ago. He would collect the taiyoukai as he collected the shards. No one would oppose him. The winds were about to change and a new Era was at hand.
Wind
His attention snapped back to the Wind Sorceress who hung gasping for air, his tentacle still held her slender neck fast. Her pain no longer held his interest. Two choices were before him. The wind witch was a thorn in his side. Defiant, untrustworthy…expendable…. Yes, she was expendable, and to him that was useful. Without preamble the hanyou carelessly released the demoness. Kagura fell to the ground like a pile of discarded rubbish. She lay on the cold floor gasping for breath. Her hatred and anger surging within her as each gasp filled her lungs with precious air.
Magenta eyes burned with rage but they did not look upon their tormentor. Instead they stayed fastened to the floor before them. Kagura knew better than to look at her creator when she felt this way. This was an easy punishment compared to what he had done. The bastard held her heart, and he could easily end her existence once and for all. She knew her salvation had been her creator's distraction.
Inadvertently Inuyasha and the humans had saved her. Not for the first time did the wind user feel that she had been right in keeping Inuyasha's secret from Naraku. He would never hear from her lips about Inuyasha's weakness. As long as he lived there was hope for her. No matter how slight a chance it was that hope was the only chance she had at being free.
Small hands reached for her neck and gently caressed the abused areas. Kagura knew that she meant nothing to her creator. She was expendable. Her life was at his pleasure. Right now he needed her to do his dirty work. She knew that as long as Inuyasha and the others lived he would need her and her sister. They were expendable pawns in this game he played with the humans in his quest for the jewel. But what happened when no one opposed him?
Magenta eyes closed painfully at the thought. She was a demon… an immortal. Kagura knew only too well she was created from the vengeful coward who held her heart to ensure her loyalty. But Naraku was flawed, unlike her he was a hanyou. He had a human heart. The sorceress sighed ruefully. He had a heart, where he had taken hers and given her nothing in return; nothing, save this pathetic existence of servitude. A bleak reality filled with dark days with nothing to look forward to save the hope that one day her master would be destroyed and she would finally be free.
She yearned for so much more. Her fondest wish was to be a whole demon who answered to none but herself; whose fate rested solely in her own hands. She despised Naraku for denying her that. More than anything else she despised him for holding her back from all that she could do.
Yes, Kagura decided that she would keep her secrets. Secrets like Inuyasha's one weakness and what she had seen that afternoon; three Nekos traveling in the Western Lands. Naraku, like Sesshomaru would have to find that out on his own. She was a little surprised that his little insects had not informed him of their presence. Most likely because their presence at the moment posed no threat to Naraku and more importantly no shards of the jewel were involved. The wind demoness doubted whether the vile little creatures even knew the significance of such creatures in this area. She did. And she was certain that Naraku would too if he learned of their presence. The bastard would have to learn of it in his own time because she would tell no one. Neither Naraku nor Sesshomaru had a right to her loyalty.
Magenta eyes looked heavenward to the darkening sky. The sky was afire with a splendor of color streaming through the dark clouds that hung suspended in the sky. The sun was setting beyond the horizon of her sight, but Kagura knew that beyond the horizon lay sights she had yet to see. For now she would stay here biding her time but one day she would be free. As long as his enemies survived there was hope for Naraku's fall… there was hope for her.
Within the darkening shadows of the forest, the Nekos stood frozen. Fear of discovery held them fast and kept them motionless.
"Koroshi" whispered the smallest Neko of the trio. The whisper was so faint that even the two demons that stood with her almost missed it.
But Koroshi didn't. The tones of her voice were something that stirred him as nothing else in this world could. The largest of the three Nekos turned his tawny head to look at the beautiful neko who had whispered his name. He was mesmerized by her emerald eyes. Even in this situation they found themselves, those gem colored eyes sparkled, giving hint to the soul they belonged to.
Koroshi knew Ansatsusha was more alive in situations such as this. The enchantress beside him savored danger as one would savor a fine meal. She was a warrior, a cold blooded killer who lived on the edge, and he loved her for that. There was no sentimentality from her, no bonds of affection for family, friends or lovers. She indulged her passions, and it suited him just fine, since many of those passions included him. At this thought his jade eyes drug themselves over her lithe body and for a moment he indulged in the remembrance of why they were here in the first place.
Thin feminine lips curled upwards in satisfaction, as she saw the look of admiration in his smoky jade eyes. Ansatsusha knew that her power over Koroshi was still intact. Not that she ever doubted it would waver. Her beauty had turned the heads of many in their lands, but this demon was the only one worthy of her affections. He was strong, powerful and extremely male. She almost purred as her mind drifted briefly to where it shouldn't but she caught herself before her baser instincts took over.
Ansatsusha knew that now wasn't the time to indulge some of her more base desires; their very lives hung in the balance if they should fail. Lord Usotsuki had made that abundantly clear that failure again would cost them their lives. They had failed to kill the Taiyoukai Sesshomaru when he crossed their borders, had they done their duty then this stealth would be unnecessary. The taiyoukai's death would have ended the Vendetta and the hanyou Inuyasha would be theirs for the killing.
So now here they were, relegated to the shadows, knowing should they be discovered they would be killed by their own Lord who had sent them on this quest. Yes, the hanyou must die. He was the only remaining relic of a betrayal that had spanned the centuries. A betrayal that had cost their Lord, a betrayal he would not soon forget...nor would they. The brief appearance of the demon and human child hadn't escaped her notice.
Koroshi had been the first to notice the demoness and had pulled her and Satsujinsha into the shadows out of sight. There they remained waiting, holding their breath in silent apprehension knowing that this could be their final end. But nothing happened. The demoness did not come any closer and it seemed she had left.
"I think she is gone." Ansatsusha continued after a long silence had engulfed the group.
"I think you're right my love." Koroshi said huskily as his eyes roved where his hands itched to at the moment. He knew that danger stirred the hellcat at his side. It stirred him the same way.
"You two are going to get us killed, it was this behavior that got us here in the first place." Satsujinsha admonished his two companions. He had the unfortunate luck of being related to Koroshi. His brother was weak where this female was concerned and vice versa. The neko was certain that this was going to get them killed one way or another and he had no intentions of dying at the moment. He would not let their obsession be the cause for his demise.
Emerald and Jade eyes glittered angrily as they regarded the third unwanted member of their group. Koroshi growled low in this throat as he spoke. "You forget your place brother."
"No, you forget yours." Satsujinsha replied with a growl of his own. If his brother meant to challenge him, he would not hesitate. The bonds of brotherly affection had one too many times found him at odds with their lordship. This was the final straw. He flicked a derisive glance to Ansatsusha. Yes her beauty was legendary and a male could go many years a lifetime perhaps, if ever, to find her rival. He knew how treacherous that beauty was. How many of her lovers had ended up dead? How often had their desire for her lead them down some foolhardy path just to prove their worthiness? He was certain that she could teach a black widow spider a lesson or two. His brother was a fool. And now he would pay as well.
Satsujinsha knew as the others did that the odds were stacked against them. Unlike his companions he did not find that in the least intriguing. In fact he had spent much of these past days silently cursing himself, his brother and the damn female that had ingratiated herself into his brother's heart. This mission was foolhardy at best. There was only a small chance for survival even if they did manage to kill the hanyou.
Saffron eyes met jade eyes that still glittered full of angry emotions. The neko knew that no matter how angry he was at his brother, if someone laid a hand on him they would pay with their lives. In his heart he believed that Sesshomaru was no different from himself. If indeed the canine taiyoukai used the codes to protect his hanyou half brother his wrath would have to be dealt with. Not only that, but the Nekos had signed a treaty… a temporary treaty, but a treaty nonetheless. Inuyasha was not to be harmed before the jewel was destroyed. Satsujinsha had his doubts as to whether or not Lord Usotsuki would be able to garner them immunity from Sesshomaru's wrath if their part in this were to be known. The taiyoukai would demand justice. He would demand that they be remanded into his custody.
True, they were under his orders to hunt down the hanyou who had long been a painful reminder of a treacherous miko who had spurned their lord in favor of a dog. The human and her canine lover had been dead many years but the fruit of their union was a painful reminder of that betrayal. His death fifty years ago had been celebrated, but his reawakening had opened old wounds. Lord Usotsuki had spies watching Sesshomaru's every move. True the taiyoukai gave every indication that he loathed his half brother. But the simple fact remained that Inuyasha lived.
Would Lord Usotsuki do for them what Lord Sesshomaru had done for his brother? Would he play the game the treacherous canine demons had for so many years? Would they have to live a farce for the rest of their lives if they succeeded? There were too many things that remained unanswered even if they succeeded. But success was the only small hope they had. Refusal of such a mission meant only death; a dishonorable one, at least they were given the chance if not to return as heroes they would die with honor as warriors of their clan. This last thought was of little comfort though as death wasn't something he particularly looked forward to at the moment. Satsujinsha sighed. If only his two companions had been more attentive to their duty the ambiguous fate that was now theirs would rest on the shoulder of others.
"There will be time for this challenge later." Ansatsusha said into the tense silence that stretched between the two angry males with her. "The trail of the fire cat will not last much longer."
Koroshi turned his attention back to the delectable creature that had now moved in between the feuding males. He loved to watch her move. The sway of her slender hips, the way she held her head, the fall of long rust colored locks of hair, the distinctive golden markings on her face that proclaimed her lineage, everything about her set him aflame. Koroshi took a deep breath and let it out slowly to cool his boiling blood. She was right. The fire cat's trail was fading. It was their only hope of finding Sesshomaru and those that were held in his protection.
The irony that this particular companion of the hanyou's would be instrumental in finally putting an end to any reminder of their Lord's pain was not lost on any of the three. Their unsuspecting link had been a gift to the priestess Midoriko. A gift she had readily accepted even as she betrayed their Lord with another. It was fortunate that Lord Usotsuki had given such a unique token to the inconstant mortal as that token was their only tie to the whereabouts of the hanyou they sought. The cat had survived the attack against its mistress. Now, the loyal beast unknowingly led the assassins to the very being she had fought so hard to protect alongside her previous owner.
Satsujinsha nodded in silent acquiescence. She was right. Their fate was sealed one way or another. He and the others had to succeed in killing Inuyasha. That was the only chance they had for their lives to be spared. Without another word or glance at the two demons, he leapt into the treetops following the distinct markings in the trees that only the passing of a fire cat could make. For the first time in his long life Satsujinsha rushed off to an uncertain fate.
The only thing on his side right now was the weather. Heavy dark clouds gathered along the horizon and the smell of rain hung heavily in the air. Hopefully the rains would come and wash their scent away, leaving no trace of what they had done for Sesshomaru to find. Anonymity would be their only hope for success.
There was very little that conversation between the small group that sat huddled within the confines of the cave. The events of earlier in the day still hung between them. Silence was the only thing that seemed agreeable to them all. It was foreign to most of them as well; however, with silence there reigned a tense filled peace.
Kagome glanced around her at this steadily increasing group. Such hostility lay between them and she began to question the optimism she had just earlier that day. Everything had changed so drastically this afternoon… so many things had gone so wrong. She sighed as she thought how much simpler things were before the lines between friend and foe had become even more blurred.
It hadn't been a month since Sesshomaru had seemingly done an about face and nothing had been simple since that morning that seemed like years ago, but had been a little over three weeks ago. So much had changed and had gone on since that fateful morning, and now Koga was in the mix.
As she looked around at the stoic silent faces of her companions, she wondered if perhaps she should have just told Koga to go. It would have been so easy to do, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She sighed again as she thought if she had it would have made things a lot simpler.
Simpler… she almost laughed aloud at the word that had just crossed her mind. Her life had been nothing but confusion since that day she fell through the well and into the past. Simpler had been a lifetime ago, before she turned fifteen. Simpler had been when her main worries were whether or not she was as prepared as she should be for a test. Now she worried what new life and death struggle the next moment would bring.
Fortified by the last thought Kagome knew she had done the right thing earlier in the day. Just as she knew she had made the right decision to keep with this quest when it would have been so easy to give up. Sesshomaru himself had told her to rely on her miko perceptions and she was doing just that, whether he agreed with it or not.
That last thought startled her a little. She wondered at herself for a moment. Unlike with Inuyasha where disagreement and discord seemed to be a basis for their relationship, her recent dealings with Sesshomaru had never been truly contentious. Koga had changed all that today.
Today had proven that Sesshomaru could be as stubborn as Inuyasha when it came to those he cared about. Rin was special to him. Not that she could blame him. The small girl, unfettered by the rules of behavior for demons and humans, had made no secret how much she adored Sesshomaru. His seeming indifference did not bother her in the least. Somehow the girl had seen better than the rest of them what lay in the demon's heart.
Midnight eyes looked across the cave to where Sesshomaru sat with Rin's head lying in his lap. Her optimism returned at the sight. Today was the first time Sesshomaru had allowed himself to show any of his feelings for the young girl. It had been Koga's presence that had allowed that to happen.
Kagome's heart warmed as she thought back to earlier that afternoon when Rin and Sesshomaru rejoined the group. Rin still gripped Sesshomaru's hand within her own. Kagome could still see the determined set of the small girl's mouth as she marched past the group to where Koga had stood. It had been obvious to them all that the small girl was trying her best to be brave. Rin had cast an uncertain glance at Sesshomaru, who had simply given the child a brief smile before he said softly, "Remember Rin."
Rin had given him a small smile then and nodded to her guardian before she turned to face Koga. She released her grip on Sesshomaru's hand and took a single tentative step forward and bowed to the wolf demon. "Koga-sama, you are Kagome-sama's friend, and so you are mine."
After she spoke the small girl stood to her full height waiting for Koga to make a reply. Kagome had never seen the young girl stand so rigidly before, but she could not help but be proud of the effort Rin was making. Her fear earlier that afternoon had been genuine, and all consuming to the point where the child could barely function. Now here she stood making an attempt at an overture of goodwill to a demon who was more than likely responsible in some way for her demise. Kagome smiled as she thought that Rin's affection and trust in Sesshomaru outweighed every other feeling.
The wolf stood there in silence for a moment as he regarded the young girl before him. He knew that the attention of the entire group was on him at this moment. The wolf was not foolish enough to think that he could chastise the small girl and even maintain a hope that Kagome would forgive such a transgression. "I'd be glad to call you a friend though I'm not so sure your guardian would wish you to be mine. Isn't that right Sesshomaru?"
Kagome remembered the feeling in the pit of her stomach upon hearing the challenge in the wolf's question. But Sesshomaru's response allayed her fears as he met Koga's insolence with an equanimity and stoicism only he could possess in the face of such disrespect. Kagome wasn't sure she could have been as gracious as Sesshomaru had been. The demon lord had merely replied, "Kagome has requested of me to allow you to stay; I have agreed."
Rin had grasped Sesshomaru's hand then, and the two of them had turned away from Koga and had walked ahead of the group in search of shelter from the approaching storm. The group had been mostly quiet since then, each of them lost in their own little worlds since then.
Much had been said that afternoon when Kagome had first returned from speaking with Sesshomaru, and Kagome was certain there were still some unresolved issues regarding trust within the group. Issues that would need to be resolved in short order, but she was at a loss of how that could be accomplished.
So much lay between Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. Years of distrust could not be overcome in a matter of weeks by simply talking. It was true that headway had been made, but it wasn't enough. Kagome wondered if the lack of battles had anything to do with it, but she knew that wasn't it. There were times in the recent past the brothers had worked alongside one another, but there was always an underlying current of hatred between the two. Inuyasha was reluctant to be hurt again… not that she could blame him.
Even though she couldn't blame Inuyasha, she couldn't bring herself to blame his brother either. The subject was just as touchy for Sesshomaru as it was with Inuyasha. The only difference being where the hanyou was vocal, loud, and angry the taiyoukai was silent and uncommunicative. These were the only times that Kagome truly couldn't fathom what held Sesshomaru back. However, her affection for both of them gave her the strength to be persistent, however much they both disliked it.
"Hey dog breath move out of my way." Koga's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Just where the hell do you think you're going?" Inuyasha replied testily as the hanyou rose from his seated position to stand and face the wolf.
Kagome looked to Miroku who just shrugged his shoulders in defeat. She sighed again, instantly missing the tense filled silence that had filled the cave. She cast a glance at Sesshomaru. The taiyoukai's face betrayed nothing but his attention was on the two idiots preparing for yet another verbal sparring match. She knew she better involve herself before the taiyoukai did. Kagome doubted Koga would get off this time if Sesshomaru involved himself. Besides, Rin needed her rest. The young girl had a trying enough day as it was without having her sleep disrupted.
Determined to put an end to this at least for the night Kagome marched over to where the two stood toe to toe glaring at each other.
"That's enough the two of you. It's late, Rin's asleep and you better not wake her up." Kagome hissed in an angry whisper.
"Well if he'd let me leave then there wouldn't be a problem." Koga replied calmly as he looked at Kagome.
Kagome looked shocked at his words. "You're leaving?" she asked her disbelief evident in her voice. "Why?"
Koga directed a triumphant smirk at Inuyasha upon hearing the concern in Kagome's voice. She wanted him to stay. He grasped both her hands in his. "Kagome, don't worry. I'll be back. I just want to take at look around the area and get a feel for the land. I won't leave your side ever again no matter what."
Kagome gulped as she felt the tension in the cave escalate. Inuyasha instinctively slapped Koga's hands away from Kagome. "Keep your paws off of her." he snarled.
"Inuyasha, it's all right." Kagome interjected turning to look at Inuyasha. As always her friend had a stunned hurt look on his face.
"That's right dog breath. I have every right to touch my woman any way I want to." Koga gloated as he moved next to Kagome and put an arm around her shoulders.
Kagome immediately shrugged his arm off and stepped away to face him. "I think it's time that you and I talked alone."
"I'm not letting you go anywhere alone with that wolf, especially at night." Inuyasha interjected.
"Inuyasha," Kagome's unspoken warning was laced in the syllables of his name. "I need to say things to Koga that are between the two of us and no one else."
Inuyasha was torn. Experience had taught him that if persisted she would use that damned command again. That was the last thing he wanted. However, he did not like the fact of her going anywhere with the wolf. Koga may very well run off with her again. The damn wolf could barely save his own butt, there was no way he could possibly protect Kagome, unless he followed them without Kagome knowing. The storm would prevent Koga from catching his scent. Inuyasha was decided.
"Fine." Inuyasha reluctantly acquiesced as he allowed the two of them to pass by him towards the entrance of the cave where Sesshomaru now stood, his face an unreadable mask. He purposely had stridden over to the entrance when Kagome had questioned why the wolf was leaving. The taiyoukai was taking no chances that the wolf might abscond with her in a misguided attempt to save the miko's life. Nor was he now going to allow her just to walk off into the night alone with the wolf.
Sesshomaru knew this wolf didn't hold Kagome's heart. He also knew of her resolve to find a moment to tell the wolf her true feelings. In this environment there was little room for privacy. He had witnessed first hand the difficulties the two humans who still sat side by side in front of the fire had at trying to conceal their blossoming relationship from the prying eyes of the others in the group. Kagome's compassionate heart wouldn't let her say anything in front of the others that would hurt the wolf. Tonight he could not allow that. Not with the approaching storm playing havoc with his sensory abilities. This talk could wait for another time.
"Sesshomaru," His name was said in exasperation as she stood between him and the wolf demon. Midnight eyes clashed with amber. Another fight… yes things had been so much simpler before.
Sesshomaru could see the determination in her eyes. He knew she would fight him on this just as she had Inuyasha. Unlike his brother, she didn't have a subduing spell to control him. "Miko," he saw her flinch slightly at his choice of word to address her with as well as the tone he used when he did so, but Sesshomaru wouldn't let that sway him. "I told you I would allow the wolf to stay, but I will not allow him to interfere with your training or safety in anyway."
Midnight eyes glittered at his words. Sesshomaru could see her defiance of his words in her facial features before she even spoke. "I'm going to talk to him. Just outside the cave. I'll put up a barrier, no one will get through."
"Since when does Kagome have to listen to you anyways?" Koga asked angrily. He had no kind feelings for the taiyoukai that stood before Kagome. Koga pushed Kagome behind him, to shield her from the taiyoukai. This afternoon the bastard had walked away from him twice. Koga flexed his claws as he eyed the taiyoukai before he spoke again. "I certainly don't have to listen to you. So get outta my way before I make you move."
Amber eyes narrowed as the looked into cerulean slits. "Do not be so foolish wolf as to challenge me. This time there will be no intervention and I will not spare your life." Sesshomaru stated in those calm disinterested tones.
Kagome put a hand on Koga's shoulder. "Koga, it's okay. Let me talk to Sesshomaru."
"No. Kagome you're my woman. I'm going to protect you. You don't have to ask him permission to do anything." Koga answered without taking his eyes off the demon before him.
"Dammit Sesshomaru, just let them go." Inuyasha interjected. What the hell did Sesshomaru think he was trying to prove. Inuyasha knew that this was going to end badly. And Sesshomaru said he was foolish and headstrong.
Sesshomaru looked past the two of them to his brother who had now moved behind them. "I will allow the wolf to leave. But Kagome will remain here."
With a guttural cry Koga lunged for Sesshomaru who simply sidestepped the attack and the wolf landed just outside the cave entrance. He lunged again at the demon who once more stood in the cave's entrance but this time was pushed back by a barrier sealing off the entrance.
"Damn you!" Koga cried as he threw a stone at the unseen barrier. Sesshomaru simply turned around to face Kagome.
"Sesshomaru, I needed to talk to him alone. I…"
"Kagome, I know. I also know why, but I can not allow it tonight. There will be a time and place for that discussion but it is not this evening. The approaching storm interferes with my ability to scent out trouble and to some degree my hearing, if something were to occur there is a chance that we could not reach you in time." Sesshomaru said patiently, his voice once more friendly.
Kagome looked at Sesshomaru her anger at once deflating in the face of his logic and the sound of his voice. The familiar friendly tones were the ones she had come to know these past ten days. Her voice failed her at this moment so she simply nodded in agreement.
He gave her a smile then before he continued, "it seems it was your turn to act upon your emotions."
Kagome smiled back at him then the tension between the two of them gone once more. The appearance of that now familiar, though rare, smile never ceased to win her over.
"Now, about the wolf…" Sesshomaru tilted his head a little to indicate an angry wolf who was still trying to break through the barrier he had placed at the entrance.
"I'll tell him we'll talk another time." Kagome replied in stern tones.
Sesshomaru looked at the determined woman before him and raised a single silver eyebrow as he pressed forward. Kagome was tenacious but the wolf had proven to be more unmanageable and undisciplined than Inuyasha had ever dreamt of being. "And if he doesn't understand?"
"He will." Kagome said firmly. She knew that Sesshomaru was right. Koga would be hard to talk to. He always was. The wolf only heard what he wanted to hear. But Kagome knew that was partially her fault as well, she had on too many occasions played upon his intentions towards her to manipulate the situation to achieve an amicable end. How often had she pacified his feelings and pride so he would leave on a peaceable note? Many times this had been at the expense of Inuyasha's. Kagome knew that Sesshomaru would not accept this. And she wondered if it came down to it would she be able to really do it.
Amber eyes held midnight eyes for a moment longer. The human before him knew him too well to doubt that he would carry through with his word: the wolf would die before he allowed him to jeopardize Kagome's safety or training in any way. Sesshomaru sent up a small prayer that the wolf would listen to the woman. He knew too well what Kagome's wishes were. They had almost killed her this afternoon. If it came to that point again tonight he would not give her the chance he had this afternoon. No he would not underestimate her again.
"Very well," he stated. The barrier immediately dissipated. A rock that Koga had thrown at the barrier hurtled towards Sesshomaru only to be destroyed with a small blast of energy that the taiyoukai released before the rock could strike him.
When Koga noticed that the rock had made it through the barrier the wolf once again charged at Sesshomaru, who once again easily dodged the wolf.
"Stop it, Koga!" Kagome yelled as the wolf skidded to a stop right in front of her.
Koga looked down into Kagome's eyes. His temper had instantly cooled at the sound of her voice. Once again she had addressed him in those tones of annoyance that he so detested. Those tones reminded him all too well how he had come to know her. They brought feelings of self reproach for the ill treatment she had initially received at his hands. He had abducted her from her friends and she had despised him for it. Even in those early stages he thought her nothing more than just a mere mortal, even with her power to see the shards.
His perception of this ebony haired human changed drastically when he returned to find she had nearly escaped his den. True, she had not done it alone. Nor was it her audacity to even attempt the feat that earned his newfound respect. It was what this angel had done when all looked bleak for the two would be escapees. The girl had chosen to fling the small kit over the edge, knowing he would be able to get to safety. She had no way of knowing what the consequences would have been for her, but Kagome had been willing to face them for a demon cub that wasn't her own. He had only thought wolves possessed such loyalty to the ones they loved. It was at that moment he decided that the human woman had to be his, even though she had made it abundantly clear that she had wanted nothing to do with him.
Then something had changed. Somewhere in that battle with the Birds of Paradise she no longer acted as a captive. He felt it. He saw it in all her actions. She had become an ally. His fight had become hers and she had helped him against the birds. She had used her arrows to defend those that had so recently threatened to devour her for their dinner. Koga knew he wasn't the only one who had taken notice. All of them had. All of them suddenly truly accepted her. It was then that his heart was truly hers and he knew he would not let her get away so easily.
He saw enough to know that she was enamored with the half demon that traveled with her. The stupid mutt thankfully had no idea how to treat someone like Kagome. As a demon he was able to observe the different responses she had to the dog and knew that even though the mongrel held her heart he too often pushed his luck. Koga believed that if he treated her as she should be treated eventually she would become discontented with the half-breed.
He had left then because Kagome had wished it. Too many times he had left because it was too painful to watch her give her affection to one so totally unworthy of her. But he never lost hope that one day she would come to regard him as something more. He had only to bide his time. Now he didn't have the luxury of time. Sesshomaru and his ilk had seen to that.
Looking down into Kagome's beautiful face he knew that she would not hear him out. Not tonight while the bastard was standing there. These dogs had a hold over her that he couldn't compete with. Silently he had cursed himself for his weakness. He should have followed his first impulse long ago and whisked her away. Yes she would have been angry at first, but she would have eventually understood as he did that they were meant for one another.
Even now he was tempted to sweep her up into his arms and run off into the night with her. Koga knew that was a reckless thought. It would only serve to hasten his death. And if he were to die no one would be here to protect her from these demons that pretended to be their friend. No he would have to stay alive and tonight that meant leaving without Kagome. He had to get out of this stifling air. All at once she was too close and beyond his grasp and that was more than he could take.
"Kagome, I've decided that the storm may come any moment now it'd be better if you'd stay where you'll be warm and dry. Now don't worry about me," Koga said grasping her chin in his hand and tenderly running a claw along her jaw line, "I'll be fine. I am a demon after all. I'll be back before morning."
Koga dropped his hand then and turned and exited the cave in a cloud of dust, leaving a stunned Kagome standing in his wake, murmuring, "I really need to talk to him."
Sesshomaru said nothing to Kagome upon hearing this as he was still struggling to keep his feelings as neutral as possible. It was everything he could do not to rip the wolf's arm from his body. Once he felt he was in command of himself he returned to his place beside a still sleeping Rin.
Kagome turned to look at Inuyasha who had been unusually quiet during the last part of the argument. He stood there his arms crossed in that all too familiar stance as he leaned against a wall of the cave. However, there was a thoughtful expression on his face that was typically reserved for those moments when he thought of Kikyo. Kagome very much doubted that he was thinking about Kikyo, but she was at a loss to realize what could have put him in such a meditative state.
Kagome would have been pleased to know that it was Sesshomaru who had inspired such a reflective mood in his brother. From the moment Sesshomaru had spoken to Kagome in those friendly tones he had been lost within himself, almost entirely oblivious to what was happening around him. Then he saw something that brought back long repressed memories.
Sesshomaru had smiled at Kagome; really smiled at her. The cold features which had been his brother's for so long had all at once softened to that face his heart knew so well. Kagome had somehow managed to revive the brother his heart had ached for so long for. He didn't know if he should be grateful to her or not.
Today had been a series of emotional explosions within him. He had been torn with conflicting emotions when he had watched Sesshomaru walk off with the small human girl he allowed to travel with him. He had been able to set them aside quickly as Koga's ever irksome presence had prevented him from dwelling too long on them earlier. But then Sesshomaru had returned later with the girl still clinging to his hand.
Inuyasha remembered when it was he who had done so. There was a time when Sesshomaru had held his hand and stood behind him silently lending him his strength as he had done for Rin today. There was a time when his brother had spoken to him as Sesshomaru had spoken to Kagome. There was a time when Sesshomaru's smile wasn't an apparition that evaporated almost as quickly as it came. But that was long ago.
A lifetime ago… Inuyasha never thought he'd see his brother smile again. But he had and now he wondered, he doubted his own logic. He could not help himself and selfishly allowed himself to hope that maybe Kagome had once again worked her unique blend of magic on his brother. Confused with himself Inuyasha decided it was best to move as far away from these disconcerting figures.
He turned his back on Kagome and walked into the dark shadows of the cave where Jaken and Ah-Un had cloistered themselves away from the others. At least here he wouldn't have to look directly at his brother. Here sat two reminders of who his brother really was: a cold heartless demon who didn't give a damn about anyone. But this time even he could not fully believe that.
He was surprised that for once the anger he usually felt with the one question that reigned both in his heart and mind was not as virulent as it usually was as Inuyasha once again asked himself the question, "Why had his brother suddenly turned on him?" And for the first time since Sesshomaru had placed the gauntlet of the Vendetta between them did he wonder if maybe his brother had less than sinister motives. He began to wonder if Kagome and Miroku could possibly be right.
Kagome watched Inuyasha walk to the back of the cave. Always in tune with the hanyou she hadn't missed the brief glance at his brother. She smiled then as she realized where his thoughts and tumultuous emotions were. For once they weren't centered on Kikyo. They were centered on his brother. Hope swelled in her as her optimism once more took hold. Simple wasn't going to get anything done. She would be strong and do what she could to bring the two of them back together.
Kagome sat back down next to Sango who immediately cast her friend a small smile. It had been hard for the taijiya to keep her seat during the earlier scene. Her promise to Kagome and Miroku's hand firmly clutching hers had helped her to keep her seat. Hiraikotsu however was nearby in case she had to spring into action.
Sango thought Kagome a little too trusting, especially after what had nearly happened earlier to day. In Sango's opinion the newest editions to the group were more detrimental than helpful. They were too often fighting amongst themselves. Most importantly there was a distinct lack of trust amongst the group at this moment.
Sango had to acknowledge that it had taken them awhile to adjust to one another. But they now had come to a mutual understanding of respect, but it had taken time. And it appeared that time wasn't on their side. As a warrior she wondered if she could trust them to stay allies after Naraku was defeated, or would there be another battle afterwards. The antics of the newcomers this evening seemed to confirm her belief.
That was until she heard the difference in Sesshomaru's voice when he spoke to Kagome and seen the genuine smile on the taiyoukai's face. In all her years fighting demons she had never witnessed anything like the transformation of Sesshomaru. Then he had put Kagome at ease with a light hearted comment, something so alien to his typical demeanor she would never believed it had she not seen and heard for herself. The taijiya's keen observation didn't miss Inuyasha's reaction either.
Sango had expected more of a reaction from the hanyou when Koga had charged Sesshomaru. With uneasy eyes she had watched as the hanyou made a move towards them, but had stopped upon hearing Sesshomaru's voice. The expression on his face told her that he was lost transfixed to his brother, looking at him as if he'd seen him for the first time. But it was gone almost the moment it had appeared. It was replaced by that melancholy pensive look she had seen too often for her liking. However, this time his heart wasn't fixated on his dead lover.
Sango knew that could only mean that Inuyasha was starting to come to grips with something. She couldn't even begin to imagine what that something could be, but she was certain of one thing, Inuyasha was softening towards Sesshomaru. Something about his brother talking to Kagome must have triggered a memory… she knew all too well about that. How often did something remind her of Kohaku? How often had her heart felt heavy with the impossibility of it all? But no longer.
Sango smiled a little then. Those thoughts no longer plagued her. Now when she thought of Kohaku she had hope, even more so now after witnessing Inuyasha and Sesshomaru this evening. She sighed and leaned against Miroku. The tension within the cave seemed to have dissipated with Koga's retreat.
The monk looked down at the taijiya in surprise at this uncharacteristic public show of affection from the taijiya. Miroku closed his eyes in contentment as she snuggled close to him. He would take any open display of affection from the taijiya when he could. His cheek still stung from yesterday.
The monk opened one violet eye to look over to Kagome who now had Shippo sitting quietly in her lap. Though quiet, the kitsune was watching him and Sango quite intently. His turquoise eyes fixated upon the couple before him, but thankfully it seemed that the kit had learnt his lesson and was keeping his mouth shut. Miroku closed his eye once again.
He knew the kit wasn't entirely at fault. Shippo by nature was curious, precocious and unafraid to ask questions. Miroku could still see Sango's face flushed in embarrassment when Shippo had asked her if it was okay if Miroku touched her since she let him kiss her when she thought no one else was looking. Despite her embarrassment Miroku had been foolish enough to take advantage of the light-hearted moment and let his hand stray to where it so often wished to, which earned him yet another handprint on his cheek.
It had been a long afternoon after that. For a few hours he had been plunged into the depths of a hell he hadn't known existed while he thought he had pushed her too far. But thankfully he had been able to make amends as well as a promise to act more respectfully towards her. He longed to tell her that he worshipped her, that touching her was part of that adoration, but he knew that would come in time.
Sango may be a warrior, skilled in the ways of combat, knowledgeable about strategy, but she was ignorant to what transpired between men and women. Miroku knew that he would enjoy educating her. But he would have to do it at her pace. This was something that he wouldn't be able to force. So he would accept what she was willing to give him… for now.
Kagome noticed Shippo watching Sango and Miroku. She smiled to herself as she quietly stood cradling the curious kitsune in her arms as she went to retrieve her sleeping bag from her backpack. She was happy for her two friends, and it looked like Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had maybe reached a turning point. Only the storm brewing outside and the knowledge that she would have to break Koga's heart dampened her mood. But right now she wouldn't think about them. She slipped into the backpack, cuddled Shippo close to her and she closed her eyes and finally gave in to the exhaustion that consumed her.
Revised/Edited/Reposted 3/7/05
Author's Note: Some of you may be a little confused. I had this up, briefly very briefly. But it's back and I'm actually at least satisfied with it, for the time being. Sorry about the long wait, but I've had a lot to deal with that got in the way of this chapter. So hopefully the length of it makes up for the delay in the update.
You may notice that Koga's eye color in this chapter is no longer brown as it was in chapters 23 and 24. It was brought to my attention by a reviewer (VB, thank you) that this was incorrect, that Koga's eyes are blue. I have gone back and revised those chapters to reflect this change.
