Enchanted Orbs

Chapter 37 Breaking Down

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Kagome's fingers curled into Kirara's fur as the wind blew threw her hair. It was a beautiful feeling to have such freedom, but the miko was extremely tired right now. After three days and nights of constant travel, she felt as though her head were about to explode with tension.

Sleep would correct all of the stress causing her muscles to constrict and cramp painfully; sleep would allow her normally optimistic personality to resurface. But sleep had not come to her for two nights and three full days.

But she did not wish to sleep right now because sleeping would mean her fingers losing their grip, and if she let go… She glanced down at the trees right below the cat's paws.

Kagome envisioned herself, exhausted, her fingers uncurling, and her limp body falling off her companion's back. She winced as she saw the image of herself bounce from limb to limb until it came to an abrupt halt against the forest floor. As a spite to the weakness of humans, several of the bounding youkai below her did not spare her a glance as their steps passed over her.

She shivered and relinquished the disturbing vision. Kagome hated being so morbid at times, but these violent little movies in her mind were what had kept her awake the past two nights, the fear doing wonders to override her fatigue.

The technique didn't work as well this time as had so many times before, and she was beginning to wonder how much longer she would have to stay awake. The rain, which continuously howled around her, just made her wish to curl up in her bed and read a book.

But she wasn't at home. She was surrounding by violent creatures that had bloodlust to match their voracious skills in battle hiding beneath the surface of a calm battle worn exterior. Sesshoumaru would settle for nothing but the best, so Kagome had no doubts about how powerful these creatures were.

She sighed. It didn't work. The "crazed bloodthirsty" creatures below her were not to harm her for risk of disobeying a direct order from Shouron. She knew this, and thus the fear did not come…and she was still exhausted.

Kagome reminded herself of how lucky she was. Poor Kikyou was below her clinging to Inuyasha. From above, Kagome couldn't monitor their movements well, but she had ridden on his back countless times. Kagome knew how uncomfortable it was to be floating one second only to collide with his back when the inu pushed off the ground. It was a vicious, nauseating cycle.

She had to give Kikyou credit for controlling her stomach and ignoring the migraine that would result after extended journeys upon Inuyasha for as long as she had.

Looking in front of her, she saw that Shouron looked as if he was dead on his feet. His shoulders were slouched forward, his knees were bent about to give in, and his head was bent so extremely that it looked to be touching his chest. Despite the overwhelming strain he had to be feeling right now, his hands were still palm skyward defiantly. His arms had drooped to his sides, but he refused to give in just yet.

The sun was sinking slowly. Another hour and it would kiss the hills on the horizon. Would they spend another night traveling? If so, Kagome doubted she would be able to continue the fight against her fatigue. Serious doubts about her living to see morning began to arise until she heard a soft voice float to her on the wind.

"Kagome, we will make camp this night." Shouron called back to her.

Elation coursed through the girl at his words. Kagome never thought she would be so glad at such simple words, but those words held so many promises. Sleep, her rest tonight would be so deep; she doubted if anything could wake her this night. Real food, Kagome had been warned that the group would not stop often, so she had packed several travel mixes and breakfast bars to sustain her while on the go. She had cleaned out Souta's supply of the packages, too, and had given those to Kikyou, warning her to stuff the wrappers in her clothes until they could stop and burn the evidence.

The reason given was so that no one could track them, but Kagome also truly wished not to alter anything of the past. Leaving artifacts and strange materials around might allow for a discovery centuries before its time, and Kagome refused to risk such a drastic change for fear of changing her family's livelihood.

Kagome was still floating with happiness at the prospect of a fish dinner when Shouron's voice interrupted her.

"Kagome, alert the troops." His voice was still weak, but she heard him well enough.

Knowing what he wished of her, she nodded her head, though the gesture was pointless. He would not see it because he hadn't turned towards her. Kagome mentally scolded herself for the lack of intelligence she displayed while extremely tired.

"Yes, Shouron, I'll notify the others." She responded finally. She patted Kirara's neck and leaned down to speak to the cat. "Kirara, do you think you can find Kariudo?"

The neko (cat) roared in affirmation then dropped its altitude, weaving in and out of the tree limbs before catching the scent of the soldier. A few great strides of the flaming paws allowed the cat to catch up.

He glanced at her briefly to acknowledge her, but he quickly returned his gaze back to the scenery around him, not wishing to collide with anyone or anything.

"Kariudo, Shouron wishes to make camp tonight." Kagome spoke but hesitated afterwards feeling awkward. Was he the one to tell? He seemed to be the second in command behind Shouron, but he wasn't responding to her comment. What now?

She took a deep breath and continued with a shaky voice. "I would be very appreciative if you would make the announcement. I doubt it would be well received if I gave the order to the warriors."

"You assume correctly. I will take care of things." He answered with no inflection to his voice.

"Thank you." Kagome said quietly before patting Kirara once again and rising above the tree limbs.

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If Aishi would have rammed him from a full sprint, Sesshoumaru would have felt less effects than from the verbal assault to which he was just privy. His eyes widened as the actual meaning of the words seeped into his understanding.

And as if the collision was the actual case, the lord took a step backwards before he realized he had done so. His defenses on full alert now, despite the lack of physical attack, the taiyoukai brought one arm up in front of his chest to block a potential blow; his other arm remained at his side, but his fingers were flexed and gaining the fluorescent green of Sesshoumaru's potent poison.

Realizing what he was doing, Sesshoumaru quickly regained his composure, his face returning to its normal picture of impassiveness, but he was still off-balance and at a loss for what to say from things. The inu lord opened his mouth to respond to Aishi's accusation.

Only to snap his mouth shut, his eyes narrowed dangerously, and the words he had composed in response vanished. "You, Aishi, have trespassed in unwelcoming territory." His voice was nothing short of venomous as he realized that Aishi had intruded upon his thoughts.

Aishi's emotions, which were rapidly changing, were not shown in his posture, but his eyes reflected the fear he held for his lord's loosely-reigned temper. But fear was nothing compared to the disappointment he felt at this time.

Sesshoumaru hadn't denied it.

Not that denial would change Aishi's opinion of Sesshoumaru's feelings. But Kagome, though powerful, was a ningen. Human. It would be a blight on the taiyoukai's glorious lineage.

And the lord took great pride in his bloodline.

Insubordination would occur; youkai tend to think being involved with humans is a weakness in itself. It is as if their frailty causes a weakening in the strength of even the most powerful youkai.

And no one had been able to disprove this belief. Not even the great Inu no Taisho, Sesshoumaru's all powerful father.

Even he had fallen after taking a human to his bed… Sesshoumaru would no doubt face the same fate if…

Kagome wasn't as weak as other humans; she was stronger than most youkai he had ever come across. But perhaps the frailty that was impinged upon the associated youkai was not one of strength. Maybe the mind was that which became weak.

Aishi had not been present for the former lord's death, nor did he know of the true tactics either the dog or the dragon had employed in that fatal battle. So assumptions on Inutaisho's weakness gained Aishi no bearing; for all Aishi knew the inu lord was still a great warrior, and Ryuukotsusei had used foul means of defeating Sesshoumaru's great father.

Sesshoumaru became more and more irritated at Aishi's silence. It was as if the general would not answer, and not answering a lord when addressed is a great offense, despite his lifetime of loyalty.

Aishi was ripped from his thoughts when he heard his lord growl. Silver eyes widened, realizing his offense, he quickly bowed to his lord at a much lower height than one of his station usually used. "Forgive me, my lord." His strong voice refused the plea-like tone he wished to use.

The taiyoukai nodded slightly and turned to continue their travel, but before he resumed he left Aishi with some vital advice. "It would be wise for you to speak no more unless addressed, Aishi. Lifetimes of loyalty will not stay my hand upon the next intrusion." The tone was even but strained as if barely leashed in its fury.

Aishi nodded his agreement, and the two began their journey once again.

Travel began again and with it came Sesshoumaru's thoughts.

The general gritted his teeth trying desperately to ignore the inner debate within his lord. Confusion over the words Aishi spoke was now present in great amount only to be denied by the foolish idea, according to Aishi, that youkai are not capable of love.

Sesshoumaru tried to relive experiences that would cause her positive image to shift, but he was never fully successful. And all the while Aishi was forced to watch as if his own mind was a projector screen before his eyes; it was a cause for alarm to see how deeply the feelings ran within his lord.

But it was still disturbing beyond belief.

All of a sudden, Aishi was greeted with his own face in his mind. He and Shouron stood next to each other in front of a shield; soldiers could be seen through the shield trying to break through.

The general winced at the image; he knew full well where this was going for he had experienced it before. But he couldn't say a word for fear of his life.

Through Sesshoumaru's eyes, Aishi saw the miko on her knees a few feet in front of him. Her head was bent in defeat, and the general felt pain at her posture. Her head lifted, and Aishi was speared by the emotion dripping from her expressive blue eyes, sparkling with tears. Gracefully, she rose to her feet in spite of her exhaustion, words were exchanged, but Sesshoumaru didn't focus on them, so they were but white noise in the general's mind. She approached him, and Aishi felt his heart race with his lord's. They were connected, so they shared even physical responses.

The gentle caress of fingers grazed his cheek, and he felt her lips pressed to his. Shock raced through his mind, and Sesshoumaru's world was halted. Aishi felt shame at experiencing this, as if in some way he was betraying Mokuso, but he couldn't stop the image. His lord was controlling his very responses.

As he finished the thought, the taiyoukai released his shock and sank into the kiss, pulling the girl closer to him. Aishi felt the responses Sesshoumaru gave. The silk of her lips, the addictive taste of her mouth, the tiny noises she made when the lord delved the depths of her mouth.

Aishi was loosing his battle. He didn't want to experience this. It wasn't his place, and he tried to block out everything, but it was no use. The intensity of his lord's feelings ripped his barriers to shreds.

Desire, a deep shade of want coursed through Aishi's body as he felt Sesshoumaru pull her even closer, further into their embrace. Nothing else existed but the feel of her pressed against him and the passion that filled his very being.

Aishi nearly choked on the overload.

That is until a surge of lust flew through his veins. It was too much. Aishi's legs stumbled, and soon he was skidding across the grounding, tearing through tree trunks with his momentum.

"Milord, please stop!" Aishi practically begged him, the sensations rendering him helpless, insanity threatening him, and the disgrace of involuntarily feeling these things for Kagome when he wished for no one but Mokuso left him feeling violated.

Sesshoumaru's memory was interrupted by the crashing of shredded trees, and a plea from Aishi. The taiyoukai halted and turned to see Aishi pulling himself to his knees, his hands were holding his torso off the ground, but Sesshoumaru could see how they shook against the ground. Green tresses were mussed from the trees' impacts, but they still fell down across his face, hiding any expression.

This was a position never before seen from his strongest warrior. Sesshoumaru quickly scanned the area for any possible enemies, but he found none. Greatly confused, he closed the distance between him and his general.

A broken plea greeted him. "Please, Lord Sesshoumaru, do not make me relieve that with you."

Confusion racked the lord, until anger ripped through him. He saw Aishi flinch and grab his head. Sesshoumaru forcibly restrained the furious growl that threatened his throat. He took a menacing step forward fully intending to make his inferior pay for his multiple intrusions.

Until he realized the state Aishi was in and the words he had used. '…do not make me…' Sesshoumaru halted his progress. Aishi had never been one to bow at another's feet. Never. Even when defeated, he had never before prostrated himself as he did now. Aishi was one to greet death with a defiant air. This was one of the reasons Sesshoumaru respected him as much as he did.

Aishi seemed as fearless as himself.

But now? What could reduce him to this? He resembled Jaken except that no fear was present. Sesshoumaru watched as Aishi pushed his weight backwards so he was only on his knees and no longer holding himself up with his hands.

Aishi's voice was strained, quivering slightly. "I have never in my life had a true confidant, my lord, some one I could tell any and everything and trust them to keep it."

Sesshoumaru was now thoroughly confused. What did this have to do with anything? But Aishi continued before his could voice the questions.

"You, Lord Sesshoumaru, are the closest I have ever come to confiding in, and as such, you know the limits and boundaries of my mental capabilities. You also know the weaknesses of my defenses."

The lord watched on impassively.

Aishi never met his eyes in his speech. "You know the weakness of my defenses." He reiterated to ensure Sesshoumaru paid attention. "You torture me with your intense emotions, and you do not even realize it." His hands shook in his lap. "Please, lord, no more."

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Kagome knelt before Shouron, giving him food and tending to his needs. She still hadn't eaten herself, and the fish Kikyou and Inyasha caught for her was crackling tantalizingly over the fire. But she pushed her stomach back under control and made sure Shouron was comfortable, even going as far as working the knots out of the muscles of his shoulders.

She watched as he slipped into slumber. The light rain stopped immediately, and Kagome knew that spies would see them, but they were only a day away from their destination. No lord could assemble and evacuate an army that quickly. Plus, there would be a travel time for the mobilizing enemy to reach their campsite.

Kagome grinned; everything was going according to plan. The enemy would know Sesshoumaru's troops were sent to the Eastern Lands, but the knowledge would come too late to strike against them.

She settled in front of the fire she had built for her companions and began eating her dinner beside Mokuso. There was no conversation between the group. Several other fires were present with small groups surrounding them, but she paid the strangers in the company no mind.

Until she heard someone raise their voice above the murmur of the soldiers. "What I speak is truth. Shouron has become weak. Look at the way the humans must tend to him." Vicious eyes pierced Kagome, and anger boiled to the surface.

Kagome stood and glared down at the seated youkai. Movement to her side alerted her attention, and soon Kariudo and his brothers were standing near her glaring down at the youkai as well.

Her patience at an end with her weariness, Kagome spoke harshly to him. "You arrogant imbecile, Shouron is weak because he has covered our progress to the Eastern Lands for the past three days. Or are you too weak minded to have noticed the storm raging around us?"

"Bitch, you would do well to sit down and shut your treacherous mouth." He dismissed her to speak to the brothers guarding the sleeping general.

But Kagome would not be dismissed so easily. Her voice rose to command the attention of everyone but the obliviously tired general. "I granted you my patience the last time we spoke, but I have no more to give. You will regret your words if you insult me again." Her voice threatened certain death, but the youkai only laughed.

Inuyasha stepped closer to her. "Kagome…" He tried to stop her rant, but she spoke the truth when she warned of her lack of tolerance.

"No! I have done nothing to defend myself against the abrasive words these weaklings have thrown at me. I have done nothing but my duty as Sesshoumaru ordered, but now I will do both simultaneously. I will defend myself, and no one will attack Shouron after I make an example of this one." Her anger tempered her voice, and Inuyasha flinched away from her.

But the crimson haired youkai did not heed the warning. He walked towards Kagome who stood firm, staring at him as if he was nothing but dirt beneath her feet.

"You, bitch, will learn your place." He threatened.

Kariudo stepped between the two of them as before. "General Shouron has ordered that she and her companions are not to be harmed, Gooman." His voice was threatening, but steady.

The youkai's eyes flared as his anger took over. "Shouron is too weak to defend himself against a human child. His orders no longer apply." His face became cunning. "You and your brothers are the strongest here, Kariudo. Kill Shouron and his humans and you will have your own army."

Growls from the troops around the youkai, now known as Gooman, erupted at his statement. He spun to the soldiers behind him. "You would still follow his orders? Fine, follow the orders of a kitten, but I for one will not obey a weakling." He spun around to face Kariudo again.

"Shouron is weak; if you won't do anything about it, I will." He tried to step past him but couldn't.

Kagome's voice pierced the thick silence. "Kariudo, please step aside." Her voice was firm and commanding.

He turned his head to look at her with confused eyes, but he could see nothing but determination there. She was seething and that anger was directed towards Gooman.

"No, General Shouron ordered…" He began but was interrupted.

"General Shouron may have said those things, but Lord Sesshoumaru sent me to handle cases such as these. Sesshoumaru's order outranks Shouron's, so step aside." Her voice was now impatient.

Gooman's laughter was loud and abrasive. "Lord Sesshoumaru sent YOU to defend the general? Has he been weakened by your race as well?"

Kagome's voice was smooth as she pressed her hand against Kariudo's arm, encouraging him to move aside. "No, Sesshoumaru knows the value of surprise." She spoke her warning.

Red eyes narrowed on the miko. "Your death will be slow and painful, bitch." He raised his claws threateningly then slashed at her.

Kagome made no move to avoid the attack. She was angry beyond anything she had ever felt, and she meant to not only defeat him, but humiliate him in the processs. Four gashes ripped through her torso from shoulder to hip, but she didn't even flinch.

Gooman laughed hysterically as the smell of her blood drifted across the clearing. Inuyasha, Kikyou, and Mokuso screamed in surprise but could not reach her. Their bodies would not react and they were frozen in place. Kariudo, Kento, and Kinzi tensed beside her, but made no move to help at her warning glance.

Kagome's head dropped to look over her injuries, her eyes slid up to lock with Gooman's, and she smiled. Every soldier showed expressions of shock as a golden light consumed Kagome; as the light disappeared, so did the smell of her blood.

Kagome's clothes were still ripped, but beneath the shredded cloth, the youkai could send mended skin. Besides the ripped garment, no evidence of his attack remained, not even blood that had once soaked her shirt. Gooman gawked.

A confident voice broke through his stupor. "Hmm, it seems as if you missed, Gooman." Kagome mocked him.

A ferocious growl erupted from his throat and he swiped at her again, sending blades of his energy towards her. Kagome again, made no move to dodge, but this time, her purifying energy was exuded through the pores of her skin. As happened when Aishi attacked her in this manner, the blades were purified before they reached her skin.

The glow faded from her. "Really, Gooman, and you called me the weakling. Surely you are more skilled than this."

Inuyasha shook his head. This was not his Kagome; what had happened to the sugary girl he remembered? His eyes narrowed. 'Sesshoumaru must be responsible. That bastard did something to her; now she's changed.'

An eruption of youki caused leaves and dirt to thrash around him, as Gooman prepared for another attack. Kagome watched impassively. A red ball of energy appeared before him, and he sent it at her.

The miko raised her hand to deflect it casually, but as it changed direction from her guidance, its shape changed. No longer a ball but a rope, it wrapped around her wrist. Before she could react, it wrapped fully around her body, tying her arms to her helplessly.

Or so Gooman thought as he began to laugh again. "Is this skilled enough for you bitch?"

Kagome smirked. "No." Her body poured her purifying magic through her again, and the rope dissolved into nothing.

The youkai stopped laughing. Laughter was replaced by a growl. "You will die!" He cried as he ran towards her.

Before he reached her, he slammed into a barrier and rebounded to the ground. Sitting up, he saw her looking down at him with no emotion. "You have outlived your usefulness." Kagome spoke evenly.

Everyone watched as two violet circles appeared around her chest. Kagome sent them for his head, but a voice stopped her.

"Kagome stop!" Shouron's voice caused her to force her attack to veer off-course. The razor-like blades turned at the last second to graze his neck on both sides. She turned her attention to Shouron.

The general struggled to his feet. "He is a traitor to the Western Lands. It is Lord Sesshoumaru who will sentence him."

The miko nodded. "So what do I do with him until then?"

Shouron smiled as he sat back down. "You have a very effective prison. I have seen it on two occasions, against Aishi and Samon. I think that will work well until we arrive at Lord Dachi's estate." His eyes closed as he finished speaking.

Kagome sighed, but turned her attention back to the youkai in front of her. He had stood while her attention was on Shouron.

"No prison you build can hold me, bitch. You will…" Gooman began, but no one ever got to hear him finish his second sentence for a pink barrier soon surrounded him fully.

Now entrapped in a spherical prison, Gooman began shouting and beating against the shield. Kagome smiled and shook her finger at him reproachfully.

She turned to the stunned youkai soldiers around her. "His prison is a miko's barrier. It is connected to my own aura. If any of you attempt to break it, or if you even approach it, I will feel it reflected within my energy. If this happens, I will take it as a threat, and you will join him in his prison cell." Her voice reflected the power of her words.

It was getting late, and Kagome felt the pull of exhaustion overcome the adrenaline that had fueled her previously. She smiled serenely at the stunned individuals around her. "Rest well, goodnight."

The soldiers watched as she, Kikyou, and Mokuso sat down near Shouron. A barrier was soon erected around them, and Inuyasha jumped into a nearby tree.

Kariudo cast a glance to his brothers who were still in a state of shock. "Where did our lord find such a ningen?" His brothers shook their head. A wicked smile crept across the eldest's face. "Do you still wish you had the chance to fight the miko when we first arrived, Kento?"

"Hn." He replied haughtily.

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A/N: Hey…do any of you know if Kirara is a male or female? It was kinda awkward not knowing whether to call it a him or her. I've heard both used in many fanfics, but I've yet to find anything in the manga or anime. Did I just miss it, or was it not addressed? HELP!!

Yes, I missed my deadline again. Man…my word means nothing anymore, and its all because of this story. SIGH. Oh well, my reasoning? I had to rewrite this chapter twice. Why? Well, I was in an EXTREMELY Good mood when I wrote Aishi's breakdown, and me in my idoicity (not a word, yes, I know) wrote it as a HUMOROUS scene. I went back and re-read it and was appalled.

What kind of sadist writes humor in their favorite OC's emotional breakdown? (yes, Aishi is my favorite OC, heehee) Grr. I'm such a bitch, so I went back and made it angsty as it was supposed to be in the first place. Yes, I know a lot of people don't really like angst, but I'm ripping apart relationships to rebuild them stronger. There is a purpose believe me.

Ravensilverkat: ha! I did find a use for one of the names you gave me! Thanks bunches!