Disclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha, Kagome, or any of the other fine inhabitants of that certain Feudal Fairy Tale we all love so much. This is definitely an AU of some sort. I also don't own Vincent Kennedy McMahon or any of his crew, no matter how amusing they can be. ' ' is for text messages, I hadn't noted that before but that's what it is.
It was going to be an old fashioned Survivor Series Pay per View. Over the years the idea behind it had changed so much that it was often no more than a mish-mash of standard matches topped off by a couple of tag team championships, but this year Vince had decided for a retro event and there it was. Four man teams against each other, each team battling it out in the ring until the other team was eliminated via pinfall. At the end of the night the surviving teams would get the ultimate prize for this, a guaranteed spot for the Royal Rumble. This was a hotly pursued thing, because as everyone knew the winner of the Royal Rumble was guaranteed a spot in Wrestlemania, competing for the Championship. It wasn't easy to win, thirty other men would be competing for the same goal but it could be done and the victory was sweet. Everyone wanted the coveted number thirty spot, the last man in with the least amount of time to actually fight. Everyone wanted number thirty and no one wanted number one unless they had a point to prove ala Chris Benoit or Shawn Michaels, two of the few to ever last from start to finish and win.
At this point Yasha was wondering if he would even get a spot in the Rumble. He had the distinct feeling that he and Sesshoumaru were being double dealt and it was a feeling that he didn't care for at all. Cena's camp had kept up the smack talk, starting the "You want some, come get some" and Yasha knew he damn sure wanted some. But interference and other plots had kept that match a carrot on a stick for him and the fans. Vince was going to milk that cash cow for all it was worth, but that shouldn't have been a surprise. His one surprise was even now pushing the dressing room door open with her back, a cup of coffee in each hand and a stack of mail under one arm. Kagome. She brought a smile to his lips even in the midst of his brooding. He was paying her out of his own money, it was part of the deal he'd cut with Vince to keep her. When those huge chocolate eyes lit up when she turned and saw him lacing his boots he knew that he'd made the right choice. No one had ever looked at him like that, and meant it the way she had. She set the mail down and the drinks, and moved to fix his hair while he sat stock still and let her. She was the only person that he had let touch his silver mane since he'd divorced Kikyou, she had such a gentle touch and it soothed him, let him concentrate on the match to come instead of the political backstage mess.
His cell phone went off and he flipped it open while she finished his wrist thick braid to read the text message his brother sent him. He'd been upset earlier that the stage manager wanted to run the Team Akita music for his four man team, they hadn't even discussed it with the others yet and he felt like decisions were being made without him that he should be there for. He was still unsure just who would be going out with him, he wanted Sesshoumaru, just like the old days but he knew that wasn't going to happen. Broken arm aside the push still had him going out to support Cena's team. Yasha hated that. He was scowling as he began to read, Kagome's hands were trying to soothe him by rubbing his shoulders which was nice, and he closed his eyes a moment to just stop and draw in her scent. She was like nothing and no one else, and he let the tension go and started reading again as a smile began to spread on his lips again. He nudged her a bit with his elbow and held up the phone to her so she could see it too. She leaned down, and he reveled in the feel of her on his back as she read the message Sesshoumaru had sent. She had a tiny worried frown as she read the text from Sesshoumaru at first, and then Yasha had to hide a grin when she gave a tiny laugh.
'Hello Kagome, I am sure Yasha is letting you read this.'
His brother was indeed one of a kind. He'd known how wound up his younger brother was and had sent him some assurance, and more. It had taken a bit of string pulling, an emergency pair of plane tickets, and an eighteen and a half hour flight. A lot of effort but the results were worth it. For one night only, two of their former team mates from Japan were joining Team Akita once more and were on the way to the arena now. Yasha wasn't sure just how Sesshoumaru had convinced them to allow this but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. They still needed a fourth, but honestly if he couldn't have Sesshoumaru himself he'd take some mook kid out of the back begging for a tryout and let him fill space because he knew for a fact that between the three of them they could handle just about whatever was thrown at them tonight. Of all he'd expected to have happen, he had to admit this was last on the list.
"Miroku and Kouga, we'll have to keep them close I don't think either of them can be trusted not to wander off with some pretty lady after the show. Kagome, this is going to rock."
There was a heartbeat of silence then came her voice, so full of joy.
"You actually called me Kagome, instead of wench. These guys must be something."
She made him laugh so hard he almost missed the knock on the door. He composed himself (barely) and gruffly called out for whoever it was to come in. A thick brow raised in surprise at the man that entered after that. While not the last person in the world that he'd think about talking to, it wasn't like they were all that close either, considering both were being portrayed as lone wolf fighters, and that thought was enough to make Yasha almost crack up all over again thinking of Kouga's imminent arrival. Kagome started text messaging Sesshoumaru on Yasha's phone and giggling, which did not bode well for later he was sure as he tried to pay more attention to the man in front of him. Matt Hardy had been getting the corporate shaft lately too after all, and Yasha heard him out. He'd wanted badly to be a part of Survivor Series only to be turned down by the front office and he knew Yasha needed a team or he'd be going it alone. He hadn't heard that Yasha had people coming in, but either way he was there to offer himself even if they ended up having to fight a handicap match against the other team. As a bonus he came bearing gifts so to speak, he had the names of the team Yasha's team would be facing. Not even Sesshoumaru had been able to get that, and he called Kagome back over with the phone and had her text the names to his brother. Randy Orton, not such a big surprise there, they were building that feud to carry through past Wrestlemania, Yasha knew. JBL, Johnny Nitro, and Kane rounded out that team and Yasha groaned a little. Kane was the current punisher for the front office, and Matt was taking a huge risk by lining up with Yasha. But there was one thing that Yasha knew about Matt, that man was fearless when it came to what he thought was right. He could have made it easier on himself and left Yasha in a lurch, the stage manager would have thrown a last minute team together and Yasha would have gotten mowed under.
He could have, but he didn't. This event was 'unscripted' for the most part, as long as certain guidelines were followed, and nearly everyone was excited by this chance to show off for the fans. Yasha grinned a moment, because he knew while he was not supposed to win, that did not mean that his team had to lose. It was splitting hairs but it had been Sesshoumaru's idea and he was all for it, and Matt's joining up had lifted his spirits a bit. Enough that he'd rose and shook his hand, inviting him to relax in his dressing room while they waited on the rest of the team. Matt had been intrigued when he'd heard that two of Yasha's former partners from Japan were coming from the airport even now and they all lamented a bit that they wouldn't have enough time to practice much before the show. Kagome had gotten the pleasure of telling the stage manager that Yasha did in fact have a full team when he'd come by with his stupid little clipboard, even going so far as to tell him that Yasha would never have picked anyone on that list, and she'd have filled a spot herself if it had come to that. It was enough that he smiled at her when she'd shut the door, and gave her the present he'd gotten for her early instead of after the show like he'd intended. It wasn't much, really, at least he hadn't thought so, but when he saw those big eyes tear up and she'd hugged him hard like she'd never let him go, well maybe he hadn't done so bad. It was just a locket, but she acted like he'd given her the keys to China. Then they'd bickered a little, just in fun and they'd all gotten a laugh out of it, even Sesshoumaru as Kagome ran around the room texting him while Yasha chased her to try and get the phone.
It wasn't long before Miroku and Kouga finally arrived and were led to the locker room and from there to Yasha's dressing room. Neither of them seemed the worse for the long trip, though Yasha was immediately set to growl at the both of them for circling Kagome like a pair of horny sharks, or in Kouga's case wolves. Miroku had come in dressed in his colors of purple and black, the warm up suit complimenting him well, dark hair pulled back in a short pony tail and his violet eyes warm, though any woman that could trust that smarmy smile was asking for it in Yasha's opinion. Kagome had liked him at first, until he had snuck a feel and then of course she'd set Yasha on him. Yasha laughingly complied, chasing him around much as he had Kagome earlier which gave Kouga his chance. He'd had eyes for no one but Kagome since they'd entered the room, and he sat down next to her while Yasha chased Miroku with the promise to pound him. She was still texting Sesshoumaru when Kouga finally spoke.
"When you are tired of dog boy there, come to Japan and be my woman. I'll double what he's paying you to escort him to the ring, you'll be a star."
Unfortunately for Kouga Yasha had heard him. He sat Miroku down next to Matt and told them to get acquainted, and he began rolling up his sleeves. Miroku and Matt tried to frantically wave and get Kouga's attention. He had one of Kagome's hands in his, her expression was a strange admixture of confusion, flattered woman, and annoyance, and she'd been in the middle of a text after all, though she hated to be rude.
"Umm … no thanks, Kouga is it? I … uh … I'm …"
"She's with me."
Wow, was that his voice sounding so deep with a growl under it? Kagome's smile at him told him it was, and he'd take on the whole roster to see her smile like that at him again even if it would get his ass kicked nine ways from Sunday. Kouga had been smart enough to let go, though he couldn't resist whispering to Kagome that if she ever changed her mind he'd be waiting. It puzzled him very much, even as it pissed him off. Miroku and Kouga had never acted like this around Kikyou, despite how lovely Kikyou was, what made Kagome different? But he already knew the answer to that one, didn't he? Just looking at her giggle while she texted his brother about the whole thing, and knowing that not only did Sesshoumaru not mind, but was texting her back … it was mind blowing, how much she influenced all those around her, just by being Kagome. Finally he had someone on his side that was going to stay there, that cared how he felt, what he thought, who worried about him because she could, not because he paid for her to do so. Kikyou had cared more for his money than him, and by the end made no secret of it, and that had made it hard for him to trust other people that wanted to be his friends afterwards. What if they had only wanted him for his money and fame as well? But not Kagome. The first thing that Kikyou would have asked if he'd given her that locket would have been how much it cost …
It made him growl again, until he felt her hand on his wrist, pausing in texting long enough to smile up at him. They had a few more minutes to get ready, and by that time they'd all agreed that they would go out under Team Akita's music much to the relief of the stage manager. That man had managed to annoy both Kouga and Miroku with his inability to properly say their names, though Yasha had assured them that the ring announcer would have no such trouble. Lillian was a professional after all, and would make sure she had their names right before she would even open her mouth. Matt had made them all laugh when he asked if this meant he was an unofficial member of Team Akita, Kagome adding to that by piping up to ask if she was too. If not for the lack of his brother being there Yasha would have said in that moment he really felt like he was surrounded by family. Yasha leaned out and snagged the stage manager one more time, and then began digging through the box Sesshoumaru had sent over. For last minute jobs, the shirts and robes looked sharp and at least they would look like they belonged in the same ring on the same side. Passing them around made him grin, especially when he was able to erase that soft pout Kagome had on her lips when she'd thought there wasn't one for her … damn, his brother had thought of everything after all. Now if only he could have been the one to take the win, this night would be perfect. He knew Kagome knew things had to be like this, it was part of the story, part of the push, but Yasha wanted her to see him win! Part of this was his own ultra competitiveness, but part of it was that he wanted to see the pride in her eyes when he won for her. As it was, he knew he'd have to wait, and part of him was beginning to rebel against the facts of his situation.
He wanted his brother here, with him tonight. He wanted to win, and have Kagome raise his hand in the air along with the ref. He wanted so much, but he knew to get what he really wanted he'd need to take his lumps just like everyone else in their time had to. But looking around at his team, at the smiles on their faces like they knew they were going to be a part of something big, even if that something was only for tonight, he knew he'd be patient as he could be. Things would come to him as events unfolded, if he could just hang on. They got the knock on the door that was their cue, and his hearing was able to pick up the strains of the song chosen as the Survivor Series theme. Again they were given the opening match, and he knew it was because Vince understood that no matter where he was he'd give all he had for the fans, and they would walk away talking about the match Yasha was in. Just his name on the bill was putting butts in the seats and selling cable time, it was power and sometimes that was all a man could ask for. He wasn't nervous now, not with his team around him and standing in the dark archway waiting. He could hear Kagome breathing next to him, the light touch of her fingertips on his wrist because she couldn't see nearly as well as he could in the dark and she didn't want to stumble. There came a crack of knuckles as Kouga loosened up behind him in the dark, and he could almost hear Miroku stretch, it was gods just like old times when he was a young untried punk kid back home and they had so much to prove.
Then there came a hush as the house lights went down, the opening theme finished and the announcers beginning to work up the crowd, and into that hush came the almost eerie strains of a traditional Japanese ballad. It started out slow and soft, and made him remember that he had always wondered just what made Sesshoumaru choose that, the excited yet confused murmuring running through the crowd began to make his pulse race. He knew that none of them knew Team Akita's original intro, but in the space of three heartbeats came the ferocious shred of metal guitars, blended incongruously with the piercing sound of a flute and this music they did know and there came the roar of applause and the screams of excitement that held direction. Lillian's voice rose after the first four bars, and the smell of the ozone drifted back to them all and he knew they had begun the pyrotechnics that signaled the start of their entrance. Miroku went first, moving out fast and to the left, a shower of sparks lighting him up as he lifted a gloved hand to the American crowd. Behind him on the giant digital display were playing images of him executing the high flying moves that he'd made famous in Japan as well as his brief earlier stint in the US with Team Akita, and then the images shifted with the music as Kouga came out, taking his spot to the right. Then the crowd was anticipating Yasha, but that was Matt's cue and while the images were pure Hardy Boyz, the music stayed the same as Matt lifted his hands in the V1 salute. Yasha spared a glance to Kagome, his heart hammering in his chest from the adrenaline as the music took a dip, then swelled up again as he parted the curtain and moved straight down the center, lifting both hands up over his head with his feet parted. He heard the crowd roar as Lillian introduced them by name and country of origin, and Kagome came in for her part of the entrance sliding between his feet as he bent to pick her up by the waist and turn with her held up in the air before him. He let her down so that the group could rush the ring together, one man on each ring post to show boat for the crowd and Kagome holding up her little hands in victory signs and waving to the cameramen. The feeling that went through them all at this was indescribable, it was just so right. For this one night, they were together and somehow, everything was going to be okay.
They pulled back to let the team they were facing come in to their own individual music and intros, a smug look on Yasha's face as he knew it made them look less like a team and gave his own side the sense of togetherness needed to actually win this match. He met Miroku's eyes and he smiled knowing that his old friend felt it too. They climbed up to take their positions and then the match began. Miroku had won the toss and was first up from Team Akita in the ring facing Johnny Nitro. Miroku had never heard of him but knew better than to underestimate anyone especially in a situation like this. Nitro had had some reasonable success in tag team action with MNM but was not so good with singles roles for some reason, despite how sharp his moves were. He was on his A game tonight and kept Miroku on his toes until he tagged out to JBL, who Miroku was ready for. He'd faced him once when the man still had his long black hair and was just Bradshaw and had a bit of respect for him even when he saw how sloppy he was tonight. Sloppy or not he caught Miroku with a Clothesline from Hell, unfortunately for him Miroku had been thrown close enough for Kouga to slide over the top rope and slap his arm for a tag in.
Kouga had no respect for JBL, unlike Miroku and some of the others but truth be told Kouga didn't have much respect for anyone that wasn't 'family'. Pack in his words, and he took the concept of Pack very seriously. Miroku was a bit winded but gave him the thumbs up and Kouga set JBL up for his double Super Kick. It was a bit like Sweet Chin Music, if that move had included two direct strikes on the chin. No one but Kouga had ever been fast enough to do it, though some came close, and no one was fast enough to dodge that bullet when it was set up. JBL went down and Kouga got the pin, Kane's interference coming too late to save his team mate. Kouga squared off against the monster, holding up three fingers to indicate the other team and cockily lowered another finger to indicate two. He leaned back and let Hardy take the tag he was calling for, the key to taking Kane down was to not let him rest and while Kouga took a hard shot to the chest Matt came up out of nowhere and flipped off the top turnbuckle in a near perfect Swanton Bomb onto Kane. It brought the big man down but wouldn't be enough to take him out, though the quick tags began then in an effort to wear him out. It made the crowd go insane as they cheered and screamed, and at one point the remaining two members of Kane's team entered as well though Yasha cleared out Randy Orton fast enough. In the end it had been Matt Hardy that took out Kane with a moonsault followed fast by a Side Effect and then Twist of Fate, unfortunately he had been taken out by a fast roll up and pin by Johnny Nitro. Three on two then, and Miroku was back in against Nitro. Yasha and Orton were screaming insults at each other across the ring, and then Orton was in against Kouga while Nitro and Miroku took a breather, though Nitro and Orton were soon double teaming Kouga while the ref tried to keep Yasha and Miroku out of the ring.
Kouga was taken out, though he did get the picture perfect bird sent to Randy before he left the ring to sit with Matt Hardy. They really should be in the back, but neither man trusted that something wouldn't happen so they stayed close, at least to make sure Kagome stayed out of trouble. Yasha was going toe to toe with Randy now, escalating the feud between the two of them, when the trouble began. As predicted Kane came back to the ring and began to chase Kagome, Matt and Kouga dog piling him to the steel flooring that made up the ramp. Orton tried to pin Yasha while he was distracted, missed the opportunity but came back with an RKO. He ran for the ropes to gain momentum to strike Yasha while he was down, but Miroku dragged him to the corner and got the tag, and caught Randy in a sleeper hold. Well, it was more like a choke hold than an authentic sleeper, but the results were the same. Yasha was still down when Miroku got the pin on Randy, coming up to tag and face off with Johnny Nitro who was feeling distinctly alone. Yasha wanted the win so bad he could taste it, but he knew he couldn't have it. It didn't mean that he was going to lay down for an elevated mook like Johnny Nitro though, and Nitro was feeling the beating when Yasha spotted Randy now chasing Kagome while the others dealt with Kane. It would do. He tagged out to Miroku and went after Orton, barely hearing the crowd go wild when Miroku took down Nitro with the mother of all hurricanranas.
He shoved Randy into the ringpost in time to look up and see Miroku get the pin. There were actual tears in those violet eyes, it had been awhile since Miroku had gotten the adulation his talent demanded and Yasha supposed it showed. He picked Kagome up in his arms and he knew she didn't care that he was sweaty and had blood streaming down his face from a pressure cut over his right eye. Team Akita had won. After so many losses, it felt like a chain had come undone around his heart and he howled, before climbing up into the ring still holding Kagome. She raised his hand, as the ref raised Miroku's, and they all had their hands in the air as Lillian announced them as the winners of this match. Yasha couldn't win, but his team did and it was good enough.
'I wanted you there, brother.'
'I know. But it was good enough to see the win.'
Yasha supposed that it was, at least for now. They had proven something here, even if they weren't sure of the scope of it yet. They might not be able to relieve the glories of the past, but there was still plenty of victory left out there, if they could just grab hold.
A/N: Longest chapter yet! I hope you enjoyed this one, I wanted to give it more attention and give a little more depth to the idea. I'm going to try a different format come Royal Rumble … which is not the next chapter but the one after. Anyway, hope you enjoyed!