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.
Yasha wasn't too pleased to hear the rumors that were swirling around backstage. Not that he was ever too pleased to be a part of the rumor mill, but the source of these rumors was really pissing him off. Kikyou had been busy it seemed, besides all of her on air spots with Cena as part of his crew she had been telling tales of imaginary abuses at Yasha's hands as well as spreading that the reason she had divorced him wasn't because he wouldn't let her just bankrupt him with her spending but because she'd caught him cheating on her. Nothing could be farther from the truth, but she got her sympathy coos from those she told the tale to, and maybe he could have let it go except she had made it her business to whisper loudly about Kagome just where Kagome could hear her. A wry grin suddenly twisted Yasha's lips when he thought about what had happened when finally Kagome had heard "the last straw".
She had a bruise, a rather small one at that on her cheek because Kagome insisted on training with them so that in case she had to get into a match herself she wouldn't look like a total clumsy fool. Yasha had told her the most that she'd get into would be a Diva bra and panties match, but she wanted this and looking at those huge chocolate eyes who was he to say no? Because they had won at Survivor Series his friends from Japan got a unique offer to stick around until after Wrestlemania, so they were out there with her training as well and it was like having an extended family all concerned that she be taught the proper way. Yasha wasn't too keen on Miroku and Kouga being the ones to train her so of course he was in there too. Sometimes they spent more time laughing than actually learning moves, but that had its good points too. Yasha felt that he'd laughed more in the few months Kagome had been with him than he had in his whole life, and like a fool he'd told Miroku that who had of course told Kagome. He was embarrassed, angry that he'd blushed, but her smile sort of took all that away. She had gone to get them all some drinks, and out in the hallway on the way back she'd overheard Kikyou "whispering" about how Yasha was already obviously battering Kagome. That lit a fire in the girl, she'd primly set aside the carrier with the drinks in it, and launched herself at Kikyou with fists flying and screams of "Take that back!" much to the mixed laughter and screams of those Kikyou had been talking to. Fortunately or unfortunately that conversation had been a part of a semi planned interview of Kikyou for a television slot, it could have been ruined except for a bit of quick thinking by the stage manager. What better than a cat fight in his opinion, so the spot would air just as it was filmed.
Kagome had been trembling and in much disarray when she'd come back to the dressing room they were all using, apologizing to them all because she'd lost her temper and started a fight. Patiently (for him that is) Yasha asked her what had happened and in an outraged voice she told him that she had overheard Kikyou saying that Yasha was hitting her! They had all gaped at this, Yasha starting a slow burn and Kouga blinked as if he had trouble wrapping his mind around the implication. A look of anger replaced that stupefaction and his fists clenched.
"He wouldn't dare hit you, Kagome. We'd kill him."
"I wouldn't hit Kagome, you wimpy …"
Kagome had to step between the two of them and her words were the only thing that really diffused the potential fight until Miroku piped up and made them all laugh.
"Wow, our Kagome sure has a hell of a right hook."
On the television the spot was already rolling. Kagome smacked her forehead while the boys crowded around to watch. Kouga was already trying to give her tips from watching the footage about how she could have done this or that and in a way she felt good that they had the confidence that she could actually take care of herself in a fight. She had never had a feeling like that, one of being almost overprotected yet given the confidence to also protect herself, which was a strange sort of feeling but there it was. She knew that she didn't have to, but she could, and that was comforting. That was two weeks ago and the management had let it escalate to the point at the next pay per view not only would Kagome be accompanying Yasha and the others to the ring for their respective matches, she had one of her very own against Kikyou. It was a mid-card match, space filler at best between more important matches but they were psyching her up for a win anyway. She'd gotten her own real gear, Kikyou could come out in flimsy Diva shorts but Yasha and the others had gone in and gotten Kagome real tights and pads, boots with the Team Akita logo and her own robe. Sesshoumaru had gone a step farther though, and had the tech crew put an intro video together just for her of various screen shots and set to the Team Akita music as a surprise. Yasha and the others had seen it and they knew she'd love it. He knew he should be getting ready for his match with Edge tonight, but he was more concerned about Kagome's nerves than his own.
Armageddon. It was tonight, and Yasha had a bad feeling about it. They had set aside the feud with Randy Orton to favor Edge a bit, though something just didn't feel right and he'd found out why he'd had that feeling on last week's RAW. The loser of their match would be kept out of the Royal Rumble. Yasha's heart sank, his hopes for Wrestlemania were resting on the potential to win that pay per view and if he couldn't even get in to the match his guarantees for the main event would be shot. He distinctly felt that he was getting screwed again, that his 'push' had been nothing more than a way to build more interest for Cena and even Orton, their feud had elevated attention towards both of the other wrestlers. There was just that sense of futility, and Yasha was sitting alone brooding about it. Well, he wasn't really alone, they were all in there with him but it was as if he sat under a shadow. He would lose tonight, he'd already been told that he wouldn't even be allowed a disqualification due to interference, and the rest of them knew it too. He allowed himself to sink into a bit of a funk, he could see no way out of it until he felt a hand close on his shoulder.
"Yasha. We've been thinking, the Team and I. No matter what happens, you're going to the Rumble. We're giving you our guaranteed spot."
Surprised, Yasha looked up, golden eyes meeting Matt Hardy's dark gaze. He was most likely giving up his own spot in the Rumble this way, but the conviction was there. It was meant to be this way, they had decided that no screw-job was going to keep Yasha from the promised match at Wrestlemania. He stood up then, and shook Matt's hand, his gaze lifting to meet Miroku and Kouga's, and to see Kagome wiping tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. In his heart he knew what would happen. They couldn't keep him out, so he'd end up with the number one spot and have to fight twenty nine other guys to win. Possibly even some of the men in the room with him right now. But seeing how much they all believed in him, right now this second was enough to make all that worth it. Squaring his shoulders, he went with Kagome and the rest of the Team to watch her match from ringside, to keep Cena from interfering with match. As predicted she loved her intro, Sesshoumaru had done a fantastic job and the crowd had cheered for her and booed Kikyou which also made her smile. Kagome had surprised everyone by taking the match seriously, showing off some of the moves that they had taught her with better than decent proficiency. The crowd was on its feet when she gave Kikyou a Twist of Fate and gotten the pin, the ref counting three before Cena's crew swarmed the ring. Team Akita was right there and while they were taking some serious hits from the bigger wrestlers on Cena's side they were holding their own at least for the moment. Yasha got thrown over the ropes into the security rail and then Cena turned on Kagome. He had her by the hair with his hand way back in a promised strike, though it was doubtful that he'd actually hit her considering he was supposed to be a "face" or good guy it sure looked convincing. Of course no one would know if he actually intended to hit her to avenge Kikyou's loss because as his hand started to come down fast, there was a blur of motion behind him and a strong pale hand gripped his wrist and stopped that blow midstrike.
There was a collective gasp from the crowd as Yasha's roar of indignation filled that silence, he for one believed that Cena meant to hit his girl. The tableau was frozen for a second as Cena's surprised face turned to see who had restrained him. Cena was strong and fast, and no one on his crew would dared have touched him, save apparently for one. Cena's vibrant gaze met a very cold one, and he swallowed looking into that relentless face, that chilling expression that was on the face of Sesshoumaru. Yasha was there to sweep Kagome out of harm's way and they stood to the side blinking at the pair now in the center of the ring. People in the US might have forgotten Sesshoumaru's past as a wrestler but the men in Team Akita knew it, and broken arm or not this could get ugly fast. A microphone found its way into Sesshoumaru's hand as he released Cena's hand in disgust, a chill partial sneer which was so slight it was hard to truly realize it was there came to his lips as he spoke, rich tones of his voice sounding so warm despite what he said.
"You will not strike her, or you will answer to me."
He threw the microphone down at Cena's feet and swept out of the ring like a god, albeit a god with his left arm in a sling, leaving people blinking in his wake. Team Akita's music swelled while the announcers scrambled to figure out what had just happened in the ring. Was Sesshoumaru withdrawing his support of Cena? Was he attracted to his brother's girlfriend? The ring cleared and the next match started up, Val Venis against Shelton Benjamin, the match going much better than expected despite the drama that had gone on just before it, and after that Yasha would be up for his match against Edge. Kagome got changed into a beautiful kimono and let Miroku put up her hair, she hadn't had much time after getting cleaned up to get presentable but together they'd all managed it. Yasha didn't like the feeling he had in the pit of his stomach, knowing he would lose even though his spot in the Rumble was now assured, he still hated all the losing that he'd had to endure. But he had a grin on his face as he came out, was brash in his interview before the match, he was Yasha and he had Kagome on his arm and he made them believe he'd win. Edge was already waiting in the ring with his escort Lita, glaring at Yasha as he and Kagome entered as well. Lita taunted Kagome by swishing her hips at Yasha, but Kagome had the last laugh when Yasha easily lifted her to sit on his shoulder before setting her out of the ring. Edge certainly couldn't do that with Lita and it made the female wrestler growl. Then the bell rang and the match started and everyone's attention was on the ring.
This was a long and bloody match, both men were split open and bleeding from various cuts, Yasha had a small split in his scalp near the hairline which made his pale hair look crimson and had Kagome worried, Edge had a cut over his right eye which had half blinded him and had Lita worried. They were fighting over a ladder in the middle of the ring now, the object of the match was an attaché case which was suspended high over the ring taunting both men with what was inside. Another guaranteed spot in the Royal Rumble, and the loser of this match was to be excluded. Yasha knew he was going in anyway, thanks to the generosity of his team, but he wasn't letting on yet. He hated losing and he was taking it out on Edge, blows a bit more vicious from both men were making this a harrowing and exciting match. Back and forth moves were traded, both getting partially up the ladders at one point or another until Yasha took an extremely dangerous bump. From the top of the ladder, his fingertips touching the case, Edge charged the ladder and tipped it over to send Yasha crashing onto the concrete below. He was actually knocked out which suited the set ending just fine though it wasn't intentional. He came to hearing Edge's music played in victory and he felt the softness of Kagome's lap as she held him when he sat up. He'd lost and hadn't even been awake for it! It made his growl deep as she helped him up, assuring her that he'd be all right. He endured Vince coming out and making his speech, telling Yasha that he'd never get in the Royal Rumble now with Cena at his side, but then miracles as there was Matt Hardy and Team Akita, interrupting them and declaring publicly what they had told him in the dressing room that they were giving up their slot to Yasha. The crowd went wild, and Vince played it raged, foam flecking his lips as he retorted with what Yasha had known would happen, that while he couldn't keep Yasha out of the Rumble now, that he would go in at number one.
Cena played it like a hero, telling Vince not to worry about it. There was no way that Yasha would make it through twenty nine other guys to win the Rumble, and even if he did manage to do it, Cena was the franchise, the leader of the Chain Gang and he wasn't afraid of anyone. Again with the "want some come get some" and when Vince had stabbed a strong finger into Cena's chest and told him that he had best not lose if he knew what was good for him no matter who he faced, Cena dissed him with a very sharp rap which had the crowd laughing and chanting along. By then someone had gotten the dazed Yasha a microphone and he said one thing with all the conviction in his heart.
"Don't worry about it, Cena. I'll beat those twenty nine other guys, and it's going to be you and me in the center of the ring at Wrestlemania. You and me."
He slung the microphone down and grinned viciously for the crowd and the cameraman, bowed and bloody but far from beaten and he and Kagome left, walking proud like a king and queen up the ramp and past the hamming it up McMahon and the vaguely disturbed, vaguely amused Cena. It was coming. It was coming and was gaining momentum like a freight train with no brakes on greased rails.
Royal Rumble was next, on the Road to Wrestlemania. The Royal Rumble, No Way Out, and then praise be, Wrestlemania.
A/N: A bit shorter than the last chapter, but it seemed to get to where it needed to go! Three more chapters and this will be finished. I'm going to try a slightly different format for the next chapter and I hope it works as I have it laid out in my mind. The Royal Rumble for those not aware of what that is, is a huge three hour over the top rope every man for himself sort of situation which starts with one pair and a new competitor in every three minutes. The only way to be taken out is to be thrown over the top rope and both feet must hit the floor. Of all the Royal Rumbles there have ever been, only a scant handful have come in at number one or number two and have made it all the way to the end to be victorious, lasting the entire time. Of those I can think of off of the top of my head there are Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, and Chris Benoit. So Yasha has a bit of an uphill battle ahead!