Inuyasha

Love's War

Chapter 11

Revenge or Protection

March 6, 2019

Inuyasha had been taken up to his room and laid down on the bed. Himeko was kneeling beside him holding his hand while Sesshomaru stood over him on the other side of the bed. "Kagome go ahead and start healing him. You must heal at least his heart before night fall if he is to have a chance, so concentrate on that for now." He said as he took Tenseiga out of its sheath.

Kagome nodded to Sesshomaru then walked up beside Himeko and began pulling her powers in her hands. The powers began seeping into his body as she closed her eyes to concentrate on the specific area she needed to heal quickly. "Alright go ahead." She said softly as she opened her eyes confident that she would be able to keep him alive.

"Very well." Sesshomaru said as he dragged his sword across Inuyasha's body killing the demons trying to take his soul to the afterlife.

Pain, extreme pain causing him to cry out and his body twist trying to ease the pain to no avail. Voices were mumbling to each other. He couldn't make out what was being said but then something heavy had his legs pinned down as well as something on his shoulders. His eyes fluttered open the darkness receding, and he could make out Sesshomaru above him. But the pain was too much as he screamed out squeezing something in his hand tightly as he tried unsuccessfully to get free of what was holding him down.

"Damn… this is difficult he keeps moving." Kagome said as she finally had to just press her hands one on top of the other down onto Inuyasha's chest covering her and her sleeves in his blood. But the added pressure on his would made Inuyasha cry out louder at the pain being caused.

Inuyasha could feel energy pouring into his body from four points, his hand, his shoulders, his legs, and his chest. The one at his chest was different from the others he pried his eyes open to look up at the person standing above him concentrating hard on his wound, it was Kagome, she was trying to heal him. A realization came over him in that moment he was home, he had made it home somehow, he glanced over at his hand to find Himeko there with her eyes closed concentrating on the energy she was giving him. He then looked up above himself again to see Sesshomaru so who was at the other point of energy entering his body, he looked down to see the castles doctor.

"Hurry Kagome the sun is almost down…" Sesshomaru said urgently after a quick glance out the window to see the last rays of light casting across the grounds.

"I've almost got it… Hang on Inuyasha!" Kagome said glancing up at her friend as he tried to quall his screams of agony.

~*~*~*~ Outside Inuyasha's room ~*~*~*~

Young Hikaru waited patiently against the opposite wall, he had seen the condition of his uncle and he heard the talk of the adults as they rushed up to the room in front of him. He was worried for his uncle this was a sign of the war he had so eagerly wanted to join in at his father side not too long ago. Now he listened to the screams of agony as night was closing in on them fast, he understood that this was going to be a long night this was his uncles most vulnerable night and he wondered what was he thinking wanting to be part of all this.

"Master Hikaru please don't wait there follow me." Hiro said softly from the stairs at the entrance to the West wing.

Hikaru looked over at the old fox and cringed at a new more human scream of pain, night had fallen and now only time would be able to tell if his beloved uncle would survive. With tears building in his eyes he shook his head no then returned his attention to the door across from him.

"Young master you need not hear this if you change your mind come to the human children's quarters." Hiro said then turned and walked down the hall with a trail of the castle children behind him all cringing and covering their ears. Hikaru watched them go and silently thanked the old fox for his concern.

"Please may we come in?" Hiro asked curiously as he opened the door to see three children huddled against their parents crying and covering their ears. He ushered in the other children then shut the door instantly there was silence except for the whimpering children. The cries of agony were gone.

Sango and Miroku looked up at the old fox in amazement, it seemed the old man had gathered every child in the castle and brought them here save one. Hikaru was missing. "Where's…" Sango started to ask when she was cut off by Hiro.

"The young master wishes to stay by his family." Hiro said understanding what she was wanting to ask. "Young one's how many of you have seen fox magic before?" he asked sweetly changing his attention to the nearly 20 children now in his care.

~*~*~*~ Inuyasha's Room ~*~*~*~

The door to Inuyasha's room opened then shut just as quickly as three figures slipped into the room then stood by the wall. No one in the room seemed to take notice of the new comers. "My Lady I'm not sure how much more his body can handle…" Dr. Tadashi said sadly as he glanced over at her she had been healing Inuyasha for about half an hour now. Truth be told he was also unsure of how much more she could take or the pups for that matter.

"I'm doing my best…" Kagome panted out as she looked up at Inuyasha's face worried. She used one of her blood-soaked hands to brush her hair out of her face, leaving streaks of blood in those strands of hair and a trail of blood across her forehead then down towards her right ear.

"Monk come here." Sesshomaru said harshly he was too busy holding down Inuyasha to be worried about politeness. Miroku being one of the three that had walked in a few moments ago walked over to Sesshomaru. "Hold him." He said nodding down to Inuyasha's shoulders.

"Of course." Miroku said as he one by one took Sesshomaru's holding places.

Sesshomaru worried for his mate slipped around the monk then kneeled behind his mate, placing a hand on the center of her back he closed his eyes and began pouring his energy into her body slowly. He wanted to help her, but he also wanted to make sure he wasn't going to hurt her, he was counting on her purification powers to change his energy into something she could use to heal Inuyasha instead of using her own energy. Noticing her body wasn't rejecting his energy, he began letting more energy flow into her.

Kagome felt her mate's energy flowing into her and she was grateful as she closed her eyes and began relying on his energy to heal Inuyasha instead of her own. "Thank you." She whispered softly. After another half an hour Inuyasha lost consciousness from his torment. First time in his long life he would not be awake during the new moon.

The hours passed by slowly according to those in Inuyasha's room as daybreak approached Sesshomaru was against the wall beside the door propped up with his armor and swords sitting beside him. His head leaned back against the wall one leg propped up. Kagome was sitting on the floor between her mates' legs with his arms wrapped around her resting up against him with her head lolled off to the side fast asleep. Himeko was left beside Inuyasha asleep with her head laying beside his arm while she held his hand. Tadashi had and returned to his room Lady Tsubaki had done the same. Sango was wrapped up against Miroku on the other side of the door.

Energy surged through Inuyasha as his appearance returned to that of the half demon he is, his hair returning to silver and ears on top of his head. His eyes began to flutter open weakly last night had been taxing he would need another day of rest to be even close to his normal. Soft breathing beside him drew his attention down to Himeko at his side.

The smell of his own blood drew his attention over to the wall by the door, he was surprised to see Sesshomaru and Kagome sitting there asleep covered in his blood then across from them was Miroku who seemed to also have his blood on his hands. His eyes reverted back to Kagome, his best friend, was sitting there against Sesshomaru absolutely covered in his blood her clothes, hands, face, and hair. Sesshomaru was similar from where he was holding Kagome.

Sesshomaru's eyes fluttered open when he heard a small movement across the room, and he was looking at Inuyasha who seems slightly confused. "Kagome." He whispered softly down to his mate not wanting to wake the whole room.

"Hum?" Kagome mumbled softly as she snuggled into his chest.

"Inuyasha is awake." Sesshomaru prompted softly looking back up at his brother curiously, wondering how much of last night he remembered.

"That's nice…" Kagome mumbled with a small sigh as she hugged his tail and snuggle into it. Which caused Sesshomaru looked down at her with a slight frown.

"Give her a moment." Inuyasha said softly with a small laugh.

"Inuyasha's awake!" Kagome said as she bolted upright rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands trying to clear her vision as she looked over at the bed to make sure she had heard her mate correctly.

"And… there it is." Inuyasha said with a smile on his lips and a shake of his head with a small laugh.

"Inuyasha how do you feel?" Himeko asked worried as she sat up and looked at him. Kagome's outburst had woken the entire room.

"Weak." Inuyasha admitted as he looked over out of the window curiously. "I take I that was my worst new moon ever." He said then glanced back over at Sesshomaru for confirmation.

"How much of yesterday and last night do you remember?" Sesshomaru asked curiously as he helped his mate up and they walked over to Inuyasha's bedside.

Inuyasha noticed how much Kagome was leaning against Sesshomaru for that short distance from the wall to his bed side. He looked back up at Sesshomaru "I was ambushed by the south on my way back they injured my sword shoulder so I couldn't fight back with Tessaiga. I made a break for the Western border and I almost made it, the guards protecting our border noticed me and began to race towards me to help but it was too late. Next, I was here and relieved I had made it home Kagome was healing me. But I was sure…" he said then was cut off by Himeko throwing herself across him crying.

"When you arrived here you were dead. Who did this to you?" Himeko asked as she hugged Inuyasha tightly crying against his neck. He looked over at her shocked then back up at Sesshomaru for confirmation.

"Yagura. So, I did…" Inuyasha started then looked down at Kagome. "How'd I…?" he asked confused as he pulled one of his arms up to rub Himeko's back.

Himeko gasped as she pulled back to look at him. "The half-breed killer?" she asked worried and when he nodded to her she collapsed back against him holding him like he would die if she let go.

"Tenseiga." Kagome said softly watching the emotions going through her friend's face. "I healed your heart before night fall then spent the next several hours keeping you alive while healing the rest of your wounds." She said with a tired worn out look.

"It was no easy feat Inuyasha. I can no longer help you Tenseiga only works once." Sesshomaru said as he stood there looking down at Inuyasha with his normal stoic look on his face.

"I understand." Inuyasha said sadly as he looked away from everyone ashamed that he had failed.

"I'm not quite sure you do." Sesshomaru said harshly, more than he intended to sound but pressed on. "You should do as I suggested before his war began Inuyasha." He said with a slight frown as he watched Himeko pulling away from Inuyasha again then returned his attention to his younger brother.

"I know." Inuyasha said as he sat up swinging his legs off the bed then rested his arms on his legs while looking down at the floor.

"My Lord I await my punishment." Himeko said softly from a kneeling position then she bent down her hands on the floor with her head between them and her eyes closed.

Inuyasha's head jerked up as he looked at her terrified then up at his brother "Sesshomaru!" he said in objection then remained silent at the look in Sesshomaru's eyes and a hand up to signal his silence.

"For what is this punishment you await?" Sesshomaru asked softly with a look of sympathy in his eyes.

"I abandoned my post, lost composure, and failed in my duty to protect the Western Family." Himeko said without ever looking up.

"Had you not run to Inuyasha's side I would have been disappointed. You pleaded for his life, I believe you have been punished enough over this last night with worry and uncertainty." Sesshomaru said softly noticing Kagome smiling up at him. "Time for everyone to get cleaned up, eat breakfast and rest for the day." he said turning to the others in the room and motioning to the door. "Come along my mate." He said softly as he turned her and headed over to his armor and swords. He retrieved them then ushered everyone out of the room except Himeko and Inuyasha.

Inuyasha closed his eyes, breathed in held it for a moment, he released his breath then looked up at Himeko who was staring at the door amazed with tears in her eyes. "Himeko." He said softly dragging her attention back to him. "This isn't the way I wanted this to go…and I understand if you reject my next question…" he paused to make sure he had her attention as he locked eyes with her. "Will you be my mate?" he asked his cheeks turning red then bit his lip waiting for her rejection.

"Yes." Himeko said softly as she reached out and held his hands lightly looking up at him from her kneeling position.

"Yes?" Inuyasha askes shocked as he looked at her to make sure he heard her correctly.

"Yes." Himeko said again with a bright smile on her lips then leaned up suddenly hugging him tightly. "I thought I had lost you. Don't scare me like that ever again." She whispered softly.

Inuyasha smiled softly then hugged her. "I'll do my best. We need to get cleaned up and eat." He said softly relishing in her body being pressed against his.

"Right. I have to check on the guards as well." Himeko said as she pulled back and smiled up at him. "See you soon." She said softly then kissed his cheek and stood up.

Inuyasha watched her leave then stood up and retrieved clothes to change into. He made his way out to the hot spring deciding that a nice soak would do his body good. "Uncle!" he heard a young voice call out to him as he was about half way to the hot spring out in the main garden. "Hikaru." He said as he slowed his pace for his nephew to catch up, no doubt avoiding his lessons for the day.

"How are you? I mean are you alright to be up and moving?" Hikaru asked worried as he fell into step beside his adored uncle.

"I am fine thanks to your mother and father." Inuyasha said with a small smile as he opened the door into the small enclosed area around the hot spring.

"I heard." Hikaru said with a small uncontrollable shutter.

Inuyasha paused in pulling his hori off as he looked back at his young nephew. 'Did he hear me or just hear talk?' he wondered curiously then let the top slide off his arms to the ground.

"I can't believe I wanted in this war so bad…those screams last night made me realize war is nothing to look forward to." Hikaru said as tears built in his eyes as he looked away from Inuyasha.

"Hikaru it is true that war is nothing to look forward to, that you are too young to be pulled into the warrior's life, but there are things in this life we must protect even at the cost of our own lives. We must protect those we love, the life we've made here as a family, the future of our pack, and the people of the Western Lands." Inuyasha said as he turned to look at his nephew hoping he would understand.

"How can you think that way uncle. I find it hard after last night. What about revenge do you think of that?" Hikaru asked as he looked up at his uncle to see the scars left on Inuyasha's upper body.

"You will understand as you get older, I know you hear that a lot but trust me it's true. Yes, I think about revenge but not at the cost of my principals. If I meet that demon again in battle, I will be trying to kill him and him me. That's a fight for survival I will not just go out to track him down and kill him for what he's done to me. Now had he done that to someone else in our pack you bet I would be chasing him down, you don't mess with my family I will protect them till my final breath in this life." Inuyasha said wondering if the boy was truly understanding.

"So, the hatred and rage boiling inside me is ok?" Hikaru asked confused as he clutched at his shirt just above his heart.

Inuyasha dropped to his knee and pulled Hikaru into a hug. "Hikaru you must learn to control those emotions. Forgive me for making you learn this so soon, I am fine Hikaru let the adults deal with this mess." He said softly pulling Hikaru out to see him at eye level.

"But I want them to pay for what they did to you." Hikaru said as he looked into Inuyasha's eyes and tears slipped down his cheeks.

Inuyasha drug Hikaru back into a tight hug. "Hikaru that is not something you should be worried about. You are only 11 years old you don't need to get caught up in thoughts of revenge or you'll turn out like Hotaru in the South. Trust in the adults to make this right, think on instead how we can help those of our people who have lost someone in this war. Can you do that for me?" He said comfortingly as Hikaru started crying into his chest.

"Yes." Hikaru said as he tried to stifle his crying. He pulled back and traced the scar on Inuyasha's chest. "Are you sure you are alright?" he asked softly.

Inuyasha looked down at the small finger tracing the scar there on his chest with a small smile on his lips. "This is nothing Hikaru it'll be gone in the next couple of days." He said catching the young man's hand. "Now dry your tears and head back into the castle breakfast should be about ready and I still have to get cleaned up." He said then dried the boy's face gently.

"Right." Hikaru said happily then turned and ran back to the castle.

Inuyasha cleaned himself quickly then soaked for several long minutes before he sighed and got out of the hot spring at the smell of breakfast being served. He dried off and put his new clothes on a plain white base then a blue hori with sakura branches stitched up both arms reaching across his chest and soft pink blossoms, grey hakuma, and a red onbi wrapped around his waist.

Sesshomaru looked up from his breakfast as Inuyasha walked into the dinning room and he watched curiously as the boy walked around the table and took his normal place beside Hikaru. "Your room is in the process of being cleaned. I know you are tired but please try to stay out of their way until they are done." He said with a raised eyebrow over at Inuyasha.

"I was actually going to spend the day looking for a new room if that's alright with you that is." Inuyasha said as he looked down the table at Sesshomaru.

"Agreed." Sesshomaru said then took a sip of his drink then continued to eat breakfast.

"Last night is hardly a reason to get new quarters." Lady Tsubaki with a frown at her son then over at the man beside her curiously. Surely there was something she was missing.

"I would be joint quarters, I've asked Himeko to be my mate and she has agreed." Inuyasha said as he looked down at his breakfast being served to him with his cheeks burning bright red.

"That's fantastic Inuyasha!" Kagome said excitedly as she smiled brightly over the table at him. She turned to Sesshomaru and playfully smacked his arm. "That's what you meant this morning." She said with a laugh.

"Precisely." Sesshomaru said looking down at where she had slapped him then looked over at her with a raised eyebrow. "I suggest Inuyasha that you have Himeko looking with you." He said returning his attention back to his brother.

"She must see me as soon as you have picked a room, we must make her ready to join the family by dinner tonight." Lady Tsubaki said as she looked over at Inuyasha as well.

"I believe mother that my mate has already made progress in that area in anticipation of this news." Sesshomaru said as he motioned over to Kagome.

"Of course, I apologize Lady Kagome I didn't mean to step across your path." Tsubaki said and bowed her head to Kagome slightly.

"No worries, I've only pulled together clothing that she will need thanks to Hiro's discreet nature. I would appreciate your guidance in this change." Kagome said politely with a small nod back to Tsubaki and a sweet smile.

"Very well Inuyasha as soon as you and Himeko have chosen a new room bring her to my mother as you get the staff to move all of your belongings. Mother you will then come up to the master quarters where we shall be resting. Until that time Hikaru you are to continue your studies." Sesshomaru said as he stood up looking at each in turn. He reached out his hand to Kagome to help her up then they left the room with him holding her to help her get up to their room. He didn't want to show it, but he was nearly as wore out as she was. Healing Inuyasha had taken more of his energy than he had anticipated or would ever admit out loud.

"I've actually given him an assignment to think on Lady Tsubaki and if you'll let him, I would like for him to think on what I've told him this morning." Inuyasha said as he looked over at Tsubaki curiously.

Tsubaki looked at Inuyasha curiously wondering what this was all about. "Very well but if I find him slacking off it will be back to our normal studies. Is that understood Hikaru?" Tsubaki asked curiously looked around Inuyasha at Hikaru who seemed way too eager for this "assignment".

"Yes ma'am. I know just where to start uncle if you will excuse me." Hikaru said excited as he jumped up out of his seat then headed for the door when the two of them nodded to him.

"He'll be alright." Inuyasha said pushing back from the table. "Excuse me I need to find my intended and begin with our day." He said then left the room himself heading out of the castle heading to the front gate where he could feel Himeko was.