Inuyasha

Love's War

Chapter 16

Lady of the West

December 31, 2021

"Inuyasha where is Lady Tatsu?" Kagome asked curiously as they marched towards the Southern Palace from the Western Army's Lines.

"She said there was a secret entrance to the Palace, and they were going to try and get in that way to stop Hotaru." Inuyasha said with a slight shrug.

"She wouldn't tell us how to get in so we could end this weeks ago." Shippou said annoyed as he rolled his eyes. He had really hated her decision to withhold that information from them.

"Shippou, would you give a potential enemy the secret on how to get into the Western Castle undetected?" Kagome asked with a raised eyebrow as she looked over at him.

"Well, no… but that's different." Shippou said with his arms crossed looking away from Kagome embarrassed.

"Please tell me how Master Shippou." Himeko said curious as to what his thought pattern was but had an idea that because it was him and his mate that the rules didn't apply.

Shippou glanced over at her then at Inuyasha and Kagome who both seemed to be awaiting his answer. "It just is." Shippou said with a shrug as he looked away from them again.

"The tale, tale of inexperienced youth right there." Inuyasha said with a shake of his head. "No genuine explanation just because it's me, excuse." He said returning his attention back to the palace looming above them.

"How quickly memory fades, huh Inuyasha?" Kagome said with a giggle as she looked up at him with an amused look on her face. "Not long ago you were brash and had that mindset." She said returning her attention to the palace ahead of them as his head whipped around to her.

Himeko giggled momentarily before biting her lip to stop when he glared back at her. "I love you." She leaned over and whispered to him with a quick peck on the cheek.

Kagome, Inuyasha, Himeko, Shippou, and Kirara stopped their advance on the Southern Palace just a couple of yards away. Kagome looked up at Hotaru up on the wall with a glare that said he would regret messing with her mate and adopted son. "Hotaru, this is your one and only chance to choose your fate during the next few minutes. You either open up and talk with me or we're coming in to deal with you." She said loudly so that he could hear her easily which made it to where all the demons on the field could hear her.

"There is no way I'm opening the gate and if you come in here, you will be killed!" Hotaru said back as he crossed his arms and smirked at Kagome.

"Inuyasha you're up, we're going in." Kagome said loudly over to her friend gesturing towards the palace. "Just the gate please." She said softer to him.

"Damn, I was looking forward to destroying this place. Oh well." Inuyasha said with a shrug as he pulled his sword off his shoulder, stepped forward, and readied himself.

"Kill them!" Hotaru shouted at the men around him, all of them looked at him like he was insane. That moment was all Inuyasha needed as he used Tessaiga to destroy the front gate into the palace.

"Shippou you and Kirara stay behind Kagome, Inuyasha and I will go in first with Kagome protected in the middle." Himeko said taking charge quickly before Kagome could do something rash. She stepped forward getting beside Inuyasha and they began walking into the Palace through the now destroyed gate.

"You all realize this is my mission, right?" Kagome asked curiously with a raised eyebrow.

"Yep, just don't care." Inuyasha said with a shrug as he looked around for traps. He didn't put it past Hotaru to booby trap his own palace.

Surprising enough there were no traps, apparently Hotaru was under the arrogant impression that they would never get into the palace. "Shippou, Sachi is in that tower over there at the top. Go get her." Kagome said with a soft smile over at her adopted son while motioning up at the tower to her left up against the main palace building.

"Here's the stairs My Lady." Himeko said several feet away motioning towards the stairs she had just located that would take them up onto the wall to confront Hotaru.

"Lead the way." Kagome said motioning up the stairs. Himeko and Inuyasha started up the stairs followed by Kagome and Kirara. The latter growled up at Kagome warningly. "I'll be careful." She said back to the Niko while scratching her behind the ears softly with a warm smile.

~*~*~*~ Western Castle~*~*~*~

Sesshomaru awoke confused, last thing he remembered was leaning against a tree in the forest a couple hours from the castle. His eyes adjusted to the daylight shining in the room to see he was in his and his mates shared room, he stretched his senses out to find his mate. He couldn't sense her presence anywhere on the grounds, he sighed as he sat up, his mother was just on the other side of the door.

"Ah, so you are awake now." Tsubaki said as she opened the door and stepped into the room. She watched him curiously, surely by now he realizes his mate is not here.

"Where is Kagome?" Sesshomaru asked dryly as he stood up and moved over to the armoire to change his clothes.

"She is not here. She had gone to the Southern Palace." Tsubaki said casually as she folded her hands in front of her neatly.

"WHAT?" Sesshomaru yelled as he spun around to face her. "You let my pregnant mate out of this castle to go fight a war." He said angrily wanting to rip this woman limb from limb.

"Your mate is no longer pregnant." Tsubaki said indifferently and motioning out into the sitting room. She had expected his anger, so she wasn't surprised by him yelling at her. She turned and walked out of his room and back into the sitting area.

Sesshomaru finished getting dressed, put on his armor, and placed his swords on his hip where they were always at when he traveled. He then walked into the sitting area to fine a large bassinet near the couch. He walked over and looked in curiously. "A Demon and a Human, my mate is definitely surprising." He said with a soft smile down at the two pups.

"Yes, your mate named them Hinata and Natsu." Tsubaki said also looking down at the two babies.

"When were they born?" Sesshomaru asked curiously

"Early this morning, after Kagome had a nightmare, then the pups were born. She then insisted you were near death, and she had to go save you. To my surprise several hours later you are unconscious being escorted by the guards she had taken with her. The guards reported she was very angry and heading toward the Southern Palace." Tsubaki said in an explanation of the last 12 hours or so.

Natsu lifted his hand out of his blanket reaching up towards Sesshomaru. The latter lowered his hand into the bassinet and let the boy's hand wrap around one of his fingers. His vision changed he was no longer looking down at his newborns but was looking up at Kagome on the catwalk of the Southern Palace wall talking with Hotaru. He watched as the two nodded to each other and Kagome turned to leave motioning for Inuyasha and Himeko to take the lead back down the catwalk to get to the stairs. An evil grin spread over Hotaru's lips as he drew his sword and pulled back to deliver the final blow. "Kagome!" he said worried as he pulled his hand out of his son's grasp.

Tsubaki looked at Sesshomaru confused. "She's not here."

"She's in danger I'm leaving!" Sesshomaru said confused as he looked down at his son with his brow furled then shook his head and turned to leave.

Tsubaki looked at Sesshomaru like he had lost his mind bur reached down to grab the boy's hand, Kagome had done the same thing right after the boy had touched her so she figured she would see if anything would happen. The boy pulled her finger to his mouth and started to gnaw on it. She shook her head and followed her son out of the room once she gently pried her finger out of the boy's grip.

"Himeko, Inuyasha, and Kagome are already gone. Am I to assume you regularly leave your castle unprotected? Or is it just because I'm here you don't feel the need to adequately staff and protect your castle?" Tsubaki asked once she caught up to her son on the stairs outside the front doors to the castle leading down to the yard.

"You are more than welcome to return to your castle once I return if you feel we are abusing your stay here. You volunteered to help, so do so now." Sesshomaru said disdainfully as he gathered clouds under his feet and lifted off the ground. Once into the air he was heading south quickly.

~*~*~*~ Southern Castle~*~*~*~

Shippou made it up the tower quickly and without any problems until the final floor, 3 guards stood there blocking his path. "Move out of my way." He said warningly as he reached over placing his hand on his sword.

"Are you with that powerful priestess?" the middle guard asked nervously.

"Yes, that priestess is the Lady of the West." Shippou said with a small smirk.

The guards looked at each other worried and nodded to each other, they stepped aside to let Shippou pass. "Here's the key. Will you tell her we let you pass without incident?" the guard asked curiously while tossing a large key over to Shippou.

"As long and the Princess and I leave this tower unharmed." Shippou said with a small nod, then kept his eye on them as he passed.

Sachi heard the door click to unlock but she couldn't sense Hotaru outside her door, so she turned to see who it was. All her poise, dignity, and grace left her as she ran full on and jumped into Shippou's arms as soon as the door opened and revealed her mate to be. "You came for me." She said softly as she buried her face into his shoulder and began to cry, this long hell of hers was now over as relief washed over her.

"Nothing on this Earth would have kept me from rescuing you." Shippou said with a smile on his lips as he wrapped his strong arms around her waist pulling her closer to him. He buried his nose into her hair taking in her sent. "Let's get you out of here." he said softly putting her back down on the floor and taking her hand.

"Where is my father?" Sachi asked curiously as she took his hand and followed him down the hall.

"He's here as well. He brought his army too." Shippou said as he watched the guards curiously as they passed them.

"So, a whole war was started over me? What of my guards, and the boy?" Sachi asked sadly.

"All of your guards where killed the day you were taken, Sora managed to get to the Western Castle and was healed by Kagome. He was eventually returned to the Northern Castle." Shippou said as he led her down the stairs.

"So much death because I couldn't defend myself." Sachi said sadly.

"None of this was your fault my intended." Shippou said softly as they continued down the stairs. "I am so sorry that I took so long to get here to rescue you." He said sadly as they began down the last of the flights of stairs.

"You've done so much for me; I will never forget it. I will do better in the future my love." Sachi said as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

"We will both do better in the future." Shippou said with a small smile as he pulled her to stand in front of him.

"Oh, my sweet Shippou, I do love you." Sachi said as she looked up into his loving eyes. She reached up and cupped his face with her hand.

"And I you my dear Sachi." Shippou said with a small smile as he looked into her eyes lovingly, he placed his hand into her hair at the base of her head. "May I?" he asked softly then leaned down and claimed her lips for his own very gently. He watched for a brief second as she leaned up into his kiss and closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his body. He wrapped his other arm around her waist pulling her closer deepening the kiss and closed his eyes as well just enjoying the feel of her against him in this small moment.

Sachi let the kiss go on for several long seconds, time seemed to have stopped for her. She reluctantly opened her eyes to see his closed. She moved her arms around to in-between them and used her hands on his chest to push them apart ever so slightly giving Shippou the hint that the moment was now past. She watched as he reluctantly released her and stepped back.

"Yes, I guess I have kept you to myself long enough." Shippou said softly looking away from her with pink cheeks. He pulled his dagger out from the middle of his back and handed it to her so she could defend herself if needed.

Sachi took his dagger and let him open the door then walk out first in case there was any danger he would be there to protect her. "Kagome seems to have it in hand." He said with a small shrug and motioned towards the destroyed gate, he reached down and grabbed her hand with a soft smile. They began walking hand in hand towards the gate which wasn't that far from Kagome and Hotaru up on the catwalk.

They had made it halfway to the gate when Shippou shook off Sachi's hand. "Kagome!" He yelled and began full speed running.

"Hurry!" Sachi yelled after him as she ran to keep up. She watched as Shippou jumped up onto the catwalk just barely catching Hotaru's sword stopping it from a fatal blow on Kagome, who had been walking away with Inuyasha and Himeko leading the way back down the catwalk towards the stairs.

"You sleezy bastard." Shippou growled angrily shoving Hotaru's sword up and flat footed kicked him in the chest. "If you harm her, I will kill you!" he said angrily as he advanced on Hotaru.

"Oh, I will kill her, I will kill you both then I shall do whatever I want to her before I kill her too." Hotaru said viciously as he pointed down to Sachi down in the courtyard watching worried but staying out of the way.

"So much for that Peace treaty Kagome." Inuyasha said with a shrug that said he hadn't agreed with the peace treaty to begin with.

For several minutes Shippou and Hotaru exchanged blows, neither seeming to have the upper hand. "You're not good enough to compete with me kit." Hotaru said with a smirk as they locked their swords together again.

"Funny I haven't felt a wound yet." Shippou said with a raised eyebrow.

"I will enjoy, taking every last bit of joy out of her." Hotaru said viciously as he licked his lips.

"He's just trying to goad you into making a mistake Shippou, ignore him." Himeko said worried.

"I know that he can't win any other way." Shippou said and smirked at the anger in Hotaru's eyes. "Did I strike a nerve?" he asked curiously as they broke apart again.

Back and forth they fought Shippou getting a scratch on Hotaru's cheek, and a wound on Hotaru's leg. "I'll make you pay dearly for this." Hotaru said as they broke apart again. He cracked a wicked grin on his face as he used one hand to reach back and then threw several throwing knives at Sachi.

"NO!" Shippou yelled as his attention followed the knives and he rushed to follow them horror written on his face realizing there was no way he would be able to protect her intime.

"I got it." Inuyasha said blocking the knives with the broad side of Tessaiga.

"You bastard!" Shippou said angrily spinning back around to find Hotaru right in his face.

"You people are so predictable." Hotaru said with a wide wicket grin as he struck at Shippou.

Shippou spun out of the way, but he was practically trapped against the inside wall, so his movements were slower than normal and Hotaru's sword caught him in the side. The sword ripping easily through the weak part of the armor, his clothes, and flesh. But the anger in Shippou didn't allow him to feel the pain as he unleashed the deadliest of blows, he had mastered in quick succession not giving Hotaru even a split second to breath.

The attacks came so viciously all Hotaru could do was back away and defend. He had gone one step too far this time, this fox had every intention of killing him right this instant. The fox wasn't pulling his blows anymore they were like a hammer on a nail just pounding away at him. He back into the shorter inside wall but Shippou didn't relent he kept up the attacks until off balance as he was, he just toppled over the edge.

Sachi gasped in horror as Hotaru fell over the side of the wall, and to his luck there was an armory weapons rack right below him. The weapons, swords, pikes, spears all piercing his body. She cringed and looked away from the awful sight.

"Inuyasha, Shippou get him down from there." Kagome said worried as she ran down the stairs with Kirara and Himeko following quickly behind her.

Shippou sheathed his sword and jumped down to help Inuyasha get Hotaru off the weapons. The pulled him free and laid him down on the ground. "I didn't mean to knock him into that…I didn't know it was there." Shippou said sadly. He had intended in that moment to kill Hotaru but this wasn't what he would have wished on anyone.

Hotaru laid there gasping for air, blood pooling around him, and blood coming out of the corner of his mouth. "So…you…win…and…I…get…the…short…end…of…the…stick…yet…again…" he wheezed out sadly and closed his eyes.

Kagome kneeled down beside him quickly putting her hands out over his body and poring her powers into his body all over like she had done earlier this morning for Sesshomaru. The irony of these wounds didn't escape her, but it also didn't please her.

Hotaru felt Kagome's healing powers flood over his body, the warm healing sensation surprised him and he opened his eyes to look at her. "Why?" he asked softly. "Just let me die and I'll be out of your hair forever." He said looking up at the beautiful blue sky with soft white clouds skimming across like the battlefield meant absolutely nothing to it, like his death meant absolutely nothing to it.

"All life is precious." Kagome said softly with a sweet smile when he looked at her.

"Mine isn't." Hotaru said then looked back up at the sky.

"Yes, even your life is precious and has meaning." Kagome said as she continued healing him. "Your mother loves you, and when she left here to come to us, she begged us, no matter what you did next to spare your life. That you have such amazing possibility's ahead of you if you would just let go of all your fathers hate." She said softly.

"She hates me, she always has." Hotaru said refusing to look at anyone around him.

"She loves you. She's always loved you and will always love you. She hates the path you have taken, there is a huge difference in hating you and hating your path." Kagome said softly. "Lady Tatsu wishes to see you mate, have pups of your own, and take the throne properly one day. She see's such good in you and she hopes every minute of every day you will eventually see that." She said watching the boy's eyes as they filled with tears.

"Hotaru!" Tatsu yelled as she rushed out of the main palace doors.

"What took you so long?" Inuyasha asked irritated as he watched her run over to her son and kneel down.

"You think I wouldn't booby trap the secret entrance?" Hotaru said glancing over at Inuyasha for a moment before looking up at his mother who moved his head into her lap and began stroking his hair.

"He'll be alright, I'd give him a day or so to rest, but he'll be just fine." Kagome said with a bright smile as she let her powers fade and looked at Tatsu. She stood up and dusted off her knees.

"What's all this?" Sesshomaru asked curiously as he walked in through the broken gate to see everyone surrounding Hotaru laying on the ground.

Kagome looked over at Sesshomaru walking over to them and smiled then looked back down at Hotaru curiously. "Are we done now Prince Hotaru?" she asked.

"Yes, Lady Kagome we are done." Hotaru said looking from his mother over to Kagome with a small nod.

"We've won." Kagome said and smiled over to Sesshomaru. "What brings you here my darling?" she asked curiously.

"Our son." Sesshomaru said cryptically.

Kagome thought for a moment then nodded. Their son must be able to share visions with anyone he wished too. It seemed like an odd power, she had never seen or heard of anyone having anything similar.

"Shippou is bleeding." Sesshomaru said dryly as he looked around at them all confused.

Shippou looked down there was a nice sized puddle of his blood around his foot. "Oh yeah…" He said absentmindedly as he reached up with his hand and put pressure on his wound. To be honest he had forgotten that he had even been wounded. His armor was tore, his shirt was tore and soaked in blood, and all the way down his pants were soaked.

"Shippou here let me help." Kagome said as she moved over to him using her powers to heal him. "It'll still be tender." She said after a couple of minutes.

"I believe Sachi's father is anxiously waiting the return of his daughter." Inuyasha said looking at Shippou and nodding towards the gate.

"Right." Shippou said holding out his arm for her to take while still holding pressure on his side, the pressure seemed to ease the pain from the tenderness as he walked. He limped slightly as they walked together through the rubble followed by Kagome carrying the little niko Kirara, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Himeko.

"We have much to discuss my love." Sesshomaru said softly as he leaned down to her.

"I'm sure we do." Kagome said with a soft smile up at him. "But it can wait until we get home, I'm tire, I've used my powers a lot today." She said and leaned her head over against his arm.

"Of course my love." Sesshomaru said then kissed the top of her head.