Chapter 41
Sesshomaru gently set Kagome down on the cushions, wiping her face of the tears that lingered. He had never seen her so hysterical before, so inconsolable. Naraku had dredged up things she didn't want to think about, had struck fear into her, forced all reason from her until she was nothing but a sobbing mess.
Brushing his hair back, Sesshomaru looked up at his father, furious. Naraku wanted Kagome. He was a threat, a dangerous menace that Sesshomaru vowed to destroy. Anyone that threatened his mate would meet his claws. He wouldn't leave a single piece left. His poison would melt away all of Naraku until not even the fumes carried traces of him. "I will kill him."
"No." Touga held out his hand, stopping Sesshomaru from saying anything more. Not even Sesshomaru growling was enough to have Touga changing his mind. "Listen to me, Sesshomaru. We cannot just march over to the North and kill him. We have to be smart about this, plan it appropriately."
"How about someone tell me what is wrong with my sister?" Miroku stepped between the two, pointing down to Kagome. "I haven't seen her like that in over a hundred years."
"We had the meeting with Naraku. He told us why he was trying to force the marriage. He wants the Shikon Miko." Touga rubbed the back of his neck, leaning over his desk as he did. "He doesn't know Kagome is the shikon miko, but he suspected. He said things… things that happened to Kagome. About her being kidnapped and sold into slavery."
"Yea. She was." Miroku frowned, looking down at his sister. "She was forced to kill anyone her master told her to. They told her I was being held hostage and being tortured. She did what they said to save me. I met Sango during this time, and we saved her."
"There was a time that she destroyed an entire region of demons." Touga asked, curious. Sesshomaru didn't care about any of that. He just wanted to make sure Kagome was kept safe.
Miroku looked towards his wife for a second, then back to Touga. "Not just her." Sitting down, Miroku leaned over, his elbows on his knees. Clasping his hands in front of his face, he took a moment to process his thoughts. "Kagome is the Shikon miko. However, it is unheard of that the Shikon Miko be born with a twin. The power split between the two of us. She holds more than I do, but without me, the Shikon Miko is not complete. It is why we are always together."
"You helped her destroy an entire island of demons? Thousands of them?" Sesshomaru questioned, sitting down next to Kagome. Gently he pulled her into her lap, running his fingers through her hair.
"It wasn't just demons. It was a community of holy users and demons. They lived together in harmony and peace. We went there thinking we would be accepted, and we were. The moment they learned who we were, they took us in. It was just Kagome and I at that time. We should have known, realized they were too trusting, too nice." Miroku's face went dark then, his hands beginning to tremble. "They wanted to breed our power. Kagome and I didn't agree. We had just lost our parents. We were young and just wanted to live somewhere peacefully. When we refused, they attacked. They made sure only the humans got near us. Our reiki doesn't affect them. They tied us down beside one another with nothing but a sheet drawn up between us."
"Kagome never mentioned being raped." Sesshomaru was tense, subconsciously rocking his mate in his arms. "She said she was a virgin when she slept with Kouga."
"They didn't get to her, but me… they gave me tea and it forced my body…" Miroku looked away then, not meeting anyone's eyes. "By the third woman, Kagome could no longer handle hearing it anymore. She lost control, and when she did, I joined her. We destroyed the entire demon population, then slaughtered every human on that island."
"They deserved it." Izayoi had tears running down her cheeks, and she wiped them away. Sango placed a hand on Miroku's shoulder, comforting him as best as she could. Taking a deep breath, Izayoi regained control of her emotions. "Naraku had a necklace. Gold with a heart carved on it."
"My mother's. I haven't seen it since Kagome was kidnapped. They took it from her, and we hadn't been able to get it back." Miroku furrowed his brows, looking down at his sister with worry. "What are we going to do? We can't let Naraku get a hold of her. Even if he doesn't know that I have the missing quarter of her power, what power she does have is devastating."
"If we go after Naraku, we risk war. I want to keep Kagome as safe as everyone else, but we have to do this the right way. We have to think it through." Touga walked out from behind his desk, eyes glued to Kagome as he did. "She is my daughter. She is pregnant with my grandchild. Her protection is of the utmost importance."
"She's pregnant?" Miroku asked, looking back at Kagome. He stood then, shaking his head. "Of all the times!" Looking at Sesshomaru, he sighed. "I am happy for you, but as the Shikon Miko, pregnancy will make her weaker. Her body is using energy to grow the child, energy that will drain her reiki. Any power she had will be muted. Not gone, but nowhere near as strong."
"She did not tell me this." Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome, wondering why she had left that unsaid. That was something he needed to know to be sure he could protect her to the best of his ability. He would have to be more vigilant now.
"Back to Naraku. We know he is searching for the Shikon Miko. He knows things about her that others don't. He doesn't realize Kagome is who he is looking for. What else is there?" Miroku turned back to Touga, fingers twitching at his side anxiously.
"He suspected Kagome. He tested her with your mother's necklace, however Kagome played it off that she didn't know whose it was." Touga moved back to his chair, plopping down in exhaustion. "I am not sure if he still suspects her or not. He asked for permission to search the West. I denied him. He wasn't happy but he accepted it and left. I promised to tell him if I found out any information about the Shikon Miko."
"What about false info?" Sango offered, stepping forward. "He wants information, so give him something. Make it believable. Lead him away from the West. We can even try and set up places that would be "Evidence" of Kagome being anywhere other than here."
"It could work. At least enough to get Naraku away from Kagome. If he gets rumors of the Shikon Miko being farther away while Kagome is still here with us, he won't suspect her anymore." Touga nodded, leaning back in his chair. "My general went on vacation not to long ago. He will be back any day now. I will have him organize troops to march across the West and ensure that Naraku isn't conducting his search behind my back."
"Perhaps they should be disguised." Sesshomaru added, shifting Kagome in his lap so they were both more comfortable. "If Naraku is searching in the West, he will know we are trying to hide something if we suddenly have patrols marching our lands."
"It will also worry the people. I think having several disguised patrols is the best option." Izayoi agreed, and Touga nodded.
"It's not enough." Sesshomaru growled, looking down at his unconscious mate. He ran his fingers over her cheek, feeling her soft skin. "We do not know of Naraku's plans. What about Naoshi? Naraku mentioned going to him. Naoshi could be looking for the Shikon Miko as well. Kagome is still in danger."
"Spies." Sango looked up at Touga, speaking softly as if she didn't want to be overheard. "Send spies into both the north and the South. Several of them. Kouga has a few as well. If you tell him what's going on, he will help protect Kagome. He knows what she is and understands that she needs to be protected. He might even send Nona to help."
"Okay. But I won't write about any of this in a letter. I will ask that Kouga come for a visit. It is best that I discuss this with him in person." Touga looked back down at Kagome, sighing. "Take her home, Sesshomaru. You have the barrier set up around your meadow. She will be safe there."
Sesshomaru didn't have to be told twice. He stood and orbed straight out of the window, leaving everyone behind. It took only minutes for him to arrive at the meadow. Landing outside of his home, he quickly stepped in, taking Kagome to their rooms.
Settling her in their bed, he undressed her, grabbing a slip and pulling it over her head. When she was comfortable, he kicked off his tabi, then crawled in beside her. It would be a while before Kagome woke, and when she finally woke, he would be right there to sooth her.
…
Sesshomaru watched as InuYasha played with Hana, the little filly running around with them. He was laughing, getting chased by her as they frolicked in the pasture. It was an endearing sight, seeing the two bonding. It made Sesshomaru think of the days he spent with Nakoa as a child. Those were fond memories.
Nakoa pushed her muzzle against him, and he patted her neck. He was glad to see her happy with her little family. She deserved it after following him around for as long as she had. Chuckling, he let Nakoa go, watching as Alastar left Kagome so the two horses could walk towards their filly.
Kagome wrapped her arms around Sesshomaru, tucking herself into his chest. After the events of the other day, Sesshomaru never left her alone. Luckily for him, she didn't seem to mind. He knew most women would find him overbearing, but he couldn't take any chances with her. Her life was in danger, and he refused to ignore that threat. His mate, his family would be safe.
"Sesshomaru." Touga came walking up to them, tense. "I wanted to let you know that things have been put into motion. We started leaving a trail that will lead Naraku away from the West. I have asked Kouga to come and sent out several spies." Touga reached out, cupping Kagome's face. "We are going to keep you and that baby safe, Kagome."
"Thank you." Kagome gave him a smile. She was still rattled about everything Naraku had said, but with Sesshomaru and everyone else, she was feeling secure and much better. That was important with her condition. She needed to feel safe while she was pregnant and every other second as well.
A new sensation had them all looking towards the sky, a red Inu flying down towards them. A kitsune hanyou clung to his leg, jumping down from the inu's cloud the moment he saw InuYasha. He ran off to play with the prince and Hana, leaving behind the red inu.
"General Hishiro." Touga nodded at him, motioning towards the general's wounds. "You go on vacation with your son and return injured."
"Think nothing of it. A boar demon got the best of me, but he roasted beautifully later." Hiroshi chuckled, flicking his eyes towards Sesshomaru. "My lord."
"Sesshomaru, this is Hiroshi. When you exiled Yuki, he took her place. I met him while you were at war, and when you started following Kagome around, I asked him to take over being my army's general." Touga introduced them, and Sesshomaru nodded in response. Touga sucked his teeth then scoffed. "He's also your mother's soul bonded."
"What?" Kagome snapped her head towards Hiroshi. Sesshomaru eyed him as well, his eyes moving down to see his mother's name on the male's arm.
"I see." Sesshomaru raised a brow, looking at his father. "Interesting."
Rolling his eyes, Touga waved a hand at Sesshomaru. "Don't start, son. You can make sarcastic comments later. For now, there is a reason Hiroshi came to me."
"Yes. I ran into Satori." Hiroshi started, and everyone tensed. "She is back in the West."
"What did you do?" Kagome questioned, her voice soft and saddened.
"I rejected her. I will not have a woman like Satori near my son." Hiroshi eyed the little kitsune playing with InuYasha.
"She's not a bad woman, Hiroshi. I agree, there are things she did that she needs to answer for, but before Izayoi, she was a wonderful wife and mother." Touga pinched his brows, and they could all see the pity he felt for his ex-wife. "I truly believe you made a mistake."
"What about you?" Hiroshi looked at Sesshomaru, questioning him. "Do you think I made a mistake?"
"That is only for you to decide. However, it is my experience that sometimes we are fools." Looking down at Kagome, he kissed her temple, right where her scar used to be. "We are fools that make mistakes."
"But sometimes those mistakes can be forgiven." Kagome added, placing a hand on Sesshomaru's stomach as she leaned into him.
"My son comes first." Hiroshi whistled then, calling the kitsune back to him. "I wanted to make you aware, Lord Touga, of Satori's return. I am unsure of what her plans are. I did not stay long enough to find out. I will report to duty in the morning." Hiroshi left then, the kitsune at his leg once more.
"When it rains, it pours." Touga mumbled with a sigh. "First Naraku and now Satori. I am tired." Touga gave them a small smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "You two be careful. Keep an eye out. I have more work to do in the study." Touga left then, his shoulders slumping as he walked away. If anything else went wrong, they were going to have to start worrying about Touga's sanity on top of possible war.
...
And they have a plan on how to deal with Naraku, but will it be enough. Again Naoshi was mentioned. So far, that's all that's happened with him. But he is getting mentioned more and more isn't he. Hehehe. Hiroshi has also made another appearance and now we know he is Touga's new general. A lot more pieces of the puzzle have been placed and more moves have been made. Where oh where will we go from here.
For the challenge, I want Twenty-five reviews like normal. The next chapter is a very steamy lemon. I think that's all the teaser you really need. lol.
I hope you all enjoyed.
