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Chapter 25:

Sesshoumaru's majestic inu form dominated the landscape. His statuesque appearance stand in stark contrast to the almost lacquer-black backdrop of the night sky encompassing his mother's ancestral tomb.

"Inuyasha, much as I want to see your demise, I do not want you to involve yourself in this fight. My mate would undoubtedly be most melancholy should your life be held forfeit tonight." Remarked Sesshoumaru reverting back to his humanoid guise.

"Keh! Speak for yourself ya bastard!" The hanyou snorted. "I've never lost a fight yet, even in my human form. Besides, Kagome's been there for me countless times, I can't just back out on her. I gave her a promise that I will always protect her and I will stand by that."

Sesshoumaru looked critically at the determination of his younger brother with new found respect. However, such eagerness to rush headlong into battle without any prior thought for one's safety, too is a great concern. Ignorance of the adversary's tactics seals one fate at the early stage of the battle. This could jeopardize their rescue. 'The brash pup will not be deterred into clashing headlong to his death in order to save Kagome. He would undoubtedly give his life needlessly.' Inferred the stoic Lord wisely.

The still air was shattered when a familiar laugh echoed in their midst. All eyes focused on the lone figure dressed in a billowing white haori with shiny silver armor perched atop a broken down tower. A river of platinum hair cascaded down his back. His luminous red eyes resting on their group haughtily, almost seemingly to peer into their very souls. Kouga takes a steps back instinctively. The foul stench of death permeated the air. The rescuers grew more restless with each passing moment. Kouga feels an almost suffocating presence take hold of him as he stares into those deranged scarlet orbs.

"What's wrong with him?" He murmurs.

"I fear his malady stems from the same reason he has abducted Kagome-sama. On account of his great desire for her, Iesu has succumbed to his own madness." Replied Matsu sadly.

"You speak falsely Lord Matsu! My Lady holds great desire for myself! Observe, how even now she stands at my side!"

Iesu removes the concealing spell from an ancient tree that grew on the center of the ruins just five feet from where he stood.

"KAGOMEEEEEE!"

Inuyasha darted forward, but was held back by his elder sibling's left claws.

"Sesshoumaru! What the f'ck do you think you're doing? She'll die there this time! The wound is bound with a spell remember? She'll bleed to death."

Her sweet blood called all of them to rapt attention. They could feel death's fingers enshroud around her. Sesshoumaru's eyes took in the pallid ashen form of his beloved, still bleeding heavily. The cords used to bind her to the trunk of the tree greedily sucking up the red liquid that poured forth from a horrid gaping wound. Before he knew it a vicious grow ripped from his own throat.

Though the Western Lord's grave expression never faltered, his now crimson eyes remained fixated on Iesu's chortling form. He gave Inuyasha one solid punch in the stomach. The stunned hanyou doubled over before collapsing in his half-brother's arms.

"Kouga, take the hanyou and take leave of this place." He stated coldly between clenched teeth. "This Sesshoumaru will not be held accountable for his death."

Gulping nervously at the grim expression on the Western Lord's face, the Ookami prince bowed once, while lifting the unconscious form of Inuyasha. Tossing him over his right shoulder he gave a curt nod to the rest of the group and sped fast away from the scene wordlessly.

Iesu continued to taunt them.

"A most interesting sight to behold. Perchance dear cousin of mine, your insides are not made out of ice as we had so believed." Stated the Southern Lord sarcastically.

"Impudent fool! Has your whole reason utterly left you?" Barked Mushira. "The Lady bleeds to death at your expense? Are you truly without honor Iesu?"

"Damare!" Bellowed the Southern Inu Lord. The air around him crackling with the unstable nature of his jaki.

Mushira took a step forward.

"He is my prey." Snarled Sesshoumaru in a low voice full of malice. Mushira and Matsu looked on in horror as the Western Taiyoukai's blood-red eyes shone out. Matsu took hold of Mushira's sleeve and cautioned him, "by no means dissuade him. In truth this is his fight, allow him to handle it as he deems necessary."

A series of blood-curdling growls announced the issue of a challenge.

Iesu leapt off the edge of the broken down tower, he somersaulted while in the air and transformed into his white inu form.

Sesshoumaru remained impassive as his transformation also took place.

While the two inu titans battled it out, Mushira and Matsu made their way stealthily toward the bound Kagome.

"Look out!"

Mushira pushed Matsu out of the way as a volley of arrows rained down on them. Mushira erected a barrier to shield them from the incessant pummeling of the steel tipped arrows. They were accompanied by a hoard of fully armed youkai mercenaries.

"You are wounded my friend." Pointed Matsu.

"It is of little consequence." His eyes again focusing on the slumped figure of Kagome. "We must hasten to her aid, or we both will perish this night is through." He continued grimly.

Matsu nodded remembering that Mushira's life is tied to that of Nadeshiko, who's essence now reside in Kagome.

"I will take away the shield and provide ample distraction, go straight to the Lady and take her far from this place, do not look back."

"Understood." Acknowledged Matsu. Mushira grinned, he then sent a blast of his jaki toward the enemy obliterating those within a 500 meter radius.

"NOW!" Barked the Ookami Lord. With a great burst of speed Matsu, the dragon Lord of the North shot up in the air. Twisting and turning effortlessly as he dodged the barrage of arrows that's solely aimed at him.

Upon reaching the ruined tower, it took only one swipe of his obsidian claws to free Kagome from her bloodied bindings before they again took to the air.

Iesu's inu form, shook with unbridled fury as he watched the great dragon lord fly away with his obsession. He howled wildly snapping his snout and fighting rabidly against Sesshoumaru's hold. To which the Western lord responded by biting down harder and locking his jaw on Iesu's neck. Cracking bones filled the night air as the Southern Lord turned his shoulders at an awkward angle in order to escape Sesshoumaru. Unhindered by his pain, Iesu fought madly against his restraints, finally succeeding in clawing Sesshoumaru on his front left paw where it tore through tendon and flesh.

Sesshoumaru reeled back, releasing Iesu from his stranglehold. The badly injured Iesu abruptly reverberated back to his humanoid form simultaneously thrusting his poisoned katana on the Western Lord's already damaged left paw, efficiently stunning him for the time being. With a grunt he twisted back his right shoulder back to it's proper place, snarling inanely he put on a sudden burst of speed, frantically trying to keep up with Matsu.

Realizing that he has no hope of reaching Kagome in his injured state, he unsheathed his kodachi and with a spell and careful aim threw it toward the fleeing lord.

The black blade embedded deep in the dragon's chest, protruding out on his back narrowly missing the still unconscious form of Kagome-who was nestled close to his chest. Matsu's wings faltered, swiftly diving and losing height. The deranged Iesu grabbed the opportunity to snatch the miko-demoness from the injured dragon lord, and leapt to the safety of a nearby meadow where he laid Kagome on a bed of fragrant white flowers. The Southern Taiyoukai nuzzled his face on the crook of the her neck, he looked up just in time to see the Northern lord's form gliding unvenly in the cold autumn breeze. Matsu swerved sharply to the right crashing headlong onto a tree. His limp form dangled in the topmost branches.

A sinister grin spreads on Iesu's lips. However, this was short lived as a pinkish light centering on Kagome captures his attention. He turns toward her, narrowing his canine eyes on a tiny orb the size of his fist hovering above her hands. It elongated to form a glowing object resembling an arrow. Iesu remains transfixed on the object, uncertain on what to do. The arrow made of light pulsed once then catapulted itself toward the dragon's tangled figure.

The insane Taiyoukai frowns and strides toward the female that continued to elude him. He would finish this now, they would die together. Kneeling down to her still form he wills his claws to grow to deadly lengths. Silently he brushes away a tendril of hair that covers her neck. Beholding her pliant form like this, his resolve to end her life wavers slightly. His expression somewhat softening. Kagome resumes to glow in a pinkish light. Iesu observes in morbid facination as her heart began to recover to a more steady beat. She stirs and whimpers slightly. He could feel her aura flare to life a little in an attempt to heal her wounds.

"Kagome... do not fight me, it doesn't have to end like this." He pleads remorsefully in her ear.

"Get away from her you bastard!"

Iesu spins around to find himself confronted by a human Inuyasha. He retracts his claws, again his eyes giving off an insane glint. "Hanyou, your stupidity knows no bounds. But you have been a source of great entertainment once. Come let us strike a bargain, walk away now and I will bequeath you with your life."

"Bastard! What makes you think that I would leave her."

"Because should you stay, I will wake her enough to see your slow demise at my claws." He growled in sadistic amusement. "Would you rather that that weigh in her conscience. Such tragic memory to take to the next life. Do you not agree?"

Inuyasha clenched his fists. 'I'll be damned to hell if I lose you this night Kagome. I will save you one way or the other.' Lifting his head up he spares a quick glance around. He notices Matsu still suspended in the tree tops.

Iesu burst out laughing. "Do not presume that help would come anytime soon."

"You wanna bet?" Inuyasha smirks, he feels a sudden rush come across his blood. 'Aniki!'

Iesu's mocking laughter dies in his throat as Sesshoumaru's majestic Inu form jumps down from the sky only a couple of meters from him. Poisonous fumes excreted by the fearsome Taiyoukai's saliva form mists of great toxic potency. Terror rolled off Iesu in waves as he sees the much feared Taiyoukai advancing toward him.

Sesshoumaru fueled by the scent of fear in the air bites down on the Southern Lord's body, shaking it viciously from side to side. Iesu's gurgling scream of pain drowning in his lips as own blood fills his lungs, asphyxiating him from the inside.

"If I can't have her no one shall..." Croaked Iesu weakly. With one last attempt he frees a poisoned dagger from his belt and without warning throws it toward Kagome before submitting to the embrace of death.

Sesshoumaru's chest constricted painfully as he watched the dark blade sail through the air. He closed his eyes unable to watch his beloved being taken from him before his eyes.

"I never thought you to be the squimish type ya old bastard." Grunted Inuyasha.

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes slowly. Inuyasha slumped over Kagome protectively, the dagger plunged deeply in his back. The Western lord transforms back to his humanoid appearance, holding onto his injured arm.

"Brother..."

"Keh! Never figured you to be the sentimental type either..(cough)...So don't you dare start now."

Trickles of blood ran down Inuyasha's chin. Sesshoumaru could distinctly sense the poison working it's way into the hanyou's blood stream. Discerning that his brother's time is nearing it's end, the Western Lord kneels by his fallen sibling.

"Listen.. promise me you'll take better care of her this time.."

Sesshoumaru looked at his brother indifferently.

"Damn it Sesshoumaru, promise me!" Growled Inuyasha, more blood poured from his mouth.

"This Sesshoumaru gives you his word."

"You better ... or kami help me, I'll haunt your ass to your next incarnation... and get Kikyo on it too!" Inuyasha grinned flashing his fangs.

The Inu Lord's bowed head turned up suddenly at the mention of the dead priestess' name. He observed his younger sibling and he felt something unnameable lurch from within him. A slight pang of something he could not fathom.

"I'm sorry Inuyasha."

The hanyou turned to him with dilated unfocused eyes. "Don't be." He smiled serenely. "I don't regret anything...but it's too bad... I can't.. tell her how ...much I..." He closed his eyes as his heart gave one final beat before it succumbed completely.

"Rest assured this Sesshoumaru will tell her of your bravery."

(PULSE)

The stoic Lord looked incredulously with knitted brows at the sword on his hip.

(PULSE)

A smirk graces his lips.

"It appears as though you will get that chance to tell her yourself little brother.."

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YAY it's finally finished! To all my readers who have been with this story from the beginning I'd like to thank you from the bottom of foot... (squeal)... I WUV YOU GUYS...