Chapter Six: Demon Pride

Inuyasha let out a tongue curling yawn as he stretched out his body. Once he heard a satisfying popping sound, he fell back onto the tree branch.

He looked up at the night sky and noticed how low the moon was getting. Soon he'd be able to go to Kagome. Ever since the little brat came along, they had to push back their 'meetings' until she was asleep.

'Damn…can't wait till we have are own pups. Then I'll never get any.' He mentally signed before he lazily turned and fell off the branch. He flawlessly maneuvered through the air and landed swiftly on his feet.

"Better go get the wench or I'll get an ear full." He scuffed, talking to no-one in particular but he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips. He wanted to see her, hold her, kiss her…

He was only about four miles away but he wasn't in any rush, he'd make it to the Shrine with his love waiting patiently. The mere thought of his sensual mate caused his smile turned to a grin.

He walked with a happy step as he headed in the direction of the Shrine.

—

Kagome came to the bottom steps of the Shrine, her bow and arrow still in hand as she bravely strutted into the unknown.

She stepped into the clearing just before the village, the barrier that was designed to surround the entire village and Shrine, had come to life. With every hit it would send out waves of pink energy.

To the human eye there was nothing to be seen. But with the trained eye of a Priestess as well as any demon, it was simple to detect.

Kagome was running along the edge of the barrier, coming closer and closer to where the barrier was struck repeatedly. 'Is it Sesshomaru? Has he come for Rin?' She wondered as her pass quickened.

She didn't know what to expect from him, all she knew was that this supposed Lord was enough to terrify the Monks of Rin's village. Fortunately, the way Rin spoke of him, he sounded like a reasonable man…maybe she could talk some sense into him.

The last thing she wanted was to kill this demon. Rin would never forgive her, but let him live, her village would demand retribution. Her next move had to be carefully executed.

Her thoughts were ripped away from her as the sound of loud scrapping came to her ears. As she quickly ran into the outskirts of the village, where many of the villagers had come out to see what was happening, did she find the cause of it all.

A dangerously clawed hand was slashing against the wall of the barrier. Said claws were long, but they also glowed an illuminating shade of green.

But as Kagome's eyes drifted from the menacing hand, she trailed up the arm. Two long, violet streaks moved from his wrists but disappears under a fine white and red kimono. His shoulder was covered by a large, white pelt of animal fur. Beneath that he wore body armour that covered his torso, while wearing two swords on his hip. Her eyes then darted up towards his face…her breath was nearly stripped from her lungs.

Golden eyes, serious and without emotion. A scowl taking place on his thin lips. Four more violet streaks on either cheek. And a crescent moon taking place on his forehead, barely visible through his thick bangs of white hair, that stretched down to the end of his back.

Rin was right, we have very handsome, but also frightening. Kagome began blinking rapidly, this man…looked so similar to her Inuyasha.

His left hand moved in a relentless fashion, slicing away at the barrier. Kagome could tell that it was weakening more and more with each stroke. It was then that she noticed how many villagers were surrounding the scene. In a panic they began bickering…

"What kind of demon is that?"

"It can't get through the barrier."

"Why is it here?"

"Where are the other Priests? Have they left us defenceless now that Tsume has fled?!"

"Kagome is here! She will vanquish the demon!"

"Everyone!" She called out, placing a pause on their chattering "Please, go back into your homes! I will handle this."

On command a number of the villagers retreated into their huts, but many stayed by the doors and windows, wanting to bare witness as their great Priestess killed yet another demon that threatened them.

Kagome only sighed at their stupidity. The villagers had become too comfortable with the fact that she and her family protected them and never did anything to protect themselves.

In the back of her mind, she wondered how they would survive when she was gone.

Kagome shook her head and turned back to the stoic demon. The only thing separating them was a weakening barrier.

'Come on Sota…why are you taking so long to reinforce it?' she wondered as she stepped forward, her eyes connecting with his cold and icy depths.

Drawing her arrow against the bow's string she called out "Are you Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands?"

The demon didn't bother to halt the motions of his claws, his gaze was trained on Kagome, looking her over as if debating if she was worthy of an answer.

After a few moments, he spoke.

"I am."

Kagome's grip of the arrow tightened as her stance became straighter and more dangerous. With a calm voice she asked "I am Kagome Higurashi, the High Priestess of this region. Why have you come to our village?"

His lifeless expression didn't show the slightest intrigue to who she was, and she doubted he would bother to respond to her question.

'I guess I know where Rin got her attitude from.' Kagome inwardly chuckled.

"MY LORD DOES NOT HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE LIKES OF YOU!" A shrieking voice shouted, Kagome nearly jumped as her head darted to both sides. Where had that voice come from?

As if on Que., a small demon walked out from behind Sesshomaru. His large beady eyes shot daggers at Kagome, as he leaned on a staff twice his size and having twice as many heads. The Imp shrieked again "Any mortal who dared point a weapon to the great and powerful Lord Sesshomaru will meet certain death!"

But Kagome only pulled her head to the side. She remembered Rin's description of the so called Master. "Huh, small and green like a frog." Only moments later did she realize that she said that out loud.

"How dare you insult me, you insulate wench! I shall unleash my furry upon you!" The tiny demon shouted while hoping up and down on the spot.

"Jaken." The Imp froze mid-hop at the sound of the larger demon's voice. It was a silent command of silence, the Imp began bowing his head in apology, but the Demon never once looked his way.

Kagome redirected her gaze at Sesshomaru who she now realized never took his eyes away from her.

Suddenly, the barrier between them began shinny brightly. Sesshomaru paused as a wave of strong energy repelled his clawed hand. His skin was set aflame as the barrier shot out at him.

'Good! Sota reinforced the barrier.' Kagome again inwardly grinned but kept her face as stoic as the demon's before her. Only now, his eyes held slight irritation.

The flames on his skin vanished a the mere flick of his wrist, he didn't express any pain and it could be questioned if he felt any at all.

Slowly, he lowered his arm to his side as he asked with a mocking tone "Do you really think this is enough to stop me?" Kagome's eyes narrowed in confusion. "This barrier is enough to stop you, it's stopping you now."

A small smile claimed his lips, causing a violent shiver to ripple up Kagome's spin. Something was coming…

His left hand turned to his right side and grasped the large sword's hilt.

Kagome prepared herself as Sesshomaru drew his sword. The long blade lifted above his head as he stated "fear my Bakusaiga." And in one furious slash against the barrier's wall, it shattered against the demon's wrath.

Kagome watched in near horror as the barrier that once protected her people from any form of demonic energy dissipated into nothing.

—

Sota flung himself to the bedroom window and watched as the barrier fall to pieces. "Oh god no…"

Suddenly, the rustling sound of a bed sheet caused him to turn and see Rin sitting up from her floor-mat.

For the first time, Sota actually saw the brightest smile imaginable on the young girl's lips. "He's here…" she said in astonishment "My Lord came for me." A single, happy tear trickled down her cheek.

Sota took a deep breath as he looked back out into the valley bellow. 'A Demon Lord…I hope Kagome can handle this…she's strong, but this creature may be stronger.'

But his heart dropped a crashing sound echoed behind him in the now empty room. He turned to find nothing but an open door and the sound of fleeting steps traveling down the hallway.

"no…" Sota trembled before sprinting after her.

"RIN!"

—

Kagome stood frozen as she watched the demon take a step forward. He was now freely passing into their village's borders. His face holding no emotion at his triumph. The Imp was close behind.

It only took a single blink of her eye until he was suddenly in front of her.

Kagome knew that to fire her bow she needed distance, but she couldn't bring herself to move. The sudden shock had overwhelmed her. However, the sound of frantic sniffing breaking the silence brought her back to earth.

She blinked again and realized how close Sesshomaru was to her. Her highly pointed arrow was only a hairs length away from his armoured covered chest.

His eyes closed, mouth tight and brows frowned together, all in deep concentration. Kagome didn't dare breath, she stopped and waited, wanting to know exactly what he was doing.

His eyes snapped open, causing Kagome to nearly shrink in parole.

But what she found shocked her. He snickered at her, the corners of his mouth turning upwards as he stared down at her. Sesshomaru being easily two and a half heads taller then her.

"You reek of him." He whispered, satisfied with the look of shock and confusion that took hold of her face. "You're drenched in that half-breeds scent, and you still call yourself a Priestess?"

All at once, Kagome was hit with a wave of anger. She didn't know if it was because her year long secret was just blow out of the water by a demon who had come to steal away a little girl she loved like her own family. Or at the fact that he just insulted the love of her life.

In a flash, Kagome leapt backwards, her arrow pulled back so far the bow's string would snap if held to long. Her eyes narrowed in fury as she released the arrow, aimed straight towards Sesshomaru's head.

His face never dropped his cool facade. The only motion he needed was his left hand. At a shocking speed he caught the flying arrow, only inches from his face.

Kagome gapped in shock as she watched the arrow laced with her own spiritual energy, suddenly melted away in the palm of his hand and reduced to nothing.

Kagome let loose another arrow as she retreated backwards, Sesshomaru walked towards her at a leisurely pass. His hand alone easily deflecting each and every arrow she aimed at him.

Kagome tried to think, if her arrows were useless, she needed either a defensive spell or her sacred dagger that she hid behind the waistband of her kimono. Obviously this powerful being had no effect with high level magic…so she'd need to go hand and hand with him.

"I'll ask you again!" She shouted, throwing her bow and quiver to the side and out of the way. He raised a brow to her strategy of leaving herself unarmed. "Why are you here?!"

Sesshomaru continued his stride forward, never uttering a word. Kagome continued moving back until she felt the stone steps to the Shrine at her heel. This was as far as he was allowed to go.

Kagome gritted her teeth as she looked into the demon's determined eyes. Kagome gathered her courage and her pride as she said, with dominance lacing her voice "If you want to pass, you'll have to kill me. I won't let you have her."

Those…were the wrong words to say to a riving demon.

In a flash of white the demon was before her and his dangerous claws came around her throat. Kagome released a sound of pain and shock as she was lifted off the ground.

She looked down into the now red eyes of a fully-fledged demon. "You can not stop me, and I'd be more then happy to rid the world of you, even if you are his mate."

Kagome tried desperately to keep her breathing together and her vision straight as her hand drifted to the small of her back. Her hand grasped the handle of the dagger, pulling it out of it's sheath and preparing to plunge it into his beating heart.

"Don't underestimate me." she rasped out, before driving the blade into his right shoulder. She then used her spiritual energy to burst forward against the hand that held her throat.

The wind left her lungs as she was flung to the side. She tumbled and fell flat on her back with a painful thud to the ground. Kagome violently chocked and gasped, her eyes quickly catching the sight of Sesshomaru grunting as he tried to pull out the dagger embedded in his shoulder.

His efforts were in vain. The spiritual energy that was built within the very fibre of the blade, reflected his every touch while simultaneously burning his flesh.

"My Lord!" Jaken called in terror, he had been completely forgotten and watched the battle from a distance. He hobbled to his master's side and asked "My Lord, what can I do for you?"

His sincere request was met with an annoyed glance before his face came into contact with the demon's foot and was shot back to the side.

Demon pride…Kagome would never understand it.

She shakily made her way to her feet, undetected by the distracted demon, she made her way back to her bow and arrows…she only needed one. She intended to finish this quickly.

Before she could even place the back of arrow to the bow string, a frightened voice ripped through the air.

"Lord Sesshomaru!"

All eyes swung to the Shrine's staircases, Rin's tiny, bare-feet rushed down the steps as Sota ran after her.

Kagome's eyes widened in horror at the sight. If she killed Sesshomaru while Rin watched then she'd never gain her trust…but if she did nothing he would take Rin and likely kill her.

But as she looked back to Sesshomaru, everything changed.

His lifeless like exterior softened at mere sight of the young girl. His lips parted as his golden eyes shimmered with relief and such tenderness.

Rin made her way to the bottom step, leaping off of it and continued to sprint towards the great demon. Instantly, the tall man fell to his one knee and opened his arm to her. The weeping girl flung herself forward and landed hard into his embrace.

She buried her face into her armour as Sesshomaru closed his eyes, nuzzling his way into her messy hair and releasing a sign he had been holding.

"Lord Sesshomaru…" she whimpered, his hold on her tightened and he reassured the girl by rubbing her back soothingly.

Kagome watched the display with wide eyes…they looked like a father and daughter reuniting. Not a demon and his latest meal.

"Kagome!" Sota's worried voice awoke her as he came to her side. "Are you hurt?" Kagome's heaving breath was the cause of his concern, but she was too wrapped up in what she was seeing to respond.

Could she have been right? Could this powerful demon, really love a human child?

Rin pulled back briefly with a happy smile on her face. Sesshomaru managed to get her back onto her feet while still holding her close. It was then that she noticed the dagger in his shoulder.

She gasped in shock and without a word from him, gently took hold of the sacred blade and with all her might pulled it back and out of his flesh. Stumbling slightly at the heavy load of the weapon.

She abruptly dropped the now blood stained dagger onto the ground and looked over his wound. His eyes never taring away from her worried face. A very small but still meaningful smile touching his lips.

Their happy reunion was interrupted by the sound of humans racing towards them. Kaede's reinforcements had finally decided to show.

Sesshomaru merely stood, returning to his tall form and gathering his composure. Rin's eyes followed him until they turned to find a timid Imp standing close by. "Master Jaken!" She greeted happily.

He had no time to prepare himself as the small girl flung herself to hug the Imp happily. "I'm so happy to see you!" Jaken released and angry and annoyed sound but quickly held his tongue at the glare his Lord gave to him.

Jaken instantly hugged the girl back and said "Oh yes…I too am happy." He'd rather be humiliated then dead.

The demon then began walking, he headed back in the direction that he came. Not even bothering to look over his shoulder as he ordered softly "Come."

"Yes my Lord" both Rin and Jaken charmed as they quickly followed.

Kagome's breath caught in her throat as she saw Rin following the demon. She pushed herself to her feet and leapt forward "Wait Rin!"

But before she could reach her, Sesshomaru again turned his irritation onto the Priestess. He was again before her, his toxic claws glowed a fierce green. Kagome had no time to prepare herself as he slashed at her, the first only hit the air as a warning.

Kagome stumbled back but not far enough to be out of Sesshomaru's reach. His hand rose again, this time aimed at the young woman's throat, but he stopped suddenly.

The Demon Lord's surprised eyes looked down. His leg was being tightly hugged by the young girl he cherished. Her lip trembled as she said timidly "Please my Lord…don't hurt Miss Kagome. She was very kind to me and looked after me when those Monks took me. Please spare her."

Sesshomaru's hard eyes turned back to Kagome, she was still as she too took in Rin's plead.

"Rin…" she whispered in astonishment, but what was even more astonishing was the full-blooded demon lowering his toxic claws upon command. He turned away from Kagome without a word and faced the path he would travel.

He took three steps before stopping. His body was still and his eyes forward, the only part of him that moved was his deadly clawed hand. It had just been used to help destroy a barrier, melted sacred arrows and nearly chocked the very life out of a Priestess…was now being offered to a little girl. She smiled widely as she came to his side and gratefully took his large hand. As they walked, Rin looked back and waved "Goodbye Miss Kagome, goodbye Sota!"

The siblings were left watching helplessly as the young girl they swore to protect, left so happily. As she walked away, Kagome's eyes began to blur. She was watching her future vanish into the forest.

—

Inuyasha was only a half mile from the village when he caught a sudden scent. His eyes widened in shock as his bastard of a half-brother's oder reached his nose.

'What the fuck is Sesshomaru doing this far from the Western lands?'

He was half intrigued to go follow the scent and ask himself, but…he had a much more enjoyable evening ahead, plus he wasn't in the mood fight over who was worthy to wield Tetsusaiga.

Inuyasha was about to keep moving, but then another scent crossed his nose and his eyes shot open. It was faint, but he could smell the soft scent of wildflowers…that was what Kagome used in her baths.

Without even thinking it through he leapt across the forest, bouncing from branch to branch as he narrowed in on the source.

In mere moments he found his target.

His brother, eldest son of their father Inu-Taisho. The rightful heir to his place as the almighty Lord to their home region, was walking headstrong with that ignorant Imp, and a little girl strapped to his side.

Inuyasha growled at the sight. Was that Rin? To this day he hadn't laid eyes on her. Kagome kept her well hidden.

WAIT KAGOME?!

If Rin was here where was Kagome? She wouldn't just hand her over. She would have fought to protect the girl.

Enraged at the thought Inuyasha leapt from the tree and landed before the small group. Rin let out a startled gasp as she held Sesshomaru's hand tighter, even Jaken yelped, but older Dog-Demon had smelled him coming.

With a vicious growl Inuyasha stood tall and barked "Been busy haven't we? I didn't realize abducting children was your thing."

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed dangerously as he responded "You should be more worried about your own companion then of my business."

Inuyasha tensed at the remark, gritting his teeth he realized two things. First that he did in-fact fight with Kagome, and that he knew she was his mate.

His knuckles cracking and aggression taking hold of his features. He growled angrily "Where is Kagome."

Rin pulled herself closer to Sesshomaru's side at the sound the Half-Demon's tone. Sesshomaru gave her a side glance before releasing her hand gently and ushering her behind him.

Sesshomaru only gave Inuyasha a snickering grin as he replied "Why don't you go back and see? She should be right where I left her. I will admit, even a Half-Breed such as yourself has fine taste…she felt wonderful between my claws."

An animalistic snarl left his lips as he withdrew Tetsusaiga from it's sheath and lunged at his brother. Sesshomaru responded by drawing Bakusaiga. As the two blades clashed it sent out waves of demonic power.

The rage behind Tetsusaiga surprised even Sesshomaru as Inuyasha angrily pushed him back with all his strength. The only thing that kept him from tearing Sesshomaru apart was the lack of blood.

He didn't smell a drop of her blood on him, which was good right?

"If I find out that you've harmed her in any way, I'll fucking kill you!" He roared before breaking the connection. Both demons stepped back from one another before Inuyasha disappeared into the night.

He couldn't fight now, he was too worried about Kagome. He needed to find her, to make sure she was alive, alive and unharmed. If not…there would be hell to pay.

'Kagome…hang in there! I'm coming!'