Kaze- Hi, you have a good question. The only reason I can think that in most fics InuYasha goes with Kikyou, is because besides Kagome, she's the only one that InuYasha has ever loved. InuYasha shows how much he loves Kikyou by saying that he'd die for her in the anime. So, that's the only reason that I can really think of. But I agree with you about the InuYasha bashing, it's not really needed in stories. InuYasha is a kind guy!
T'shai- I agree with you, sometimes messing with the future can be a bad thing. What about fate? Right? Well, I'm glad you are enjoying my story, and you will soon get to see the outcome of the war! Cause the war is on it's way.
Taijiya Hatake- Thank you!
shadow miko- lol, well here is your update, hope you like it!
mangadreams- thank you!
1Tierra- wow thank you so much! You are an inspiration! I'm really glad that you like my story and I hope that you enjoy more of it! I will smile and live life to the fullest! Why not enjoy life, right!
kagsess- Thank you so much! That was so encouraging, I got this next chapter posted much faster just for you and the other reviewers that are very encouraging! Hope you enjoy this one!
Avelyn Lauren- I wish you luck with all your school exams!
AN: Sorry that I never got to reply to any of you in my last chapter. I was in a bit of a hurry. But I am very happy I got to this time, cause you all deserve it! And thanks to inuyashalovingfan too who reviewed for my other fanfic! Here is chapter 26 which came much faster! Hope you like it!
Chapter 26 – A Day of Practice after a Night of Rest.
"That must be the village!" Kagome said excitedly and pointed towards the ground.
Sesshoumaru glided down and landed smoothly in front of the village. Instantly there were a bunch of people walking towards them.
"We're looking for priestess Oki." Kagome said to the crowd.
"I'm priestess Oki." A kind voice replied as it made it's way through the crowd of villagers.
Kagome watched as a tall woman wearing priestess clothing emerged from the people. She had a young, kind face, and her hair was tied back neatly. "Priestess Oki-sama, my friends and I need your help. I am a priestess also, and right now I know that the demons existence needs your help."
"Demons? How do demons need my help?" She asked.
"It's a long story, but if you want to I can tell you what's happening." Kagome said, not wanting to explain with all the villagers around.
Oki brought both of them to her hut and served them some tea while they explained the war to her. After it was all said, they got ready and headed back towards InuYasha's village. Kagome was even more surprised when she found out that Sesshoumaru could carry two full-grown women while flying. She had tried mentioning to him that they could walk, but he insisted on flying and she knew it was only because he wanted to get back faster.
Oki wasn't too keen on flying though, at first she wouldn't stop moving in Sesshoumaru's hold, and had screamed when they took off, but after an hour she seemed to calm down and relax.
When the three of them finally arrived back at the village, everyone was sleeping except Rin and Kaede.
"Priestess Oki-sama, how are ye?" Kaede welcomed warmly.
"I am better than ever Kaede-sama, but this talk of a coming war does frighten me. That's why I had to come. If there is anyway that I can help to prevent it, I will." Priestess Oki said pleasantly.
"Kagome! Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin hollered happily and ran out of the hut and straight into their arms. "I have been playing with Kaede-sama all day, but I missed you. How come you did not take me with you?" Rin asked.
Kagome bent down to Rin's level. "Sorry Rin, we just thought it would be better for you to stay here with Kaede. Plus, Sesshoumaru already had to carry two of us back, I don't think he would want to have to carry three." Kagome explained.
"I could've." Sesshoumaru proudly announced from behind her.
"I never said you couldn't. I just said that you probably wouldn't want to." Kagome said, fixing Rin's kimono.
"But I could've." Sesshoumaru said again, half saying it just to bug Kagome.
Kagome stood up and gave the youkai an irritated glare. "I know you could have." She said, sounding like she could combust.
Sesshoumaru smirked slightly when she wasn't looking. He always found it amusing of how easily he could get his mate going.
"Let's go inside. It's getting very late. There's not much room, but it is cozy." Kaede said, and she walked side by side with Oki to the hut's entrance.
Kagome went to follow, when Sesshoumaru caught her shoulder. Suddenly she felt a warm breath glide across her ear, the warmth made her shiver with the night's cool air that hit the same spot. "It's been awhile." She heard him whisper.
Kagome knew exactly what he meant, and she had been craving for it too. The night before they couldn't do anything with each other because they were in Kaede's hut. She looked back at Sesshoumaru, who motioned towards the woods.
"Rin, I know we were gone today, and you never got to see us much, but me and Sesshoumaru haven't gotten any alone time for a long time. Do you think you would be alright sleeping in the hut with Kaede-sama and Oki-sama?" Kagome asked nicely.
Rin stuck out her lower lip.
"I promise that tomorrow we'll spend time together, just like we do at home." Kagome added.
Rin's lip went back in and her face turned into a bright smile. "Okay, you promise?"
"Cross my heart and hope to die." Kagome replied playfully.
"Okay. Goodnight!" Rin said happily and ran into the hut.
Kagome smiled and looked at Sesshoumaru. He had a sadistic look on his face, and a moment later he swept Kagome up in his arms.
Quickly he found a nice spot of grass surrounded by trees. He set Kagome on her feet and kept his arm around her shoulders while he glanced around. When he knew everything was safe, he returned all his attention on Kagome, and began kissing her soft lips.
Kagome kissed back and moved her hands up and down his back, sliding her nails along his spine. She couldn't believe the sensation she was feeling just from the touch of his lips. It had been awhile.
Sesshoumaru moved one of his hands to her front and slowly sled it up under her shirt to her chest. He began to breathe harder as his kisses became rougher. He could smell, and easily see Kagome's arousal as her kisses became less and she closed her eyes. Sesshoumaru moved to her neck and became entangled in her intoxicating, sweet scent.
Kagome felt Sesshoumaru's arms move to pull her shirt off and then they made their way to her back. As he unclipped her bra, she began to remove his kimono. Sesshoumaru didn't take long to help her. With as much as he wore, it took longer to get it off, but they didn't mind, it only heightened the anxiety of getting to what's underneath it all.
Kagome moved her hands along his back and then across his front, making sure she felt every curve of every ab. She then suddenly closed her eyes and wrapped both hands around his neck, when his hand unzipped her jeans and made its way down.
Sesshoumaru carefully laid her down on the soft grass, and continued to kiss her neck as she arched her back up towards him.
Letting go of his neck, she couldn't do anything except want more, and try not to be too loud.
As soon as Sesshoumaru felt her begin to tremble of ecstasy, he removed his hand and entered her. He relished in her scent and ecstasy, as he moved in rhythm to her body.
Thankfully, the only things that could hear the cries of pure bliss that night were the animals in the forest.
Kagome awoke, feeling very content and rested. She glanced behind her and noticed that Sesshoumaru wasn't there anymore. He had covered her body by putting her shirt and jeans over her like a blanket. "Who's that?" She said, as she heard a twig snap in the woods ahead of her. She lifted to a sitting position and grabbed the shit that fell off of her chest.
"Morning."
Kagome looked behind her to find Sesshoumaru all dressed and ringing water out of his hair. "Good morning." She said with a smiled. "But, I thought I just heard someone coming from ahead of me." She said, looking into the woods.
Sesshoumaru sniffed for a moment. "There's no one there. Sounds can fool people when they are in a large forest, that's why youkai go by scent." He replied. "There's a hotspring just over there if you want to bath."
Kagome smiled. "I know, I use to bathe in that spring a lot. Actually, me and Sango did. We'd have great talks." She said, remembering all the good times she had with Sango.
"I'll wait right here for you if you want." Sesshoumaru said.
"No, I'd like it if you came with me and just sat on the bank." She replied.
"Alright." He said and then followed Kagome to the spring after she had put her clothes on. She told him she didn't like the idea of walking naked through the woods.
When they arrived, there was a thin line of steam hovering over the calm water. "Looks nice." Kagome said as she undressed herself. She slowly walked in and enjoyed the warm water on her legs.
Sesshoumaru moved to the bank closest to her and sat down, watching his beautiful mate.
Kagome laid her head against a rock and looked at Sesshoumaru. "Talk to me." She said with a smile.
"What do you want to talk about?" He replied. He was never a conversation starter.
"Um, I'm not sure. Talk about our future." She said.
Sesshoumaru didn't know what to say about the future. He never really thought of it, but he did know one thing. "I know you'll be there."
"I will?" She asked, seeing if he would say why she would be there.
"Yes. You will be there for years. I am going to get the jewel back from Kikyou and we're going to make that wish. Rin will be there too." He replied softly.
Kagome's heart sank. She didn't think there was any way that both her and Rin could live as long as Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru, how can both of us live as long as you?" She asked, hoping that he knew the answer.
"I don't know. But I'll find a way. Maybe our wish could be something like this; I wish for Kagome and Rin to have the same lifespan as Sesshoumaru."
Kagome had to stifle a laugh at how proper he made his wish. She didn't often get to hear him speak so freely. "I don't know if that will work."
"It's worth trying, is it not?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Yes, it definitely is." Kagome replied.
"And if it is possible that it won't work, I could wish for myself to have the life of a human."
"No, I don't like that." Kagome said. "You were born knowing you would live for hundreds and hundreds of years, I would never let you go backwards from that."
Sesshoumaru didn't say anything more on the subject. He could tell it upset Kagome.
"How do you plan on getting the jewel back from Kikyou?"
Sesshoumaru didn't answer, just smirked, which scared Kagome.
"Where have you guys been? Yesterday you were up before dawn and today you arrive way after dawn?" InuYasha asked as Sesshoumaru and Kagome came out of the forest.
"Good morning." Oki said in her soft voice as she walked out of Kaede's hut.
"Good morning Oki-sama." Kagome greeted warmly.
"So, when are we going to start training to stop this war?" Kikyou asked, standing beside InuYasha.
"Well, very soon. Who knows how soon this war is going to come. Why don't we start today in the after." Kagome replied.
"What kind of training to you expect us to do?" InuYasha asked.
"Well, you and Sesshoumaru could practice your fighting skills or something, and Kaede, Kikyou, Oki, and me can start practicing on how big of a barrier we can make together." Kagome replied.
"How big do you expect this barrier to be?" Kikyou asked.
"Big enough to hold back the army." Kagome answered.
Kikyou gave Kagome an impossible look.
"Anyway, I have to see to Rin, so how about we all meet here at one o' clock?"
"Sounds good." Oki replied.
The group then departed their separate ways. Sesshoumaru followed Kagome to Kaede's hut. "Did you see it?"
"Huh? See what?" Kagome asked, not sure what he was talking about.
"The mark on Kikyou's neck. She finally let InuYasha take her as his mate." Sesshoumaru replied.
"Oh, really? That's great! InuYasha has always loved her with all his heart." Kagome said, happy for InuYasha. "Rin, want to go outside and do something?"
Rin nodded her head happily and ran to the door.
"I think I'm just going to take a walk around." Sesshoumaru said and left the girls to have fun with each other.
Sesshoumaru really had nothing to do, so he decided to take a walk around the village. While some of the villagers stared at him as if he was gong to suddenly sprout claws and fangs, he was in deep thoughts and didn't notice them.
He didn't want to admit it to anyone; especially Kagome, but he had very little hope that their plan to stop the war was going to work. Trying to change the future he thought wasn't a good idea anyway. He had already been through the war once, and knew the size of it. He believed the mikos would be able to make a big enough barrier to hold the army back for awhile, but it wouldn't stop them forever. He only wished he had the strength to let Kagome know, but she was so passionate about stopping the war, that it would hurt her too much.
Sesshoumaru knew only one thing for sure; Rin had to be taken to the well soon before the war did come. Inside he wished that Kagome would allow him to take her to her mother's to wait until the war was over too. But Kagome would never agree with that. All he could make sure of is that when the army came, he wouldn't let Kagome out of his sight.
"Hey Sesshoumaru!"
Sesshoumaru turned his head to find InuYasha coming towards him. "What do you want, InuYasha?"
InuYasha wasn't used to Sesshoumaru being around so much, but he did want to talk to him nicely if it was possible. "What are you doing? Where's Kagome?" He asked, walking along side his half brother.
"I'm passing time while Kagome and Rin spend their own time together." Sesshoumaru answered, not looking at his hanyou brother.
"Do you think this plan of Kagome's is going to work?" InuYasha asked. "If what you say is all true, then you've been through this war, so you should know how bad it will be." He said sincerely.
Sesshoumaru could see InuYasha staring at him out of the corner of his eye. It always irritated him when InuYasha did that, but this time he didn't mind as much. It made him wonder if Kagome had made him softer, or maybe he was just more patient than he use to be. "I did go through the war. And no, I don't think Kagome's plan is going to work. I think it will hold everything back for awhile, but sooner or later the humans will find a way around, or break through the barrier."
InuYasha felt his stomach plummet. If it were all true, then maybe he would die in this war. Maybe he'd lose Kikyou again, forever.
"But." Sesshoumaru's voice interrupted InuYasha's thoughts. "Kagome's plan could help save many youkai lives and...human lives, with out help." He said, wishing he wouldn't be saving any bastard humans either.
"What do you mean?" InuYasha asked.
"Kagome never liked this idea, but from inside the barrier we could use our powers to kill off a number of the army. Our attacks could go outside the barrier but their attacks can't get inside it. We could lower their numbers."
InuYasha couldn't believe it! Was Sesshoumaru actually talking about working together with him? InuYasha couldn't keep his mouth shut; "have you gone soft?" He blurted out.
Sesshoumaru still never looked at InuYasha, but smirked. "Not too much, cause after this war, I'm taking the Tetsusaiga from you. That's if you're still alive by then." He said, knowing the last part would bug InuYasha.
"I won't be dead! And you won't be able to get my sword!" InuYasha hollered.
"Things have changed." Sesshoumaru said, as he lifted his left arm and moved his fingers. He loved that he could hold the Tetsusaiga now. "If the war doesn't kill you, then I will after I'm through with taking your sword." Sesshoumaru said emotionlessly.
InuYasha was slightly confused about why he had looked at his arm, but he had enough and strode away. 'How can he be talking about us fighting against a war together, and then the next moment say he's going to kill me! He'll never get my sword!' He thoughts as he marched back to his house.
"Come on Kagome, everyone is waiting for you." Sesshoumaru said when he found both Rin and Kagome in Kaede's garden.
"It's one o' clock already?" Kagome asked, astonished at how fast the time went. She wanted to train, but would rather stay with Rin. They had such a good time talking and playing together. "Rin, I must go now. But I will be sleeping in the hut tonight, so don't worry; you will see me. In fact you can come watch us practice for defending against the coming army if you'd like." Kagome said.
"Okay." Rin agreed to the offer and followed her and Sesshoumaru to the front of the village.
Kagome smiled when she seen that everyone had come. "Well let's do this. How about all four of us mikos get together and see how big of a barrier we can create?" She suggested.
"There is two things you're not considering." Kikyou said. "There is a difference between how big of a barrier we can make, and how strong the barrier can be."
"Really? Can you explain that a little more Kikyou?" Kagome asked, not completely sure what Kikyou meant, but she truly wanted to know and learn.
"The bigger the barrier, the less effective it is. We might be able to make a large one, but it wouldn't hold out an army for as long as a smaller one. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Kikyou finished.
"Yes, I do. Thanks Kikyou, I did not know that." Kagome said.
"Why don't we just see what we can accomplish for now." Oki said nicely.
"Alright, now let's all focus on our power at once." Kaede said, wanting to just get on with it.
All four of them focused on their powers. Kaede, Oki, and Kikyou were all glowing pink. Kagome was glowing but not so brightly. Sesshoumaru just stood by, watching them. It was easy to see that Kagome was the inexperienced one, and he wished that he could have trained her in the ways of a priestess. But he knew that Kagome could probably kick their ass physically, especially with a sword in her hand.
For their first time together, the barrier they created was massive. Sesshoumaru and InuYasha watched it sweep over them and then go further and further until they could just barely see it out on the horizon. "I don't think we're gonna need it that big. We need it closer to us to we can see the army." Sesshoumaru said.
"Yeah, that's true." Kagome said as they looked out at their barrier. All together they stopped and made the barrier disappear.
For the rest of the afternoon, the mikos joined their powers and continued to create barriers. They tried some big ones and then some smaller ones. In the end they still didn't know which barrier would be best to use against the army.
At one time Kagome had looked over at the two inu's and told them to do something. But it didn't surprise her that they wouldn't train together. The whole time they watched, they hadn't said a word to each other.
Sunset came quickly and everyone made their way to their own places. Kaede made a nice meal for all four of her guests. Once they were done eating, Kagome, Kaede, and Oki washed their dishes and talked, while Sesshoumaru tried to entertain Rin.
"Kagome, have you ever wondered if we're doing the right thing? What I mean is, do you think it is wise to try and change the future?" Oki asked politely.
"Yes, I have thought about that, and honestly I'm not sure what the answer is. But whenever I do think about it, I always come to the conclusion that there is no harm in trying if it could save many lives." Kagome replied as she dried another wooden bowl.
"That's true. I just hope that changing the future isn't a mistake. What if there was a reason for demons' extinction? Maybe it would be bad if there were youkai in the future." Oki thought.
"I don't know. Well, you can't say fully extinct, because Sesshoumaru was there. Demons have lived with humans since the beginning of time, so why couldn't they continue to live with us?" Kagome said.
Oki dropped the subject. It was all too deep, and unanswerable.
"Alright men! You've spent song long, harsh hours training, and I must say that you all look ready for war!" The Chief of the army bellowed out. The sun had disappeared behind him, making night loom over the land quickly.
The army of men cheered at their Chief's words. Their cheers were loud because of how many men there were. Two days earlier the second army had arrived, and now they were numbered in the thousands. All of them highly trained, and ready for battle.
After the cheers lowered, a man's voice could be heard amongst the crowd; "I still think it's a bad idea!"
"Oh stuff it! You're just saying that because you're a coward!" Another man replied, which created a second uproar.
"Shutup!" The Chief hollered. "Shutup!" After a moment the men settled down. "Get a goodnight's sleep, you're all gonna need it! Tomorrow we start marching whether you agree with this war or not, and we're going to slaughter every demon along the way! Goodnight everybody." He finished and turned to his own sleeping quarters for a goodnight's sleep.
AN: Well everyone, we're starting to get very close to the war! I wonder what's gonna happen? I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and it was longer than my last one, yay!
