A/N: Noooo! Rin! Man, those Inuyasha chapters just keep putting everyone in mortal peril. So Kohaku admits thatit was his fault that Rin, ahem..."died" , and lo! and behold! Sesshoumaru-sama, who before, claimed he didn't care about Rin's life goes "I MUST SAVE HER!1one!" Geez...alot of Sess/Rin fans are going to be happy. Sigh...If only Kagura was here...
And much to my fangirlish disappointment, the Master of Hell doesn't seem to be Inu-Papa. Phooey. I REALLY wanted to see manga-fied Inu-Papa...I haven't seen the scantlations yet, I'm really not sure what he is...but its clear he's not the one we've all been waiting for.
And Jaken vs. Sessmom...XD
Too bad that there's gonna be a two week break after this week's chapter...it seemed like forever just to get to this one!
(NO ONE got the title from the last chapter! It's from Return of the King, remember? Pippin goes "It's so quiet...", Then Gandalf says, "It's the deep breath before the plunge." I thought my name would give a bit of a hint, at least. I can't believe I'm the only real (retired) Ringwraith/obessive LOTR fan here...)
Chapter 26: The Eternal Bond
"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, jumping for her after the birds carried her off. He jumped off one of the hut's rooftops, extending his hand towards her as she tried to reach with her own.
"Inuyasha, help!" she called once more as his fingers were mere inches from hers…before the vulture youkai swooped upwards just as he began to fall down.
"Damn it!" he yelled, as his feet touched the ground, looking back up at Kagome. If he couldn't reach her now, he could at least follow her! Looking back at his companions, he yelled, "You stay here and protect the villagers! I'm going after Kagome!"
Just as he was about to take off after them, the remaining birds suddenly swooped up high above them, creating a ring around the village, before diving down and shooting fire from their beaks. A flame shot up, encircling the small village, increasing the screams from the villagers.
"What the hell?" the hanyou roared, watching as the flames grew higher, cutting the entire village off from the outside world.
While they stared at the wall of fire, wondering how they were going to get free, a single vulture youkai swooped down towards them. Kirara, in her large form, jumped for it, but its beak slammed into her, causing the nekomata to fall back to the ground and turn back into her small form.
Sango ran towards her pet. "Kirara!" she knelt down and took the neko youkai into her hands. Kirara looked that she would be alright once she healed, but it still had worried her. Glancing back at Inuyasha, while he glared at the flames blocking their way, she asked, "How are we going to get Kagome-chan? Kirara is our only way over these flames!"
"I'll go. Like I said, you stay here and protect the villagers," Inuyasha said, sheathing his sword and looking towards the climbing circle of fire.
"Inuyasha, are you sure you will be all right?" Miroku asked, his gaze flicking towards the fire. The fire was intense, and combined with the extra warmth they had been having, it was stifling.
"Keh. I've got this, remember?" he said, indicating to the fire rat haori. "Besides, I can take more than you humans any day. I won't come back until I've found her!"
As Inuyasha took off, speeding towards the fire, Shippou called after him, "Be careful, Inuyasha!" He didn't respond.
Shutting his eyes, he braced himself as he ran into the fire. Though the fire rat haori protected him from burning, the heat was enough to make sweat build up on his forehead. He covered his face with one of his arms, the robe protecting him, until he finally came out the other end.
The hanyou coughed, and took deep breaths for a minute, before glancing at the horizon. Kagome was no where to be seen. But her beautiful scent led the way. Gripping the hilt of his sword as he took off in another run, Inuyasha thought, Don't worry Kagome, I'm coming to save you!
Kagome glanced back and saw the village, ringed with fire, shrinking into the distance. Her heart was filled with fear for her friends. Sango-chan, Mirok-sama, Shippou-chan, Inuyasha…please be okay!
She was becoming more afraid by the second. Why did these youkai kidnap her? And where were they taking her? This was one of the times she wished she had her bow and arrows, but she decided being dropped over a hundred feet by freeing herself wasn't exactly the best idea.
Kagomesoon spotted where they were heading. They were flying towards a cave in a cliff, and from how long it had been, she guessed it must be a few miles or so from the village. Their nest, maybe? she wondered.
The two birds flew into the small cave and suddenly released her. With a yelp, she fell to the cold, stone floor, only to glance up at a frightening sight, the biggest and oldest of the vulture youkai. It had grey feathers amidst the black, and the eyes, which in the others were yellow, were bright red. She could see the glow of a Shikon shard coming from the youkai's chest.
Frightened, Kagome instantly scooted back onto a pile of hay that resembled a bed. The youkai walked towards her, making her press herself against the rough wall of rock in an effort to stay as far away as possible. This youkai…what does he want with me?
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango yelled, throwing her boomerang once more at the youkai. It took out one, but there were still many more in their path. When she caught it, she looked back at Miroku, who took another one down by a swing of his staff. "Houshi-sama! There's too many left!"
"You're right," he grabbed the prayer beads wrapped around his right hand. "I guess I have no other choice!" Ripping them off, he extended his right hand towards the birds, yelling, "Kazaana!"
All of a sudden, the youkai found themselves pulled towards the monk while a force of wind overtook them and pulled them into the void. Miroku clenched his teeth and braced himself while more and more youkai were pulled into the cursed hole in his hand until at last, they had all disappeared. Clenching his fist and closing the void, he wrapped the beads around his wrist again, sealing the Kazaana.
Looking towards the circle of fire, Sango was surprised to see that it had not dissipated. "What is going on? I thought that once the youkai were dead…"
"I thought so, too," Miroku agreed, glancing at the flames. "It appears that we'll just have to wait until they burn out, as they don't seem to be getting any closer towards the village."
"It seems so odd, though," the exterminator commented, gathering up Kirara in her arms. "It's as if the flames are there to keep us in…and they appeared right after they took Kagome-chan…"
"Vulture youkai would seek out the easiest thing to get for food, not wait to take a person specifically," Miroku commented, remembering how they had all crowded around Kagome, before they took her. "That means they want something else out of her…but what?"
Shippou jumped on Sango's shoulder. "Do you think they took her because she is a miko?"
"Perhaps," The monk agreed, narrowing his eyes. "But what could they want with a miko?"
After the youkai got close enough that she could smell it, Kagome decided to try her luck. "What do you want from me?"
A laugh was heard from the old vulture youkai. So it seemed it could talk. "We were told to take the miko, and separate her from her companions."
That caused Kagome's eyes to widen. I knew it! Someone is using them! She asked again, "Why? How told you this?"
Again, the youkai laughed. "Why should we tell you, little miko?"
"If I'm going to be kidnapped, then I should know who's behind it!"
"You have spunk, little miko, you'll make a tasty meal," the vulture youkai said, leaning forward as if sniffing her, Kagome backed into the wall once more. "If you want to know, since you'll die anyways, the one who told us was the man with the Shikon shards."
A gasp escaped Kagome. I knew it! It is Naraku! But why? "If you were going to eat me before, then you would have done it already. Why are you sparing me?"
The red youkai's eyes flashed. "We were told to wait until all your companions are dead. Our kind of youkai gain powers by absorbing them from different youkai we eat. We were told by this person that we could have your powers and the Shikon shards you carry once your friends have died. Which should be very, very soon."
Kagome's breath caught in her throat. No! It can't be…I've got to do something…I've got to get out of here!
Seeing her face, the vulture laughed, "Yes, little miko. Soon they will be dead. And you along with them!"
Finding a rock behind her that fit easily into her grip, she suddenly made an enraged face and yelled, "Not today!" With that, she tossed the rock as hard as she could towards the youkai, bolting from her spot when it hit the youkai in the head.
Kagome ran towards the exit, but was instantly stopped in her path as two of the vultures that were hiding outside, came up and blocked her way out. With a gasp she stumbled back, hearing the cursing from their leader from behind her.
"Damn miko!" he roared, slamming his clawed foot into her, pinning her against the rock wall of the cave. She trembled in fear as he advanced on her. "I don't care if I made a deal with that man, I knew you were too much trouble to keep alive."
The other two vultures advanced on her, making Kagome begin to tremble with fear. "Say your prayers, little miko!" She clamed her eyes shut, screaming with her mind, Inuyasha, Inuyasha!
Her prayers were answered. "Kagome!" her hanyou yelled, leaping into the cave at that moment. All three youkai turned on him in an instant.
"Still alive, are you, hanyou?" the leader of the youkai asked, stepping forward.
"Keh. You bet I am." He unsheathed Tessaiga, the sword transforming into its true form. "Now it's time for you to die!"
Despite how strong the youkai boasted they were, they were no match for Inuyasha. He couldn't let loose the Kaze no Kizu because Kagome was so close, but one swing of his Tessaiga killed the two guards. All that was left was the leader of those youkai.
"Damn you, hanyou!" It yelled stepping back as Inuyasha jumped for him.
Tightening his grip on Tessaiga, Inuyasha said, "Keh. You're the leader, eh?"
"Be careful, Inuyasha! He's got a shikon shard!" Kagome yelled.
Inuyasha turned to look at her. "What? Why didn't you tell me that before, woman?"
"You just got here!"
While they bickered, the youkai only laughed. "I see. He told me you could see the shards." Glancing back at Kagome, the vulture said, "I think I've found a new use for you, miko."
The red eyes of the vulture widened, and suddenly, it seemed as if invisible ropes bound her, and thrust her in front of the youkai. She gave a gasp as the youkai just laughed. "Kagome!" Inuyasha stopped what would have been an attack when he realized what the youkai was doing. Damn him, he's using her as a shield!
"Now hanyou, how will you save your miko?" the youkai asked, opening his mouth and expelling a small tuft of flame. "If you get any closer, I will end her life in an instant."
Inuyasha began to growl as his hands trembled on his sword, itching to rush forward and kill the youkai that was threatening (as his possessive, youkai blood told him) his mate. But he knew well enough that irrational actions like that would only get Kagome killed. His eyes glanced around quickly for any thing to help.. What can I do to save her?
The invisible ropes that held Kagome suspended in air seemed to only get tighter. She couldn't move her legs or her arms, and only hope that Inuyasha could find to help. The youkai was so close that she could feel his feathers beneath her fingertips, along with the aura of the shikon shard embedded in its chest.
Her eyes snapped open. That's it…She paused for only a second, grimacing at the thought. This is going to be sick!
The youkai behind Kagome suddenly gasped, squawking in pain. The invisible ropes dropped Kagome to the ground, and while the youkai stumbled back, a bleeding hole appearing in its chest, she cringed and held up bloody fingers…and a shikon shard.
The hanyou stared, She removed the Shikon shard?
"You damn miko!" the vulture roared, recovering all too quickly and pouncing for her, his clawed talons wrapping around her neck. While she chocked, he raised his beak, "This is the end for you, bitch!"
Blood suddenly streaked across Kagome's face, but she had felt no pain. She opened her eyes to see Tessaiga sticking through the youkai, with Inuyasha standing behind. "Nobody threatens Kagome in front of me!" he growled, before kicking the youkai off of Tessaiga and out of the cave, hearing its body smash on the rocks far below with the rest.
Inuyasha sheathed Tessaiga and then glanced at Kagome, who still looked up at him with a relieved look on her face. "Inuyasha…"
"Kagome…" He dropped to his knees and pulled her to his chest, holding her close. "Are you all right?"
"Yes…" she whispered, before he grabbed her and kissed her thoroughly. Kagome's arms pulled him closer, never wanting him to let go. She could tell that he had been worried to death about her, and with their embrace, she was calming him down.
When he pulled away, they looked into each other's eyes for a moment before coming back again. Inuyasha's hand slowly pushed up the back of her middle school shirt, which had become shorter since she had grown, and he gently caressed the bare skin of her back while her hands moved up to stroke his ears. Kagome was pulled into his lap as the fire that was in both of their bellies burned to an intensity that was scorching. With each gentle caress, with each panting breath, they knew what they wanted, and what they wanted now.
But once again, Inuyasha had to hold himself back. He pulled away, making Kagome give a small gasp in disappointment. He didn't let go of her, pulling her back into a hug and running his fingers through her hair, but he tried to make it out to amount that he was only worried about her. "I'm glad you're safe," whispered Inuyasha, content with feeling her scent wrap around him once more.
Glancing over at the Shikon shard that had fallen to the ground, still dripping with the blood of the crow youkai, Kagome regrettably moved out of Inuyasha's embrace to move towards the shard. "Naraku gave them this shard."
"Yeah…" the hanyou nodded, "But even if he did send them, they were pretty weak."
Kagome nodded before reaching down to pick it up. But the minute she touched it, another image filled her mind…The complete Shikon no Tama…sitting in a puddle of blood… she gasped and stiffened as she remembered how she had seen that before…and how she had forgotten.
Inuyasha noticed her discomfort. "Kagome?"
She shook her head, picking up the shard and placing it in the bottle along with the others. "Nothing."
The hanyou watched her as she did, noticing the necklace made out of the shell he had given her was still around her neck…and she had never taken it off since that day…that day almost a year ago…
He quickly glanced out of the entrance of the cave, watching the sun slowly set in the sky. He could also see a light on the horizon—it seemed the fire had not stopped burning despite that they had killed all the birds. "I was going to say we should get back to the others, but I wouldn't be able to carry you through the fire," Inuyasha said, glancing back at Kagome, who looked like she was trying to make a decision.
Her hand grasped the shell around her neck, as her eyes tentatively looked up at him. He could hear her heart beating frantically in her chest. She was nervous about something. "Inuyasha…"
He kneeled down next to her, wondering what was the matter. "What is it, Kagome?"
"Inuyasha," she said again, glancing back at him. "You know…we could just…stay here for the night."
His eyes widened for a moment, before lowering slightly. "Oh…okay then…if you're sure." He turned to stand up, "I'll just go get some things to make a fire—"
Inuyasha was stopped when Kagome grabbed his hand. "There's no need for that."
The hanyou's breath caught in his chest. What was she planning? "K-Kagome…?"
She smiled softly at him. "You know…this is the first time we've really been alone at night, Inuyasha…"
Whatever he thought she was getting at was clearly not the answer. His mind went blank as his heart thumped in his chest. A blush grew on his face. Oh… "A-Are you s-saying…?"
Kagome's smile slid from her face to be replaced with a calm, serene look. "Yes, Inuyasha. I…I've known for a while what you've been wanting…and secretly…I've been wanting that too." She looked away, blushing as well, her nervousness showing through.
Inuyasha gulped. He was pretty sure it wasn't just the heat wave that was causing his body to feel so hot at that moment. It was true…he couldn't help but want that, but now Kagome, his beautiful, pure, Kagome, was admitting she wanted it too? Now? He had refrained from asking her for so long because he was afraid of rejection, and it ended up being her the one that asked him for it? Somehow, he found his voice. "Kagome…are you sure this is what you want?"
She nodded once more, noting how the shadows in the growing darkness made it look as if his eyes were lit with a beautiful amber light. "Yes, Inuyasha. I'm almost seventeen now…I can make my own decisions. I decided long ago that I was ready to share this with you."
"That's not what I mean, Kagome," he told her, looking down slightly. "I mean, when we become…mates…it'll be forever. We'll be bound to each other until one of us dies, perhaps even longer. As I said before, there's no backing out of this later…it's an eternal bond. I'll ask again; Are you sure you want this, Kagome? To be bound to only me forever?"
Kagome's heart nearly broke seeing the look in his eyes. They looked slightly hopeful that she would say yes, but they also had the pain, the still lingering pain that she would reject him. Though it broke her heart, she knew he would probably never quite get over the lingering fear that she wouldn't accept him. She had to set his heart at ease, at least, for now.
Reaching for him slowly, her fingers slowly caressed his cheek. "Inuyasha…I love you. Please believe me when I say I do. I love you so much, Inuyasha…And I want to stay with you forever, always." She smiled once more, making his heart melt as her eyes sparkled at him. "You're the only person I could ever be bonded too."
"Kagome…"
"Trust me when I say I want this, Inuyasha," she whispered, her face so close to his that he could feel her warm breath on his skin. He shivered at the thought. "We don't know what the future will hold…We may never get another chance…" Her arms wrapped around his chest, and she leaned against him once more, feeling his heartbeat against her cheek. "Please, Inuyasha, make me your mate tonight. Mark me as yours…forever."
She had barely looked up at him when his lips pressed against hers once more, hungrily, possessively, claming her as his own. Kagome felt herself being slowly pushed back onto the pile of hay, and soon found herself looking up at Inuyasha, the man she loved, slowly pulling away as he whispered, "I love you, you beautiful, wonderful woman…"
His lips and hands descended on her once more, the darkness of the night only adding to the magic. As she felt his tongue slide over the pulse point in her neck once more, she couldn't hold it in as she gasped his name "Inuyasha..."
And thus, we became mates that night in the cave, binding our souls and our love to each other for all eternity.
