Here you guys go! Please don't be mad at me.I tried to get this up asap! Hope it was worth the wait...And while it may not be as long as some of the others, I promise to make the next chapter EXTRA special. Lol...Or in other words, extra long!
X'ith slammed a black, smokey fist down on the midnight black table. A large crack split the surface, but it didn't break. "What happened?" He roared at Chii, red eyes blazing to match his rage.
Chii stood in her Shadow Demon form, her white eyes simmering in rage as well. "I don't know. That has never happened to me before." Quicker then thought, X'ith back handed Chii, sending her across the room and into the black marble walls. A large fissure ran up the walls from where she struck it, the force causing the marble to crack.
"You should have not pressed him like that! You should have had all possibilities covered!" X'ith sneered, stalking closer to her. The feint smell of fire trailed him while his eyes blazed with it.
Chii struggled up against the dizzying pain. While she had technically 'died' on the surface, Sesshomaru had not used his magical blades to kill her, luckily for her. Because Sesshomaru had only destroyed her demon form, Chii was sent back. Much to the displeasure of X'ith. Here she could really be hurt and killed. X'ith, being shadow demon as well, could hurt and completely destroy her. If he did, she would cease to exist. If she died here, her very soul was snuffed out. Being on the Council did not mean she was invincible.
X'ith glared down at her in disgusted rage. The shadow demoness took too long, by his accounts, to get up. X'ith reached down, his thick shadow claw gripping her neck. The Shadow Demon Lord jerked her up by her neck, red fangs flashing. "You're lucky I don't send you to the pits, where your filthy hide deserves to be," he hissed between blood red canines. "If the Miko was dead, I would be on the surface. Do you know what you cost me? How close I was?" Since she was unable to answer, he threw her away from him. Chii's body slammed into another wall, but did not break it this time. Her arm, however, snapped. Chii grunted in pain, but knew better to do or say anymore then that. Instantly, her shadow flesh began to mend itself.
When her head stopped spinning, Chii managed to find X'ith in the dark room. His red eyes stood out angrily against this black face. "I'm going to send you back. This time, you are going to kill the Miko. No more games. No more tricks. Just kill her. I don't care how, all that matters is that you do," X'ith ordered before instantly appearing before her. His thick black legs bent so he was down to her level, looking into her pure white eyes. "You remember this, Chii. If you don't kill the Miko, and if Sesshomaru somehow manages to send you back here once more, I'll kill you. You will get no more chances. You will cease to exist." His flaming eyes gazed at her, making sure she understood without a doubt that he meant it. With that, X'ith stood and walked out of the room.
Chii nursed her broken arm until it was fully healed. She wanted to lay on the floor where she was until the rest of her body quit hurting, but she knew better. X'ith hadn't given her a time when he would send her, so she had some time to see to a few things down here.
Kagome's mind slowly drifted out of sleep. She didn't want to wake up and find it was all a dream. Kagome tested her fingers, finding they still moved to her will. She could feel her hands, wrists, and her legs. She moved them slightly, enough to feel the soft sheets rub against them. While she was moving her leg, she brushed up against something hard and warm. Kagome froze, pulling her leg away from the contact. Her eyes opened to slits, peering in to the pitch black room. That meant it was probably still either really late or too early for the sun to be over the horizon.
Kagome then noticed something draped across her stomach. She lifted her hand, trailing it down the arm until she came into contact with a hand. Her fingers rested lightly on the hand, a very real hand. Just like when she had escaped the black room that had trapped her within her own mind, she was overcome with joy and overwhelming happiness. A lonely tear slid down the side of her face, unable to be contained. Kagome felt the hand move from hers and wipe the tear away.
"Kagome?" came his concerned whisper that broke the silence of the darkness around them.
"I didn't want it to be a dream," she replied softly, feeling his arms tighten around her as he pulled her closer to him. Kagome snuggled into him, afraid the darkness around her would pull him away. She felt him roll on top of her, his hair creating a small sanctuary where only they existed. Her mate's sheltering presence blocked out everything, and left only him there. Kagome looked into his amber eyes that flashed slightly when a small amount of light from the moon hit them.
"You don't have to worry any more, I'm here," Sesshomaru whispered in his smooth and very masculine voice.
Kagome glanced away, ashamed to admit she was still afraid. "It feels like years have passed since I last saw you, since I was able to hear your voice," she whispered, trying to hide the slight crack in her voice. Fear not yet banished laced her sweet voice. "I was so afraid I would never see you again, never be able to be with you." Sesshomaru listened to her as realization crept over him. She was still afraid something was going to happen to him. The whole experience left her shaken and the loss of contact had torn at her, ate away her resolve.
Sesshomaru gently wiped the new tears that escaped her tentative hold. The salty smell hung thick in the air, almost covering up her sweet smell. "I'm sorry it took me so long to come to you," Sesshomaru stated, nuzzling into her neck, feeling her arms pull him closer to her.
"Sessho, don't you dare blame yourself," Kagome scolded, almost smiling as the warmth from his form felt as it it was warming her very soul. She felt so comfortable, so wanted, so... safe. Plus, the warm breath on her neck was causing shivers of longing to course up and down her spine.
Sesshomaru leaned back enough to look at his mate through the darkness that now sheltered them from the rest of the world. "But..." he began before he was silenced with a small finger on his lips.
"I know you came as soon as you could, love." Kagome smiled softly, easily able to read the pain in his eyes, even if his expression remained completely neutral.
"I could have been here sooner but I was trapped..."he admitted quietly.
His mate listened to the soft sound of his breathing as she mulled over his words. "That was why I was trapped, wasn't it?" she asked carefully.
"Yes," Sesshomaru quietly admonished. Kagome looked up at him with some confusion before realizing he blamed himself. He was acting as though it was all his fault.
Kagome smiled for him, a smile no other saw but him. "Sessho," she cooed lovingly, drawing his attention to her. "I know you did all you could. All that matters now is that you're with me."
"It just made me realize how I almost lost you." Kagome could sense how vulnerable he felt and she knew he did not like feeling defenseless. That he trusted her so with his heart, opening himself up and leaving all the walls down, made her realize what a profound change had overcome him. He wasn't used to caring for someone like he did for her, and he had almost lost her. To him, that was failing to protect her. Kagome looked up into his eyes, almost able to read his mind through those amber orbs. It was like she could see his dark thoughts, he blamed himself for her pain. "I almost betrayed you, betrayed our bond." He spoke so softly Kagome barely heard him. This, his mate knew, was the root of it all.
Kagome's thoughts instantly flashed to the very real dream she had, of him in the woods with another demon. That dream had forced her from sleep, crying as though she, herself, had witnessed the whole event. "In the woods?" As much as she didn't want to know, as much as she didn't want to hear him say it, Kagome also knew he wanted nothing left unsaid or unfinished between them. He would rather have her be mad at him then keep something from her. To him, that would be the worst kind of betrayal.
"Hai. And almost once more before I came here." Sesshomaru immediately drew his emotions deep within, walling them up, as he awaited her response.
"How did you escape?" Kagome questioned, seeing him look away from her.
"She commanded me to kiss her, like I kiss you," Sesshomaru told her in a detatched voice. He felt her body tense under his, waiting for him to finish and preparing for the worst. "When she did, I was finally able to break her hold over me. I was only able to do so by reverting into my demonic rage. I gave everything to it. In the end, I killed her and about half the army. Only once I was in your presence was I able to calm down and force my blood to cool."
Kagome stared up at him in stunned silence. 'Half the army?' To say she was speechless was a grave understatement. What could she say? She had been locked in a suffocating darkness while her mate was the play thing to some sick and twisted demon. Hearing what he was subjected to caused anger to bubble up within her. Not at him, but at the demon that had put him through it. If she wasn't already dead, Kagome would've have purified her personally.
Sesshomaru looked down at her through the darkness that still claimed the room. He could easily read the emotions in his mate's eyes. It still took him by surprise how open she was, how readable. He didn't understand why she loved him so much. He was cold, unemotional...Before he had been her mate. Sesshomaru's Youkai blood claimed her, would not let another touch her. The fact he trusted her so strengthened his resolve to do what he had to in order to keep her. While he knew he acted different around his emotional mate, Sesshomaru suspected she could read him like no other could.
Kagome watched him carefully. His expression remained neutral but looking into those golden eyes she loved, she saw how distraught he was. Kagome saw the Demon Lord of the West, her mate, was torn, tired, and weary. As soon as the sun crested above the horizon, he would cease to just be Sesshomaru, her love, and he would once again be the great TaiYoukai of the West. So much depended on him, so much weight rested on those strong shoulders.
Kagome reached up, placing her palm on his cheek. He slightly leaned into her touch, grateful she didn't condemn him for his actions. "Sessho," Kagome whispered softly, "I love you."
That simple phrase lifted some of that weight off of his shoulders. He looked down into her eyes, plainly able to read the love and devotion there. "What would I do without you? Who would I be?" He whispered in slight wonder.
Surprisingly, the miko beneath him giggled softly. "You'd be the Great Ice Prince of the West." She laughed even more at the face he made.
"I still am the Great Ice Prince of the West," Sesshomaru declared arrogantly. He looked down at her with a twinkle in his amber eyes. Kagome smiled at his behavior and at how cute he looked trying to be all high and mighty.
She'd been with him too long, seen a side no other had ever glimpsed before, to look at him as anything but the sexy, caring demon he was. He was Lord Sesshomaru to everyone but her. To Kagome, he was just Sessho.
Kagome pulled him down to her, kissing him gently. The pressure of his body on hers and just his simple presence was enough to send shivers of longing course through her body. He was already laying between her legs from when he had rolled on top of her earlier. Kagome's face heated slightly as she became fully aware of their position, of his hard, warm body on hers.
Sesshomaru purred softly with longing in the back of his throat but was silently afraid to deepen the kiss. They both had been through a lot. He wasn't sure either of them were up for any kind of intimate activites. Instead, Sesshomaru kissed her jaw line, then her neck, hearing his mate's breath quicken slightly. Before he went farther then he felt he should, he pulled away. Kagome looked up at him in confusion and lust, her lips slightly parted, the question clearly on her face.
Sesshomaru couldn't help himself, he smiled. His miko was flushed and slightly confused. He couldn't prevent the thought that bubbled from his mind. She looked...cute. His smile seemed to affect her as a smile crept across her features as well.
Kagome pulled her mate to her, feeling him nuzzle into her neck and sigh a content sigh. "I love you, Kagome," he whispered softly into her neck. Kagome closed her eyes and smiled peacefully at his words. She felt warm and protected with him laying on her. Kagome would have thought she wouldn't be able to breathe with him on her like so, but she had no difficulty. If anything, she fell asleep faster then before.
Inuyasha woke slowly with the sun. He felt Suki's form nuzzled into his side. She was still sleeping. His soft ears twitched slightly as he heard shouts coming from outside the tent.
Suki was jerked out of sleep when Inuyasha sat up suddenly. "Wha...?" she mumbled sleepily, looking around. Her hair was tussled and lumped on her head. Suki looked as though she hadn't brushed it in months.
"Shh," Inuyasha hissed silently, placing a hand over hers. The sun cast a light glow on the tent walls, so Inuyasha could partially see inside the tent. But the racket was coming from outside the tent. "Stay here," he told Suki, sitting up and pulling on all of his clothes. She was about to protest, shoving the blankets off of her body when Inuyasha gave her a disproving look.
"Fine," she whispered, narrowing her eyes but remained where she was.
Inuyasha pushed the tent flap aside, blinking against the bright sun light of the morning. Demons ran to and fro. All in all, it looked like chaos. Youkai, hanyou, and humans were running about to do assigned chores. Feeling slightly irritated to be left out of what was going on, Inuyasha grabbed a hold of a snake Youkai running by. "What is going on?" He demanded.
The blue snake Youkai hissed in agitation before answering, "Your brother killed half of the other force." With that, the snake jerked away from Inuyasha, glancing to a few of his fellows, who stood behind him. The snake Youkai seemed to gain confidence now that he was no longer facing the hanyou alone. "We are to take you to Inutaishou."
"Why?" Inuyasha asked, narrowing his golden eyes.
"Your father wishes for you to return. Where is your mate?" The snake Youkai pressed, making a move to walk into the tent. Inuyasha blocked his path.
"She has already left," Inuyasha stated, holding the snake Youkai's gaze. "Escort me to my father." The others nodded, as did the supposed leader. With that, they led Inuyasha off. He glanced back at the tent, hoping Suki would make it to her father. He had bought her some time.
Suki sat, frozen in her bed. She couldn't believe it. Inuyasha had willing went with them. Why? Her first instinct was to jump out of the bed and go after him. Suki's clawed hand still held the blankets she was about to throw off.
However, her body didn't obey her command and run after Inuyasha. Icy realization washed over her. He had lied so she could get away. Suki hissed a curse between gritted teeth. 'How dare he!' she thought as she silently crawled out of bed, slipped on her clothes, then crept to the back of the tent. One of her claws pierced the back of the tent canvas, slicing a small slit for her to peek out of. All the activity was in front of the tent. She had a chance to escape.
Suki made the incision longer before carefully slipping out of the tent. She felt extremely exposed in the early morning sun. Suki's golden hair flipped this way and that as she scanned the woods around her. Wanting to get out from in the open, Suki jumped into the nearest tree, then scanned the area once more. Fortunately, no one had seen her. With that, Suki snuck off into the woods, hoping her mate would be ok.
Heys! I know this one isn't as long, but...well, I've been a tad over worked what with school and work. Plus, I figured you guys didn't want to wait. Oh, and since I currently have some time on my hands, I'll go ahead and respond to the reviews. A few more things I want to mention before I get into that is the fact that I have another, shorter fan fic being written at this time. Rebels. I'd appreciate it if you guys read it for me.
Reviewer's Responses:
Kaora (Killer review. Thankies!)
FairyElementFire ( I'll continue writing, I promise. It might take me a bit to update, but I promise I won't leaving you hanging.)
Ringo-chan (Lol. I'll write. I love to anyways.)
Reika (I'll email you if I get a chance. I'm just not good at remembering that sort of thing.)
AMI MIZUNO 1 (There's more, just hasn't been posted.)
Inuy (Thankies.)
Destinedragon (Ah, you were the one I was concerned about. I know my spelling sucks. Lol. I just can't seem to spell worth anything. That names? I have no clue. I made most of them up. As for the mark, in the chapter "Levels and Colors? What?" when Derenti entered Kagome's mind and found the mark, he mentions the fact that only Sesshomaru would be able to take it away. Since Inu marked Suki, he could do the same. She wouldn't go crazy because the mark would be completely removed. There would be no contact between her and him. If this didn't help any, check my space at msn. I'll try to explain better.)
Shadows-insanity
Kayti (Sorry it ended. This a little better?)
Ptbear (Thankies)
Niaka1 (Your questions will be answered in time. Lol.)
Fisshu (Thankies! Yay)
Ayumi, Bringer of Death (Thanks for the complements! I'm happy you like my fanfic! 'Grins')
Demented Dope (Sorry. Here's more!)
Ai tenshi (If/when they do the life bond, then Kagome will live as long as he will.)
Me (Thankies)
SquirrelLou (My friend told me she was late to work reading it. Oops. Lol)
SilverShadowKitsune (For my sake? Man, a lot of people want to kill me if I don't update...Lol.)
Brittney the tree( first off, interesting name. Lol. Thankies!)
KouseiJL (I'm glad you weren't disappointed)
Some1 that likes ur story (I might write a sequel, I don't know.)
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Dbzfan135 (Glad you stuck with me all this time!)
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Shadowhunter2014 ( I'll try.)
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Fluffy li (Glad you love it! Here's more and soon more to come!)
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DaNiCHaN (Here's more.)
Piper of the charmed ones (You know, I love that show! 'Charmed'. Anyways, Glad you loved it!)
Miko's sorrow (Lol. Here's an update.)
Tsuki Yume (I can't tell whether to be happy or a lil saddened by your review.)
Sveta89 (More? I don't know...'teasing you')
the-piro-16 (Lol. I enjoyed Killing chii. Even though I would have liked it more if she would've been tortured. Oh well. Lol.)
Fluffyscatdemon (I'm happy their together too!)
Yoshiko k (Nopes, she's not dead yet.)
SilverWolfbaby (Didn't mean to make you cry.)
Yuya2 (Thankies!)
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Allyct160 (They have been through a lot, huh.)
Hamasaki (Glad this chapter answered some of those questions.)