Disclaimer: I do not own 'Inuyasha' or any of its characters.

A/N: In this chapter, there's an explicit adult scene that had been removed to conform to rules. If if you want to read it you can find the original version on AO3.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: A dire Situation

More than ten days had passed since the last time Inuyasha had seen the dai-youkai that was his older half-brother and they still hadn't received news from him.

The night Sesshomaru had informed him of his intentions to make Rin his mate, Kagome and Inuyasha had gone to Kaede with the pups. The priestess had explained to them that the same morning Rin had met with Sesshomaru and when she was back she had told her she was leaving; Sesshomaru had asked her to be his mate and she would return when everything was settled.

When this was going to happen none of them had said.

It certainly had been abrupt for Kaede. Even if she had known the day was coming soon, it didn't help her shock. She had been living with the babbling and enthusiastic child for so much time that now her hut seemed too silent and calm. However, she was aware of how much in love the young girl was with the demon Lord and was truly happy for her. Yes, she had been surprised at the way everything had unfolded, but then, what else should she have expected from Sesshomaru? Even if she couldn't claim to know him personally, in those few years she had observed him and certainly could now outline some main traits of his character. Besides, it was impossible not to know certain things when Inuyasha still complained a lot about his shitty act. It was already a lot if he had stopped to warn his brother; the two surely had gone a long way together.

Kagome had asked her if that first night she wanted to come to their house so that she wouldn't be alone; Shippo hadn't come back yet and his room was free. Kaede had chuckled and said that before she came into her life she had been living always alone and it wouldn't be so much different now. She had patted her hand soothingly and had sent them home since the boys had fallen asleep halfway through their discourses.

Now, almost two weeks later, Inuyasha worried about their situation. It certainly wasn't convenient to be absent for this long right now, no matter the reason. The opposition was still very much active and lately, it seemed that Noboru had somehow gained more favours in the Western court. Sesshomaru wasn't creating a favourable environment for his mate to settle by disappearing on everyone. Had Inuyasha known that these were his brother's intentions he would have warned him against it, even though he knew very well how it felt to be newly mated. Yet... he wouldn't probably have thought that Sesshomaru needed that kind of warning; Inuyasha thought him smarter than this.

He waited for a messenger any day now and he hoped it was sooner rather than later. He didn't know how to move, he couldn't bring his whole family to the West because without Ah-Un the trip was way too long nor could he leave Kagome and pups alone in the village to go check on what was happening at the castle without Sesshomaru.

Now, almost two weeks later, Kagome was walking through the forest alone.

The morning had been quiet: she had finished her rounds quite soon since it seemed to be one of those blessed days where no one was ill and no one got injured. She had just checked on some villagers and then went back to the hut where Kaede was sorting herbs and preparing ointments with her two little helper's aid. When Koji had rushed inside the priestess' hut, winded and panicked, Kagome had thought she had spoked too soon. Luckily, his daughter had only a mild fever, nothing too serious but he and Mao were new to parenthood and tended to panic even with the littlest thing. Nonetheless, she had left her sons with Kaede because they were still young and she was still afraid that they could catch whatever the other kids got despite their demonic blood. Coming back from the woman's hut, she had taken advantage of the position and slightly changed her route to go and collect some aromatic herbs that grew in that part of the village closer to the aforementioned hut; they were perfect to cook a soup her men loved.

She planned to collect some herbs first, her sons after that then go home and prepare lunch for the whole family.

Humming a song and laying her basket on the ground, she started picking the herbs avoiding the weed. Not even a couple of minutes had passed when she felt a presence behind her.

It seemed to approach cautiously as if whoever was behind her was studying the situation and the best way to sneak up on her - or maybe, on second thought, this person was simply enjoying the view.

She smirked, he really thought he could sneak up on her though, didn't he? She kept collecting herbs, feigning ignorance and waited for him to finally approach.

"I see you are already prepared, koi," Inuyasha whispered breathing on her neck, his clawed hand rubbing her ass tenderly. "You're already on your knees for me," he continued leaving feathery kisses on her collarbone causing her to shiver despite the warmth his lips were radiating.

Inuyasha had smelt her coming through the forest and he had noticed that none of his sons was with her; he thought he could take advantage of the situation to spend some time alone with his mate.

Some days in the village were harder than others, some days living like a normal villager - what could be said was normal for Inuyasha and his family of course - made him feel like he was in a cage and he needed an out. These days he went flying in the forest the moment he got free from his duties, enjoying the wind ruffling his hair and the way his mind seemed to empty even just for a second. And if he was lucky, those days, he would find a wayward miko who just needed the right person to show her way out of the forest; that's it if she manages to escape the big bad hungry hanyou.

Inuyasha hadn't thought he would have been so lucky that day when he had left old Kentaro's house and decided to go for a walk in the forest, but the rich fresh scent that was his lovely mate had invaded his nostrils shortly after and a wicked grin stretched on his lips consequently. His blood was already boiling at the thought of what he could do to her, but when he had reached the clearing and saw her down, ass up in the air, his manhood had sprung to life and he couldn't have avoided commenting on her position.

He knelt behind her, keeping a firm grip on her waist and pushed against her butt, enjoying her gasp, letting her know without doubts what exactly was he going to do with the lost miko.

"Inuyasha! We can't do that here in the middle of the day." Kagome gasped trying to weasel out of his tight grip and feeling his erection poking at her. Oh, it wasn't the first time they had played and, to be sincere, she always liked those games, but at least every time they made sure it wasn't broad daylight and they were way out of the village's reach not in the path. It was incredibly dangerous, they could be easily heard and caught, but somehow Kagome knew this wasn't going to dissuade her husband... if anything the contrary.

He chuckled, "And why not?" She was failing in an attempt to free herself, the movements only excited him more, especially since she was rubbing her ass against his erection more that way; Inuyasha pushed back and she stopped, swallowing a moan. "It's not the first time I took advantage of the poor shrine maiden who lost herself in the forest," he said remembering all the times they had taken a break in the forest.

Kagome wanted to laugh at that, but Inuyasha had started to move his hands inside her kosode shamelessly, without losing time, touching her bare skin with the precise purpose to arouse her at the point she couldn't refuse his advances. He was a man hellbent on a mission.

He knew her too well, he knew that if he teased her, she would do it no matter what, even beg for him. He almost shivered at the thought. "Besides..." his hand pinched her nipple harder when he noticed she was trying to resist him; he demanded a reaction from her. Kagome whimpered in response, unable to stop herself, "... my duty as a husband commands me to tend to your needs." The hand started travelling south, untied easily the knot of her hakama and infiltrated between her legs, confirming what his nose had already told him, she was drenched. He rubbed her clit with his thumb and inserted two fingers swiftly inside her, grinding his erection against his bottom at the same time and not giving her time to defend herself from his assault. The more she tried to deny her needs, the better; he'd have his fun. "I can't leave you so wet and not do something about it. Your intoxicating smell reached me, almost made me a crazy man, and I knew I had to fulfil my duty. What would the villagers say about the hanyou who doesn't satisfy his wife?" he tutted.

[...]

"Oh, God..." he whispered as soon as he came back from his bliss, "I so needed that."

He looked down at her and noticed her condition. Her hair was ruffled, her skin flushed, dark marks covered her neck and her robes were wrinkled and stained. The sight made him groan and his cock, still inside her, twitched in response; he almost thrust reflexively. She was so breathtaking she made him want to fuck her all over again. He shut his eyes trying to control his impulses.

"Don't even think about it," Kagome said, feeling him hardening again, reading his mind. She was completely spent and her voice was hoarse due to her screaming; she didn't even want to think about the possibility someone had heard her – a very concrete possibility.

At least it had been really good, she didn't feel like she had really lost.

"Oh come on, koi," Inuyasha pleaded. "I could bring us home in less than two minutes and we could have our second round. You wouldn't even have to worry about keeping quiet. You don't want to leave me lik-" he suddenly stiffened and left her warmth; a second later he was back in his robes.

His gaze was hard and his aura suddenly menacing when he spoke, "Stand up and adjust yourself, Kagome. We have company," he announced. Kagome paled and hastily did as he had ordered, trying to smooth her robes to no avail. Inuyasha moved to cover her and asked, "Do you have your bow, right?"

"Yes," she answered pointing out something next to them, her basket laid forgotten. "Who is it?" she inquired after adjusting the quiver and notching an arrow.

"A foreign demonic presence. I'm not sure if I have even ever met it, but something feels familiar," Inuyasha answered just as a slender tall demon entered the clearing, sniffing and smirking.

He had a head full of vibrant red hair, the same colour as the marks that signed his face and the wrists. His eyes were an eerie yellow, of a more elongated shape, and were failing to hide his devilish thoughts just as the grin gracing his lips. But the traits that most distinguished him were his tail, which was a softer red than his hair, and the whiskers. A panther in every way.

"Fucking cats," Inuyasha thought while his hand tightened on Tessaiga's hilt. "I hate them."

"Ah, sweet nectar," the demon exclaimed. "I hope you'll let me have my turn, half-breed." A loud threatening growl was Inuyasha's answer. The feline huffed, "Dogs are never funny, always so loyal and protective of their women. From the way she was begging I'd think she could use someone more expert to fuck her. Why don't you leave someone better have that sweet piece of ass?" He made a point of inhaling again, to show the pleasure the scent was causing him. "I promise I'll let you alive enough to see me having my way with her." He grinned more. "It's a pity you won't have the possibility to apply my teachings."

Inuyasha had just unsheathed Tessaiga when he heard the hiss of an arrow being shot and that brushed against the panther's cheek, drawing blood and getting stuck in the tree behind him. "This sweet piece of ass could turn you in ash. I'll let you know that my aim is impeccable; I missed you on purpose." Kagome smirked mockingly. "Speak now if you don't want the next arrow to hit you in the heart," she said while notching another one.

The demon brought a hand to the injured cheek and then inspect the blood on his fingers. "That hurt, bitch, but I like my prey to be feisty," he said, every trace of a smile now gone. "However, I'd be more careful next time. You don't want your children to be hurt, after all, do you? The little one's cries are so enjoyable."

Both Kagome and Inuyasha stiffened. "You lie," Inuyasha hissed through gritted teeth, "you lack their scents. Who are you and what do you want? Choose your words wisely. I could obliterate you easily."

"Oh no, you must have miscalculated," the panther replied; Inuyasha could feel they were being surrounded by the other four felines while he spoke. "My friends here will strike at your human as soon as you try to attack me," he explained nonchalantly observing his claws. "Besides, an acquaintance of ours has just retrieved your children and I am sure you'll want to know where he brought them…" He smirked at the panic he could read on Kagome's face. "…if you survive our meeting, that's it."

Inuyasha got ready to strike, the sword hand firm on Tessaiga's hilt and whispered just for Kagome's ears, "I'll make him talk, be prepared. When I tell you so, you are gonna erect a barrier and I'm gonna kill these fuckers. Do not fret, keep calm and do not heed his words; he's trying to provoke us. We are not even sure he has the pups." Kagome nodded imperceptibly despite the panic those words had caused and turned around, back to his, an arrow pointed at the panther nearer to them.

"Kaede-obaa-chan, why don't you have children?" Toga asked while he was doodling on a book next to her. He was waiting for the old woman to prepare the tea and snacks and, as his usual curious five-year-old self, he couldn't avoid asking her inappropriate questions.

Kaede chuckled and Muteki answered for her, "Toga you shouldn't ask Obaa-chan those questions. Mom always said that is bad manners to pry into other people's lives."

"Ye don't have to worry, child," Kaede told Muteki stirring the rice porridge. "I don't have children because sometimes priestesses decide to care for the others and don't have time for children of their own."

"But mommy takes care of lots of people too," Toga pondered, raising his head from his book.

"Because your mother is a very good person," Kaede smiled, reaching for some bowls. She was passing the first to the youngest when she sensed a darker aura coming dangerously close to them. Her old bones stiffed immediately and the pups noticed too. "Behind me, now; no questions," she whispered eyeing her bow that was on the other end of the hut and checking for some of her ofuda.

Muteki and Toga recognized the tone and did as she ordered, Muteki wrapping his arms around his little brother's shoulder and preparing himself in case he had to help. He was the oldest and his father always told him that when he was missing he had to make sure his brother was okay. He wouldn't disappoint his father.

Kaede peered down at both of them and turned to Muteki. "Child, how are you doing with your barriers so far?" she asked him.

"I can help you, Kaede-obaa-chan," he said confidently.

"Very well. I want you to start focusing on your powers, we may not have so much time," Kaede instructed him just before a cat demon entered sneering and hissing into her hut unceremoniously.

"Well, well, if these are not the half-breed's sons," the feline declared placing himself in front of them and blocking every way out.

The whole valley had been for a day under attack when Kimi finally found Jaken. Though they managed to prevent any infiltration in the castle – the guards had killed most of the demons that had approached, and the others inside had struck down those few who'd managed to get past – the damage was already more than a little. There had been more traitors that they wanted to admit, those they believed to be allies had killed others and Kimi hadn't hesitated to take them out herself; she had even rejoiced because she had recognized some of them as allies of her brother. Meanwhile, Noboru seemed to have disappeared from the face of the earth, but she had not expected anything different from that coward.

In the valley, however, there had been many more losses, although the army had been more than prepared for some time and was holding out. The demons attacking continued to increase in number despite being noticeably weak and the soldiers were beginning to tire, the wounded were increasing as well as the dead. Although they were far from falling, they could not go on like this; they needed help and, most importantly, they needed to find her son.

That reckless demon had been missing for more than ten days in an already delicate situation and without a shadow of a doubt, Noboru had known about this. She had captured that damned maid when the attack had begun, but although she had managed to gather all the necessary information it was already too late and the demons were at the gates. They need to move now if they didn't want the valley to be destroyed by those useless usurpers.

The dog demoness found Jaken cowering behind the stables and swiftly approached him. "You damn toad!" she shouted, "Where the heck have you been while everyone was defending the castle? I've been looking for you for hours and hours."

Jaken came out of his hiding place and got on his knees, his forehead touching the dirty floor. "Milady! I'm s-so sorry! They have been chasing me since the attack began. They wanted me to give them information about Sesshomaru-sama and his brother. I fought them at my best," he said waving his nintojo, "but at some point, the numbers increased and I couldn't do so much alone."

"Stand up, now! I need you to leave the valley as soon as possible and find my son. I don't care if you have to go looking through the whole of Japan, you're gonna find him!" she ordered, her voice never wavering. "You're gonna start from Inuyasha's village. Go there with Ah-Un, warn him; I'm sure they have already sent someone for them. They better not have done anything to the children or there won't be a head left attached. When you arrive, send him here to help us; we need him. Even if we are not losing the battle we are losing too many soldiers to my liking. At this rate, those rogues will destroy our valley soon. Bring Kichiro and Osamu with you, he won't leave his family unattended. Leave, now!" she shouted when Jaken still didn't move.

"Mi-milady, Osamu and Kichiro are currently fighting, h-how can I find them? how are we g-g-gonna leave unnoticed?" he asked trembling, not even raising his head.

"I don't care how you do it, just do it!" she bellowed. She could be more dangerous than her son when she wanted and Jaken cowered again under her blazing gaze. He didn't have time to answer that another bellowing voice reached them from outside the stables.

"Kimi!" Goro shrieked as his usual. "Where the hell is that damn half-breed? I understand your son is missing and he will have to hear from us when he finally comes back, but it's unacceptable that Inuyasha is still not here. You've done nothing but repeat how good he is at fighting all these years and where is he now? Was it all talk? Let him show himself." Then, if he was to be killed in battle, the better, the cat demon thought. They would be finally free of that nuisance and Sesshomaru would be forced to mate and have an heir of his own.

"Goro, I do not like you talking to me this way. Have some decency! You are not the ruler here and you cannot give orders. I am currently in my son's place so shut up and let me talk," she shot back enraged. "I know full well how dire the situation is. While you were hiding I've been fighting, something you still could do even at your age. You are not some frail human elder who can't walk without a cane; go help the ones guarding the castle walls instead of spouting nonsense."

Hayato, who have been following him when he had noticed that he was looking for Kimi, laughed under his sleeves. Everyone had been helping, no matter the age, but Goro had preferred to hide with the excuse that since he was one of the elders he could not fall and they needed him after the ordeal ended. For the umpteenth time, he had proved to be a damn coward who relied upon old glory and his age to keep his place.

"I've been looking for Jaken for quite some time now; I was about to send him to warn Inuyasha that his presence is required here at the castle. Sesshomaru evidently didn't warn him he was going to miss for so long from the valley, otherwise, he would have been already here. Besides, they probably send someone there too," Kimi explained. She turned to the hawk and asked, "Are you able to find Kichiro and Osamu easily, Hayato? We need to send them with Jaken and we need them now. If I rely only on the little demon he is likely to get himself killed before he succeeds in his task."

Hayato nodded, he could fly over the valley easily and locate them better than the imp. "Jaken! Prepare Ah-Un and hide nearby the southern walls; they have been the least damaged and you'll have less trouble hiding there. I will join you as soon as I find the guards. Hurry up!" he instructed the little demon. He then addressed Goro, "You will do better heed Kimi's words. Every one of us has joined the battle, I don't care if you are an elder or not. These are your lands too, the Inu-no-Taisho had been guarding your sorry behind for centuries. It's high time you repay his favour. We'll deal with the consequences later. Unless, obviously, you don't think you're not strong enough to fight some low demons," he taunted.

"Why you..." Goro replied narrowing his eyes.

"Then move!" Kimi snapped at him. "As soon as Inuyasha arrive here he will be the one in charge and you'll have to listen to him; I'm sure he would find fun to order you around. Now, everyone, hurry up. Jaken will have to go back and forth and the journey is not short even for Ah-Un. We will have to resist for another day at least and we need everyone help!"

Katsuro paused to observe the battlefield for a moment after taking down the last opponent. The scene before him was gruesome; his demons were tired and kept falling. He had also tried to coordinate the soldiers so that if anyone was seriously wounded they would be immediately removed from the battlefield to prevent them from suffering the final blow. However, with all these demons attacking them he realized that more time was spent defending themselves than helping fallen comrades. Most of the opponents may have been weaker, but if two or three attacked a person at the same time or from behind their chances of survival increased.

He gritted his teeth in anger. Each of them had been instructed to fight unfairly to knock down as many opponents as possible and he had noticed early on that the biggest targets were himself and his strongest commanders. It was clear they already knew well who the main targets were. They had been attacked without respite and he predicted it would continue like this for a long time; he only hoped Sesshomaru or Inuyasha would arrive as soon as possible. They could really use their swords right now.

The First Commander sensed an aura coming from behind and prepared to strike him down when someone else from above helped him, annihilating the danger with his talons. Hayato had seen the snake demon ready to bite Katsuro on the shoulder from behind and hurried to help him before he could be poisoned. The dog demon would have been able to kill him anyway, but not without being wounded himself.

They keep fighting back to back for some minutes, the demons not giving them time to breathe, before the hawk demon spoke, "Katsuro, I need your help. Have you seen Kichiro or Osamu? I must locate them as soon as possible. Jaken is going to Inuyasha's village, but he won't leave his mate if she doesn't have adequate defence." He shouted to cover the sound of clashing swords.

Katsuro continued to behead the demons that were coming for them while he peered around the battlefield and tried to locate one of the two. Finally, after some minutes, he seemed to notice five darker tails setting on fire as many enemies as they could, while their owner worked with his sword. "Over there to your right you can see Kichiro; usually they always fight together, so hopefully you will find Osamu too," he told the elder. "Be safe, Hayato-sama," he then added before getting back at cutting heads.

"You've been a great help, Katsuro, as always," Hayato replied. "Be careful too," he told him before he flew up and reached easily the two guards. If Jaken was going to Inuyasha's village, he could be back by night if they were lucky.

They were still in for a long day.

Osamu was breathing hard, he hadn't a moment to pause since the moment the lookouts had given the alarm and demons kept coming forth. No matter how many of them were killed, just as many came from behind or both of their sides.

He sensed someone coming from above and prepared to strike when he recognized the aura and used the weapon to hit another one coming from his right. He swiftly withdrew his sword from the stomach of his victim and made to strike another while Hayato descended next to him.

"We're gonna leave, now. Call Kichiro," the elder told him firmly, "you both are headed east towards Inuyasha's village. We need his help here but you're gonna stay there to protect Kagome and the children. There is a possibility someone is already there for them."

The dog demon moved quickly through the enemies, trying to knock down as many as he could and minimize his injuries. When he reached Kichiro from behind, he avoided his tails on fire and noticed that he was currently surrounded by four different insects. He swiftly cut the tongue of a moth who was trying to immobilize him and then used his long claws to reach him and his companion from afar. They hissed in pain and someone else struck them down nodding to both Kichiro and Osamu.

"Hurry up and kill these bastards!" he shouted. "We are needed elsewhere," he told him pointing with the head to Hayato who was still helping on the opposite side of the battlefield.

Even if he was centuries older than them and one of the oldest demons in the keep, the hawk demon never missed a beat when in battle and if there was a fight, he had never tried to escape or lighten his loa; he was always there ready to defend what he had called home all his life. He had educated all his descendants in this way and in fact, on the battlefield it was possible to see sons or grandsons who were not even in the army but had been trained anyway for any eventuality. Their talons were lethally shredding enemy after enemy.

Kichiro inclined his head to let him know he had understood and quickened his move to reach Hayato along with the dog demon. Once there, the elder took them by their scruff and flew up again to reach the southern exit more quickly where he hoped Jaken was already waiting for them with the dragon.

When they arrived they saw Jaken and Ah-Un trying to kill their opponents, they were surrounded by fire and no one could come closer without being burned. Hayato approached the two from above and unceremoniously threw both Osamu and Kichiro onto the dragon's back. "You can go now Jaken, hurry up! Don't worry about anything on your way," Hayato shouted and then addressed the kitsune and the dog demon, "if someone tries to hinder you, kill him. Do not hesitate!"

A/N: To make it clearer, the last scenes set in the West are chronologically antecedent at the events narrated in the village, when Inuyasha and Kagome had been attacked Jaken was already on his way to the village.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, until next time!