Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of its characters.

Chapter Sixty-six: Feeling Guilty

The moment Inuyasha and his sons crossed the outer walls, Noboru completely erased the distance between him and Kagome and she called upon all the spiritual energy she had tried to gather while the dog demon was talking.

That was her so-called ace up her sleeve; she had stalled him and summoned as much power as she could, hoping she would at least have an effect, hinder him just the time to catch the attention of others. She knew, in fact, that her aura would make itself known the moment she responded to Noboru's attack. At that point, she could only hope that someone could come to her aid before he did to her what he had always longed to do.

It was quickly apparent that among the things the demon expected of her, a counterattack was not one of them. He hadn't calculated his attack that well, after all, and Kagome would later agree that it wasn't even that strange. The truth was that the years of waiting had worn him down, and eager at last to have his revenge, he had begun to be less shrewd and logical, not making attention to details. Just as Inuyasha had once predicted, who had said that Noboru's haste would grow until it brought him to his defeat.

In those moments, however, none of that crossed Kagome's mind; she was too busy finding ways to survive.

A hand grabbed her by her shoulders, and at the same moment, Kagome released all the power she had accumulated. But before the force of her attack could fling Noboru across the room, she felt his claws automatically attack her, penetrating her skin and attempting to do as much damage as possible.

Her screams joined Noboru's, and a moment later, she felt the last of her strength leave her, any shred of self-preservation and determination that had helped her stand so far failing her. She slumped to the ground and closed her eyes, unable to keep her eyelids up; before passing out from the pain, she hoped her cry for help had reached at least one person.

Inuyasha arrived a few moments later, but she could have not known that.

The scene that appeared before him was a representation of his worst nightmares: Kagome was lying on the ground, unconscious, with purple marks around her neck as if someone had tried to suffocate her and four long cuts on her abdomen that were bleeding profusely.

On the opposite side, he just had time to notice Noboru, the source of his nightmares, barely conscious. Half of his body, especially the upper part concerning his arm, shoulders and face, was burned as if he had suffered a full-on attack — Kagome's. It was the most the priestess had been able to do, and it was even more than she had anticipated. However, attempting to defend himself, the demon had unleashed his claws that had struck her in the belly.

But Inuyasha didn't even glance at him; he was too caught up in his pain and the terror that suddenly gripped him like never before, in his guilt for not defending her and not being there when she needed him most. At that moment, no one could have distracted him from that horrific vision.

He couldn't remember ever feeling that way, not even when he'd believed Mukotsu's poison had killed her or she'd been in Naraku's clutches.

His mate lay there in a pool of her blood, motionless, and he had done nothing to prevent the attack; he had let her go alone, where Kimi had promised him she would be safe. Instead, she had been struck down by the one who had most yearned to get her in those years.

He rushed to her as if in a trance, his golden eyes unwilling to leave her disfigured body and beginning to blur. He paid no attention to the taunts of the dog demon who, with what little strength he had left, kept talking and taunting him.

Noboru called him pathetic several times, trying to get his attention, not realizing that he himself fell into that definition. But the half-demon continued to ignore him.

Inuyasha slumped down next to Kagome, suddenly without strength, tears streaming down his face and on the verge of insanity. He brought their faces closer together, moved her hair away, and kissed her lips and skin several times in an attempt to receive a response, his eyes running from side to side.

He couldn't even realize the extent of the damage or if she was still breathing; he was too out of it to reason clearly. The only thing he could think about was how much of it was his fault.

He should have listened to his instincts and not let her go off on her own.

He shouldn't have trusted Sesshomaru's mother.

He should have been quicker.

In his delirious state, he didn't realize that Muteki had followed him, imagining well the thoughts that crowded his father's mind. Of the three of them, Kagome had always said that he was the cold-blooded one, capable of retaining an ounce of rationality even in the worst situations and definitely opposed to his father and younger brother, who were hot-headed.

While Toga was equally paralyzed at the sight of his mother, he had approached his parents to make sure Kagome was still alive, only injured.

But Inuyasha only registered a presence behind him, and convinced it was someone else who had come to finish off the woman he loved, he automatically raised his hand to attack. Muteki froze, holding his breath, bracing himself for whatever pain would come, but the half-demon stopped an inch from his face.

Inuyasha's features distorted more, horrified at what he had almost done, and the thought only brought him closer to the abyss of insanity.

How could he have even thought of hitting his son?

Muteki, however, didn't hold it against him, aware that right now his father wasn't thinking clearly. He gently grabbed his wrist and lowered his arm while slowly kneeling down next to him, trying to calm him down in a quiet voice.

Despite the sangfroid Kagome had always said Muteki had, it was damn hard for him to keep his cool, too. Next to him, his father seemed to have lost his mind for good and his mother was unconscious and hurt; he didn't even know how much. But because of that, he tried to brace himself and help Inuyasha, who was not lucid.

Once his father had stopped shaking, he turned to his mother. The bruises on her neck were hideous, but they didn't bother him; the wound on her abdomen, however, was still bleeding and would be his main concern.

Grabbing the backpack he had brought with him, the one with all the medical supplies, he spoke to Inuyasha, always in that calm and quiet voice of his. "Take a breath, Dad, listen carefully. Listen, Mom is still breathing; listen well," he repeated. "She's alive; it's not late, and it's not your fault. But you have to let me medicate her before the wound gets infected or, worse, she loses too much blood," he continued, moving again the hands that tried to hinder him.

"Help is on the way, and soon the healers will be here as well. However, right now, I'm going to take care of that wound. She'll be fine; mom will be fine," he repeated again, making sure his father heard him clearly.

After a few seconds, Inuyasha nodded his head several times, and Muteki finally began, faster than ever, to take care of his mother.

"She'll be fine," Inuyasha repeated like a chant. "She'll be fine."

At the same time, on the opposite side, another scene was taking place.

If Inuyasha, too engrossed in what was in front of him, had managed to ignore Noboru's taunts, the same could not be said of his youngest. Although fear had initially paralyzed Toga, too, he had soon registered the voice of the responsible for the state Kagome was in.

And Noboru was only too happy to have found someone to instigate. When he saw the quarter demon raise his arm to grab one of the arrows in the quiver he carried behind him, he burst out laughing with all the breath he still had in his body.

"What are you going to do, half-breed? Kill me? A-ha! As if you could only hope to do that. You're just a pup, and even though I'm in this state, you can't do anything against me. Look at me," he snickered, "I'm the one who reduced your mother to that, and you can't do anything to me. Ah, what a pity I didn't have time to do what I really wanted; if you knew how many beautiful plans I had, how much fun I would have had-" An arrow struck him in the already mangled arm and then lodged in the wall he was leaning against. The pain temporarily blinded him and took away his breath. As much as he called him a pup and a half-breed, Noboru needed to remember that the bastard still had his mother's spiritual power. But he couldn't give up just like that; if he couldn't finish off the priestess as he'd longed, he'd have fun with her son.

Toga had already notched another arrow when Noboru looked up, contemptuous. "Is that the best you can do, pup? You are as pathetic as I thought you were. Then again, what can I expect from a quarter demon? And your parents even had the audacity to call you by your grandfather's name? I'm sure Toga would have been deeply disappointed by such a scenario." He then gritted his teeth as he registered the pain given by the second arrow that struck him in the other arm, pinning him completely against the wall.

He burst out laughing again when he saw that the little boy had another arrow ready, this time aimed at his heart. "Ah, I must say, at least you don't lack precision. What are you going to do? You won't succeed; you're not capable. You are too weak to think of killing me; the guilt would eat you alive. Look at you, as pathetic as your father. You can't even take out the one who almost killed your mother, the demon who will send her to the next world soon. Oh, but I'm sure your grandparents will take care of her, don't worry."

It felt so good seeing the fury take possession of those golden eyes so similar to the one who had been his historical enemy, his body trembling with rage, especially the fingers that should shoot the third arrow.

In the meantime, Toga stood still, unable, as Noboru had said, to shoot it. He had never really killed a demon, and while he knew that who stood before him was a bastard that had only ruined his family's lives and had tried to kill him and his brother several times, he couldn't. Inside he was aware that it wasn't up to him, but the anger was too much, and his body couldn't stop shaking, his mind from being provoked by his words soaked in poison.

And at the very moment when he thought he couldn't do it and felt he was about to collapse in front of that foul being, a cold hand tightened around his wrist, blocking him.

His mother's harsh words had been enough to make Sesshomaru regain his lucidity, and with those, he felt himself falling even more.

Instead of staying with the one who needed him most, instead of offering comfort and love to his mate, he had let himself be carried away by hatred and irrational thoughts that did not suit him.

That wasn't him. That wasn't the Sesshomaru of today, but the one he had thought he had left behind. Yet, the actions of that day had only shown him that he still had so much to learn and that fate was teaching him, in the cruellest way possible, the most important lesson of his life.

He would have loved to tell himself that the little girl he had lost had not paid her father's sins too soon, but how could he not think so after what he had just done?

Without lingering a second longer, he retraced his steps and reached Rin. The young woman was already dressed and clean, and while the healers were taking care of his daughter's body, a couple of servants called by his mother were cleaning the room. The guards only offered him a nod as soon as they saw him, making no mention of what they had witnessed earlier or anything they might have heard.

Rin slept, dry tears on her cheeks and her breathing heavy; she had fallen asleep soon, exhausted. The look Sesshomaru gave her was both regretful and loving.

He raised his arm to move a lock of hair that had fallen across her face but seemed to reconsider and withdrew it as if he was afraid to wake her up. One of the two demonesses that had been assisting Kagome during the delivery seemed to notice and came to him, fearful.

"She won't be waking up for long, my lord," she began, not knowing what reaction to expect, though she had noticed the calmer state he was in now. "The last few hours have been really tiring for her, and probably nothing could really wake her up. Don't be afraid to touch her," she encouraged him as if she knew that the contact was what Sesshomaru most desired.

The dai-youkai did not turn to look at her, his eyes still fixed on Rin, but merely nodded. A moment later, the lock of hair had disappeared behind the woman's ear.

Kimi arrived a couple of seconds later but merely observed his gestures from the threshold. Sesshomaru ignored her. His mind was too busy processing every moment of the last hours and wondering what he could have done for a different outcome, to avoid those losses, those faults... that pain.

He couldn't say for sure how long he stood there contemplating his mate's face and pondering long-ignored truths. But it felt like only a second had passed when he registered the screams and, soon after, the aura that reverberated throughout the castle.

After assuring himself that Rin had not been awakened by the commotion, he lifted his face to meet his mother's eyes, equally surprised and guilty.

Something had happened to Kagome, and they were the ones who had let her go off on her own. As much as they knew that the priestess was not a weak woman and that the company of the guards was often extra security they imposed on her because of the dangers that lurked around every corner, Kagome should never have been left alone during those hours. Not when she was tired and weakened more than any of them. And once again, Sesshomaru felt like the culprit.

The demon nodded to his mother and, a moment later, left his mate's bedside, striding in the direction he had heard the screams coming from. As much as it tore him up inside to leave Rin, she wasn't the one who needed him the most right now. His mother, the guards, and the healers were with her; he wasn't taking any chances.

On the other hand, Kagome had been left defenceless in the time of her greatest need, and he didn't even want to imagine what might await him.

He hurried on and only hoped that there was still time to right the wrongs of the last few hours.

He arrived at the battle site together with Katsuro and several soldiers and guards who were with him. The scene presented to them left no doubt.

On one side was Inuyasha, kneeling on the ground with his son next to an unconscious Kagome. It was there that the pair of healers who had arrived a couple of seconds later headed without hesitation. However, Sesshomaru did not linger with his gaze on her figure; seeing her would be too much even for him now. His senses had already told him what was enough, and since Kagome was in no danger of her life, it was up to him to take care of the other two on the scene.

On the opposite side of where the priestess lay was Noboru. Sesshomaru had never seen his uncle in such a pitiful and delirious state; he looked even crazier than he had a few hours before, more than his brother did at that moment. Could it be that centuries and centuries of delusion had finally come to take their toll? Certain it was that, so wounded, under normal conditions Noboru should have fainted. Instead, he seemed to remain conscious thanks to the sole force of his purpose, that of taking revenge on the descendants of the previous Inu-no-Taisho. And he seemed to be succeeding in having at least some satisfaction with the latter's namesake.

Toga was just a little boy, and Sesshomaru wasn't surprised to see him so much in trouble. He was obviously torn between the hatred he felt for the one who had attacked his mother and the pain at the thought of what had happened to her. His body was trembling and tears had already welled up in his eyes. Nevertheless, the precision with which he aimed the arrow at Noboru's heart was enviable; his fingers trembled, but his aim did not suffer.

Yet he lingered, not shooting, and Sesshomaru realized that Toga had not intended to kill Noboru. He knew it wasn't up to him.

Moving closer and signalling Katsuro and a couple of other Commanders to follow him, Sesshomaru caught up with his nephew. He made sure not to make eye contact with Noboru; he knew he wouldn't be able to resist and didn't want to kill him yet. But the rage that was beginning to boil in his blood again would ruin any resolve, and he couldn't waste other time on foolish mistakes.

As slowly as he could, trying not to frighten the boy, Sesshomaru raised his arm and circled his wrist with his fingers while his other hand blocked the arrow and carefully lowered the weapon.

Toga drew in his breath and immediately looked up, his eyes pleading with him as if begging him to do something, erase the pain, everything that his young mind had already registered.

Sesshomaru simply shook his head, as if to tell him it wasn't worth clinging to such feelings. A moment later, he threw Toga's bow away from him, signalling the commanders to capture Noboru.

At that point, Toga collapsed and, as he had never done, burst into tears in Sesshomaru's arms in search of comfort.

At first, the gesture caught the demon off guard, and Sesshomaru didn't know how to react, especially in that chaos. But the young boy's lost look immediately came back to him, and he understood that it was not the time for doubts about his conduct in front of so many of his subordinates. The only thing he had to give importance to was the well-being of his nephew, of his family, the ones who had stood by him in the moments when he had been a terrible person and had forgiven him. If it was true that he and Rin were not meant to have children, Inuyasha and Kagome's would be the only ones they would see grow up. He would not push them away or make the same mistakes he had made with their parents.

Realizing the importance of the moment and blowing off any etiquette, he wrapped his arms around Toga and let him vent and use his shoulders — stronger and lived in — for comfort.

The moment, however, was soon ruined by the presence of the bastard that had caused the discomfort.

Currently being held down by two commanders, Noboru stood still next to Katsuro and watched the familiar scene with disdain.

"Pathetic!" he shouted — in what voice, Sesshomaru could not tell. By this time, he expected him to be unconscious. In fact, his breathing was laboured, and if there hadn't been two demons holding him up, he probably would have collapsed to the ground. "Pathetic people! Look what your human-loving family has become. Look what failure your father has led to by starting this outrageous tradition. You're not even ashamed to hug a crying baby!"

Sesshomaru looked up from Toga and stared at his uncle with hard eyes, not at all impressed by his words that now revealed themselves in every way as the ravings of a madman. How had he not noticed before what Noboru had become? How could he have even been afraid of a so weak and pitiful being?

He let him continue for a few more minutes, ignoring the First Commander's glances as he asked him if he should remove Noboru right away, and then asked, "Are you finished, Uncle?"

"Am I finished? Am I finished?" Noboru yelled, out of his mind and attempting to weasel out his captors' grip — the result was a greater pain that momentarily took his breath away and turned him red. "Does it look like I'm done? You're all still alive. You, that priestess hanging out with demons, these filthy half-breeds. All of you are alive! I will not be finished until even the last drop of your bastard father's blood has been spilt. Do you hear me, Sesshomaru?"

"I heard you loud and clear, Uncle, as I believe everyone in this castle did," he replied, moving an arm to indicate the other spectators.

Now that Kagome had been taken over by the healers, who were arranging for her to be moved as gently as possible, Inuyasha was focusing on the cause of her condition. His son and another guard were trying to restrain him from killing Noboru right away, but the hatred in his gaze and aura seemed to overshadow everything else in the room, even Noboru's crazed ravings. Hearing him talk like that wasn't helping the half-demon's control.

Noboru growled in response, but before he could keep on with his rant, Sesshomaru continued, "Honestly, Uncle, I have to thank you. If you hadn't gone so far as to make such a despicable gesture," — he emphasized the last word with particular hatred, with the help of a sharper growl from Inuyasha — "this feud probably would have lasted even longer." He paused to observe Noboru's reaction and smiled evilly. Then he motioned for Katsuro to take Toga so he would have a chance to get closer to his uncle.

"But now, now that you've finally given me a chance to have you, the games are over. We'll be the ones to finish you off, not the other way around." His grin grew even wider. "And you don't know what joy it gives me to see you finally on the ground, defeated and literally out of breath, unable to fight against your captors. You have been knocked out by a priestess, and the half-demon son of the man you so despised will finish you off. How does it feel, dear uncle?"

At that point, he turned his back on him, implying that he didn't even deserve his attention anymore, ignoring any other attempts of his, and turned to those present. "You are witnesses today to what crimes the demon Noboru has been guilty of in both gestures and words. Today, we finally have proof of the hatred he has always felt against the family of Inu-no-Taisho, and there is no longer any reason to doubt that he, as the mastermind, was behind the various attacks of which we were victims. Therefore, I, as your sovereign and the person charged with safeguarding the welfare of the entire valley and its inhabitants, find him guilty without the possibility of acquittal. Anyone who opposes this decision of mine will be found equally at fault. I will entrust the First Commander with the task of giving the precise order while I deal with more urgent matters. In the meantime, we will discuss when and how to punish him. But..." he observed the reactions of those listening to him and was pleased to see that many approved; not that he expected anything else since there was no one among them in league with his uncle. "But I think it's only natural that whatever it is his punishment, it will be up to my brother Inuyasha to seek the necessary repairs."

At this point, many appeared surprised. It had never escaped anyone's notice that Noboru and Sesshomaru hated each other; it was unlike the latter to leave his prey to someone else, especially one he had been trying to catch red-handed for decades. Still, he had just given his brother the green light to do as he wished.

Granted, of the two it was definitely Inuyasha who had the most right, but that Sesshomaru had given the half-demon his blessing publicly was a lot. It showed, once again, how much the Inu-no-Taisho had changed and matured; he was no longer a demon standing still in his hatred.

After the initial silence caused by their surprise, one by one, they lowered their heads as if to accept and approve Sesshomaru's words one last time. The latter nodded in satisfaction and declared, "Now I want anyone who has not previously been given another order to take care of clearing this room of all traces of what has just happened." He then raised his arm and, with a slight flick of his wrist, indicated to the commanders holding Noboru imprisoned to escort him to the dungeons with the help of a few guards.

Finally, when almost everyone had gone their separate ways, he turned to Katsuro and gave him permission to start spreading the news. By this time, Toga had recovered, and aside from his reddened eyes, he was physically fine. As for the rest, Sesshomaru couldn't have said.

At last, turning towards his little brother, he prepared himself for another battle. While Inuyasha was currently busy worrying about his mate's health, there was still plenty of room inside him for anger. Now that Noboru was no longer there, there was no way to avoid what would shortly befall him. Inuyasha would hold him guilty of everything that had happened, and for the first time, Sesshomaru could not prove him wrong.

A/N:

We finally have a turning point, and from here, a lot of things will happen, also considering the events of previous chapters. But I would like to focus especially on the reactions of the two brothers. I wanted Inuyasha, upon seeing Kagome, to have a strong one, and even though he doesn't know it yet, he found himself in the same condition as Sesshomaru only a few hours before.

The latter, on the other hand, I think behaved impeccably here, and I hope you liked him.

What do you think will happen with Noboru now? And how will Inuyasha react to finding out what his brother did? I promise you won't have to wait too long to find out. Until next time!