The waiting was long. Sesshomaru stood on the outskirts of the village. Behind him was Kohaku, Totosai and Lao. Sesshomaru had told Jaken to stay with Rin and Emiko. He tried the same with Kohaku, but the boy insisted if he became a target then it would be best he was away from the girl.
As the afternoon hours passed, clouds covered the skies. They almost seemed foreboding. Sesshomaru found the waiting testing his own patience.
As the skies darkened he caught sight of something racing towards them in great speed. It was a mass of flesh, the smell coming off of it was different than Naraku. No, pieces of Naraku were used. This was something different.
"It's breaking through the barriers!" Lao panicked.
Sesshomaru raced to intervene. It laughed.
"You think you can fight me without a weapon?"
"I'm stronger than whatever filth you are." Sesshomaru glared.
In the distance Inuyasha and his pack were racing towards them. Kenji wasn't in sight. And Inuyasha sustained some wounds. The sight of him served enough of a distraction when suddenly Sesshomaru was impaled through his chest and suspended above.
"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha cried out.
Suddenly all the daiyokai saw was darkness as he was absorbed into the disgusting mound. He could faintly hear Inuyasha as he panicked, trying desperately to cut his way through to him.
"Let it be known that it is Magatsuhi that devoured the Beast King!" The demon laughed as he finally took shape. However some part of him couldn't take form.
"Like hell you did! I know he's in there!" Inuyasha knew it. He felt the bond. He sensed Sesshomaru was still alive. "Damn it, why can't I cut? Sesshomaru!"
In truth he couldn't move. He couldn't breathe. The air he had was suffocating. He couldn't see. He felt the mark burn on his neck. It was Inuyasha desperately trying to reach through to him.
And he briefly wondered what he had been thinking. Why had he given away his best chance of fighting back? Even if he reached for the Tenseiga, it wouldn't do much good to him.
"Sometimes instincts are felt so strongly, that one has to act out on them. And sometimes at the lowest point, one can find a lot about himself and give way for something new."
Sesshomaru thought of Hinata. He thought of Inuyasha. He thought of Rin. Even Jaken and Kohaku. Images of Kaguya and Kenji came to mind too. And his youkai roared.
Suddenly a bright light blinded him. It ripped away the flesh that had trapped Sesshomaru. Magatsuhi screamed from the pain. The light was so bright that everyone, no matter the distance, had to close their eyes.
"What is this? This power..." Magatsuhi had never felt it before.
As the light began to dim, it revealed Sesshomaru.
He could feel from his left arm?
When the light finally gave way, he stared. It wasn't the same as before. The markings weren't present to match his dominant arm. But there was no denying this was his arm.
And in his grasp was a sword, glowing a green aura.
"It's name is Bakusaiga." Totosai explained. "Unlike the Tessaiga or Tenseiga, it is not an heirloom or crafted sword. It is truly his own, created by his own demonic power."
"...His aura erased the rest my barriers." Lao was in shock. "He can make the mountains bend to their knees if he wanted."
"Hmph. All the more he has Inuyasha to keep him in line!" Totosai had noticed their markings the night before but had decided not to comment on it.
"Sesshomaru..." Inuyasha stared in awe.
Hearing his mate brought him back to the situation at hand. Sesshomaru began an onslaught of attacks. Inuyasha was at first entranced like the rest. Watching as Sesshomaru attacked Magatsuhi. He could feel the raw power of the new blade.
He couldn't help but wonder. Was this the result of the mating mark unleashing the potential within Sesshomaru, or of his own self discovery?
Inuyasha snapped out of his reverie when an attack was a little too close to him. He dodged of course, but not before making a comment.
"You could work a little on your aim! You've gotten a little rusty not having a left arm for so long!"
"Your fault for standing around in the first place." Sesshomaru countered.
"You sure about keeping him in line? It seems more of the other way around." Kohaku tilted his head at the blacksmith.
"Those two are such a pain." Totosai sighed in defeat.
At the daiyokai's response Inuyasha decided he had enough and began to help. His friends stayed on the outskirts of the battle. They had grown too tired during the fight against Naraku. In truth the hanyou was just as exhausted, but seeing his mate finding his own strength left him a sense of pride and will to fight a little more.
It almost looked like it would be enough. But Magatsuhi proved to be just as slippery as Naraku. He escaped, but barely. Sesshomaru sheathed Bakusaiga, only to stare at his left hand.
"Does it feel strange?" Inuyasha asked.
"Not as strange as almost being absorbed." Sesshomaru studied the state of Inuyasha and his friends were in. "Did you succeed with Naraku?"
"No. Not even while I finally used the Meido Zangetsuha, it only sent pieces of him into Hell. We managed to destroy his body, but not his spirit. Then Magatsuhi revealed himself and mentioned that he was going after the last shard." Inuyasha explained.
Sesshomaru was about to inquire upon the brothers when Takumi approached. He didn't seem overly sad.
"Kenji and Asahi are alive. Actually, they both wish to see you two. If Asahi had the strength he would have come to you guys."
"I have nothing to say to either of them." Sesshomaru turned around.
"That's rude and you know it!" Inuyasha glared, fury rising.
"You don't have the strength to push me around at this moment. I won't see Asahi in person. I'm amazed you even want to."
"If I may speak honestly? Asahi wishes to properly apologize for everything he's done. He also wishes to make amends, starting with better trades and a reform on the peace treaties your father and his father signed."
"Does it look like I'm interested?"
"Did I mention this is on orders of Kenji? Asahi willingly stepped down upon their reunion. He even placed himself in danger to allow Inuyasha to deal the killing blow." Takumi reasoned.
"Is this why you're pushing so hard for me to listen?" Sesshomaru eyed his mate.
"Kind of, yeah." Inuyasha couldn't exactly say no.
"Lord Kenji has also extended that members of both packs can stay within the castle walls for the duration of the honeymoon phase and however long the negotiations will hold." Takumi added.
"Fine." Sesshomaru gave in.
"I will bring the news right away. Whenever you're ready head for the castle and we will open the gates for you."
"I'm surprised you gave in. How long has it been since you've done any of your lordly duties?" Totosai questioned, earning a glare.
When they finally began their walk to the castle Inuyasha proudly walked by his side. Every so often he studied the Bakusaiga. Eyeing it with a mix of fear and wonder.
"Why did you give in, anyway? I mean, about the whole staying at the castle?" The hanyou wondered.
"I thought it was obvious." Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"There's only one shard left. And since you promised me to that we take care of this situation at hand first before we continued our honeymoon phase, this solves both problems. Albeit temporarily."
"How long do you think it will last? I mean between the honeymoon and the negotiations part." Miroku was curious.
Sesshomaru had no idea. So he remained silent on the matter. All he knew was that he was beyond mildly irritated that he didn't have enough time with Inuyasha. And being forced to interact with others made his inner youkai even more unstable. At least he knew how to control himself.
Upon their arrival, Sesshomaru was surprised there wasn't that great of a mess. Then again there had been plenty of time to clean most of it. Even so the stench of Naraku and death hung in the air.
"Our apologies for the state of everything. But, we have already found suitable rooms for everyone." Kenji approached.
"I notice your brother is scarce." Sesshomaru commented.
"Because you two are newly mated. And he understands both of your tempers. If you feel that you can handle yourself, then I will introduce you later. For now, allow me to show all of you my home."
"I think meeting him might have to wait." Inuyasha sensed how seething his mate was feeling.
"I figured as such. Besides, he's being seen to at this moment for whatever Naraku had done to him." Kenji lead the way.
He showed them the garden, the library, the dining room, and of course the main meeting hall. Kenji also mentioned that there were quite a few natural hot springs. He showed which side was meant for the women's, the other for the men's.
After giving the grand tour, Kenji showed them all to their rooms. Everyone soon settled into their own spaces, relieved and content. The last to be shown to their room were Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. And the daiyokai paused at the doorway.
"This is the main room for the lord and mate of this castle." Sesshomaru blinked. "You would really allow us to stay here?"
"I'm not mated and Asahi never used this room. He couldn't bother. This is where we found Chiyo and father. In the future I might turn another room to be the main bedroom for the lord and his mate. But until then, you two can enjoy this. It even has a private hot spring outside."
"I couldn't help but notice we're not exactly close to the others." Inuyasha smirked knowingly.
"The layout was done for a reason. To better help the privacy of the honeymoon phase, I'm allowing Lao to handle in delivering food or fresh clothes if you so wish."
"How are we supposed to contact him?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.
"He made these trinkets here. Just hold one up and say what you need, and it will glow and be sent to him. Then he will send whatever is needed without even coming inside or sending a servant your way." Kenji handed them over.
They were small bells attached to a crystal. The same crystals found inside the mountain. Inuyasha handed them over to Sesshomaru, who found a place for them.
"Before I leave I would like to thank both of you. You didn't have to help me at all. And I'm forever in your debt."
"Yeah well, when it's Naraku, we can't exactly walk away. Even if it wasn't him I would help out either way. Can't say the same for him, though." Inuyasha turned to his mate.
"I believe your redemption has been fulfilled." Sesshomaru surprised both of them with this statement.
"Thank you. I don't feel like I deserve it, but I feel better knowing that." Kenji bowed before leaving.
The moment he was gone Inuyasha pulled Sesshomaru close. The daiyokai relaxed, knowing his mate had waited so long to do this. He sensed that Inuyasha had been scared from the fight earlier.
"I almost thought I would lose you." Inuyasha admitted.
"As if a weak demon like him would defeat me." Sesshomaru returned the embrace.
"That's weird. I'm too used to your one arm."
"Is it bad?" The daiyokai wondered.
"No. I just have to get used to it." Inuyasha pulled him in for a kiss. Sesshomaru willingly allowed it.