Hiii! Super long chapter here for you guys, I really hope you enjoy!
XVIII
The sun stood high in the sky when Kagome stopped the group. Sesshomaru looked at her curiously. Her eyes were wide, her power searching almost frantically. Within a second, Kagome had pushed Sesshomaru to the side, jumping with him.
"Stations!" she yelled out, whipping out her bow, arrow knocked and ready as she started firing shots into the trees. Bursts of purification was felt as the group took up their weapons. Arrows stopped flying and everything stood still for a second. A deep shiver ran down Kagome's back, and she had a feeling they were about to get hit with a storm of demons.
True to her intuition, demons rushed in from the forest in every direction. Within seconds everyone was scattered and slaying demons left and right. Power shone and sparked in the air as the battle raged. But still there was no sign of Naraku. With a freak growl, Kagome pulled out her katana, infusing more reiki into it. Covered in blood and demon bits, she fought her way closer to her mate.
"NARAKU!" she thundered, her reiki spiking dangerously around her. "Komm her, du Feigling! Come and face me!"
A loud boom sounded, and miasma burst from the ground all around them, causing them to falter, sputtering and choking. Kagome growled again, pushing her reiki out and purifying the air. Naraku appeared some distance away, chuckling sinisterly. Tentacles shot towards her and Sesshomaru, but they both cut them down, only to be surrounded again by lesser youkai. Sesshomaru growled ferociously. His youki began to flare, and with a glance to Kagome, he nodded before transforming into his true beast form.
The monstrous dog tore through the youkai like they were bugs on a windshield, Naoshi soon following example to transform. Taking to the sky, he not only used his long sleek body to whip youkai around and smash them down, he used his water abilities to sweep them up in drowning waves. A harsh wind caused him to have to fly high, his eyes narrowing on Kagura, the wind witch. With a hiss he went after her, and they began to battle in the sky.
"Oi, Naraku! NO touching my woman!" was heard as twenty or so youkai went flying past Kagome, only to be purified in a wave of her energy. Sesshomaru growled viciously at Koga before turning his big red eyes on Naraku.
He bounded forward, poison drool dripping from his maw. Tentacle after tentacle headed his way, only to be torn apart by his fangs and claws. Kagome ran forward, sliding through demons without stopping. With little effort she climbed Sesshomaru's massive body, running along his back as he tore demons and tentacles alike to pieces. With a burst of reiki, Kagome leapt from his head, her wings sprouting and her sword held aloft. Sesshomaru reverted into his humanoid form, brandishing Bakusaiga and releasing powerful attack after powerful attack all the while watching Kagome. She looked like a vengeful angel, soaring through the sky, taking demons down as she made for Naraku.
With a mighty battle cry, Kagome charged as much energy as she could without exhausting herself through her sword as she dove for Naraku. Her sword pierced his chest, but she failed to notice the tentacle rushing towards her, effectively impaling her through her stomach. She paid no heed to the blood dripping from her mouth, only focusing on her reiki, forcing it through her blade down into Naraku's body and purifying him. His deep red eyes widened as his body disintegrated. In a bright blast of white light, he disappeared and Kagome fell to the earth with a sickening thump.
Sesshomaru roared, swinging his sword in a wide arc, and releasing the ultimate power of Bakusaiga, wiping out every demon in his path. Sango, Miroku and Naoshi handled the very few youkai that were left, as Sesshomaru raced to Kagome's side. He fell to the ground, lifting her in his arms gently. Every emotion he'd ever feared coming to the surface. His hands shook as he held his beloved in his arms, trying desperately to staunch the blood flow. Vaguely he noticed the Shikon Jewel semiroll it's way over, stopping by Kagome's limp hand.
"Kagome no.. Please, my mate, no. Wake up, look at me. Kagome! Look at me, Kagome!" he howled, tears starting to make their way down his face. By then, Sango and Miroku had approached slowly, disbelief on their faces. Naoshi looked down, hearing his friends' distress. Kagura stopped on her feather, looking at what was left of the battle. Naoshi noticed her hesitation, eyeing her suspiciously. She shook her head, looking sadly at the scene below them.
"No more." she whispered, before plummeting from her feather, a small serene smile on her face. Naoshi called out in shock, Sango and Miroku looking up just as Kagura's body hit the ground. They flinched, before setting their sad gazes on their fallen friend and her mourning mate. Naoshi landed a little closer to his friend, sitting and spreading his aura out, so no demons would bother them. Despite the fact they should leave the battlefield soon before other demons come, he couldn't bring himself to move his friend.
"Kagome... Remember the first time I played with you? When I called you a feline?" Sesshomaru whispered brokenly, clutching her body. "Or the sea? You remember? You promised me, Kagome. You promised we'd reach the stars together. Please, wake up."
He rested his forehead against hers, crying softly. Claws ran through her hair as best they could with the dried and still fresh blood.
"I love you. Please come back to me." He looked to his side, to the sword his father had left him. But it remained silent. He lay her on the ground and stood, unsheathing the Tenseiga. But he saw no demons of the underworld. His sword didn't pulse, gave no sign of doing what it should. He threw it away from him with a vicious growl, causing Sango to jump.
"Why give me the damned thing if it can't save the one person I need it to!?" He seethed. Dropping to his knees next to her, he gazed into her pale, serene face. The Jewel on her neck began to glow, and Sesshomaru looked at it as the piece that had rolled to Kagome glowed as well.
Suddenly, her reiki rolled from her body in steady waves, the two pieces joining together just above her breast. Everyone stared at her in wonder, their eyes growing wide. With a brilliant flash of light, the Jewel descended into the gaping hole in Kagome's chest, and the skin and organs knitted themselves back together. Sesshomaru stared wide eyed as Kagome transformed in front of him.
Though she still had reiki, youki seemed to bubble up from her core, spreading through her body and changing her blunt nails to deadly claws, her ears elongated to a more elvin shape, and light blue marks appeared on her cheeks, much like Sesshomaru's own. The last thing to appear was the mark of the Shikon, four thin diamond shaped marks forming another diamond in the same place as Sesshomaru's moon.
Sounds of awe echoed behind him once the light faded, but he paid them no heed. His intense golden eyes focused only on his mates face, searching for any sign of life. After an agonizing few minutes, her eyes fluttered open, her striking azure gaze meeting his, and a small smile gracing her lips.
"Of course I remember our promise." she whispered softly, her fingers grazing his cheek. "Your mom was right."
"About what?" Sesshomaru asked, bewildered. Kagome chuckled breathlessly.
"I need to pay attention to my surroundings." she said. Sesshomaru laughed loudly, pulling her up into his arms for a bone crushing hug.
"Don't you ever do that again, you stupid, stupid woman." he growled in her ear. She chuckled softly.
"Never again, my love." she whispered. He kissed her deeply and passionately, fingers threading through her hair. When he pulled back, they both were breathing heavily. Both of their heads whipped around at an excited screech.
"You're alive! Ahh!" Sango screamed, completely forgetting about Sesshomaru as she barreled into Kagome. He had had just enough time to sit her up and scoot out of the way of the demon slayer. Miroku and Naoshi laughed, Miroku wiping tears from his face. He walked over, before collapsing and pulling both women in for a tight hug. They held each other as they cried, mourning their lost and rejoicing in their victory.
"Kagome." Koga said softly, a few feet away from the group. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed at the wolf before he stood.
"I believe we've something to discuss, wolf." he said, his voice colder than ice. Koga's eyes skittered over to the demon lord, before settling on Kagome again, causing her mate to snarl ferociously. Stupidly, Koga continued to ignore him.
"Kagome now that Naraku's defeated, you can finally get away from these dogs and be by my side as my woman." he stated proudly. Kagome only had enough time to open her mouth before Koga was no longer within her point of view, but flying through the trees, Sesshomaru's hand at his throat. Claws dug in, poison seeping a dangerous amount.
"She is not and will never be your woman. She is MY mate!" Sesshomaru said, his beast just at the surface as his eyes tinged a dark pink. Koga yelped as the poison started dripping, and he submitted, baring his neck to the stronger demon. With a huff, Sesshomaru threw him to the ground, before speeding back to his revived mate. She stood, hugging Miroku and Sango again, sniffles and laughter filling the air. Naoshi walked up to him, looking concerned.
"She has changed." he said simply. Sesshomaru nodded minutely.
"Yes. But she is still my mate. She is still Kagome. Do you not sense the reiki mixing with her youki?" he asked, looking to Naoshi. The other turned to look at her, sniffing and poking at her with his aura. She looked up at him, confused. He smiled and looked at Sesshomaru.
"I sense it. I hope she stays as she always has been." he said, putting a hand to his heart and bowing to his friend. Sesshomaru smiled with a chuckle, shaking his head.
"Fool." he muttered before making his way to a now smiling Kagome. He wrapped her in his arms when he made it to her, nuzzling her neck and filling his lungs with her lovely scent. "Shall we return to our children?"
Her face lit up with the mention of the kids being both of theirs, and she nodded enthusiastically, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning up to kiss him. He returned the kiss with fervor, a purr rumbling in his chest. They all took to the air, wanting to get back to the castle in the sky as fast as possible, for some serious first aid. Luckily, the only one who had been seriously wounded had been Kagome; not to say the others didn't have their fair share of wounds, just not as severe. Still, with Kagome being completely healed, it seemed as if the battle had not been as engaging as it had been. For that, she was grateful. It would worry the children less.
As they flew, Sesshomaru debated how to reveal the change to Kagome, assuming that the others had been too relieved she was alive to mention let alone give a damn about her change. He looked over at his little mate tucked into his side, and smiled.
Quicker than they probably expected, they reached the sky castle. Flaring their auras, they laughed when they saw Rin and Shippo racing out of the front doors, tripping over each other as Inukimi trailed behind them really, a smile on her face.
They landed in the courtyard, Kagome and Sesshomaru breaking apart to catch the tiny blurs coming at them at full speed. Kagome fell on her butt with a laugh, hugging Shippo tightly and kissing his face all over, causing him to laugh. But he didn't push her away, instead nestling into her neck, breathing in her scent. His little nose twitched and he looked up at her.
"Hey Kagome. You're a demon." he said, with a smile. Her brow raised.
"What? No I'm not." she said, confused. Sesshomaru put a hand on her shoulder, gaining her attention.
"Tell me what you hear, Kagome." he said softly, and she looked at him confused. Nonetheless, she strained her ears to listen.
"I hear...birds in their nests, animals scurrying across the forest floo-how the hell?" she said, suddenly freaking out. Sesshomaru chuckled, lifting her hands so she could see. She looked at her hands in fascination, before he moved them to her ears. She felt them, looking at him in curiosity.
"It'd be best to consult Bokuseno, but I believe the Shikon might have changed you. Did you make a wish?" he asked. She looked around for a second before her wide eyes met his.
"I think so. Not intentionally, I was trying to wake up and return to you, like you were asking me. I heard you cry and I...I wanted so badly to reach out and touch you. I wished...The Jewel didn't exist. That Naraku's evil influence was swept from the world." she said.
"Well that's it, my dear. The Jewel, being as powerful as it is, cannot just simply disappear, it needs a vessel. And who better than the purest Miko with the purest heart?" Inukimi said softly, resting a hand on Kagome's shoulder. "You still have your spiritual power, Kagome. But you are also demon. And judging by your markings, you're as powerful as a Daiyoukai."
Kagome's eyes widened and she touched her face, shuddering when her fingers grazed the sensitive stripes.
"Ohh Kami. More power to have to learn how to control? Du musst mich verääpeln. Dad ist verrüükt." she grumbled, rubbing her forehead with her palm. Everyone but Shippo looked at her in confusion. Shippo patted her shoulder with a smile.
"She said, 'You've gotta be kidding me. This is so crazy.' Just give her a few minutes, she'll be fine." he said confidently, nuzzling her cheek. The others chuckled at Kagome's antics, as they moved inside. Sesshomaru scooped her up, Shippo sitting on her stomach. He held them with one arm, the other reaching down to hold Rins hand.
"Come, Rin. Let us eat." he said.
"Yes, My Lord!" she chirped happily, skipping along beside him, loving the affection he doted on her.
Komm her, du Feigling! - German- Come here, you coward!
Also, we're not done yet!