I do not own Inuyasha!

Even with the distance Kagome could see the glittering glow of her mate's flight back home in the darkened sky. There was not a trace of the moon or the twinkling stars, only the semblance of a falling star, or a racing comet as the light from Sesshomaru's orb danced brilliantly in the night sky.

She shook her head. It wasn't the spectacular sight that had her a little bit nervous now, but the sense of foreboding as his return drew closer.

With his descent he walked unhurriedly to the front porch lit by lanterns where Kagome stood and waited on him. There was a certain faraway look in her eyes he noticed, even though they were steadily focused on him, the dry and dimmed eyes of her gaze, a face that did not light up softly with a smile upon his return, gave away the emotions of her heart like he had opened it up and peered within.

While he watched her face Kagome touched a hand to his cheek and kissed him on the lips. Not like a lover he reflected, but a long time spouse without any passion, only a welcome home gesture. His assessment of the situation was an easy conclusion to derive at because she was always so willing and amorous with her affections, especially on nights like these when they were alone.

Inuyasha had arrived moments ago and had used the back entrance accompanied by the young woman from the destroyed village so as not to disturb them.

Squaring her shoulders she turned to walk away but Sesshomaru caught her by the waist. He kept his arm around her and gently pulled her to him with her front facing away. At this angle he could smell the wild berries of her shampoo as it perfumed her hair. The rich blackness of its texture shone done her back.

She sighed as Sesshomaru's body met hers, it was tension filled while the hands that splayed across her back and waist clutched tightly. His hold was not so much possessive but protective of her, and perhaps it was a need that he desired to share, or was it simply that her over-reactive mind was drumming up interpretations?

Kagome tilted her head and he took the opportunity to run his lips along the expanse of her throat, his warm breath and a hot mouth tickled the surface of skin that he caressed.

"Kagome," she heard him muttering in her hair. "There is something that I need to discuss with you."

Slowly, even warily she straightened up, removed herself from the embrace and faced him with a heart that was beating twice its normal rate. She saw from his expression that what he was going to say would be troubling by the way his face was set in a frown, and his eyes narrowed almost to slits.

They lapsed into silence as they looked upon one another, he with a frown and Kagome anxious as she looked away with tears welling up into her eyes. He watched his mate as she shivered from the cold, and the silent tears that fell onto her cheeks and down her chin where it settled for a moment before falling to the floor.

Taking a deep breath he moved forward and held her, looking deeply into the pools that were her eyes as the tears continued to fall, and knew with certainty that he could not tell her the truth, at least not now, maybe tomorrow.

He smiled genuinely, and any anxiety that Kagome still harbored was dispelled by the rare but pleasing sight.

"Let's go to bed," he whispered, and he could see the color as it returned to her cheeks which had appeared ashen only moments before.

"Sesshomaru what did you want to talk about earlier?" She asked him as he held her hand and led her inside.

Becoming still briefly he answered. "It can wait until tomorrow."

He looked down at her beautiful face, his fingers lacing absently through hers and thought. Maybe Bokuseno was wrong and he could continue with his life as it were, and his mate would not be hurt, because that was the last thing he wanted to do. And if he had been correct there could never be any situation that he would deliberately hurt the woman at his side.

He breathed easier with his thoughts, knowing that tonight he would once again join their bodies and hearts, and hence becoming stronger as a couple.

The dawn came and Sesshomaru was up, so was Inuyasha and Koga, Kagome slept on tired from eagerness and the lengthy stay of her mate's lovemaking. All but one of the children were awake and surprised by the new guest. She stared at them and they did likewise until Taizo spoke up.

"Who are you?"

Her eyes widened at his voice, it was calm and even and not a trace of anger or scorn was present. She opened her mouth to answer but closed it when she saw the two white haired males from yesterday, along with another beautiful black haired male.

Inuyasha volunteered the information about the girl's origins, but it seemed as if the children were not completely satisfied.

"What is your name?" Taizo asked. And for the first time a smile moved on her lips. She could tell that they were not much older than her if at all, and she was sixteen.

"My name is Chou," she finally said.

Akiyoshi came barreling through the door barefooted and eyes alighted with curiosity as he came face to face with the poorly looking girl. A beautiful woman came forward next, but to Chou's surprise she was human much like her.

"Mother," all the children repeated at once, and kissed her cheeks as she acknowledged them.

A ripple of envy moved through Chou as the one they called mother kissed them back and then moved towards the silver haired, tall and handsome male, where she placed her lips on his and he kissed her back with uninhibited passion in front of everyone.

Clearly this was the normal routine because everyone seemed quite at ese with what was taking place. Chou didn't try to avoid the envious feelings. She never attempted to hide any of her feelings, let them come no matter the consequences.

The beautiful woman held onto the male a little longer before turning around and meeting light brown eyes. She smiled, and if it were possible the woman was even more beautiful as her smile lit her face and made her blue eyes sparkle like jewels. Chou wanted to hide the jealousy she felt, but how could she? She was orphaned and most girls her age were either married with children or engaged.

She hadn't any family left, no place to go, and this woman had a beautiful family with a handsome demon as a husband. Kagome saw how the young woman's eyes squinted while she pretended not to stare at her. She knew the lost look, desperation and lack of hope; she had seen it too many times over the years from people who had lost everything. Kagome's smile widened as she approached the girl and introduced herself. "

Hi, I am Kagome welcome to my home."

Her brothers having had their fill of the meal began to scamper around the dining hall, their father wasn't around. He was out with the other lords examining the regions treasury. They still eyed her with lust and were tempted to ravage her, but neither was brave enough or strong enough to defy their father's wishes at the moment.

He was a five hundred years old dragon with immense powers. To stand against him now would be foolhardy. They had been destroying villages, mostly human ones for over two years, and if their father knew he said nothing.

They'd sucked the life out of countless human maidens and became stronger but with dire consequences, the pureness of the souls and blood of their victims had become an addiction.

How strange was the anomaly? Their souls were black and yet they preferred to devour pure ones as oppose to tainted ones. The last village that they'd visited and had ruined was a free for all banquet, they had gorged themselves on at least fifty females.

The feedings euphoria would last another three months until the desire for more became relentless and they could not deny the pull. It was an addiction so strong that when it called they had no choice but to answer, because if they resisted the urge for gluttony, the anguish it would bring would eat at their very dark hearts and souls.

The first time Eiji tried to resist the pain had him doubling over as the souls from his victims walked inside his head and body, pulling on his nerves and screaming at him with howls and blasphemous curses. It was maddening as it was frightening. The souls although pure when devoured had grown dark with corruption by their host.

The captured souls sought freedom, and as they flew around inside the blackness that held them captive, they clawed, they searched, they cursed and created havoc inside the entity for a way out.

It was descending madness, and the only way to quench the unending pain and psychosis was to consume more pure souls. Their respite would last a mere quarter year, the pain and the madness quieted after each feeding. So for now they would wait.

Kagome and family set up their businesses. The old school that she used to run over quarter century ago was occupied by someone she did not know. The land and school was duly registered by the local town's clerk, and records showed that she indeed owned the property.

With that out of the way the rest was routine. Edo was a town that she had lived in for fifty years; she and her friends were hailed as heroes. That was the reason why they had chosen to settle there last. It would be the easiest to conquer.

Kagome took Chou under her wings although she did not trust her completely. The girl was pretty now that she was clean, dressed and fed. She had light brown eyes, dark brown hair that reached mid back with a slanted bang in front. She was slender, not as curvy as Kagome but still very attractive.

Over the upcoming months the girl proved her worth, she was able to read quite well and a skilled seamstress, her attributes were extremely helpful at the community center.

Still Kagome watched the young woman keenly without her knowing, she was at an age in a time when she was deemed a mature woman, she was cunning and very bright, and Kagome viewed her as a possible threat to her family, but just could not put her fingers on the reasons for the mistrust.

Sesshomaru still did not tell Kagome of his plans to infiltrate the west and thus reclaiming his kingdom. He just did not want to see the tears and sadness in her eyes. They never talked about Bokuseno's prediction from the day that they walked away from the forest of trees.

Even now when he was in a private meeting with his brother and allies, putting together a plan to invade the west in another two years, he was still undecided in imparting that knowledge to her.

The plan had to be worked out in great details, seeds had to be planted and sprouting leaves before they could make a move. It would take some time, so for now he would wait; he would put off telling Kagome of his dealings.

Chou stepped away from Akiyoshi as they landed into a field on the outskirts of a town furthest away from Edo. He'd brought her here because it was what she'd requested. He was now seventeen years old by human standards; the seductive looks and flirty talks Chou flung his way when no one was around had proven impossible to ignore.

He was at an age where females and sex were constantly on his mind. It was only natural in this stage of his development, because he had come of age and was a horny male and a virgin.

"Why did you want to come here?" Akiyoshi asked and studied her face with obvious infatuation.

She leaned closer and pecked him on the lips then answered. "I didn't think about it, I just wanted us to be alone before your parents got back."

He thought about what she said and couldn't find fault with it, because he too wanted them to be alone. He had grown quite fond of her over the three months that she'd lived with them. He thought only of her and not of his parents knowing that they would be displeased by his actions, he was told never to venture away from Edo without an escort, as he lifted a hand to her cheek.

She yearned towards him; he slid his hand from her cheek to the back of her neck as he drew her closer. He was afraid, afraid of his feelings and what it was doing to him. Her mouth parted while her eyes closed and Akiyoshi pressed his lips to hers not quite sure what to do; this would be the first time that he would kiss a female with passion.

He didn't move as their lips met, but Chou realized quickly that the demon boy was inexperienced and nibbled on his lips, teasing, tempting, tormenting. He felt the scrape of her teeth along his lips and instinctively they parted, then the moist softness of her tongue invaded his mouth.

Her hands came to rest on the sides of his head and with a moan she said. "Do as I do," he could only nod his reply as the sensual feelings rippled all the way to his toes and back to his cock where it swelled with desire.

Her hands crept into his hair and she felt its silkiness as her lips parted and invited. She wasn't afraid of him; he was sweet, kind and handsome like his father. The woman Kagome made love to her husband almost every night, often times she heard them as she passes by going to the bathroom. The sounds were erotic filling her up with yearning and curiousity.

She had lied to the lord and his brother when they rescued her, she wasn't a virgin and was tossed aside by the dragon brothers because of that fact; she made her escape while they burned the town and devoured the virgins.

She was orphaned and grew up with her only relative, her aunt. She had learned from a young age to use her body and wiles to survive, she was pretty enough and it suited her purposes well. If she could dig her claws into this boy, her life would be made. She could tell that he was loyal and most of all he was an honorable male.

With a sigh she tilted her head back and Akiyoshi sucked with eagerness on her lips, his hands roamed over her body while he delved inside her mouth with a hot and fervent tongue, there was a flavor there, warm, willing and inviting. He was a fast learner, and as hunger and desire burned inside him the more impatient he got. The thrill moved through her and excites.

She moved a hand to his chest and asked him as calmly as she could. "Do you want me?"

There were fire in his eyes and she wasn't sure if it was from his emotions or passion. "I want you with me always," was his reply.

Chou stepped away from him briefly and slipped the simple dress over her head, then removed the thin underwear. He looked upon her naked flesh, it would be another first, she was beautiful to him and he touched her breast, ran his fingers through the curls of her vagina and she quivered in response.

Laying her body down on the soft grass she watched as Akiyoshi stripped his clothes away, he was young but his body was lean and beautiful; his manhood long and thick brought a smile to her face, she would enjoy him.

"Come lay with me," she said spreading her legs apart, Akiyoshi could see and smell the wetness of her sex, and it turned him on even more.

He entered the moist and deep vagina with little difficulty, the female moaned while instincts spurred him on as he withdrew and re-entered. Chou held onto him moving her hips and grinding on him, together they were lost in the pleasurable feelings of sex so that when the sky darkened they thought it was dark clouds threatening with rain. Akiyoshi moaned out his pleasure as he hammered away trying to catch the elusive feelings of his climax.

It was almost upon him when a heavy hand grabbed him by the shoulders and tossed him ten meters away from Chou. She screamed in the face of death just before a grotesque face evolved from the beautiful one with heat and fire that consumed her form. Akiyoshi watched frightened still winded by the toss and fall.

He saw the flames engulfed her form as she screamed and ran away before falling down and becoming still, while the fires still burned her body. He could smell the stink of burning flesh as the fires continued to glow and sizzle.

He wasn't sure if it was the offensive scent that brought the tears to his eyes or if it was the death of his friend, but in the moment that he considered on it with his heart palpitating harshly from the ghastly sight, two demon males came to stand before him.

Sesshomaru felt the distress coming from his son and left what he was doing in a hurry. One of the things that he had done with all of his children was to form a bond of protection with them. He would know when they needed him. Inuyasha and Koga tried to keep up with him as he raced against time to save his son.

This was bad, Akiyoshi was too fearful; he could feel his son's emotions telepathically. He had to reach him in time. Daichi and Eiji looked upon the naked form of the boy and laughed. Akiyoshi stood trying to hide the fear he was feeling. One of the ryu took a long sniff of his scent then commented.

"Who are you and why do you smell like our sister?"

He looked on puzzled because he had no idea what the male spoke of.

"Answer my brother," the other one said.

Akiyoshi looked them squarely in the eyes and saw that they were like wild animals and cruel, then replied. "I do not know of what you speak."

The brothers moved even closer, Akiyoshi's eyes shifted to the left where his weapon lay further down the field knowing that he had no chance of reaching his sword, he had to defend himself with his own strength. The years of training with his father had to count for something, as he could feel the increase in the brother's jyaki.

"Let us finish him off like the worthless whore and be gone from this place." He barely heard the statement as blood pooled inside his head like the rushing waters of a raging river drowning out almost everything around him.

He felt a fist connect with his face that threw his head to the side violently, but before he could act a boot landed on his chest plate, he felt as his ribs broke and the pain had him staggering on his feet. They were going to kill him if he did not defend himself.

His adversaries reached for their swords, he could barely stand, his father's face flashed across his mind's eye and with it his determination returned, if he was going to die he would die as a man and not as a coward.

His hands flashed forward with the speed of a cobra as his whips formed and catapulted the enemy's swords to the end of the field. He didn't wait as he flung his whips again cutting into their torso and faces.

The scent of their blood hit him like a blow to the gut, hard and fast. His whip took out the right eye of one, and the other transformed and took to the skies. He was almost upon the wounded one when heat had him looking up, only to the see the swirling destructive fires raining down on him.

He made a leap and dodged the flames. Giving the one called Eiji a chance to recuperate. It was not surprising when he too transformed into a hideous winged creature.

He couldn't fight them being grounded, he had no choice but to take flight after he retrieved his sword. With his weapon drawn he flew towards his enemies dodging the fires that they spew at him relentlessly.

Their very breath stole the oxygen from the air and he could hardly breathe his movements sluggish, the ryu noticed and dived forward through the thick black smoke catching him in mid air around the middle, where razor sharp teeth were sunken deeply into the tender flesh of his belly.

He could feel the blood as it drenched his naked flesh and fell through the air, his head swirled as the dragon flew speedily to the ground. With his energy disappearing with the blood loss, he raised his weapon and brought it down steadily on the leathery right wing of the beast.

The creature reacted instantly with an ear shattering scream with the rendering of its wing, and letting go of its victim as it came crashing to the ground. Akiyoshi closed his eyes waiting on the inevitable impact with the hard surface of the ground that would surely end his life, he thought of his mother and father and of his siblings.

When he hit the dirt he felt nothing as his body had grown numb. He could see as the creature crashed to the ground across the field unable to fly because he was unbalanced. Akiyoshi's eyes dimmed even further, but before he lost all conscious thought, he could swear that he heard his father's voice calling out to him.

Sesshomaru wasted no time and attacked the wounded dragon as it transformed into its humanoid form. The other that was airborne flew away after two more demons joined the fight.

He twisted the ryu's sword from his hand, whipped it around and buried the blade deep inside his heart. The young dragon gazed into the eyes of the demon that he'd heard so much about before falling forward and dying.

Inuyasha heard Sesshomaru say. "Take care of my son," before lifting off the ground and giving chase.

The dragon was young and had no hope of escaping. He caught up with him shortly and wrestled him to the ground.

"Draw your sword boy," Sesshomaru demanded scornfully.

Daichi hands trembled as he could feel the immense youki rolling off his opponent. He didn't draw his weapon but transformed instead, and so did the Daiyouki. His animal spirit towered over the young dragon with intimidation.

The ryu knew who this was by scent and looks; he was the son of lady Harumi. Sesshomaru knew that the time had come for him to reclaim his kingdom.

Fate would have him killing Ryoma's two sons this day and gathering his troops in a surprise attack. Bokuseno's predictions had started.

Chou - Butterfly

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