Kagome could not believe the way Sesshoumaru was laying on the ground. His hand up to his chin, it was red and blood dripped from his lip. Kouga though stood about him just snarling above him. The crowd around them just seemed silenced in awe no one had ever made Sesshoumaru bleed and live through the ordeal. While to kagome this was like a nightmare going in slow motion as Sesshoumaru stood she saw the blood rage he had even the lords couldn't react fast enough as Sesshoumaru went on his attack to Kouga as the wolf was going on his own. Kagome had tears come down her eyes as she saw it all in slow motion as she screamed out. Just as she was screaming out it was like this wave of dark blue almost black shot out around kagome freezing everything she stood there shaking as her eyes stayed closed. When she finally opened her eyes, seeing that the whole room was frozen in place, she was shocked. She walked towards Sesshoumaru looking to his face his eyes blood shot but she saw more there she could not quiet explain. However, as she saw his claws going for Kouga she turned around to see Kouga in a high kick aimed for Sesshoumaru's chest. Shocked by this she had not wanted the two of them fighting it would start wars and this was not the time for such things. As she steeled herself, she saw the movement coming back to the bodies, as she stood there ready. She would not allow Kouga to land another hit on Sesshoumaru. Even as the room went back to normal it shocked all seeing Kagome suddenly between the two as Kouga kicked her back right into Sesshoumaru as he came to realize quick enough to pull his arm slightly to the side. However, that did not stop the damage that came as his claws went through her back and chest. He pulled her close in shock his usual stoic mask gone all could see the horror in his eyes as he dropped to his knees holding kagome to him. Kagome chuckled and smiled to him as her hand moved up to his lip her hand glowing pink as she healed his busted lip.
"Open your eyes…..go to the mirror," she said to him as the pain hit her her eyes closed her hand went limp as she passed out.
It was seconds later, a loud roar heard from the Northern lord and Noriko rushed between the two males, as Kouga was slow to realize just what had happened. He was confused and hurt seeing kagome their arms open for the attack.
"She….was protecting him" he said under his breath in shock. Kouga had thought he had a chance but seeing kagome's kimono now soaking with her blood from the injury that the two had given her he felt horrible.
Taikan growled out his displeasure as he moved to kagome her only heard another growl come from Sesshoumaru he looked to the young pup seeing his eyes blood shot as he leaned over Kagome's limp body. Sesshoumaru barred his teeth his markings going ridged as he was fully under control of his beast as it protected kagome. Taikan growled louder to Sesshoumaru's beast letting his own take over as his eyes took on the blood shot and his black markings going ridged as well. His own hair started to rise off his back.
"She's my pup now release pup!" Taikan growled and snapped in the Inu demon language. He would not let Sesshoumaru kill his daughter as she was still bleeding in Sesshoumaru's arms.
"MINE!" Sesshoumaru's beast snapped back at them as Kagome gave a whimper having Sesshoumaru lean down nudging her cheek with his forehead his beast whining all shocked by this. Sesshoumaru is usually fully in control of his beast while right now they were truly witnessing him care for another like never before.
"She'll die if you don't hand her over!" Taikan had seen that sign that the young lord just might love kagome more than he knew. The beast had already claimed her as his but seeing this had him truly; sure, that Sesshoumaru would love his daughter but so far, he is losing this fight.
However, as Sesshoumaru has beast heard that his more logical side started to gain more control as he laid her down and backed away standing up as Taikan quickly moved over to kagome picking up her. Her body truly limp only whimpers coming from her, as Noriko looked over her wounds the rage growing in her.
"Both of you come with me" Noriko spoke to Sesshoumaru and Kouga. She turned and left having them both follow her. They needed to get somewhere alone so that the crowd that was parting now for them to leave all knew this was nothing to come. The South was beyond mad as he felt what had happened had insulted his Daughter but he kept his mouth shut on the matter for now. However, the Eastern Lord came to walk next to Noriko, as he was a member of the council as well. When another came to walk on the other side of the Kitsune the old dragon that whom wisdom was highly known had just arrive, yet to meet kagome, wondered just why this had all happened in such a short time.
As the two males followed, Sesshoumaru still seemed a little off, as was Kouga. It was not as if either of them had intended to do Kagome harm. She had put herself there but both felt that were at fault for this. This type of competition would only lead to destroying one another as well as Kagome's poor heart. Noriko already had seen that Kagome felt something for the Ice lord but he seemed to push it away each chance he had. As they enter a small study, Noriko had been giving during her stay at the Castle. Seeing Hideki there, she looked him over but the look in his eyes was something that caught her off guard as he was actually glaring his son down. She had figured as Kouga's father he would be there to fight on his sons behalf but she knew that would not happen now. However, as she saw Tokaji in the room as well she gave a soft smile.
"Lord Tokaji, when did you get here?" she asked him as Hideki turned to look to the elder Dragon. Tokaji actually was the only demon amongst them that showed just how old he was. His face had wrinkles and bags under his eyes. He had once been part of the Lords of the Lands as the Eastern lord, but with age, he grew to understand that role truly belonged to those of the next generation. His hair was a bright red but there were streaks of white from his age within the hair. Truly, he was the oldest demon alive and many believed it was due to him giving his lands to another. He had given the Eastern lands to Hideki's great grandfather.
"Yes well the news of young Lady Kagome's return I had come to give her my allegiances as owed by debt to her mother." He stated to them, as they all knew that it had been Kagome's mother that had saved him from a near death.
"Yes well it seems that her intended seems to not understand what treasure he fully has but only starts fights and conflict for the poor pup." Noriko said as Hideki stepped forward.
"It seems that Kouga here had laid claim to lady Kagome as she was still in her human form thinking she was another," Hideki said as he sent a glare to his son. "But for some sense the two can't keep the peace even for the Lady" he stated as he looked to sesshoumaru who once more had his mask back on but his eyes still had a glazed outlook.
"That does seem to be a problem," Tokaji said as he wondered just what they were truly feeling. "It seems though they both need to be put on restrictions when it concerns Kagome" Tokaji stated as well as looked to Sesshoumaru. "As for you pup what I just saw tells me that more is warranted for your punishment," he stated, as he was not going to let the young pup get away with dishonoring Kagome in such a way. "From what I've heard of this morning as well just what I saw you have no respect for her as a Lady or as your intended. I think that on that matter she should be released as your intend until you can prove to the council otherwise. Your race is going down in numbers and to protect that all the females should be with the strongest and honorable males of her race." He lectured Sesshoumaru as the young lord kept his mouth shut he knew that was something they might do.
Truly, as that thought came into his mind was that something he wanted. Did he want them to take kagome away? He could not seem to answer to that but his beast was rattling the cage it was in crying out for blood from the dragon that just threatened to take Kagome away from them. However, as he truly saw it that meant his honor would strip away as well as Kagome as much as he was starting to feel for the onna he did not want to lose his honor in anyway. It would stop him from finding a strong mate if the intended did not believe him to be honorable.
Noriko was a little shocked at what he was saying but hearing it from the Elder; she knew that was most likely the best choice in the matter. However, she didn't want Kouga to go unpunished from what she had seen before Kouga had arrived through her powers she knew that Sesshoumaru had been on the right path with Kagome but Jealousy was something that all felt and the stronger the feelings one had the stronger the jealousy.
"I agree but I think that in addition to that Kouga will not be permitted to be alone with Lady Kagome. Lord Sesshoumaru while tonight was not his best night I've seen that he had been working with Kagome so not all hope is lost" she said to Tokaji as he nodded his head.
"How about this they will both be put on restrictions during the time of that the council will be determining just who will be allowed to continue the Courtship" Tokaji said as he nodded his head hoping that this at least gave Sesshoumaru the time he needed to make up for the wrongs he had committed tonight.
~~~~~In the Castle Ward Wing~~~~~~
Taikan was pacing, as the healers worked on his daughter she wounded badly most likely would not be up for the next week maybe even longer. He was concerned he had told her the day before that he would allow her back on her quest for the jewel with Sesshoumaru being her protector but now he was not so sure. They were safe from all the troubles that came from the quest and yet he wounded her so badly much worse. As he kept walking, the three lords came to Taikan's side with worry and concern on their faces.
"Lord Taikan pacing is not going to stop the nerves I'm sure that you have the best healers here for her," said Noriko, as she was just as upset that kagome was hurt as him. Already she had felt a strong connection to the girl as she had heard about shippo they had been talking a little about things that he should learn.
Taikan looked over to the three with a soft smile as he tried to cheer up for them. However, as he did that a woman came out of the room that they had been working on Kagome. He was quick to jump right over to her asking her if his daughter was already and all types of questions. She answered them then told the lord that he was able to go see his daughter. The lords followed Taikan as he entered the room. Kagome looked peaceful as she slept there her face showed of no pain and already they saw the bandages from where she was hit. Taikan mentally winced at seeing her kimono now taken away with the blood that was on it had just about ruined it. He was quick to go to her side as she laid in the futon her hair spilled out around her face as she slept. Truly, to all in the room she looked like an angel sent to them by the gods to save their world. All knew what she was going to have to go through and none wanted to have such a weight placed on them but looking to her all felt this overwhelming need to help lift some of that weight off her shoulder.
Tokaji came up as Taikan sat himself down on the futon taking his daughters hand in his own just to have some sort of contact. Putting his hand on Taikan shoulder, he gave a squeeze to let him know they were there.
"I was coming here to pledge myself to your daughter as her mother had me promise. Nothing like this will be allowed to happen again I promise you this" Tokaji stated his voice calm and firm but still there was something in his tone that spoke of kindness. Most didn't hear the male talk truly he was not the one to put his money's worth in the council or the battle for lands but for kagome's mother he would do what he had promised to do.
Taikan was grateful to hear such a thing he had known of the promise to his mate but he would not call the elder on it till he was certain that he was not going to hold up to his honor. Happy to hear that he would he now knew for sure that she would be safe. Hideki stepped up saying how they should let kagome get her rest tomorrow she would be moved back to her room.