Sweetest Sin
DaggersBloodPain
Chapter Eleven
Safe
The Western Castle was a place Inuyasha had not been to since he was a very young pup. It was smaller than he remembered, but it was still enormous. He castle walls encircled several gardens and training areas along with the building itself.
Walking through the large wrought iron gates shoulder to shoulder with his brother Inuyasha was able to keep the awe from showing on his face and appeared to be coolly observing everything around him mimicking his brother when he was actually more of a star struck pup.
It did not take long for Sesshomaru's guards to spot them, they saluted their Lord but stared at Inuyasha with mistrust. This caused both brothers' ire to rise.
Sesshomaru strode to the nearest guard, "Prepare the eastern Training yard for an exhibition." He calmly ordered, but the guard hurried to obey like a fire had been lit under him.
"Come Inuyasha we need to alert the council. I want this settled today otherwise there will be no peace from any of them." Sesshomaru explained leading him into the castle.
Inuyasha continued to glance around himself as he followed Sesshomaru through the castle. He knew from Sesshomaru's acceptance of the mating he knew Inuyasha was going to win whatever test he would be given so he was not worried in the slightest. He was just curious as to who or what he would be fighting.
Sesshomaru suddenly turned to the let and entered a large room without preamble. Inside Inuyasha saw about seven large, and apparently aged, youkai sitting around a large table. They had various parchment scrolls and counting devices cluttering up the table and it appeared as if Sesshomaru had just interrupted a heated debate.
"Lord Sesshomaru, we did not receive word of your arrival. Was your mission successful?" The youkai closest to the door asked with civility.
"Yes my mission was successful, but we have a pressing matter to take care of, please accompany me to the eastern training yard." Sesshomaru responded and in turning to exit the room once more the council members caught sight of Inuyasha's bright red clothing and thus saw the Hanyou.
"What is that filthy half-breed doing here?" A large bear youkai asked with disgust, he soon had two swords pressed against his throat.
"Call me that again and even Sesshomaru will not be able to stop me from killing you." Inuyasha growled his grip on Tetsusaiga so tight his knuckles were white.
"Congratulations, you just volunteered to be Inuyasha's test. He has come to fight for his inheritance and I wondered which of you would be prejudice enough to speak out." Sesshomaru informed him his grip on Tokijin light but steady.
The bear demon was not stupid enough to press his luck by speaking when he had two swords pressed to his throat, he came with the brothers without further incident.
XXXX meanwhile at the human village XXXXXXXX
Kaede had been shocked when the entourage of humans and demons entered her hut. With one member prominently missing her heart leapt into her throat before Kagome caught the expression. "Inuyasha isn't dead he is with Sesshomaru heading West."
"Come in, ye must have a tale to tell. I see ye have brought wounded, I will tend to them while the tale is told." Kaede invited knowing a lot must have happened to this group since they had left the last time. The inclusion of the two ookami and the little girl that used to follow Sesshomaru everywhere was a bit of a shock.
While the healthy ones sat down with there backs to the wall of the hut and explained the events of the past few days Kaede's gentle hands went to work unwrapping wounds and heating up various teas and poultices to administer to the wounded members.
When it came time for Ayame to drink the tea she closed her mouth and weakly turned her head away refusing the drink, "This will not harm your child." Kaede's words caused Ayame's eyes to shoot open and her hands covered her stomach protectively.
"You poor thing, ye need to drink this it will help calm ye, and no harm will come to either of you." Kaede pressed gently sensing the pain the young wolf had gone through.
Finally, Ayame calmed enough to accept the warm tea and drank a little uncertainly. She had been lied to many times in the past the thought that this could be no different crossed her mind. The others didn't seem to be fighting her so she drank it anyway.
Ayame had latched onto Rin as soon as she was able, refusing to let the little girl go unless Kaede needed to heal something she couldn't reach with Rin in her lap. They were both traumatized from their capture and clung to each other just as they had in that filthy cell.
Sango noticed they were still shivering despite being next to the fire and wrapped up together. "We need to keep them warm, they are likely to go into shock now that we are here safe." She commented softly trying not to wake them from the light sleep they had fallen into.
"I don't think they would react well if they woke up to one of the guys next to them so come here." Kagome answered laying down on one side of them, and Sango realizing what she was doing went to lay on the other side. Both of the conscious women wrapped their arms around the two injured ones, Ayame and Rin were so small that Sango and Kagome's arms met around them, covering them in warmth and safety.
Kaede nodding approvingly at the actions of Sango and Kagome, with the girls taken care of she was able to turn her attention to Miroku and Kouga. Miroku had been hurt in the battle but it hadn't been very bad. All Kaede had to do was change the bandage when she knew the wound was healing just fine.
Kouga had not been hurt in the battle as he was with Sesshomaru and Shippo had saved them from being stung by Naraku's poison bugs. Kaede just wanted to make sure he was alright.
"This is your first pup?" She asked once she discovered the wolf's condition.
"Yes," He answered shortly, not liking the direction the conversation was going. He still was not as comfortable as he could have been about being a Uke.
"How long has it been now?" She asked pressing forward despite the wolf's discomfort.
"About a week and a half," He replied quietly knowing that from the date she could figure out he had gotten pregnant after joining the group.
"Kaede leave him alone for now," Miroku defended his mate from her questions.
Kaede did stop asking questions, but that was because Miroku had just inadvertently told her what she wanted to know. She had found the pup's father.