Chapter Twenty
The Kiss, The Curse
Disclaimer: -The lawyers look like they're going to cry- Yeah … that's right! I can be mean but … I can also rock! Oh yeah … I still don't own InuYasha, but I do own Sesshy's and Kagome's children. Heh.
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It had been a couple weeks since Takara had brought the human infant to the castle and no one was getting any sleep.
Kasei was sleeping for a couple hours when early dawn broke and he didn't notice until a cry from across the hall woke him. Growling a little, he grabbed a pillow, cramming it over his sensitive ears, trying to block out the cry but was unsuccessful. Once the crying was ceased, he let out a relieved sigh and attempted to go back to sleep and pulled it off … for the next twenty minutes, that is.
Another cry came again and this time, it was more pronounced and wouldn't go away. Sighing, he sat up, stomping towards Takara's room in only his boxers.
"What are you doing to that poor kid?" He demanded grumpily. Takara just rolled her eyes.
"I'd like to see you do better." Kasei glared at her.
"Fine. I will." Kasei took the child from his twin sister and took a towel, putting the child to his shoulder and rubbing in an upward direction.
To both their surprise, the child quieted and a burp could be heard. The twins looked at each other, blinking. It actually worked?
Apparently it had because then the child settled down into sleep. Takara yawned a little, taking Hana from her brother and laying her in the basket.
Kasei sighed. "Let's try and get back to sleep." Takara nodded.
"I agree." With that, Kasei left for his own room and crawled into his bed, not realizing that he had an intruder of his own.
With a sigh, he closed his eyes and then his nose picked up a special scent and slowly … the 'intruder' rolled to face him with a smile. Kasei's eyes grew and his heart pounded.
"Ai." He breathed out, causing her to smile again.
"Good morning. I saw what you did and … it was really sweet. I didn't know how good you were with children. Small children, I mean, like babies." Kasei blushed a little. He couldn't stop thinking about Ai was in HIS bed and he didn't even have to hardly do anything but be himself for it to happen!
"Uh … thanks. I didn't know either … " Ai smiled, her blue eyes sparkling a little.
"Want to go for a walk?" Kasei nodded a little, his mouth still hanging open and Ai got up with a smile.
"I'll meet you outside then." With that, she was gone.
Kasei slowly reached over and, to make sure it wasn't just some mind trick from lack of sleep, touched the still warm spot where Ai had just been. Nope, defiantly not a dream or a tick or anything like that …
Drawing in a shaky breath, Kasei got up, changing into a deep blue kimono with purple and white.
Ai was standing in the early morning sunshine, in a kimono that was pink and looked like it had been carefully splashed with blue. Her chestnut tresses were teasing her back and unbounded, her blue eyes closed and her face turned to the gentle breeze.
When Kasei saw her, his heart felt like it stopped. She looked like a goddess …
Slowly, deep blue eyes that shone in the light, making them seem like they held the depths of the sea in them, turned to him and a smile came to her slightly pink lips.
"I thought you wouldn't come for a minute." She said softly, her voice like soft, sweet music to his ears and made them twitch a little and he smiled back.
"I could never stay away from you. After all, we are going to be getting married." Ai smiled back at him, nodding a little.
"True."
Slowly, they began walking, hand in hand, a comfortable silence between them. They had walked so long that they came to one of their favorite spots. There was a river only a few steps away and the ground was covered in a lush, soft green grass and it had a scattered field of flowers.
Trees lined the spot and allowed for plenty of sunshine in the clearing. Nature was in perfect harmony in that moment.
Kasei's eyes met the beautiful depths of Ai's and slowly, they closed the distance between each other and …
Their lips met and all Kasei could hear was the birds chirping merrily somewhere off in the distance. She felt just so good, so right, so … everything.
Ai melted against him a little and she found herself clutching his kimono, feeling like if she didn't hang onto him, she was going to fall off the edge of the Earth …
Slowly, almost time stopping slow, the kiss ended and both hanyou and full youkai looked at each other, their eyes speaking more than words ever could. With that, Ai buried her face in Kasei's kimono with a smile and a blush.
Kasei wrapped his arms around her and they stood there for a minute, just like that. Ai in Kasei's arms and Kasei's arms wrapped around her lovingly. Time went on slowly, the world passing them by for now until a small splash from a fish in the water brought them back to their reality.
Ai laughed a little and Kasei smiled and both of them looked at each other before Kasei cupped the back of her neck and brought his lips down onto hers again.
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Shippo was looking between Kasei and Ai, back to Kasei and then to Ai again. He couldn't figure it out but … something seemed … different about them, but what? Frowning, he crossed his arms, still looking at them. What had happened between them, anyways? Yesterday, they were so embarrassed they could hardly stand being in the same room as each other but now they were sitting next to each other and exchanging looks.
Deciding that he would just wait until after breakfast, Shippo nudged Rin and motioned his head towards them. Rin noticed this and nodded a little, understanding that they would question them after the morning meal.
The rest of the morning, it was silent and Kasei's ears twitched as he began smelling rain …
It was well after breakfast when Kasei noticed that it was going to rain and he stood just inside the doors, watching as the sky darkened with dangerous clouds and then, in seconds, rain water began coming down in buckets. His ears twitched again and he could smell Haku and … fear coming off him.
Growling, he took off towards the sounds and calls for help. When he arrived, Haku was on the ground, shaking and bleeding, his hair clinging to his wet back in the rain.
There was a hungry demon that looked like a dangerous cross between a rabbit and badger and Kasei could smell the boy's blood on the demon's claws. Announcing himself with a low and feral growl, the demon looked up at Kasei and growled back, instantly attacking him swiftly and quickly.
The rain slowed Kasei's movements down but he managed to dodge the red claws just in time. The demon growled and charged at him again and Kasei escaped narrowly again. Just when he landed, he slipped on the wet ground and fell face first into the mud, causing a perfect moment for the demon to best him.
With rage in its mind at Kasei interrupting his meal of the young human boy, the demon sank it's claws into Kasei's side since Kasei moved but didn't move fast enough. Crying out in extreme pain, Kasei clutched his side and whatever was in the demon's claws, it was injected into him and he was slowly losing control over his body. Fighting whatever kind of poisons or spell or something had begun taking over Kasei's body, he managed to wrap his hands around the demon's wrist and slowly shove it out of his body before it all was injected. His vision was beginning to get dark, he was quickly losing his strength and just before he blacked out completely, he saw Haku somehow shoot a light out of his hand. Closing his eyes, he desperately tried to make sense of this … how could the boy do that? He hadn't detected any kind of spiritual powers from him …
Kasei groaned a little and Haku must have heard him because he was kneeling over him when he opened his eyes again. He could see him talking but … he couldn't hear anything. Why couldn't he hear anything? He saw Haku look up and yell something; at least, it looked like he was yelling…
Kasei groaned again. His head hurt so much … he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore … sleep was calling him and … they were telling him that his head would stop hurting. He didn't want to hurt, anymore …
Closing his eyes, he began drifting towards the darkness but he could remotely feel someone pick him up and then … a little while later … he was put down somewhere warm and dry. It was so nice and warm, wherever he was and … whatever he was on was so soft.
In the waking world, Haku was shaking Kasei, trying to wake him up but Takara took his hand and sat him down on a bed to check on his wounds. She was worried about her brother, true, but he was a fighter and a half demon while Haku was only a small boy and full human though whatever was affecting her brother wasn't affecting Haku.
The healers of the castle were truly confused. It had only been minutes since they had wrapped up Master Kasei's serious wounds and now … they were nearly healed! One of them hurried off to tell Lord Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru was in his study, trying to get through his mounds of paperwork when a knock on the door roused him from his grumbling.
"Enter." He said stiffly and the healer opened the door slowly and bowed. Sesshomaru raised his brows at this.
"Lord Sesshomaru, you might want to see this. It is your son, Master Kasei." A bit of panic rose up in Sesshomaru's chest and he nodded a little, rising and following the healer to the room.
Kasei was laying on the bed, the bandages covered in blood but there was nothing more than a few minor scratches on his side where the wound had been and though the room was toasty, the boy was shivering violently as some of the other healers put more blanket over him and the others were changing the bowls of water that were being used to keep the boy's forehead cool.
Sesshomaru frowned a little and inhaled a deep breath of the boys scent and closed his eyes. He did not sense or smell sick and yet, his physical state was saying otherwise. For once, the taiyoukai didn't know what to do.
"Keep him on bed rest and make sure he has plenty of herbal tea." The healers nodded and he left the room and found his mate sitting on the stairs, clutching Kasei's kimono that was ripped and torn, covered in blood and soaking wet.
Kagome was clutching it to her chest and sobbing into the material, close to hysterics. Shippo and Rin were sitting with her, trying to desperately comfort and console their mother.
With a sigh, Sesshomaru knelt down to his mate and took the cloth, hushing her gently when she protested and picking her up in his arms as Rin and Shippo rose as well. He handed them the cloth.
"Something is not right. Take this to the priestess Kaede in the Eastern Lands, she should know how to deal with this." They nodded and hurried to gather their things and leave on their new mission.
Placing a kiss on his mate's forehead, he brought her to their quarters and gently laid her down on the bed, watching as she fell asleep. He would find out what was wrong, he vowed. Before it was too late …
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Days later, Kasei finally showed signs of recovery but Sesshomaru was not happy though, at his wife and mate's insistent pleas, he finally allowed his son to return to his normal activities. Things had been strange and were making everyone in the castle uneasy and jumpy and Sesshomaru was noticing it more and more. Yesterday, he found a message written in blood and one of his servant's dead. The day before, Katsu and Haku were playing in the covered area in the courtyard when they had said something had slashed their ball and was following them, they boys were so spooked that they hadn't gone outside for the rest of the day.
Another strange thing was that it hadn't stopped raining since the attack on Haku and Kasei. All the water was surely needed after the long, long scorching summer that they had just had but it was making Sesshomaru uneasy and restless and with the high rate in killings in his lands, it wasn't safe for even him to really be outside for a prolonged period of time.
To make things worse, Rin and Shippo hadn't returned yet …
"Sesshomaru." Kagome's voice brought him out of his thoughts. He had been standing at their bedroom window, staring out at the rain and the dark clouds for the last four hours though he hadn't noticed. It was now four in the morning.
"Sesshomaru." Kagome called again, this time her voice was a little more urgent. With the dark, nearly black clouds that had been over the lands, there wasn't much light and now that winter was nearly upon them, the sun would not even rise until around eight in the morning, making it even darker than usual.
"It's alright, Kagome. I'm still here." He heard her relieved sigh and smelt her dwindling fear and he smiled a little.
"Why aren't you sleeping? It's four in the morning." Sesshomaru nodded a little.
"I know but I am worried about Rin and Shippo and other things." He heard the rustle of the blankets and felt her arms go around his waist. He put an arm around her instinctively, bringing her closer to his body.
"I'm worried, too. Shippo is a very strong youkai though and Rin has had extensive training so they should be fine." Sesshomaru nodded.
"I am also concerned about the growing number of deaths that has penetrated even my castle. I want everyone on high alert and all the young kids to be with either you, Takara or I." Kagome nodded then she realized that she hadn't mentioned Kasei.
"What about the others?"
"They would be safe with Ai as well."
"And Kasei?" Sesshomaru didn't answer for a long time. He didn't know what was wrong or why his gut and instincts were telling him to keep everyone away from him and even to barricade the boy in the dungeon but Kagome would never allow him to lock the boy up. Even if it was for their protection …
Sesshomaru shook his head a little, pushing the thoughts out of his head. What threat was his son to the safety of the rest of the castle? What possibly made him think that he would need to resort to locking up his own flesh and blood?
"I don't know, Kagome. He seems to be fine but … my instincts are telling me that everything is not as well as it seems … "
Kagome was also silent for a long time as she thought over this new bit of information. He had been acting a little strange lately. Also, Sesshomaru's instincts have never been wrong before, if anything, they had been right on target with everything. But … could they, WERE they right about this?
Slowly, she sorted out her words in her mind and slowly formed her answer.
"I know he's been acting strange and I also know that your instincts have never been anything but right on. I can't help but wonder if they could possibly be wrong this time, though." Sesshomaru let out a barely inaudible sigh.
"I have also thought on this but I have also dismissed it. I am not sure of what to do." Kagome nodded a little.
"Neither am I."
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Kasei was tossing in his sleep, in his room. His body was covered in sweat and he kept having these strange dreams with these … people telling him to kill his family … but … he couldn't! They were his family! He couldn't kill his family!
Panting hard, he gripped the pillows and the bed, groaning a little. No … he couldn't kill his family. Why would he want to?
Kasei's Dream StartKasei was looking around, trying to figure out where he was. He was only wearing his boxer shorts and it was raining and the cold water droplets were soaking him and he couldn't smell anything because of it. He shivered, looking around again. Slowly, he realized that he was where the demon had attacked Haku. But, why was he there?
Kill them.
Kasei spun around, prepared to fight but he found nothing and no one. He was alone.
"Who's there? What do you want?"
KILL them!
Kasei was starting to get a little scared. There was this voice but there was no one there.
"Why? Who?"
Kill them. Your family. Kill your family.
Kasei shook his head, backing up until he had backed himself into a tree.
"No. I won't do it. You can't make me!"
You know you want to, Kasei.
"No I don't!"
Yes you do. I can see it, your deepest desires, your wants, your needs, everything. I can see everything. I can see how you want to punish your father for leaving you, your sister and your mother. I can see you want to make things right.
Kasei shook his head again.
"No! Leave me alone! Go away!" With that, he began running. He didn't know where he was running to and suddenly, everything was just black. He couldn't see any light, couldn't feel anything but fear, couldn't smell anything, couldn't see anything, and couldn't hear anything. The only thing he could do was feel the fear that was rising up in him and beginning to choke him.
He couldn't breathe!
Scratching his neck, he tried to pull away from whatever was holding him and run again but he couldn't. All he could do was pull and scratch at the nothingness.
Gradually, he sank to his knees, his will finally broken.
Kill them.
Kasei nodded and rose, his eyes completely lifeless. "Yes master."
Suddenly, he was clothed and he was standing in the courtyard, the dead bodies of his sister, Katsu, Haku, Takara and the baby she had taken in, Hana.
His father was desperately trying to pick himself up from the ground though he was suffering from lethal wounds and had lost a great deal of blood. Kasei looked to his father with his lifeless eyes, not feeling anything, just commanding.
Rin and Shippo tried to take him down but he killed them just as easily, wielding his father's sword, Tokijin. Some villagers came at him and he sliced them with one swift movement of his arm.
Kill the girl. Kill Kagome. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her.
Kasei then turned to his mother who stood, staring at him with fear in her brown eyes. She tried to talk him out of his 'haze' or whatever word she used but he only stared at her with lifeless eyes.
Then, he lifted the sword and it began to pulse and he quickly brought it down, perfectly executing his mother, the woman that had cared for him, that loved him, that had shed tears for him when he was hit by the car when he was merely five, that had gone out and bought him a new game for getting straight A's on his report card, the woman that would hold him and kiss him good night every night when he was younger.
Suddenly, whatever spell he was on was lifted and Kasei blinked a little and then the stench of blood reached his nose and a sinking feeling filled him.
Whirling around, he saw everyone he loved and cared for laying in their own blood, dead by his hand. He then looked down at his hand and dropped the bloodied demon sword as if it was burning him. Stepping back, he almost fell over a body.
Regaining his balance, he turned around and his eyes widened and hot tears filled his eyes and spilled over.
Laying there, with a disbelieving look on her face was his mother …
Kasei began shaking and he shook his head a little and he then noticed that it was raining and raining hard and that he was soaked to the bone.
"No … " He whispered, unable to tear his gaze from his mother.
"No! NO! NO! NO!" Emotions overwhelming him, he took off running and didn't even notice the cliff until it was too late. He couldn't stop his fall and he was falling, falling, falling …
Kasei Dream End"NO!" Kasei yelled just as lightning streaked through the sky, sending eerie light into his room for merely seconds before plunging him into darkness again.
Instantly sitting up, he looked around the room and slowly began realizing that nothing had happened, that it was all just a horrible, horrible nightmare. Breathing heavily, he brought his legs up to his chest and closed his eyes for a minute.
He felt like he was going to be sick but he fought it back, laying back against the pillows and trying to will his heart to slow down.
A baby's cry from down the hall gave him a strange sense of relief and he got up and walked to his twin sister's room with a frown when the cry increased. Knocking on the door, he slowly opened it and at first couldn't see anything but then lightning lit the room up again and Takara was laying on the floor, blood flowing freely from a gaping wound that looked like claw marks.
He rushed in and knelt down to his sister, rolling her over.
"Takara, wake up. Takara, wake up! MOM! DAD! ANYBODY! HELP ME! TAKARA!"
Both Sesshomaru and Kagome ran in and Sesshomaru had to grab Kagome and tell her to go and get the healers to keep her from going absolutely hysterical.
Kagome nodded and ran off while Sesshomaru pushed Kasei away, beginning to check for vitals.
Ai was in the doorway, keeping hold of Haku who was trying to break free and go to his adopted mother while she tried to fight back tears herself as she looked to her friend.
Katsu was standing in the doorway also, shocked to the core with his mouth open and his eyes wide.
Kasei was beginning to feel a little numb. First the nightmare, then this …
He walked over to Hana and picked her up and then noticed the blood on his hand. His face paled and he stumbled backwards, nearly dropping the infant as he stared at his hand.
He knew that he hadn't touched her wound or put his hand in her blood, he knew this for a fact.
But … if he hadn't touched her wound or her blood then … the only logical explanation was … that … his dreams weren't really dreams anymore …
Shoving Hana into Ai's arms, he left the room and was walking at first but then he broke into a run, bursting through the doors and running out into the storm.
Ai blinked a little, confused at Kasei's actions and then she noticed the blood on the baby's blanket and the lightning lit up the room and Kasei's name was written all over the walls in blood …
"Sesshomaru." Ai called softly and Sesshomaru looked at his soon to be daughter in-law and followed her gaze and gaped himself.
Kasei … was responsible for all the deaths …
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Kasei ran and ran and ran until he couldn't run anymore. Tripping over his own feet, he fell harshly into the wet; muddy grass and tears were streaming down his cheeks. Then … the voice was back …
Kill them.
Kasei's eyes widened a little and he slowly stood. "Who … who are you? What do you want? Leave me alone!"
I can't, Kasei, for I am one with you. I have merged with your blood. The change in inevitable, Kasei. You will kill everyone you love and care for.
Kasei stumbled back a little, shaking his head. "No! I won't do it! You can't make me! Who are you?"
Why, I'm you, Kasei.
Kasei growled. "No you're not! Who. Are. You!"
I am you. I have been ever since the attack. You have some good skills, Kasei.
"No! I won't listen to you! Get out of my body!"
I can't do that. You're already changing. Lord Sesshomaru and the rest of your pathetic family shall die by YOUR hand, Kasei. YOU shall be the one to kill them, not I.
Kasei gripped his head, groaning in extreme pain. "NO! I won't let you! I'll kill myself before I let you kill my family!"
Tsk, tsk. Stupid boy. You WILL do as I say!
Another wave of nearly unbearable pain gripped Kasei, sending him to his knees. He couldn't let this happen. He couldn't.
Wave after wave of pain ripped through his body and it felt as if someone was burning him from the inside out. Throwing his head up, he screamed in pain and then slumped to the ground.
Ai had set out to find Kasei and bring him back to his senses. Sesshomaru had told her that the demon had probably injected him with a venom that cursed the victim and she had to be extra careful.
"Remember, Ai, only true love can break the curse."
Sesshomaru's words rang in her ears as she raced towards where his voice was leading her.
C'mon, legs, move! Don't fail me now!
Ai skidded to a stop and she saw Kasei laying face down in the grass. Fearing for the worst, Ai rushed to him and knelt down, shaking him a little.
"Kasei, Kasei wake up." The rain was now pounding on Ai's back but she didn't feel it, nor did she see Kasei's eyes open to only reveal a dull bronze color.
Slowly he moved and relief washed over Ai and she pulled him into a hug. "Kasei, you're okay! I was so worried." She noticed that Kasei was moving but she figured that it was only to hug her back.
The sharp pain in her shoulder came as a surprise and she jumped away and she finally noticed his lifeless look. Fear filled her and she shook her head.
"Kasei, snap out of it! It's me! Ai! You know, your fiancé!" Nothing she said seemed to have a reaction and he only charged at her with incredible speed. Ai dodged it and then had to dodge another attack and then another, this one barely missing her.
She didn't want to have to fight back but what other choice did she have? She whipped out her katana and used to block his attacks and she was slowly moving back towards the castle without knowing it. Whatever she decided to do, she had to do it and fast.
"Kasei! Stop it!" She called out and blocked another attack. She landed a swift punch to his stomach and it made him double over so she body checked him into the ground, landing on top of him and holding his wrists.
"Kasei, please. It's me, Ai. Please, wake up. Fight this. Don't let it win. You're stronger than this, I know you are." Kasei growled loudly and his body began convulsing violently and he gripped the ground, screaming, trying to fight it off.
Inside his body, he could see Ai and hear her, too. He knew he couldn't hurt her, wouldn't be able to live with himself if he hurt her, or anyone but he didn't know how to stop this.
Run away, Ai! Run and get everyone away from the castle!
Just as life was about to come back into his golden eyes, the curse took over again and rose his body up and lunged at Ai, wounding her again and following her when she jumped back.
No! Stop it! KNOCK IT OFF! LEAVE HER ALONE!
With one final blow, Ai was sent flying backwards and for a few minutes, she didn't move.
Slowly, though, painfully slow, she began lifting herself up. Her arms were shaking and one of her ribs were broken. She coughed and spat out some blood. She wouldn't hurt him, she refused to.
"I won't let you hurt anyone. I refuse to back down." Slowly, she drew herself up to a standing position and she held a bleeding wound that was on her arm.
She almost fell but refused to let her body give up on her so soon. Slowly, she looked into his lifeless eyes and realized what she had been missing all her life.
Kasei. She had been missing Kasei. She … loved him. That's why she refused to fight back! That's what kept pushing her.
"Kasei, I know you can hear me. I believe in you. I know you can fight this, I know you can break this curse. You're strong, Kasei."
Inside his own body, Kasei felt like he was locked in a cage. He pounded against the bars, trying to get out.
I can't, Ai. I can't do this! It's too strong …I'm too scared and tired …I can't fight this … I'm not strong enough!
"Don't think that you're not strong enough to fight this, Kasei." She said as she slowly moved to him. Kasei's body jerked back and gave a snarl, flexing his claws and striking at her, sending her flying again.
Ai got up yet again. Slowly, she began moving towards him again.
Kasei fought it hard, he couldn't see himself hurt her again. He couldn't. If he killed her then … what meaning would his life hold?
Then it hit him and hit him hard. He wouldn't be thinking these thoughts if … if he didn't love her.
This new found realization gave him more strength and he slowly fought for control over his body.
"Ai … stay … away from me! I don't … want to … hurt you … again!"
Ai only smiled, moving closer.
"I won't back down, Kasei. Not now, not ever. I can't, I refuse to. There's too much at stake. I can't lose you, I can't lose anyone." By now, she was merely inches from him and moving closer.
Kasei could smell the blood, her blood. He could see her wounds and it made him want to break whatever had this hold on him.
He had to break it.
He just had to.
He loved Ai.
He loved his family.
He couldn't let this win.
He had to fight it.
"I won't let you hurt anyone, Kasei. I won't." She was so close.
Kasei's eyes began flashing and he was growing a little stronger.
"Why?" He asked through clenched teeth.
He saw her smile and he fought harder.
She was fighting for him so he had to fight for her.
He just had to.
Her lips were just a breath away from his and he could smell her blood still.
"Because I love you."
Then, Ai leaned up and pressed her lips against his.
Just when his lips connected with hers, Kasei felt something shatter inside of him and he was in control again. He began kissing her back and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding him to her.
She loved him.
She loved him.
She loved him.
Him of all people!
Slowly, after what seemed like forever, they pulled back and the life was back in Kasei's eyes and he looked into Ai's beautiful blue ones.
"I love you, too." He murmured just before losing consciousness.
Ai had to shield her eyes from the bright light and when it disappeared, she looked down to see a tiny puppy. Smiling a little, Ai kneeled down and picked him up, cradling him in her arms.
Slowly standing again, Ai began walking back to the castle.
As she parted from the trees, the clouds began going away and the sun came out and there was a light breeze. The sun shone down on her as she held the puppy that was Kasei in her arms and the breeze blew her hair and clothes to the side.
Sesshomaru had come out when the sun did and when he saw Ai come out of the forest, holding the puppy, he knew that she was of great power, nearly more than him.
Slowly, he lowered himself and then the spectators stood with wide eyes as the great Lord Sesshomaru, taiyoukai and ruler of the Western lands, the first born son of the great InuTashio bowed.
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The next day, Ai awoke in the healer's wing and smiled a little as she looked over to Kasei who had turned back into his usual form. He hadn't woken up since yesterday.
Sitting up, she studied him, recalling the discussion her, Sesshomaru and Kagome had gone through yesterday.
Flashback
Sesshomaru, Ai and Kagome all sat in the dining hall, tea and other goodies set out on the table. Ai had gotten cleaned up and Sesshomaru had agreed to let her stay in the healing wing with Kasei.
"Ai, do you have any questions?" Sesshomaru asked. He knew all now, since Rin and Shippo had returned with Kaede's answer.
Ai nodded a little. "Yes." She was silent for a little as she sorted them out.
"What really happened to him?" Sesshomaru sipped his tea.
"There is a prophecy that includes the first born son of a great demon father but a human mother, so, it includes Kasei since Kagome is his mother."
Ai nodded a little, listening.
"It is said that the boy in question will battle a type of demon that holds the power to inject a certain poison that is a curse and it will slowly take over his body. At first, he will not be aware of his killings or anything of the sort but when he harms someone very close to him, he will know. Takara is his twin sister and, naturally, twins have a much stronger bond than most siblings.
It is also said that when it rains for four full days without stop, the last day, the fifth day will be the day when he loses all control and is unstoppable unless stopped by the one that holds his love, though they will not realize it until the end that it is the most powerful kind of love there is. You, Ai, were willing to die to stop him and then you realized that if he did not live, neither could you. This also opened up the door for you to realize your true feelings, which would have opened a door for more strength. Not physical strength but, spiritual, emotional and mental strength.
Though you may not have consciously known what to do, your heart did and, being yourself, you followed your heart. You had faith him and gave him light on the darkest time of his life, hence, you gave him the key to unlocking his own feelings. Once he realized his feelings, he then was nearly able to break the curse. You telling him that you loved him gave him the strength he needed and he then was able to break the curse.
The prophecy also says that whomever holds his true love is stronger than any demon lord. He is also much, much stronger than he thinks and with your combined powers, you shall both bring peace to this world, fighting side by side in one, final battle."
Ai nodded slowly, taking this all in. She sipped her tea and dared not to trust her voice to speak.
"So, why did he transform into a puppy?" Kagome asked, unknowingly asking the very thing Ai couldn't trust herself to ask.
Sesshomaru nodded again, sipping his own tea.
"Because it is his very first form. From when he was in your womb, Kagome, he was a puppy but grew into what he was born into, half demon, and half human. His body was so exhausted as well as his emotional, spiritual and mental state that with the last bit of spiritual energy he could unconsciously summon up, he was then transformed into a puppy, which he was able to gather more energy. Normally, it would have taken a few days to go back to his regular form but since you are a miko, he called upon his human miko blood and was his normal form again. It is astounding that miko and demon blood are living in harmony and since Takara is his twin, I believe that her miko and demon blood are also in perfect harmony."
End Flashback
Ai sighed a little bit, leaning up against the wall and closing her eyes a little, falling asleep for a few minutes before she heard a rustling noise.
She opened her eyes and got ready to fight but she realized the sound was coming from Kasei's bed and she got up, sitting on the chair that was there.
Slowly, Kasei opened his eyes, grimacing a little at the sunlight. Ai's scent instantly caught his nose and he looked up, his heart skipping a beat.
Ai smiled a him and took his hand, placing a kiss on it.
Kasei smiled a little and brought her down for a proper kiss.
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A/N: Well! I expect to get lots of reviews for this chapter! It is the longest chapter there is, so far! But, it is also an important chapter that had lots of milestones in it!
I really don't have any ideas for after this but, the wedding is coming up and Shippo is going to have to find a mate and then leave for his position of Lord of the Eastern Lands!
Other than that … I don't know what will be happening or even how long the chapters will be! Anyone have ideas? PLEASE INCLUDE THEM IN YOUR REVIEWS!
ESKKTTRAN: Thank you for pointing out my mistake in chapter four –Gives you cookies-
Artic Fox Sorario: It all depends on what you would think I would call you crazy for!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU TO EVERY SINGLE LAST PERSON WHO REVIEWED!
I'VE GOT 100 REVIEWS! YEAH!