Chapter 14

Familiar Cry, "Hiraikotsu"

"There was a battle here," Sango murmured, looking around the clearing in disdain.

"I sense a strong demonic aura," Miroku murmured as he looked around, not realizing that Sango had left his side to investigate a ruined tree nearby. "It must be Naraku...whoever it was isn't here now. No where near here I should think...Sango?"

"Miroku, come over here," Sango called, kneeling down beside the tree. "Look at this,"

Miroku knelt, dipping his fingers into the pool of red at his feet. "Blood, and lot's of it."

Sango bit her lip as she studied her surroundings. "There were several people here," She let her eyes roam over the area around her. "I would guess there were four total, all standing around a fifth who was lying right here. Whomever that was is who this blood belongs to,"

"What do you think, Sango?"

"I don't know," She looked towards the trees and studied those with intensity as well. "Look how the trees are bent. We've seen this before, Miroku,"

"Yes, Sesshoumaru's Dragon Strike,"

"It's possible," Sango looked back down at the blood. "Naraku was definitely a part of this..."

"Then we're running out of time, Sango," Miroku stood up, giving the clearing one last fleeting look. "Let's go. We must get to the Keep as soon as possible,"

As soon as they had arrived at the Keep, Lucivar had gone back to Amdarh to pick up everything they'd left behind, including Shippo and Kilala and had returned in a hurry. Gabrielle had met them upon their arrival and, with Jaenelle in tow, they had began a long and gruesome healing for Inuyasha.

For two hours Kagome had fretted out in the hallway before Daemon had coaxed her into her pajamas and a hot meal. Now she was back in the hall, her back against the wall, Shippo and Kilala in her lap.

"Have faith in them," Daemon said gently as he rejoined her. "They know what they're doing."

"I know," Kagome murmured as Shippo offered her silent comfort. "Inuyasha will be fine...I know that, it's just that...the sound he made...watching it happen...It scared the hell out of me, my heart still hasn't slowed down yet,"

"I know the feeling," Daemon murmured, remembering what happened to Jaenelle all those years ago. "In a few hours you'll be fine, both of you will. Inuyasha may be bed ridden for a few days, but other than that he'll be fine,"

"I doubt he'll stay in bed even for a second after he wakes up, the stubborn jerk,"

Daemon smiled at her, chuckling. "Then you'll just have to persuade him to stay in bed, won't you?"

He completely understood the blush that came to her cheeks in that instant. "See? It has its upsides,"

"You're horrible," Kagome muttered humorously, shaking her head. "But thank you, it helps to laugh again,"

"You're welcome,"

"Rin,"

She paused, a nervous smile coming over her lips as she closed the door behind her. "I know I've apologized a million times and you've told me to shut up a million times, but I can't help but feel responsible."

"I won't say it again,"

"I know," She sat down on the edge of his bed as he stepped in from the garden. "But the fact that I let myself fall for something so silly is always going to haunt me. I made a mistake, and I regret it, but I won't do that again. I could have lost you forever tonight, Sesshoumaru, and that's the last thing I will ever want. You've practically raised me...and well...I love you,"

For a moment she feared the worst because he didn't say anything. But then Sesshoumaru hardly ever spoke about his feelings so it didn't necessarily mean that he didn't care for her or didn't want her. But a girl can only take so much.

"I guess I'll go to bed now," She rose with a smile and headed for her door. She wasn't surprised that Sesshoumaru let her get that far, however, she was surprised at how hesitant he was to wrap his arms around her. "You don't have to say it, Sesshoumaru."

"Thank you," Rin smiled, leaning back against him, her eyes drifting closed.

It was early the next morning when Jaenelle and Gabrielle had finished and stepped out of the room. Kagome looked up at them and smiled at Jaenelle's expression. Daemon had fallen asleep at some point and looked like a little child.

"You can go sit with him, Kagome. And Kagome," She grabbed the woman's arm and smiled softly. "He'll be asleep for a little while. Try to get some sleep yourself, ok?"

"Mm,"

Jaenelle turned towards her husband and shook her head. "Daemon, darling," She kissed him, smiling as he stirred. "Come on, Daemon, let's get a few hours of shut eye before I go bother grandpapa dragon,"

Kagome was quiet as she came into the room, moving slowly so she wouldn't wake him. His fire rat robes had been folded and were sitting on a table near the window, the Tetsuseiga with them. Inuyasha himself was sleeping peacefully on the bed, the blankets draped over his naked torso delicately. She studied the bandage on his chest for a moment before she walked to the other side of the bed and eased herself onto it and under the blankets. His breathing was still a little ragged, but stronger than it had been the night before. Kagome got as close as she dared and gently brushed the silver hair from his eyes. "Good night, Inuyasha,"

"Hey! Wait for me, Ladvarian!" Shippo shouted, launching himself over the bench towards the fountain where the Sceltie was running in circles, trying to coax Kaelas into playing again. Kilala watched from the bench with interest as the kitsune and Sceltie were able to get Kaelas back into the swing of things.

Jaenelle was pleased to see it when she found her way into the garden a little while later. "How are you doing, Kilala? And you, Shippo? Kaelas, what about you?"

Better...

"I'm glad to hear it," Jaenelle sat down on the bench and smiled as Kilala jumped into her lap and purred pleasantly. "I think today will be a better day then yesterday, don't you think?" She stroked Kilala's fur and sat back, looking up at the clear blue sky. "Yes, today is going to be a good day,"

Inuyasha's amber eyes snapped open as he rose from the healing sleep that Jaenelle and Gabrielle had forced him into. The room was dim, the curtains having been drawn over the windows to keep the room comfortably dark for both himself and Kagome.

Slowly, Inuyasha started to become more aware of his surroundings. Like how the room he was in now wasn't the room that he and Kagome had shared in Amdarh or the hall, so he knew he had to be at the Keep in Ebon Askavi and that the warm body curled next to him belonged to Kagome. The numbness of his back and chest came to him then and he raised a timid hand to the bandage over the wound on his chest. His breathing was coming a lot easier so he knew that Jaenelle and Gabrielle had repaired his punctured, perhaps even collapsed, lung.

He looked over to Kagome and smiled faintly. She looked so peaceful when she was asleep, almost like a Celestial Maiden. And she was his mate. His beautiful, haughty, strong mate.

"I scared the hell out of you last night, didn't I, Kagome?" He sat up, surprised that his injuries remained comfortably numb, and rolled until he was on top of her, staring down into her sleeping face. "Kagome," He nuzzled his nose against hers and felt a smile tugging at his lips as she tried to shoo him away. "Kagome,"

She yawned and stretched as she awoke, curious about the new weight on her. When her eyes finally focused in on Inuyasha she growled, "You stupid baka! What are you doing! Do you want to hurt yourself more!"

"I'm ok, Kagome," Inuyasha said gently.

"Lie back down! I mean it!"

"Kagome, I'm ok. I promise," He wasn't surprised to see the tears spilling from her eyes as relief washed through her. "I'm alright," He let her envelope him in her arms and breathed deeply her scent, his head resting on her shoulder.

"I was so scared that..." her voice broke and her arms tightened around him. "Don't ever do that to me again...!"

Inuyasha slid his arms under her and hugged her. "I won't, Kagome, if I can help it," He sighed heavily, releasing her so that he could look down at her again. "Don't you dare," He suddenly growled, seeing the look on her face. "Kagome, don't you dare start sputtering about how this is your fault,"

She turned her head, avoiding his gaze. "Listen, Kagome, I mean it. I didn't get hurt because of you. I made a mistake in my rage and turned my back on Naraku knowing full well that he was a risk. I just...I snapped when that bitch..." He shuddered at the thought of it and ran his clawed fingers over the healing cut on her neck.

"But it is my fault, Inuyasha," Kagome whispered. She's not going to be like this when we have a pup and he gets a cut or something, is she? The thought had a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I knew Surreal was coming because Lucivar and I reached you before she did. I knew she was behind us...but I made the mistake of ignoring it,"

"Kagome," Inuyasha squeezed her shoulder, his claws nipping her flesh a little. "It isn't your fault, trust me," He studied her face for a moment, losing himself in his own thoughts. In my demon form like that...when I'm blind to everything but my prey...will I be able to stop another mistake like yesterday? What if I die here? What if I can't get Kagome back home...What if...

"Inuyasha...?"

"Mm," He bent his head down low until his lips grazed her shoulder. "Can I ask a favor of you, Kagome?"

"Anything," She breathed, her arms wrapping around him again as he brought his lips to her ear, whispering into it. Her eyes widened as he made his request and her arms tightened significantly. "Of course, Inuyasha...How could I ever say no to you? Of course I will give you a pup..." His body trembled as he held her, biting gently on her ear lobe.

"Thank you, Kagome..."

"You look like hell," Daemon mused as Rin brushed past him to sit on the couch near the fireplace, her arms wrapped about her torso in discomfort. Saetan looked up from his desk and studied her intensely.

"Namesake, let's not badger her. After what you told me happened last night, I don't think lord Sesshoumaru would appreciate your amusement at his Lady's discomfort,"

Am I being scolded? Daemon grinned at his father, his mirror, and stuffed his hands into his trouser pockets. "Cramps?"

She blushed as she looked over to him, nodding.

"I believe I can help with that, if you'll excuse me," Daemon bowed to her and left the study.

"Should I be worried?" Rin asked, looking to Saetan for some form of reassurance.

"Not at all, little witch," Saetan chuckled. "From what I hear from the coven, Daemon makes the best moontime brews in the realms. Those cramps won't bother you in a little while. I doubt you'll hardly even know they're there,"

Rin nodded, looking back into the fireplace, already sick of being a woman. Saetan chuckled, shaking his head. "The first is always the most uncomfortable. I'm sorry to say that it won't be the worst,"

"So I've heard," Rin squirmed, wondering about Saetan's knowledge of the subject. He seemed to realize this and smiled.

"Child, I've had over fifty thousand years of dealing with women and I am sure I know quite a bit about their anatomy. The coven continues to remind me of this whenever they see fit,"

"Which will be right now, Uncle Saetan," Karla chuckled as she came into the study.

"Back from Glacia so soon?" He asked, his forced delight failing him miserably.

"Aww, now Uncle Saetan, you can't tell me that you didn't miss me!"

"Not at all,"

"Kiss, kiss!" Karla grinned. "Oh come on! You haven't noticed yet?" She pouted, folding her arms over her chest to give him a bigger hint.

"Noticed what?"

Her shoulders slumped and she growled at him, walking over to the couch to plop down onto it next to Rin. Now that he did notice.

"You don't need the cane anymore,"

She smiled at him then, pleased. "No, I don't,"

"Darling, that's wonderful!" Saetan said but his smile faltered a bit. "Does this mean you're going to be stepping on my toes again?"

"You bet,"

"Wonderful,"

"You realize that you have to stay in bed for the next two days, right, Inuyasha?"

"The hell I do," he snarled sleepily, still tangled up in her and the blankets. His head rested on her chest, his hanyou ears brushing the bottom of her jaw. "There's no way I'm staying in bed for the next two days,"

Oh yes you are! Kagome pouted at him slightly. "Now, Inuyasha, would spending the next two days in bed with me be so terrible?"

"Only if you tease me like you're doing now," Inuyasha growled, biting into the flesh at her neck. She moaned, giggling.

"I wasn't doing it on purpose,"

"Oh you lying little wench,"

"Inuyasha...!" Kagome gasped, giggling as her lover moved in for yet another round of play. They rolled and she grinned down at him triumphantly. "Ha...!"

"Kagome," The look he gave her was intense, full of emotion. She smiled gently, leaning down to kiss his chest teasingly.

"I promise you, Inuyasha, that by the spring you and I will have a pup together,"

She looks pleasantly laid, Karla thought as Kagome came into the room in her pajamas practically glowing. She sat down on the couch opposite from Rin and Karla and smiled.

"How is he?" Rin asked, still in discomfort.

"Sleeping," Kagome said gently, looking happier than she had in a long time.

"You're perky," Karla chuckled. "So spill, what's made you all smiles?"

Kagome blushed fiercely and looked away momentarily. "He asked me to give him a pup,"

Karla and Rin's eyes lit up, Saetan choked, and Daemon cleared his throat as he came back into the study.

"You have a habit of walking in on conversations at the most awkward of times, love," Jaenelle giggled as she followed him inside. "But this is exciting!" She sat down next to Kagome and grinned as Daemon passed the fresh brew he'd made on to Rin. She studied it intensely for a moment before she took a hesitant sip of it. She let the liquid roll over her tongue, swallowed and moaned. "Oh that's terrific..." She took another swallow, feeling her stomach become all fuzzy. "I love it,"

"You're welcome," Daemon set himself on the corner of Saetan's desk to discuss other matters while the women discussed Kagome and Inuyasha's plans for a family.

"Do you think it caught?" Karla asked, amused at how Kagome's blush deepened to a deeper crimson.

"I don't know..." She squirmed, smiling. "But I think so. I promised him that we'd have a pup in the spring,"

"Oh, well, then I suppose it caught," Karla giggled. "Of course, I'm sure a few more rounds just in case wouldn't hurt,"

Kagome flushed a deeper red as she murmured, "That's exactly what he said..."

The female laughter that erupted throughout the study made Saetan and his mirror relax a great deal.

"So that's the black mountain,"

"Just as Kaede said," Mioga said pleasantly on Miroku's shoulder. "We're almost there now. I believe I can see the faintest bit of the Keep from here."

"Then let's go,"

"Wait, Sango," Miroku was looking to the woods at their left. "I sense a demon..."

"Naraku?"

"No, it's not quite as strong, but it is hungry," Miroku turned towards the woods. "We should track it and get rid of it. We don't want this demon to be a problem later on,"

Sango nodded, following obediently. An hour later, the demon slayer and monk watched the pig demon drift into a garden that Mioga had said was part of the Keep. Apparently the demon had sensed a source of food in that garden, and they weren't surprised to see two women and a man standing near a fountain close to the edge of the woods.

Kagome and Jaenelle were chatting happily as they waited for Kilala and Shippo to return from their outing with Kaelas and Ladvarian, and Daemon was there because he had gotten thrown from the study by his father and had nothing better to do.

Jaenelle and Kagome giggled about something and then Jaenelle walked towards the edge of the woods to call to Kaelas and Ladvarian only to jump away from the massive demon that lunged towards her. Daemon reacted instantly, snatching Kagome and Jaenelle away and throwing up black shields, but before he could shatter the demon's mind with a burst of black power, the strangest of objects erupted from the tree line.

"Hiraikotsu!"

Kagome gasped, holding her breath as the giant boomerang tore the pig demon in half before it curved and returned to its owner.

"Hell's fire, what was that!" Daemon demanded, slightly unnerved.

"I can't...believe it..." Kagome felt tears stinging her eyes at the sight before her. She ran at Sango, throwing her arms around the woman, the force of it knocking them both into Miroku. "Oh, Sango!"

"Kagome!" Sango gasped, hugging the woman tightly. "We found you,"

"You're alive, I'm so glad to see you!" Kagome released Sango and hugged Miroku tightly as well. "We thought that...that you had died,"

"Nope, we're all quite alive." Miroku grinned. Sango gasped then at the two figures that were now racing towards them.

"Kilala!" She called, smiling fiercely as the two tailed cat leapt into her mistress' arms. "Oh, Kilala, it's so good to see you again!"

"Miroku!"

"Ah, Shippo," Miroku chuckled as the fox demon tackled him, causing him to stumble back a few steps. "We're all here then?"

"Where's Inuyasha, Kagome?"

Kagome growled then. "He had better be in bed,"

Sango glanced at Miroku. "That was his blood in the clearing?"

"Yeah..." Kagome murmured, realizing that Sango and Miroku must have been to the battlefield on their way here. "But Jaenelle healed him,"

"Jaenelle?" Miroku's eyes fell on the beautiful woman standing behind Kagome and instantly turned into the lecherous monk they all knew and loved. "My Lady, how gorgeous you are," He kissed her knuckles and Sango's eyes narrowed at him. "I must ask you, Lady, would you bare my children?"

"Oh Miroku..." Kagome giggled, finding some sick amusement at the way Daemon was now looking at the monk.

"The only children she will bear will be mine,"

"Now now, Daemon," Jaenelle giggled. "Let us not be rash,"

"I'll show you rash," Daemon snarled, still glaring at the monk.

"Don't worry about him," Sango grumbled, slapping the monk on the back of the head. "He's male, he can't help himself,"

"Oh! I like her," Jaenelle said pleasantly.

"Forgive me," Kagome said meekly. "Miroku, Sango, this is Jaenelle SaDiablo and her husband, Daemon SaDiablo. They've been kind enough to take us in until we can get back home,"

"Kaede had a feeling this was where you all would be," Sango murmured.

"Kaede? Then...then you came from Japan!"

"Mmhm,"

"We have a lot to talk about, Kagome," Miroku murmured.

"Yes," Kagome whispered.

"OWE!" Daemon slapped his neck and growled.

"What delicious blood you have!"

"What in the darkness?"

"Oh, Mioga!" Kagome took Daemon's hand and peeled the squished flee from his palm. "I didn't think you would be coming along,"

"Well, I couldn't very well let you and Inuyasha get hurt now, could I?"

"Funny," Miroku muttered as he rubbed the sore spot at the back of his head where Sango had hit him. "Usually when they're in danger you're well away from it."

"Well...I can't serve master Inuyasha if I'm dead, can I?"

"Humph! If Inuyasha dies you won't have a master to serve anyway," Sango growled. "Running from a fight like a little coward,"

Daemon cleared his throat then, breaking up the childish argument. "If we have a lot to discuss, I believe it would be best if we did so inside."

"Of course," Kagome smiled, taking the arms of her friends. "Inuyasha's going to be so happy to see you!"

End of chapter! YAY! Happy reunion, no? (proceeds to stab stupid demon for attacking Jaenelle) As usual, thanks so much for the reviews! More coming soon!