Chapter nine

Someone dies..

Kei's POV

I was at her side "She's gonna flip" I sighed, I didn't let go of her wrinkled hand for even a minute.

Inuyasha leaned against the wall, Mana was checking her over…she had learned the art of healing from her mother. My father, mother and brothers were also there, Hiro was next to me.

Mana exhaled sadly, "I know, she won't be changing back till she has the cure. Till then…she'll remain old and haggard and frail…she's completely human too, you can tell just by the smell of her."

I looked to my father, "give her the cure now!" I demanded, when he glared at me in scorn of my tone, so I softened, "please father, it's not really her appearance that'll bother her, she doesn't want to be weak…she's worked so hard to be strong!"

Father looked away from me, "I can't…I locked it in a box…it has a setting on it to open at a certain time I set for it and will not open till that time. I set it for the morning of the wedding so it would be ready for the ceremony."

I wanted to punch through the walls! "You mean she's stuck like this till the wedding?" I growled.

"That's cruel!" Mana put in, "how can you expect the poor girl to marry looking the way she does? She's supposed to feel like the most beautiful woman alive on her wedding day!"

Koga got defensive, "I did what I thought was smart! When you both arrived here I was certain you'd try'n steal it and run off without a marriage, I took the necessary precaution."

Inuyasha unsheathed his sword, "show me this box…I'll break it!"

Ayame shook her head, "you forget what a precious thing lays inside that box, a vile that grants immortality. It is well protected by a barrier…one that even Tetsaiga can't break."

Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! I took in a breath to calm myself, "could you all leave us alone for a moment, I know she won't want a crowd around her…I want her to hear all this from me."

They all did as I requested. "Okay" father spoke before leaving

, "but once she's awake we're all meeting to discuss was this thing is, this demon that dredges up ugly emotions."

It was so strange, one moment she was Kotone…strong, capable…almost invincible, she swooped in and saved the day. Now she was old, grey and weak… she couldn't even open her eyes. The lines on her face didn't tarnish her though…I still saw the woman I fell for.

Suddenly I felt her hand tighten around mine; it was surprising how strong her hands seemed when they were so thin, they looked like they would break.

"Kei?" She breathed even her voice was old.

I helped her sit up, when she saw her hand in mine…her skin shrivelled and yellow, she began to panic.

"Why aren't I backing to how I was? Why am I still old?" she shrilled.

I took her in my arms tightly till she stopped shrieking, "K…it's alright, it's just till the wedding, when you drink the cure…you'll change back. Actually, you'll become a full-fledged demon so you'll probably become even more extraordinary than before."

Kotone wouldn't even look at me, "So you'll have to marry an old woman…how can you even stand to look at me?"

I placed my finger under chin, and lifted her face. I smiled easily, "Y'know…your eyes are still the same."

She gave me a look that told me I was being ridiculous, "They're not even gold anymore…I bet they're small and black…and beady."

I couldn't help but chuckle, "No they're not….they are different though, they're not gold, but they're hazel, they have streaks of honey and green. What has remained the same is the look they give; they still behold intelligence…a certain wildness and strength. Kotone, you're still so beautiful to me."

She shifted sheepishly, "Really?"

I placed my lips on hers, her illness had thinned them and dried them out, but they tasted the same and I still felt the stirring in my stomach and a race in my chest.

I released her lips and gazed down at her "does that answer your question?"

She threw her arms around my neck and pulled me in close, "I love you Kei…you're a stubborn, irritating fool at times…but you're the best thing that's ever happened to me!"

I held her back, "I love you too K, even though you're an incredible pain in the ass, you're the world to me, have been since the moment I kneeled before your throne and swore to protect you with my life."

I let her go slightly and held her arms in my hands, "There it is! Your smile is still the same too!"

She grinned, "I was told I have my mother's smile"

I shrugged, "Obviously, I doubt Sesshomaru even has a smile."

She laughed and hugged me in appreciation for it, I was glad I could still bring a smile to her face.

"Um…Kei" she spoke.

"Yeah?"

"Could I have some less revealing clothes, I don't think it very appropriate given my current condition."

I looked over her, a corner of my mouth turned up, "y'know, for an older looking gal…your body's pretty damn f-"

"-Kei!" she barked.

"What? I was being romantic" I snapped back.

She glared at me like I was stupid and it made her angrier, "You're disgusting, just get me clothes!"

I frowned, "Hey! I'm not your damn servant anymore! I'm your fiancé, ask me nicely."

She scowled, her wrinkles deepened and sagged, she looked like an angry old woman, her jaw stuck out and her chin was pointed…I couldn't help it…her face looked too damn funny…I couldn't help it the laughter just burst out of me.

I laughed so hard my eyes started to water.

"What are you laughing at?" she scolded.

What should I say? Sorry K, I was just laughing at your crazy wrinkly face….nah can't do that, she'd probably bite my face off, does she even have teeth?

"Nothing" I finally answered, "I'll go get you some more clothes" I kissed her cheek and set off to do so.

Once she was more comfortable, we'd head to the council meeting.

Sesshomaru's POV

-Flashback-

The country air was fresh; there wasn't the faintest trace of Naraku's scent! Where is he? Why does he continuously evade me?

"Lord Sesshomaru" called a little voice, a small hand pulled at my clothing; I looked down to see Rin smiling up at me.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice cold, even still her smile remained so warm.

"Um…I was just wanted to ask…do you think my parents and brother are safe in heaven. Will I see them again?"

Damn her! How am I to answer this? "All humans are destined reunite within the underworld, good or bad...I would say yes…when you…die, you will see them again."

I was surprised that she seemed so unfazed, she just looked thoughtful. "Oh" she said, "well…dying doesn't sound so scary anymore, but...I'll miss you Sesshomaru, don't worry I'll watch over you."

I didn't like this topic, "enough of this talk" I ordered.

"Okay…ah! Look at the flowers!"

The day drew on, night came…Rin and Jaken needed sleep…so bothersome. I rested against the tree, the moon was full.

"Where are you Naraku" I muttered, "Inuyasha…give me Tetsaiga!"

My bitter thoughts were interrupted by a little gasp; I turned to see Rin running to me tearfully.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" she called, I readied myself for a battle with whatever had frightened her.

"Rin, what is it?"

She clutched my leg, "My Lord…I dreamt I went into the clouds to see my parents again but it was scary!" She looked up and pointed at the sky "it's so high…what if I fall?"

I sighed, "The sky is nothing to fear Rin, and someone will keep you from falling."

"Lord Sesshomaru…can you take me to the sky? Just for a little while…please I want to see something and I don't want to wake Ah-Un."

I was about to refuse her, but when I saw her pleading eyes I put her on my back, transformed into a dog and took off into the air.

"Where are you going?" I heard Jaken shrill down below. We ignored him.

I took her higher than she had ever been before, higher than Ah-un could reach. She outstretched her arms and touched the clouds around her. She giggled herself into a sleepy state.

"My Lord" she yawned, "It's not scary when you carry me here, I'll only go to the clouds if you can take me there…I'll find a way to live as long as you." with that she fell asleep.

Such childish nonsense.

-End of flashback-

I had transformed into my true demon form, a ferocious a dog soaring through the air...with my wife upon my back. We could have taken a more formal way but I knew the breeze calmed Rin.

Joining us was Kasumi being carried by Sora. Upon my old two headed dragon, Ah-Un, came Katashi and Takara. We had bred more of his kind, Katsu and Sun set upon a dragon of Yellow, Kenta and Yuna sat upon one of blue and finally Yoshi and Airi upon one of purple.

Rin sighed and I felt her snuggle in closer, how times of changed…how I've changed. I was so cold and cruel…I was brutal and ruthless even to the ones I cared for…not that I ever admitted to caring for anyone. Now it was a well-known that the great Lord Sesshomaru was a family man, in some way that made me even more dangerous, for I would kill any vile thing who harmed any member of my family whether it by blood or marriage.

The very person who made me this way…I turned immortal and married; the little girl who changed my life became the woman who was my life. But at her core she was still so human and it vexed on occasion. For instance… she was world weary. We demons pay no mind to a hundred years; they pass by like mere moments. Our ageing slows at some point; we become like marble monuments unaffected by any weather. Human's however…their hearts age, even when Rin's body ceased to age her heart continued, a human heart is so vulnerable and it needs a certain amount of youth to sustain a certain zest for life. My wife…she had an ancient heart by now and though she had so much to live for, even though she adored her life with me…she was tired, she had done her duty and she dreaded the day we would need to bury our human son…and our grandchildren and their children.

Due to our connection I too felt all this, once when we laid in bed together…all the children gone and we basked in the eerie silence we had not dwelled in from the moment of our marriage, she turned to me and said "we did it, we've lived all we can…the world is running out of room for us." With that she went to sleep in my arms.

What would we do once Kotone was married? Once she had taken our place upon the throne, we were done having children, we had lived through so much. What would come next for us? Most of our grandchildren had now and they were growing quickly too. Yoshi, he had a wrinkled face and frost was touching at his temples, a far cry from the two year old I had met all those years ago and claimed as my son.

Rin had lost friends; she outlived those she would have died for. Immortality can be a cure if you were born mortal because deep down, from the moment you take your first breath, you're prepared to breathe your last…so long as it counts for something.

Today my last child would be saved, she would be my only full-fledged demon child…I kept one promise to my former self, that there would always be a full-blood upon the throne. But he was becoming a distant memory…it was like a whole other lifetime.

Rin's delicate fingers entangled into my fur and she breathed in my scent, her little voice from all those years ago…again echoed in my mind. "I'll only go to the clouds if you can take me there"

Inuyasha's POV

The sun was setting in the village; there was a breeze that cooled me.

"Inuyasha?" called Kagome's voice,

"Hurry up friend" called Miroku.

"We don't have all day!" Sango chuckled.

In the distance they stood, laughing together…so young still like when we travelled together. Miroku's arm was around Sango they were smiling at me playfully as thought encouraging me to hurry and catch up to them, Kagome had her back to me.

"Hey!" I called after them "guys, wait for me dammit!"

Kagome turned around; she glowed in the light of the setting sun, my breath hitched as she smiled the wind in her beautiful hair, so black that in some lights it looked blue.

The closer I ran to them the further away they seemed, "Wait! I can't catch up!" I yelled.

Kagome giggled, "Don't worry" she said in that gentle voice she sometimes spoke in, "we're never too far, just come find us when you're ready."

All three of them were smiling at me as though wordlessly promising that all will be well, that everything was going to be okay.

…the sun lowered and turned them into shadows…the breeze carried them away from me…all I smell was Kagome's perfumed skin.

My eyes opened, it wasn't the first time I had this dream. All I wanted was a peaceful nap after being drained of so much stupid emotion.

"Never too far away huh?" I said aloud "Stupid…you're all somewhere I can't reach".

I sat up and rubbed the back of my head; Mana entered with a cup of water and handed it to me. It was like seeing a demon version of Kagome.

"I'm sorry…" she spoke, "for whatever I said after under the influence of that demon."

I couldn't look her in the eye…I struck my own daughter, I don't care if I was possessed I shouldn't have done it! "No…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you." I'm the worst parent in the, if only Kagome were here, she could have protected Mana from me.

As though reading my mind, she laid her hand on my shoulder, "Y'know why Kioshi and I are such great parents? We learned from the best…we're also gonna be the best grandparents too."

I felt better, like her mother Mana was one of the only people who could lift my spirits. Still I had wonder now my grandchildren were pretty much grown…am I ready find them yet? Am I red to run into the blinding sunset?

To see Kagome again….to have her rest upon my shoulder and the smell of her hair filling my nose. To joke and laugh with Miroku and then share battle tactics with Sango. I sometimes wish that I didn't get so attached to humans, but then I wouldn't have had the life I have had and wouldn't change it for the world.

Mana wandered off, she wanted to see Kotone awake and see how she was coping.

I guess another person I was glad to have was Shippo, he came back into our lives when he married Miroku and Sango's granddaughter, and they had twins…guess it really does run in the family. However she was human….so he and their kids would have bury her and face what my family had to when Kagome died. I would be there for him as he was for me.

Aya was good for him, she brought him back when he was lost through gaining strength, turned out it was her that gave him strength. She would soon start looking older than him, she was starting to panic. I would give my life for her to stay with him, so he wouldn't suffer as I have.

Kotone's POV

They were trying to make me pretty, trying to their best to hide the fact that I was old and decrepit. I was getting so irritated with these wolf maids, all young and beautiful by appearance and yet they were hundreds of years older than me.

"Leave me" I snapped, they seemed taken aback, "…please"

They did as I asked and went away, I was covered in jewels and flower, my hair styled nicely…yet all I saw was a crone!

Ayame entered with her face so sympathetic, "Kotone…I promise, you'll make a wonderful bride, you'll be so beautiful."

I looked up at her with a frown, surly she was joking, "Ayame, look at me…this is what your son will be greeted with upon the day of his wedding."

She sat next to me and smiled, "I come bearing good news…you've no reason to be sad at all."

I raised my eyebrow, "Is that so?"

She nodded, "We are told you illness will take effect on your night of weakness, that doesn't occur till the sun goes down…that day is tomorrow, so you have till sunset to drink the cure….well the box opens for thing in the morning, you'll drink it and by sunset you'll be beautiful full-fledged demon with thousands of years ahead of you!"

I turned, "you mean, I won't look like this when I marry Kei? I'll be cured."

Ayame beamed, "yes! But that is not the only good news I bring you, come with me." She took me by the hand, "there is something at the meeting for you."

We walked slowly, my bones were slowly turning to dust, I couldn't walk very quickly. We made our way into the armoury cave, my heart filled with emotion at the sight.

It was all my family! My parents, siblings and their spouses, all so dear to me and smiling upon me. What made me happier was to see Kei among them.

Katsu was the first to speak, "Hey Kotone…you look very…uh…well?"

They all looked at him like he was the most idiotic thing and then to me to see how I'd react. Where I should have been angry I could only laugh and smile, he was just being Katsu.

All my sibling surrounded me, it was so good to see them, I felt whole again! All of them surrounded me, all but Kasumi who stood back with her husband who had his arms around her gently. She looked so sad.

"Kasumi" I uttered, "it's good to see you"

She feigned a smile "it's good to see you too Kotone, I have missed you" her words were sincere, but the smile was fake, something was truly eating away at her.

Is she really that worried about me? Or is there something else going on with her?

I decided to let it go and approached my parents, mother's eyes glittered with sorrow at the state of me, and my father was unreadable.

"Kotone…" my mother breathed.

"It's alright mother…by morning I'll be back to normal." I assured.

"You should have it now!" my father growled.

"Sesshomaru's right!" Kei agreed.

Father glared at Kei, for he was a proud Lord and did not need to be defended by anyone else. Also my future husband forgot to title him as Lord Sesshomaru.

"We should discuss this emotions demon…he seems to be troublesome." Sesshomaru continued.

"We've searched the grounds, there is no sign of this demon, he doesn't give off a scent." Koga explained.

Katashi was the next to speak, "That is pitiful…even still our current concern is Kotone, first she ust take the cure and then marry Kei, we will deal with this once she is safe and in better condition."

"I think that's wise," Kenta put in, "However in the meantime with the chief's permission my brother Katsu and I will guard the region, leading the warriors of the tribe…do we have your consent Chief Koga?"

Koga shrugged, "Sure, go for it…more time for me to enjoy the celebrations."

Katsu frowned, "Why do I have to be on guard, Kenta? Why not send Katashi or Yoshi?"

Kenta shrugged, "Your powers of the earth will prove to be more effective."

Katsu smiled cockily, "I see, I am most likely your best option…very well…Sun will you join us?"

Sun smiled at him, "It's been awhile since I've had the chance to use my bow and arrow in a while."

Mana jumped in too, "I'll guard too, my husband will want me to come back with stories, I plan to outdo him, he always considers himself the master story teller."

To my surprise Zoki chimed in "I too wish to assist in the guarding, I know the best tribe warriors to use."

Kenta nodded "that would be helpful."

So it was settled, Kenta would guard the north side, Mana would guard the south side, Katsu the east and finally Sun and Zoki the west.

As they continued talking Katsu leaned close to me and whispered, "I hate that arrangement, I should be the one to remain with Sun…I don't like the look on his face when he was paired with her."

I could understand this, when Zoki was told he would be joined by Sun his eyes lit up like two giant candles. I couldn't blame Zoki, Sun was extremely beautiful and strong any man would have acted the same. However my brother had nothing to fear, my sister-in-law could hold her own and she was too in love with my brother to betray him. Also, if Zoki dared to touch Sun, my brothers would torture him and leave him to Katsu to make the final kill as his right as her husband. After all, no one messed with our family and lived on.

"In the meantime" Koga announced, "we have the pre-wedding feast! It begins at sunset"

Any excuse to eat and drink excessive amounts.

"If it's alright…Kasumi is quite tired…could we be shown to where we're going to sleep." Sora asked, his arms placed upon her shoulders.

There was certain puzzlement, I was disappointed myself. Kasumi never usually acted this way, I expected her to run to me, take my hand and walk with me, chattering in a sisterly manner and giggling charmingly. But now she was so distant and she couldn't even look me in the eye it seemed.

I also noticed a knowing glance pass between Hiro and Takara…I then recalled how he had mentioned speaking with my Tenshi sister.

"One more thing" my father called to the room, "is the box guarded?"

Koga nodded, "two of my best guards."

"Add another two, It's the last night….nothing can go wrong, two inside the chamber guarding it and another two on the outside." Sesshomaru commanded.

Koga didn't look too pleased that he was being told what to do…but with a quiet encouragement from his wife's eyes he nodded and agreed to it.

My mother smiled, "Then we shall prepare for the feast…my daughter's wedding is something to be celebrated. Oh and another thing…bride and groom are not to see each other till the wedding"

Kei looked taken aback "Wha- why?"

Mother shrugged, "its tradition, you'll have to restrain yourself from your lovely bride."

I looked away, I still hate the way I look, I wanted to lock myself away until I could sip my cure and be a glorious full-fledged demon like my father was.

My mother still smiled at me, "Kotone…will you come with me for a while?"

I opened my mouth to speak but Yoshi cut in "Actually mother…I would like a moment with my little sister."

With that I was guided away, "I know how you feel" my brother spoke, I chided in confusion, he chuckled at me and put his arm around me like he did when I was young. "Little sister…do you forget the stories? When I was cursed with the ugliness of my biological mother's heart? Did you know that it was when the curse returned a second time that I finally confessed my feelings to Airi."

I smiled and nodded, "I do recall that story, first time I heard it I was so moved I almost cried…but that was different"

"Why is it?" Yoshi continued, "What did he tell you when you spoke to him?"

I blushed slightly, "he told me I was still so beautiful to him."

A grin stretched across his face, "that's exactly what Airi said to me…we're both very fortunate to have found these people. Why should we hate ourselves when we have so many who love us? It makes no sense…"

Yoshi always knew what to say, he was wonderful…he and mother made me proud to be part human.

"Now, tell me when you started having feelings for Kei? Was I the only one who didn't know? Am I that blind?"

I laughed, "it would seem so brother, but you were never the best at reading people."

I was going to be okay, everything was turning out so well!

Suddenly there came a loud scream that echoed through the passage ways, Yoshi threw me over my shoulders and started running in it direction.

"It's Mana!" he said, "she must be in trouble!"

Mana? If anything happens to her there'll be a war!

When we reached the source we saw the reason why she screamed so loudly, it was not out of fear or pain…but excitement.

Mana turned, "Kotone! Look whose here!"

She had her arms around Morio's neck, he grinned at me but when he saw my appearance his smile fell, "Kotone…I'm sorry."

"Don't be…it's good to see you" I assured.

He then turned to Yoshi, "well if it isn't my favourite human! You're looking old my friend, how is my other favourite human,Airi?"

Yoshi frowned, he never liked it when the half dragon spoke of Airi, it was an irrational jealousy considering how in love Morio was with Mana and how deeply Airi loved him.

"She is well as always, I see to that" he answered quite possessively.

My uncle Inuyasha appeared and when he saw his son-in-law, he growled, "what the heck are you doin' here?"

Morio grinned again, "Hey dad! Good to see ya! I missed our special girl here too much so thought I'd come see her, I've also decided to help guard, I'll join Mana on the south side."

He was of course referring to Mana who smiled smugly, Inuyasha glared, "whatever…just keep your hands to yourself while you guarding!"

"Inuyasha, she is my wife" Morio reminded.

My uncle looked like he was about to punch him "yeah and she's my daughter foo!"

There came bickering when Mana joined in, Yoshi and I just blinked at them like they were insane.

"This looks like It'll go on for a while, shall we go see Airi? I know she's missed you." my brother suggested.

I nodded and we set off, Yoshi chuckled, "seeing that sure makes me glad I had Miroku for a father-in-law."

I looked up at Yoshi who now seemed so nostalgic, "the two of you got on well?" I asked.

"Very well, he treated me like one of his sons; he told me that he was glad I was the one his little girl chose. Her mother, Sango, was the same."

I felt sad again, "they were all such good people…weren't they Yoshi, they were heroes, Kagome, Sango and Miroku…all of them."

"They were and still are."

Kei's POV

There was music being played so loudly, the women and men were separated. I was celebrating with the men and Kotone the women.

Drink after drink was poured down my throat, the only two not drinking was Sesshomaru and Katashi. We were singing and dancing, hooting and howling like savages.

Katsu came to me and put his arm around my shoulder, "welcome to the family brother!" he cheered.

Yoshi joined me on the other side, "you better be good to our sister." He warned.

Sora wasn't so cheerful he sipped at his drink and grew a dark expression, "so…you planning on giving Kotone lots of kids?" he hiccupped.

I grinned, "You bet! Twenty at the least!"

Sora scowled, he was always so placid it was weird seeing him so angry. He threw down his cup, "Oh isn't that nice! You can give her all the children she wants! You won't have to see your wife cry herself to sleep when she thinks your asleep!" he spat icily, his wings threw him off balance, Kenta and Hiro caught him.

"Easy now," Kenta hushed, "now is not the time, I think you've had enough to drink."

"He's right Sora" Hiro put in.

Sora shook them both off, "No! It's not fair! Its-"

He was unable to finish, Sesshomaru's fist slammed right into his and Sora was knocked unconscious. Everything fell silent, he hoisted the crow demon over his shoulder so casually and began walking away with him, without a single word of explanation.

"What the hell?" I questioned.

"Uh, don't worry about it," Morio assured, "he's always been an angry drunk…hey let's take the groom for a fly!"

Suddenly I was lifted into the air by Morio, all the people bellow looked so small, they were cheering "higher! Higher!"

Morio soared me through the sky, I outstretched my arms, "I'm flying!" I cheered.

Morio dropped me and I summersaulted to the ground, when Morio joined me we were met with an applause.

"I'm next!" Katsu yelled raising his cup in the air.

We sang some more crude songs, I felt so close to all the guys…I felt like I had new brothers, my family had expanded after I spent so long in exile, a place I had put myself in.

Everything was going so well, I was happier than I have ever been, however all I wanted to do right now was see Kotone, a perfect end to a perfect night would be returning to her and holding her while we slept.

I could tell the others were starting to feel the same, one by one they all began drunkenly staggering away calling out the names of their beloveds.

Kenta was practically crawling, "Yuna…where's Yuna!" he called.

Katashi rolled his eyes, "so pitiful" he took his father's lead and hoisted his brother over his shoulder.

"Katashi…I love you" Kenta slurred.

"Very good brother" Katashi responded and carried him away.

Yoshi was also eager to see his wife, our uncle Inuyasha had to be helped to his chambers. Morio gladly did so, despite how much grief Inuyasha gave him, the half dragon absolutely idolised his father-in-law.

"they can't handle their liquor!" Koga garbled, "once again mutt face I outdrank you!"

"Shut up mangy wolf!" Inuyasha yelled back incoherently. Morio then swept him up and flew him to his room, Mana would no doubt be furious with father, that is unless she was drunk herself.

Katsu grinned, "I gotta go, Sun is waiting."

"Tell her I said goodnight" Zoki said to him. He regretted it instantly when he saw the look on Katsu's face.

"I'd sleep with eyes open tonight if I were you…watch yourself!" Katsu warned before he too stumbled away.

Knowing he wasn't wanted, Zoki walked away and it was just me, Hiro and my father.

"I want to see Kotone!" I demanded.

"Sorry bud" my father responded, "Rin strictly said no"

I scoffed "I wanna see my bride!"

I didn't realise that I wasn't even walking; they were both holding me up and dragging me away.

"You have thousands of nights ahead to spend with her, you can wait another night" Hiro reasoned.

Everything…was so good right now!

My eyes opened and I realised….crap…I'm getting married today! I'm marrying Kotone!

I shot up, only I wasn't alone, I had my brothers and father in the room with me, they were all siling down at me.

"Hey ya drunk baby!" Koga greeted, I rolled my eyes.

"Please stop" I pleaded.

Hiro laughed, "I've never seen you so drunk in all my life."

I groaned, and fell back. My father laughed, "Hey cheer up, right now Sesshomaru is being presented with the box and he will hand your bride the cure, you'll be greeted at the alter by a full-fledged beauty."

I couldn't help but smile, nothing was going wrong! Everything was great.

Suddenly, Ayame burst through, "It's gone!" she cried.

"What is?" my father asked.

"The cure! We went to collect it…the gurads were killed and the box was empty! The cure has been stolen!"

My blood ran cold…it was gone, we'd have till sunset to find it or Kotone would die!

Panic filled every corner as every living being searched. I was mad with determination, I ran so fast that I was separated from the search parties. I found myself in the cure's original chambers, the blood of the guards still stained the stones.

It was an eerie sight to see the empty box, Kotone…I'll lose her, who did this and why?

I heard someone clear their throat, when I turned I was stunned, "you!" I hissed.

Lord Taro, the vile bastard! He stood there casually holding the vile, it glittered like silver, he held it so carelessly I was afraid he'd drip it.

"Why?" I growled, "Why are you doing this? Kotone did nothing to you!"

He laughed, "Nothing?" he spoke, "Nothing! She made a fool of me, she chose a savage over some of nobility!"

I glared at him, "give me the vile or else I'll kill you!"

"Now, now…let's not let your emotions get the better of you." he mocked, "I hear that has been occurring a lot recently."

Realisation hit me, "you're the one who's been doing all this! It was you who attacked my mother, who nearly had us all kill each other in the arena!"

Taro shrugged, "Yes I confess it was me…I am wielder of emotion, but you must remember…the pain and hate was already there, I just bring it to the surface."

I was shaking with rage, "hand it over! Kotone didn't want you…get over it you pathetic bastard! Hand it over and get a five minute head start before we all track you down and kill you."

He laughed, "I hold your bride's life in my hands and you use threats to try and coax it from my hands? Then again you were never one for manners. My plan was to use this to persuade her to marry me instead…but I see that'll be useless, I'm smart enough to know I'd never get away with that, also seeing the state of her…she near made me sick." He flipped the vile and caught it, nearly gave me a heart attack.

"So you know you can't win" I confirmed, "so just give it to me and live…at least another day or so."

He raised an eye brow, "you want it? Here, catch" he threw the vile, down and down it fell. Time slowed itself as I lunged, in mid-air I caught it, relief fill me…until I felt a sharp, cold blade pierce my chest.

Blood rose in my mouth, I tasted the salted brine of my own veins and an incredible searing pain spread through every limb. I fell to the floor; cure gripped in one hand…the other over my chest.

My vision began to blur, when Taro looked down on me I saw him doubled. "The blade was tipped with poison…you have a choice, drink the cure and live….or die a slow painful death so that Kotone may have it, choice is yours…how precious is she to you? Does she mean more than your own life?"

I tried to speak, but all that came from my mouth was more bile and blood.

"Oh and if you were thinking that Tensaiga could save you…it won't, this will destroy your body so much, nothing will bring you back, the cure is your only hope….what's it gonna be? Your life…or hers?"

Hers! Kotone, I'm gonna die…but it was worth it to save you!

In my head came a voice, it was Takara, "Life must pay for life" she said, "lives must be given…"

My world went black….

Kei's dead…Final chapter coming next