Koinonayami (Love Troubles)
Chapter Six: The Truth behind Madness
Well guys I'm back to start chapter six and thank all of my lovely reviewers. Now I have a couple of things to fill in so listen closely. Now for those of you who think the romance in the story is moving to fast and that Kagome should not be falling in love with Sesshomaru. Well let me just tell you to reread the last few paragraphs of the last chapter because I promise you that Sesshomaru and Kagome have in no way gained romantic feelings for each other. Sesshomarus youkai has just claimed possession of Kagome because of her mark and the pups and Kagome just doesn't hate Sesshomaru. That does not mean, in any way, that she has fallen for him. Now for those of you who are asking 'How can Kagome fall in love with Sesshomaru after what he did?' well you are just going to have to see how I'm ending the story to find out.
Golden orbs snapped open, revealing a surprised and freighted gaze as Mangetsu lurched upward and away from his resting spot on the tree. A shrill scream passed by slightly parted lips as he tried to physically shake the horrendous nightmare he had just had out of his mind. "Engetsu," he whimpered as Mangetsu shivered against the early morning air and tried to blink away the sleep from his eyes.
A jolt of something familiar almost like that feeling when there is some one else in the room, shot through Mangetsus body and made his head whirl to the side in search of the presence he was feeling. It was so familiar he knew he had felt it before but he did not know if that was good or bad. Well Mangetsu did not know until he heard a soft female voice calling out for him in earnest.
"MOTHER," Mangetsu blurted out as he sprang to his feet and race to the west where he had heard the voice. They reached each other in an instant and mother and son reunited in a rush of hugs and words of rejoicing. Even Sesshomaru, who had stayed in the background the entire time, seemed to have a small smile of contentment cross his glacier features.
Kagome cried out in happiness as she hugged her son and looked him over for injuries. Luckily the only thing she could see was a couple of scrapes and some very dirty clothes. "I'm so glad you're all right, thank Kami, "Kagome whispered. "Is Engetsu with you?" Kagome asked questioningly as she gnawed on her bottom lip.
At this question, Mangetsu burst into tears of sadness and shook his head from side to side in a show of guilt and remorse. He sniffled as he tried to get out," He is still with that, that man, and he's hurt I know it, it's all my fault mama, all my fault."
Kagome tried to shush him and understand what he was saying, but all that she could understand was his mumblings of his guilt. "Shh Mangetsu, shh, slow down and tell me what happened," Kagome whispered into his ear as she used her aura to radiate calm and motherly protection.
Mangetsu sniffled a bit before he lowered himself to a sitting position on the ground and became to tell all he knew. He started off teary eyed and stuttering but in the corner of his eye, Mangetsu saw the calm form of his father silently urging him on and soon the story came easily. "I don't remember much from when the bad man captured us except for seeing Anki turn into a large white doggie before everything went black. When I woke up it was really cold and damp and I couldn't see big brother, but I could feel him. He was talking to that bad man, arguing with him I think. The man said he would kill be because I was useless, but, but sniffle brother told him he would do anything to protect me. I'm not sure what happened in the cell nearby but I know the evil man left then came back, that's when Engetsu started yelling, he was, he was calling for me and he was crying and I couldn't do anything." At this part of the story, Mangetsu burst into a new fit of tears and tried to finish off his narrative. "Engetsu never cries, ever, but he did when the bad man was with him, but they left the cell, both of them went up the stairs until the man came back down days later and released me. He told me to run and I did until I came here."
Sesshomaru could feel his claw breaking through the skin on his palms and he was quite sure his eyes were blood red by now. 'HOW DARE that half-breed bastard harm what is mine, how dare he!' his demon roared in contempt. Sesshomaru was a second away from forming his cloud and rushing of to dismember Kumo when his beast was latterly shocked out of its place in his mind. 'What the hell was that' he thought faintly as another growl echoed his own. Sesshomaru looked to Mangetsu only to find him just as surprised as himself. With one last turn to the finally member of the group Sesshomaru spotted something he would never forget in the length of his entire immortal life.
Kagome was spitting mad and this was reflected in her stormy, red tinged eyes. Hold on red? Yes, red, Kagomes normally friendly eyes where a perfect picture of Sesshomarus, and her throat was still shaking from the force of the feral growl she had let pass. "No one touches 'MY' pups," she growled out, her fists clenching.
In the very deep recesses of his mind, Sesshomaru found this sight to be painfully arousing before he realized how 'wrong' the image was. "Kagome," he snapped, efficiently breaking her from her rage induced stupor. "Come let us continue, we still have ground to cover," asserted Sesshomaru as he mounted Hokori and motioned Kagome to do the same.
Kagome shook off the strange feeling that had been tickling her sense moments before as she mounted Kage, Mangetsu settling in behind her. "Yes, let's go."
With that said the unlikely group trudged onward into the woods and closure to Kumos castle.
Sesshomaru discreetly lifted his head and let the air bring the scents of the world to him. Something was different and he could sense it. A familiar scent hit him and Sesshomaru finally realized what was coming. "Stop," he called out calmly to his companions as he slid off the saddle and landed gracefully onto the earth below.
Kagome had already sensed the approaching demonic aura but for the life of her could not place it. So as Sesshomaru got off his horse, so did she. 'Mine as well see what's going on,' Kagome thought as she stood beside Sesshomaru. He gave her a quick glare before turning back to the east.
A rush of wind passed by the two as a blur of red stopped beside Kage and comment dryly," Lord Sesshomaru, what a surprise to see you upon my lands, and traveling with a human no less. Toru let a pleased and rather sly smile cross over his features as he took in Kagomes appearance. "So this is your mate, what a surprise," he exclaimed as he approached the two with the customary swagger of his kind.
Kagome, never one to be out of the loop, sent the tiger youkai her best Sesshomaru glare asserted," And who might you be, sir." The sarcasm was practically dripping venomously off her voice as she glared at the man.
Instantly Toru straightened and held out a clawed hand to take her own as he exclaimed," Aww quite the stubborn little vixen, I would expect no less of lord Sesshomarus mate. Forgive me if I offended you milady. I am Toru, Lord of the east and ally of the west. "
Sesshomaru stood in the background, practically rolling his eyes at Torus normal reaction to any female in court. "Lord Toru, as much as I would enjoy a discussion with you at the moment," Sesshomaru started, sarcasm dripping off his words almost as much as Kagomes," we must be going to retrieve my eldest son, who was kidnapped by a son of Naraku."
A look of utter shock crossed his face before it was quickly steeled into a serious scowl that Sesshomaru had never seen of the normally jovial Taiyoukai. "How dare anyone insult the taiyoukais in such a manner. Lord Sesshomaru I would be honored if you would allow me to help in the retrieval of your son."
Sesshomaru was momentarily shocked by this claim before he nodded and mounted his horse once more. "Lord Toru I except you offer, no let us continue."
Kagome was unsure what to say to this so she decided to just stay quiet for once and follow after the two youkai.
Mangetsu shifted nervously behind Kagome before blurting out," Thank you Toru-sama for helping us save my aniki."
Toru was mildly surprised at this before he sent Mangetsu his brightest fanged smile and remarked," Gladly little one, gladly."
It took them a good part of the day to get their, but finally the small band found themselves standing in front of the ruined remains of Narakus old castle. At first glance the castle did not seem to house anyone at all but that thought was quickly slaughtered as the group laid eyes upon Kumo.
Kagome gasped as she got a good look at him. Kumo looked just like his father; long, wavy black hair flowing in the wind like a raven's wing and blood red eyes starring out at them like cold rubies. Though he was not the only cause of Kagomes scream, the man standing at his side was also the cause. For there was Engetsu standing as tall and regal as normal with his golden orbs starring back at them with a coldness that caused a shiver to run down Kagomes spine.
Engetsu looked the same and yet different, his posture was not as straight as normal and his aura was heavily tinged in black. Also, despite Engetsus normally stoic expression the look he held now was much like that of Kohakus when he was being controlled. The collars on his neck and arms were proof enough of this. He looked broken.
Kumo smirked as he saw the taiyoukai and that o so pesky miko enter his land. He had not expected to see the eastern Tai nor Mangetsu, but that did not matter. He would have his revenge. It had taken much work on his part, but Engetsus will had finally been shattered and now stood ready to serve. One word and word only passed his pale lips as Kumos smirk turned into a full blown grin. He was not like his father when it came to taunting his victims. Kumo planned to do this fast and simple as he ordered with a sneer," Attack."
Sesshomaru was not sure what he was expecting from the Kumo character but what he got was most surely not what he expected. He expected taunts and teases. He expected hundreds of lower level demons to attack him. He did not expect for his eldest son to come after him, claws drawn and teeth bared.
Kagome had to force herself not to scream as Engetsu went straight at Sesshomaru with purification poison filled claws. This was NOT good, not good at all. Kagome knew that he was being controlled by Kumo and so she did the first thing that came to mind. Kagome notched and arrow to her bow and fired all she had at a momentarily distracted Kumo. That seemed to help that problem as the arrow started to dissolve away at Kumos body, but that still did not lessen the effects of whatever was wrong with her son. Actually all it served to do was get blast of fury induced miasma launched at her. It was only thanks to Torus quick feet that she did not suffer the same fate as her poor horse.
Sesshomaru tried to concentrate on Kumo and Engetsu at the same time but it just was not working. The boy was faster than he had ever imagined, especially if he was truly untrained in the art of fighting. Only after he saw Kumo disappear after a blast of miasma did Sesshomaru put his entire focus into trying to stop his son from killing him. It was rather difficult in his case for the great lord had never had to worry about the life of his enemy.
Kumo had been observing from the trees, his blood red orbs shimmering in amusement as he watched the two inus move to the dance of death. Deciding to get in one last jab before leaving, Kumo decided to throw off Sesshomarus game with a bit of disturbing information. His voice echoed through the clearing, making his true position unknown as he let his sickening laughter filter past his throat. "Kuku well well Lord Sesshomaru I must say watching you get attacked by your own heir is rather abusing indeed, but let me fill you in on a little secret my father shared with me. It was not your fault for Kagomes attack. It was a poison my father had placed in the Nekos blood that caused you to lose control. Your heat and Kagomes innocence was just the last push to drive you to that horrible act. Did you really think you had such little control over your own instincts?"
Sesshomaru felt his blood run cold and his heart beat plummet to near silence. His eyes took on a reddish hue and his beast howled for a release, but Sesshomaru knew better then to fall to Kumos trap. 'Like father like son,' he thought with disgust. Though his minor lapse in thought and control would come to be his downfall as a poison-filled, clawed hand slammed into his stomach and out the other side before withdrawing completely. Engetsu had gotten in a hit. Sesshomaru faintly heard two startled yells before his vision swam,' why this effecting me so strongly?' A sizzle of flesh answered his question before Sesshomaru fully passed out,' Purification.'
Mangetsu let out a howl of anguish as he saw his idealized brother burn a hole threw their father's chest, but then he caught it, a faint glimmer of tears passing through his emotionless eyes. "BROTHER DONT!" he screamed as he rushed forward, only to be stopped by Torus powerful arms, but he pushed them away his adrenaline rushing through his veins like liquid fire. Mangetsu slammed into his twin not even caring as Engetsus claws burned into his shoulder. "Brother stop this, don't hurt daddy," he Mangetsu cried out, his tears landing in puddles on Engetsus pale face.
Engetsu faltered, he could still hear Kumos sickening voice echoing through his numbed mind but another voice broken through the opaque cloud in his head. The voice seemed to leave a bright light that pushed away Kumos voice and left a pool of warmth in his body. "Brother," he managed to croak out as he removed his claws from Mangetsus sobbing form. "I'm sorry," he whispered against softly before fading away into the dark world of unconsciousness.
Kagome broke out into tears though she wasn't sure if they were from happiness or shear emotional stress. She had heard Engetsu come back to normal and saw his clouded eyes returned to their former glory. As Engetsu past out she was left to deal with a worried neko demon, two unconscious inus and one brokenly sobbing son as he held onto one of the said unconscious demons. With a strangled sigh and a shake of her head Kagome turned to Toru with a meaningful gaze and ordered," Grab Sesshomaru, carefully and help me get him back to the castle. Mangetsu, I want you to get your brother, I want to get back as soon as possible, I don't wish to stay in this accursed area much longer. "
"Yes mother," Mangetsu remarked after a moment before he gently picked up his twin. He watched as Toru did the same to his father before they both began to follow after Kagome as she steadily stalked towards the castle in the distance. They where heading home, together at last.
A/N
Forgive me for all the grammar mistakes I am sure are to be in this chapter but I would like to get this one out ASAP and start on chapter 4 of Redemption before I check it over for mistakes.