Hey there! I know, I know. I messed up big times! You are probably angry at me or worse :P I am working two jobs trying to earn money to pay for university and to buy a car I want. Now though I had a week off because I'm sick. Not that I'm conplaining or anything, finally I can sleep more then 5 hours (though the headache and sneezes are killing me)
Ok now to the topic. I just finished writing this chapter, so please don't kill me for mistakes. I feel guilty enough for making you wait so long for this chapter. That's why I decided to post it right away. This is not the longest chapter of all, but it is kinda hard to write with the 'summer flu' as I call it.
Read and enjoy!
Previously:
"So where do you plan to attack?" Ryuu asked looking at the map with the others. There was no answer, until….
"Here." Kagome pointed at the large clearing, about ten kilometers from the castle. Sesshomaru looked at her with narrowed eyes, while Yasuo let out a small smirk graced his lips.
"What? If he wants to destroy the castle and the whole Western Lands, we should not let him reach this place. So the best way is to stop him in his tracks, right? Besides, it's a huge clearing so your army should be able to move freely and to regroup or something."
There was a long silence. Everyone was repeating her words, trying to find something.
"It's crazy… " Yukio started.
"But it might work." Yasuo finished winking at Kagome.
The sky was black, contrasting with the white ground below it. One person was standing alone, outside the main gate, waiting for something; or someone. The sound of snow, crunching beneath a foot made its way to the person ears. Turning in this direction, he saw a raven haired girl, walking with some difficulties because of too big coat wrapped around her body.
"Lord Sesshomaru said you can start now, Yasuo-sama." The girl said bowing slightly.
"It's such a perfect night, isn't it?" She blinked confused.
"Well yes, I suppose it is." Lord of the Southern Lands tilted his head a little, still looking at her and smirked.
"That wasn't very convenient now, was it? Would you like to accompany me?"
"Accompany? With what?" His smirk turned into a full-blown smile.
"First you must accept. Details later." Kagome thought about it for a moment, then nodded her head.
"Good. Now please, step back a little."
"O-kay." She replied more confused, if that was even possible, and took a few steps back.
Yasuo turned his head to the sky, muttering some words quietly. A few seconds later, his whole body was engulfed in a white, glistening smoke. Kagome, not being able to stand the light shield her eyes. When everything looked like it was over, the girl put her arm down and gasped loudly at what she saw.
There wasn't any Lord of the Southern Lands anymore. In his place stood a beautiful, proud, big white snow horse. Or to be more specific; a unicorn. His whole body was white, along with the horn and wings, which looked like a shimmering frozen ice.
If it wasn't for the weather, Kagome thought that she would melt away in a place.
'Come and sit on top' a voice in her head echoed.
'Telepathy?' she thought looking at the creature who gave a slight nod. Wasting no time, she jumped up and sat comfortably, a little startled at how warm a body, that looked like an ice statue was.
"So what exactly are you Yasuo-sama? I would never imagine that a unicorn is a demon."
'I am not a demon, Lady Kagome. I am a dream creature. That is why I was named 'dreamer' And please, call me Yasuo.'
"So if you're not a demon then how come you are a Lord? I mean, I always thought that a Lords job is to fight and protect their country. And no offence but you don't look like someone who should or like to fight… Yasuo." She finished with a little red color gracing her cheeks.
'The Southern Royal family never had a demon. We are all a 'unicorn' as you called me. Unfortunately, our common enemy, Naraku, killed my father when he was still a human, to gain immortality.' Kagome narrowed her eyes.
"Immortality? How come?"
'Our blood is unique. Not only is it silver but it has the ability to give immortality to the one who drink it. When my father perished, the council decided I should take over. That is how I am the youngest Country Lord in history.'
"How old exactly are you?"
'I am 520 years old'
There was a silence after that but a divine creature felt that his companion was distressed about something.
'What are you worried about Lady Kagome?'
"It's Kagome." She replied automatically "And… well, there is one thing I am concern about."
'I am willing to lend my ear.' The mikoness smiled a little.
"There is this sword Naraku has in his possession."
'Do you mean the sword of Ultimate destruction?' Kagome nodded.
'You are afraid more of a sword then Naraku himself, am I correct?'
"Well, why wouldn't I be? The sword can't be destroyed as we are now and I am almost positive that, more or less, that spider freak will be possessed by it!"
'How far would you go to help?'
"I would go to hell and back ten times if that would help with anything." She replied determined.
'In that case, there is a way…'
After that, both of them were silent; Kagome lost in her own thoughts, while Yasuo was working his magic, literally. Whenever they were above a village, he released some kind of sparkling powder, which covered the entire place and then hum a light tune. People were walking out of their huts, in some kind of trance following him to the borders. Kagome suspected he controlled their mind, that's why they were leaving the Western Lands and walking in every possible direction.
--
A sun hit her face. Kagome let out a blissful sound and sat on the bed. Looking outside the window, she saw that the sun was high above the ground. With wide eyes, the raven-haired girl stormed off from her room in the direction of the dining room. Entering she saw her friends and Rin sitting around a small table, looking at her oddly. Relaxing, she let out a loud yawn and stretched her arms high above her head. Bringing them down she heard a strange noise, sounding very familiar to chuckle and looked to her left. Sesshomaru was sitting at the larger table with another white haired male.
"Sleep well, Ka-go-me?" he said, looking at her with mischievous in his eyes. Truth to be told, she really did slept well. In fact, it was the best sleep she had since… ever. Something at the back of her mind was telling her that the person who just spoke had something to do with it.
"Yes, thank you for asking Yasuo-sama." She replied blushing a little, when she remembered their night conversation. Seeing that he was about to speak, no doubt about the horrification, she turned to the other male, who was silently watching the conversation.
"So how are we doing with preparation, Lord Sesshomaru?" The daiyoukai replied, if you could call it that, with a 'hn' and then left the room without another word.
'Okay, that was weird. What's his problem?' she thought and sat next to Sango, missing a smirk that played on the southern lords lips.
After they all finished they meals, Sango and Miroku went to their rooms to check on their equipment and in case something was missing, refill them. Inuyasha was nowhere to find and Kagome, along with Rin and Shippo was playing in the gardens, making a big snowman.
"Inuyasha!" the mikoness called when she spotted her friend walking out from the palace.
"What's up Kagome?"
"Could you help us put the head on the top?" she said pointing at the huge snowball laying next to the almost complete creature, which was, by now probably in the height of two Kagomes.
"Yeah, sure, no problem."
Thirty minutes later the four of them were laying on the snow, breathing heavily. Somehow, they managed to complete their task but Kagome was worried about her companion with dog-ears, whose expression was changing from a deep frown to a madness smile.
"Hey Inuyasha, are you alright?" the asked boy blinked and turned his big gold eyes at her.
"Oh yeah everything's fine." He replied grinning madly at the memory of the 'talk', he had with his brother not too long ago.
--
"So Sesshomaru you finally decided to do something with your life, huh?" the half-demon mocked his older brother, who did not answer.
"Oh come on! I may be stupid but I too had this damn monster inside me." The daiyoukai merely looked at him.
"Leave." Inuyasha grinned.
"I know why you did what you did today in the dining room."
"Leave." This time the word was filled with venom.
"I'm not happy about it either you know? You are a heartless bastard after all. But I guess it couldn't be helped." The older male did not intent to reply so Inuyasha turned ready to leave.
"You should take your chance, idiot." The half-demon murmured and then he was gone.
--
For the next two days, the atmosphere in the castle was tense. Really tense. Everyone were preparing for the, probably, the greatest battle of their lives. Kagome was having mixed emotions. On one hand, she was preparing mentally for something only she could, would do, training and sparring with whomever she could. Which, in this case was Inuyasha most of the time. On the other hand, she was having a really good time whenever she was talking and laughing with Yasuo and Ryuu, the Eastern Lord. Those two certainly knew how to lighten up the situation, even though, when needed, they behave as a first ranked rulers.
There was also one thing bothering Kagome. Her current host, Sesshomaru was, for the lack of better words, avoiding her like some kind of disease. Despise everything, she could not help but feel guilty, not knowing if she did something wrong.
When the third morning came, all of the Lords and Inu gang were present at the breakfast. The meal was ate in silence.
"Jaken." In a flash a green imp appeared. Kagome couldn't help but smirk at the disgusted expression on Southern Lord face.
"You called Milord?"
"We are to leave in one hour. Inform the generals."
"Yes Milord." The small creature bowed and disappeared. All of the Lords got up and while Yasuo winked at Kagome, Sesshomaru did not even spared her a glance.
Sighing she too went to her room to prepare. Finishing her, she hoped, not last bath; she dressed herself in an outfit very similar to her friend Sango, only all black. Sheathing the sword on her left hip, she put a bow and quiver with arrows on her left shoulder. Grabbing her small backpack, she put a rounded object inside and left the room. Outside the main gate was a large clearing, filled with thousands of warriors standing proudly in four long lines.
"Attention!" a loud shrieking voice echoed through the air. Jaken, the owner of the voice stepped behind his Master.
"You know the reason you are here. I asked for your aid so I am expecting that in the next few days, we will succeed in erasing the evil from this world once and for all, bringing peace to our lands. Your generals will now tell you the details. After that we depart." Finishing, he turned to Nazuki and nodded at him to take over. The same happened with other three generals who received permission.
About thirty minutes later, much to Kagomes displeasure, Lord of the Eastern lands, with his army went to the right while Yasuo and his people went to the left. That left western and northern army.
They walked together the whole day. Sesshomaru and Yukio walked at the beginning of the line, exchanging some words from time to time. Kagome and Sango were in the middle and Inuyasha along with Miroku were closing the group. The mikoness really envied the warriors who were talking freely with each other. Of course, she too had a conversation with her friend for the first two hours but when all of the topics ended, they walked in silence, each in own thoughts.
The Lords decided to stop and rest when the moon was high in the sky. Six, or seven hours of sleep was not that much but Kagome did not complained. She could keep going for three days straight without a minute of it. She just liked to sleep; and all that stored energy will be need in the nearest future.
The next day flew by similar. In the morning Northern Lord send and received two reports from their companions, telling that everything was fine so far. The night came quicker then the raven-haired girl expected. Maybe it was, because she was nervous about what she must do.
--
Sesshomaru was sitting on a tree branch, looking down at his group when one of them looked up at him.
"Milord there is a message for you." Sighing mentally, he jumped down and took the note.
--
Meet me at the nearest waterfall. Now.
--
His eyes narrowed but his senses perked the sound of the water falling down from the northwest direction. Why would anyone want to meet with him right now and in such a private place?
"Keep on guarding." He said to the man, turned and sped up in the direction mentioned earlier.
No longer than fifteen minutes later, he entered the small clearing at which end was said waterfall. No one was here yet so he came closer, wary of his surroundings in case it was a trap. A moment later, another person entered the same clearing and stopped next to him.
"I have no business with you." The daiyoukai stated calmly and was about to leave when a hand grabbed his forearm.
"What is your problem exactly? For the past few days, you were avoiding me as if I was something disgusting. Care to tell me why? Because I have no idea and it drives me nuts!"
He didn't answer. Heck, he looked like he did not even acknowledge that something was said to him. Kagome sighed. She knew it would not be that simple.
"Listen Sesshomaru, you may not like me, hell you can even hate me but that is not the problem here right now. We are in difficult situation." He still did not make a move.
"They will be here tomorrow evening." Now that caught his attention. The daiyoukai looked at her and nodded to continue.
"There is no way that we can defeat Naraku when he has the sword. However, there might be a chance. But before I tell you anything I must ask you one question."
"I'm listening." Kagome took a deep breath. 'Here we go.' She thought.
"Do you trust me?"
--
In the midday the army of west and north reached the clearing when for a few hours the battle will begin. Yasuo and Ryuu showed two hours later and the four lords were perfecting their strategy.
The evening came soon. Too soon. Everyone was on their position.
"He's here." Kagome whispered and everybody tensed. Naraku on the other hand, showed himself completely relaxed, dressed in black hakama and dark violet haori, surrounded by a three familiar faces. On his hip hang a sheath with the sword in it.
"You bastard that's a cheap trick!"
"Ah, Inuyasha. You have not changed one bit. Won't you welcome with everyone; Kagura, Kanna, Hakudoshi?"
"You don't have to do this!" Sango joined in.
"It's not like we have a choice you idiots." Kagura spoke with her typical, arrogant way.
"What do you mean?"
"We are control by his will. We cannot break free." A white haired small girl answered.
"Are you done? I would like to rip your bodies to pieces." To prove his theory, a horde of demons in any form possible emerged from the trees behind him, waiting for a sign.
In the meantime Inuyasha was looking oddly at his friend.
"Hey Kagome are you ok?" she only nodded but someone had a malicious smirk on his face.
"Kagome, it is nice to see you, again. I did not notice you earlier. Would you happen, by any chances, come to see me, the one you saved life?"
"What the hell are you talking about? Kagome would never do something like that!"
"Kukuku… she didn't told you?" he laughed.
"How divine, to hide the truth from your friends, Kagome."
Everyone looked at now trembling form with raven hairs.
"It's not true, right? Kagome?" Sango asked. The mikoness shook her head.
"I didn't knew, I thought that I killed him, I didn't knew… "She kept repeating over and over again.
"That is not the only thing dear Kagome did for me." He paused for the better effect.
"After our last battle, you were attacked by a poisonous scorpion am I right. Kagome?"
She did not answer; instead looked at him with a shocked face.
"That was no ordinary creature. I send it to hunt you down and take the jewel shards." He said showing almost complete pink, rounded crystal.
"You died and then someone came and revived you, isn't that right Sesshomaru?" the brown haired man grinned at the demon lord who has a narrowed eyes.
"Of course, I did not intend for her to turn into a demon, but if that were to help fulfill my goal then so be it."
"Oh yeah!? And what was your purpose?"
"Of course, to get the sword. But to do it I needed to awaken it first. That is why I used you, my dear Kagome." The said girl was on her knees, looking at the ground with wide eyes.
"The second you went inside that room, my plan was finished. The only thing left was to get it. It seemed as though luck was on my side, when I heard that your host is in the middle of the birthday ritual. What better time to attack the castle? That is how we ended up all here. Thanks to you."
Kagome did not acknowledged what happened after that. She did not saw nor heard the sound of demons launched to kill everyone or Inuyasha calling for her to move away. She could not tore this one thought out of her head; 'it was my fault'. However, she broke her paranoid trance when a hand slapped her across the face. Bringing her own hand to touch the stinging skin she looked up at the one who did it and locked her eyes with the smaller, golden one.
"Se-Sesshomaru?"
"You keep forgetting yourself, Miko." He growled low in his throat. Kagome blinked twice, bringing her mind to a normal state.
"Sorry, it won't happen again." She said determined. The daiyoukai nodded and two of them run straight into the demons, slicing them one by one.
--
About hundred meters away from them, Inuyasha was fighting with Kagura. Truth to told, the latter did not want to do this. The wind user still had her memories from the 'past live', just like the other two. The half- demon most of the time was dodging the attacks. He really didn't want to hurt her.
"Come on Inuyasha, I am already dead remember?" Oh he remembered alright, but that didn't change the fact that she was standing right in front of him, speaking.
"I'm sorry." He said and launched a wind scar at her. She dodged and send her wind blades at him. Only Inuyasha didn't got out of the way because what he saw made his body froze.
--
"You again? I thought we have been through this before?" a small boy said, eyeing his opponent.
"You cannot break through my barrier so why bother?"
"Many things had changed since you died, kid." And with that Sango launched her Hiraikotsu cutting right through his barrier. He managed to get his head out of the way and jumped at demon slayer with his long weapon. Sango avoided the full blow but got injured in the left arm. A sudden move made her stop dead in her tracks.
--
"I really don't want to do this." Miroku sighed looking at the small girl in front of him.
"We have no choice, only to fight." She replied emotionlessly.
"I will feel really guilty about it." He groaned and tightened his grip on his staff while Kanna put her mirror in front of her. Just as they were about to attack each other, something in the corner of males eyes catched his attention.
--
Sesshomaru was trying to break through Narakus barrier, killing other low levels demons along the way. It was getting rather boring and the demon lord grew impatient.
"You can't even break one simple barrier." The spider freak mocked. The Western Lord looked around the battlefield. It seemed as though the fight was even, which mean it was a time for a backup. Sheathing Bakusaiga Sesshomaru took a few steps back and let himself be engulfed by a pink smoke. That was the signal for other. A second later, more warriors entered the clearing from left and right. The now white dog was squashing the enemies roaring loudly.
--
Kagome was slashing everything in her path that didn't looked like her allies without breaking a sweat. Feeling familiar demonic energy, she took a quick glance to the right and saw a familiar white dog. She couldn't help but smiled when another group joined the battle.
Merely few minutes later another beast joined the fight. A huge red dragon, with pointed tail and wings. Kagome couldn't tore her eyes away and it was all it took for her downfall when Naraku plunged one of his tentacles straight into the left part on her chest, piercing the heart.
She choked out some blood and fell to her knees when a shadow hovered over her. Looking up and trying to sharpen her blurred vision, the mikoness saw a… white and furred sky? Blinking again, she spotted a pair of white paws in front of her. She smiled faintly when a big, black and wet nose sniffed her up and down.
"I'm… okay" she choked some more blood. "It won't be too long so don't worry. You have a fight didn't you?" the beast purred nuzzling her body with its cheek and then turned around, letting out a feral growls, killing everything that managed to got close to his claws, still standing above Kagome.
--
Despise the situation Inuyasha really couldn't help but let out a frowned smile. He knew that his god forbid half-brother was in, as the young miko called it once, denial. Not dwelling at the thought too long he unleashed the Backlash Wave, sending Kaguras attack straight back at her, erasing her from Earth once more.
Letting out a deep breath and thanking to anyone that it was finally going to end soon he spotted a strange black cloud of smoke up in the air. Looking closely he now saw, that the smoke formed some sort of black circle, which was growing at incredible speed. When it was covering the whole sky above the battlefield, his eyes widened at the picture.
"What in the hell is going on?" he asked confused.
So am I forgiven? (make a puppy dog eyes) I promised to update the LAST chapter within the next week while I'm still sick (hopefully not) Since it will be the last chapter, there won't be any preview for the final chapter, kukuku ;D