Characters = Rumiko Takahashi

Story = Desert-Bandit

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Last time:

If she was surprised that she was pulled closer instead of away, she didn't show it. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she felt his hands cup the sides of her face and the world seemed to fade in the background, leaving Rin to think of the possibilities of having her long time dream of having a mother finally come true.

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Chapter 11

Blindness falls

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Rikku looked out over the expanse of his lands, his stormy eyes matching the grey clouds, swollen with the winter storms. His army had come close to defeating the West and it was hard to pull them back at the last minute when they were so close. But victory would have to wait just a little bit longer. He had gotten word that the Western Court has been hounding their Lord to commit. It couldn't have been more perfect. His plan will go slightly smoother than first realized and it pleased him to no end.

In one moon's time, he will place down a treaty that not even the other Lords could deny for the Western bastard. He will have his lands in the end and he will do so by walking over his uncle and father. Too bad his cousin wouldn't follow until far later but when her death comes by his hands, it will no doubt be the greatest moment in his life. Not to mention watching as every other territory crumbles beneath him as he is named Lord over all of Japan!

'What a wonderful thing to toast to', he thought as he raised his wine glass to the oncoming storm.

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His breath sounded loud to his ears and the erratic beating of his heart even more so, it was a miracle that he was not discovered sooner. That is, until his sword caught the moonlight and gave away his position. Shit, he was not this careless. He barely brought up his sword to defend himself when the enemy's weapon swung at him. The force of the clash rattled his body as he fought to push the enemy off him. Sweat stung his eyes, temporary blinding him. Pushing himself up, he managed to shove the soldier off him but when the enemy leapt off to the side, a large double bladed axe came arcing into view and right at him.

The agonized screams that escaped Saru's throat echoed down the quiet corridors of the Western palace. His eyes flared wide and red as he struggled and thrashed about in his bed. Guards that were stationed nearest to the infirmary were quickly called in to detain the crazed demon. Adrenaline pumped through Saru's veins as he fought off the guards that were attempting to detain him but they continued to come in numbers. With a few swipes of his claws he was able to create an opening. Leaping off the bed, only to crumple to the floor as searing pain worked up his leg allowed the guards to surround him again. A few of the injured soldiers that were still left in the infirmary were rushing in to help in any way that they could but it was proving to be a challenge. A demon in the throes of madness was hard to subdue, especially when the last thing you wanted to do was to kill them. It may have had to come to that before Saru suddenly stopped struggling. His shoulders and back rose and fell with his labored breathing as he concentrated on the pair of black boots that stood before him.

"You will cease this behavior, Captain."

Lifting his head, he stared up at the tall Lord from his kneeling position. Blood red met molten gold before Saru's gaze slipped past him to settle on the petit woman that stood just behind. She looked scared but also vaguely familiar. Who was she? Then the male that he was staring at only moments ago blocked his vision of her, making him his only target.

Kagome had no idea what was going on. She had only left the infirmary a half hour ago and all hell breaks loose. And why was Sesshoumaru not allowing her to help? Saru had been unconscious for over a week and now here he is, being pinned like an animal. When this was over, she was going to rip into Sesshoumaru over his treatment of his men.

Saru looked to have calmed down a bit but even she could tell that he was still willing to fight. She just prayed that he would come to his senses soon.

Gradually, Saru's eyes began to fade into silver as the pain in his leg grew to be unbearable. Sesshoumaru stepped aside to allow Kagome to tend to the fallen Captain but he made sure to stay close. Once a demon loses control, it was hard to tell if he could completely come back at all. A few times in his life, he had to put down some of his best soldiers because they have succumbed to the madness that war inflicts. It was never an easy thing, but what's one more if it means that he could end the suffering?

Kagome worked quickly in sending her calming energy into Saru's broken body. They were still surrounded by the guards and the remaining soldiers but none made a move to place Saru back on the bed. They just stood and stared, as if they were all holding their breaths in anticipation but for what? Pushing her questions to the back of her head, she stopped the bleeding as best she could before giving the men the okay to move him. When they began to carry him in the direction opposite his bed and towards the hallway, panic set in.

"Where are you taking him?"

No one answered as they continued to carry the quiet Captain with grim silence.

Sesshoumaru waited before they were close to the door before he followed them. He didn't get very far. His arm was tugged back, forcing him to glance behind to see a very unhappy Miko.

"Where are you taking him?" Her voice was low. Obviously she wasn't scared anymore. She was downright pissed and rightly so. But this was now out of her hands. She was no longer safe, and Saru is now considered a threat. The South has claimed yet another victim. Covering her hand in his, he gave her an honest answer,

"He is unstable right now, he needs to be moved."

"But I can take care of him, you know that." True but he would not risk it.

"I am well aware of your abilities, Kagome, but Saru is unstable as of now," he loosened her firm grip on his forearm and lowered it to fall between them. The act did more than just remove her from him; it also was a way of telling her that no matter what, there was always going to be something keeping them at arm's length. It hurt her and he knew because he hurt too.

"If his behavior continues, he may never come back at all."

When the hidden message beneath his statement sunk in, she flinched as if she'd been slapped.

Kami, he hated having to hurt her but right now, this is what has to happen. As long as she was safe, his daughter was safe and that was the plan. He knew that and that was the only thing that kept him going. He wanted to reach out to her but knew that it wouldn't have helped. Instead, he told her in a hushed voice, "Please wait for me."

He waited for her to nod before he too left to follow his men carrying their Captain.

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Saru was jolted awake when the sound of a heavy metal slid open. He knew that sound. Dammit, what happened? He couldn't remember anything. Keeping his eyes closed, he reached out with his senses. He could feel that he was chained up, no surprised there, and three heartbeats – guards, obviously, until a familiar voice sounded. "State your name."

Saru took in a breath.

"Saru, Captain of the Fourth Regiment."

Sesshoumaru's stance relaxed slightly. At least the guy was coherent but then again, so was the other one before him. "What do you remember?"

"…Nothing."

Silence followed his answer. Not something Saru was comfortable with. He strained to listen to his surroundings. He asked, "What did I do?"

Sesshoumaru saw that Saru continued to keep his eyes closed. He didn't blame him. If he or the guards saw that his eyes were still red and filled with uncontrolled rage, it would have been the end of him. But simply talking wasn't enough to prove your sanity. What was it that they say; the eyes are the windows to the soul?

"You were left for dead."

In that one small sentence, memories flooded back to him; the soldier that had blindsided him at the border, running into the forest, his leg. "So I was." He must have been one helluva mess to have ended up in here.

"Your coloring, Captain." Sesshoumaru stated firmly. Saru pulled himself up, ignoring the roughness of the metal cuffs around his wrists that chained him to the wall.

"If my life does end here tonight, there is information that you must know."

"Then state it."

"The attack on the palace was done by the traitorous hands that now hide beneath the Southern banner."

Sesshoumaru balled his hand into a white knuckled fist. So that's who was responsible. But how many were there? Sesshoumaru grabbed the front of Saru's haori and forcibly brought him close to his face. "Who are they?" he growled out, baring his fangs.

"The traitors are the two that had walked out alive. I have been keeping an eye on them but they began to get suspicious."

The dots began to connect. So that's why Saru was so violently targeted; it was because he knew.

The rage that filled Sesshoumaru was overflowing. Those fucking bastards. When he got his hands on them, he'll make sure they'll be screaming for a quick death, one he will so graciously deny. With one lead down, there was still another matter at hand. If Saru's eyes were still red, then he'd be one captain short. "Your coloring, Captain." He said again.

This time, Saru stayed silent but Sesshoumaru could hear the frantic heartbeat. Slowly, Saru brought his head up and began to open his eyes. Sesshoumaru's hard stare pierced through him but his expression was unreadable. A few more seconds passed before he nodded to the guard to let himself out. Saru was left alone in the small cell, fear and anxiousness flooded through him at a blinding speed.

"Stay here for the night and report back to me tomorrow for further instructions." Sesshoumaru said before taking his leave.

All the pent up emotions seemed to rush out of him, making him collapse against the damp stone wall. He was alright. He was still sane. He was alive.

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Sesshoumaru fought to calm his own nerves as he made his way towards where Kagome's chamber was. She wasn't happy with him when he had left and seeing him in this state would only make her even more unhappy. Standing outside her bedroom, he took a deep breath and quietly entered.

Kagome awoke to someone sitting at the foot of her bed. She knew who it was. Propping herself on her elbow, she waited for him to talk first.

"Saru is fine."

Relief washed over her, and her eagerness to see the Captain was all too clear, sending a small wave of jealously through him. "What about you?"

"I have learned that I have been harboring traitors within my ranks."

So Saru had told him. Her eyes softened as she crawled closer to him. Wrapping her arms around Sesshoumaru's broad shoulders, she offered what little comfort she could give. He accepted her touch without hesitation but it still wasn't enough. It would never be enough to just touch or hold her. He wanted to kiss her, to taste her, to feel her. But what she wanted the most, what he wanted the most, he could not give her. His court was getting closer to finding a suitable mate for him and he wanted to scream that he had found one but as law, he cannot go against his court; as it was for the other three lords. He hated it but knew that without the courts, the four lands would crumble completely.

"Would you stay with me tonight?"

He didn't know who was more surprised by his request but she hadn't moved from her position against his back. Finally, he felt her arms fall from his shoulders to settle around his chest.

"Take me to your bed, Sesshoumaru."

Kagome was taken aback by Sesshoumaru's genuine smile that she hadn't realized that she was lifted into his arms and being carried across the hall to his chambers. Her cheeks were stained with a rosy hue as he gently placed her in the middle of his spacious bed. Sitting up, she watched as he shed his haori, letting it fall from him. Kagome drank in his chiseled torso and chest. Why did the man have to wear clothes at all?

He kept his eyes solely on her as he made his way up her creamy legs to rest above her, dragging his hand up her thigh to rest on her hip. Kagome's body reacted in such a way that left her breathless. She found that she had absolutely fallen in love with his touch. His hands were big and warm against her cool skin. Their soft kisses began to grow more urgent as their need for eachother skyrocketed. He had wanted this for so long and it was better than he could have ever imagined it. She was so responsive to his touches and the sounds she made would only encourage him more to bring them to their highest until both were clinging to eachother, falling back down to earth.

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The early morning sun began to peak over the horizon, reflecting its warm light in Sesshoumaru's eyes. Last night had been amazing for them both. Glancing at the woman that lay beside him trustingly gave him a sense of warmth. She was incredible. Snuggling up close from behind her, he brushed away her wavy hair from her neck. A frown marred his face. It pained him to see that her skin was left unmarked but it was for the best.

Like he had said before, what kind of life could he offer her; one full of wars and violence? No, she needed stability but for the moment, he could pretend that that was what he could offer her as he held her close.

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Attention: I'm still among the living, though I can't say the same for my laptop.

Please forgive me for taking absolutely forever to update, I am truly sorry. Finals are horrible, especially when you have a professor that schedules a third midterm a week before the final. Talk about stress.

Chapter 12, coming up!

~Desert - Bandit