JeniNeji Comments:
Good evening! Well, its night already but I know that no one really cares. Here is chapter 17, and I must ask for forgiveness. My beta gave me this chapter some days ago (4 to be exact) but there was a scene that I wanted to edit so...
Enjoy!
Myth Whisperer: Thanks! Well, here you go...I hope you like it!
sleepy26: Thanks anyway, and I am sorry for making you be late. I hope you do like this chapter.
FluffyLady: Very much thank yous!!!! I try very hard to make it original, so I am glad that someone mentions it. I am really greateful, and I hope you like the new chapter.
shippoV: I am sorry that you have to wait for the updates now. But, think it this way, now you dont have to read SOOOOOO much! XD
Angelique-08: Super muchas gracias! I loved your LONG review and it really made me feel special. I hope you like the new chapter Angelique, and thanks to your dual-language review I decided to make a little mischief.
magix234: Well, let see about Almira now. Thanks for the review, and I hope you enjoy this new chapter!
jazzyinuluvsesshyxxoo: Thanks for the review! I hope you like this new update! But if you dont, I swear you will like chap 18!
All I want for Xmas is Ikuto: Thanks for the review. You write like you know about these things, so I thank you. Enjoy!
When the Past is the Future…
Chapter 17
Together, and Apart
Movement made him become very self-conscious—something that he, the great Sesshomaru, wasn't accustomed to-- and he lowered his golden eyes to the young miko he carried on his arms. "We are almost there" he said softly, but strong enough for her to hear even with the wind hitting them as he ran at high speed. "Hold on a little longer."
"What happened?" she asked Sesshomaru with a soft voice, her eyes felt heavy and she didn't bother to try opening them.
"There has been a demon invasion from the Mainland" he explained. "A demon called Hyoga has come to our shore and it's making way, Inu no Taisho is there on the front line" he said and sped up even more. Kagome had to be awake in case her help was needed in battle. He disliked the idea of her being there right now, she wasn't fully recovered.
"I meant…why do I feel different?" she asked "What did you do to me?" she asked and her hands took the sheet away from her face so she could see his. The cold wind hit her and she felt her body shiver in response, but her blue eyes fixed on his neck and his jaw line as if they were hypnotizing.
"What do you mean…different?" he couldn't help but ask, though something swirled uncomfortably in his stomach. How was he supposed to tell her? Tell her that he forever stole her chance to decide who she was to mate with? Tell her that she was now his? Her father's son…
…forever? No, it may not be forever…there were ways to break free. But he wouldn't have any, she was his…an inaudible possessive growl rumbled on his chest.
"I heard that" commented Kagome with annoyance. "That's what I mean by different…my senses are…sharper?" she tried and moved on Sesshomaru's arms, trying to get more comfortable.
Sesshomaru's claws dug a little on her arms out of surprise, but he was careful not to harm her. He paused his running and for the first time turned his golden eyes at her. Her blue eyes were on his, her face had gotten its usual color and her skin was beginning to feel warmer. "You feel stronger?" he said in disbelief and deep underneath, he felt a surging rage. His powers had been taken from him! Impossible!
Kagome escaped his arms and stood. Her legs trembled, but she managed to keep her balance. She frowned in confusion and placed a hand to her chest. The Jewel was pulsing wildly and it caused a minor pain. Her eyes then found Sesshomaru "It…hurts" she commented and looked at her chest "there is something different with the Jewel" she told him feeling confused. "Why do my legs feel weak?" she asked.
Sesshomaru had an impassive expression on his face and blinked his eyes a few times while he thought over her question. "I have marked you" he told her evenly "you are my mate" he finished and his golden eyes remained on her. He wasn't completely sure about the strength of the mating bond, but he wasn't going to tell her either.
He had expected her eyes to widen, her eyes to express hatred or disgust, but none of them were her reactions. She only lowered her face until her black hair hid it. He watched as the end of her hair slowly danced with the breeze near her waist and he felt his eyes soften while looking at her. He was a demon, better say a proud and strong dog demon, but he was after all…a male. He didn't know the reason, but he couldn't just mate someone else. He felt something, and that something didn't allow him to let go of her.
"Why?" the soft, broken whisper interrupted his thoughts.
He took a moment to answer. The truth was that he had been asking himself that very same question over the last nine days while she remained asleep, and had yet to come to a sincere answer. "This Sesshomaru has always wanted you for himself" he said "but he has never fully understood the reason" he finished and his golden eyes took on her hair, trying to see past it into her face.
"I dislike you" said Kagome softly and her hands began to shake in anger. "How could you?!" she cried and tear-filled eyes turned to him accusingly.
Sesshomaru gasped but soon enough, his face distorted in anger "I…I don't have to explain myself" he yelled for the first time in a long time and he blinked his eyes, stunned at his own actions.
"I don't want you" she repeated "I want Koga…I want Koga!" she cried and she fell to her knees and began to sob.
"You know nothing!" shot Sesshomaru. "Nothing" he repeated and began to pace around her, trying to clear his head of the pain her words caused him.
"I hate you!" she declared and her hands closed on the green grass at her knees, her hateful eyes locked on him. Tears still fell from her eyes and then gritted her teeth and came to her feet. She narrowed her eyes menacingly and fisted her hands causing sparks of miko energy flare to life, but a second later, she screamed in pain and fell to the floor.
"Kagome" whispered Sesshomaru with panic in his voice. He had her in his arms and he made a hushing sound when she clutched his hakama and dug her head onto his chest desperately. "Kagome…" he tried to soothe her.
"It burns, it burns…it's burning me!" she repeated once and again and she muffled her screams on his chest.
His right hand found her hair and he began to pet her and then his lips kissed the top of her head. "You need to calm down" he said soothingly "your emotions are erratic, calm yourself" he said softly.
She began to breathe in rhythm, trying to enter in meditation. It helped a little, but still, tears stung her eyes. "How can I be calm?" she spat. "I hate you, I hate what you did…"
"You used to love me" he cut in, his voice smooth as silk. "I am sure of what I speak."
"You lie" she said and her blue eyes found his golden ones. "How could you know about my feelings?" she asked angered.
"It is you who has forgotten" he told her patiently "I have never forgotten you" he finished and his golden eyes looked at her with tenderness, making Kagome doubt for only an instant.
"You lie" she repeated again stubbornly. "The first time I ever talked to you, you treated me horribly" she said "I haven't forgotten" she said and began to fight his embrace.
"That wasn't our first meeting" he said breathlessly. "Before" he whispered in her ear "you have forgotten, you met me long before that" he said and he pulled her closer to him. "Believe me."
Tears fell from her eyes, this time harder than before. "You are wrong" she sobbed. "You misunderstood…I don't love you" she said and her hand became free of the embrace and she clutched some of his silky silver hair and obliged him to face her "I would know…and I don't think…"
"You do" he interrupted her and his eyes fell on her mouth. "You loved me, but you forgot" he said "we had a…bond before" he said, not sure how to call the relationship that they supposedly had the very first time he met her, the moment when the Seven Days war began, he didn't know how to explain the relationship they had shared and the one she had hid from him. "My blood runs through you, and it makes you strong, and…it's the proof of our past" he said…or future he was tempted to say, but he resisted.
"I-I don't understand" she said but he silenced her putting his finger on her lips.
"Inu no Taisho will explain" he said and his golden eyes looked at the horizon.
"Father knows?" she asked with a frown, her heart felt a pang of pain. Had he known this was going to happen? "What happened to Amaru?" asked Kagome concerned.
Sesshomaru, after reassuring that Kagome was safe on his arms, raced once again towards Inu no Taisho. "She left" he said simply. "She's with Inu no Taisho" he explained.
Kagome did nothing but nod. She closed her eyes and took a relaxing breath. She no longer knew anything, what she was supposed to do…and Inu no Taisho had known. Had Momo known as well? Mother too?
Kagome shook her head slowly and then dug her face once again onto Sesshomaru's chest. A little smile slowly began to form on her lips…he had a nice scent, a scent that she found alluring, comforting her to sleep. So she followed her aching head's advice, and slept.
"Inu no Taisho!" called Koga with excitement. "Can you feel that?" he asked and his passionate blue-gray eyes focused on the horizon. "It's Kagome."
Inu no Taisho raised his golden eyes to the mountains and blinked slowly. "Sesshomaru is with her" he commented and then he turned to the side to look at Momo. Apprehensive pink eyes met him, followed by a sad smile. Inu no Taisho then turned to the far end of his camp and his golden eyes focused on Amaru. She had been so silent these last days…he worried about her, after all, she was the daughter of his deceased general and his son's intended. Her hair floated with the soft breeze and her hands were crossed in front of her. "My son is so troublesome…" he couldn't help but comment.
"Everything is going to be alright, Father" said Momo with a soft smile. "It always does" she added when golden eyes looked at her with disbelief.
"Inu no Taisho" called Koga rougher than needed, "Too much time has passed" he informed. "The towns near this area had been reprieved from their human souls, we cannot allow this any longer…" said Koga, determination flaring in his eyes.
"I know" said Inu no Taisho and his strength flowed from his insides, it seemed to pour out from every pore, "Prepare for battle!" he barked at everyone around him, and distant heads came up and the soldiers armed themselves instantly. "My daughter is on the way, and with her abilities, we will bring down this horde of demons" he growled and unsheathed Tetsusaiga.
Koga unsheathed his sword also, "Wolves" he called with a dominant tone. "We are to destroy the Tree of Ages, we will weaken Hyoga if we destroy it" he ordered and dashed forward with a last glance at Inu no Taisho.
"Inu no Taisho's clan" said a cold voice "with me" finished Amaru and walked away, the dog demons following her without hesitation.
"Father" said Momo as she came to her feet, "after Sesshomaru and Kagome arrive, I will cage us in a barrier…I hope I can prevent Hyoga from taking more human souls" she said softly and smiled.
"Momo" he called to her anxiously. "That's…too difficult" he said concerned, "Are you sure you can accomplish that… without hurting yourself?" he asked and the point of Tetsusaiga touched the floor.
"I won't find out, unless I try, Father" she said with a peaceful smile "Besides, your reign is one of demons and humans" she reminded him. "The highest efforts must be done in order to save them" she said and bowed her head in a sign of servitude, her long, wavy silvery hair almost touching the ground, "I will be all right."
Inu no Taisho stared at his first daughter with a mix of emotions: concern, pride, fear.
"I will protect her" Mitsurugi's soothing voice came in "and help her as much as I can" he said with his red eyes on Inu no Taisho. He knew that with his higher senses, Inu no Taisho could tell if he was lying, so he allowed himself to be tested.
Inu no Taisho's gaze roamed him for a few second, but when he made it to Mitsurugi's eyes he changed his gaze—his eyes reminded him much of the half-demon who tried to kill Kagome…the one who killed Midoriko. "Very well, be careful" said Inu no Taisho turning and walking down the hill to the Tree of Ages.
"Almira" echoed a voice on the hallway of Naraku's castle and said female demon couldn't help but cringe at the sound of her name from his lips.
"Naraku?" she called anxiously, "Where are you?" she asked and she intertwined her hands out of nervousness. She kept walking forward slowly, "You were right" she said with sorrow "I wasn't able to steal the Jewel" she said, fear tight on her voice. "Sesshomaru took it from me…but there's something strange going on there" she explained "His aura is—"
A hand snaking behind her and taking her neck softly froze her on the spot. She felt every single hair on the back of her neck stand and her toes felt numb "Na—Naraku?" she asked panicked, and then his tongue touched her neck and she tensed. He licked her and then a sick laugh permeated the hallway, making her ease some of her stress…it was him.
"I am listening" he said with a voice filled with a hungry lust, "What else?" he asked and his other hand circled her waist.
She wasn't sure why, but she felt caged –and for the first time in years, frightened. "Ka-Kagome is under a spell" she said and she felt him stop and she managed to breathe again "There is an invasion on Inu no Taisho's lands" she said rapidly before he could interrupt her.
"Interesting" he said and chuckled darkly. "You have done well, it's time I give you merits for your hard work" he said darkly, while his hands caressed her arms.
Almira tensed once again and she tried to cloak her panic as much as she could while detangling his arms from her, but he still resisted. "I …I am grateful Naraku" she tried "but I don't need anything…the Jewel is payment enough" she said and heard him laugh.
"A shame then" he said and kissed her neck "I don't intend to give the Jewel to you" he said and he bit her shoulder ferociously, drawing blood instantly.
Almira screamed in pain and her vision blurred. She tried to jerk him away, but soon her limbs became flaccid and she couldn't even raise them, the pain began to fade and her mind began to close on itself. "What…?" What is happening to me? Was what she tried to voice, but to no avail, her lips stop moving and they felt heavy. She heard him laugh, but it sounded so far away, even when she could see him in the corner of her eye, surrounded by a purplish smoke…miasma? A sudden ripping sound invaded her ears and she tried in vain to see what was happening. She felt no pain, she was numb, but if someone was ripping you apart…you would feel it, right? But she was wrong, no one was ripping her apart. Naraku's body began to open on itself and his insides fell out, it was the most disgusting thing she had ever seen.
"Come Almira, become a part of me"
Those were the last words she heard, before everything turned into pit darkness.
"Father" it was Kagome's voice that made him turn away from the wolves who were trying to destroy the Tree of Ages. His golden eyes settle on the pair and the huge concern he carried for Kagome's welfare instantly disappeared. He walked towards them, a soft smile for Kagome adorned his lips.
Sesshomaru silently placed her on the floor and cautiously steadied her. Kagome looked up at him, and walked away from his protective arms. When her blue eyes found Inu no Taisho, she smiled, "Father" she called again and walked to him with welcoming arms.
Inu no Taisho took her on his arms and hugged her tight, "Kagome" he whispered in relief. "You are all right" he said and kissed the top of her head.
"No, Father" said Kagome, "I am not" she said with a sad smile. "We need to hurry and destroy this enemy, please" she said with sorrowful eyes.
Inu no Taisho looked at her sympathetically and nodded "It shall be done as you ask" he told her and squeezed her once again. "We will make it right Kagome, forgive me for not protecting you" he pleaded.
Kagome smiled guiltily and hugged him back, "Do not worry, Father" she said and chuckled as her eyes fell on his hair. "You are still using my ribbon to tie your ponytail I see" she said glad to see he had taken good care of it.
"Always" he said and turned to Sesshomaru—for the first time. He was looking at him impassive and serious, yet underneath everything else he could vaguely see a deep fear. Understandably, he could no longer protect his mate--his strength had been reprieved of him. The anger he felt against his son was still palpable, so he decided to avoid him for the time being. "Kagome" said Inu no Taisho, "I need you to break the barrier surrounding Hyoga, that is all I require" he told her and began to walk down towards the mentioned demon.
"I will go. She needs help" said Sesshomaru, leaving little room for arguments on his voice. When Inu no Taisho turned to him with narrowed angry eyes, Sesshomaru replied with the same look. "Someone must stay with her while you slay Hyoga" he countered and for that he earned a growl.
"Don't worry about him, Father" Kagome told him softly, trying to ease the tension. Her hand came to his cheek comfortably and she felt as he pushed himself into her hand. She could almost see his stress and felt sorry for him. He was too good a father, and he was so lonely…
"I love you" said Inu no Taisho and walked to wards Hyoga again.
After some walking, Inu no Taisho, Kagome and Sesshomaru had reached the Tree of Ages. Inu no Taisho had Tetsusaiga and Souunga in hand and Kagome was some steps back—Sesshomaru holding her in place.
A breaking noise alerted them of the succeeding of the wolf demons, the Tree of Ages had a deep hole on its side, it was certainly going to be brought down. Kagome looked up to see the demon inside the glowing pink orb. He remained asleep, but she noted that his features were handsome. A sudden silence invaded the Tree and a warm feeling began to make way. Kagome raised her eyes only to find that human souls were no longer being drawn to the demon. She frowned but didn't understand the sudden stop, was he waking?
"Momo, she created a barrier around us, it sealed his power inside" said Sesshomaru behind her "It's time" he assured her with a soft voice.
Kagome nodded softly. She raised her hand an ushered her miko powers to create a bow, but spikes of energy sparkled on as the energy condensed and bit the joints of her arm making her wince in pain. Out of shock, she retracted her arm towards her chest and used the other one to press on her throbbing arm.
"Are you all right?" the concerned voice of Sesshomaru barged in, and his hand came to her injured arm, touching for anything abnormal.
"I am" said Kagome "but I can't summon a bow anymore…it hurts" she said with confusion and raised her eyes to Sesshomaru "I need a bow and arrow, real ones"
"Wait here" he said and with a glance at his father, he jumped down and disappeared.
Kagome looked up at Inu no Taisho "The Jewel…is trying to escape my grasp" she told Inu no Taisho softly "I can no longer maintain it asleep" she said miserably.
"It's understandable" said Inu no Taisho, still looking up at Hyoga "Demon energy surrounds you now"
"You knew", said Kagome more than asked.
"I don't know anything" replied Inu no Taisho calmly, "I have always known, but at the same time haven't. You were always a mystery."
"Sesshomaru says that I forgot I met him long before, in a time where I loved him" she told him unsure.
"Your destiny has always been tied to the Jewel you protect. When we found you the first time, you carried his scent, yet none of us had ever met you. Later on, we found you carried some of his blood in you. You knew him, we don't know how, and yes, we all thought you had some sort of attachment to him, but we were never certain" he explained. "You were turned back to a baby before you could explain anything to us" he finished.
"I don't love him, Father" said Kagome softly "I don't think I do" she said uncertain.
Inu no Taisho remained silent for a few moments. "I wouldn't know what your feelings are…but, everything happened so fast" he tried, and the words were harder to say than he had actually believed. "Shouldn't you give him some days…to see if he really is the one…or not?"
Kagome turned his eyes to the far horizon, trying to ease her pained heart. "I wanted Koga" she whispered to the wind.
"I'm sorry" said Inu no Taisho. "I allowed him into my palace because I thought you did" he said sadly "but that's the reason why everything happened. It's my fault"
"No, Father" she quickly interrupted. "It's not" she said and looked at his back. "How do you know when you are in love?" she asked.
"In love?" repeated Inu no Taisho. "I am not even certain demons can feel such an emotion" he said sadly, "But, humans just…know" he said and turned to Kagome "or so I have heard."
"Did you not love my mother?" Kagome couldn't help but ask since he always seemed to love Sephira from what her memories told her.
Inu no Taisho smiled. "I loved her", he said "but it's not the same as being in love" he tried to explain, "A demon makes his mate happy and protects her, and that is to love."
"I feel confused" said Kagome sourly.
"Don't think" advised Inu no Taisho, "Feel".
Their eyes encountered each other, and Kagome felt as if he was fueling her with his kind determination. "I will, Father."
A few moments passed and they both turned to Hyoga, his aura carried an immense strength. "We have to kill him in one attack, I don't want him waking up" said Inu no Taisho.
"I will not fail you" said Kagome.
"I have returned" a strained voice spoke behind her and she saw as Sesshomaru walked to her, with a bow and a pack of arrows.
"Thanks" said Kagome as she received the items. She took the bow and tried it, pulling on the tense string once and again. She found and arrow and placed it on the bow "I am ready father"
"Whenever you like" said Inu no Taisho with a smirk on his face. "Come on, come on, you are going down Hyoga" he said happily.
With a smile, Kagome infused her miko powers to the arrow. The energy it store was not even half of what she usually placed, and a feeling of emptiness invaded her. Was she weak? Was it the Jewel which made her strong? She narrowed her eyes and tried to infuse the arrow with more miko energy, but nothing happened. The thought of using the Jewel to reinforce the arrow came to her head, but she resisted the urge.
The arrow flew with the wind and collided with the barrier surrounding Hyoga. Kagome saw as the barrier gulped the arrow and the area surrounding the arrow began to melt. The barrier began to weaken and soon, Hyoga's eyes burst open.
His eyes moved wildly from one side to the other, until his eyes fell on the arrow inside his barrier. A purifying arrow? He narrowed his eyes and looked outside. It was difficult to see the surroundings, the only thing visible was a blur of colors since the barrier reflected a pink wall of water. From time to time, the blurriness would fade, but it was only an instant. He raised his arms and called upon more souls in order to regenerate his barrier, but no souls answered to his summoning. Confusion was sketched on his face, and the barrier continued to deteriorate, if he didn't do something it will fall completely and he won't inherit the power of his ancestors. Anger overwhelmed him and he took the arrow with his bare hand…he had to get rid of it. But it burned him, and in that very same instant, when his concentration faded, the barrier fell.
A growl resounded around him and then a whirlwind hit him full force. Hyoga screamed in agony as Souunga's attack burned and slashed his chest and arms. He fell to his knees and his hateful eyes locked with Inu no Taisho's golden ones. He roared in anger and came to his feet once again. Blood was smeared on his hair and clothes, but he laughed.
Inu no Taisho growled and used the Wind Scar to finish Hyoga off, but that instant, Hyoga drew his sword and he dug it in front of him, effectively protecting himself. A small chuckle left his lips. "The Lord of the Western Lands" he said with mock appreciation. "I must say that you have your tricks" he said and his eyes scanned the barrier above them. "You stopped my moths so I wouldn't gain more strength, clever" he said and shrugged "I will have to take that barrier down then" he said and a horde of demons materialized behind him. They roared and dispersed, engaging in battle with Inu no Taisho's dog demons.
Inu no Taisho used another Wind Scar, but this one wasn't any better. "Now, Inu no Taisho, attacking someone unarmed, I thought you were better than this" he said and took the hilt of the sword and stood offensively "Now you die!"
Hyoga jumped from the top of the Tree of Ages and his sword encountered Tetsusaiga full force. Inu no Taisho pushed him aside with a growl and slashed horizontally. Hyoga dodged the slash by jumping a second before and landing over Inu no Taisho, who caught his ankle and swirled Hyoga and threw him against the Tree. Hyoga's back made a cracking sound, but this seemed to affect him very little since he stood immediately "Savage, I like it" Hyoga mocked and charged once again.
Inu no Taisho unsheathed Souunga, and after a roar, used it against Hyoga, but the demon from the mainland managed to escape unharmed. The moth demon was falling easily, a giant smirk on his face as his eyes looked upon Inu no Taisho's snarl. A push on his back made his smirk disappear and he turned to see a younger version of Inu no Taisho behind him. A pain on his chest alerted him of a long sword piercing him and he narrowed his eyes in anger. "Damn pup" he said and his hand snaked from him inhumanly and grabbed Sesshomaru's wrist. Sesshomaru winced in pain when Hyoga made a flashing motion and broke the bones in his wrist. Out of pain, Sesshomaru dug the sword deeper on Hyoga's chest and turned it with a growl.
Hyoga pressed Sesshomaru's broken wrist more insistently and the hand lost its grip on the sword. Hyoga made a circular motion and let go of Sesshomaru's hand making him fly away.
Many things happened at that moment…
Inu no Taisho watched as his son was thrown away and instantly sent a wave attack with Souunga. After that, and a deafening scream from Kagome, he raced towards Sesshomaru.
Hyoga watched with a smirk as Soounga's dark attack came closer to him and began to mutter a spell. He opened his arms welcoming the attack, and when the attack hit him, the darkness became tangible and surrounded Hyoga like a loving wave. It folded upon him and soon after, shots of darkness exploded and fell to the roots of the Tree of Ages taking Hyoga's soul with them.
There was a piercing scream from Kagome as she tried in vain to catch the flying Sesshomaru. He flew over her and she jumped, trying to take his hand, since she had no doubt that with the speed at which he was falling he was going to miss the edge of the branch she was standing on. Her fingers touched his hand and a gleaming smile lighted her face to soon be smashed away as he retracted his hand away from hers. She felt as if time had stopped. The moment Sesshomaru retracted his hand she felt her heart constrict in pain. She would never reach him in time! Her lungs refused to take more air as she saw him falling farther away from her. Her horrified blue eyes locked with his passive golden ones and she couldn't help the tears that prickled the corner of her eyes. What is wrong with you?! She wanted to scream but found that she could only weep as he disappeared from her gaze, falling deeper and deeper.
The sound of Souunga exploding against Hyoga made Kagome turn to Inu no Taisho, she was weeping like a small girl. "Father!" she screamed horrified and she saw as Inu no Taisho turned to her, he ran past her and took her on his arms, and jumped down towards Sesshomaru. But he was nowhere in sight…it was too late.
As soon as Kagome reached the ground, her panic grew more. Wolves surrounded a single place and she stormed towards them, pushing her way through. After she passed the last wolf, she saw Sesshomaru on the floor. She gasped and gulped down her own scream, never before she had seen so much blood!
She raced towards him and lied down at his side. "Sesshomaru" she croaked between sobs, "Sesshomaru!" she cried and her trembling hands came over him. A set of warm hands came to her shoulders and she tensed.
"Kagome" the regretful sound of Koga's voice interrupted her. "He can't hear you…he only has minutes…" he said as softly as he could "If there's something you must say to him…"
"Stop!" she screamed and jerked away from Koga. Koga retracted his hands from her, stunned at her sudden fierceness. "Sesshomaru! Sesshomaru" she continued to call to him "Don't die" she pleaded and began to take his armor off.
Inu no Taisho came to her side and knelt. He silently began to help her take Sesshomaru's armor off. His hands moved slowly and his fingers trembled. A pained gasp left his mouth and Kagome turned to him to see him crying. "Father" she called out of pain "No."
Inu no Taisho took Kagome's hands and pulled her to him softly, "Kagome" he said softly almost in a whisper, as if trying not to break her. "His injuries are--" he told her, but as soon as he said that Kagome pulled herself from him in denial. Inu no Taisho let her, he knew that with the half mark of her bonding, the feeling of loss was just too grave.
"No" she repeated once and again and placed her hands over Sesshomaru's chest "It hurts, it hurts my heart hurts" she said and closed her eyes. With a deafening scream she pushed her miko powers into action, and began healing the worst of his wounds. Only a second after, sparks began to explode all around her arms putting an unbearable pain on her joints.
"Kagome!" screamed Inu no Taisho "You are going to kill yourself! Stop!!!" he screamed but soon enough, the pink glow of the Jewel of Four Souls surrounded her and threatened anyone with a death sentence. "Kagome, don't leave me too!" screamed Inu no Taisho with tears on his voice.
But Kagome paid him no heed, between the hard work and her own painful screams, she could see nothing more than Sesshomaru. The Jewel was eating at her heart, she could feel it, she could feel as it sucked her life, her energy from her. Still, it didn't stop her. There was something that gave her hope, the bond was getting stronger. She could do it. As she worked with her hands a silent plea resounded on her head once and again, let not the Jewel eat me before he's strong enough to survive.
Sudden pulses on the Jewel froze her and reprieved her of the air around her. The Jewel became heavy, wild no longer, it was obedient to her. She felt her fingers stop moving and her miko energy faded from her hands. While her mind and consciousness tried to keep healing her mate, her body refused to. She felt as if the Jewel burned her from the inside out, but she couldn't even control her mouth to scream her lungs out. She felt herself rise to her feet, she felt the gust of wind that caressed her hair and she felt as her miko energy flared against the wolf demons around her. She saw as Inu no Taisho's eyes washed with understanding and he voiced a command.
The demons surrounding her dispersed as if there had been a huge fire, every single one was a 10 meters radio away from her. She felt as her head turned from one side to the other without any control. After a moment, her body hesitated over something, and then, it began to walk towards a group of demons. She could feel it, she could feel the Jewel searching for something among the nearby demons, but she couldn't quite understand what it searched for.
The demons kept walking away from her, something she was grateful—she feared that she may injure or worse, kill one of them. Suddenly Inu no Taisho made way and began to walk towards her, his steps slow and measured. Kagome wanted to scream, for him to get away from her, but no sound came out of her lips. Instead, she felt her body still and search for the thing it was looking for on Inu no Taisho. A second passed and she felt the rejection of the Jewel and she saw as her hands pointed to Inu no Taisho and miko energy flared on her hand. The flares left her hand and Inu no Taisho easily dodged them.
"Kagome" called Inu no Taisho while coming even closer "I know you can deal with this" he said with a gentle voice "Try harder"
No! she wanted to scream. Get away from me! I am going to hurt you, Father, go away!
"Sesshomaru is managing, he's breathing" he informed her with a smile "and it's thanks to you, for believing" he extended her hands towards her "Come home."
Kagome felt such sadness that she imagined herself taking her Father's clawed hand in hers, caressing it, the warmth it had. And it was done, she could see how her hand extended mechanically towards Inu no Taisho and became fearful, was this her? Or was her body moving on its own again?
However, she had no time to consider much because when her hand touched Inu no Taisho's she felt the most terrible pain ever, and then her mind's eye closed and she fell into the most peaceful sleep she ever had.
"Inu no Taisho" called Koga anxiously "Is that the Jewel Kagome protected?" asked Koga
Inu no Taisho adjusted Kagome on his arms and turned to the floor to see the familiar item, but this time, the Jewel was not the pink he associated with it. Now it had a sickening, black-purple color. "Yes" answered automatically "But it looks different" he added.
"It's…pulsing" said Koga and his eyes focused on the Jewel. Koga's hand extended to take the item while his eyes became clouded.
"Koga!" interrupted Inu no Taisho wildly and Koga jumped out of surprise, "I told you, don't touch it" he said dangerously "It promises immense power but the cost would be your soul, stay away from it."
Koga looked away from the item and clumsily walked towards Inu no Taisho. "I'll take Kagome then" he offered and Inu no Taisho nodded. Koga took the unconscious Kagome on his arms. As seconds passed, he felt his senses getting sharper. Her scent invaded him slowly, and soon enough, the calling of the Jewel ceased. He began to walk away from Inu no Taisho silently, his eyes intense on her.
Inu no Taisho watched as Koga took Kagome away. He couldn't help the sadness that invaded him, he was sure that they would have been happy together should things have worked between them, but now it was too late. He turned to see Sesshomaru being carried away by Mitsurugi, Momo's new friend. His son was unconscious, but his demonic healing was taking care of his uglier injuries, he would survive.
It was then when Inu no Taisho turned to look at the Jewel of the Four Souls. After taking a deep breath, he knelt on the floor and took the Jewel on his hand. The pulsing intensified, and Inu no Taisho's eyes began to flutter as a thousand images roamed his head, many of which he desired he had long abandoned, many wishes, many emotions…
"My Lord" interrupted Amaru. "The humans from the towns nearby are in need of reassurance, the number of casualties is quite high" she informed him with a dead voice. "The Lord of one of the towns is here" she finished uncertainly.
"I understand Amaru, please bring him to me" said Inu no Taisho and pocketed the Jewel of Four Souls. "Send the soldiers back to the castle, and you, accompany me to the towns"
"As you wish" she said and disappeared to do as told.
Inu no Taisho turned to the horizon, his golden eyes looking at the sunset with a pained heart. Nobody ever told him that life was going to be this hard, if he had known, he would have preferred to die so long ago. That way, he would have never experienced the pain of loss. Age had made him weak, he was no longer the strong and wise demon he once was. No longer was he himself; the only thing that remained of him were the shattered remnants of someone he had once been. His lands needed a new Lord, he will no longer stop his lands, he will allow them to grow under the hands of his son, a demon who had yet to be broken, a strong and fierce leader.
"I have brought the Lord as you requested" appeared and whispered Amaru.
"Very well" he said and turned towards her, he watched with amazement as a young lord and his wife stood behind Amaru. There was no disgust in any of their faces, or any fear.
"My Lord" said the young man as he bowed to Inu no Taisho, "We are sorry to hear that two of your offspring were severely wounded"
"I appreciate it" he said gently. "Please stand proud, and please tell, in which way may I aid your village, after all, I am at fault for allowing such a demon to cause harm to you" Inu no Taisho said with a sad smile.
"My Lord" began the young man "The truth is that I came to offer help to you, most of the people at my village is safe and so are the healers"
"Is what you speak true?" asked Inu no Taisho surprised, "Why is that?" he asked curious.
The young lord smiled. "Well, you see, only good things have come to our village since the day my baby girl was born" he said with pride. "A fortune teller came to our village when my wife was pregnant and she foretold that our child will be greatly blessed by the Gods" he said with a smile "and that she will bear the child of the greatest demon on this lands, so she said that when a blessing came to our village, we should take her to you".
"To me?" asked Inu no Taisho full of disbelief. "You are mistaken, in many ways" said Inu no Taisho, but the young lord interrupted.
"I am not my lord" he said stubbornly "and I will appreciate if you only hear her name, that is all I ask, all I was told to do by the fortune teller" he explained with determination.
Inu no Taisho smiled, "Then tell her name young lord, though I don't think I will be the demon of the prophecy"
The young lord smiled. "Of course, my Lord" he said and came to his feet. He walked towards his wife, who silently handed the girl over to her husband. The young lord turned to Inu no Taisho with a smile. "Her name is Izayoi"
"Iza-yoi" repeated Inu no Taisho and instantly the baby girl opened her eyes and stared at him, her eyes boring into him, and then, she smiled.
Twenty years later...
"Lord Sesshomaru" called Jaken from outside the door. Sesshomaru felt the anger inside him boil some more, so he decided to ignore the "great" servant his father had found for him "Lord Sesshomaru?" called Jaken once again.
"What is it?" asked Sesshomaru, very far away from being polite. "You are very aware of how much I enjoy interruptions" he said dangerously. A squeak was heard from outside the door and then the pacing…the pacing was just so annoying. "Jaken!"
"Yes!?" he said, still from outside "What can I do for you?"
Sesshomaru growled and hit the wooden table of his study "What is that you came to tell me?" he asked out of impatience.
"Yes, of course" said Jaken and he fumbled over words, "I…I came to tell you that, I'm sorry to bring this news but a message arrived…the thing is…"
Sesshomaru opened the shogi door unforgiving and his wild golden eyes found Jaken. The thought of killing the demon was palpable, and Sesshomaru felt his lips begin to form a snarl.
Jaken's eyes widened impossibly big and he covered his head with both hands ".said-that-your-father-has-mated-a-human-woman-and-she's-pregnant!" he screamed and lowered his face.
"So?" asked Sesshomaru "Why would I care what that senile demon does?" he asked uninterested.
"Senile? But my Lord your father is young in demon's—"
"Leave, Jaken, and bring me those damned scrolls" barked Sesshomaru.
"Yes my Lord" he said and disappeared down the hall.
Sesshomaru closed the shogi door with more strength than necessary and after it hit, the door opened again. Sesshomaru growled and closed the door once again. He walked back to the low table and sat.
His father mated to a human woman. The woman was going to have a child, he was going to have a younger sibling…a half-demon. That was interesting to say at least. Since Kagome had fallen asleep almost twenty years ago, Inu no Taisho had refused to come back at the castle. Since that day, when he had recovered from the wounds he had sustained against Hyoga he had been the new Lord of the Western Lands.
He remembered when he was younger and he had tried in vain to take this position from his father. He couldn't even believe how ignorant he had been those years. The only thing he needed to do was ask, no wonder his father had given him this position, it was a position handed over with a daily headache. How many unimportant things he had to attend daily! This was troublesome…
If it weren't for Kagome, he would have escaped the castle long ago. Even Momo had gone on her own journeys! And he, the one who had always wanted to venture to the unknown territories had been left behind to "guard" the castle. It was unforgivable.
Drained from his work today, he left the study and retired to Inu no Taisho's chambers. The walk upstairs was easy and many maids greeted him as he came closer to the Chambers.
"Lord Sesshomaru" one of the older maids called up to him.
The familiar voice of the maid served to irritate him more "I do as I please, it will be better if you remember that" he said coldly.
"I served and still serve Lord Inu no Taisho" she said full of resentment. "It doesn't seem appropriate for you to sleep with Lady Kagome" she chastised.
"She is my mate" said Sesshomaru coldly. "Mind your own business" he said and kept walking forward. He opened the shogi door of his father's chambers and closed it behind him. The familiar scent of the room served to ease his stress and he allowed himself a minute to breathe it. After that, he walked to the high futon and lied next to Kagome.
His golden eyes looked at her all over. Everything was the same, she had not changed. Her breathing, her scent, her color, her hair, not one thing had changed. The black colored Jewel rested over her shoulder, as it always had.
He blinked his eyes a few times, now the visit only made him feel pangs of sorrow. When would she wake up? What could he do? Had he killed her with his mark?
A low whine left his throat and he rested his head to the pillow and closed his eyes. The scent of her hair was his favorite. Slowly, his mind began to drift and he began to dream—at Kagome's side, this was the only place where he had been able to dream, to live the things he had always wanted but couldn't. The only place where he could meet with his mother once again, the only place when he was younger again and watched as Momo trained, the only place where he saw an older Kagome sleeping under the tree on the village of the Exterminators, a place where Kagome loved him, and only him.
"Kagome, I thank you" said Sesshomaru before falling asleep.
Below, on Sesshomaru's study, Jaken placed many of the daily scrolls with the issues regarding the towns. He stumbled with a scroll lying on the floor and some of the scrolls he had just accommodated over the table fell. Jaken cursed his own stupidity and began to take the scrolls once again and place them over the low table.
A single scroll had come undone and Jaken began to close it when sharp words and the scent of blood caught his attention:
"The south borders are under attack. Ryokutsei is trying to take the Western Lands"
Jaken gasped horrified and took the scroll in his hand and raced towards his master. No one was strong enough to fight the dragon demon! Inu no Taisho was needed!
To be continued…
JeniNeji's Note:
Review!
Next chapter is worth the trouble, wait for it!!!
Preview:
Kagome despierta y esta vez es para no dormir de nuevo. Ryokutsei ataca y Inu no Taisho lucha ferozmente con el demonio dragon.
Pero, no todo salio como se esperaba, Izayoi da a luz a Inu-Yasha y Sesshomaru debe ir al castillo a protegerlos, lo hara?
Se reunuen los personajes finalmente, con la llegada de Kikyo y Tsubaki, y el regreso de Naraku!
Ademas, ya hay una forma de romper la maldicion que tiene debilitados a Sesshomaru y Kagome,
pero, a que precio?
NEXT CHAPTER OF WHEN THE PAST IS THE FUTURE! CHAPTER 18!
Please dont kill me...I was just being a little evil.
Ask and you shall be given!
Do you want previews in english?
:P