Chapter 22

Mattaki

I swung the wooden sword at the small boy hard. He blocked my attack but was sent to his rump and hissed in pain. I could hear the whimpers from his sister and mother as I motioned for him to regain his footing.

"Your feet are unsteady. Widen your stance and use your shoulders." I informed, twirling my fake sword in my hand as Souta stood and readied himself again. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I began circling the boy once again.

I had to admit he was doing better than I thought he would. He really seemed to be capable of embracing the lifestyle of the feudal era. He took what I gave him and absorbed it. Every hit I gave, he returned as best he could. If he continued to work as hard as he was, he would easily learn the art of the sword within the one-month timeframe I had given.

"Mattaki, you're hurting him." Kagome pleaded as we took our stances again. I sighed before looking towards her with understanding. She was worried for her brother, and I couldn't blame her for that. However, I was not the one she should be worrying about.

"I know, Love, but it is a must. The enemy will not go easy just because he grows tired." I replied, lowering my sword.

I definitely wasn't expecting the little human to use that chance to attack. Before I even realized what was happening, I had a wooden sword shoved through my stomach. All I could do was grunt as I looked down to the bloody sword sticking from my abdomen.

Souta looked at me with horror on his face as he realized he just impaled me. It was quite obvious that he hadn't meant to and now he thought I was severely wounded. Kagome was staring at me with terror and I sighed in exasperation. By now, they should know this wouldn't kill me.

"Very good, Souta. Always use your opponent's distraction to your advantage." I praised while grabbing the hilt of the wooden sword and pulling it from my stomach.

I let it clatter to the ground and watched as my blood splattered onto the floor. Kagome ran towards me and placed her hands over my wound, fretting over the already-healing hole.

"Kagome, I am fine." I soothed, grabbing her hands and forcing her to look towards me.

"You were just stabbed." She argued, glaring up at me.

"I am also a daiyokai. I have suffered worse." I countered, bringing one of her hands to my lips and kissing it slightly to calm her.

"Your 'worse' also ended in your death." She retorted, her eyes softening as she looked up at me.

"If your brother can kill me while still learning, then I deserve death." I scoffed before dodging a tiny hand coming towards my face.

"Don't talk like that!" She scolded before turning to her brother, who flinched under her gaze. "And be more careful, Souta!"

"I didn't mean to, Sis." Souta defended, looking towards me with apology.

"Leave the boy alone, Kagome. We are training and injuries happen. He should be proud that he was able to leave a mark on me on his first day. He will make a fine swordsman." I cut in, looking down at the small woman I had fallen in love with.

"Kagome, weren't you supposed to teach me to shoot a bow?" Hitomi asked, smiling towards me before looking at her daughter. She knew how Kagome could be and was trying to get her to stop fretting so much. I would have to thank her later.

"Yea, but–"

"Go with your mother, Little One. I believe Souta has earned his break, and I wish to clean myself of my blood." I ordered softly. Kagome looked at me once again before sighing in defeat.

"Fine, you win." She stated, causing me to smile. I covered her lips with my own, loving the way she melted at my touch. When I pulled away, she blushed slightly before grabbing her mother's hand and dragging her out of the dojo.

I turned back to Souta who was looking at me with nervousness. I sighed again, wondering if these people will ever not worry about the demons in the group.

"Souta, I think we are done for the day. You did well." I stated, bowing slightly. His mouth dropped before he bowed himself, then ran out of the room. All I could do was shake my head as I made my way to my chambers.

-sSs-

"I do have to admit the nights are so much prettier here." Hitomi said as she sat beside myself and Sesshomaru. The three of us watched over the rest of the pack as they chased each other around the fire.

We may not be traveling anymore, but that doesn't change that sometimes we miss sleeping under the stars. So, of course, Kagome said we should have a bonfire, and after explaining what it was, we all agreed.

Now, InuYasha was chasing all the females around while Kai was terrorizing my youngest by causing him to trip occasionally. It made me feel bad for Sango and Miroku who had started their journey for the shards earlier this morning. They were missing much.

"Kagome has spoken of her time, and I do not believe I would enjoy it. According to her, the earth is dying." I replied, looking up to the stars.

"Some believe so, others don't." Hitomi answered. "Kagome…she always believed the earth was hurting. She hated seeing the trees being cut down so that more buildings could be put up or the pollution in the water from littering. It almost seemed to hurt her just as much as the planet itself. I think that is one reason she fits in so well here."

"I am glad. If she did not come here, I would not have my mate." I agreed, looking at the woman I shared my life with. She was currently being held over InuYasha's shoulder, right along with Kanna.

At that moment, Kai ran up to my son and stole both women from him. They squealed as he took off running, a fuming InuYasha following behind. Rin, standing beside a smirking Souta, just laughed at the scene in front of her, her small hand covering her mouth.

"What is the story with Kai?" Hitomi asked.

"He is a fool." Sesshomaru cut in for the first time that night. I raised an eyebrow as I chuckled at my son.

"As you can see, Sesshomaru doesn't hide how he truly feels about his uncle." I started before laughing. "Kai was adopted by my father before he even met my mother. Needless to say, he is my brother, and treated me as such…both good and bad."

"He reminds me of the monk." The woman beside me replied just as Kai placed his hand on Kagome's backside. I picked up a rock beside me and threw it as hard as I could, watching as it connected with his head, sending him, and the woman, to the ground. InuYasha now stood over the pile, holding his stomach and laughing.

"He is much like the monk. He has spent his entire life searching for someone to love him. He isn't exactly accepted, with what he is. Not to mention, once someone learns that his own parents didn't want him, they tend to shy away from him." I answered, watching as he rubbed his head and looked for the source of his injury.

"He shouldn't be blamed for what his parents did. He was a child and had no control over that. What is he, if you don't mind me asking?" She continued, laughing as she watched him failing to find what sent him to the ground.

"He is a snake yokai. Most are frowned upon because they can't be trusted. However, he was raised by inus, a most loyal breed. His personality contradicts his nature, but no one is willing to give him a chance." I answered. She didn't say anything, and instead, looked deep in thought.

I watched as she suddenly stood up and made her way towards the topic of our conversation. His eyes caught hers and he watched as she approached him. They were far enough away, and speaking softly enough, that I couldn't make out what she was saying.

A mischievous grin grew on his face, and he kissed the woman on the cheek before locking eyes with me. When he bent down and picked up the rock I had thrown, I knew then that Hitomi had betrayed me to my own brother.

"That damn wench." I growled, standing to my feet.

"Little Brother, I am hurt that you would throw things at me." Kai said, his voice holding innocence while he bounced the rock in his hand.

"Then you will do well not to touch my mate in an inappropriate manner again." I countered, moving to stand behind Sesshomaru, who didn't notice what I was doing.

Kai looked at me for a second longer before finally throwing the rock. At the same time, I grabbed Sesshomaru's arms and pulled him up, using him as a shield. He grunted as the rock connected with his stomach and I dodged his elbow as he turned on me.

"Leave me out of your petty games, Father." He spat, not noticing his uncle approaching him.

Before he could react, Kai had him in a headlock, laughing loudly in his ear. I could see Sesshomaru's eyes turning red as he struggled to get free. Kai was strong, just as strong as the rest of us, but more importantly, as much as my son would hate to admit it, he cared for his uncle and would never hurt him. After all, Kai did help me raise him after I sent Satori away.

All of our fun stopped when an arrow suddenly embedded itself in my shoulder. It carried enough force that it sent me to the ground with a loud thud. I grabbed the arrow in my arm and quickly pulled it out.

It wasn't purifying me but a blue powder was on it and now in my wound. Kagome was by my side instantly, raising a barrier as she stood in front of me. I stood to my feet as well and threw the arrow to the ground.

The sight that met me hurt more than I thought it would. Izayoi was standing at the outskirts of my garden, her bow drawn and an arrow at the ready, the tip coated in more blue powder. Once again, this woman had tried to take my life.

"Izayoi!" I snarled, stalking towards her. She released the arrow, but this time, I was ready. I caught the arrow in midflight and snapped it in half.

Before she had time to grab another, I wrapped my fingers around her throat and lifted her off of the ground. Her feet dangled as her small hands clutched on to my larger one. She could no longer hold on to her bow and it clattered to the ground noisily.

"Why are you here?" I asked, my anger getting the best of me. This would be the last time this woman betrayed me.

"Delivering a gift from Naraku." She rasped. When she started saying a few words in another language, my arm suddenly felt as if it was on fire.

I released her as my hand flew to the wound. The pain was so intense, I couldn't help but yell out as I fell to my knees. I felt small hands on my shoulders before blue eyes came into my vision. It was then that I noticed everyone else had created a circle around me to keep me protected.

"What did you do to him?" Kagome yelled, turning to look at Izayoi without taking her hand from mine.

I noticed then that Kagome's smell was helping to ease the pain and instantly reached out and pulled her to me. I buried my nose into her neck and breathed deeply, thankful that the pain was finally starting to subside.

"As I said, it's a gift." Izayoi stated, making me look at her over Kagome's shoulder. It surprised me to see her eyes filled with sadness as she looked at me. What could she possibly be upset about?

"You die today!" Sesshomaru yelled, charging at the woman. Just before he was able to reach her, a giant bird flew out of the sky, picking up Izayoi. We all could only watch as she disappeared from sight.

"Mattaki?" Kagome called, bringing my attention to her.

"I'm okay." I informed, moving my hand from the wound. I was surprised to see that it was already healed.

"What happened, Pops?" InuYasha asked, reaching under my arm and helping me stand to my feet.

"I don't know. She spoke a few words and then my entire body felt as if it was on fire." I stated, clutching on to Kagome when she grabbed me on the other side of InuYasha.

"What did she say?" Rin asked, looking at me with worry, just like the others.

"I don't know. It was in a different language." I admitted.

"How are you feeling?" Kagome asked. I looked down at her and kissed her forehead.

"The pain is gone. In truth, I feel as if nothing happened." I answered.

"What is this powder?" Kai asked, picking up the arrow that had been lodged in my shoulder.

"I don't know. I'm fine so you can all stop worrying." I replied, getting slightly agitated. I looked down at Kagome who still looked scared. "Come, Love. I wish to retire for the night. I think I have been impaled enough for one day."

"Keh, maybe you could do some impaling instead." InuYasha remarked, making my mate blush furiously before yelling the word he hates the most.

"I think I may take your advice, Son." I said, looking over my shoulder as a few of the others laughed at InuYasha. At least the tension was broken. Now I just needed to get my mate to calm down.

It was silent as we made our way to our chambers. I could feel Kagome's unease radiating through our mark. It was going to take a lot to make her calm down. I already felt fine, and was even walking on my own, yet she still worried.

When we entered our room, I made my way to our bed and sat down. Kagome, on the other hand, instantly began rambling about what Naraku could have done and what we could do to fix it. I watched as she paced the floor for a few minutes before finally grabbing her arms and pulling her into my lap.

I positioned her legs on both sides of mine and grabbed her face in my hands. I could see she was trying not to cry so I gently kissed her forehead while surrounding her in my aura. She began to calm down instantly, much to my relief.

"Kagome, there is no point in worrying like this." I said, rubbing my thumbs on her cheeks.

"He may not have done anything now but Naraku's gifts tend to do more harm than good." She argued, placing her hands over mine.

"I agree, but at the moment, I'm fine, and we have no idea when that will change. For now, we will just enjoy our lives and train as if nothing is wrong. Then, when we find out what Naraku has done, we will be ready." I soothed, moving my hands to her arms, then her waist.

"What if we're not ready? What if I lose you?" She asked, the tears finally breaking free. I gently kissed away the salty liquid before wrapping my arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck.

"I am not going anywhere, my love. I still have plans with you." I argued. She circled her arms around my neck and held on to me tightly. I know she was worried about my death, but I don't believe that was what Naraku did.

The hanyou was conniving and enjoyed bringing others pain. A quick death would steal that glory from him. No, whatever he did was probably more along the lines of Miroku's Wind Tunnel or the emotional scars of Kohaku and Sango. He attacks without attacking which means it was probably something that will help him in the long run.

"Promise you won't leave me." She ordered, making me smile.

"I will never leave you, Little One. In life or in death." I replied, kissing her gently.

I knew what was coming next, and I wasn't going to fight it. Kagome was an emotional creature, and one way she learned to show that was through a coupling. She would show me just how much I meant to her by joining us as one, and I would do the same because that's what we were: one.

-sSs-

So I was told that I write too many lemons, and I am now asking you. In your opinion, should I cut back on my lemons? Don't worry, I won't get mad for anything said. I truly want to know.

You will find out what happened to Mattaki in the next chapter, and I can assure you, it is nothing like what you think. My beta and I came up with this idea, and I really like it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter though.

Shout-outs:

Destiny Margera, Katchan047, Animelover202, jlemire, Airi777, triscuit412, rirdreaheart, Kiyiomi, Xyllara: Thank-you all for following my story. I am glad that you like it.

Animelover202, jlemire, decadenceofmysoul, Kiyiomi: Thank-you all for favoriting this story. I will do my best to keep it interesting for you.

Slvrphoenx: I figured it was time for them to be mated. Lol. And of course Mattaki wouldn't let his son ruin his life. I had to add some drama in between the two, but I'm glad you liked it.

Decadenceofmysoul: Thank-you for your review. It makes me happy knowing that I have someone else who enjoys my story.

Jazzmon: Yea, I normally don't do Sesshomaru and Rin pairings, but I figured it would go with this story. To me, Rin will always be his daughter, but I made an exception this time.

JJ(Guest): Rin has always been able to get him to do things he normally wouldn't and I wanted to keep that. I'm glad you liked the chapter though.

I do not own InuYasha.