The Bow that Breaks

I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter 7

Satomi caught the scent of approaching demons the same as the ones that had been after them in the castle. In their human states they wouldn't be much of a threat but like the dog demons they had a shifting state which is why their armies were almost equally matched. Three large figures burst forth from the trees surrounding her. Satomi's anger flared and she knew she would only have a second to plan any attack. Bear demons were large but slower than dog demons. Their deadliest weapons were their large paws that could break bones with one well placed strike or the equally large claws that could land a deadly cut. They had no other powers. She noted two of them closing the distance to her as the last stood back, searching the surroundings. Satomi growled and snapped out a bark forging herself forward as the third demon moved back toward the tree line. She knew exactly what he was searching for but she hoped she could draw him back into a fight. Sesshoumaru would never survive that kind of attack.

Sesshoumaru could see his mother come under attack of two of the demons. She was able to dodge them lending out her own strikes but he was unsure of what to make of the remaining demon that seemed to just be watching and at times not even that. Sesshoumaru crept closer, more concerned and fearful of losing his mother as she was struck. She had quickly returned to her feet and was defending herself again. She captured one of the offending demon's necks in her jaws. Sesshoumaru was sure she would be hit by the other demon but he was relieved as his mother twisted herself around using her current victim as a shield rendering him lifeless under the attack of his comrade. Sesshoumaru tried to keep up with his mother's movements as she launched herself at the second demon but she was moving too quickly. He could never match all four of her paws to the ground. Her fangs were now stained but he could smell her blood too. He fought the urge to call out to her as he stepped closer. The soft snow under his paws gave away as he tumbled down a small hill into the clearing. He stayed still hoping to remain camouflaged against the snow. His hopes were forfeit as one of the bears turned in his direction and was now barreling toward him.

Satomi turned in horror to see that the third demon was now moving to where she'd left Sesshoumaru. She barked for him to run but the pup was struggling to get to his feet from under the snow. Distracted, she was struck and pinned under the bear she was fighting. She dodged wide jaws filled with fangs as she snapped back. She used the poison in her claws striking into his chest, forcing her way through, freeing herself and ending him quickly as she got back to her feet in pursuit of the third demon. She panicked as she heard the bear demon roar, she could smell blood but it did not belong to Sesshoumaru. Anger pulsed through her. Had the bear gotten close enough for Sesshoumaru to be backed into attacking? She felt her heart skip and nearly shatter as she heard him cry out. Satomi pushed herself, finding the bear in the midst raising his claws to come down on Sesshoumaru. She bit into the paw of the bear and swung her body tilting him off his hind legs and throwing him to the ground. Her bite sank deeper as she drug him further away from the pup. He swung at her again barely catching her side as she got out of his strike range but she would not back down from him. She noted four clawed marks across the bear's right eye most likely blinding him on that side from the poison eating it's way through. She knew Sesshoumaru must have rendered those. Her fears rose as he lay still behind them. The thought that Sesshoumaru was badly injured or even something more unthinkable sent her into a fit of rage as she relinquished a barrage of attacks that were relentless. The bear barely made his way back to his feet although she was sure it was more of a daze as he stumbled toward her in an attempt to attack her again but she was in no mood to give him any more chances to get back up again. She quickly scanned her surroundings, luring him to follow her, she stopped short of a cliff as the bear gave a last ditch effort to power his way toward her. She stood her ground until the last possible moment. As he launched himself at her she jumped backwards into flight. Satomi watched the bear plunge to his death meeting the jagged rocks along the way.

Satomi quickly found Sesshoumaru again. He was where she'd left him. She could see the red stained snow underneath him but it was hard to tell where it was coming from. She licked his cheek as she nuzzled him, relieved as he opened his eyes and used her nose to steady himself. Satomi shifted as did Sesshoumaru. As she examined him she found the cut in his side but it wasn't deep. He'd been playing possum. He seemed to be fine otherwise but he was a bit uneasy in her arms. Taking him to a nearby stream she found it odd for him to settle a few feet away from her as she placed him on his feet. She'd intended to wash the cut but Sesshoumaru was more concerned with something else.

"Sesshoumaru…?"

"…"

"Come here."

Sesshoumaru shook his head and Satomi was immediately confused.

"What's wrong?"

"…Okay?"

Satomi half-smiled as she reassured him.

"Sesshoumaru I'm fine."

Sesshoumaru shook his head again and pointed at her.

Satomi looked at herself and realized exactly what the child was alluding to. In the midst of trying to make sure he was okay she'd ignored her own injuries. She looked at her reflection in the stream and found herself a bit frightening. Much of the blood covering her was not her own and the injuries the bears inflicted were not life threatening, in fact she barely recognized their sting as she could already feel her body healing them. Some of Sesshoumaru's damage quite frankly felt worse maybe because there was something emotional linked to it. She let the stream take away the image of death. As she ran her fingers through her hair she'd noticed Sesshoumaru tentatively place is hand over one of the scars along her arm.

"Do not be afraid. I promise, I'm alright."

"…"

Satomi left him to his own thoughts as she concentrated on washing the injury to his side. As she finished she felt him bury his head against her chest.

"…sorry"

The word was muffled but audible as Satomi shook her head. She wasn't sure why Sesshoumaru was apologizing. He hadn't done anything wrong and she knew his exposure had been by accident. She worried for a moment that he thought she was angry with him for having to protect him. Satomi hugged him to her as she kissed the top of his head.

"You don't have to apologize. The bears were the ones at fault."

Sesshoumaru shook his head as a tear ran down his cheek and he placed his hand back on her arm. Satomi did her best to try to understand the gesture but was having a hard time making any connection until Sesshoumaru began to trace the scar gently with his own claws before pulling them away. Was Sesshoumaru seeing an injury inflicted by the bear demons as the same ones he'd inflicted upon her? He didn't have the words to explain it but she wondered if Sesshoumaru was apologizing for having caused her harm much in the same way their own enemies had? Even so, now was not the time to allow him to blame himself for her state.

Satomi took his hand in hers, relishing in the smallness of it that was innocent yet so deadly at the same time.

"These claws are weapons to be used against your enemies and you must use them wisely."

She lifted Sesshoumaru's chin and wiped away the tears. She tried a smile which seemed to help his mood and put his concerns at ease.

"You should be proud of yourself today. I saw the well placed strike to that bear's eye. You were a warrior."

"Like momma?"

"..." Satomi looked into his expecting eyes before nodding reluctantly. For her, it wasn't about being brave or a warrior. She'd only done what any mother would for her child and, for a moment, the fear of losing her son in the shadow of his father was gone.

A/N: Hope you're enjoying it! More to come soon!