They were to be Mated

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters.

Last Time:

He could picture his little bother's face. Eyebrows furrowed, nose scrunched slightly, and a look in his eyes that made you wonder if his normal brash behaviour was just a simple hoax.

"I don't like that smell."

Sesshomaru didn't open his eyes but murmured, "Nor do I."

"Is she...?" He trailed of wondering why Kagome's scent was mixed with that odour.

Sesshomaru let out a sigh, "I have angered her Inuyasha."

Inuyasha gave him a soft grunt of reassurance; however it did not reassure the Daiyoukai in anyway.

Conflicted

Chapter 12: Intermission

"What is wrong with you Kagome?" She scowled at herself. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Kagome had stopped walking with speed and slowed to almost tortoise's pace. She felt weak, she felt guilty for snapping at Sesshomaru. In fact, she didn't even know why she had snapped now.

She didn't understand, because Sesshomaru had stated the obvious. She did smell bad, besides, how would he have known that she was treating an injured man. She knew that he was worried about her, even if he put it out as his 'responsibility'. She felt angry towards herself.

With a gasp, she felt warm tears tinkling down her cheeks.

A shocked hand made its way to her cheeks. Her fingertip touched a tear and she brought it to her line of view. She seemed to be watching the tear in surprised fascination. She hadn't cried since her father's death...

Her frustration with herself grew, causing more tears to flow freely. She angrily swiped them away. This was it... everything was finally taking an effect on her. She felt so lost, so confused and so angry at herself, at Sesshomaru, the prophecy, the well and hell this era.

Her body felt weak, her mind in deep turmoil. She hadn't realised that her body had slid down to the ground, as quiet sobs began to wretch through her.

Within seconds, she felt something brush against her—choosing to divert her attention and stop her tears she looked down to the source. Her eyes widened in surprise as flowers began to bloom around her, and vines brushed around her in what she could only describe a comforting manner.

It had been several days since her encounter with the tree. Kagome watched in fascination as an iris grew, its leaves swiping away the tears gently. Her mouth parted as she hoarsely whispered, "...Hope...and faith."

She let out a soft laugh, "Wow... I... Thank you." Her tears had stopped and she didn't feel so alone anymore. If anything, she felt a little bit of support from the plants around her.

Earth support and strength is thy name.

A large vase fell and crashed, sending clay all around.

A pair of deep brown eyes narrowed at the person responsible. The owner of the eyes placed her hands on her hips, her long brown hair swaying slightly due to movement. "How many times must I repeat myself, you are not allowed in here Higurashi-sama!"

Hideaki looked at her with wide eyes, "It wasn't my fault!"

Her eyes narrowed further, "You are the only one within a meter of the vase!"Hideaki was about to defend himself when the large oak doors opened.

Hiroyuki choose that precise moment to come in and blinked at the scene before him, before he too looked accusingly at his twin brother, "What did you do?"

"Oi! Yuki-chan! You're supposed to be on my side!" Hideaki complained, "How do you know it was me and not Yukino-san?"

Hiroyuki raised an eyebrow, "Uh-huh, and I'm the next in line to the throne."

Hideaki widened his eyes in mock surprise, "You plan to challenge Sesshomaru-sama? You traitor!"

"Hiroyuki-sama can you please tellHigurashi-sama to leave this room. It has hard enough to take care of all these gifts, without having to worry about them being destroyed by him." Yukino said.

"Hey! How come you call him by his name and not me by mine? How do even now that he is Yuki-chan, he could be me in for all you know. We are identical."

Hiroyuki grinned, "Because dear little brother, you just gave yourself away."

"Curse my honesty!"Hideaki groaned dramatically, "But jokes aside, I really wasn't anywhere near the vase."

"Are you saying it just tipped over by itself?" Yukino asked suspiciously.

Hiroyuki whistled lowly, "Bad omen?"

Kikyo blinked owlishly and then began, "You know... you are far too odd for words."

When Sesshomaru had asked Kikyo to go after Kagome she had expected to see a distressed Kagome and a very angry Kagome. However, when she had finally reached Kagome—who by the way walks pretty damn fast for a human—she hadn't exactly expected to see a cocoon of flowers and vines surrounding the girl.

Said girl could only glare at Kikyo and then look helpless, "Kikyo, I know that I am a little odd, but hear me out."

Kikyo sighed and sat down across from the cocooned girl. "I know you have blossomed into a very interesting person... so this story is fast becoming my budding interest. And while we are discussing reasons, and such, we should discuss your growing disputes with Sesshomaru-san."

Kagome glared at Kikyo, "Must you make such bad jokes?"

"Of course, I cannot not comment on you sometimes... it is far too amusing." Kikyo replied casually, causing Kagome to silently count to ten.

"Ah!" Kagome said as she remembered her question from before, "Kikyo... what does it mean when a demon looks intently in the spot between your neck and shoulder?"

Kikyo's eyes widened, "Did a demon do that to you?"

Kagome nodded her head vigorously, "Yeah, Taisho did... and well he touched it too..."

"Are you positive that Sesshomaru-san did?" Kikyo asked carefully. She had to make sure; this was indeed a very important subject.

"Yes he did... Kikyo... it was just so weird. You know?" Kagome said as she looked out towards the direction Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were. "It was like I was stuck... pulled almost into the moment. Like I didn't know what was around me... except for Ses—Taisho. It was just... I don't even know how to describe it. But I felt like I wanted something from him." Kagome shook her head in a confused manner, "Seriously, I just don't know... as if I was lost before until that moment where I was found—if only for that moment."

Kikyo seemed to remember Sesshomaru's reactions to Kagome.

He had rushed to the site where Kagome had laid poisoned. He had seemed slightly angry that scared Inuyasha. He knew what to do to help her. Her holy powers had not hurt him. She had been hurt on Sesshomaru's account and yet when he had held her hand, she healed.

Kikyo's eyes widened with sudden realization. They were meant to be.

They were to be mated.

Soul mates! It was said that demons had an ability to find their most compatible mate... but it was said that only the select few were able to find their soul mate. The mate that completed the other, healed the other, found the other and well... knew the other.

She knew only of two demons couples that soul mates; one couple was Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's father—the Great Warrior Touga Inu Taisho, and the other couple was the Guardian of Souls to Pass, Rhoan Kitsune Soubi. Things certainly had become interesting.

Kikyo thought of her next words carefully, after all she was almost certain that Sesshomaru didn't particularly like humans to begin with. "It could mean a number of things Kagome-san. But I cannot be of certain until I have more information to judge upon."

Kagome sighed, "I guess it's just me thinking too much then."

"Now, explain to me about your dispute with Sesshomaru-san." Kikyo said, wanting to avoid the topic for now. She needed more information, not to mention anyone with eyes could see that two barely tolerated one another.

"Well, you see after what he... uh did, he ran off to god knows where. For a few hours I pretty much did nothing, which totally bored me so much so that I got up and decided to take a walk. While I was walking I smelled something odd, it was burning flesh and hair." Kagome voice lowered, "I've never seen anything like it Kikyo... he was... his flesh, skin and hair... the burns were really bad."

Kikyo nodded her head solemnly. "Were you able to...?"

"Yes. I had some bandages and such in my bag that I used. I got him something to eat too. Anyway, after I decided to return to our meeting place to see if you guys had come back. When Sess—Taisho got all female dog on me."

"Female dog?" Kikyo questioned in confusion.

"Ah, well where I come from when a person, yells argue and just plain annoys you it's called, umm... the noun for female dog."

"Why do you not say bitch?" Kikyo asked again in confusion.

Kagome's face coloured, "I didn't want to say it in front of you... it's impolite."

Kikyo blinked before chuckling, "Ohhh Kagome-san! I'm friends with Inuyasha, believe me when I say that I practically heard ever curse out there. Besides, you have said worse in my presence."

"Anyway," Kagome said as she cleared her throat, "I don't even understand why I got mad... I think I needed to think about something else other than that man. I couldn't shake off the feeling of it all it probably just got to me. So, that's why I walked off I suppose... I needed to cool off and vent out."

"Kagome-san demons have a very difficult time suppressing their instinctive feeling to a scent." Kikyo said. "It is probable that Sesshomaru-san picked up that scent and called you upon it."

Kagome sighed, "I feel guilty about it already Kikyo. I never meant to snap at him. Everything is just really confusing right now."

Kikyo nodded thoughtfully. Everything was truly confusing. Not to mention that they were travelling at a surprisingly slow pace. They would have reached West territory by now... and yet they were still at the brink of Inuyasha's forest. Something was just not right.

A sound caught Kikyo's attention causing her to focus at her odd friend in front of her. The vines, roots, and flowers were slowly residing into the earth making a ring around Kagome instead of the cocoon that had enveloped her.

"You are such a ringleader."

Kagome snorted but smiled softly at Kikyo. "Thank you... for listening."

Kikyo couldn't help but to reply with her own gentle smile, "Now that you owe me a favour, let us check on this patient of yours? Then, we may return to the others if you wish."

Kagome gave her a grim smile, "Over this way." Kikyo followed.

---

'So,' Inuyasha thought carefully. He didn't want his brother to notice any change in his scent—that would throw away the purpose of the web of confusion he was trying to detangle. Detangling anything caused several emotions to course through one. He knew though, that if Sesshomaru even had an inkling of what Inuyasha was thinking, he may actually seriously decapitate him. 'What was going on?'

Inuyasha had noticed that Sesshomaru had used the term 'we.' That basically implied that Sesshomaru had let his beast answer. That had caused Inuyasha's brain to whirl into action. He had been very surprised at his brother's tone... It almost seemed like he lost control. It was pretty obvious that the wench and he had a fight... but for the fight to actually anger him? Now that was odd.

He sounded tired. That was never a good thing. Why? Well for one, because he never got tired, two, because it would make him somewhat alive and not a humanoid icicle. And three, was because that meant he cared. He felt responsible for upsetting the wench. 'Who'd a-thought...'

Something was going on... first he had known that the wench was not normal in anyway. Being a Higurashi proved that, plus he now realised that having a slightly twisted sense of humour was very much a Higurashi trait. She also hid her ability and her emotions almost as well as Sesshomaru. However, instead of a stoic mask like the daiyoukai, hers was a blinding mask of smiles, and sarcasm.

Two equally different masks... yet the two were surprisingly the offset of the other. Inuyasha blinked back surprise. 'Damn!' He thought his eyes widening, no longer in his control. His eyes moved sharply towards his older brother that sat impassively on the ground staring into the sky. 'He's in the first stage! He's found her!'

He couldn't help the smirk that slowly made its way to his lips. He was finally going to see his brother squirm. Maybe he should drop hints? Questionable random thoughts? Get those gears in his head moving... or maybe he could bring out his jealousy? Oh, things definitely got interesting.

This was definitely why he was born.

Kagome and Kikyo swallowed as they noticed the man's condition had only worsened. The medicine didn't seem to be helping and the bandages seemed to cause more irritation than anything else. The way things were progressing, it was obvious the man wasn't going to survive for very long.

They both looked at one another and nodded, and began to work with the man, trying to extend his life for a little longer. They worked meticulously, and soon realised that they wouldn't be able to return to Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. They wanted to let them know that they were fine, but found it hard to leave, especially in the dark.

It would be suicide to travel through blindly through a densely populated forest. Kikyo has exhausted, she had used her powers to try to heal the man, and it truly did take a lot out of her.

For some reason, with the addition of water, her healing powers seemed to strength and provided her the little bit of extra boost that was required. She and Kagome had watched the man's wounds finally scab due to her powers. They had then decided to re-bandage him.

And now, they sat...

"You know, that is a wicked power you have."

"Hmm."

"Seriously, you just won me over on the whole miko stuff."

"..."

"Kikyo?"

"What is it Kagome-san?" Kikyo managed to get out as her eyes dropped slowly.

"I'm going to let them know, okay?"

"I do not... believe it is wise..." Kikyo mumbled, "...to... leave... this late."

With that Kikyo was gone, asleep like the dead. Kagome sighed; she didn't tell Kikyo that she felt a strong pull on her soul to go... she needed to apologize. But how was she going without leaving?

She could protect herself pretty okay against most animals, but she was more afraid to get lost than anything else, and not be able to return. That worried her more than anything. She couldn't leave Kikyo alone; she'd feel far too guilty.

She too felt drained, emotionally and physically. But still... she felt the pull. A pressure that was slowly settling into her, she barely managed from gasping as it seemed to increase further—"What's happening to me?"

She found a light, warm breeze come in. She closed her eyes, and felt slightly safer, and the pressure lessened. She sighed and muttered a soft "Thank you," before succumbing to sleep herself as the brief picture of Sesshomaru flitting through her mind.

"Oh for fuck's sake!" Touga muttered in clear disdain as he watched his two spymasters go at it about some bad omen and a broken vase. Really, was it so difficult to simply give him a name? Or maybe even a reason to this impromptu tournament? Really, he should have read the parchment sent by them.

Why hadn't he?

Ah yes, because Izayoi was... entertaining him at that moment. His eyes glazed over slightly as he thought of his mate kissing him passionately, as her hands travelled down to his—

"Touga-sama!" The annoying voice of one of his spymaster's sang out. "Touga-sama! "

Touga barely managed to suppress a sigh. Now he was going to have to deal with something that was bound to give him a migraine. He thanked the gods profusely that the twins were human. He didn't know how he would handle them for a lifetime. "What is it?"

Hiroyuki grinned widely, "Inuyasha and Sesshomaru! They're only a day away!"

He nodded, having already known this, but wondered what had excited his spymasters. "Yes, I know. I believe they are travelling with two humans."

"Yes, but the thing is, the South Lord has just gifted each of them twenty courtesan!" Hiroyuki said with mirth evident in his eyes. "And he wants his daughter to try to court the two of them!"

Touga closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fuck it all." He mumbled. Now he was going to have two very agitated and not to mention lethal sons on his case. "Is that what the two of you are arguing about?"

They shared a look, and Touga just knew that they were hiding something. "Actually no, it's not..." Hideaki trailed off.

"It's more about—"

"—Well we think that Kagome is still alive.—"

"—I know you won't believe us! But it's true—"

"—Seriously, we can feel it—"

"—but something is wrong, I think it has to do with Sesshomaru as we all know his feeling about humans—"

"—I think it has something to do with her powers and a greater evil, seriously there is always some psycho trying to take over the world—"

They both turned towards Touga with narrowed eyes, "What do you think?" they asked simultaneously.

Touga sighed, really were the two some sort of psychics? Seriously? Like what the hell? They might even give Izayoi a run for her money. Hmm... maybe Izayoi would be better to deal with them? Just as the thought seemed more appealing, the door to his study opened and, in strolled the object of his thoughts.

"Do not even think it." Izayoi said as she came in and sat across from her mate. Touga gave her a sheepish smile.

"Yuki-chan, Aki-chan, please sit down. I wish to discuss something of great importance with you." Izayoi said as her eyes traced over the twins features.

Even Touga knew that the twins—at least to some extent—feared his darling mate. Why? Well, Izayoi was an extremely powerful Seer. Another reason was that she was always somehow able to manipulate just about anyone with an innocent smile on her face.

Oh how he loved her.

The twins promptly sat down and watched his mated with wary eyes, but bright smile, "Anything we can do for you Izayoi-sama?"

"The two of you believe that your sister is alive, correct?" They nodded, their face taking on a serious expression. "I have told you before that she would one day return. So, I shall warn the both of you, as well as you my dear Mate, our loved ones will return from a battle. Their faces, hands and body will be covered in blood and injuries. Be warned, for they shall return in two days in the midst of the night, and the three of you shall greet them." She gave them a sad smiled, "I know that is not how you wish to see them. But they now carry a large weight on their shoulders, one that we normal—lesser humans and demons will never come to understand."

Touga's jaw clenched and unclenched at the thought of his children hurt, but he knew he would never be able to understand.

Izayoi reached out to touch of the twins' hands, "Legends are such people. They are neither human, demon, fey or celestial. They are a species of their own. Your sister will be everything and so much more. We are only small pieces of what the four elements are meant to be a part of."

"Elements?" Touga asked, that was new. He had known that the elements played a part, however he had not known that they were the...

"Koi, it is hard... however those four will no longer be a part of this world at the end of things... they are meant for such, after all elements have chosen well."

They all nodded, no more words were needed... they knew what was to come was going to be difficult but they would try to work everything out the best they could.

Intermission

Author's Note:

Guys I love you all so freaking much! 23 reviews last chapter made my head spin! I really wanted to go all out this chapter, but unfortunately I couldn't. But next chapter will probably be up there for all you action/Sesshomaru kicking ass fans!

Remember, all reviewers will receive a preview for the next chapter!