Chapter 36
Bodies littered the earth as he rampaged through the wooded hideout. Neither Rin nor Kagome's scents were among any of the guards, but his senses told him both were near. Then he caught a whiff of them on the hair of a witch that tried escaping to his left. He dug his claw into her back and sent her flying into a tree. Through his rage, he didn't think of her magic as she teleported away before she hit the trunk. Roaring, he continued barreling towards the guards.
A sharp gust of wind stung his eyes, and he had to pause and blink out the dryness. The wind blew again, gently this time, and it caressed a voice against his ears. His heart thumped, hearing the raspy call of his name. Piviting his paws, he ran in the opposite direction he had come from. Just as he reached a clearing, he saw Kagome's weak form begin to fall stiffly. Semi transforming back into humanoid form, he caught her with his arms and searched her ravenously with his eyes.
Sesshomaru was a demon lord. His legacy came from decades of powerful, regal, and majestic Inu Taiyuki. Since he was a pup, Sesshomaru was taught to be emotionless, even to those he loved dearly. Swordsmanship came as a second nature to him, as simple as breathing. At the age of 4 in human years, Sesshomaru was fully able to master most of his dangerous powers, along with his poison whip. His father put him into heavy training so that he would know when and where to use them. His father taught him to be calculated, careful and detached. He idolized his father.
When Sesshomaru had discovered his father's adultery, the perfect image Sesshomaru had of him shattered at his feet. He trusted no one, and loved none. His mother remained regal and unconcerned in public eye. But he knew that within her shell, she was shaken and damaged. His mother taught him that in remaining apathetic, no one would have leverage to use against you. Unfortunately, she extended her coldness even to him, throwing only a bitter smile ever so often.
He became so much like his mother. Stoic, cold, unyielding. He hardened his heart and his soul and became the great Killing Perfection. When he met Miyuki, she dissolved a piece of the wall and made him believe that maybe there was a chance for happiness. When she disappeared, his hope fell.
Until he met Rin. None knew, save for Jaken, but she softened something within him and forced her way into his heart through her innocent smile. Humans always fled from him, in fear or in disgust. But Rin never left his side; he grew fond her of loyalty.
But this ningen, the dead corpse he held in his arms, awakened a rapid fire he never appreciated. He hated her pride. He despised that she was educated and could hold an actual argument against him. He wanted to sink his claws into her and rip her to shreds. And she made him want her all to himself. She forced herself with her buoyant smile and feather-light heart into his mind and into his beast. When he actually began to spend time with her, he realized that males around weren't worthy of her intelligence and fire. Then he started thinking that only he was worthy, and that he actually wanted to prove it to her.
How dare he think he was worthy when here she lay barely breathing? A shadow crawled over his eyes and his heart sunk when tensaiga wouldn't respond to his desire. He couldn't use it to heal her, she had to be dead first. And even then it may not choose to respond. Clutching Kagome tightly, he fought with his memories of the medical books he read long ago. Nothing came to mind to save her.
Save mate.
Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open at his beast's command.
This Sesshomaru – This Sesshomaru cannot.
Bind her life, his beast demanded.
Then I'll really kill her. Naraku's aura is doing enough damage. If I put our aura as well, it will end her for good.
His beast went quiet for a moment before speaking again, No. Send me into her. I will fight offending aura and save mate. Bind life and she will live.
Sesshomaru thought about it. It was just too risky. Two demonic aura's in a miko's soul could kill even the Great Priestess.
Baka she cannot handle it, her power is weak.
NO! YOU BAKA! You do not feel the other reiki in her? Mate not alone. Mate has second reiki.
Sesshomaru's demonic aura searched her rapidly. Indeed, he felt a powerful reiki omitting from Kagome that did not belong to her; just enough to maybe….
Be quick. Kill the offending aura quickly, he commanded his beast.
Right then he sensed others around him. He looked up to Miyuki's face. She could understand his Inu tongue talking with his beast. She knew what he was about to do. He felt a tang of guilt, but he wanted Kagome alive so badly…
"Don't mark her for mating. She should have her own choice in the matter. She must be presented in court. Otherwise none will accept it," she said kneeling to Sesshomaru. "But if you mark her into your pack, her life will bind to you, and you're aura will dominate her the same. Concider it a temporary loop hole," she suggested with a smile. She long accepted that they belonged together. But she wanted to give Kagome the dignity of her rights.
Sesshomaru thought about it, and nodded. Bringing his nose into Kagome's neck, he scented her life was moments from slipping away. He allowed his fangs to expand and with a silent prayer to the Kami's, sunk his teeth into her jugular.
Kagome felt nothing but searing fire tearing at her soul. Her eyes began to glow white and she saw three energies locked in a battle before her. The first energy was a vibrant pink, warm and welcoming, the shape of an owl. The second was violet and black swirling colors in the shape of a sickly spider. The third was a beautiful Inu, strong and feral. It had only one agenda – it wanted the spider's blood. They tore at each other, clawing, tearing, biting. Soon the spider was only a whisp of energy and the pain in Kagome began to subside. She saw the great Inu approach her, when she outstretched her arms she saw the wings of a hawk. Startled, she only look to the Inu for explanation.
The Inu spoke, but not aloud. It spoke directly into her soul.
I am your alpha. You are my pack. Submit and allow me to save you.
Kagome glanced at the owl, who only nodded and began to fade. I accept and submit to you, she responded. The Inu gave a satisfied rumble and she felt it collide into her. She felt no pain. Only a blissful warmth that circled her entirely. Suddenly the white nothingness around her began to whirl and she was violently pulled backwards.
Gasping, Kagome shot upright and let out a scream. Tight arms encircled her and she began to feel cold again. She looked down at her body and saw blood still gushing from her stomach.
"Miko," came a much needed familiar voice. She glanced up and smiled through her fear. "Your soul is safe. Be still and let us heal your body now," he commanded. She nodded and relaxed, grinding her teeth and the stinging throughout her body. She then realized she was surrounded by people, some of them men. She became aware of her nakedness, but was hurting too much to care. Sesshomaru press her fingers to her neck, forcing her into a much needed sleep.