Chapter Sixteen – The Guard

Playlist

Fallen Angel – Three Days Grace

Mess I Made - Parachute

Sesshomaru and Kagome enter a room the housed over 100 members of Sesshomaru's guard. All the demons where the top 100 officials in the guard. They all stood attention facing the front of the room waiting for Sesshomaru and his mate presents.

Eric and Samantha were already in front of them, facing the guards. Eric was dress in battle armor, and in all black except for the purple crescent moon on his chest armor, where his heart is.

Samantha had her hair in a high ponytail, for the first-time Kagome saw her in pants. They hugged her lags in what seem like blue leather. She had on a long sleeve shirt that was electric blue with a black leather vest on top. She had knee high lace up black leather boots. Kagome should see the tops of dagger just visible under her boots.

Kagome was taken back with how different she looked. Even though see only seen her that once she got the impression that is was gentle heart and wasn't made for battle.

Kagome shook her head and her grasp Sesshomaru's arm slightly tighter as the walk-in front of the top guard. Sesshomaru did not look at her as he kept his head straight looking at his guard. Both Kagome and Sesshomaru had the guard's full attention.

Eric and Samantha turn to them and bow. Then they step back to stand in front of the other guards.

Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku stood in the back of the room. Sango was giving a bright smile directed at Kagome. Miroku had a thumb up. Inuyasha was leaning against the back wall with his arms crossed. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here, but he was looking straight at Kagome with a grin on his face.

Seeing this gave her the strength she needed. She didn't back down from the gazes of the guard. She held her head high and look straight at the guard as Sesshomaru being to speak.

"Many of you know why we are here. We are here to defend our people, pack, and mates. We are to defend against two forms of evil. Many of you have heard and face Naraku. But there is another threat that we most face to bring peace not only for the West but to all land. We must face a powerful demon named Leonard. He comes to claim one of our own."

Sesshomaru pauses taking the time to look at every guard member as he speaks. He nods for Samantha to step forward. She does, turning to face to guard.

"Samantha, mate to the head of the guard Eric. They are members of are pack. They are our friends, and for many they are part of the family. If we lose Samantha, we lose Eric, for the are one and the same."

There are growls from many members, because Samantha is very important part of their lives. She is the one who takes care of their mates and children when they are away. She is always a part of training. Cheering them on, and helping them realize what they need to improve. Of course, she is Eric's mate. She is his reason for living. Without her they would lose Eric as well. They would fall apart losing to important people of their pack, the beta, and his mate.

Tears well up in Samantha's eyes seeing and hearing the support of what she considers family. Once the growls quited Sesshomaru continues on.

"I will not lie. Lives will be lost. This battle will be one of the hardest we have faced. By tomorrow evening the enemy will be here. We must be ready. Family and not essential personal will be evocated by tomorrow evening. So, spend one more night with your mate and children, because you might not make it back. Tell those that are under you to know what they are fighting for. They are fighting to live one more day. For their love ones to live another day."

Looking over the guard one more time Sesshomaru look down at Kagome and speaks gentler than ever before, "If you only have tonight, make it a night worth dying for." Looking up with an unreadable face he says this one last statement. "It is a pleasure to fight by your side and I will be my pleasure to win with you by my side." He bows straight at the waist to his guard.

Slowly straighten himself to his full high, he grabs Kagome hand and walks out of the room. As they are leaving with Eric and Samantha following they can hear the roaring applies of the guard and hear their battle cries. Knowing that they will not all survive tomorrows battle the guard disperse to send the possible last day with their love ones.

Author's Note

Thank you to all who follow, favorite, and review. I have been asked about my name choices. I am a native English speaker, my second is German. So those are the names I am familiar with. I chose names based on how the represent the characters in my head. I hope the helps some of you. I want to try something, I will getting review, so to get the next chapter there most be at least 10 reviews for this chapter. Thank you again for reading this far.

-GDC