Dropping onto the balcony outside his chambers he was pleased to sense a barrier of his mother's youki surrounding the room to keep his mate safe. Flaring his youki he felt an opening form to let him through, before closing behind him.
All eyes were on him as he entered, everyone showing some mix of tenuous hope, apprehension, and in Kagome's case, fear. He had had returned, but the curse was still in place.
Hastening to her side he quickly reassured her. "I have dealt with the witch, and the kitsune that assisted her. But the talisman powering the curse was more than we expected. She was using it to siphon your power in an attempt to take it for herself -"
"She. Did. What?" Kagome's voice was low, and quiet, but it simmered with pure outrage.
Everyone except Sesshoumaru took a few steps back as the anger in her aura rolled across the room. But to him, seeing her fiery spirit reassert itself was a beautiful and welcome sight, and he could not prevent the proud smile that broke across his face.
Planting a soft kiss on her forehead he whispered, "Worry not. I have assured that she was gifted her just rewards." Before turning to address everyone again.
"This One found the focus, but given the nature of it and the added effect on Kagome's powers, I thought it best to bring it to here so those of you with understanding of these matters could view it and decide how best to break its hold."
Opening the box as he quickly explained what he had found, he held it out for them to see. Everyone immediately recoiling from the malice emanating off the talisman.
Leaning closer Miroku used a fold of his robes to prod and turn the foul item as he and Sango inspected it. "The arrow is unmistakably one of yours Kagome. Since it had once carried your power it would be simple to convert it into a vessel to siphon and store that same power. My guess is that the witch was hoping to draw off and store as much of your reiki as possible before you succumbed to the curse.
"The ofudas have curses and seals written on them. I do not recognize all the forms, but I think it safe to say they are the element binding Kagome's ability to feel your connection, my lord. As well as to drain and store the reiki."
Looking closer at the other items involved Sango had to swallow her bile at the sight
"These other items are, *ahem* viscera." She said. "Likely taken from yokai with abilities pertaining to the purposes of the talisman. These work in conjunction with the cursed ofudas to power the spell. It's odd though, the elements used seem almost too much for an item of this nature."
"Do you know how to break its hold, Miroku?" Kagome's voice held a slight tremble. Learning that her power was being siphoned off had left her shaken and scared all over again. Sesshoumaru immediately left the box with the monk and the slayer to return to her side, letting his youki enfold her, as he held her close.
Miroku watched as his friend curled into her mate for comfort, his eyes dark with anger and determination before turning his attention back to the cursed arrow. Pulling several sutras from his robes he attempted to apply one, but was forced to leap back when a blast of youki nearly burnt his fingers off.
"Miroku!"
"Are you okay?!"
"What the hell was that?!"
"I'm alright, I'm alright." Looking over the item one more time he said "It appears this witch had a flair for the dramatic. The twine used to wrap and tie the viscera on looks to be braided hair that was coated in, *ahem* well anyway, I strongly suspect that the hair is yours My Lord. That youki signature was identical to you. Which explains the seeming overkill. It needed to be strong enough to handle a daiyokai.
"I believe that had you or another yokai attempted to break it, you would have been met with a blast of holy power. Which means it will require you both to use your powers at the same time to break the spell." He finished with a downcast sigh.
"What's the big deal then?" Inuyasha interjected. "If all they gotta do is both give it a blast then why are you acting so depressed about it."
"Because, Inuyasha, it requires that they use their powers against each other, not with each other. And given the nature of this curse I cannot say whether or not their attack with double back against themselves. I pray that it merely affects the talisman but there is no way to be sure. Whoever crafted this was incredibly cruel."
The group stood in silence, not knowing what to say. Kagome and Sesshoumaru stared at each other wordlessly for a long moment before she turned to her friends. "Could you all please give us some time alone? It would be...better, if you were not close by when we do this."
With a pained look Sango and Shippo moved to hug Kagome, while Miroku and Inuyasha each squeezed her hands in reassurance. Inuyasha going so far as to grip his brother's shoulder in support as well, before they all left the room. Giving one last look of apprehension before they closed the door behind them.
Left alone, the two sat without speaking for some minutes, holding each other close until Sesshoumaru at last broke the silence.
"I do not wish to risk causing you further harm. Perhaps, perhaps if we study more we can-"
"Sesshoumaru. You know we can't do that. This is the only way to help me."
"You heard what they said. This foul thing would force us to raise our hands against each other, and they ensured that you are weakened, I do not know if your power can still withstand mine in this state."
His hand caressed her cheek before pulling her against his chest, running his claws through her hair as he continued. "I cannot fathom how painful this is for you, and it amazes me beyond words that you have withstood so much suffering. The thought of adding to that in any way horrifies me. If this goes wrong..."
His voice broke at the thought and he tightened his grip on her, head bowed as he lost the battle to keep back the tears that had been threatening to fall since the monk's pronouncement. "I cannot lose you. I would not survive it."
Kagome's soft sweet hand cupped his cheek, gently wiping away his tears as she kissed him tenderly. "You won't hurt me, my love. You never could before, and you won't now. Just as I could never hurt you.
"But this is the only way to save me, and the only way to give you back to me. I can't live without you any longer. Please my love. Save me."
Swallowing his fears with a sharp breath, Sesshoumaru nodded, bringing the box within their reach, each of them grasping an end of the talisman.
Lowering his head, he claimed his mate's lips in one last burning kiss as they flared their powers together.
From outside in the hallways, their friends shared worried looks as they felt the barrier tremble and flicker.