Blood of Heroes
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Pairings: SessxKag
A/N: Hi everyone! I'm so sorry! I know I said I would update more but this chapter was being difficult. I still feel like something is missing, like it just doesn't fit together. But I hope you'll still like it!
Anyway, enough about me! On with the story...
Chapter 4: Of Revelations and Alliances
Dawn broke in a palette of pastel pink, purple, orange and yellow, yet there was a dullness to it as Sesshomaru watched from the top of the Goshinboku. Whilst beautiful, the sight was one of thousands, millions, and after a while, all sunrises were the same to the taiyoukai; a picturesque blur.
The Lord of the West stood and observed as the border between light and dark moved, slowly sweeping and illuminating his lands with the warmth of the sun. He prided himself in the fact that his lands were the wealthiest, thriving in the horizon.
A small rustle of leaves, his eyes narrowed on the form of the blonde...woman. The taiyoukai didn't know what to make of the woman the miko brought with her. She was not human, that, Sesshomaru was certain of. Humans smelled of decay, imminent death, sweat, all things foul and oh so human. Of course, there was the exception of the miko, who took hygiene to a new level in comparison to the rest of her race. But then there was the blonde. She didn't smell of anything.
No scent. No presence. No aura.
It was like she didn't exist.
Sesshomaru had no way of sensing the woman before she was near enough for him to hear. Even then she was light on her feet.
It was unusual as the woman did have an aura yesterday as she jumped out of the well. He had sensed it; a similar feeling as the one that the miko had radiated, albeit weaker. Sesshomaru did not like not knowing, much less not understanding.
The blonde stopped in front of the well, placing a hand on the wooden structure. A bright blue glow emanated from the Bone Eater's well before dispersing in a shimmer. Moments later, her hand returns to her side and she turns around but makes no move.
He watches as she blinks and looks up. Honey gold orbs met pools of marigold. The woman smiles and it's unsettling to Sesshomaru's most primal instincts. He doesn't show it but his eyes follows every step the woman makes as she returns to the village.
"It is done."
Kagome looked up from the bubbling pot as Tsukino settles beside her with a cheeky grin. It took everything in her to not groan; the last time Tsukino sported that look found the two escaping a clan of abnormally large and radioactive nesting spiders that soon led to their subsequent extermination and extinction once they had been tired of running.
"Don't tell me," Kagome said as she felt the impending headache, "Just make sure you'll have the shield up. I don't need a flock of demons coming to disrupt my fight."
The heavenly beast snorted beside her, "I doubt it would come down to a fight, 'Gome. A quick surrender sounds more plausible."
"Never underestimate an opponent," Kagome retorted, "You drilled that in me."
"I think I'm already overestimating her," Tsukino looks at Kagome with an unreadable expression in her eyes, "Is there something else that is worrying you?"
The miko takes a deep breath and sighs, "It's my first combat against Kikyo since returning. This will prove to me whether all those years spent on training are worth it — to myself and my friends."
She pauses. "Honestly, I'm scared that I will fail. I don't want to let anyone down."
"Kagome," Tsukino places a hand on the miko's shoulder, "It is okay to feel that way, but don't let your fear cloud your own judgement. You have trained with masters in every field I could think of. You are underestimating your own abilities and that, too, is a weakness. If you're still not confident, then trust in my ability to prepare you with skills fit to hold your own against a god."
"And there comes the suffocating arrogance."
Tsukino laughs, "But you know it's true. I'm not known for being an easy taskmaster."
"You were not as bad as Lin Sifu," Kagome smiles as she remembers the past/future, "That old man was the worst."
"But you absorbed his teachings like a sponge, no?"
Kagome laughs, "That I did."
As the hours drowned away, noon came by far too quick for Sango's taste as she followed Kagome towards the clearing with a worried frown maring her face. As much as the taijiya wanted to see that clay pot bashed and get her ass handed to her, Sango was of the opinion that Kagome would have to do it with difficulty, and the last thing Sango wanted was to see her friend hurt despite the miko's confidence last night.
The look of pure determination in Kagome's eyes quelled all protests and questions that were at the tip of her tongue. Sango strengthened her resolve to trust her friend as they arrived at the site of the Goshinboku and Bone Eater's well.
Sesshomaru had already arrived and sat stoically under the ancient tree, watching them with a mask of indifference and boredom. The taijiya watched with mild fascination as Kagome approached the Lord and placed Shippo beside him. There was a murmur of words passed between the two, too soft for Sango to hear, but if the look of amusement on Kagome's face was any indication, it was pleasant. Maybe even more than pleasant.
Since when did the taiyoukai and Kagome become, dare she say it, friends?
"I didn't realise Lady Kagome and Lord Sesshomaru were on such good terms," Miroku's voice broke her silent musings, causing her to adjust her grip on Kirara in her arms.
Sango turned her head to see the priest step beside her with Kaede and Tsukino not so far behind, "Nor did I."
Just then, a loud voice announced the arrival of Inuyasha and Kikyo as they came through the thick forest on the other side of the clearing. Sango gave the undead miko a scathing glare as the urge to bash her dirt-made body against a hundred blades began to simmer in her.
The taijiya then looked towards Kagome, and what she found surprised her. Although it was obvious from the lines in her posture that the miko knew that Kikyo and Inuyasha arrived, she made no move to acknowledge them as she continued her one-sided conversation with the stoic demon lord.
It was only until Tsukino came up behind the miko, did Kagome turn towards the open clearing. The blonde woman smiled evilly and gestured towards the space, "If you will, Kikyo. To first blood. Or I guess in your case, first crack?"
As soon as the undead miko stepped within a certain perimeter, a light shimmering blue ward was activated in a sphere, enclosing the two.
"What are you doing?" Sango spun towards the blonde who had dropped her hands.
"Protecting everyone," Tsukino said nonchalantly, "Well, protecting Kagome."
Sango gasped indignantly, "You've trapped her!"
"You are underestimating Kagome," the blonde said with a soft shake of her head, "Pay attention; She is more powerful than you give her credit for."
In the middle of the circular makeshift arena, the two mikos stood opposite one another, both relaxed in posture, with the Bone Eater's Well in the middle. There was silence, and then Kikyo moved. A multitude of arrows headed towards Kagome but the learned miko dodged each swiftly in the subtle movements of her body that held a fluidity and grace that none of her companions had ever seen.
Then, almost effortlessly, she began to move closer to the undead miko and soon Kikyo had to abandon her bow for a hand-to-hand combat. It was clear, almost instantly, who would win. Kagome moved and manipulated their battle, using Kikyo's strengths and energy against her, disrupting the undead miko's flow and balance.
"Kagome is holding back," Tsukino's voice breaks Sango's concentration on the fight, "She has learned and grown much in her time away from you and this era."
"But how?" Miroku asked the question on everyone's lips, "She's only been gone for three days."
Unseen to all, Kagome unsheathed her dagger and a small line had cut into Kikyo's cheeks before she jumped backwards, two arms-length away from her opponent, as Kikyo touches the cut.
"Time is a relative thing."
Kagome looks at the woman before her, so alike in appearance, yet worlds apart. Her victory against Kikyo did not fill her with triumph or relief, but a simple breeze of understanding and acceptance. Then there was also a slight hesitation and worry as to how the undead miko would react. So when Kikyo smiled at Kagome, a shocked expression filtered across her face, causing the undead miko to chuckle softly.
"I'm glad," Kikyo finally said.
"I don't understand," Kagome tells her, unsure of how to make of this development.
"Kagome," she says, "You were weak, the weakest of the group, the one that your friends would and still will rush to protect, even if it costed them their lives. You didn't realise this; you simply believed that you were duty-bound to stay as the protector of the Shikon jewel. Your friends coddled you and you weren't growing, instead you were holding everyone back and you were risking everyone's lives. You were a burden, a liability."
Kagome's eyes widened as she began to understand Kikyo's words.
"Perhaps my words were harsh," she continued, "You are my reincarnation, yet you were so weak. To you, I was already considered a rival, and I thought, perhaps I could use that position to motivate you to grow up. When you didn't, my words grew harsher. So your victory today puts me at ease, for now you will be able to hold your own."
There was silence at first as Kagome tries to process what has been said. It made sense. Kikyo's reasoning was sound. What other reasons would the undead miko have to be so harsh towards her and her specifically?
"I think I always knew," Kagome admitted, breaking the silence, "I knew, and that's why your words cut and hurt because it was the truth and I wouldn't nor did I want to admit it. And to be honest, I'm thankful for your harsh words or I don't think I would be able to meet Tsukino nor know what I know today, and I would still be weak and put everyone at risk."
Kikyo smiles, and it's different from her stoic persona, "I'm just glad you understand. I hope you forgive me."
"There is nothing to forgive," Kagome returns the smile, knowing that she was probably going to get yelled at by Tsukino later as she linked arms with Kikyo, "Come, everyone is beginning to worry."
And true to her words, all their friends were now standing around Tsukino, urging her to bring down the barrier as they kept glancing towards the two mikos, as the mentioned mikos looked at one another with amusement. Even the taiyoukai who hadn't moved from his position by the Goshinboku was eyeing them lazily with concealed interest.
Finally, Kagome lifted her hand as it was engulfed in a glowing blue like a glove, and waved downwards, causing the barrier to fall and the loud shouting to make it to her ears before stopping abruptly to ogle at the two mikos – one giggling, one smiling – who were walking towards them arm-in-arm.
Once the situation was explained to the rest of their unusual team, Kaede had welcomed Kikyo with open arms whilst Shippo, Sango and Miroku regarded the undead miko with suspicion but that was to be expected. Tsukino had glanced at her, indicating that they would be speaking, but had put up a pretense of accepting the undead miko. Inuyasha had simply been glad that the two most important women in his life were at least on speaking terms, though he would not admit it if you asked.
"We should return to Kaede's," Kagome finally announced, "I prepared some stew before coming."
Everyone seemed to agree and before long everyone was making their way down towards Kaede's, except Kagome and Sesshomaru. The miko moved to stand beside the taiyoukai before sinking gracefully to sit.
"Will you be leaving, Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked politely, her head cocked to the side to look at him with a soft smile.
He turned his head towards her, golden eyes meeting vivid blue, acknowledging her question.
"I wish to extend a hand, my Lord," she tells him, "An alliance between our group, no, our pack and yours."
Golden eyes urged her to continue.
"Even now, we are faced with darker times, there is no doubt about that," she says with certainty, "Our friends and allies are far and few, with leagues between us at a time. As we move on, a united front becomes necessary not only for strength but for hope. With greater numbers, we are less susceptible to attacks and less easy to provoke."
"You are certain that we will win." It was a statement, and Kagome knew that he agreed.
"Naraku controls. He uses fear and he hides behind his allies. They are weak alliances at best, and only fear holds them in place," Kagome continues, despite knowing that Sesshomaru already agrees, "What Naraku seeks is power, but really he has nothing to lose. We, however, are not the same. We have friends and family to protect. We have to think of the fate of the people who live on these lands. We have everything to lose. It is both a blessing and a curse. A curse, should we become paranoid with the fate of others. A blessing, if a motivation to win, and we can make it our strength."
"Although we are strong in will and in strength, there is no use if we are divided. When apart, our weaknesses are easier to exploit. Together, with our strength and powers, we leave little room for misunderstandings that can be turned against us. A lack of understanding and communication between allies can cause us to turn against one another, and something we don't need during these times is inter-fighting. A united front will give us the upper hand; collective security you could say."
If Sesshomaru was surprised, he did not show it, "You are a tactician."
"Conquer the mind and half your battles are won," her smile widens, "An alliance with you, my Lord, will be a start and perhaps, if you find it acceptable, our packs may travel together. I then wish to extend an alliance with Koga, the Wolf Prince in the East."
"This Sesshomaru will not travel with the wolf."
"I understand," she says without hesitation.
"You do not question this Sesshomaru," he frowns at the unusual reaction, "Why?"
"You did not say that you did not wish for an alliance with my pack or Koga's," Kagome shrugs, "Simply that you do not wish to travel with Koga. Your words are often misunderstood, Lord Sesshomaru, but it is obvious that you choose your words carefully. Some people simply do not listen carefully."
"Hn."
Turning her body to face the taiyoukai, Kagome's hands reaches to touch the stump of his left arm. He does not flinch, but tenses, and Kagome realises that he is uncomfortable, yet she does not remove her hands as she smiles up at him.
Kagome glowed a shimmering blue as the tattoos on her arms began to shimmer and her necklace that had been concealed, revealed itself and glowed with the rest of her. She hummed softly, watching as the arm regrows, a similar blue glow around it. When it stops regrowing, she holds the glow a little longer before it slowly fades and the glow in her tattoos flickers out.
"This Sesshomaru did not need your pity."
"It was not pity, my Lord," she smiles softly as he growls softly, "It was my thanks."
There is a silence between them as Sesshomaru moves his arm and hands, testing it as though it was a new weapon, but soon enough he stands and Kagome stands shortly after him, watching him carefully as he begins to move away. Suddenly, he stops a few steps ahead and says, "This Sesshomaru will return."
"I will prepare the others," Kagome smiles, soft hope blossoming in her chest and watches Sesshomaru leave with an undeniable speed. As soon as he is gone, the miko turns and returns to the village. Step one: complete.
"You what?!"
Kagome wanted to groan and massage her temples for the upteempth time as she growled, "I said that I made an alliance with Sesshomaru. We will be travelling together and we will be leaving as soon as he returns."
"I don't understand why you are so surprised, Inuyasha," Kikyo came to Kagome's defense, "It was a good move on Kagome's part."
"B-b-but," he spluttered, now regretting the two miko's alliance.
"Thank you, Kikyo."
"Stop your incessant whining, half-breed," Sesshomaru's voice came behind the bamboo sheet that was the door as he steps in, Rin following quickly behind.
"Kagome-sama, Shippo-san," the little girl calls, "Rin missed you!"
"Hello, Rin," Kagome smiled, "Are you excited? Now we can always play together!"
"Rin heard," the taiyoukai's ward says, "Rin is very excited."
"Come on, Rin," Shippo tugs at the girl, dragging her away, "Come look at what mama got me when she came back!"
"We'll be ready within half an hour, Sesshomaru," Kagome tells the tall looming taiyoukai, "Is there a particular destination you have in mind?"
"This Sesshomaru's scouts have reported that there has been more disturbances in the South of this Sesshomaru's lands," he says, monotonously.
"Perfect," Kagome chirped, clapping her hands together, "Everyone get dressed in your travelling gear and go do your business before we leave! I don't want anyone asking for a bathroom break minutes into our travels! Did you hear that Shippo?"
"Yes, mama!"
"Alright," she grinned as she walked off, busying herself, "Tsukino which bag did we put our gear in?"
The gang dispersed to get ready as Inuyasha stood rooted to his spot, gaping like a fish, authority slipping through his fingers quicker than sand.
Up on the hill overlooking the small village, the stoic demon Lord stood as an image of perfection with the twin-headed dragon youkai and his imp retainer. It was a moment worthy of being framed until Jaken decided to open his mouth.
"Lord Sesshomaru, where have you been!?" he squawked, "Why are we at this human village?
"Nowhere."
"Lord Sesshomaru! Don't be so vague! You must have been somewhere," the imp concluded."Oh, I know! You must have scouted the village. Are we here to kill the humans?"
"Jaken."
"Yes, milord?"
Thump.
A bruise began to form on the imp's forehead and Jaken began to nurse it as he mumbled under his breath, a blessing to the taiyoukai as he stretched his aura to inform the miko of his location. The miko's aura had pulsed in return, and Sesshomaru turned to the thoughts that had been plaguing his mind and would not subside.
The fight between the miko and the undead was unexpected to the Western Lord. It was too long and dragged out for the miko to be even using a fraction of the strength she had showed him. He did not understand the purpose of such actions nor did he understand the reconciliation between the miko and the undead. He had overheard the undead miko's explanations, but were he the miko, he would not have forgiven the undead miko no matter how sound her reasonings.
He did not think the miko naive, but why these unnecessary actions.
Then there was the alliance. The miko had a mind of the tactician, everything was carefully thought out and spoken. Her proposal was promising and her confidence was reassuring. And yet, like all good tacticians, she did not reveal everything – just what were her first steps and why? Then, as though to seal the deal, her gesture of gratitude, she had given him his arm back.
Sesshomaru refused to believe this as an act of deceit; her eyes shone with too much sincerity and her scent too honest. It was refreshing, to say the least.
And then there's the fact that his beast had not made a reappearance. On one hand, he is thankful for the lack of commentary on his life. But on the other, he was beginning to think it was a cause for worry. But despite that, his face and expressions betrayed nothing.
The taiyoukai watched as the miko and the rest of the tachi enter his vision and slowly allowed the thoughts that had plagued him seconds ago to flow and leave his mind. He had things to do and it did not bode well to dwell on insignificant details.
"Lord Sesshomaru, what is Rin doing with the half-breed and those filthy humans?" a voice squeaked indignantly beside him.
As though she heard him, the miko's cerulean eyes met molten gold in silent communication. She dips her head slightly in submission but not enough to appear weak as the alpha female, simply indicating that the miko and her pack would follow, and in return, Sesshomaru had growled softly in approval.
"The miko's pack is now part of this one's pack," Sesshomaru told his imp aide, "Cease your complaints, Jaken."
A soft hand touches his arm and the taiyoukai turns to look at the smiling woman beside him. Her eyes are light, sparkling with mischief, and he wondered how he managed to find himself in this position.
"Let's go, Sesshomaru, or the sun will set!"
"Hn."
A/N: I wasn't going to end the chapter here but the last bit that I was writing just didn't flow and it was horribly out of place. What do you think?
Hope none of you are too disappointed by the lack of Kikyo ass-kicking, though this is just the beginning so... *winks* But I also watched a few videos in the making of this chapter that gave a little more perspective on Kikyo's character and it made me feel bad about giving her an ass whipping so early on in the story.
Anyway, I'm definitely going to continue writing this story! But this year, at the same time, I'm going to start planning and writing other stories too. I watched Grimm recently, and I've been getting into Merlin and Sherlock again as well as never having left the Harry Potter fandom. So do keep an eye out for that!
Since I'm now in uni, I have a bit more time on my hands! So hopefully I will update more, but that really depends how much I like the chapter I've written. For example, I actually finished this chapter in Nov 2017, but I've been editing and procrastinating on its upload until now (Feb 7th 2018).
If I'm in a really good mood and I'm happy with Chapter 5, I might have it uploaded for my birthday (11th) or on Valentines! ^-^
- A
P.S I'm not sure how I write an over 4,000+ word chapter and struggle with a 2,500 word essay. Life is weird.
Reviewers
Nechi: Hope you're not too disappointed that Kagome didn't take back her soul and that you liked this chapter!
.crime: Hope you love this chapter too! :D
Kallen21: Ahh! Hope this chapter met your expectations!
DarknessDawns: Thank you so much! I'm glad you think that! I know my writing style fluctuates a lot, hence the long waits due to procrastination and editing. I agree that Sesshomaru's inner thoughts are mostly open up to interpretation but I also feel like I won't quite do it justice. Happy reading!
Koritsia: Thank you so much! I hope you find the time to write too! Some distractions are good too! I'm uploading this chapter because I'm procrastinating about writing an essay :) Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter too!
Jaz: Thank you! Hope you don't find Sesshomaru too OOC. I'm trying to show his inner thoughts but I'm not quite sure how…
danezeny: Here's more! Hope you like it ;)
TDANIEL: HI! THANK YOU! I'M NOT GOING TO ABANDON THIS STORY! Sorry it took so long to update! Again, thank you so much! That means a lot to me! Hope you liked this chapter too!
Guest1: Ahh sorry! 15 year old me did have quite a black and white view of the world with a Mary Sue Kagome. I didn't want to go back to edit those just yet, so I'm making small steps in each chapter to change that. I'm sorry you didn't like it.
Ashatan87: Thank you! I hope my summary got you to keep reading!
Myra the Dovahkiin: Thank you! Hope you'll like this chapter just as much!
Guest2: Thank you so much! I hope you liked this chapter and Rin's appearance! Yes, everything will develop more with each chapter since these first few chapters are still establishing everything and I haven't started the juice of the plot just yet! Happy reading!
Scarllete: Thank you! Thank you! That means a lot to me! Hope you liked this chapter too!
S-chan08: Thank you! I hope I continue writing a good Sesshomaru. Hahaha! I like those scenes too ;) Hope you liked this chapter too!
xbox360gamer: Hope this wasn't too disappointing with the lack of actual ass whipping!
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