35Chapter 16: Death to Kag
Deep inside his fortress, Naraku growled in frustration. "This is NOT working." He said, pacing restlessly, Juromaru's blue eyes following his master's anxious movements. "I want you to attack them; test their strength again."
Juromaru nodded wordlessly. He knew Yuriko wouldn't hurt him, when all he wanted was to die. But he couldn't leave her, not yet. So he'd go, tell Naraku they were much stronger, then await his next command. Yeah, life sucked.
"Perhaps Onigumo needs to make a reappearance..." Naraku mused, wondering if he should release his human heart into the world once more. Juromaru looked at him in shock, but quickly regained his silent composure. "Yes... " He said, lost in thought. "Then I can strengthen myself..." He glanced back at Juromaru, remembering he was in the room.
Naraku scanned his incarnation for signs of rebellion. Seeing none, he dismissed him and continued his restless pacing.
"This is a good spot to rest. There's hot springs nearby, and this river will be a good place to get cooking water from." Kagome smiled, knowing Yuriko was tired, unaccustomed to the relentless travel.
"Hell No!" Inuyasha grumbled. Miroku hit him, and even Totousai gave him a dissaproving glare. Sesshoumaru glanced coldly at his brother, and turned away. Sango growled dangerously at Inuyasha. The Hanyou gave in. "FINE! We'll rest here then!" Still grumbling something about weaklings, he leapt into the nearest tree. Kagura smiled.
"Let's start a fire." The wind sorceress said, picking up a nearby stick. "Sesshoumaru, can you gather some logs?" He nodded silently and moved off. She gathered kindling, welcoming the task. Rin ran up to the woman and began to help, and when they had a significant pile, Shippo used his foxfire to light it. By the time that was done, Sesshoumaru had returned with the wood.
Soft smiles played across the woman's faces, as the glow of the flames illuminated their sweet features. The menfolk were quiet, still so serious, unable to let go of what was really happening around them, even for a few minutes. Except for Totousai, who snored rather loudly and annoyingly in the silence, bringing a sweatdrop to everyone's head.
Kagome decided to get some grub out. "Ramen ok with everyone?" She asked. Everyone nodded except for Yuriko.
"What's Ramen?" She asked.
The Miko smiled. "You'll see. " She got out a pot, went to the stream, filled the pot, and placed it over the fire. When the water boiled, she added the noodles and flavoring, allowing it to simmer for awhile. Before long everyone was slurping down the noodles.
"This is really good!" Yuriko stated through a polite mouthful.
Again, Kagome smiled. "Thank you. It's very easy to make. When we're finished we'll go to the hot springs. And NO following." She said, glaring at the men, who suddenly began to eat like they'd never eat again, remembering what happened last time they'd eavesdropped. Sesshoumaru was the only one who smirked slightly, while the other two winced. Kagura blushed and stared at her stomach.
The girls Slid into the water. "Wow Kagura, you might wanna lay off the ramen." Commented Kagome as she looked at the woman's growing waistline.
Kagura blushed and looked down. She muttered to Kagome- "It's not fat.."
"What? I didn't hear you."
Blushing even redder, Kagura said it louder. "IT's not fat."
"Then-?" Kagome and Sango's eyes widened. "You and Sess...?" She said uncertainly.
She nodded and stared at the water.
"Does he know?" Sango asked.
Kagura nodded. "I Think so. He acts like he does."
"Has he taken you as a mate?" In answer, Kagura tilted her head so you could see the tiny fang marks on her jawline.
"Don't worry, we'll help you when your time comes."
"Thank you."
"Your welcome." Kagome smiled. "Let's get back to camp. " They crawled out of the water and met up with the guys back at camp. Totousai was already asleep, and even the children looked exhausted. Kagome and Kagura tucked in Shippo and Rin, and joined the others around the fire. One by one they began to retire. Unknown to them, some confessions were to be made tonight.
Sesshoumaru watched as his mate stood up to leave for bed. Abruptly he stood and came to her side, offering her his hand. She accepted and stood. He put one arm around her waist, guiding her to her pallet, where he settled next to her. She blushed, but curled into him, welcoming his warmth and reasurring strength. One of his clawed hands rested on her stomach, while the other remained tucked under her body. They locked gazes until Sesshoumaru kissed her eyes closed and closed his own lids, feeling, for once, that he'd done the right thing.
Sango and Kagome watched them, letting out wistful sighs. They were so perfect. It made both human girls so jealous, yet happy for their friend. Abruptly Inuyasha, who had been fidgeting nervously, stood and offered Kagome his clawed hand. Smiling, she took it, and the two walked away to a tree, where Inuyasha grasped the girl about the waist and leapt into the tree.
Miroku, taking the other men's cue, came to Sango and picked her up instead of offering his hand. She began to struggle, blushing, until Miroku leaned in and Kissed her. She melted into his arms, wrapping herself around him. As they came up for air, he burrowed his face into her hair and whispered: "I love you."
Sango's eyes began to water. She buried her smile into his chest and mumbled back, "I love you too, Miroku." He carried her to the bed he fully intended to lay next to her in for the rest of the night. And amazingly enough, he did so without ever groping once.
Kagome snuggled into Inuyasha, making sure he was as comfortable as she was. He buried his nose into her raven locks, inhaling her sweet scent as she breathed in the sent of forest that always seemed to surround him. She shivered as a breeze blew through the branches, chilling her bare legs. Inuyasha gently pushed her away for a moment, opening his red Haori, exposing the white shirt underneath. Kagome and Inuyasah blushed, but he knew she needed warmth. Gently he wrapped them both in the coat, making sure she was completely covered. She snuggled against him, loving the feel of his well toned pecs beneath her cheeck; it was like velvet covered marble, hard, yet soft. His heartbeat made a lullaby, and his strong arms wrapped her into security.
Inuyasha sighed in contentment as his woman relaxed in his arms. Tenderly he laid his cheeck on her hair, closing his eyes, breathing in her scent. He tightened his grip on her tiny body, knowing times like this were rare. He never wanted to let her go. He kissed the top of her head. "My Koi." he murmured, nuzzling her hair. He stiffened as shifted. "You're my love too, Inuyasha." She murmured, smiling softly into his chest, then looking up into his face. His wide eyes slid shut as she pressed her lips to his, eagerly kissing her back, feeling like a starved child being fed for the first time. He wanted to taste her; begging for entrance into her mouth, gently licking and nipping at her lower lip. She gave in easily, allowing him to dominate, to explore the caverns of her mouth before deciding to fight back.
Timidly her tongue reached into his mouth, tasting his fangs, prodding into the deepest caverns and secrets of his mouth. Oh he tasted good! Eagerly she battled with his tongue, wanting to conquer her hanyou. Warmth pooled in her stomach as he stroked her into submission, as she gave in. His hands began to stroke her back, sending sparks flying along every sensitive nerve in her body. Her body became hot with want, as she felt Inuyasha hardening beneath her, his own body crying for release.
"Inuyasha..." Her voice trembled with desire as she spoke, pressing herself into her hanyou.
He burrowed his face into her hair, wanting to take her soo bad he couldn't stand it. It was all he could do not to jump to the ground and take her then and there. "Please, Kagome." His unsteady voice came out at last. "We can't." He heard her moan, echoing his feelings. He groaned as he crushed her to him. The branch beneath them became uncomfortable, but they both knew that if they went to the ground, then...well, the mere thought brought a becoming blush to Kagome's already flushed cheeks. Inuyashas' voice trembled as he whispered for her to go to sleep.
She cuddled into him, but knew she would not be sleeping anytime soon. "I can't." the girl whispered.
"Sing something then." He said, desperately trying to ignore every little movement her soft body made against his.
A song instantly popped into her mind. "Alright, here goes." She took a deep breath and began. "In the moonlight, I felt your heart,
Quiver like a bow string's pulse,
In the moon's fair light,
You looked at me,
Nobody knows, your heart,
"When the sun has gone I see you,
Beautiful and haunting, But Cold.
Like the blade of a knife,
So sharp so sweet,
Nobody knows, your heart,
Who knows your sorrow grief or pain?
Locked away in the forests of the night.
Your secret heart, belongs to the world,
Of the things that Cry in the dark,
Oh the things that Sigh in the dark."
During the song, she had suddenly realized it really did apply to her hanyou. She curled into him, feeling his warmth settle around her reassurringly. Tenderly he kissed the top of her head before resting his cheek against her hair, simply enjoying being able to hold her without fear of rejection. He simply felt blessed he had finally found someone like Kagome. Someone who accepted him as he was. Someone who rejoiced in his prescence as much as he did in hers. His sweet, loving Kagome. For a long time they stayed there, wrapped up in each other, not caring about the rest of the world.
Kagura and Sesshoumaru were in a tree, discussing their future plans. Of course Sesshoumaru would take her to his castle as lady of the western lands. No reason not to, really.
Yuriko laid on the cold ground, her heart aching. Juromaru..She thought, envisioning his cool, baby blue eyes that softened whenever he saw her. She missed him so much. Totousai cracked open one eye to look at her, seeing the tears spilling onto the dirt beneath her. Shippo and Rin snoozed lightly a little ways off.
"Do not worry child." Totousai suddenly spoke softly, "You won't be forgotten, and you will see him again." He slid his eyes shut.
"Master Totousai?" Yuriko asked, eyebrows crinkling in confusion.
"Leave this old coot alone, youngun, I'm tryin ta sleep!" And with that, he began to snore loudly. With a resigned sigh, Yuriko fell into a fitful slumber.
Dawn broke, and everyone began preparing for the new day, beginning to clean up everything in preparation to move out
Blue eyes watched attentively as the silver-haired elemental sorceress arose and began to help clean up. Those blue eyes were emotionless, yet a defiant soul hid behind the icy, unreadable orbs. Kageromaru writhed inside him, itching to take control and attack. Juromaru gently touched his stomach, and obeyed Kageromaru, lashing out at Kirara first.
WIth a snarl, the two tailed cat transformed, battling Juromaru off.
"Juromaru!" Yuriko screamed, tears forming behind her steel gray eyes. "NO!" He spared her a glance before defending himself from Sesshoumaru's oncoming onslaught. Sessoumaru's laser whip lashed out time and time again, being deflected equally as many times. Juuromaru's face remained impassive during this whole thing, Finally deciding he'd had enough, he moved to strike Sess.
"IRON REAVER!" Inuyasha bellowed as he pounced on Juromaru from behind. SHock registered on the demon's face as Inuyasha's claws took hold and ripped a snarling, snapping Kageromaru from Juuromaru's gut. Juromaru lurched forward, falling to the ground. Yuriko cried out and caught him, collapsing to the ground with him.
"Juurumaru." She crooned, tears falling onto his face. "Please, don't leave me." She cradled his head to her bosom, unaware of her surroundings. Miroku slapped some sutras on Kageromaru's face, dissolving the vile monster into oblivion. Hissing, Kageroumaru's body twitched on the ground as if ready to continue to kill.
"Is he...?" Kagome ventured, staring at Yuriko and Juromaru.
Sango replied, "I don't know."
"Should we kill him?" Inuyasha asked uncertainly. They all shook their heads. Kagura decided to explain why not, based on facts and not on Yuriko's love for the demon.
"Kageromaru controlled Juromarun, who was in turn controlled by Naraku. Juuromaru is now free. No point in killing him. He hates Naraku like the rest of us." Kagura announced, still looking at the couple on the ground.
Yuriko was lost in her grief, thinking him dead. Her hair created a barrier around her and Juromaru's face as sobs wracked her body, as she willed him to return to her. She pleaded with every entity she knew. "Mother earth," She invoked, "Please, use your healing power to restore this creature of your body to me." She sobbed. A green glow began to surround her quaking form. It extended itself, stretching over the male lying in her lap, encompassing him in a soft, safe green glow. His eyelids began to flutter open. When they opened he focused on his beloved's face.
"Yuriko." He gasped out. The girl gasped in shock, her eyes wide.
"Juromaru?" She whispered disbelievingly.
"Yes." He smiled tenderly. "I'm free."
"Oh Juromaru!" She cried, clutching her to him, afraid to let him go, even for a moment.
Kagome brushed away a tear. Inuyasha placed an arm around her, thinking she was upset about something. She cuddled into him, her joy for the other couple unbound. "Oh Inuyasha." She said into his coat. He looked at his mate strangely, sensing the joy in her voice.
"Kagome..?" He ventured
She shook her head. "Uh uh. Nevermind." He'd never understand a female's emotions. How could she explain the fact that she found the power of love being strong enough to overcome death so beautiful that it brought tears to her eyes? She watched as Juromaru sat up, Yuriko doing her best to help him. He held onto her, clinging to her like a lifeline. Kagome had to help. She walked fearlessly over, Inuyasha deciding to not stop her.
"Here, let me help." Kagome said. Her hands glowed Pink. Juromaru and Yuriko looked at her in horror.
"You're not going to PUrify him are you!?" Yuriko cried. Kagome shook her head at this misunderstanding.
"No. I'm going to heal him."
"Can Mikos do that?" Yuriko asked.
"Yes." Kagome answered with a smile. SHe ran her glowing hands over the gaping wound in Juromaru's stomach. Almost instantly the wound began to heal, but the progress was slow. Sweat formed on the miko's brow as she concentrated, gritting her teeth as did Juromaru. Yuriko watched helplessly as the wound began to seal, finally closing with only a miniscule scar. Kagome's body went lax, completely drained. "There." She smiled tiredly. "Now he just needs a little rest and he'll be fine."
Inuyasha marched up to her. "You need rest, wench." He groused, his gruff tone ruined by the worry in his voice. Scooping the delicate miko up into his arms, he lept back into the camp area where the beds hadn't been packed up and laid the tired Miko down. Kagome smiled at him.
"Thank you, Inuyasha."
"Keh." The hanyou grumped, looking away to fight the blush heating his cheeks. Damn that smile! It was going to be the death of him someday...
Sesshoumaru walked up, laying a near unconsious Juromaru on a nearby pallet. Yuriko promptly sat down next to the pallet, holding firmly to the blue-eyed devil's hand. Sango and Miroku unpacked what little had been packed away, putting on a couldron of water over the fire. Herbs, vegetables, rabbit, all went into it to create a tantilizing stew. Kagura and Sango went to the hot springs, begging Yuriko to come with them, but she was unwilling to leave her darling's side even for a moment.
It wasn't until nightfall that either Kagome or Juromaru stirred from their deep slumber. Kagome awoke first, immediately searching for her hanyou. Inuyasha was at her side in an instant, asking if she wanted anything. She requested a water, which was brought to her in lightning speed. She stood, Inuyasha hovering over her anxiously the whole time. Kagome smiled warmly at him, before joining Kagura and Sango by the fire.
But they had a few days to wait before Juromaru would awaken.
Yeah, not that good, but hey, this is my longest fanfiction and I fully intend to finish it! Review! ttfn