AN: I intended 'The Trade' to be a stand-alone story, but since I got so
many wonderful reviews and inspiration struck I decided to write a sequel. So,
read and please review.
Consequences
By
Oniko
Created by Rumiko Takahashi
"Sit." Kagome glared at Inu
Yasha's crumpled form before walking off in a huff grumbling to herself. Once
Inu Yasha was out of sight, she sat down at the base of a tree, buried her face
in her hands and felt like she was going to cry. Ever since he gave up the
Testusaiga to Sesshoumaru, he hasn't said a kind word to anybody, especially not
her, for the past three, almost four, weeks. In fact his verbal insults were
going past the simply insulting and into the abusive. Kagome was glad Kaede had
cast those prayer beads around Inu Yasha's neck. Only now, she was afraid to
leave him alone with the others for any length of time for fear he would lose
his temper completely and she wouldn't be there to stop him from killing one of
their friends.
"Lady Kagome if I may speak to you a moment." A small
voice spoke up next to her.
"Myoga? Where have you been?" She asked the
old flea demon while holding her hand out so that the tiny demon could stand on
her palm. "Hiding again?"
"You wound me Lady Kagome." He said sounding
hurt "I was speaking to some old acquaintances of mine on the nature of the
Tetsusaiga. "When I heard the terrible news I rushed back as swiftly as
possible."
"Uh-huh. Three weeks? Did you hitch a ride on a
sloth?"
"Kagome, listen to me. We are all in terrible
danger."
"The Tetsusaiga kept Inu Yasha's demon blood in check, without
it he may become a full demon subject to all of a demon's reflexes, abilities
and instincts."
"Without the Shikon no Tama?" Kagome asked excitedly,
Myoga nodded "That's great, does Inu Yasha know? He'll be thrilled."
"My
lady, you don't understand he can become a demon at the price of loosing his
sanity. We must get the Testusaiga back from Sesshoumaru before that
happens."
A demon's enraged roar echoed through the forest. Kagome jumped
up and looked around. There, the glow of a shikon shard back the way she had
come. Inu Yasha. An icy wave of fear washed over her. She had left him plastered
to the forest floor. Without a second thought, she ran back to him.
She
was so relieved to see Inu Yasha standing that she almost collapsed herself.
When her eyes finally focused on the creature he was fighting she did. It was
the biggest demon she had ever seen. Its stooped and twisted body just barely
fit under the forest canopy that towered above them. Three curling horns
protruded from its ugly brutish face with a shikon shard shining from the base
of each one like evil diamonds in a hellish crown.
"Inu Yasha, the shards
are at the base of the horns." She yelled. He didn't seem to hear her, but the
monster did. It half turned and looked right at her "Uh-oh."
She barely
had time to scramble out of the path of its fist. She was flung forward hard
into a tree by the force of it slamming into the soft earth next to her. She
fought to remain conscious and could only watch with a distant concern as the
monster raised its hand for another strike. Suddenly a white streak flashed
across the monster's throat ripping it open. Blood rained down onto the forest
floor and Kagome. She could feel the warm droplets hitting her face and tried to
raise her arm to shield herself but the effort made her too dizzy and she almost
blacked out. When she could focus her eyes again, she saw that the shards had
been removed and Inu Yasha was slowly walking towards her. She licked her
suddenly dry lips.
"Myoga?" She asked her voice sounding distant and
flat.
"Yes, Lady Kagome?" A trembling voice asked in her ear. She
realized that this should surprise her but that would have taken more effort
then she was capable of at the moment.
"Find the other's tell them they
must get the Tetsusaiga back." Kagome felt tears forming in her eyes, blurring
her vision but not her memory of a full demon Inu Yasha "You were
right."
"And you just left her alone!" Miroku yelled at the flea
demon. Myoga stood on the open palm that Sango held between them. Shippou sat
perched on Miroku's shoulder looking scared and worried.
"Inu Yasha
wouldn't hurt Kagome would he?" Shippou asked in a small voice.
"Of
course he wouldn't." Sango hastened to reassure the fox cub, but the worried
look in her eyes belied her confidant tone.
"I'm sure the lady will be
fine." Myoga agreed "however we need to get the Tetsusaiga back from
Sesshoumaru. I believe that once Inu Yasha is again in possession of the blade
he will turn back into his normal self."
"But how? We can't just attack
Sesshoumaru. Inu Yasha was the best fighter we had and he barely survives an
encounter with his brother." Shippou asked.
"That is true." Miroku agreed
"So we are left with only one option open to us. Begging'
"You really
think that will work?" Sango asked.
"Not really but what other choice do
we have?"
"How are we going to find him?" Shippou asked.
"I know
where he is." Sango said. Miroku raised and eyebrow at the demon exterminator.
"My people kept track of all the powerful demons' movements. Sesshoumaru's
palace isn't far from here, we can get there on Kirara."
"My dear you are
truly a ray of hope in this dark world." Miroku said grasping Sango's hand,
inadvertently squishing Myoga. Sango just glared at him suspiciously and
snatched her hand away.
"Back off!" She snapped at him. "Kirara, let's
go."
The hours it took to travel to the demon lord's domain crawled by,
Sango thought she was going to break down and scream or cry or something.
Nevertheless, finally they entered the immaculately trimmed grounds that
surrounded the beautiful palace. Kirara turned back into her smaller form and
wound herself around Sango's legs worriedly "Mmmmrph?"
"Shhh. I'm sure
it'll be fine." Sango whispered looking around a bit nervously
herself.
"Well lets get going." Miroku said leading the way to the front
entrance. He rapped on the solid door with his staff, the rings chiming lightly.
Within moments, the door creaked open and Jaken poked his tiny head out the
door.
"Whatever it is we don't want. . . " Jaken paused as he recognized
Miroku. "You. . .you. . ."
With an undignified squawk, he leapt back in
and slammed the door shut. Miroku pounded on the door again with his fists this
time "Hey let us in we need an audience with Sesshoumaru."
"Feh. Stupid
humans don't get audiences with the great lord Sesshoumaru now go away before we
feed you to the ogres."
"Hey! You little shit! Open the door!" Miroku
yelled and continued pounding, but there was no further reply.
Sango
collapsed on the stairs near tears, Shippou and Kirara jumped into her lap
trying to comfort her. "Now what are we going to do? Kagome could be hurt, or. .
.or. . . what are we going to do?"
"Kagome?" a soft voice whispered.
"Where is she?"
"Huh? Who said that?" Shippou asked
fearfully.
"Careful." Miroku advised "I sense a strange
presence."
"My name is Minako." Said the soft voice and much to their
surprise a young woman appeared before them. She was very beautiful in a
traditional way, dressed all in white with long pale tresses and perfect skin.
She looked at them with concern, her eyes the deepest black Miroku had ever
seen. "You said Kagome was in danger?"
"Who are you? How do you know the
Lady Kagome?" Miroku asked stepping forward to stand between the ghost and
Sango. Much to Sango's annoyance.
"She is my friend. I served her when
she lived here. Please, tell me what's wrong?" She begged.
"Kagome might
be in danger. Our friend, Inu Yasha needs the Tetsusaiga back to protect her."
Sango told her. "Can you help us?"
Minako looked thoughtful, then nodded
"You wish to speak to Lord Sesshoumaru, correct? I can do that.
Come."
The walked forward gliding gracefully between them and walking
through the door, as she did so there was an audible click from the lock. Miroku
pushed the door open to find Minako waiting for them on the other side. She
turned and led them down the halls. The inside of Sesshoumaru's palace was as
elegantly beautiful as the sculptured gardens outside. The home was lavishly
decorated and Sango found another reason to slap Miroku's fingers, he kept
trying to snag small valuables. "Stop it! We want to be on Sesshoumaru's good
side remember!"
"He has one?" Shippou whispered to her.
"I hope
so." She whispered back and fell silent as they entered the receiving room. It
was as beautifully decorated as the rest of the rooms. Their guide appeared to
have vanished though Sango could have sworn the girl walked before them into the
room.
Sango and Miroku bowed respectfully to the demon lord, though it
was obviously uncomfortable for both of them. Sesshoumaru glanced over the two
humans with a bored look on his face. "I have little patience for my brother's
humans. State your business and get out."
"Lord Sesshoumaru." Began
Miroku in his most soothing and charming tone, "We've come to speak with you
about Inu Yasha. It appears that without the Tetsusaiga his demon blood,
inherited from your honorable father, come to the fore when his life is in
danger. This had an unfortunate side effect of completely overruling Inu Yasha's
own personality. In short, he is insane. Additionally, he is currently holding a
young lady captive. I believe you've made her acquaintance. Lady Kagome?" Miroku
paused and Sesshoumaru inclined his head to indicate he knew the girl. "Well, we
have come to the conclusion that, perhaps with the Tetsusaiga Inu Yasha might
have his sanity returned. . ."
"No." Sesshoumaru interrupted
flatly.
Miroku blinked at him in surprise "Pardon?"
"No." He said
"I will not give you the Tetsusaiga to save my brother's worthless hide or the
little bitch that follows him around."
Sango lost her temper and burst
out "How can you say that he's your brother! And Kagome said-" She cut off
suddenly before repeating her friends words and blushed. She bowed "Forgive my
outburst. But please. . ."
"No." Sesshoumaru said rising to his feet. "I
have been more then generous with my time and you have your answer. Now leave
before your lives are forfeit."
"Thank you for your time Lord
Sesshoumaru." Miroku bowed briefly before dragging an angry Sango out of the
room. Minako awaited them in the hall and led them back out the way they came.
Her last words were a whispered apology before disappearing back into the
palace.
Sango sat down on the ground and cuddled Kirara. "What now Miroku
your great plan didn't work."
"Great plan? My dear lady that was merely
the distraction." Miroku said absently as he examined a few small pieces he
pocketed on the way out.
"What?" She asked looking up. Then the
realization struck. "Where's Shippou?"
Kagome woke up with a
blinding headache. She squeezed her eyes shut tight as the dim light sent
daggers into her brain and tried to make sense of what was going on. She
appeared to be lying on the cold stone floor with sharp little rocks digging
into her already bruised body. Did I say 'little' the damn things feel like
boulders. And there was a heavy weight lying on top of her crushing her to the
hard ground. She was hot. No, it was hot. What ever was on top of her was
uncomfortably warm. She tried to move, hoping that some minute change would ease
the discomfort. Pain shot up her back and flashed behind her eyes, involuntarily
she let out a hoarse sob that burned her throat. Tears coursed down her face as
the pain slowly subsided. When she could once again focus on something other
then the pain she found that the weight on top of her had shifted slightly and
the light was no longer shining directly in her eyes. She blinked at the figure
over her. Golden emotionless eyes stared down at her and a curtain of silvery
hair cascaded down around them blocking the light. She gasped "Inu
Yasha?"
He smiled down at her without saying a word. The smile frightened
her, it was cold, cruel and never touched his eyes, his demonic eyes. "Inu
Yasha?"
He lowered his head and kissed her gently. Just like before his
kiss was soft and sweet. She slowly relaxed and the throbbing pain gradually
ebbed away. He broke off the kiss and lowered his head to rest on her shoulder.
He pressed his lips against her neck, his breath hot and moist against her skin.
He shifted again this time resting his weight back on her. She closed her eyes
against the light and whimpered slightly as the headache came back with a
vengeance. The rocks grinding against her back were not helping her situation
either, she needed him off. Carefully she brought her hands up and pressed
against his chest. Okay, that doesn't hurt too much more. "Inu Yasha? Can't
breath."
He raised himself up a little, changing his position. She
relaxed and turned her face away from the light. Everything hurt. I suppose
getting slammed into a tree does that to a person. She thought to herself
wishing she could get to a hospital. A nice hospital with nice soft beds and
lots and lots of painkillers. I think this definatly rates morphine. She was
startled out of her thoughts by something soft and moist against the base of her
throat. huh? Inu Yasha's still here? She opened her eyes and squinted through
the light at some movement right in front of her nose. It took her a little
while to focus on it; an ear twitching slightly with the movement of her breath.
Then she noticed other details. Like Inu Yasha gently licking at the salt and
blood on her neck and shoulder. His hands were sliding up her thighs his claws
leaving red welts that burned. She pressed her hands up against him. "Inu Yasha!
Stop!"
He slowly raised his head looked at her then down at her hands. A
soft growling sound came from his throat and he lowered his head back onto her
shoulder. His hands moved up from the hem of her skirt to roam across her
body.
"I mean it! Stop!" She cried. Adrenaline dulled her pain somewhat
and she found the strength to force him off her. She raised one hand and slapped
him hard enough to numb her palm. He snarled at her baring bloody teeth and
slammed her hand to the ground with bone shattering force. He lowered his head
to her shoulder again and she could feel his fangs tear through her skin as he
bit her. She tried to continue fighting, but with any movement he bit harder
causing agony to wash over her body. Finally, she lay perfectly still with salty
tears coursing down her cheeks.
Sesshoumaru paced the hallways of
his palace. He found himself filled with restless energy since the two humans
told him of his brother. He snarled at himself in frustration when he realized
that he was actually worried about his brother's bitch. All she had been was a
means to an end, wasn't she? Yet, since she left he found himself thinking of
her when he should be doing other tasks. Several times, he caught himself going
to the window just after the noon hour expecting her to be playing in the
gardens with Rin. And he found that he missed having her gentle scent in his
home. Damn. He growled again at finding himself attached to another human
female. Only this one came with more complications then the little foundling
that had already entered his guarded heart.
He came to a stop before a
simple display table in his private chambers. The table held a sword rack with a
simple leaf pattern painted on the sides, the motif was echoed by a vase next to
it. The sword rack held two swords that looked as different as night and day,
the Tensaiga and the Tetsusaiga. Sesshoumaru had found that he could not draw
the Tetsusaiga, even with Rin's presence, but the blade tolerated him to carry
it sheathed. He reached out to take the swords and hesitated. He should just
leave it. She was Inu Yasha's bitch and not any of his concern. But you wish she
was yours don't you? A traitorous little voice asked. He grabbed the blades and
stalked from the room, too absorbed in his own thoughts to notice the vase a
breath away from the Tetsusaiga was sweating nervously.
The moment the
door slid shut Shippou collapsed, tumbling from the table to the floor with a
small poof. The little kitsune lay gasping from the effort it took to hold the
illusion for so long. He looked up at the empty sword rack and burst into tears,
trying to muffle them "Sorry, I'm sorry. I tried."
Myoga patted the cub's
head affectionately, "I know Shippou, lad, it was a good try. Come on, let's get
back to the others. We'll come up with some plan I'm sure."
Inu
Yasha, predictable as always, my brother, Sesshoumaru noted as he stepped into
the shallow cave. He wrinkled his nose at the scents, sweat and fear, blood and
lust. Sesshoumaru's sharp hearing picked up Kagome's whimpers before his eyes
focused on his brother's form crouched over her. Sesshoumaru drew the Tetsusaiga
from his belt, sheath and all. "Inu Yasha!"
With a snarl, Inu Yasha
looked up at him Kagome's blood trickled down the corner of his mouth.
Sesshoumaru stared into the golden eyes that didn't recognize him. The humans
were right; this creature was completely insane.
"It would probably be
better to put you out of your misery." He told the creature, Sesshoumaru
couldn't bring himself to call this thing 'brother.' He paced forward slowly, "I
told Father that, but he never listened to me. Thought he could keep you safe
with his magic and his precious fang. And look where it got you."
The
creature lunged up at him. Sesshoumaru swiftly brought the pommel of the
Tetsusaiga up in a practiced move that slammed into the creature's jaw sending
it spinning into a wall. And most importantly away from Kagome. Sesshoumaru
leapt forward and pinned the creature against the wall with the Tetsusaiga
pressed against its throat. Now all there was to do was wait. When the creature
attempted to struggle Sesshoumaru applied more pressure to the sword, cutting
off its air. Slowly the demon scent faded from his brother's blood and Inu Yasha
glared back at him. Sesshoumaru stepped back and watched as Inu Yasha collapsed
on the floor gasping for breath. He then dropped the Tetsusaiga as if it were
worthless.
"Keep your damn crutch, mongrel." Sesshoumaru snarled as he
turned back toward Kagome. She lay where they left her, her blood stained
uniform did even less then usual to cover her body. Sesshoumaru frowned over the
claw marks and bruises that marred her body. He knelt down beside her and felt a
strong urge to rip his brother heart out when she flinched from his cast shadow.
As carefully as he could, he brought her hands across her chest and picked her
up. She whimpered and shied back from his touch but was too hurt to really stop
him. As he turned to leave his gaze fell on his brother. Inu Yasha knelt leaning
on the Tetsusaiga breathing hard. He looked up when he felt Sesshoumaru's eyes
on him. Inu Yasha stared at Kagome in surprise, as if he hadn't seen what
happened to her, as if he hadn't caused it. He stood and glared into
Sesshoumaru's eyes, "What did you do to her, you bastard?"
Sesshoumaru
merely raised an eyebrow and stared back at his enraged sibling. "Nothing, Inu
Yasha, nothing at all. You have only yourself to blame for what you
see."
Inu Yasha shook his head in denial, but froze as fuzzy memories
came to his mind. "Oh, gods, no. Kagome?"
She didn't speak a word but her
flinch as he said her name was answer enough. Inu Yasha collapsed against the
stone wall and slid to the floor. "No, I didn't mean. I wanted. . .oh,
gods."
Sesshoumaru turned and carried the injured girl back to his home
without a single backward glance at his brother crying in the
cave.
Kagome slowly recovered under Minako's tireless vigil.
After a few weeks, she was allowed out of her rooms and escaped to the gardens
outside. Often she would stay out until late into the evening with Minako a pale
shadow. On one such night, she stayed out stargazing.
It was something
she had always enjoyed to do as a child and even when she was with. . . She
frowned as her mind shied from completing that thought, she shook her head.
Tonight is too beautiful to waste on worries. It was a warm night with a
refreshing cool breeze that carried the scents of the night-blooming flowers.
She looked up and could see some stars coming out but leaning back soon gave her
a headache. She looked around the gardens for something to lie down on. She
would feel bad laying down on the immaculately tended flowers, and the garden
path didn't look very comfortable. Ah, there we are. She hurried over to a
wooden bench off to one side of the path. It was too short for her to stretch
out fully so she made do with propping her feet up on one armrest and laying her
back flat against the bench seat. After a few moments of adjusting her yukata
she was moderately comfortable, if not exactly modest, and ready for a night of
stargazing. That was when Sesshoumaru found her.
"What are you doing?"
She looked over to see Sesshoumaru gazing down at her from a few feet away. She
pointed upwards with her good hand, his eyes followed her direction up to the
sky.
"Watching the stars." She explained and lowered her hand back down
to cross over her stomach. After a few moments of watching the stars glimmer in
the darkness Sesshoumaru knelt down next to her bench and leaned over her,
blocking her view.
"Kagome, they're not doing anything." Sesshoumaru
said, and she giggled.
"Must they be doing something to be interesting?"
She asked "They're beautiful."
Sesshoumaru leaned back and watched the
sky for a few more minutes before turning back to her. "True, but I'd rather be
watching something else that's beautiful and interesting." he said as he tucked
a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
She blushed lightly and sat up to
get a better look at him. His golden eyes were as unreadable as ever. He reached
over and re-adjusted her yukata that had come open when she swung her legs down
from the armrest. She blushed harder and clasped the yukata shut over her
breasts. A small smile tugged at his lips. Sesshoumaru reached up and rested a
hand against the side of her face, running his thumb along her jaw line. She
gasped at the shiver that simple action sent down her spine. His grip was strong
and gentle, holding her still as he leaned forward and kissed her. He licked her
lips with swift strokes and pressed his mouth hard against hers. Her eyes opened
wide in shock at his actions and her back stiffened but slowly she relaxed into
his kiss and closed her eyes. He broke off the kiss and hugged her close,
pressing her body hard against his. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled
her scent.
"I'm sorry." he whispered, almost to soft to hear.
She
rested her chin on his shoulder "Why?"
"I know that you're Inu Yasha's."
Sesshoumaru pulled back and looked into her blue eyes. His own eyes looked
almost sad. "He loves you. . ."
Kagome felt tears spill down her cheeks.
"No he doesn't. If he cared he wouldn't have said any of those horrible things,
or. . .or. . ."
She trailed off not wanting to speak of or remember the
events that occurred in the cave. She let Sesshoumaru pull her down to him, she
rested her head on his shoulder and cried all the tears she had been holding
back for the past two months. He held her and stroked her hair as she cried,
whispering softly to her. It was a long time before her sobs quieted down and
she could understand what he was saying. She pulled back and looked up into his
golden eyes. "You. . . what?"
He brushed a claw gently across her lips to
silence her "I love you and will never let him hurt you again."
"I-" She
rested her head against his shoulder drawing comfort from his warmth and strong
arms around her. "I love you too."
He smiled down at her and picked her
up. She wrapped her good arm around his neck as he carried her into his bedroom.
He admired her soft lines under the yukata for a moment before blowing out the
small flame that illuminated the room. It was a long time before either of them
got any sleep that night.