The Power of Seven

Chapter Eleven

**** Day Eight Cont. ****

Yomi heard the taijiya's gasp from the door along with the miko's outraged cry. The thought of killing his own son flashed through his mind. Where had he went wrong? Didn't Shura realize the spot he'd just put him in? The cocky grin on the young man's face told him that he did indeed. If he was to take action then it would now have to be against the innocent girl not the guilty whore. It was Shura's right to choose which mate he was to loose. If he were to kill the girl then all hopes for their future were lost but if he didn't it would put Rin at risk. Everyone would soon hear of this transgression and know the outcome. If he didn't retailate after demanding punishment for the slight then he would be seen as weak. Any youkai would think it okay to attack his human mate. Shura had put him between a rock and a hard place. He should kill the boy himself to teach him a deadly lesson.

They needed both girls alive in order to defeat their mutual enemy, yet his son was willing to throw countless lives away for a piece of ass. A worthless piece of ass at that, nothing worth spitting on. "Do you realize what you are implying?" Yomi couldn't contain his anger so didn't bother to try. Let his brat know what he was responsible for. There was no way he could kill Sango, which meant he'd be left looking weak in everyone's eyes. He wouldn't be able to kill Kichi either, without dishonoring himself. He'd make sure to have a nice long talk with Shura after this was over.

"I know exactly what I'm applying. If you wish to take a life in retribution then you may have Sango. I have no need for that thing, take her." Shura's voice lowered as everyone watched in confusion, the human's looked on in disbelief. Seemed everyone had come for the show. He wasn't worried, his father wouldn't kill the girl. She was needed alive, she was no good dead. But he wasn't going to lose Kichi, his father had forced his hand.

"You fool, you let your morals be tainted by a worthless tramp. Just because you don't need her to see to your pathetic needs doesn't mean she isn't wanted or needed by others. I should kill you and your whore." Hiei grabbed the tiger youkai by the hair causing her to cry out in pain. The tip of his katana was pressed against her neck. "Don't move, or I'll kill her. I could care less what you think your rights are. You have no youkai right to demand your father be honorable by accepting your request. You would betray and turn your back on your own kind."

Sango felt Kagome's hand land on her arm, trying to reassure her. Why had she been the one to be stuck with the selfish man? Didn't he realize the mistake he was making? If Yomi backed off then it could cause chaos in many forms. They would see their king as weak and undeserving as a ruler. He had started the demand now he had to see it through. Not to mention the risk it would put on Rin if he didn't do it. Besides maybe it was best if she died, severing the bond between her and Shura. If he would risk her death when she was needed to save his world, then he had no love for anyone but himself. He didn't care about his own kind, he despised humans also. What kind of power could that type of bond yield? None! If she was right then Kichi was part of that bond which made it worse. Her hatred for others and humans was even greater. One look at the woman even she could see that the woman held no compassion for those around her.

Sango made her choice, maybe there was a way around this. "Yomi, I will pay the debt she has created. I offer my life in payment." She pried Kagome's trembling hand from her body and turned to her. "I will explain later, let me do this." She saw Kagome nod, trying to hide her fear. "I only ask two things; make it quick and painless. Then as soon as it is done you and Kagome will take my body straight to Rin. Kagome and her will take care of me, that is all I ask."

Yomi clenched his hands, she had to be insane. She would willingly give up her life for nothing? What could she be thinking? He waited for the girl to walk forward. Her movements were sure and graceful, one wouldn't believe she was walking towards her death. She placed a hand around his neck to pull his face down. Her words caused him to stiffen, "Rin can try to revive me, just don't take too long."

Sango let go of his neck, hoping that the fang would work for the girl. She'd never tried it on anyone but there was a chance. Either way she couldn't retain the bond with Shura. If so then their worlds would still be lost, this was the only way for them. It would free the man from his responsibility for now. Let him have what he wanted, freedom from her and his woman. As long as he left her alone after this then she didn't care.

"Very well, I accept. I will make sure you don't suffer since you aren't the guilty one. Turn around and close your eyes." Yomi gave her time to prepare for her death. His aura flared in anger knowing he was taking a chance. What if Rin couldn't do it? Then they would be stuck, no options left. Who knew if Koenma could find a replacement. He also had a feeling that Kagome and Rin wouldn't help if Sango was truelly killed because of his son's actions.

Shura almost laughed at the show they were putting on, it wouldn't work. Did they think he'd change his mind believing that he would really kill her? His father wouldn't kill the girl, too much was at stake. His father wouldn't do it, he couldn't. He watched Sango close her eyes as his father reached out to move her long hair aside exposing her slender neck to him. Worry began to fill him, the show was no longer funny. The miko was trying to hold back tears, while the tall man held onto her arm.

Hiei snapped the bitch's head up so she could watch. "Is this what you wanted? Watch as our hope for surviving is killed because of you. Know as you watch her fall that every last youkai will soon follow. Eventually being turned to nothing but cattle for those untouchable by us." The woman's breath held as Yomi raised his hand, planning on bringing it down across the girl's neck. One quick strike hard enough to sever her spine.

Shura felt fear like no other, they were serious. If she died they were all fucked, his father couldn't kill her. As much as he wanted to keep Kichi he didn't want to see everyone die for her. He didn't really want them to kill Sango. Why would she volunteer? He couldn't allow her to die, not for this. "Stop, you can't be serious. You can't kill her!" Shura raced forward and grabbed his father's hand, he wouldn't let her die.

Yomi's rage came forward, his fist slammed into the boy's mouth sending him back. "Kurama, Yusuke, grab him and hold him. He will watch what his arrogance and stupidity has caused." Yomi waited until the two men held onto his son as he began to struggle against the restraint. His son would learn a valuable lesson this day, so would all the youkai watching. He sensed the boy's aura picking up as his struggles increased. Yomi lifted his hand once more to see the girl tense knowing it was coming. He ignored the screams as he brought it down towards the taijiya.

He felt the bone give way under the force, stealing her life quickly. The sound of her body hitting the ground was heard, the dull thud echoing throughtout the garden. Shura jerked away from the two men, he hit the ground feeling the pain from her death. The miko broke from Sano's grasp to run to her friend's fallen form. "Hiei release her and go with Kagome. Rin will be in my quarters, take Sango's body as I promised. I will be there shortly."

Yomi walked up to his son who was still huddled on the ground, hands placed on his head. "You are a fool, you should think before you speak Shura. Your 'mate' knew what she was doing when she attacked Rin. Do you honestly think Kichi was thinking about you when she made that choice? You both know what is at stake yet you both were willing to kill two of the people needed to save us. I now believe you deserve each other. This debt has been paid but if your mate even breaths the same air as Rin, I will tear her head off and personally hand it to you."


Hiei could feel Kagome's pain and anger through the bond. The feelings were consuming him making it hard to focus. They were on their way to Yomi's chambers, to see to Sango's revival. He'd been about to object to Yomi killing the girl but decided to take a peek inside her mind. He told Yusuke and Kurama of their plan so they wouldn't interfere as well. They all knew it was for the best, the boy had been a bad choice to begin with. "Are you sure Rin will be able to bring her back?"

Kagome looked away from Sango's pale face. "I don't know, she'd never done it before. I mean it's possible for the Tensegia to revive the recent dead but she's never wielded it that way." Kagome saw his shocked expression and knew what he was thinking. Alot was hanging on Rin's ability to use the sword this time. If Sango died then so did all of them. Kagome wasn't sure where Rin would stand but if Sango was lost then she wouldn't lift a finger to help them. They could all die, let them become food for all she cared.

"Hn." Hiei didn't want to show how nervous he was becoming. If Rin failed then they were all screwed, Koenma may be able to find a replacement for one of them in time but not three or more. He'd felt several people get angry at the display. Genkai would be one of them he knew. The woman would turn her back on them if an innocent girl was killed for someone not worthy of breathing. Rin and Kagome were obvious, they loved the taijiya and would abandon them to their fates. Shizuru was a tough one to call but she hadn't looked too happy either. Kenji had held her back the whole time, up until Shura had fallen to the ground and the girl was dead. The big fool's sister had been prepared to kill Shura for suggesting Yomi kill someone else. Both men would probably leave as well, neither had looked pleased.

Kagome waited for the door to open, trying to contain her feelings. This had to work, she couldn't lose Sango. Rin was laying on the bed, awake. Tears filled the tiny girl's eyes at seeing a very still Sango in Hiei's arms. Kagome didn't waste anytime in speaking, "Rin we need you to revive her." Please let her be able to, for everyone's sake.

Rin couldn't stop the tears from coming. What had happened? She'd woken up as a strange woman had begun to heal her wounds. If Sango needed to be revived, then she was dead. Sango couldn't be dead, who'd want to hurt the woman? Yomi came in as the tears began to fall freely.

"Stop Rin, now is not the time for tears. See if you can revive her or all is lost." Yomi used a stern voice, getting the girl to move. She ran to the small couch located in his room to retrieve her sword. He could smell the tears that continued to flow but she did as he ordered. He knew that without it, she wouldn't be able to focus on the task at hand. She could cry later after the girl was alive again. If this failed then regardless of his own feelings, he would kill his son.

Sango opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was the sound of crying over her. Then the huge feeling of loss seemed to fill her soul. Her mind was hazy for some reason, she tried to remember what happened. Pain, a quick jarring pain was the last thing she recalled. It all came back to her, Yomi was suppose to kill her. Two sets of arms went around her at once, Kagome buried her head then started crying.

"Let her breath or you two will kill her again." Hiei snorted feeling some relief now. For a brief second it looked like the fang wasn't going to work then Sango had taken a deep breath. Plans needed to be made plus she owed them an explanation. "Why were you willing to do it?"

Sango sat up to answer the question, knowing they were all curious. "Because I wasn't as lucky as Rin and Kagome. I got stuck with someone that only thinks about himself. I'm sorry if this offends you because he is your son but I will speak the truth. There is no way a bond between us will give us the power needed to stop this from happening. Koenma said the first bonds were made out of love and caring. How can I form a bond with a man that doesn't even know the meaning of either word? This was the best way, the bond has been broken."

"You are correct, Shura was a poor choice. I suggest we find someone more fitting for the bond. Until then we will find someone for you to train with. I have an old ally that was once in love with a human, he will do. I only need to call him to my side, don't worry I will take care of that part. I will also inform everyone that you are now under my protection until your new mate arrives." Yomi turned to walk out of the room, he would see to sending the message immediately but first he would have a talk with his son.


He found him still sitting in the garden alone, a clap of thunder announced Yomi's return. His son didn't bother to lift his head, shame flowed from his every pour. "Are you happy with your choice Shura?" He suddenly wished he could look upon his son's face. To witness the despair and shame that surely filled his eyes. "Get up and live with it. I have something to tell you and you will listen close. Rin was able to revive the girl."

Shura stopped his progress to his feet. She was alive?! How was that possible, he'd felt the bond break upon her death. If she was alive then why didn't he feel anything but emptiness? Kichi hadn't even looked at him, or thanked him for sparing her life. He didn't want to think about it now. "Then why can't I feel her?"

"Don't be stupid! I killed her thats why. With that death your bond was broken, it will remain that way. Your services are no longer needed here. You and your mate are free to stay, I will not cast you out." Yomi felt his anger at the words but continued to speak. Let him get angry, it served him right. Let him know that he was of no use to any of them. It was Shura that wasn't needed, unimportant in this case. "I am calling an old friend of mine, he will bond with the girl. If he isn't willing to do me this favor then I will take Sango as my mate as well. I am powerful enough for both of them to tap into when the time comes."

"You can't do that. The bond has already been sealed, you can't add another mate." Shura yelled at him, to appease the jealousy he felt. What did he care if the girl was handed to someone else? Let someone else deal with that burden, he was now free. He had Kichi as his mate, he should be happy. Then why wasn't he?

"Don't preach to me, I know how it works. I will do the same as Sango, I will have someone kill me and Rin will then revive me. Then I will take them both at the same time, it can be done. I will not hand this over to someone that is incapable of seeing to the welfare of his people. I already made that mistake once with you. Now, inform your mate and yourself that Sango is also under my protection until a new mate is appointed for her. Go near her and I will forget that you are my son."

Shura let his father walk away, letting it all sink in. Part of him was grateful that she was alive, no thanks to him. The idea of another man coming into the picture didn't sit well with him. The thought of having his father take the girl as a mate was even more disturbing. He knew his father well, the man would eventually bed the Rin girl. Didn't matter if she was human, he could smell the desire that cloaked the man. Yomi was a virile man that liked to experience a variety. If he mated with Sango then he would take her to his bed as well, it was just a matter of time. He clenched his fists, trying to push the wayward thoughts aside. He shouldn't care what his father did, especially with her. Let some other man have her, she was just another human. Not worth his time, not good enough to be his mate. A deep sigh escaped his mouth, fighting past the huge ball of emotion lodged deep within his throat. The emptiness he suddenly felt caused him to frown.

**** Day Nine****


Kagome sat on the bed, not wanting to get up. Sano had left earlier to begin training with Hiei, while she remained in bed. Neither spoke to her, allowing her to remain. She was still coping with yesterday's events, so fresh in her mind. Sango had been given her own room, next to Yomi and Rin's. Genkai had offered to help train her along with Yusuke, until a new mate was found for her. Kagome was glad that everything had turned out that way. It would have crushed her soul to lose the girl she considered her best friend and sister. It also made her think about her own predicament.

Up until last night she'd been angry about being stuck with Hiei and Sano. Yet she'd been lucky, very lucky. Both had their bad points but were good people deep down. Sano was trying to be her friend, while Hiei did things in his own little way to show he atleast cared about her as a person. Sango had gotten stuck with someone that made it a point to show that he despised her just for living. He'd been ready to toss her aside for a woman that didn't care about anyone but herself.

Being bonded to the two men wasn't that bad. Hiei had a thing going with the other woman but what had she expected? They were close which meant they'd known each other for a long time. She couldn't expect him to stop a relationship with someone else because this had happened. It wasn't like he and herself had something going on. She should be thankful for what she had and stop moping around. Everyone else was doing the best they could, dealing with it while she'd been content to let it get her down. She would probably live for a long time why not enjoy the gift she'd been given.

The door opened, Hiei came walking in wearing nothing but his black pants and his usual smirk. She smiled at him causing a frown to replace the blank look. The confusion on his face was enough to make her laugh. Had she really been that bad? "I'm sorry, I guess I've been horrible." She looked down at her hands, not sure what to say to him. He'd accepted it, so had Sano and she'd been acting like a child.

He grunted in response, letting his eyes roam over the slip she'd worn to bed. The tiny strap was hanging off her shoulder exposing the creamy flesh to his gaze. She was tempting him without showing anything indecent, his body responded in full force. Maybe it had been too long since he'd taken care of his needs. "Are you going to get up and do some work or lie in bed all day?"

"I don't know, I guess I could get up and join Sano. Hiei can I ask you something?" Kagome had to know, just to appease her frame of mind. Her instincts told her to trust him that he would never do something like Shura had done. Her fear made her ask all the same. "Would you ever do something like that to me? I'm not trying to insult you, so don't get angry. It's just I know that this was forced upon all of us. You don't really have any reason to honor the bond after this is finished."

"Let me make one thing straight, I am not that fool. I knew what was to be expected of me when I agreed. I may not have wanted a mate at the time but I was given one. I will never abandon what is mine, make no mistake both of you belong to me now."

Next Chapter: Kagome and Hiei get closer, do I smell a lemon? Review if you want to see more.