Date with Destiny

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Chapter 12: Who let the dogs out?

'Keep looking down Kagome, stay still. Maybe he'll think you're dead and leave you alone.' Kagome tries to slow down her breathing. A sudden jolt makes her winch in pain as pressure was applied to her lungs.

“Yeowwwww! Hey, damn it Sesshoumaru! Inu or not I know you know I'm a human being not a freakin sack of potatoes! You mind easing up on the Heimlich maneuver!” cried Kagome irritably. Seeing the Taiyoukai ignore her last remark she continues. “At least move that puff of fluff that you always carry to the other side! I don't want to cough out a hair ball!”

The Inu Lord responds by again giving her a jolt. Sesshoumaru's Inu was still in control. He was carrying her over his shoulders. Feeling her breathing slow down he had jumped slightly making her abdomen land roughly on his right shoulder. Hearing her spirited outburst brought a smirk in the Inu Lord's face. He was currently heading towards his quarters.

“Milord! I have the documents you requested... (gulp)..” Jaken squeaked with fear noting the crimson eyes and pupils that dilated into azure slits. His apprehension was quickly setting in when the Taiyoukai clearly fixes his glare on him.

“Jaken-sama, please help me.” pleaded Kagome. Jaken looked at Kagome and then at his Lord's cold feral facade. His knees start to knock together soundly.

Sesshoumaru snarled out a warning at the shaking kappa youkai, as water trickled down slowly along Jaken's short bowed legs. Sweating profusely he ran away screaming from the fearsome Taiyoukai, leaving behind a puddle now seeping in the expensive looking carpet and a huffing red faced Kagome.

“Come back here you little bugger roll! You can't just piss your freakin pants and leave without saving me! What the hell happened to chivalry you dumb ass troll?”

“Freakin hell Mutt! Let her go!” Kouga stood poised for action barring the Western Lords advance. Employees hanging around the area, noting the tense situation promptly left the scene.

“Kkouga?”

Kouga puffs out his chest and flashes his trademark grin. “Here I come to save the day!” sang Kouga ( mighty mouse tune) while holding his fisted right hand up as if he's about to fly.

“My hero!” cooed Kagome, putting her hands together, next to her left cheek. Again Kouga strikes a gallant pose. Sesshoumaru bared his fangs at him letting loose a low pitched growl that rumbled along his chest through to his shoulders giving Kagome a rather 'nice' feeling. The Inu Lord sniffed once, tilting his nose side-ward and towards a blushing Kagome. He grinned mischievously then bared his elongated fangs at the shaking ookami prince.

“Release my cousin this instant!” commanded a fuming Kikyo. She was being held back by Ayame and Sango.

Kaede looks at her sister and then at the red-eyed Inu Lord, then at her helpless cousin dangling on Sesshoumaru's shoulder. “U-ah! You're on your own on this one!” she cried retreating behind Ayame.

“Stand aside ya useless twirp!” Inuyasha brushed past Kaede, knocking over Ayame.

“Of all the friggin nerve! Come back here you god damn hanyou! Has your brain totally melted down your friggin nose? Sesshoumaru-dono's Inu is in control. He'll chomp off the peanuts hanging between your legs and spit it back out to your face you dumb ass!”

“Who's thing are you referring to as peanuts? Must be that damn wimpy wolf you constantly hump with, since mine can ...”

“Don't you dare compare your f'ckin peas to my oranges numb-nuts! And for the record, her bodily contact with me is not consensual. I'm a rape victim!”

“His mandarins are D-lectable!” purred Ayame.

“Ohhh yumm I'll have a bowl of those thanks! I just love fruit salad!” exclaimed Miroku walking past.

“They're not talking about fruit salad idiot! Don't stick your perverted nose into business ye know nothing about!” snapped Kaede. “Or ye might just land your jewels in a real 'fruit salad' topped off with your banana.”

“Shut the hell up! Child care is two floors down so why don't you do us all a favor and skip your infant ass down the damn stairs!” bellowed Inuyasha.

“Bastard, I'm the only one allowed to talk to her midget ass that way!” snarled Ayame. “Besides, my Kouga is well endowed with a pair of juicy, lip-smacking oranges in all it's citrusy goodness!” said Ayame licking her lips. Afterward, she blew a kiss and winked at the twitching Kouga.

“Damn pony-tailed Gorilla! Shave off your f'ckin body hair before you start acting all female fatal-like! I'd mistake your chimpanzee ass for a baboon if it weren't for that cheap ass perfume! Even monkeys won't touch that sh't!”

“Hey stop calling my friend monkey names! You're the prehistoric cave dog that's further down the evolutionary chart! So why don't you just crawl back to whatever one celled organism you developed from. We don't need your aid if all you'll do is insult us.” retorted Kikyo.

“Now that's just below the belt coming from someone like you. Inuyasha was just trying to quickly leap to your friends rescue.” cut in Miroku.

“Shut up hentai! Don't make me kick you 'below your freakin belt'!” threatened Sango.

“Uh, hate to break up this refreshing and stimulating discussion but do you all think it's not too much trouble IF YOU CAN RESCUE MY FREAKIN DAMSEL IN DISTRESS ASS NOW?” yelled Kagome with a anime-style vein pop in her forehead.

Sesshoumaru smacks her butt soundly.

“Kinky.” grinned Kaede. Everyone frowns at her. “For an Taiyoukai I mean..(ahem)...I'll just shut my mouth now.”

Everyone turns back to the Taiyoukai and Kagome.

“Gomen Kagome-chan! But the barbie in drag over here (pointing to Inuyasha) and the dirty ass groping bastard over there (pointing to Miroku) needs to be taught a lesson in showing proper respect to females.” answered Sango.

“Who you calling barbie in drag you f'ckin bratz imitation!” fumed Inuyasha. “Don't make me pull your f'ckin horse tail!”

“Brain dead jerk! I thought I told you to refrain from insulting my friend!” Kikyo yelled.

“SHUT THE HELL UP! THE LOT OF YOU!” growled Kouga.

“Oh go f'ck yourself ookami!” snarled Inuyasha.

“F'ck me? Hell, f'ck you too!” paling quickly, Kouga realizes his mistake too late as Ayame's body collides with his own.

“God-damn it! Go up a f'ckin tree and do that! Don't bare your asses here... oh Sh't!” cried Inuyasha covering his eyes with his right hand. “Damn it! Now I'm friggin blind!”

“Ayame!”screamed Kikyo and Sango simultaneously. Kaede merely doubled over laughing till tears streaked down her cheeks.

“F'ck! Leave me alone you parasitic leech!” screamed Kouga. “RAPE! RAPE! Call the f'ckin security! Send the navy! Radio police! Morse code the friggin secret service! Do something don't just let this desperate hoochie, rub her damn ass all over my f'ckin face! Save me!”

Sesshoumaru lifted an eyebrow in disgust then turned swiftly away towards his room.

Unknown to them a shadow lurks in quiet observation. It narrows it's blood red eyes then vanishes.

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CRASH.

Pieces of mirror fragments litter the ground. A wall completely made of mirrors remain shattered with some pieces falling still on the highly polished floor.

“Kanna.” murmured Kagura. Entering the room surrounded solely by mirrors, she steps towards the void youkai who stood gazing intently at the images in the mirror nearest her. Her pale hands touch the Western Lord's face tenderly, yet she remains silent and expressionless.

“He will not return your feelings.” remarked Kagura.

The void youkai tenses a fraction at the same instance another wall full of mirrors breaks from the center as though it was hit by a powerful blow. The ripples radiate outwards shattering the surrounding mirrors. Kagura steps back slightly. She has never seen her sister like this. No, not even the last time she had devised the miko's demise.

“He will realize his love for me once she is gone.” she replied in a flat tone.

“Kanna, I can't save you again from Naraku's wrath like last time.”

Kanna touched the right part of her chest where her heart would have been. During Naraku's great anger at the previous Kagome's death, he had pulled out her still beating heart from her body, as those of her sister Kagura. Both endured a century of torture at his hands. Both wished death would visit them but Naraku always made sure that his type of torture enabled both to survive until the next day, when he will begin his torture anew. Kagura herself was not involved in the plot to kill the Taiyoukai's first mate. But she had shielded her sister and stood for her in front of Naraku. She too did not escape his bitter wrath.

“There won't be a next time.” Kanna retorted calmly. “This time she would die for good, her soul would be lost.”

“But Naraku..”

“He too will meet his demise.” From the many layers of her kimono. Kanna produces a glass case. Opening the lid she permitted her sister a glimpse of what resided inside.

“The shikon no tama? How?... Where did you get that?”

“My secrets must remain as they are. As I bide my time. Do not pry into things that would endanger yourself sister. Naraku might see into your mind. I, however, am able to protect my mind from his probing. As for my Taiyoukai, he will see the error of his ways and he will come to me willingly.”

“How can you be so sure? His love for the miko is well known. He will not allow harm to befall her. Sesshoumaru will not leave her side this time.”

“He won't, but she will. Should she misinterpret certain of his actions toward me... let's just say, as the saying goes, history will repeat itself.” smirked Kanna. “She just needs a push in the right direction.”

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“Sleep.” he barked out.

“What if I don't wanna? ... Oh hell no! Don't do the puppy eyes thingy...arrgghhh! Fine just his once but don't think that this is the end of this argument! You'll be hearing a lot more of my voice when I wake..zzzzzzzzzzzzz.”

Sesshoumaru presses a nerve in her neck and render Kagome unconscious. Patting himself at a job well done Sesshoumaru's Inu settles in with his long lost mate.

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Kagome's dream.

A figure walks toward her in a shadowy realm. Kagome's eyes widen as the figure stops in front of her. Like looking in her reflection, striking blue eyes met the electric blue hue of her past self.

“It is nice to finally see and meet you.” she began softly.

“Uh, same here... say you're not here haunting me just coz your loco ex-Jekyl and Hyde mate took me to your room are you? Coz I'm telling I had nothing to do with it! He just went all territorial and stuff.”

The past Kagome giggled. “I am not here to reprove you of your blossoming relation with him. You are me after all.”

“Oh? Then why this dream then? I don't think I was that much of a Scrooge last Christmas. So you're not here to fill-in the role of the ghost of Christmas past.”

“No I am not.”

“Uh ... So why am I here then?”

“To see what happened on that melancholy day.”

“How? All my dreams about the past were just flashes. What d'ya do turn it into movie, complete with dolby surround?”

“I am unsure of this movie, but rest assured you will know what happened on that fateful day, so long a go. You will be me. I will be you.”

“..?.”

“See through my eyes.” whispered the past Kagome lifting her right hand over the present Kagome's eye.

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Cont. Dream Sequence.

“You're not mistaken?” gasped Kagome.

Kikyo smiled assuringly. “You are with pup cousin. There is no mistake about that. I feel his aura so strongly. He will be a powerful pup.”

“Oku-sama! You must tell the young Lord immediately!” squeeled Ayame.

“Hai! There's not a moment to waste! We need to prepare for the announcement, for his room, for his training, (cough)..his ascension as Lord, arrange and meet a suitable mate...(wheeze)..”

“Slow down Kaede! Breathe between each sentence you twit.” admonished Sango slapping Kaede in back several times.

Kagome observed her friends silent amusement.

Kikyo and Kaede, were her cousins and both are miko by profession.

Ayame and Sango were her body guards and ladies in waiting. Both gifts from Sesshoumaru on the day that they had formally mated. Though she had only known both for a year, they had become her close friends. Her cousins Kikyo and Kaede, visit her frequently checking up on her welfare and bringing news from her home village. For she, Kagome, too was a miko by trade.

She briefly glanced at her flat stomach. There was a brand new life there. Growing inside her, a piece of Sesshoumaru and herself, fused in perfection to produce a wondrous miracle. She smiles serenely. Soon she would be showing.

“Where is my Lord mate?” she inquired sleepily.

“In the main audience hall. A delegation from the south-western border came earlier today and asked for a private meeting.” replied Sango.

“Eavesdropping again eh?” grinned Ayame.

“Kuso ookami! Keep your nose hair out of my business!” retorted Sango.

Kagome laughed merrily.

“You should have seen one of them. She was referred to as tsuki-hime.” gossiped Sango.

“Moon princess?” asked Ayame incrediously. “I'm not aware of any royalty residing in the district of Masuragi, where the delegation came from.”

“Well that's what I heard.” persisted Sango. “They were talking about the insurgence of wild youkai in the area around Awa.”

“That can't be true. We passed by there on the way here. Awa was so peaceful, Kikyo was picking her nose out of boredom.”

“Kaede!” boomed Kikyo.

“Why would they lie about a serious matter involving the security of the western lands.” asked Kagome curiously.

“If you ask me, I think the tsuki-hime, has a thing for Sesshoumaru-dono.” remarked Sango.

“What? Any idiot knows that Sesshoumaru is too deeply in love with Kagome-sama to leave her for another.” huffed Ayame. “Besides should she dare to. I'll disembowel her then strangle her with her own guts before she ever batts an eyelash at him.”

“You really are a simpleton aren't you? She's a strong one, but for some reason she's maintaining a low profile aura.”

“Kagome-Oku-sama! Where are you going?” asked Ayame.

“Your gossiping like chamber maids! I'm to share my good news to my Lord mate regarding our future pup. Ja matta ne! (See you later)”

Kagome waves to her friends.

She approaches the audience chambers as Sesshoumaru exits the corridor, in full armor. She walks toward him, beaming a smile.

“My Lord mate, I have wonderful news!”

The Western Lord looks at her gravely. “In troublesome times such as these, no news can be received with much jubilation.” he replied stoicly, as his vassals surround him, parting them. “Rogue youkai have breached the south-western borders. Even now this Sesshoumaru and the two thirds of the western contingent must make haste to save what little remains we can salvage.”

Kagome spoke up louder. “You need not be alarmed. Kikyo, and Kaede said all was well, they just came from there. Perchance, there was an error made by one of the scouts.”

“I beg to differ.” intruded a deadly flat voice. “I and five of my elite guards alone are what's left of the southern contingent sent by the Southern Taiyoukai. All others have been slain. The rogue youkai hoard make their way here as we speak. They would soon reach the outer most gates by this afternoon if they are not stopped.” A pale figure emerges from the conference room.

“What would my cousins gain by their lies?” demanded Kagome.

“Your human mate understands little of the nature of the current danger she's putting your entire land in.”

“I understand fully when my people and lands are in danger and when they are not!” Kagome snapped.

“Lady mate return to your chambers. I am Lord of these lands. I preside over it's security. I cannot risk ignoring such a threat.”

“But I'm telling you there is no threat! Should you go ahead with your plan, you leave the entire capital exposed to enemy attacks. My Lord what insanity is this? Why must you go? Why not send Inuyasha or Kouga or Miroku in your stead. Why you?”

“Do not question my decisions!” he roared. His vassals scattered away in great fear for their lives. Kanna however, remained, a mischievous smirk in her face.

“Kagome, you know my heart and all that I am belongs to only you. But I cannot permit such a threat to reach the outskirts of the capital. Rebel forces could join up with them and we could face an army far greater in number than this palace can withstand. It does not pain me to go to my death if only to see you survive through this. Had this Sesshoumaru had a choice I would remain here with you.” he held her tenderly against his chest. Kagome could not stop the flow of tears falling down her pallid face.

“Then cease this madness and remain here with me.” she clung to him desperately. Sesshoumaru, noting the determination in her voice, clenched his jaw as he thrust her away.

“Return to our quarters Lady mate. Await for my return.” he stated flatly walking away. The pale youkai walked past her weeping form.

“This is the last that your eyes shall ever behold him.” she states flatly before walking away.

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Smoke filled her nose.

The scent of death and destruction lay heavy in the air.

Blood caked along her lavish clothes.

One limp body sat on the floor, her back against the oak wall that lined the inner courtyard leading onto the central gate, her hand still clutching the massive boomerang that supported her lifeless body.

“Ka-gom...(gurgling out blood).. They're wwaiting for me...” she smiled a bruised lip as she closed her blood streaked eyes and breathed her last.

“Ayame...” sobbed Kagome. She kissed her forehead slowly.

They had taken their last stand in the immense gardens adjacent to the central gate.

They had all died protecting the inner courtyard from the youkai onslaught.

She alone remained.

Sakura petals fall on the blood stained ground. Some, caught in the billowing breeze, land covering the numerous body that littered the ground, almost as if in paying one last respect to the honored dead for their heroic stand even in the final moments of their demise.

“Miko!” growled a guttural male voice.

Kagome turns around and grasps her blood drenched sword.

“Hai, you are very beautiful for a ningen bitch.” he said smacking his lips. “I think I will enjoy ravishing you.”

Kagome stood poised for battle having drawn her twin katanas. “You'll regret ever showing your miserable hide in my lands!” she screamed as she launched herself at her attackers.

Five fell against her right sword.

Six died in one swoop of her left sword.

She had numerous cuts and bruises, yet she kept fighting. Slowly fatigue made her drop her guard. In just that instant she was cut down the right side deeply. Ignoring the profuse bleeding she stood her ground until all her enemies lay sprawled in pieces before her. Tiredness, and blood loss sinking in she falters slightly.

“Ugh!”

Blood spatter on the ground.

“You are unworthy to bear his heir, you ningen bitch.” Kanna looked at her with cold eyes. Kagome looks at the blade now embedded in her belly. “Recognize this blade do you? This is made from the fangs of a close relative of Inutaisho Sugimi. You will not be revived. I am aware of tenseiga and it's capabilities, forging a blade in close blood relation to Sugimi-dono means that tenseiga's effects will be annulled. In short, you and your bastard pup will die this glorious day.” In an instant she too vanished. Kagome hugged her abdomen and cried. Her pup. Her pup is gone. 'I will join you soon.' she promised. Standing up she tried to reach a nearby Sakura tree where Ayame's body rests.

Her vision blurs.

She stumbles and falls forward.

“Kagome”

Silver hair swirled in the mild breeze, entwining onto raven-blue hair as if in a gentle caress. Blood soaked the earth. Tenseiga lay sprawled on the blood stained grass. He had used it to her shaking form but to no avail. It would not respond to it's masters mournful cries of loss.

Silence.

Haggard breathing breaks the stillness that surrounds two shadowy figures. A regal figure

stoops protectively hunched over the petite frame of a blood-covered girl. Fresh blood

run languidly down her right side as if to prolong each agonizing moment, concealing a large gaping wound.

“Sesshoumaru…. I feel so cold, so very cold…” pale lips shivered under the setting sun, as darkness descended swallowing the diminishing light.

“Kagome, suman na (masculine: i'm sorry).. I failed you.” Sesshoumaru said through clenched teeth. Overpowering regret and guilt washed over him. Kagome opens her eyes and beaming a smile that hides her pain and sadness at the inevitable.

A sigh escaped her lips. “ Ever the honour-bound hero ne? Shinpai shinai Itoshii (do not worry beloved). I do not hold it against... you. It is my fate. I have accepted it.”

“But I cannot!” He interrupted.

Sighing again Kagome answers, “...you have opened your heart to me, don't harden your heart again promise me you'll love another after I depart from this world.” She whispered in a shallow breath. “Promise me..”closing her eyes she drew her last breath.

His heart stilled for that one moment in time. His lethal claws, gently brush a strand of hair that blew carelessly to her pallid face.

“Kagome, open your eyes koi, for me..I need you.” he choked biting back tears that he thought he would never shed. “I...I love you.” His heart clenched.

“Come back to me.” He ordered. As if his authority extended to that of the other world.

He held her tighter, but he knew better, his embrace can not hold her soul there. His embrace can hold still the dissipating warmth of her body.

End Dream Sequence.

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“No!” Kagome sobbed sitting up and clutching her abdomen protectively. She cried softly.

“Kagome, what is it?” Sesshoumaru shakes her gently awake.

She opens her blue eyes still full of tears.

“I saw it.. I saw it all! The bodies ...everywhere.. Kikyo.. Kaede... Sango and Ayame.. all dead.. and she... oh god Sesshoumaru! She... She was with pup.. she was carrying your pup the day she died!”

The Taiyoukai's eyes narrowed into slits crimson flooding his vision. He growled audibly, clenching his fists. Kagome still crying continued.

“She wwas going ...(sniff).. to tell you ... that day.. but , but you left her.. then she, she died.. before she got a cchance to tell.. (sniff)..you.”

Sesshoumaru fought desperately for control. His Inu's rage exploded hearing the previously unknown pup's existance. Not only had his mate been attacked, the attack had killed his pup! He was shaking in silent rage. 'They would pay dearly.' he vowed. Flashes of that day again sprung onto his mind. He felt part of himself again dying at those words. 'But you left her.' Growling he gathered the sobbing Kagome in his arms rocking her back and forth. 'My pup.' he lamented bitterly. Silently he mourned his pup's loss while his Inu clawed at his inside howling in wrath. “My pup.” he breathed. “Your death will not remain unaccounted for.”