Roses and Thorns

Disclaimer: I don’t own Inuyasha or any of its characters. Lunari and Shinoske are mine though. The names popped into my head while I was writing, so hands off!


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Aisuru – sweetheart, beloved
Bijin – beautiful woman
Hanasu – release me!
Daijouka – are you okay?
Doushita – what’s wrong?
Damare – be quiet/shut up
Shojo – virgin
Iya – no
Ite – ouch
Jou-chan – little missy
Kowai – scared
Nani Yatten no – what are you doing?
Okari Nasai – welcome home
Amefuri – in the rain
Neko – cat
Arigatou – thank you (informal)
Arigatou Gozaimasu – thank you very much
Gomen Nasai – I’m sorry
Bangohan – dinner
Areh – eh? Uhh.
Shoji – sliding rice paper doors


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Inuyasha and the others had heard of Kouga going around to villages in attempt to gather an army to storm Sesshoumaru’s palace. They didn’t think he would be this successful. They had arrived about a half mile from the palace and took in the sight. There was a massive army of humans moving around, trying to gather themselves into a force. Most were uncertain, but the rest were leaders and were trying to rally the people.

The demon slayer and monk shared a look.

“What is going on?” Asked Shippou.

“Well, it looks like all the rumors were true. They are trying to get to the palace, but why? It’s not like those things Kouga was saying were true.” Stated Miroku.

“Whether these humans get into the palace or not, I could care less. I just want to get in there and get out with Kagome. Then we can get on with our mission.” Inuyasha sounded as if he were in a trance of some kind. His voice almost a monotone.

“Inuyasha, you know we’ll have to go without you.” Sango readied her Hiraikotsu.

“Yeah, I know.” He leaned against a tree. “Sesshoumaru knows my scent, once he gets a whiff of it, he’ll be after me. I can’t fight him like this.”

Miroku laid a hand on the hanyou’s shoulder.

“Inuyasha…”

“Just go already. The sooner you go, the sooner we can get back to Kaede’s.”

He sighed and removed his hand.

“Alright. We shall try to hurry. Sango, let’s be on our way.”

The taijiya gave Inuyasha a forlorn look. “Hai.”

“I’m going too.” Piped up the little kitsune.

The hanyou slid down the tree and sat on the grassy ground. He hoped they would be able to slip in easily and sneak Kagome back out again. There was a small chance, seeing as his big brother would have his hands full with the current situation. He sat there thinking as they made their way down. One knee bent with one arm resting upon it, his head lowered.

‘I made a promise to Kikyo many years ago. I think I should at least honor that promise, no matter what. I’ve always loved her. Alive or dead. I think it’s time I let Kagome be. She’s always had those sad eyes whenever she was around me, and I feel like she forces those smiles most times. I hate to see her face when I come back after chasing Kikyo down. It tears my heart in two. She may be Kikyo’s reincarnation, but there are a lot of differences between them. I still don’t see how they can exist at the same time, but who am I to ask questions of the gods? I think…I guess I should tell her. She deserves to hear it from me. I hope she will find someone who will love her the way she wants to be loved. Because I can’t do it. I just can’t.’

If anyone were around, they would’ve seen a single crystalline tear slip down his cheek.

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Kagome was surrounded by the white mist again. Just where the heck was this place? She walked on as before, yet there were more swirling colors than last time. They didn’t disappear when she turn to look at them either. Then came that voice again.

“You must fly, you are in grave danger!”

“B-but I can’t fly! I’m not an angel you know! I don’t have any special powers, I don’t have wings, how am I supposed to get away from this danger you speak of?”

Silence followed.

“Hello?”

The voice sounded as if it were on the verge of tears.

“If you don’t fly, how will you get away? No one will come save you.”

“Yes they will. Inuyasha will come for me!”

Kagome stopped. Why hadn’t Inuyasha come for her before? Didn’t he care for her? Even at least as a friend? Her tears began to surface and threatened to fall.

“What about your inutaiyoukai? He will come for you.”

“Huh? Oh, you mean Lord Sesshoumaru. I-I guess he will although I’m not quite sure if he would.”

“He will. We know it.”

“We? Who is we?”

“We. Please, you must get out of here!”

“How?! I don’t even know where I am!”

Kouga stepped inside the cavern where he and his pack mates called home. There were several alcoves dug out along the walls. Some were large enough for small families, and some were small enough for individuals. Being the Wolf Prince, Kouga had the largest alcove in the very back of the cavern. He placed the unconscious girl in his powerful arms atop some hay that had been strewn together to make a bedding area. He stood and smiled wickedly, relishing her beauty.

“She will be mine now and forever. No one can take her from me.”

He turned to face the rest of his clan.

“Anyone who dares disturb my mate to be or comes near this place will be condemned to death!”

They all shrunk back in fear of their leader. He never used to make such threats like this. Ever since he left Inuyasha and co when Kagome was first captured, he had been, well crazed to say the least. The look in his eyes used to be fun loving and peaceful, now, they were just downright scary.

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Lord Sesshoumaru had all but lessened the villager’s fears when his ears picked up a blood curdling scream. It sounded like Rin, and it sounded like it was coming from inside the palace. No, that wasn’t possible. Then it came again.

“Lunari, you and Shinoske take care of this.”

“Yes master.” They echoed.

Sesshoumaru took off as fast as he possibly could. The screaming continued, his heart hammered against his chest. Please, please let Rin be alright. As much as he despised the humans, Rin had become precious to him. Finally, he reached the hallway and the stench of wolf hit him. His eyes widened and his ears perked up listening for any sound of movement. Rin came out of her hiding place running to Lord Sesshoumaru hugging him tightly and crying the deep throaty cries of a scared child, her tears soaking into his obi. He wrapped his arms around her.

“Daijouka? Aisuru, all is well. This Sesshoumaru is here now.” He tried to calm and soothe the child in his possession. The assault on his youkai ears was becoming something less heart wrenching.

“Pa-papa-san. He-he took mommy away!”

‘Mommy?’

“Shh Rin, all will be alright. I will go and get…your mommy back.”

He picked up and carried the child to the room she and Kagome shared. He had not realized how much she had infected the rest of the palace until her scent hit his nose when he entered the bed chambers. It was all over the place, permeating from everything. It was almost maddening. He placed the child upon the bed quieting her to sleep and turned to leave.

“Papa-san?”

“Hn.”

“The wolf who took mommy said to ask you something.”

“Hai?”

“He said, ask um…”

“Rin, please I won’t be mad at you. Just tell me what he had to say.”

“Hai. H-he said to ask the disgusting Lord Sesshoumaru if he had something to protect, and then that she was his, that she would never be in your grasp again.”

‘So, that’s what the mongrel thinks?’ He smiled in spite of himself.

“Thank you Rin. Now, please go to sleep, and when you awake in the morning, you will have your beloved mommy back with you. This Sesshoumaru promises.”

“Hai papa-san. I love you!”

“I love you too, aisuru. Please, go to sleep.”

Sesshoumaru closed the doors. His anger building. How could he not smell that dingy wolf in his palace? He was in his home! How did he miss it? It was then that it occurred to him. Of course, the virtual army of humans. The reek of their stench overpowered his. So that must’ve been his plan all along. The humans believed his ridiculous rumors and came here. No wonder, that last one sounded far from the truth anyway. Me, eating children. The thought alone makes me want to retch.

‘Dammit Kagome, why didn’t you fight him with your miko powers? If she can push me away, surely she could have fought him off, or at the very least made some kind of noise so I could come to her aide.’

Then the thought slammed into him.

‘She must have had no choice with Rin out here. She didn’t want to risk something happening to her since we have yet to figure out what caused both of our transformations. Smart Kagome, very smart.’

He smiled inwardly, yet his heart was wrenching. As he passed by a mirror, he noticed something for the first time. He gingerly touched his face; he was almost human looking again. He had changed. It was all her doing, that miko.

It was then that Miroku, Sango and Shippou came running through the halls. He turned to face them a little angry at them entering his dwelling without express permission.

“You would do best to leave.”

“Lord Sesshoumaru,” Miroku placed his hands together fist to palm and bowed slightly “we heard a child screaming so we came running, though it was hard getting through all the leaving villagers. Is there something we can help with?”

“You are not needed here. Please leave.” He was going to be polite only once.

“Wait a minute,” Sango interrupted “where is Kagome?”

Sesshoumaru was almost on the brink of losing himself to his demon.

“She is not here.” He growled low.

“What do you mean she’s not here? Did you let her go?” The lilt in Sango’s voice wasn’t hard to miss.

“You mean she was among all those other villagers?” Shippou chirped up.

“Lord Sesshoumaru, how could you?” Miroku accused “Something could happen to her out there.”

Sesshoumaru roared. They were finally silenced.

“That damned wolf stole her away. He spread rumors to the villagers and they came here en masse. Their stench hid his. He slipped in here, took my Kagome and scared my ward to death. I would have his head now if I had known.”

Miroku, Sango and Shippou all dropped their jaws.

“Your…” One.

“Kagome?” Then the other.

Sesshoumaru looked as if they had just slapped him in the face. He said that out loud? Really and truly? He didn’t even know that tiny little word had slipped in. He thought for a moment. He had kept her here on the premise that he wanted to learn her secrets and figure out why they had been transformed. With her residing in the palace, he had not noticed, but she had changed everything.

Rin was reading much better and teased poor Jaken less.

Jaken was a little less irate than usual.

All his servants took to her immediately. She was so sweet and kind to all. No matter if they were youkai or not. No matter their station, no matter if they were male or female. No matter what they looked like.

No matter what he looked like. She didn’t care what he looked like. He was a hideous, gruesome, revolting beast, and she didn’t care what he looked like. She had always been fierce, and he liked it. She was divine, enchanting, wonderful, and she has practically melted down the walls surrounding his heart. The walls that have been put up for so long. His hand clutched at his heart that was beating so hard and so fast.

“Sango,” Shippou whispered in the taijiya’s ear “look at his face. It’s changing.”

They stared at Sesshoumaru in amazement.

Dare he say it?

Should he say it?

Dear Kami, could it be true once and for all?

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~Laughs evilly~ A cliffy!!! Hahaha!!! REVIEW!!! Chapter 15 will be here sooner than you think.

Hey, I warned that I would do what I wished with Sesshoumaru. I’m sorry he seems so out of character, but I’m a hopeless romantic, and a horny little devil so no worries. All the lemony lime goodness is coming in soon. I promise. Oh, and thanks for the bday wishes from those reviewers. You know who you are! Thanks again for reading, and please please review. I look forward to what you have to say.


~Laughs~ You should see my husband. He’s in our moon chair asleep with one arm behind his head, and his mouth is open slightly. ~Laughs again~ Guess I better go check for drool…

Enjoy!

~Much Love~

Faerie Demoness