Opposites Attract

Chapter 14: Happenings In The Village

A/N: Hello readers and reviewers, I apologize for the late updates, between working, having 5 college courses this semester and trying to get into graduate school I barely find enough time to think let alone write. Anyway enough with my complaints enjoy!!!

Meanwhile back in the village…

A battle raged on between the Inu gang and the Raven crew. Sango and Miroku’s children along with Kirara, her bundle of joy within her and Rin were sent away to hide in a large cellar like structure behind the monk and the slayer’s hut. Of course the battle harden kaki neko did not want to shy away from the confrontation. However, after Sango pleaded with her to watch over the children, Kirara hurried to the ‘cellar’, intending on protecting all who dwell within it. The neko knew what her long time companion was thinking, Sango wanted to persuade her to hide by making her think that she would be a useful sentinel for the children, in reality Kirara would be sheltered and guarded right along with said children. The slayer did truly believe Kirara was more than capable of defending them; nonetheless she neglected to mention that she mainly wanted to see to the neko safety. And the only peaceful way to see to Kirara’s security is to make Kirara feel like she was the one doing all the protecting.

Kirara went along with her plan, although she was worried about the safety of everyone in her pack, she was particularly concerned with the children’s safety, including her own. So taking into consideration the conversation she had earlier with her pack and listing to her new found ‘maternal instincts’ she accompanied the children into the cellar without too much fuss. The kaki neko twin blades were ready for any opponent that may make it past her pack.

Kohaku was charged with the duty of guarding the ‘protector’ Kirara and the children if any of their enemies got past their initial defenses. So he accompanied them to the ‘cellar’, awaiting whatever may occur.

Luckily with the aid of Inuyasha’s canine like instincts, they built the ‘den/cellar’ for just such an occasion. Miroku and Kagome had managed to set up a barrier around the ‘den/cellar’ so it would be undetectable by youkai senses. But with their powers divided between the battle at hand and protecting their pack the barrier could not last forever. Which is why they were currently trying to put an end to said battle ASAP.

While a few of the village men and women defended their town with human weapons such as bow and arrows, swords and to a lesser extent pitch forks, sticks and rocks, the rest of the villagers were lead by the miko Kaede to safety, away from the menace that invaded their homes. While Kaede stood guard over the many women and children in hiding with her miko powers and bow and arrows at the ready, the rest of the gang had their hands full with the fowl youkai that attacked their abode.

“I told ya baka’s to get the fuck outta here before you get yourself killed!!!” Inuyasha shouted at the remaining villagers as he took out another one of the youkai kites, with a leaping attack and a downward swing of Tessaiga, cleaving the youkai head in two…vertically.

The creature didn’t have the chance to cry out as it was eliminated with deadly precision. The small brain of the youkai bird, skull debris and red blood splattered; hitting the wielder of the Tessaiga, the trees, the forest floor and some of their other adversaries. He could have eradicated them with the wind scar or adamant barrage if the battle wasn’t so close to the village.

“This is our home and I’ll be damned if a let some low ranking youkai take it away from us without a fight!!!” One of the large male villagers shouted as he managed to slice the wing of a youkai that dived down towards him, causing it to crash into one of the huts behind him, destroying it.

Inuyasha growled at the hard headed townsman and was about to retort when he heard Kagome gasped and shout an urgent command at the villager.

“Get down!”

“What?!” The large man looked behind him as he saw a wicked looking curved blade attached to a long black staff like weapon headed towards his neck.

But before it reached him, Miroku managed to tackle the man to the ground losing his ponytail in the process. As soon as they both hit the ground, Kagome’s bright pink arrow came soaring above them taking out one of the Raven’s henchman who was riding a kite like many human warriors would ride a horse into battle. He was purified to ash before he hit the ground. Sango boomerang bone took out said kite that was heading towards her husband and the stubborn village man, splitting the creature in half horizontally. The wind the large weapon created tousled what little hair Miroku and the village man possessed.

“Are you two alright?” Sango asked after she retrieved her boomerang that came back to her as if commanded by her warriors will.

“Of course dear Sango, I would rather lose my topknot then for any of us to lose our heads.” Miroku said with a forced smile as he felt the area of his head that used to be occupied by a ponytail, a ponytail that was now laying discarded on the ground. And he was so use to the feel of his ponytail at the nape of his neck…pity. He sighed as brought his right hand back down so he could push himself into a standing position.

Any normal man would have been a little less optimistic about almost being decapitated however, Miroku faced death most of his life due to the curse of the wind tunnel. Now that his former curse and weapon were gone, he was just happy to be alive to experience near death experiences!

As the two men got to their feet, the stubborn village man nodded his head in thanks before he resume fighting with his long katana blade along side the few remaining villager defenders.

“Hardheaded bastards!” Inuyasha yelled as he took out two more kites totally disregarding the fact that he was just as ‘hardheaded’ or more so than the few villagers who fought to defend their town.

Several moments of fighting passed before a rough voice was heard:

“I’m sick of fighting you ass kissing bastards, where the fuck is your leader…” Inuyasha snarled at any of the winged menace that would listen.

Just than, after Inuyasha addressed the Raven’s minions, all of the warriors heard a loud crash, followed by a loud shriek, a snarl, an eerie cackle than silence. Those sounds seem to radiate from the Monk and the Slayers home.

The Raven’s minions quickly retreated into the skies when they heard their master’s trademark ‘cackle’. Moments later the winged creatures disappeared from sight, leaving the gang frustrated and worried. Those ‘cackle’, ‘shriek’ and ‘snarl’ sounds did not just come out of nowhere and it gave the pack members a bad feeling...

Before Kagome made three steps toward the hut, Inuyasha immediately grabbed Kagome, tossed her on his back and took off towards their destination.

Kagome gasped at the somewhat rough treatment when her stomach collided with Inuyasha’s muscular back. However she had no complaints, her mind was too busy dreading the worst case scenario. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he grabbed her hips for her support. She held on for dear life as Inuyasha swiftly ran back towards the hut.

Sango and Miroku took off as well with weapons in tow and present but well hidden panic within their chests.

“Dammit, they must have used some type of concealment spell. They just disappeared and I can’t detect any lingering traces of their stench!” Inuyasha said with a scowl and a glint of anger in his golden eyes as he rushed towards the ‘cellar’. Miroku having certain spiritual powers was able to somewhat keep up with Inuyasha as the Inu hanyou sprinted towards their hopefully hidden pack members.

“It seems they only revealed themselves to district us, than made a hasty retreat…they must have accomplished what they set out to do…” Miroku said with a tone laced with uncharacteristic irritation and violet eyes that displayed his deep concern…

Sango picked up the paste as the anxious feeling in her chest increased ten fold. Her heart pounded and her palms sweated from her urgency to reach her family in time.Why was it always the ones she loved who seemed to be placed in danger? Shaking her head to removed those nightmarish flash backs of her past and her lost loved ones, she pushed forward.

When they got there the barrier was still standing. Although the spiritual shield seemed in tact they all knew something was amiss. The monk and the young miko made hast to remove the barrier.

An angry Inuyasha rushed inside first followed by a worried miko and the anxious couple, only to Rin, Kirara and Kohaku were no were to be found. From the looks of the ‘cellar’ their missing pack members definitely put up a fight. There were claw marks on the floor and walls, burn spots on the roof, slashes in the wall from Kohaku’s sickle and even an arrow imbedded into the wall to the left of the ‘cellar’ entrance, Rin’s arrow. Inuyasha detected only the scent of his missing pack member’s blood. He knew Kirara and Kohaku were capable warriors, even if they did not managed to take any of their enemies out, surely they must have injured them. However, he could not detect the smell of any of their adversaries’ blood anywhere. At least it was only a small amount of blood from Kohaku and Kirara, indicating that their injuries were not serious. If their enemies took care not to seriously injured them than there is a good chance that they will be kept alive…at least for a little while.

How long had the three battled before being overcome by their enemies? Inuyasha and the others were fighting outside for a long while. Could the gang within the ‘cellar’ been fighting almost as long? And why had the rest of the gang only heard the last remnants of the battle taking place within the ‘den’? Perhaps whoever took them had some sort of sound proof youkai device that malfunctioned right before their missing pack members disappeared. Whatever the case, everyone decided to ponder those inquires later. With that in mind, all of the humans went into ‘panic and search’ mode as they split up and looked for the children within the large cellar, praying that at least the three youngsters were safe. They called out to the children hoping to receive an answer. However, before they called out again Inuyasha’s right ear pivoted towards the direction where he heard the slightest movements. Than Inuyasha quickly let it be known that the three youngest pups were safe when he plucked three trembling and quietly sobbing children from a pile of hay. Apparently the three members of the group that was missing placed the children under the hay that smelled of grass and Rin beloved wild flowers. If not for that, if the children’s scent was not concealed, they didn’t want to think about what would have happen to the three little ones.


“Why didn’t any of you answer when we called, we were all so worried.” Kagome said with relief and as soothingly as she could as she caught her breath.

She was already worried sick about her family members who were absent. The idea of the small children, any small child experiencing such a terrifying event as kidnapping was unimaginable.

Inuyasha answered on behalf of the children when he said:

“Guess the pups are smarter than I thought. They didn’t come out or answer when ya called them because they thought it was a trap.” Inuyasha said in his complimenting way as the relieved parents approached him with haste. Being a child orphan and a hanyou he had to use his smarts in such a way to survive in the wild. He could not trust friendly voices when he heard them as he hid under cliff edges, streams, trees, caves and even under piles of mud to hide his scent. Even if it was a familiar voice, it was always a possibility that he was being set up. Which is why he understood exactly what the kids were doing.

Ignoring the insult that accompanied their rude yet loyal family member comment, the thankful parents rushed over towards him and the children.

“Thank Kami.” Miroku and Sango said at the same time as they threw down their weapons and took their twins and youngest child from Inuyasha’s arms. Sango showered all of her children with kisses, not taking her eyes off of them for several moments. Kagome also went to give each child a kiss on the forehead and a hug to each parent. The young miko was glad that the children were safe, but her expressive face and blue eyes were full of worry for Kirara, the unborn baby, Rin and Kohaku. Kagome was also worried about how Sango would handle losing her brother yet again and long time companion. Inuyasha although relieved that the ‘brats’ as he would put it was safe, kept his trademark scowl on his face as he sniffed around some more hoping to get a tiny hint of the kidnappers scent. So far he came up with nothing.

“Do you think they are alright, can you smell anything?” Kagome asked as she released the parents from her surprisingly tight hugs and walked over to Inuyasha. Everyone turned to him for an answer.

Figuring that he might as well let them know what his nose told him, he spoke up and said:

“I smell Kohaku’s and Kirara’s blood- (the humans gasps fill the room)…wait let me finish will ya! It’s nothing major only a few scrapes here and there I’ll say. Whoever took them obviously wants them alive. But I still don’t smell any of those assholes blood or any of their scents for that matter. The bastards must be pros at covering their tracks.” Inuyasha said with frustration as he continued to stubbornly sniff in hopes of picking up something!

“Kirara and Kohaku are very capable fighters. Even little Rin has became accurate with her bow and arrow. They must have managed to injury at least some of their attackers. How is it that none of the raven youkai blood stains the inside of the cellar?” Miroku with a look of concentration as he bounced his young son in his arm.

“Either these pricks are serious bad asses and managed to avoid injury, got injured and had time to clean up everything including their scent or their blood is here, we just can’t see or smell any of it.” Inuyasha snarled his frustration increasing…

“I think it’s a strong possibility that the blood is here like you said Inuyasha. I mean, they did managed to get pass us and the barrier without breaking it. That’s something I don’t understand either…how did they get pass the barrier in the first place? Maybe they can not only hide their scent, but make their blood invisible to us…” Kagome said as she agree with Inuyasha’s third speculation.

The first one was also possible so was the second. Be that as it may, the second possibility seemed impractical and the first one while possible seemed less likely. After all, Kagome has seen Kirara and Kohaku in action; they both were a force to be reckoned with. It’s highly likely that they cause their enemies some damage.

Everyone was filled with apprehension and frustration as they became either engrossed in trying to soothe the children or lost in their own thoughts.

Although the gang had many reasons to be unhappy, they were happy that whoever took away their three pack members did not have sharp hearing like Inuyasha. If they did they would have heard the children’s movements and possibly took them away…or worst. Nevertheless, the enemy did have a way to detect barriers; which obviously was bad considering the fact that Kagome and Miroku tried to make the barrier invisible to the naked eye of youkai. More importantly the fact that their family members were missing indicated just how much trouble their new enemy could be.

Sango chocolate orbs filled with tears that threaten to spill over her dark eyelashes onto her cheeks as she continued to ponder. Tears of joy because her children were safe were mixed with tears of sorrow because three of her family members were in danger. And from what Inuyasha stated, they will have a hell of a time finding any of them.

Sango’s younger brother whom she had been separated from for so long; a brother that had been through hell and caused hell against his will, had been taken away yet again. Not only was her brother taken away, but the sweet young child who she has almost sacrificed for her husband sake; a child who has become an important part of her family…Rin had also been kidnapped. Sango’s family long time companion, guardian and sister Kirara along with her unborn innocent child was also taken against their will. Sango knew Kirara was in the most danger of them all, especially since the kaki neko and the ‘Raven’ have a bad history.

Sango felt the reassuring arm of her husband wrap around her waist as he cradled their son in his right arm. She held onto their twin daughters tightly as she kissed her son on his cheek and forehead again. This time the action caused his sobs to decrease to sniffles. The twins on the other hand being older and able to understand a little more still sobbed quietly as the tighten their little fist onto her Slayer’s uniform. Fear and worry gripped their little hearts. They knew something bad happened to their ‘aunties’ and ‘uncle’ and they just wanted them to be safe at home with them. Sango looked deeply into her Monk husbands eyes. She knew he was trying to silently let her know that everything would be alright. The slayer managed to hold back her tears for the sake of her family. Crying was not going to get them back, only action could possibly accomplish such a feat…

The couple used their spiritual and huntress instincts to detect any lingering youkai aura in the air. Inuyasha jumped topside to see if his nose could detect any of the ravens or kites nearby including the ones that snatched their companions. Hoping that maybe he missed something earlier that he could smell right then if he tried again. Hoping that possibly one of the ‘Raven’s’ minions screwed up and left one clue for them to follow. However, he doubted that he would find anything. But since they had no other leads, it could hurt to try.

When the younger Inu checked the area for any threats and concluded that there were none present he said:

“All clear.” Alerting the others, letting them know that there were no more hidden traps. It was safe for the children to be brought from the ‘cellar’.

After they received the ‘go ahead’ Sango with Kagome’s help positioned her weapon on her back while juggling two children, Kagome did the same for her bow and arrows. Miroku grabbed his staff in his free hand and they made their way topside. All of the humans had a look of concern and puzzlement in their expressive eyes as the took in their surroundings. They waited to hear the verdict from their hanyou friend.

“Shit, I still got nothing!” Inuyasha growled. His hands were itching to use the Tessaiga like a butcher would use a meat cleaver on raw meat and slice those birds to peaces!

“Those three have been through enough pain. If we can’t track their scent and they left no trail on the ground than we have to search for them. Sango finally spoke and voiced her opinion with resolve. She was determined to find her family no matter what it takes.

Than Miroku concurred with his wife by saying:

“Sango does have a point, although it will take a lot longer we will just have to work our way through the forest until we find them…” Before he could continue voicing his thoughts a baritone voice appeared out of nowhere and utter in a low tone.

“That will not be necessary; this vermin will lead us to them.” Sesshoumaru spat the word ‘vermin’ as he held an unconscious raven minion up by the scruff of his neck with his right hand.

The daiyoukai overheard every word and smelled every drop of blood his mate and the slayer Kohaku, his ward spilt. He smelled all the emotions the now missing pack members experienced as they were taken against their will. It took all of his refined control to not skin the bird alive than and there…slowly. The desire to mindlessly destroy the being in his grasp for merely being associated with that ‘Raven’ bitch was almost overwhelming. His cold golden eyes were on the verge of turning as red as the blood he planned to spill when he got his hands on the raven bitch Kurorasu.

Kagome frowned as she looked at the creature within the daiyoukai grasp than with an uneasy tone said:

“What if he doesn’t talk?” Sesshoumaru gave her a flat look with an elegantly raise eyebrow as if to say ‘You doubt this Sesshoumaru word?’ As far as the elder Inu was concerned his word was law; if he said the bird would lead the gang to them, than that is what the bird will do!

Inuyasha looked at the P.O.W with a twinge of pity than back to Kagome as he said:

“That ain’t going to be a problem; he’ll talk …believe it.” Inuyasha has always thought of his brother as a pompous, overbearing asshole however, he would give credit were credit would do.

In his eyes his elder brother could be one of the most calculating, ruthless, possessive, powerful and vicious bastards he ever had the pleasure or as Inuyasha would put it, displeasure of knowing. He also knew that when the immovable daiyoukai wanted something there was no stopping him. That much about his brother he respected.

Than Inuyasha turned to the couple and went on to say:

“You better take the pups inside; this ain’t going to be pretty.” Sesshoumaru could start ‘extracting’ information, blood and body parts from the bird at that very moment in front of everyone; that was something the kids did not need to see.

As livid as Sesshoumaru was, Inuyasha was surprised that he had not started to torment the bird already. So Inuyasha thought that it was best to get the pups away from what could turn into a gory seen ASAP. Kagome couldn’t agree more. There was going to be hell to pay and everyone looking at the seen at that moment knew it. Kagome shivered from the cold wrath she could feel radiating off the daiyoukai like an artic blizzard. The others hair stood on end as they felt his angry aura brush up against their energy.

The slayer and the monk only nodded and took the children away from the brutal torture and murder they assume was going to occur. Normally all of them would have protested against such cruel tactics. Normally they knew that torture was not the daiyoukai style. From what they seen he prefers to kill quickly. Be that as it may, this was not a normal situation, his mate and pups were in danger. The couple knew the one who had Kirara and the others was the same one who took so much from the kaki neko centuries ago. Who knows what type of agony the missing parties may be experiencing at that very moment. All of their pack wanted them back, even if they had to approve of distasteful means to achieve that goal.

Kagome took a deep breath as she looked behind her at the injured villagers. Villagers who had fearful and wary expressions on their faces as the looked at Sesshoumaru. No matter how often he visited the village to see his adopted pup, most of the town’s people could not get use to his intimidating and majestic presence.

Looking back to Inuyasha after she calmed her nerves a bit Kagome said:

“Inuyasha, I’m going to head back to Lady Kaede’s hut and see if I can lend her a hand with all of the injured villagers. Are you coming?” Kagome had a bad feeling about the whole ‘making him talk’ deal; however like the slayer and the monk she didn’t see Sesshoumaru as the type to torture someone.

Kill swiftly without mercy or remorse yes, but torturing someone did not seem like something he would do. However, since the daiyoukai family life is at sake, she is willing to believe that all bets are off. He may have had his nasty ways but he was loyal, persistent and stubborn. She knew he would do anything to get his family…um pack back, even if it goes against his code of honor. She like the rest of the gang wanted to rescue their missing family members desperately. It’s harsh and she hates the idea with a passion, but she will accept it. If only true serum worked on youkai…nope, even if it did worked as pissed as Sesshoumaru was, he would probably torture him out of spite. Besides there were many severely wounded villagers she had to tend to, so she chose to help them instead of protecting the raven minion that would kill all of them as soon as he looked at them.

“Yeah I’ll be along in a little while, you go ahead.” Inuyasha answered his mate as he looked at a few injured villagers laying about, being tended to by a few other ‘warrior’ villagers. He knew Kaede could sense the Raven minion’s departure, he could smell the scents of many villagers headed their way including the elderly miko.

He turned around only to see his brother’s back as he roughly carried the prisoner off.
Inuyasha was torn between following them and making sure that he received the information he needed to know to rescue his missing pack or staying near the village to protect the reminder of his pack in case the birds decided to come back. Inuyasha also hated the idea of torturing anyone, but like the others he wanted his pack back safely.

Choosing the latter he said:

“Yo, Sesshoumaru let us know what you find out, were coming with ya.” They may be Sesshoumaru’s mate and pups, but they were his pack as well and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t get the chance to help save them and split some heads on the way! And he was sure that his human companions will feel the same way.


Surprisingly, Sesshoumaru agreed to inform him as he continued to walk off. He also told them that he would not wait for them. That was alright with Inuyasha, all he needed was Sesshoumaru’s scent to follow.

When they came to their agreement Sesshoumaru dragged his prey off into the forest hell bent on finding his pack members, his mate and pups alive, no matter what it took...

TBC

A/N: Alright that’s it for this chapter. Sorry for the lack of Sesshoumaru in this chapter. He will appear more in the next one. Reviews are always appreciated and adored!!!