Thawing Her Heart

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Chapter 16 The First Battle

Inuyasha could not believe his eyes or his ears at the moment, truly the woman who stood facing Naraku could not be his Kagome. He watched then in awe as with a speed he thought only his brother possessed she dispatched the tentacles that flew towards her. Never stopping she flipped up and over the hanyou so that she was now behind him. Inuyasha was just to stunned to move. Here she was not with a bow and arrow like he always saw her but with two katanas and wielding them like she had been born to it! He could only watch as she sideswiped another attacking appendage as she advanced on Naraku.


Naraku could not believe it; she was actually fending him off! Not only that but she was actually beginning to win their fight. He could sense the same miko powers from as she purified every limb she severed but now there was also something more. He watched in fascination as her form began to change. Her fingers were no longer blunt tipped but now housed razor sharp claws, her hair seemed to have grown a foot in the last minute, and her face now bore the markings of Izumi the one he had desired so long ago. If he had any doubt as to who she was before it was gone in the instant he gazed upon the aqua colored star upon her forehead marking her as inu taiyoukai. Deciding that this battle was of no advantage to him, he started to retreat from her deadly aim with the swords. “Fear not my lovely I will leave you for now but I promise once I have absorbed the Shikon no Tama I will claim you as my own. Enjoy your love as you have him for now, but remember they say history repeats itself and I will kill him once again.” With that said he let loose a giant cloud of miasma and took to the sky. Stopping where she stood Kagome knew it was futile to try and chase the slippery hanyou even though her newfound demonic blood called for his destruction. With her eyes still lit with the violet glow and her body surrounded by the blue purity of her miko power, she turned to face Inuyasha. “ I told you once before I would not leave with you so if you come to try once again know you will have a battle on your hands.” Inuyasha took a step back at the anger and vehemence in her tone. This was not what he was prepared for, he had been counting on her weakness to spirit her away, now it seemed as if he would have to battle her. Knowing it would not work he didn’t even try to draw the tessaiga, he merely lunged at her with his claws. She never missed a beat when she raised her left hand to defend and her right came around in attack. He just barely jumped back in time to keep from being sliced in half by her blade, as it was she had sliced clean through his haori and nicked his abdomen. Looking up at her in surprise he saw the sadness in her gaze, almost as if she was sorry to hurt him but it was accompanied by a determination as well. Steeling himself he lunged in another attack and this time he was not quick enough to dodge the thrust that came at him. Tears flowed down her pale cheeks as she felt the sword slice through the flesh of his shoulder and through to the other side, she had really not wanted to hurt him, to top the fact that Naraku’s black blood was still slicked on the blade. Closing her eyes in resolution she let just a small zap of her pure energy seep into his wound. When she heard his howl of pain she quickly removed her sword and took a step back staring at him once again. “You would be wise to leave now Inuyasha and have your wound tended, while I have purified the majority of poison in Naraku’s blood I did not get it all.” He silently fumed at her words; she was ordering him to leave! Not only that but she had become so much stronger than he could have imagined. He took stock of her appearance once again and realized that she was no longer human, she was a taiyoukai, and he could smell it all over her. So this is what Kikyo had meant when she asked about Kagome housing more than one soul. Keh! Whatever, it meant Naraku was after her and his brother meant to keep her, he would not allow either to have her! Smelling the fast approach of said sibling he decided to wait and fight another day when he was in his top form. He could still not believe the skill and speed in which she had defeated him, with that last thought he turned and jumped the wall and fled into the woods once more.



Sesshomaru raced for his inner gardens once the snake youkai and demon puppet were dispatched. He knew the moment the puppet appeared that Naraku was after Kagome. His heart pounded when he reached where she stood just as he watched his brother disappear over his wall. Bringing his eyes back to her he drank in the sight of her strength, she stood with both swords tight in her grip and he could tell she had been successful in her defense of herself and the children. His blood heated at the thought of Naraku trying to take her and he quickly walked to her and pulled her in his arms. When he pulled back and looked down into her face he was surprised at the change that had come over her. She was now the twin of his ancestor’s portrait, she bore the mark of the aqua colored star upon her brow and the maroon stripes on her cheeks. Taking in her scent he realized it had changed as well, it was the same roses and spice but with the added scent of sakura blossoms. He quickly took in the other changes as well, her hair seemed to glow with its blue tint and it had to be at least a foot longer in length. While her ears had taken on the demonic point her hands had formed the claws, and her wrists he noticed were also marked by the maroon stripes of his clan. He was drawn from his inspection of her as she pressed her lips to his. “I am finally myself once again. I no longer have to struggle with inner turmoil.” Her smile was almost angelic in its glow and he found himself smiling back. All of a sudden she fell backwards in his arms as her eyes slid shut, worried he lifted her up and carried her up into his room. There he lowered her onto his bed gently and felt her brow, his concern was eased when he noticed her even breathing. Taking the swords from her hands he sheathed them and set them aside, then he covered her and turned to leave when he noticed the wolf prince had followed him. Gold met blue as their eyes locked, “will she be alright?” Koga asked. “ I think she just used to much energy in reawakening and then fighting, she should rest now and be fine come morning.” As he said this he motioned for the wolf to follow him out of the room.


Once they had reached his study he turned to face the wolf lord before him and gratitude was in his eyes when he spoke. “I do appreciate the blood pact you made with me today Koga and I assure you I intend to honor it beyond today. The question now is why is Naraku once again sniffing in my direction? He has no hope of defeating me, and I am sure he now knows that my intended is no easy target any longer,” Koga could only stare in wonder at the demon before him, if any had asked him if he ever thought he would see Sesshomaru show emotion and admit confusion all in one breath he would have accused them of insanity. It was clear though that something had happened to change the lord standing before him from the one he had grown up hearing horror stories about. Noticing Sesshomaru was staring at him in puzzlement he quickly gathered his wandering thoughts. “I do apologize but it will take some time getting used to this sudden change in you. I do think that you are right in your assumption that it was Kagome he was after as was Inuyasha, and I agree that they both must have gotten quite a shock from her, as I smelled not only Naraku’s blood but Inuyasha’s as well. I think we should gather our strongest companions and set out to destroy the despicable coward once and for all.” Sesshomaru nodded at the wolf’s intelligence. “I feel inclined to agree. I would also like to assure you I am as well trying to accustom myself to my long forgotten emotions. It would seem a certain miko and I have a connection, something I would never have thought possible. Not only do we have a connection but also I find myself in love with her and am confused as to how to go about courting her. I would like to confide in you but what I would say could not leave this room” His eyes met Koga’s as he pondered how to voice what he wanted.


Deciding he would have to be blunt with the wolf he sighed in resignation and began his tale. “ When I first brought Kagome here I was encased in ice, however I found myself intrigued with her behavior and spirit, she did not bow down to me nor did she cower in fear. Instead she faced me head on, defying me with every breath. When Inuyasha showed up the night of the meeting he attacked and nearly killed her, I again found myself defending her from the hurt my idiot brother would cause. I was needless to say a little confused at my reaction towards the harm inflicted upon this girl and made an error in judgment. I placed trust in a man I thought my ally, a trust that he quickly ripped to shreds. I had noticed the looks he had given her and I pushed the nagging doubts trying to ignore the feelings of possessiveness and protection that she had stirred within me. Through my own lack of insight I allowed her to come to harm, harm no woman should ever have to experience. My retainer and former ally had raped her, while I had been in time to stop his marking of her I had not been in time to keep her from pain,” turning to face the window he continued “ I have never felt the rage I did in that moment, but I still tried to fight the feelings she has awoken inside this Sesshomaru... But I can’t fight them anymore indeed I grow weary of doing so. While others may consider me weak for these emotions I know in my heart to deny them is what would make that true.” Koga was stock still as his mind struggled to digest all this information at once. Kagome had been raped! That explained the pain and sorrow he had felt from her over the past week upon returning home. Then he mulled the fact that Sesshomaru had just confided in him as if he were a friend, no as if he were a brother. Deciding then and there that the rage he felt on what had happened was not for the one standing before him, instead he would save it for the one who had thought to take what had not been freely given. Now he nodded his head and addressed the bowed head of one he would like to consider as kin. “ Sesshomaru you must know that she will not blame you, her heart is too kind for that. Knowing Kagome as I do she probably doesn’t even harbor feelings of hatred towards the one who attacked her. I will say that I am honored that you have chosen to confide in me and I swear upon my life that what we have talked about will not be leaving this room. I don’t blame you either but I am not so forgiving of the one who caused the pain in her heart. I will be with you when you exact his final punishment and I would know his name.” His blue eyes flashed in anger at his last statement, he waited as the stoic lord faced him again and saw the icy fury in the golden depths as he spoke the name as if it were poison on his tongue. “Lord Kotaru of the South.” The wolf almost shivered at the familiar ice in his tone, but then smiled in anticipation as thoughts of the others torturous demise filled his mind. Yes Sesshomaru would not grant that one an easy death and he would be there to enjoy every minute of Kotaru’s pain.

Kikyo sat back to await Inuyasha’s arrival, she hoped he had slain the girl this time! After all she was tired of waiting for her soul, she was surprised then when he appeared covered in his own blood from his wounds. She took a step towards him as the fury ran over her. Could he not kill a mere slip of a girl? Damn but he was useless, she was pulled from her thoughts when his voice met her ears. “ You knew she was demon did you not? How could you send me into battle so unprepared for what I was to find?” Shocked at his statement she pondered what he had said, the girl was youkai? How? Why hadn’t she herself sensed this? She began to make her way towards him but stopped at the growl in his throat. His face mirrored the struggle in his soul when he faced her again, “why do I get the feeling I am not myself? When I was faced with Kagome all I could feel was the bloodlust welling up inside but now…now I want to kill you… I don’t understand.” She saw the bewildered look upon his face before he left her standing there. He had left her? Wait that shouldn’t be possible, the potion she had given him allowed her control over him. But he had turned and walked away without sending her a backwards glance. Pondering this she decided a second dose might be prudent on her part. She turned then and left the clearing by the bone eaters well herself, going back the way she came her soul stealers following quietly behind her.

Miroku looked up first in surprise, them in anger as Inuyasha approached Kaede’s. He could not forget what the hanyou had done to his newly made wife, his anger started to fade however when he saw what a wretched state his former friend was in. Against his better judgment he called for Kaede. Stepping out from her home she gasped at the sight of Inuyasha as he fell to the ground in front of her, “ Quickly child ye must needs help me get him inside!” She gripped his shoulders as Miroku gripped his feet silently thanking the kamis that Sango was bathing and nowhere near the small dwelling at this moment. He helped her place him on a mat and strip him of his haori and under shirt, he hissed in his breath at the putrid stench of the wound before him. It smelled of Naraku and burnt flesh, wondering where he had been to acquire such a wound he went to the well to gather the water Kaede would need to flush the wound.


Kaede stared down at the face contorted in pain; she could sense a miko’s work in the wound on his shoulder but knew it could not have come from the walking corpse that resembled her sister. No she would have surely finished the job, but if it hadn’t been her then who? She didn’t want to even consider the other possibility, Kagome was so pure of heart and soul she could not see her causing such pain in one of her dearest friends. She purged the puss and quickly grabbed the cloth from the water the monk had brought her. She then washed the dried blood around it and packed the herbs on it. She then dressed the wound in fresh linen and began cleaning and dressing the shallow gash upon his stomach, once she had finished with both she covered him up. Turning to the fire pit she brewed the tea she would need to take his pain away, once done and secured in a cup she had the monk prop him into a sitting position so she could force the liquid down his throat. She had him settled again on the futon and she motioned for the monk to follow her outside. “ What do ye think monk? From whence did he acquire such a wound? I must admit the wound could only have been caused by a miko. There was also a trace of poison there as well.” Miroku could only stare at the tree line in confusion, why would Inuyasha return here when he had to know he was not welcome? Not only that but also in so obvious a state of vulnerability. He turned back towards the hut and pondered the figure housed within. “ I do not know Kaede, but one thing is for sure he will have to answer a lot of questions once he starts to recover.” He then left her and made his way to Sango. She was just coming up the hill from the pond when he reached her, “ my love there is something I need to tell you.” He spoke quietly so as not to frighten her with the seriousness in his tone. “ What is it koi?” He wrapped his arms around her and breathed in her fresh scent as he told her of Inuyasha’s arrival and condition. He felt her stiffen in his arms and draw back. “ I know not why he came here or why he is wounded, I will however tell you that there is something wrong. I can feel a slight pull from him as if he were battling something inside of him and I do not like the evil that permeates his form. If Kaede’s herbs work when he awakens my suspicions will be confirmed only by him.”

Rin followed Shippo as they stood outside Seshomaru’s study, she didn’t think they should be listening but she was curious about the new person here. He looked like a wolf and while she was afraid of all wolves Seshomaru-sama seemed to trust him. Her eyes widened at her lord’s words, when he confided in the man, Koga was his name. It was about time her Sesshomaru-sama found a friend! She had been praying to the kami’s for one for him for a long time. He just seemed so lonely, and when she heard him say that Kagome-sama was to be his mate her eyes widened further and a grin split her cute features. Shippo just stared at her goofy grin and then realized he himself wore one as well. All of a sudden he heard Sesshomaru speak from inside. “You two might as well come in I know you have heard every word.” The door opened to reveal the two sheepish youngsters as they shuffled in. Rin was still grinning but had her face to the ground and said nothing. Finally Shippo had had enough of trying to remain silent, raising his green eyes to meet gold he spoke in a choked little voice, “ Sesshomaru-sama did you really mean it? Are you going to take my mother as your mate?” the little eyes let the tears fall as he watched the stoic lord nod his head in affirmation. Not caring that those around saw his moment of weakness he spoke again, this time from his heart. “ I am so glad she will finally have someone strong to take care of her! Kami knows I have tried but failed because of how weak I am,” he couldn’t stop the sobs or the shaking of his small frame and hurried to choke out the rest, “ it seems I will never be able to do anything but hide when there is danger. First my real parents, but I don’t think I could bear it were that to happen to her! Sesshomaru I would like to apologize for my words the other day I was angry and should not have laid the blame at your feet. Once I spoke with my Otou-san I realized how wrong it was for me to do so.” He quietly finished as the sobs began to wrack his tiny form. Rin could only look at him in sorrow wanting to wrap her arms around him but not sure if she should. Then Sesshomaru did something no one in all of Japan would have ever seen him do, he walked quietly over to the young kitsune and picked him up to cradle him in his arms, letting the boy sob into his chest for comfort. When the young ones eyes had slowed to a trickle and all he could hear was a sniffle every now and then he spoke. “My young one this Sesshomaru deserved your anger in my failure to protect your mother, I will never condemn you for speaking your mind and encourage you to do so more often. I do intend to take your mother for mate if she’ll have me, I just hope I have not done irreparable damage to her in my lack of judgment.” It was then that Rin ran to him and hugged him around his legs, crying silent tears of her own. “ Rin what is wrong?” She shook her head but didn’t answer; he bent to cradle her in the other arm now holding both to his chest. He lowered his eyes and gazed at the small girl in puzzlement and concern, it was then she looked up at him and he saw the smile on her lips. “This Rin is happy to see you so happy Sesshomaru-sama! You have been alone far too long and now you have a friend in Koga-sama and love in Kagome-sama, Shippo-chan, and me!” He could only smile back at his young ward as once again the long forgotten feeling of love swept through him. He loved these two pups even if they were not of his blood, and he knew Kagome did as well. Her heart was so pure, gentle, and loving he couldn’t see it any other way. Koga gazed at the picture they all made standing there and realized that what the young girl had said was correct; he had found a friend in Sesshomaru. Something he would never have thought possible in all his years.


It was then he realized why the girl looked so familiar, she had reminded him of Kagome at first but now he remembered the truth. Funny that he should find a friend outside of his clan and lose it in the same day. He silently cursed his fate but knew he would have to tell Sesshomaru; it was the only honorable thing to do. “ Sesshomaru I am sorry,” he said getting down on one knee he bowed his head in shame at his past, “but I am afraid I can not accept your friendship. I have done something terrible of which I must be held accountable for. You see it was my clan who attacked this girls village killing everyone within, and it was my wolves who attacked this girl.” He did not move just prayed to the kamis that his death would be swift and honorable. Sesshomaru saw red when the wolf had finished his statement but it was quickly dampened by Rins actions and words. Jumping down from his arm she placed her hands on Koga’s chin and lifted his eyes to her. “This Rin is not angry with you wolf. I have forgiven all, if you had not been in the village that day, if your wolves had not attacked this Rin then Sesshomaru-sama would never have revived me and I would not know the joy I do now.” Koga peered into her small face and wondered how one so young could have eyes as old and knowing as hers. It was no wonder he had thought her to resemble Kagome, this girl’s soul was identical to hers in nature. Then the wolf did something he had never done in his life, he cried and howled his gratefulness and sorrow for all to hear. He then hugged the young girl to him before quickly letting go and standing to face Sesshomaru once more, he was sure he had heard the lord growl earlier and thought that he might not be so forgiving in nature. When his blue eyes met gold he saw the wonder shining there at the girl, then forgiveness and acceptance when he face Koga once again.

Inuyasha awoke to the sound of a fire and stared around trying to get his bearings, he felt as if he had been whipped beyond an inch of his life. “Ka…..go….me” he was not surprised at the raspiness of his voice. It was then he realized he was at Kaede’s. Wait how did he get here? The last thing he remembered after his fight with Bankotsu was going to Kikyo and confirming his suspicions that she had been working with Naraku, he had told her he loved Kagome and no longer her…then he had grabbed her by the throat intending to release her spirit… but that was it. He didn’t remember Bankotsu getting a hit on his shoulder so why did it feel as if he did? His head turned to watch a wary Miroku and a fuming Sango enter the hut. “ What is wrong?” Sango opened her mouth to reply but the houshi cut her off. Inuyasha was surprised at this; normally she would never have listened to the hentai monk. So what was going on? “Inuyasha what happened to you?” He looked at the houshi as if he had sprouted horns and replied albeit weakly, but still in Inuyasha fashion. “What do you mean what happened? You were there! You saw me fight that bastard Bankotsu! I don’t remember him getting my shoulder though…where is Kagome?” He looked at the monk and saw the shock, disbelief, and then confusion pass his features before he masked them. “ So you do not remember anything past that point?” Of course he did but he didn’t want to mention Kikyo just in case Sango didn’t let him finish and bonked him on the head in his weakened state. “I remember one other thing but you can’t let Sango near me until I am done telling you!” Miroku turned to her and she nodded, she gave Inuyasha a hard glare but made no move. “ I saw Kikyo. I told her that I knew she had been working with Naraku and that I would no longer love her, that I loved Kagome. She aid something insulting and I meant to kill her but…I don’t remember anything after that.” By this time Kaede’ entered the hut and had heard everything. “ Ah so it would be as I have thought then. Hmmmm….. most interesting.” “What is it you old hag? Stop mumbling and staring and spit it out why don’t you!” She merely stared off a little longer before speaking. “ Do ye know of the potion known as the hand of evil?”

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