Unworthy One

**Not for Kikyou Lovers! This story contains violence, sexual content and rape! You are WARNED**

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor any of the associated characters. But it ain't because I don't want or wish to do so.

***WARNING....RAPE IN THIS CHAPTER***


Chapter 17 - Celebrating Freedom of From Old Burdens...


For a time, the weather held back, and travel was not to hard. She had done a lot of walking over the past four and a half years, and it was something that she was accustomed to doing. It might have been pleasant, had it not been for the pain that still gripped her throat, and the circumstances that now left her wandering to only the kami (gods) knew where, with nothing but the clothing on her back, and the blanket that had been the hanyou's last gift to her.

The hanyou who had once loved her, promised to protect her from Naraku, offered to be there for her so many times, tried to help her and now who had banished her. She had wandered in the direction of the animal trail that Inuyasha had pointed out to her, hoping to find a nearby village. Unfortunately, that was not to be. She no longer had her powers, and her Shinidama Chuu were no longer even in existence. Kikyou was stuck traveling like any ordinary ningen.

Things got a lot worse when the storm hit. She had not been able to find shelter before hand, and the best she could do was harbor in the shelter of some overlarge gnarled roots beneath an aged old oak. It provided some shelter from the wind, but not from the rain. By morning's first light, she was soaked to the skin and shivering like she had never known possible.

Many hours later, tired and dragging the blanket that she carried with her, she stumbled in exhaustion and fell. She stayed where she fell, not caring that it was in the mud.

She heard a noise, and only had time to raise her head before she was grabbed from behind by strong arms, and clawed hands. She immediately recognized the hands belonging to a youkai, but it was not until he had stripped her of her only set of clothes and forced her to the muddy ground that she realized it was a lizard youkai.

He grabbed her breasts in his claws, puncturing the tender flesh. She tried to fight him off, but as she had spent much of her existence relying on powers that had been Nature's gift, and which she now no longer had, she was more helpless than she could ever remember. He was much more powerful than she was, and easily clasped both of her hands in one of his own, and wrenched them up until he had them pinned to the ground just above her head.

He leaned down, and grabbed one of her now bleeding breast in his fang filled mouth, and sucked hard pulling the abused and tender flesh far into his mouth, reveling in the blood that oozed from the wounds his claws had inflicted. With his free hand, he raked the claws down her side and over her belly, until he reached her thigh. He violently parted her legs with his knee, and grabbed one of her legs bringing it up to rest over his shoulder, almost pulling her hip from its socket.

"Hmmmmmm! Fresh meat," was his rumble, as he plunged viciously into her, taking an innocence that she didn't think she had. The pain was excruciating, and the beast that was taking her relished in her pain and the smell of her blood. He pounded harder and faster, driving deeper and deeper into her hot, dry core, as her blood spirited down his legs. Having sucked to his own satisfaction on the one breast, he readily took the other just as the first.

Her voice gone, she didn't even have the satisfaction of screaming. Her vocal cords no longer existing in her still sore and now damaged throat. She writhed and squirmed, not realizing that her actions only incited the beast all the more. He pulled from her quickly and grabbed her by the hips, throwing her over onto her stomach. He pulled her legs apart again, positioning himself behind her, and pulling her by her hips back, as he thrust violently and hard forward driving his overwhelming girth and length back into her torn and bleeding passage.

"Such a good bitch," he gloated and laughed. "So tight, and hot. If you were a youkai, I might be inclined to claim you. But for now, you are just a bit of relief, wench. Hmmm hmmm hmmm."

He grabbed her by her hair and yanked her head back, until he could reach her mouth, and roughly took her breath in his own unwelcomed kiss. His vile tongue reaching far into the back of her mouth, almost gagging her as he tasted every corner there.

He slammed hard and deep into her core, feeling his own release pending. His seed filling her womb, hot, sticky, and almost burning. Still holding onto her hair, he shifted his still swollen member, until he felt her rear passage beneath his touch. She squirmed a new, and tried to crawl away from the impending pain of his assault, but alas it was all for nothing. He grabbed her hips, digging his claws deep into her flesh until he met bone. Then rammed her back, as he pushed forward, slamming his hardened member deep into her tight, dry, untried passage. Through it all, she could only scream in silence, unable to voice the pain she felt.

New blood bathed his legs, and his glee seemed to escalate with his lust. He didn't care whether she had her knees under her. He only pounded harder as each thrust pushed her further into the mud beneath them.

He was in heat, mating season was here. It was spring, and with it most of the youkai, especially the lesser ones, gave in to their lustful desires, some eagerly, others whether they wanted to or not. This lizard youkai happened to be one of the ones who sought his relief eagerly and was not picky about his choice of partner.

When he had spent himself in her tight, hot rear, he roughly threw her back over onto her back and rammed his still aroused flesh into her mouth. His lust knew no bounds, and reveled in taking her as often and as much as the long day and even longer night allowed for the run of his season of need.

When dawn finally broke the horizon, it found a mud covered Kikyou bleeding from several wounds, none of which serious enough to be life threatening, and most of which coming from the various acts of the lust blinded youkai. Her clothes were gone, and all she had left was the blanket that Inuyasha had given her before the group had banished her.

Where the strength came from, she never knew, but she managed to pull herself out of the mud, and as luck would have it, the first place she stumbled upon was a small, but serviceable hot spring in a secluded area. She staggered to the pool, noting almost absently that there was sufficient herbs and wild plants growing in the warmth provided by the hot springs to help her to clean herself up.

Tears streamed down her face, as she remembered the night's events, and tried to scrub away the tainted feeling that seemed to cover her body. It was bad enough that she had been brutally raped, but what bothered her the most was that a being of youkai blood had taken her. Her only consolation, as she saw it, was that she was not in her cycle and would not become further tainted by the offspring of such dirty blood.

She spent two days near the spring. There was sufficient water for her to both drink and bathe, and she was able to clean and dry the blanket that was her sole possession. She would rather have stayed longer, but with no food, and not knowing how to catch any of the abundant game in the area, she was forced to venture forth in the hopes of running into someone who could provide her further aid, or to hope that she could get to a village and soon.

She lucked out two days latter, as she lay beneath a tree, exhausted and sure that she could not go further. A small wagon came down the small road, she had stumbled upon quite by chance, with a young man and his wife, who happened to be traveling in the direction she was going, stopped and offered her what aid they could.

The woman treated Kikyou's wounds, and her husband gave the ex-priestess his under haori to better clothe herself. The woman recognized the nature of the injuries, and while she was not able to tell what kind, she was sure that the injured woman had been raped by a youkai. She pulled her husband aside and let her know of her findings.

For his part, he recognized the woman's face once she had been cleaned up. His family had been in a thriving village that had once been prosperous, until the vile Naraku had passed through and decided that he had use for the inhabitants. What he left behind was a shadow of its former glory and the dying bodies of those who had once called the small community home.

Kikyou, as he recalled the woman's name, had chosen about that time to pass through what was left of the village. The man had been one of the few to survive nearly unscathed by Naraku's attentions, but he was only 15 and acknowledgeable in the ways of the world beyond his home. He didn't know any healing, and all of those in the village who did know such skills, had been killed early on, Naraku not wanting to leave someone behind that might be useful.

A number of children and the hand full of near adults that had survived, saw the undead priestess passing by, and like anyone in desperate need, they had begged her for her assistance for the few adults who were alive, but barely. She had looked at them all coldly, and briefly glanced that the dying adults with an almost bored expression on her face.

She had then refused to help the crying children in their time of need, saying that she had neither the time to be bothered, nor did she care of they either lived or died. It was sometime later that the young man learned that by then the once revered priestess had given herself willingly to the vile beast that had destroyed his home. Not only given herself to him, but had also assisted him by betraying those who had set out to try to stop him.

The young couple gave Kikyou enough help to get her to the first village they came to, but beyond that they neither tried to help or hinder whatever happened to her. The young man told her of the last time he had seen her, and told her that while he would not bring himself to be as low as she was by not bringing her to where she could find means to support her needs, he would not offer her more aid than honour demanded.

The first community that they came to, they dropped her off with the village monk and continued on their own journey leaving her to her own ends. The young man made it known to the monk, not only who she was, but how they had found her. Unfortunately for Kikyou, small tight knit communities have big ears and it was soon widely known who she was and that she had been touched by tainted blood.

While she was not treated badly, she was not treated well, and she could tell she was not welcome in the small village. They barely gave her enough to eat, let her stay for a time in a run down shack at the edge of town, and provided her with a set of clothes to better cover herself. She was told, however, that she would be expected to pay for the things she was given, and from that day on, Kikyou began to learn what it meant to have an 'ordinary life'.

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With the rise of the sun on the second day at the cave, the odd mix of companions stirred and began a new and eventful day. Breakfast was quickly and readily prepared, things were packed for the journey to come, and the last remnants of their stay at the cave were being cleaned up.

Earlier, Sango and Kirara had taken Mayuki back to her own home. This made it easier for the group to pack everything up so that the doragon (dragon) youkai, and the neko youkai could ferry their possessions and their passengers on their trip.

While Sango was gone, Kaede with Rin's help, took care of changing the poultices on Kagome's feet. The worst of the damage was healing nicely, but the tender new flesh still needed a lot of time. All of the other injuries were well healed, even the scars were gone, except for the puncture wound in her shoulder. Even it was looking so much better, and Kaede figured that it too, would be all but gone in just a few more days.

It was decided that their first destination was to go to Inuyasha' Forest and the village they had all come to think of as home. The old miko needed to get back to those who also needed her skills, the others wanted to bring the news of Naraku's defeat to their humble community, and Kagome, Inuyasha, and Sesshomaru wanted to see if the old well still worked.

Though heavily laden, neither Ah-Un, nor Kirara protested their burdens. It was a happy group returning home. Home where all that they had been through had begun. Sesshomaru's youki cloud provided a smooth ride for him to sit and hold Kagome in his lap, protected from the cold by the ever present warm furs, letting her sleep while they flew between the doragon (dragon) and the neko (cat). A red blur could be seen through the trees, racing full tilt along below them all, as they made their way home.

Having left early, they arrived by a little after the sun reached its zenith. The odd group of travelers was readily greeted by the village sentry and many of the villagers, who had come not only to accept Inuyasha and his small group, but the strange Miko who had come to mean so much to them over the last five years.

At first seeing the Youkai Lord, set them all on edge, but with Kaede's and Inuyasha's reassurance all settled down and made even the Taiyoukai feel welcome, though it was difficult to tell by the expression on his stoic face. With the news of Naraku's defeat the entire village came pouring out. They all had to congratulate the rag tag group for their long and hard earned success.

The village Head Master and his Mistress, were soon seated and given the details of the group's past two weeks, and in short order the entire village was a buzz with the news, the tale, and preparing a feast of celebration. Several of the village hunters had been quite successful the day before, in bringing down a deer and a few of the village children had managed quite a haul of fish from the nearby river. Apples, and other vegetables that had been stored for the winter in the fashion of the times, were readily hauled out to add to the celebration, and the best bakers in the village soon had breads galore baking on their hearths to round out the intended feast.

Kagome was waited on hand and foot. Nothing was too good for the selfless little Miko from the future. She was a bit embarrassed by all of the attention, especially being somewhat independent, but as weak as she was, she had little choice and let the villagers have their way. She felt a little better about the attention, when Kaede pointed out that to the villagers, this was their way of saying thanks and celebrating the group's victory over the vile hanyou.

The villagers, having learned of her ordeal, were considerate of her health and condition. Several of the village carpenters, getting wind of this, soon had a palanquin made up, and their wives decked it out in the finest fabrics that the village could find. There were more volunteers than anyone could count prepared to carry the little Miko anywhere she wanted to go, once the beautifully make carrier was presented to the small group.

Kagome felt like royalty with all of the treatment she was getting, and though she didn't let it go to her head, she did smile warmly and Shippo, who had set himself up, with Rin's help as his mama's spokes person, made sure that everyone knew how much Kagome appreciated their efforts.

A number of the village women converged on Kaede and Sango in the late afternoon. There was a much whispered and serious discussion, and soon the women left, dragging Sango with them, leaving a smiling Kaede to tend to other needs.

Kagome was in Kaede's hut, taking a much needed nap, Sesshomaru sitting nearby, not out of a need to rest, but just to be close by, making sure that she got the rest she needed, and to appease his Youkai's desire to protect his mate, and pup. He was not a big one for crowds, but he understood what was going on, and knew that it meant a lot to his mate. While he preferred a more serene setting, he would not deny her the festivities, especially as this was an important celebration to everyone, and only further helped her regain her confidence in herself.

Kagome had just awakened, the sun just kissing the western horizon, when Rin and Shippo came bounding into the hut, to let Kagome and Sesshomaru know that there was several villagers that wanted to see Kagome. Sesshomaru lifted and carried the little Miko out of the hut, only to find a dozen men and women standing outside, the newly made palanquin currently resting on the ground, awaiting its passenger, decked out in the richest forest green fabric that Kagome had ever seen, and piled around the couch of the carrier was the thickest and warmest furs that the village women could get their hands on.

With something of an air of mystery, Sesshomaru reluctantly agreed to let the villagers encourage him to seat himself and his mate on the couch of the palanquin. The women soon had Kagome warmly wrapped in the furs, and before they knew it, four of the strongest of the village men were lifting the device to their shoulders and heading into Inuyasha's Forest.

It was not a long trip, for which the Youkai Lord was grateful. It was hard to trust those you were not familiar with, but he reminded himself that these were Kagome's friends and they were not out to harm his mate, or pup. They were just out to help her to enjoy the celebration end of the evil Naraku's reign of terror.

Soon the palanquin was set down, and the villagers were careful to pull only the curtains on one side open. When they did, Kagome and Sesshomaru saw that the women, who had visited Kaede earlier that day, had put together a wonderful place for Kagome and Sesshomaru to enjoy the evenings festivities, while being comfortable and warm.

There at the base of the Goshinbuko, a spoke that had become so much more than just a symbol, the village women had arranged a partial tent, that opened outward, while its back was against the gnarled old roots of the old matriarch of Inuyasha's Forest. Underneath the protective shelter, furs had been arranged to provide comfortable seating for Kagome and Sesshomaru to sit.

Sesshomaru carried Kagome over to the provide space, and set her down comfortably in the warmth of the gathered furs, and then seated himself next to her. Though it didn't show on his face, Sesshomaru was amazed at how readily the villagers accepted him as a part of his brother's group. He was equally surprised that they all accepted the fact that Kagome was his mate, and didn't seem to hold it against her at all, nor that she was carrying his pup. News that had traveled around the village almost as fast as the news of Naraku's defeat.

With the two comfortably and warmly situated, the bearers carried away the palanquin, only to reveal to the Taiyoukai and his mate, a huge bond fire nearby, and a feast fit for royalty laid out nearby. Entertainment abounded in the telling of stories, singing, even a bit of dancing. Kagome hardly had to lift a finger for anything. Between Rin, Shippo, and Sesshomaru, her every need was met. Food and drink was always at her finger tips, and a helping hand to make sure that she didn't want for anything.

On one side of the small shelter by the tree, a reposing Ah-Un lay, and on the opposite side reclined Kirara. It made for a most impressive picture, especially with Sango, Miroku and even Inuyasha seated just in front and a bit lower down than Kagome and Sesshomaru.

Nearby a small pile was forming. It was gifts from the villagers and friends of the group. Their way of saying thank you to everyone there, and to offer their blessings to Kagome, Sesshomaru and their unborn child.

By nightfall, lanterns abounded around the old tree, and the celebration launched into new vigor. The village runners had obviously gotten word to other nearby communities, for soon people were pouring in from all over the region, bringing their own contributions to the group to help celebrate. It was a happy and joyous time for everyone, and while Kagome spent almost as much time sleeping as she did awake, she still was able to enjoy most of the festivities.

From the look of things, the celebrating would be running for at least a week, just to give everyone that was still just learning of the news time to make an appearance and to help the happy group take joy in their victory.

It was about mid-morning the next day that the small group decided to try the old well. They could not be sure that it would work at all, but they had to try. Sesshomaru hid well his anxiety. Would it let Kagome pass through? If it did, would it let her come back? If not, what would he do without the mate and pup that was rapidly becoming the most important things in his life?

He didn't let it show, for he didn't want to hurt her feelings. Nor did he let anyone know that in his heart, he hoped it would not work. She was his mate, bound to him for life, just as he was bound to her. The unfamiliar ache in his chest, at the thought of her leaving him forever, was almost too much to bare. Although he knew that it would not truly be forever, still, the idea of having to find a way to survive for 500 years, just be be reunited with his mate and child was more than he wanted to even think about. So for now, he forced those images to the back of his mind, and refused to let them surface unless it became necessary to accept them.

As it was known, that only Inuyasha and Kagome could pass through the time barrier, Sesshomaru reluctantly permitted Inuyasha to take Kagome from the warmth of his arms. It felt like the hardest thing he had ever done, and he fought back hard the raging of his blood beast to keep from holding her in a vice like grip that none could break. She needed this. She needed to know if she could still see her family. Without it, there would be no closure for her, no moving forward with her life, whether with or without him beside her. Forcing back the urge to howl his hidden anguish to the heavens, he carefully handed Kagome over the to arms of his hanyou little brother, and made himself step back to give them room to jump into the old well.

Kagome was anxious herself. On the one hand, she so wanted to see her mother, brother, and Ojii-san. She wanted to let them know she was alright that the Jewel was completed, and Naraku defeated. She wanted to tell her mother that Sesshomaru was her mate, and that she was with child. More than anything she just wanted, needed to be with her mother at least one last time. But she was also afraid that the well would work. What if she could not come back? Would Sesshomaru wait all of those years for her, and come back to her in her own time? What of their child? How would she raise their pup, if Sesshomaru could not be there? Five hundred years was almost an eternity, and a lot could happen in that length of time.

Inuyasha was just as anxious and for all of the same reasons. Just as his brother, he both hoped it would work, while praying that it would not. Kagome's family had been the first people to accept him for who and what he was. They didn't ask him to be something he was not, nor expect him to be other than he was. They had welcomed him with open arms, and opened their home to him like he was a member of the family. But the thought that he, too, might not get to see Kagome again, was almost too much to bare.

"Let's go Inuyasha," Kagome whispered, "before I can lose heart and change my mind about trying."

She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the look in Sesshomaru's eyes, or the expressions of worry, hope, and fear on the faces of her friends. Inuyasha gripped her tightly to his chest, and closing his own eyes, leaped into the well.


**Not for Kikyou Lovers! This story contains violence, sexual content and rape! You are WARNED**

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor any of the associated characters. But it ain't because I don't want or wish to do so.


Chapter 18 - Homeless and Trying to Stake a Claim...

She had been in the village now, for almost two weeks. Her back ached, fingers bled and her once elegant nails were long since broken. Dirt seemed to be permanently crusted into every crack and crevice of her hands, but she was not afforded the luxury that she once had of time to bathe in the nearby stream on the edge of the village.

It had taken much of the first week, for her to heal enough from the remaining wounds she had suffered from the attack of the youkai, for Kikyou to be able to work in the nearby rice fields. With spring well under way, it was that time of the year, when the fields were prepared, and planted for the first crop of the season. Even after she had healed enough to make it to the fields, she was laughed at for her lack of experience in doing the long, tedious and back breaking labor.

By the end of the second week, she was sore, half starved, and exhausted. The one set of clothing that she had been given was torn, and already thread bare. It had not been the best quality available, and she lacks the means and skill for fixing the damage to the garment as the need arose.

A small group of the local villagers came knocking on the door of the ramshackle hut, on the extreme edges of the village. It was all that they would offer her as shelter, not wanting to have it known that the once dead priestess Kikyou was even living near their community. She answered the door, only to find the monk, village head man, and a number of the community sentry, were all standing somewhat warily of even being near her, let alone having to take the time to talk to her.

The monk cleared his throat. He was the spokes person for the little group, being the only one who had the courage to even speak to the woman that had once brought so much fear into the lives of so many. "How are you tonight, Kikyou?" he asked, more as a way to start the conversation, than as an act of courtesy.

Kikyou knew this, and could see that fear, anxiety, and hatred that all of the men, except for the old monk, held in their eyes.

"Cut the civilities. You didn't come to offer your words of kindness," she growled.

"As you wish," spoke the monk. "We have come, as I am sure that you can guess, to inform you that you have until dawn to leave our community. You are not welcome here, and the rumours of your past deeds will only bring bad luck to our village."

"But that is ludicrous," she spat, her temper not helping her situation at all. The sentries took a firmer grip on their swords not wanting to take any chances that the 'dark miko' would cast a curse on them or their community. "I no longer even have the powers I once had, and I have done nothing this past week to bring harm to anyone. Where will I go? I have nothing, even to survive, with the exception of the few paltry things you have seen fit to give me. Even those, I have worked to earn."

"Many of the women are convinced that you bring evil with you, and whether you do or not, is immaterial. It is believed that anything you touch is cursed and will only bring harm and darkness to those who are nearby. It is what everyone believes, and to be honest with your past reputation preceding you," the monk stated firmly, "no amount of persuasion on my part will convince them otherwise. It is only because I have vouched for you, that you have been permitted to stay this long."

The village headman, final got up the courage to speak to the ex-priestess himself. "Here," he said, casting a small bundle at her, "We are generous enough to give you one more set of clothing, but that is all we can spare. If you are here when the sun rises, orders have been given to kill you."

With that being said, the group of men turned and left that unwelcome ex-priestess to her own designs. They didn't care if she chose to burn the shack down, as long as she left. Hell, once she was gone, they would burn it down themselves. No one would want to keep the tainted hut around any more after she stayed here. It would be burnt down, and the ground cleansed and blessed to purify any evil she brought with her by just being here.

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He was tired. More tired than he could remember being for along time. But then, the pack healer had been telling him that he needed more time to heal, and that he would feel weaker than he had gotten used to over the last four and a half years.

Kouga had not realized how used to having the shards of the Shikon no Tama in his legs, he had become. That is until Naraku sent Kagura and the young taijiya youth to remove them from him. He had fought with everything he had, but in the end, it had made no difference. Out of impatience, Naraku had finally shown his face at the last moment, bound Kouga in his poisonous tentacles, and literally dug out the shards with claws that dripped thickly with his vile miasma.

That had been more than three weeks ago, and had it not been for Ginta and Hakkaku, who were always following their Prince everywhere, finally catching up to him, Kouga might have died that day, just from the blood loss and the poison in the torn and ripped muscles of his legs. As a youkai, he was fortunate that his legs would heal fully and he was even up and about a week later. Even now, three weeks after the incident, he was able to run, but only at about half of the speed he was so used to, and even then only for short distances.

'Chikuso (damn) you Naraku!' he cursed for probably the millionth time. If he could find a way, he would make that filthy baka pay for the pain, blood shed, and aggravation of it all.

Thinking of Naraku, brought thoughts of the Shikon no Kakkera. Thoughts of the jewel shards, brought thoughts of inukuso. Thoughts of dog-shit, brought thoughts of his woman. All in a round about way, it all came to mean he was long over due to pay his beloved a visit and see if that baka excuse of an inu hanyou was taking proper care of his woman.

With those thoughts in mind, Kouga had started out on a journey to the village near Inuyasha's Forest, with the intent of seeing how his woman was faring. The downside, is that was more than a week ago, and it would be another day before he got there. Kuso (shit), he hated feeling so weak and it taking him this long to get somewhere, that he could have been in only three days, if it were not for his having gotten way to used to using those accursed jewel shards.

Ginta, and Hakkaku were traveling with him, although knowing that Kouga was not in the best of moods, they tended to remain quiet. He had suffered a great deal of pain and his injuries had been very bad, but the same stubbornness of their Prince was what made him a good and strong leader. It also, made him difficult to deal with at times like these.

Deciding that he wanted to at least be well rested when he got to the village, Kouga, much to Ginta and Hakkaku's relief announced around sunset that they would be camping for the night. Several of the pack ookami were traveling with the ookami youkai, and during the day had managed to flush out a couple of brace of quail. A warm fire, and a good meal did much to improve Kouga's attitude, and they sat in companionable silence for a while after they had finished eating.

A sudden noise set them all on immediate edge and before the source of the noise could be spotted, the three youkai was on their feet and in defensive stances. With a sigh of relief, they all eased their guard when a runner came into view traveling the nearby trail. They have forgotten that they were on one of the more common and well traveled roads, as a result the unexpected appearance of the runner had caught them off guard.

The runner was happy to share his news, in exchange for a meal and night's rest with in the safe company of the ookami youkai. So it was with complete and total shock that Kouga learned that his most hated enemy was not just gone, but had been purified to hell, along with all of his minions and offspring.

The runner didn't have all of the details and specifics, but he was able to tell them that all of the Inu pack had died in the last battle, with the exception of the young Miko, who had traveled with him. As the runner was not from the village near Inuyasha's Forest, he was not privy to the more accurate information, and failed to note that the pack members were all alive. But he was able to inform the by now stunned Kouga that the little Miko was in the village, healing from her injuries incurred in the battle, and that she was mated to Inuyasha's brother Sesshomaru, Taiyoukai of the Western Lands.

"NANI?????" screamed a now rabid Ookami Youkai Prince. "Kagome is MATED???? MY WOMAN HAS BEEN CLAIMED BY WHO?????"

Wisely, Ginta and Hakkaku along with the ookami stepped back, and lay or bowed in submissive postures. It was the safest thing that they could do, what with an now enraged and red eyed Kouga on what was obviously a war path. By chance the runner, fell to the ground, and luckily it was enough to appease the youkai so that he was not immediately attacked on the spot.

Within seconds, Kouga was off and running, his earlier tiredness completely forgotten. Nothing was going to stop him or get in the way of his rescuing his woman from inukuso's wretched brother. She was his, and damn it, he was going to claim her. Following a short distance behind, was Ginta, Hakkaku and the ookami.

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It had been a long day. The in flow of visitors pouring in from other villages were getting larger, almost by the hour. What had started as a trickle the night before, was almost a full fledge traffic jam by mid-afternoon. The celebration that had begun the day before continued long into the night, and showed no signs of slowing down even with the approach of a new night.

It had not been all happiness and delight for the Inu-pack. Their efforts to use the old well that morning had been for nothing. They had tried for over an hour to see if the well would let Kagome and/or Inuyasha through. But apparently it had sealed up just and unexpectedly has it had opened five long years ago.

Of course, this had saddened the little Miko, and rightfully so. But her friends and mate didn't allow her time to wallow in her sorrow. They all admitted to her, that on some level they were sad that she could not see her family for a long time, but in the long course of it, they were glad that she could stay in Sengoku Jidai with them. As they told her, she still had family, just a bigger and more diverse one.

It took a bit of doing, but they finally managed to cheer her up, especially when Inuyasha and Sesshomaru reminded her that being bound as she now was to Sesshomaru, she would get to see her mother, brother, and Ojii-san again one day. It was a long wait, but it still cheered her more than she had thought that it would.

The group saw to it that Kagome spent much of the day resting. She would need to get plenty of it for some while yet. With as much blood as she had lost, being so seriously injured and on top of all of that being with pup, it was best that she get plenty of rest and lots of fluids. The fluids were the least of their concerns, as not only was there plenty of that to go around, it seemed that everyone who caught sight of her without a mug of tea, juice or water nearby, immediately made sure that one was present and full.

The villagers made sure that every new visitor was aware that the little Miko needed rest, and that they would not allow her to over exert herself even for the benefit of all who came by to see the Miko who had finally defeated Naraku. With the intimidating presence of the Youkai Lord, and the threatening glower of protective Inuyasha, all of those visiting respected the young onna's need for privacy and rest.

Still, as the sun once again began to kiss the western horizon, a palanquin was once again found being carried to the comfortable seating arranged by the Goshinbuko. In truth Kagome found it heartwarming that the defeat of Naraku seemed to touch so many lives. That she had a part in helping to rid their world of his evil, made her feel better about herself than she had thought possible.

By now the tale of the final battle had managed to become a tale of how she had stood alone, sword (she had no idea where that came from) in hand, as she single handedly defended all of her friends and destroyed every youkai that Naraku could throw at her. By the time this new version of the story made it to her ears, she was laughing so hard, the tears were streaming down her face.

The nights festivities were well underway. Lamps lit, food galore, stories and songs abound. The gifts from far off villages continued to pile high, and everyone, even Inuyasha was having a good time. Miroku was in his glory. With so many beautiful women around, his silver tongue graced many a feminine ear, and his wandering hand, graced many a soft and willing curve during all of the celebrating that was going on.

Of course, Sango was more than aware of this, but surprised everyone when she didn't seem to let it bother her in the slightest. It left an unanswered question hanging in the air, but no one felt the need to approach the Taijiya and asked what was on her mind.

A visiting noble from one of the regions larger communities was currently paying homage to the Inuyasha group, and most especially to the little Miko and the Taiyoukai. Greetings were made, and pleasantries exchanged, when a sudden whirlwind of commotion brought immediate silence to the entire area.

Kagome could feel the approach of a powerful and familiar youkai, accompanied by two others. Before she could whisper the name, Inuyasha was up, Tetsusaiga in hand, as were Sango and Miroku. But none were as fast as Sesshomaru, who was in the blink of an eye standing before his mate in a protective stance, his hand on Toukijin.

Even the village guard took up a stance of protection for the Miko from the future. Any who were visiting and had warrior skills soon joined them, realizing that there was a clear and present threat to the safety of a highly respected Miko. This show of force was not something that Kouga expected, nor did he expect to see Inuyasha and his group standing between him and his woman.

"Why are you alive, Inukuso?" Kouga growled. Ginta and Hakkaku stood behind him, but both did their best to show that they were not getting involved in this fight. "I had heard that you were killed by Naraku."

"Feh, wolf breathe! The rumours of our demise were not exaggerated," stated Inuyasha standing proudly, but alert and wary. "What do you want, Kouga? As if we can't all guess."

Despite the barrier of protective warriors between him and Kagome, Kouga could just see her sitting against the Goshinbuko behind everyone. She was overly pale, and looked like she had not only lost a lot of weigh, but as though she had suffered a lot, recently.

"What have you done to my woman, dog breathe?" he demanded in anger and rage.

"We have done nothing, Kouga," stated Sango, Hiraikotsu in hand and ready to fly. "She is recovering from the injuries she suffered at the hands of Naraku. She doesn't need your posturing in her condition. If you cannot behave, we will have to insist that you leave."

"Who are you to believe that you can stop me from taking what is mine?" he demanded of the group as a whole, although he kept his eye on Inuyasha.

At this statement, Sesshomaru took a step forward, "She is not yours, Ookami Prince. Leave before you regret your behavior." At his words, even Ah-Un and Kirara stood in further defense of Kagome.

Ginta and Hakkaku seeing this, knew that Kouga was making a big mistake. This was not good. "Kouga, perhaps we should do as they say," said Ginta.

"Yeah, Kouga! We really should just settle down or leave," Hakkaku agreed with Ginta.

"Shut up, you sniveling cowards. Run if you do not want to stay," Kouga growled to his pack brothers, keeping his attention now on both Inuyasha, and Sesshomaru. "I am not leaving here without Kagome, and nothing you do or say will stop me from claiming my woman."

With that, Kouga suddenly lunged forward with the intent of maiming anyone who stood in his way. Of course Inuyasha was the first one on his list. He knew that Inuyasha expected him to rush straight for him, so instead Kouga feinted him out, by rushing toward the Taijiya and the houshi first.

Seeing that he was aiming away from him, Inuyasha lunged forward to intercept the Ookami Prince. Had Kouga been actually aiming for the Taijiya and the houshi, Inuyasha's move would have easily taken him down. Unfortunately, he found Kouga had suddenly veered right for him, kicked out with his foot and caught Inuyasha's arm in an unexpected blow. It happened that this was the arm of the hand that held Tetsusaiga, and as the blow struck his arm, the inescapable reflex was for his hand to loosen its grip.

The sword flew skyward, as Kouga once again launched himself at his adversaries. He had used the momentum that he had started with, to kick off of Inuyasha's arm, almost as soon as his foot had hit its target. This sent him right back at the houshi, who ducked to roll to the side, and the Taijiya, who didn't have more than enough time to lift Hiraikotsu in preparation for throwing.

Just as with Tetsusaiga, Hiraikotsu was also launched skyward, and as fate would have it, both were coming down, fast. Unfortunately, they were not coming down to land safely to empty earth, but by chance were coming down on either side of the Goshinbuko, where Rin and Shippo had been standing out of the way with Kirara and Ah-Un.

The collective gasp that ran through everyone watching was the only signal to the combatants that something was seriously amiss. Before anyone could do more than turn their heads, a flare of power filled the entire area with a bright white light blinding everyone. Kouga only had time to see that he was aimed feet first right for Sesshomaru, before he felt himself gripped none to gently by the throat, held suspended in the air just inches from his intended target. The bright flare died back a little, now lighting the air like the sun at midday.

But that was not what finally got his attention. What really made him gasp, not just for air, was the fact that no one was holding him, and on his left was a hovering Hiraikotsu, and on his right Tetsusaiga, still remarkably fully transformed and just like himself, no one apparently holding either weapon.

A loud, clear, angry, and commanding voice filled the entire clearing, and half of the forest at that moment.

"No more! Your carelessness has put the lives of my pup and my daughter in danger," came the message. Kouga could not see who it was that was speaking, and while the voice sounded familiar, he could not quite place it for the very strength of the power that backed it. He was still being held by his throat, but found that he was able to breathe even if he could not speak.

Who was holding him? Who had that kind of power? Who in the Seven Levels of Hell was doing this? He saw, out of the corner of his eyes, Ginta and Hakkaku come up to stand on either side of him. Sango ran up to stand beside Hiraikotsu, and Inuyasha did the same for Tetsusaiga. Neither immediately touched their respective weapons, just stood waiting, but Kouga could not understand what for.

"If you wish to stay," came that voice, "and enjoy the hospitality offered, you are welcome here. But you will not be permitted to harm anyone. Do you understand this?"

"Kouga," spoke up Ginta, staring beyond Sesshomaru and shaking in fear, and awe. Kouga could see that Hakkaku was doing the same thing. "You have better listen. You really do not want to mess around here."

"I...am....not...leaving...without.....Kagome.." sputtered Kouga around the tight hold on his throat.

"You had better listen, Kouga," said Hakkaku. "This is not something you can or even want to deal with."

Sesshomaru knew what was happening without even turning around. He was glad that he didn't smell any blood, but he knew that this had to end and soon, as Kagome's health could not handle the strain being demanded of it at the moment for long, and there was serious risk to the pup she bore.

"Kit," called out Sesshomaru, his voice commanding everyone's attention. When Shippo bounded up to Sesshomaru, he nodded to the little kitsune, knowing that the kit understood what he needed him to do.

Kouga watched as Shippo disappeared from his limited range of view, behind the Taiyoukai, who still stood between him and Kagome. The Taiyoukai turned his attention to Kouga, and even as he watched, the Youkai Lord sheathed his powerful youkai sword. Sesshomaru looked Kouga right in the face as he spoke.

"Understand Princeling that you hold no claim on anything or anyone here," he spoke calmly, although his tone brooked no argument on the matter. "Feel the force that binds you right now, yet no hands hold you. See how the same power that binds you, also holds the two weapons on either side of you."

Kouga could hear Shippo behind Sesshomaru, and could tell that the worried kit was talking to Kagome. But the words didn't make a lot of sense to the Ookami Prince.

"Mama," he heard the kitsune saying, "you need to let Kouga go now. Onegai, mama! The fighting has stopped now, and Rin and I are safe. You saved us, mama. Let Sesshomaru and Inuyasha take care of it now. Onegai, mama. Stop and rest now. You will get sick again, and maybe hurt the pup."

Before Kouga to try to piece the words to some kind of meaning, the Taiyoukai took a slow step forward, commanding the Ookami Prince's full attention once more. Both Ginta and Hakkaku stepped back as the Lord of the Western Lands stepped forward.

"Remember the feel of what binds you now, Princeling," growled Sesshomaru, his eyes showing signs of bleeding red, "Remember it well, and know this. If you have endangered the lives of my mate, and my pup, I will personally make you wish for death. Look upon the one who holds you, and remember."

With that last line, Sesshomaru stepped aside to give Kouga a full view of what everyone else could see. At first the brightness of the heart of the light filling the area, left the Ookami Prince blinking wildly, trying to clear his vision. He could still hear the kitsune's pleas for whoever he was talking to, to let him go and to rest.

Kouga finally felt himself being slowly lowered to the ground, as his eyes began to clear from the brightness of the light before him. The light continued to fade, little by little, but not before Kouga finally saw what was before him. Kagome, eyes aglow, sweat pouring down her expressionless face, in complete contrast to the anger that had backed the voice earlier.

Shippo was pulling her the hem of her kimono, trying to calm Kagome. He was soon joined by Rin, who also was trying to get Kagome to let Kouga go, and to stop before she got sick again. Almost as soon as Kouga's feet touched the ground, Kagome fainted. She would have hit the ground, except that Sesshomaru was behind her in a flash, catching her up in his arms, and making his way to Kaede's hut. Kaede was already headed there, having anticipated what would eventually be the outcome of this situation.

Several of the town sentries, were immediately beside Kouga and restraining him until either Inuyasha, Sango, and/or Miroku advised them otherwise. Miroku, having regained his feet just before Kouga was halted, quickly pulled out one of the many ofuda that he frequently carried with him, and plastered in on Kouga as a restraint to keep him from causing any more trouble. Sango, and Inuyasha had both grabbed their weapons, as Kagome had released them, safely putting the weapons away.

"That was Kagome?" was all the Kouga could say.

"Hai," said Sango. She turned to look at Miroku, both nodding in silent agreement. Sango took up a stance on Kouga's left side, and Miroku on the right.

"Inuyasha," the houshi spoke, almost conversationally, "why don't you go make sure that Kagome-sama and the pup, is alright. Sango-san and I will take care of Kouga. We have been wanting to speak to him anyway."

"Hai," said Sango, "It has been a long time Kouga-kun. Kagome has been wondering how you have been. We have much to discuss. How about down by the springs, houshi-sama?"

"The perfect place, Sango-san," spoke Miroku cheerfully. Too, cheerfully for Kouga's comfort. "Ginta! Hakkaku! Perhaps you would both care to join us!"

Although stated as a polite request, the look on the houshi's face made it more of a command. Both ookami youkai just nodded yes, and the five them then soon disappeared into the darkness, headed for the nearby hot springs.

Inuyasha, Tetsusaiga safely sheathed away, headed immediately for Kaede's to see how badly Kagome was hurt by this latest altercation. How much more was the poor onna going to have to suffer before everyone just let the Miko alone?