Thawing Her Heart

Nope don't own Inuyasha or characters but I'm loving this story!

Thanks again to all my reviewers!


Chapter 17 Preparations


Inuyasha just stared at the old hag as if she had sprouted horns. “What the hell are you talking about?” Kaede sighed and motioned for the houshi and taijiya to join them in sitting. “This is something that has been passed down for generations in my family so what I say none but ye have ever heard since my sister’s death. The hand of evil potion was one concocted by a dark priestess centuries ago. It allowed the one who had administered it complete control over the one it was administered to. Passed down in my family for generations was somewhat of a counter curse. You see there are only two ways to counter the control of the potion. One would be the blood of said persons true love, the other which is much more dangerous is a shot of pure energy from a very powerful miko. If what I believe is true then ye Inuyasha were under the control of my sister by the hand of evil.” Inuyasha could only stare as all of a sudden memories were whirling through his mind and he did not like what was being revealed. “My sister died before ever learning the counter curse of a pure miko, thus I don’t think she was prepared for Inuyasha to return to himself. I believe she planned on him killing Kagome and then she would have killed him.” Looking around Inuyasha finally concentrated his attention on his friends. “Kami I have wronged you! Not only that but Kikyo succeeded, she had me drive away my only chance at love and happiness.” Not caring who saw he let the tears fall from his eyes. “Inuyasha, you know Kagome will forgive you. While she may not be yours to have she will always be your friend. As for us I believe I speak for both of us when I say we have forgiven you your transgressions.” The last Sango stated with a smile when Miroku squeezed her hand in agreement. “ Now let us see what we can salvage and head for your brother’s lands.” Miroku stood and helped her to her feet and Inuyasha finally noticed what was different, their love seemed to shine clearly for all to see. “ Before we leave,” he spoke while slipping into his now clean haori, “is there something I need to know?” He raised one eyebrow in question as both his friends blushed. “Ah it would seem we have forgotten to share our news koi,” Miroku stated as he now faced Inuyasha with pride in his face, “we are now married. If I have my way Sango will bear my child within the next year, and if she doesn’t it won’t be for lack of trying!” He waggled his eyebrows. “HENTAI!!!” rang out as Sango knocked her lover over the head with her haraikotsu and stormed from the hut. Outside Kirara took on her large size and waited for her master and the houshi to mount. Then with a final wave to Kaede the three were off once more headed towards the west.

Naraku cursed inwardly as he tried to repair the damage that the miko had done. He would have her this was only a minor setback; she would soon learn her place was by his side! “Kagura come here now!” He watched as the wind demon appeared, “I suppose you thought you were being cute when you took your time? I also suppose you thought I wouldn’t catch the subtle way you were trying to stay out of the fight? You forget yourself once again bitch!” He watched her face contort in pain as he squeezed that which she so longed to possess, her heart. “Do not forget I created you! You will do as I tell you, if you are going to continue being disobedient then I will reabsorb you. Do you understand?” He watched her nod in assent from her fetal position on the mat in front of him. “Good now that we have that settled leave my sight! Send Kanna to me at once!” She slipped from the room wincing as she went. He would see, he thought her helpless because he held her heart but she would get the better of him!

Kagome awoke to a sun filled morning and stretched back into the warmth behind her. Wait? Behind her? She went to jump up in surprise and had to quiet her yelp of pain. That hurt! What was that? Turning she saw a smiling Sesshomaru holding onto what appeared to be a black tail, one just as fluffy as his. That’s when it dawned on her that was where the slight pain had come from. Looking over her shoulder she realized it was as she feared the tail belonged to her. Then the events of the day before flooded her mind. Had she really chased off Naraku? Not just him but Inuyasha as well? Yes there was no doubt when she looked at her once blunt fingers. They were claw tipped now and she also noticed the markings she had recovered. It was as she had said yesterday; she was free to be herself once more. He watched the myriad of emotions play through her beautiful eyes, so rare that she had different color orbs. Only one other had held them, his ancestor. He felt her arm move in between them and then felt the light touch of her fingers upon his face. Focusing once more on her his smile widened, she was giving him a look of love and warmth and he couldn’t help responding. He leaned over and kissed her nose, then watched her eyes widen as he lowered his lips to hers. The kiss while wonderful was chaste; he had meant it when he said he was going to court her. She deserved that and so much more, after all it had been his fault she had come to harm at Kotaru’s hands. He realized she was watching him once more and he saw the worry in her eyes. Oh he was scowling again, it was going to take time getting used to all this emotion again. He pulled her closer and wrapped her up in his arms. Inhaling her fragrant scent he wished he could let reality slip away and stay like this for eternity. Just the two of them wrapped in nothing but each other, her tail entwined with his. Reality chose right then to reassert itself in the form of two small figures flying through the air and landing on top of them. He saw his koi blush and remembered that he had stripped her of her clothes when he had come to bed late the night before. Speaking of which he was equally nude and he felt his own cheeks warm up, then he heard the most amazing sound it was the tinkle of her laughter. She was laughing at him! Oh she would pay for that …only when the children weren’t there. “ All right Rin Shippo, if you wouldn’t mind stepping out for a moment we would like to get dressed. I promise we will meet you for breakfast but only if you go now!” He had to struggle to keep his own laughter down when he saw their twin looks of disappointment. Sighing they leapt from the bed and out the door, he waited until they were out of earshot. Then he pounced and pinned her to the bed as she tried to rise. She saw the twinkle in his eyes and knew what he was about to do. “Don’t you dare… I mean it you’ll be sorry..” She could get no more through the laughter as he ignored her warnings and tickled her mercilessly. When he finally stopped she lay there panting, he rose from the bed pulling his tail from beneath her. The result was her very enticing bottom now faced him as she struggled to untangle herself from the remaining bed sheets around her ankles. Smirking he slapped her bare bottom and went to get dressed calling over his shoulder as he went, “ koi you might want to dress yourself before we join the children.” He could hear the soft curse she muttered under her breath as she finally wriggled free and made her way to his closet door. “Don’t worry buster they say revenge is sweet and I mean to exact mine when you least expect it.” He watched her eyes sparkle and couldn’t suppress the chuckle that rose from him as he watched her swing her hips jauntily swishing her tail as she walked out of his room.


Koga looked around the dining hall noticing the children make their entrance, smiling at the girl as she took note of him and waved. She made her way to him and beckoned for him to join them at the higher table. “ Sesshomaru-sama and Kagome-sama will be down shortly. Once they are here we can all eat.” He took her small hand in his as she led him to a pillow next to her. The kitsune sat to her right and joined in on the girls chatter, “Koga! I am glad you are now friends with Sesshomaru, Kagome needs all the allies she can get.” He smiled back at Shippo and turned his head to the door once more. The two objects of their conversation had just walked in. They did not hold hands but they walked so close they seemed as one; again Koga realized how right they were for each other and he sighed. Nope he had never stood a chance, but he could only be happy for the woman he loved to see her so happy. Truly if he were honest with himself it wasn’t the love he had thought at first, more like that of siblings. Now that she was unattainable his thoughts could focus on Naraku. “ Ohayo, Kagome and Sesshomaru. I trust you slept well.” He almost laughed when he noticed Kagome blush. Once all were seated at the table they were served. He noticed while everyone else ate the traditional fried fish and rice with miso for breakfast, Kagome was served a poached egg on one piece of toast. She smiled at Sesshomaru when she took note of the fact he had made sure she got the breakfast she loved. Once all plates were cleared Sesshomaru called a young guard over to him. “ What is your name soldier?” “It is Akira my lord.” Came the quiet reply. “ I am grateful to you young man for guarding the children yesterday during the battle. I am promoting you in rank one position to corporal; I am also placing you and one other of your choice as personal guards of them. Go now retrieve who you would like to serve with you in this task and return.” The young man bowed and made his way from the room. Noticing Kagome’s puzzled look he smiled and reassured her. “ I need to discuss some things with both you and Koga, with both of us occupied they need to have a reliable guard.” She smiled and nodded agreeing with his decision. The young corporal returned with another guard at his heels. “ My lord this is Yusuke my closest and most trusted friend. I have chosen him to pair with me in my new position.” Nodding at this Sesshomaru then sent them off to the gardens with the children. After subduing a complaining Rin with promises to join them later they were left to their discussion. He noticed Kagome’s face was serious when she spoke, “ We must destroy Naraku. There is too much danger in allowing him to live much longer, I know if left alone much longer then he will obtain the last two remaining shards. He has the majority now, minus the two in Koga’s legs and the five in my possession. There are two more out there, if we are to gather them first we must leave here soon.” He nodded at her words, she was right. He himself had already decided it was time to put an end to the miserable hanyou’s existence. “The question is what other allies do we have other than Koga? I know that Kotaru has made an alliance with Naraku,” he saw her face go pale and had to suppress the growl in his chest, “ we may end up having to face his forces as well.” Koga pondered this for a moment, “we have my pack your troops and Kagome’s friends. The monk and the taijiya will help. As for Inuyasha…” He let his voice trail off not wanting to finish his thoughts on the matter.


They all jumped when Jaken ran into the room. “My lord! My lord! Inuyasha and the other two humans are here! They demand an audience with you!” Oh they are in for it now thought Jaken as he stated the last, no one demanded of Lord Sesshomaru anything! He was surprised however when his lord simply sighed and told him to send them in. Jaken’s jaw would have fallen off had he not received a glare for taking so long to comply with his lord’s wishes. Stumbling over himself he made his way back down to the courtyard. “M-m-my lord will s-s-see you now.” He stuttered and motioned for them to follow.


Kagome wondered what to expect from her friends when they saw the real her for the first time. Would they shy away from her in fright? Would they even know her? Then she worried why Inuyasha was with them. If what Koga had told her was true then they no longer traveled with each other so why were they all here together? Sesshomaru noticed the brooding look on her lovely face and patted her hand. “All will be well.” Just then the persons of her thoughts entered the room behind Jaken.

Inuyasha looked in awe at how beautiful she was, she had indeed changed and become stronger but she still had the same soul. He walked forward and noticed his brother move in front of her. He stopped short and hung his head, he knew there was no way she could love him again he just hoped he could gain her forgiveness and friendship back. He dropped to his knees and met her eyes as they peeked out from behind Sesshomaru. “Kagome I know that no apology could ever make up for the hurt and pain I have caused you, I would just have you know I was not myself when what happened between us happened…” he was cut off by Sesshomaru’s claw around his throat pinning him in the air. Growling menacingly he asked the hanyou, “and why should she believe you dear brother? Is this an attempt at a feeble excuse to gain her trust back to once again try to kill her?” Inuyasha let his hands drop from around his brother’s wrist and sighed. “ Sesshomaru if you want to kill me do so… I deserve that and so much more…I would leave tessaiga to you.” He then closed his eyes in acceptance and waited, surprisingly he found himself released and standing on his own once again. He opened his eyes and gold locked onto gold before Sesshomaru turned away and let Kagome come in front of him. “ Kagome I.. I..I am so sorry..” he let the tears flow freely, noticing her moving toward him he raised his hand to stop her. “I have not been myself since after our last talk before you went home. After we spoke I met Kikyo as I had promised. I told her of my love for you and that her and I could never be…she didn’t take it to well,” he let the lopsided grin form as he continued, “she gave me something. Kaede called it the hand of evil; it is a potion that allows one to control another. When we fought yesterday and you stabbed me…you let your miko power blast the wound to kill Naraku’s poison, that is what brought me to myself. For this I am truly grateful, I know I may not hold your heart any longer but I would still love to be known as your friend. If Sesshomaru permits of course.” She could not help the shock at his words, he had never deferred to his brother in the past, why now? To prove his honesty? She let his words sink in, it was true Kaede had taught her about the potion before. Had Kikyo really held that much hatred for her then? She remembered her conversation with herself, “ the half of your soul that left….full of hatred… I pushed it to maintain your pureness of soul and heart.” It was possible, then she smelled him, he had the scent of truth and one who had just recovered from injury. Smiling she hugged him, “of course you have my friendship! I am glad to see you back to yourself, I would have hated having to kick your butt again!” He just smiled and pulled away with a small keh under his breath. She then faced her two friends, she noticed their joined hands and twin looks of joy at seeing her. Then she smelled their scents intertwined together and knew that they had finally admitted their love. Rushing to them she hugged them both close.

Sango could only cling to Kagome as tears fell down her happy face. She had been shocked when she had first seen her spirit sister but knew it was she when she had heard her reply to Inuyasha. Her friend was before her and very much recovered from what she could see. Inuyasha had asked them not to do or say anything until he had explained himself, and true to their word they had not. It had not stopped her from wanting to run to Kagome when she had first seen her though. Watching as Kagome stepped back she took in all the changes in her friend, not just the physical but the emotional as well. Instead of staying by Inuyasha she had pulled Sesshomaru forward to formally introduce them. She could not hold back her look of surprise when the ice lord actually gave them a welcoming smile. Be still my beating heart! He was even more gorgeous when he smiled. Miroku was clearing his throat at her, which caused her to look away from the handsome lord and flush slightly; she heard Kagome’s teasing laughter. “It’s okay my Sesshomaru had the same effect on me the first time I saw him smile as well Sango. It just means Miroku will have to keep your gaze from wandering. No need to look so shocked my friend,” she said while raising one delicate brow slightly, “ if my new senses are anything to go by you two have become quite close.” She winked as she motioned for them to join at the table and thus the conversation. They all came to same conclusion, Naraku needed to be defeated and soon. All heads turned to Inuyasha as he spoke for the first time since the meeting had started. “Before we go into battle him I would like for Sesshomaru to train me a little more with the tessaiga. We both know he knows more about its secrets than I do.” Kagome looked at the man who now held her heart and saw the surprise he couldn’t hide. Before any could say anything he replied quietly to his brother’s request. “It would be difficult to do in so little time but if you are willing you may be able to pull it off.” After seeing Inuyasha nod his head he spoke to the entire room. “Now would be a good idea for all to practice honing their skills, if you would like to do so you are all free to use my dojo. Kagome will show you the way.” She looked at him and saw the set to his jaw line. “Where will you and Inuyasha be?” He turned and she caught the ice in his eyes, she had hoped that the brother’s could at least call a truce for now. “We will go to my father’s old training grounds on top the mountain, it will be much safer for all if he were to learn there. It will also give us some time to spar a bit.” She saw his eyes flare at the last statement but could only nod her head. Standing she led the other three from the room.


Sesshomaru faced Inuyasha and said, “Shall we dear brother?” Only nodding in return he followed as Sesshomaru leapt to the top of the mountain. Actually it was more like a plateau being flat on top, letting his nose take in the clean freshness of the air he turned to face his aniiki and was unprepared for the emotions whirling in the golden depths so like his own. He had little time to react as Sesshomaru drew tokijin and began his attack pushing his advantage in strength on the hanyou. Inuyasha could not believe it, all the times he had faced his brother in battle he had thought that he was becoming stronger. He had thought that he would one day be able to defeat the one in front of him. Now however he saw what he refused to see before, Sesshomaru had never fought him full on. He had always held back, for if he had used all his strength Inuyasha would never have been able to take his arm or wound him with the Kaze no Kizu. Admitting his defeat as he saw tessaiga fall from his hands he brought his eyes up to his brother’s as the tip of his sword was pressed to his throat. Again Sesshomaru was full of surprises today. Where he had thought to see icy gloating triumph he instead encountered…tears? His brother was crying? In all his years of knowing him Sesshomaru had never cried, so why now? He very shortly got his answer when he pulled the sword back and sheathed it turning to face the clouds floating by. “ Do you even remember the time we spent growing up Inuyasha? Do you ever recall father or me?” He turned back around to face him and waited for the answer. Inuyasha hung his head in shame. Shame over his actions years ago, when he had had a loving family in his chichue and his aniiki, when he had acceptance for what he was but was too blind to see it. “ Hai I remember, I remember how warm you were. I remember how strong father was, and I remember how he used to place me on his shoulders when all three of us would walk the lands patrolling for danger. I was always afraid I would never measure up to you, afraid I would never be as strong as him. I was ashamed. After the first time someone had called me a half-breed in contempt I took the cowards way and ran. I ran to obtain the Shikon no Tama so that I might become a full youkai so that I could finally be what I thought you and father wanted me to be. I was too blinded by my fears to see the truth of the woman before me. I almost paid with my life; after Kagome released me I knew in my dishonor I would never hold a place here again. How could I? I wasn’t there when father needed me, when you needed me. No instead I was pinned to a Goddamn tree.” His voice broke on the sobs when he stated the last, “ I didn’t even get to say goodbye. He was my father, he died and I didn’t get to say I was sorry, or anything else I might have wanted to say…” He raised his tear stained cheeks to Sesshomaru whose heart broke once again at the sight. He did the same thing he did back then he grabbed his brother to his chest and let him cry it out. Here where no one would hear, or see. Quietly he spoke, “ Father and I never stopped loving you, you may have been what spiteful people called a half-breed but you were his son and my brother! I promised him when you were born that I would be a good aniiki and help to teach you all you would need to know. I promised him again when he died to look out for you. I never once stopped loving you because you were not a full youkai, I was hurt, I was angry, but I forgave you. I had to follow you so that I could make sure you lived to be the man Father would have wanted you to be.” Stepping back he pulled his brother to his feet and clasped him on the shoulder. “Enough with tears let us help you master your birthright!” He smiled and Inuyasha smiled back, then he sighed and spoke once again. “Brother I know you love Kagome and I know that she loves you, seeing you two together any fool with eyes could tell you were meant for each other. I will say this; while it hurts to see you with her I have long since lost my right to have her. Even before this last with Kikyo I put her through hell. I will step back and concede defeat gracefully but know this, brother or not, if you hurt her we will clash swords for real.” Sesshomaru only smiled in return and replied, “My dear brother it seems I am not the only one who has inherited father’s proud spirit.”


Sniff Sniff I know a little sentimental and all that! Enjoy! ^_^