Thawing Her Heart

Disclaimer I don't own em but Ilove em!

Warnings!!!!!
This chapter has extreme child abuse in it, if you don't like it don't read it! It is very dark but all will be explained in due time.


Chapter 19 Heading Out

Sesshomaru woke Kagome just as the sun was coming up, watching her as she stretched. When she arose from the bed he left her to her privacy and went to his own quarters to change. Once he was dressed in his normal battle haori and hakamas he added his blue and yellow obi, his armor, and finally his swords. He then made his way back to Kagome as she had just stepped out herself; she was stunning in the battle gear he had prepared for her. Instead of the traditional kimono he had hakamas of aqua made for her, topped with the haori of similar color with sakura blossoms on each shoulder matching the pattern of his. She wore a spring green and aqua obi with her katanas tucked inside, her hair was pulled into a ponytail high on her head and had her own armor as well. While matching his it was a bit smaller and lighter for her petite frame. She presented the image of beautiful warrior ready to do battle. Smiling at him she beckoned him closer and turned him so she was behind him. He felt her claws on his scalp and had to stop the contented rumble from sneaking out when she secured his hair in the same fashion as hers. He brought his hand up to feel the tie she had placed in his hair and smiled, it was hers. They made their way to join the others for breakfast in the dining hall. The monk and taijiya were already seated as were Koga and the children, he let his eyes sweep around looking for his brother's face and was surprised to not see it. Suddenly a sound in the hallway caught his attention, he turned his eyes to the door just as Inuyasha entered. He smiled when he saw his brother wearing the battle gear he had prepared for him as well. Kagome also took note of Inuyasha's appearance as he made his way to his brother's table. He looked handsome in the midnight blue haori's and hakama's, they were secured with a red and blue obi with the tessaiga tucked in. He also wore the same armor as his brother, smiling she stood and pulled him over to stand in front of her. "There is but one thing missing my friend.", she stated while turning him and repeating the same steps she had on his brother earlier. She pulled his hair into the same ponytail that his brother and she wore. When she had finished he turned and grabbed her in a bear hug, "I thank kami everyday for your forgiveness Kagome." Smiling down at her he released her to sit once again at his brother's side. He then joined Koga at his table for breakfast. The wolf had arrived just that morning as promised, he too wore his own battle armor though Inuyasha thought it would take a miracle to get him to wear anything but his furs. When he greeted him he noticed the beautiful red headed wolf at his side, "Hello Ayame it is good to see you again. Are you to join us in our battle?" She smiled prettily at him and nodded while she clung to Koga's arm. The wolf it seemed was content to have her there, and Inuyasha was not surprised. He knew Koga had feelings for Kagome and while in the beginning it had made him jealous he had come to the realization when they had met Ayame that they were only that of a brother towards a sister. Yes he had known the instant he had seen the two ookami together that they were destined to be mates, it seemed as though the wolf had begun to see so as well. All heads turned to Sesshomaru when he spoke, "We will break our fast and then we will set out, I am leaving the children behind with their personal guard as well as Jaken. Jaken will be in charge of my lands while I am away; his word is to be considered mine. I would also like to announce the tidings I received yesterday," he smiled towards the wolves when he spoke." It seems that my newfound friend has gone and mated! His lovely woman Ayame will be joining us in our quest to seek out the remaining shards and destroy Naraku. If anyone has anything to add feel free to do so." He almost laughed at Kagome's squeal of joy at the news, she rushed over to the newly mated pair and threw her arms around them. He watched her as she talked excitedly and felt the love of her fill his heart, it seemed his soon to be mate was a very affectionate person by nature. He would have to use that to his advantage once they were mated. When she took her seat they all resumed eating, when they were done without a word everyone made their way to the courtyard. Shippo stopped in front of Kagome and tried to keep the tears from forming, he was not happy at being left behind this time. At least he would have Rin to keep him company. "Kagome promise me you are going to be careful, I don't think I could handle it if anything happened to you." She looked down into the face she had come to love as a son and smiled, "Do not worry I will be careful and besides I have a lot of people to help me this time. Now promise me you will be good and NO pranks on Jaken. That goes for you too Rin." The little girl smiled and hugged her, Shippo did the same and then turned to Sesshomaru, " Will you please keep her safe?" Sesshomaru smiled at the young kit he had grown so close to, "Little one rest assured no one will harm your mother while I yet draw breath." His heart lurched when he received the brilliant smile in return, then wonder set in when the young kitsune jumped and hugged him around the neck softly whispering, " You keep safe too Sesshomaru. You are the closest to a father I have had since mine passed." He hugged Shippo in return then set him on the ground, turning to Rin he smiled and stooped down for a hug from her as well. Straightening he called over his retainer and waited for the little green imp to waddle his way over and bowed. "Yes milord?" "I meant what I said Jaken your word is as good as mine while I am away and you are to guard the children with your life." Jaken bowed once more as the small smile graced his face. He couldn't believe his lord trusted him to run things; he would not fail his trust. He was astounded at the changes in his lord but they were welcome in his eyes, his lord had been alone too long. Yes the woman would be good for him and he welcomed the day she would rule next to the one who held his devotion. The entire household watched as the group departed, Shippo couldn't help but think what a regal picture the two silver haired males and his mother made in the lead.


Naraku sat back after watching the image slowly fades from the mirror he had repaired just that morning. His soon to be mate would find it hard to keep herself from him. "Leave me now Kanna, I will call you when I need to." He wondered if his incarnation was at the castle yet. He wanted the bargaining chip of the children before he made his move on her. He knew there were only a few shards to go minus the ones in the demon slayers back and the wolf prince's legs. A sinister smile lit his features, and anyone who saw him thus would have shivered at the picture of malicious beauty he presented. "So it has begun. I will wait for her to come to me, let us see if her love can save her this time."


Kagura watched the group from the sky waiting for them to make camp; she hoped it would be soon as they had been traveling with no breaks since early morning. She needed to devise a way to talk with the miko, she had to warn her of Naraku's trap. She had been the recipient of his attentions in the past and only too well recalled the cruelty in which he took her. She had never known gentleness from a man and secretly longed for the love that the girl so obviously received from all around her. She almost sighed in relief when she saw the object of her thoughts raise her hand to halt the group telling them to break for camp. Landing in the trees not to far away she watched as the brothers went to hunt down dinner while the monk, taijiya, the miko, and the ookami couple set up the cooking fire. Those two would be a problem, truthfully she had never had anything against the young prince or his tribe she had only been obeying her master. She knew that he wanted her blood in revenge for the death of his comrades, if that was to happen then so be it but she wanted to be able to face him free. Free as the wind she commanded, free to face her death with honor knowing that she could make amends for the ones she had slain. Waiting and watching her eyes lit when she saw the women make towards the hot springs located in a clearing through the trees. This might just be her chance, she thought making her way to where they were headed, she only hoped she could get the miko alone.


Kagome, Sango, and Ayame stripped down and sunk into the refreshing hot water soaking their aching muscles. They had walked hard and fast today trying to cover as much ground as possible. Sango feared that they would keep up the pace over the next couple of days until they could cover some of the distance between Sesshomaru's land and Kaede's village. She smiled when Kagome pulled out her bathing supplies and offered to wash their hair, Ayame had hers done first. Unbelievable the beautiful smell of this soap! No wonder why Kouga loved this woman's scent, she thought. She had promised him that she would make friends with Kagome, halfway through their travel today she had realized that it wouldn't be hard considering the gentleness and purity of her soul. Kagome was not mean to any one, even when she had heard of the hanyou Inuyasha's betrayal of the miko, she had thought that if it were her she would have ripped his heart out. But Kagome had surprised everyone with her forgiveness of his transgressions. She sighed out loud at the other woman's administrations to her hair, it felt lovely to have another scrub your scalp. She would have to do this for Kouga the next time they bathed together. Rinsing her hair she watched as Kagome then washed the taijiyas's hair, that one was a mystery to her. She sensed the deep sadness in her that would have destroyed a normal person, but instead this woman did not bow to it. She embraced it and in doing so it made her stronger and allowed for the happiness she had watched her and the monk enjoy. Yes they were as in love as her and Koga. She decided then that these women were her sisters if not in blood then in spirit. "I would like to offer you two something." She lifted her palm and ran the tip of her claw down the center drawing blood. "I would like to offer my blood pact to the both of you, Sango and Kagome. When ever you should have need of me simply think it and I will be there, this would make us as sister's in the laws of my tribe." Kagome watched as the tears formed in her eyes, she had so many friends she loved in this era, and it seemed as if she had just gained another. Drawing her own claw on her palm she turned and did the same for Sango, all three women pressed their palms together and repeated the vow that would make them as sisters. "Now that I am all clean I do believe there is a certain monk who requires my attention." Sango said making her way out the water, "I will see my sisters back at camp." With that she stepped out and wrapped the towel around her, grabbing her clothes she made her way to the woods surrounding the clearing and slipped through the tree line. Ayame also made her way to the banks of the springs, "Are you coming Kagome?" She watched her shake her head then stepped out and dressed. " I will meet you back at camp then, don't take too long." She also slipped through the woods and Kagome laid her head back. She closed her eyes and let down her hair enjoying the simple pleasure of her bath. She had washed her hair this morning but had not really had time to relax and enjoy it. Today had been long and she had a feeling tomorrow would be longer, she smiled and decided she would have to make sure that they always stopped close enough to a hot springs so that she and her newly appointed sisters would be able to do this every night. Her aura reached out and she felt the unsettling feeling of a familiar presence. Opening her eyes she looked around into the crimson orbs of the wind demon Kagura. "Why are you here?" She asked trying to buy the time she might need to reach her blades behind her. "There is no need for weapons Kagome I have come merely to warn you. Naraku is preparing a trap for you, while I cannot say what it is I can warn you it will be something close to your heart. When the time comes for you to face him know this, he is crueler than even you can imagine. Whether you surrender to him or not he will not hesitate to destroy that which you hold dear. I am proof of this, when I defied him he had my sister Kanna's soul ripped from her body into that mirror, should it truly be destroyed I would have no way of recovering it for her. I must be on my way but heed what I have told you well." With that last statement Kagome watched as the wind demon disappeared over the trees. She was silently pondering the woman's odd nature and warning when the familiar sight of four males burst into the clearing. She could hear all three youkai growls, and realized they must have picked up Kagura's scent. Standing she made to reassure them when she noticed all four had a look of wonderment and lust in their gazes. Just then Ayame and Sango came to the rescue, Ayame grabbed her mate by the ear and dragged him off while Sango hit Miroku unconscious. The only one's left were Inuyasha and his brother, she screamed sit at least a dozen times and watched the dust fill the air and tried to sink below the water. Why she should be shy with Sesshomaru she did not understand, it wasn't as if he hadn't seen her nude before. She locked her eyes to his when he spoke, "Why does the scent of Kagura linger?" It was then that the woman's previous words made sense to her. "Kami! He is going after the children!" She screamed and watched the shock in her love's eyes. Jumping from the springs she grabbed her clothes and dressed going to his side. "We must return to the castle, he is after the children. Onegai! He will try to use them against me!" He let her words sink in and turned to his brother, "Inuyasha stay here and inform everyone of what has transpired, we will return shortly." He grasped her waist and allowed the cloud to form below them and like a shot they flew off in the direction from which they had come.

Kagura masked her scent as she slipped into the courtyard of Sesshomaru's estate. She caught sight of the children playing in the gardens and made her way behind the trees closest to them. She took note of the guards watching over their charges, she would have to create a distraction but even then she may still have one of them to deal with. She made her move then using her wind to cause a disturbance in the opposite end of the gardens to peak the battle skills of the younger guard. She watched in satisfaction as he made his way to where she had stirred the foliage. Facing the remaining guard she let loose her least harmful blades towards him. She was here for the children after all and would have no more innocent deaths on her hands than necessary. When she saw his form hit the wall of the structure behind him she made her move. Unstopping the vial of powder she let it pass over the two young ones and whispered sleep. They collapsed before her the kitsune cradling the small girl; she swooped them up and took the feather from her hair. Masking their scent she took to sky and made a swift departure towards where her master was waiting.

Sesshomaru landed them just inside the gate and released her, he kept pace with her as she made her way to where she could smell the children. He stopped just behind her when he heard he heart wrenching cry, he caught her when she fell to her knees whispering that they were too late. He took in the scene before him watching the guard Yusuke help Akira to his feet. His heart felt as if it had been ripped from him when he could catch no scent of indication in which the children and their abductor had gone.

Naraku waited for Kagura to make her way to his quarters, he had felt her enter his barrier only five minutes before. Along with her he had felt the two small auras of the ones who would be his hearts desires downfall. When she finally appeared he smiled a devil's smile as he took in the two sleeping forms she placed at his feet. He motioned for her to leave him and noticed her hesitation, "Do you yet defy me bitch?" He shot her a venom filled glance and was pleased to see her fear when she finally obeyed his command. He sat watching the tiny forms as they finally managed to shake the sleep from them. Shippo was the first notice where they were and who was before them, he slipped Rin's shaking frame behind him as he faced the evil that had haunted his nightmares over the last three years. It was Naraku who had given the Thunder brothers the shards to defeat his father, and it was he who was the cause of his adopted mother's pain. He let the anger come to the forefront not wanting to give his enemy the satisfaction of smelling his fear when he spoke. "What do you want with us Naraku?" He cringed when he heard the laughter in reply,"Kukukuku, I am simply wanting my love to return to me, your presence will ensure that as well as her submission to me. Now I trust you have both had a nice sleep for I have prepared something special for you." Shippo grabbed Rin tighter to him and kept his eyes on Naraku, he was surprised then when someone wrenched Rin from him. Turning he saw a man of the same size as Sesshomaru, this man might have been handsome once except now a scar marred his left eye. Shippo recognized him to be a dragon youkai of some power and knew he would not be able to help Rin, he was snatched from his perusal when a tentacle wrapped itself around his wrist lifting him up close to the face of Naraku. " Shall we begin then?" He stifled the cry when he felt another tentacle lash across his back, he heard Rin's screams from behind him but in this position he could not see what was being done to her. "What you want to see the pitiful girl? I will grant your wish kitsune!" He almost screamed when he saw her small form stripped and tied to the floor face down, "Let her go, you have me, my mother will come for me you do not need her." Naraku only laughed and motioned for the other youkai to continue. Shippo ignored his own pain as he watched Rin being whipped, the skin flaying with every lash and her blood pouring forth. He felt as if he were floating when he felt Naraku begin to break each bone in each of his legs, his last conscious sight was of Rin silently crying in her pain.

I know I am horrible but it is a must for what Kagome must overcome!