Happy Bath Ending

A/N: What's up everyone? As of today I got fired from my job. Yeah, it sucks, and they did it in a really bitch move way, but it's all good. Something better will come along for me, and you guys just pray and hope that it comes sooner than later for me. Meanwhile, I promise to put in work on this story. Here is the next installment, and you can see the story is shifting just a tad bit. I hope that it's good, if not, I'll erase it. Have a great weekend everyone, more to come soon!!!


Update: I was going to end this chapter after she left Sesshoumaru's castle, but I added a tail piece and I'm halfway done w/the next chapter and I promise to post the whole thing when I am through. We are getting close to the end... :) And thanks for the well wishes concerning the job loss. You guys make me feel appreciated, something my old job NEVER did. Love ya for life out there...



Naraku paced around the floor, nervous. The last he heard of Chisato, she had gone mad in the western ice caves. He had carelessly figured that she was either crazy or dead, but certainly not in Sesshoumaru’s castle, approving of his and Inuyasha’s relationship, and appearing to beat his ass. He wasn’t strong enough to beat her. Not with his damned human heart still inside him, and the Shikon no Tama incomplete. He cursed under his breath, sitting down on a chaise.

All of his plans had gone awry. He thought a ripened plum had fallen into his hand in the form of the slayer, but obviously any ties to the miko, houshi, or hanyou had clearly been broken. They didn’t care about Sango one way or another, so his trump card had backfired. It was useless to try to keep the slayer around, as whatever tool she could have been utilized for had been spoiled once Sesshoumaru cast those murderous eyes on her.

Sesshoumaru. Naraku sighed and placed his chin in his palm in retrospect. He had gotten too overzealous in his desire for Shimizu and for Sesshoumaru, and had not been as conniving as he could have been. He wanted to possess the power, and the gorgeous youkai as his own. He imagined his hand plummeting into Inuyasha’s unworthy stomach to snatch the baby, and steal the pink diamond inside of her. With it, he could control everything and convince Sesshoumaru that he was his rightful mate, not that seedy, dirty hanyou. The thought of killing Inuyasha and his bastard child made Naraku smile, cold and sinister.

Kagura walked past the room, seeing Naraku’s frightening smile in the light. She also shared affection for Sesshoumaru, but unlike Naraku, in that brief exchange when she retrieved Sango from the forest, she noticed the look on Inuyasha’s face, as he gazed at Sesshoumaru. As terse as the situation was, as injured as he was, she could see the love and adoration in the inu’s eyes. She was immediately contrite and also jealous. Perhaps if she was the controller of her destiny and not Naraku, that maybe some simple fisherman or perhaps even a warlord prince could gaze at her ever so lovingly.

“What are you doing?” The soft, melodic voice of Kanna carried over to her, and she jumped a little.

“N-Nothing. What are you doing here?”

“Walking,” Was the simple reply.

The little girl and her mirror seemingly floated into Naraku’s chambers, closing the door. Kagura leaned against the door, pressing an ear and listening to the conversation inside. Horror filled her face, and she thought quickly of the next move to make. Narrowing her eyes, she stealthily backed off and then summoned one of her wind feathers to take her to the destination in mind.
***********************

“Oka-Oka. Do you love me?” Rin asked worriedly, playing with Chisato’s hands. They were sitting in the garden making flower wreaths for their hair, when the little girl suddenly looked scared.

“Rin-chan! Of course I do! Why would you ask me such a thing?” Chisato questioned, genuinely surprised. She spent most of her waking moments with the bouncy child, so why would she ask about her feelings?

Rin hung her head. “I feel bad inside, Oka-Oka.” Instantly Chisato placed a hand on Rin’s forehead to check her temperature.

“No, Oka-Oka, I feel bad about the baby. I don’t want everyone to love the baby and forget about me.” Her voice was small and sad, and tears were forming in her eyes. “But I love the baby and I want it to live and be strong! I just don’t want Lord Sesshoumaru to send me back to the village when he has a new baby. I don’t have anyone there,” Rin said, her voice breaking. Chisato stared at her with huge golden eyes, tears nearly falling from her own eyes. She knew what it was like to be shoved aside for someone brand new, and sent away. She grabbed Rin tightly and rocked her, allowing the child to cry.

“Silly girl. I love all my babies the same. You, Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Hime, hell, I even love the monk and those two dimwit twins. When someone new comes into your life, your heart expands. When I met Sesshoumaru’s father, I thought I couldn’t love anyone else more. And when I became pregnant with Sesshoumaru, I thought I couldn’t love anyone else more than him! And for a long time, I stopped loving everyone, because someone had hurt me.”

Rin stopped crying and looked at her. “Who hurt my Oka-Oka?” She asked possessively, making Chisato chuckle.

“No one, baby. I hurt myself because of some of my selfish ways. Anyway, when I saw Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru again, and found out about the baby, and saw that they wanted me in their lives, I loved them also. And then when I met you,” She said, tickling Rin, “I loved you too! So see how much my heart grew? It’s okay to be worried and wonder, but just know we will all love you just as much as we do and you aren’t going anywhere! In fact, it will be better, because you will have someone else who loves you too!”

Rin smiled at this. “You think the baby will like me?”

Chisato grinned. “Of course! You’re her big sister!”

Rin made a face. “But I’m not gonna marry her like Lord Sesshoumaru is gonna marry Master Inuyasha. Do I have to marry her?” Rin appeared deeply concerned, and Chisato almost fell over laughing. When she wouldn’t stop laughing, Rin jumped on top of her and started riding her and pulling at her face, wanting in on the joke.
**************************

“Kami-sama! What the hell is wrong with you?!” Sakura screamed when Suzuka accidentally dropped a cup of hot water close by her foot. Her sister had been off all morning, knocking things over and misplacing things about the kitchen.

“I’m sorry, here, let me help you,” Suzuka offered, but Sakura backed away.

“No, that’s ok. Here, sit down, you look sort of pale. What’s wrong?” Sakura asked, handing her sister a cup of white tea. Suzuka looked into the cup and sighed.

“Miroku told me the other night that he loved me.”

Sakura looked confused at her sister’s dour expression. “And that isn’t what you wanted?”

Suzuka fought back tears. “Yes, but what if they can’t beat Naraku?” She asked in a small, tearful voice.

“Oh…you’re afraid. I can understand that,” Sakura soothed, stroking her sister’s long salt and pepper strands. “I worry about Kouga constantly. He comes during the night to sleep with me, and I use salts to mask his scent. But there are times when he holds me and tells me how much he hates Naraku, and it scares me, sis. I never knew such hatred could exist, and so many people feel that way about him.”

Suzuka nodded, wiping a few stray tears from her eyes. “We have some strong men in our lives, don’t we?” She asked with a wry smile, gaining an encouraging smile from her sister.

“Damn straight we do. And we owe it to them not to be the waifish, desperate, irresponsible women they are used to. We have backbone, its in the Minamori blood.” Sakura grinned and put an arm around her sister.

“Feel better?”

Suzuka nodded and smiled. “So…Kouga comes to see you at night, huh?” She laughed at her sister’s blush and grabbed the broom, chasing her sister around the kitchen and poking at her until she gave up details.
**********************

“I request to see Lord Sesshoumaru.”

Tenchi sighed, shifting his naginata. He was tired of these weirdoes coming to the castle as of late. First, a sweaty monk. Then three ookami and a girl wearing a very short skirt! Now this bitch riding on a feather showed up! Who next? Buddha himself??

“Why?”

Kagura snapped her fan angrily. “Because! I have valuable information that he wants.”

Tenchi smirked. “Is he expecting you?”

Kagura glared at him. “Are you expecting to get killed? Because that’s what’s going to happen if you don’t move.”

Tenchi pointed his naginata at her. “How dare you threaten me, you tramp! I ought to slice you in half like a piece of bread!”

“Tenchi-san. Calm yourself.” He whirled around to see Chisato standing there, Rin clutching at her hand. Rin saw Kagura, and shrank back behind her, hiding in the folds of her kimono.

Chisato knelt and kissed Rin on the forehead. “Go see what those lazy twins are doing, eh? Maybe Sakura made you an apple treat!” She gently pushed the child toward the back of the castle, and Rin went, sulking to the kitchen. She turned briefly to stick her tongue out at Kagura before running inside, away from the beady red eyes.

“Lady Chisato, shall I slit her throat for you?” Tenchi growled, aiming his naginata to do so.

“You will do no such thing, you brute. Can’t you see she comes peacefully?” Chisato snapped, shoving him out of the way.

“B-But M’lady, how can you tell?” He sputtered, not expecting to be reprimanded for defending them.

“Because,” Chisato started, walking up to Kagura and towering over her, “If this woman wanted your silly ass dead, she would have killed you from the forest and walked over your lifeless body. Your throat would have been the one slit, dear Tenchi, not hers.” The guard gulped and stepped back, rubbing his throat.

“Lady Chisato, is your son available to speak with me?” Kagura asked, bowing gracefully. She was met with cool golden eyes.

“Which son?”

Kagura looked confused for a moment. “Lord Sesshoumaru, if he is around. I have invaluable news to share with him concerning Naraku.”

At the mention of the demon’s name, Chisato’s eyes flashed hatred. She beckoned for the demon to follow her. “Yes, I know. I was told a woman who fell gracefully from the sky on a feather would come to me. How many more of there are you?”

Kagura was silent until Chisato stopped walking and nearly bumped into her. “Well?” The white haired demon snapped, and Kagura looked confused again.

“Well…?”

Chisato sighed impatiently. This one was not bright at all. “I said how many of there are you. As in Naraku’s creations.”

“Oh. Not many. Not ones that are strong anyway.”

Chisato huffed again. “You are very vague, but it isn’t alluring. Rather annoying if you ask me.”

Kagura frowned. “But no one did ask you, did they?” She cowered a bit when angry eyes were flashed on her. Chisato smiled coldly. “Naraku has sharpened his claws on you, I can tell. You have a quick tongue, but I have a strong fist. It would do you good to remember that.”

They continued walking in silence until they reached a room with tall oak doors. Upon entering the room, Kagura gasped. It was beautiful. There was red silk on the walls and all the furniture was blood red. There were numerous plush plants strewn about, and the room was bright and airy, despite the rich color. She walked around the room, gazing at items but not daring to touch anything. She finally sat down gingerly on a futon, spreading her hands out over the velvet material.

“Wait here. My son will be in momentarily to see you.” Chisato ducked out of the door, her long blue kimono swishing with her movements. Kagura watched her leave and took a sigh of relief, spreading out on the futon. Naraku didn’t offer her or Kanna or Kohaku anything as comfortable or pretty as the futon she was now perched on, and she basked in the feel of the velvet against her skin. It almost made her cry, knowing she would probably never feel anything like that again.

“Why have you come here, Kagura?” The smooth, rushing water over rocks sound of Sesshoumaru’s voice filled the room, and Kagura scrambled to sit upright and look poised in front of the powerful demon lord. She fought to keep from trembling and kept her eyes glued to him as he walked over to a chair, pulling it close to her. She inhaled and smelled his clothing, a clean, flowery scent.

“I overheard Naraku talking about you, Inuyasha, and the child. I came to inform you of what I know.”

Sesshoumaru nodded. “Why should I believe anything you have to say?” His voice was not rude, more curious than anything. Kagura took a deep breath and looked at him.

“You love Inuyasha. I saw how you looked at him after Sango had attacked him in the forest.” Sesshoumaru winced at the memory, but nodded for her to continue. “I’ve thought of you, Sesshoumaru. Once I had wanted you to look at me with the same love and admiration that you looked at Inuyasha with. But I know now that such cannot be.” Kagura stood and walked over to gaze out the balcony door window. “Naraku loves you as well, and sees Inuyasha as an obstacle. He means to snatch the child from your brother’s stomach and leave him to die.”

Sesshoumaru snorted. “Does he think that I will allow that? Does he think that even if Inuyasha were to die that I would crawl on my belly to him? How delusional,” Sesshoumaru snipped, sneering and folding his arms. Kagura looked at him sadly. “If he gains both Shimizu and the full Shikon no Tama, he can possess anything he wants, including you.”

Sesshoumaru’s eyes widened with surprise. The combination of Shimizu and the Shikon no Tama were apparently immensely powerful. He sighed again, thinking of Goanna’s words. Kagura noticed the change in him and walked over to him.

“Naraku will never complete the Shikon no Tama. Here,” She said, holding a chunk of purple miasma covered jewel. Sesshoumaru’s eyes widened. He opened a drawer behind him and pulled out a box for her to drop the tainted jewel piece in.

“Where did that come from?” He asked, staring down in the box. Kagura sighed. “Various places about Naraku’s castle. Some demons, and I also took the shard off of the slayer’s weapon.” She had omitted the fact she had been the one to give her that dark jewel. Sesshoumaru nodded and closed the box, setting it back into the drawer. He gazed back at Kagura so intently that she blushed and turned away.

“Why have you decided to help Inuyasha and me?”

Kagura gave him a wan smile. “I guess because he is the closest that I will ever get to you loving me. If I can’t have you, I’d rather it be Inuyasha over Naraku. He told Kanna that the night of your child’s birth that he will steal to this castle and slay everyone in his path…with the exception of you, of course. I just can’t stomach him winning, and I’m not powerful enough to stop him.” She looked at her hands and sighed heavy again.

Sesshoumaru looked at her gratefully. “What can I do for you? Would you like me to offer you a safe haven?”

Kagura shook her head. “You can’t protect me. Naraku holds my heart in a glass jar. He could crush it and I’d drop dead at your feet.”

“Then once we gain all the shards I can make you into a full demon or full human.”

She shook her head again. “What makes you think I’ll still be alive then? I’m as good as dead once I go back to Naraku.”

Sesshoumaru swallowed, deeply conflicted. “Then what can I do? You must be paid…rewarded for your trouble. You have no alignment to me, you did this on your own. I have to give you something,” He insisted vehemently.

“I just wanted to look into your eyes before he killed me. You were the only dream I ever allowed myself to have. Thank you for being someone special to me, whether you knew it or not.” She turned to leave, when Sesshoumaru grabbed her and placed his lips on hers. It was not at all like the passionate kisses he gave to Inuyasha, but it was definitely more than what Kagura expected. She started to cry in the middle of the kiss, and he held her tightly, murmuring to her his gratitude and how she may have saved his daughter’s life. She shakily nodded and pulled away from him, wiping her eyes. She opened the balcony doors and cast a feather down, taking flight. Sesshoumaru watched her as she left, praying that her death would be a swift and painless one, but knowing that she was in for hours, if not days of agony before dying.
***********************************

Kagura walked back to Naraku’s castle, not even opting to use her wind feather. She figured since it would be her last walk, to make it last as long as possible. She walked through the forest, going through periods of anger, disappointment, fear, and regret. She thought of the kiss that Sesshoumaru had given her, and it was acrid on her lips. He didn’t love her, and his gesture, as kind as the intention, made the hole in her heart even more hollow. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t realize someone was following her.

“Why, Kagura?” The light voice called to her, and she paused, tears brimming fresh in her eyes.

“It was the right thing to do.”

Kohaku jumped from the tree he was hiding in and stood in front of her, grabbing her shoulders. “But you know Naraku would kill you! Then who will I have?” The boy asked sadly, wiping his nose. Kagura gave him a gentle smile and patted his head.

“Our lives do not belong to us. Naraku possesses the power to kill us both with one flick of his hand. I gave all the jewel shards I could find with the exception of yours to Lord Sesshoumaru. I believe he and the hanyou can destroy Naraku, or at least delay him in creating the whole jewel.”

Kohaku frowned. “So you basically sacrificed yourself for Sesshoumaru. Did he not offer you any kind of protection or anything? Doesn’t he know what you risked?!!” He asked hotly, glaring at Kagura.

The sorceress sighed. “He did, but not even he can shield me from Naraku. I just don’t want this pathetic excuse for a life to have been lived for nothing.”

Kohaku sobbed. “He killed Sango after you left. He and Kanna came and got us, and made me watch as he ripped her apart. She didn’t scream or cry, and told me I’d better not cry either. Well I’m crying now, damn him! Damn him and damn you too for leaving me!” He fell to the ground, writhing and grabbing at dirt, inconsolable. Kagura knelt and gathered him, and rocked him for a moment.

“Go to Lord Sesshoumaru’s castle and see if he will take you in. I told him I wanted nothing in return, but you are not one of Naraku’s creations like me. You still have a chance.”

Kohaku shook his head. “I won’t leave you like you left me. You‘re all I have, even after Sango came, you were all I had.” He took her hand in his and stood. “I don’t want you to die alone,” He said softly, squeezing her hand. It took all of her resolve not to crack and run away. Instead she sighed and laced her fingers through Kohaku’s and together, they walked to Naraku’s castle.
************************

“My son, come to me.” Chisato opened her arms and sat down on a red silk chaise and beckoned for Sesshoumaru to sit below her. She rubbed his scalp as he sat on the floor, resting his back against the chair.

“What did that woman say to you?”

Sesshoumaru sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. “Nothing that we really didn’t already know. That Naraku plans to take Hime-chan the night of her birth. But she also said that Naraku desires me, and wishes to use both the Shikon no Tama and Shimizu to manipulate me into being with him.”

Chisato cackled. “Absurd. The bond you and Inuyasha have cannot be broken so easily, and fancy fireworks won’t help either. This Naraku character…isn’t very smart. All of his little plans seem to not be working. But still, he has more shards than you do, right?” She paused when Sesshoumaru didn’t answer. She looked down at him and saw a mischievous look on his face.

“Kagura brought me well over half of Naraku’s shards. There are still chunks missing, but it’s a damn good start. I’ll get Inuyasha to ask the miko to cleanse them, but I won’t touch them until they are purified. Once we gain the jewel, Inuyasha can turn into a full demon.”

Chisato nodded. “You and Inuyasha need to have a mating ceremony. The ceremony can also turn Inuyasha into a full demon.” Sesshoumaru spun around. “But we are already mated!”

Chisato gave him a reproachful look that made him turn back around. “All you did was bite him on the neck and drink some of his blood. You are no more than a mosquito. You have to have the mating ceremony, and it needs to be before Hime-chan is born. Inuyasha is a little stronger from the blood transfer, but you must have the ceremony. It is vital to preserve his life.”

Sesshoumaru sighed in defeat and wiggled his ears when his mother scratched behind them. She combed her fingers through his hair and cooed to him softly, lulling him to sleep. She hugged him from behind, covering him in her scent, effectively erasing Kagura’s smell from him. She buried her face in his hair, tears of uncertainty falling from her eyes.
******************************

“What is this? A united front?” Naraku teased, his head in his hand as he stared at Kohaku and Kagura. The boy glared at him defiantly and held on to Kagura’s hand for dear life.

“Kagura. Where have you been? Did you go to conspire with the enemy?” Naraku goaded, smiling viciously. Kagura said nothing, her red eyes fixed on him.

“Silence? What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue? More like dog got your tongue. I can sense him on you. How dare you even bring your filthy body anywhere near my Sesshoumaru?”

Kagura was bold enough to laugh. “Your Sesshoumaru? You aren’t fit to drink his piss,” She snapped. She left go of Kohaku’s hand and started to heave as Naraku took her clay figurine and started squeezing the neck. She fell to her knees, gasping for breath.

“No, stop! You’re hurting her, you bastard!” Kohaku screamed, running to go hit Naraku. He was easily spun around and captured in one hand, while Naraku tortured Kagura with the other hand. He tossed the clay figure to the side and ran his cold hands over Kohaku’s body.

“Watch me, Kagura.” Naraku’s voice was sweet and calm, and it stilled her heart. She cast wide, begging eyes at him as she pleaded.

“Please, Naraku-sama, not him. He’s just a child,” Kagura whispered, her throat ruined. Kohaku’s eyes were bright and defiant, even as Naraku tore off his clothing. Naraku snaked a long, thick tongue around Kohaku’s ear, tasting the virginal boy. He was hoping his next conquest would be Sesshoumaru, but the pale flesh in front of him could satiate him…for awhile.

“Just a child, you say? He walked in her with you with the swagger of a man.” Naraku’s nails trailing over Kohaku’s chest made the boy breathe shallowly. The sensation was weird, but he wouldn’t allow himself even a moment of sordid pleasure, not from his sister’s murderer. Naraku spun him around and pressed his crotch on Kohaku’s mouth. When the boy refused his dick, he pinched him hard enough to make him wail, and once the mouth was open, Naraku thrust fully inside, making Kohaku choke. He thrust deep and slow, not caring that the side of the boy’s lips were splitting from his girth.

“Naraku…Otousan…onegai,” Kagura rasped, trying to crawl to him. By this time, Naraku was brutally pounding into Kohaku’s mouth, the boy’s head flopping unnaturally. He was holding Kohaku by his ponytail, and grunted deeply before pulling himself out and spraying his seed over the boy’s face. Once he was finished, he let the ponytail go, and Kohaku fell backward, hitting the tatami mat so hard, dust flew up and the seal on the floor broke.

“Utterly useless. You won’t be needing this, will you?” Naraku rolled the boy over and removed the sliver of jewel shard, but Kohaku was already dead, having his neck broken from the rough treatment. Kagura’s eyes were huge and affixed on Kohaku’s soiled face, tears still running out of his eyes. Naraku walked over to Kagura and knelt down, smiling when she shied away from his hand. He cleared some strands from her face and patted her gently.

“You thought by betraying me that I’d end your life. This is not on your terms, Kagura. Stop crying and save your tears. I assure you, there is worse yet to come. Clean up this mess,” He snapped, stepping over her to leave. Kanna bowed also and trailed behind him, emotionally dead to the world. Kagura inched over to Kohaku and tore off parts of her kimono to clean the blood and semen off of his face.

“What happened here?”

Kagura turned around, shocked to see Sango standing in the doorway.

A/N: Basically Kohaku lied about Sango being dead so that Kagura would stay with him. I'm sorry I killed him, he really was a nice child. Perhaps the death of Sango's brother (forreal this time) could maybe...bring her back???