The Love of Brothers

Okay sorry about the wait. This chapter is pretty fast paced and I hope I don't lose anyone :) I have lots of stuff happening at the same time in different places. I hope you enjoy. I am not so good at writing battle scenes... :) Hope you enjoy and I will be updating again later today.


Chapter Twenty three

Shippo approached the woman slowly, he'd never come this close to her. She was dangerous, only Takemaru dared draw near. "Milady?" he called softly, and the tears ceased as a bright eye fixed on him widely. Shippo swallowed hard, "Is Sesshoumaru near? Do you know him?" he asked. Her sharp bark of laughter made him wince. "I know him." She chortled softly, "You see… he is my only love."

Her news stunned the fox and he stood frozen for a moment, "What?". The demoness rose slowly to her feet and paced the length of the window. "Of course." She went on, "He loved me so much that he did THIS to me to keep others from having me!" She gestured to the mottled scarred side of her body, "Yes only he wants me now. Takemaru locked us away in this wretched place, sealed it with a spell that even he couldn't break. But I can."

Shippo had never imagined the depths of her madness reached so far and she was scaring him right now. He wanted to flee but Kagome needed him, and even though he knew this would probably spell his doom, he had to try.

"How will you get loose?" he forced himself to ask and the lady flung her hand to the sky. "When the moon reaches it's zenith the child will be born and that hanyou bastard will come for it. To absorb the full power there he must weaken the barrier that holds this place. When he does that I will meld my powers and crack the shield." She laughed a bitter laugh, like cold metal, "I will face my heart and you little fox… can run far far away."

Shippo didn't understand much of what she said but he knew that his one shot was moon's peak. He had to get back to Kagome, to tell her to gather her own diminished powers. If she could send a burst of energy through the barrier he had no doubts that the inus could track it right to her. She would at least have a chance.

"Fox!" came a sharp command from the door, and the boy turned to see Takemaru framed in the doorway, "What are you doing here?". Shippo stepped away from the woman and stared at the floor, "I heard her and came to see if she needed anything." Takemaru eyed him angrily, "I have told you never to come here." The fox hung his head further, "I know, I'm sorry Takemaru.".

Takemaru was about punish the fox with a sound slap when a gasp from the door drew his attention. There, leaning against the wall was Kagome, she had come upon the scene and thought to intervene on Shippo's behalf.

Takemaru turned to look at her but her eyes were locked on his sister and the look of pity and horror was his undoing. "Do you see?" he demanded, grabbing her arm and dragging her into the chamber. The demoness was highly affronted by her presence and snarled at her. The scent of the dog demon hovered over her and the griffin noted it at once.

"Do you see?" Takemaru shouted at her again, "This is the work of your Sesshoumaru! This is the power of the prince of the west." Kagome looked at the misshapen beast before her, half woman, half something else. "Wha-what happened?" she whispered and Takemaru released her, shoving her against the wall.
"I'll tell you." He hissed, "My sister was the most wonderous demoness. Her beauty unrivaled in the land and she was quite vain about it. We had a failed alliance with the Inutaisho and his army was coming. The odds of victory were not in our favor, our numbers were not great you see." He sighed a heavy sigh and then continued. "She heard that the most perfect demon ever born traveled in that army, the son of the enemy. She wanted to see and so in the heat of battle she transformed and sought him out. She lashed out at him in want and jealousy. Sesshoumaru attacked her in true form and she barely made it back to the halls, bloodied, beaten, half transformed. After that day her body healed to what it is now and her mind broke."

Kagome whimpered and pressed her hand to her mouth, "But she was in true form and she went for him first." She whispered. Takemaru growled, "It doesn't matter. She was no match for him and he knew it, he was young and over eager for victory. And now, see what your lover, your mate has wrought!"

The demoness shrieked and made an awkward lunge for her brother but her weight off balanced as it was crashed to the floor. She lay there sobbing, "I will have him Takemaru!" She screamed into the stones, "I will have him and you will not stop me!"

Kagome turned and fled as fast as she could. There was nowhere to run so she ran to her room and shut the door. Leaning against it, heart pounding she felt the tears pool and stream down her cheeks. Sesshoumaru had done that? He had been in battle, anyone who wasn't a dog would have been attacked and she had to know that when she went. But Kami it was horrible.

Kagome shivered against the thick wooden plank, those claws of his had wreaked havoc on that poor woman, those claws that made her shudder in delight, those claws that caressed the body which now carried his child. She shook her head. No! She didn't care! Terrible things happened in wars and she knew that. Sesshoumaru would never have just attacked the woman. Her heart knew this.

"Kagome?" came a small hushed voice and she turned her cheek towards the door. "Shi- shippo?" she breathed, slowly she cracked the door and the boy slipped into the room. His green eyes were sad. "There is a chance for you to get away." He whispered and she nodded waiting for him to finish. In the end, it was a questionable plan, but they lacked a better one and so she decided to do her best. Her child would be born tonight…. That frightened her. She needed to keep it together long enough to feel the weakening of the barrier.


The pain began a scant hour later, as the sun sank in the sky. Kagome dropped to the ground and groaned as the feeling increased from aches to sharp stabbing pains. She tried to keep herself quiet, anything to keep Naraku away but he knew of her condition and he came to her.

"Leave me alone!" she hissed at him as she curled into a tight ball. His voice was low and quiet, almost mockingly soothing, "Now Kagome, you mustn't be that way. You are in pain and I can help you." She closed her eyes against the pain, her breathing coming heavily and her hair damp with sweat. Naraku merely knelt beside her and scooped her limp form into his arms.

Kagome could not even fight him as he carried her along the corridors and to the great hall. He laid her on the scarred table and set the jewel near her. She struggled then, but he merely laughed as spiraling tentacles of power secured her arms and legs and even throat to the table. She was not going anywhere.


Hours later, Kagome was exhausted, wet and limp. Her pain wracked body covered in sweat and she was beginning to shiver. The terrible tightness in her womb had increased and she whimpered. Hating Naraku for tending to her, bathing her face with cool water.

Sesshoumaru poured over his maps again, his eyes were tired. All he needed was a hint, a small clue! He sank into a chair in his large tent and pressed a hand to his eyes as if he could force the fatigue away. Inuyasha was in much the same condition and only the very brave dared enter the tent now.

One of those very brave was a lecherous monk and his lovely wife. They merely pushed the flap aside and strode in. "We have men to add to your cause." They announced. Sango had been plagued with guilt over Kagome and she had rallied every man she could to fight for the most feared demons in Japan.

Sesshoumaru would on any other occasion have sent them away, however, he wanted - no needed every eye he could get. He stood to leave the tent when a strange pulling in his chest stopped him. Pressing a hand to his heart, he looked up to meet Inuyasha's wide eyes. He had felt it too. "The child is coming." Sesshoumaru said and he was off in a blur of white, Inuyasha close behind. They had to act quickly and gauge the direction before the energy ceased.


Shippo watched the moon climb. It seemed to be taking it's sweet time on purpose as though every moment was prolonged to increase the suffering of the pale woman in the center of the room. "Hang on Kagome." He whispered. She was panting and had begun speaking to herself in quiet tones. Naraku seemed most pleased with this. It was then that Shippo realized she spoke to her children, and they…. Spoke to her. "Hold on mother." Came a soft voice, "Father is near. He is coming."

Sesshoumaru eyed the moon as he ran, it was getting late. He knew his child was coming, and he thrilled in that small tug that called to him, but at the same time he worried. Worried that his human mate would not survive it, it was taking so long. Hang on Kagome, he willed her to be strong.

Shippo watched as the moon neared it's peak. Naraku stood at the end of the table. His hands and eyes glowing and he waited for the child to slip from Kagome. Takemaru was already with the soldiers, he was ready to fight the dogs and waiting for the barrier to weaken. Naraku would let him escape to see to the battle, and to draw the dogs back to the castle.

Kagome screamed when the moon hit it's peak. At the same time Takemaru had flung the gates wide and the armies clashed on the countryside. The army seemed to come from nowhere and Sesshoumaru's men fought ferociously.

Shippo watched Takemaru's sister gather her power and focus it on the barrier. "Now Kagome!" he shouted and from far off, the woman heard the call. Kagome mustered the last vestiges of her strength and forced a burst of energy from herself.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha snapped from the battle as the power reached them. There, a barrier shimmered. It was exactly what they had been looking for and they made a mad dash for it. Kaogme and the child was just on the other side. Tetsusaiga's blade shone blood red as Inuyasha cut through the mystical wall, shattering it into nothingness.

With the barrier down, the castle became visible. Sesshoumaru's army pushed forward and the dogs stormed the castle. Inuyasha cut a bloodless swathe through undead soldiers alongside Sesshoumaru as he called Kagome's name.

Kagome was barely hanging on to consciousness. The pain and the effort of using her miko powers depleting her strength. She was in hell, she decided. This was what she got for having two demon lovers. She had always thought she was a nice girl but nice girls didn't do the things she had done and nice girls certainly wouldn't suffer this.

Naraku cackled as her stomach contracted, from between her legs came a slight glow and a surge of blood. Any moment now. The child came into the world just as Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha busted through the door. They had known in an instant what he planned to do when he reached for the small pale body. Kagome still screamed and her stomach rippled. Protective instincts raged through them, as Naraku's glowing hand touched the child.

Before Sesshoumaru could react a bright green light shot from the tiny hand and Naraku began to scream in agony. Light shrouded the table and when it faded, all that was left was a bubbling bloody mass of demon parts on the floor.

Stepping closer Sesshoumaru peered down at the table to see Kagome's still form and the new infant staring up at him. His child was whole and healthy and had just destroyed Naraku. The silvery tuft of hair on HER head was tinged pink with blood and birthing fluids. Her cheeks adorned with pale pink stripes and her forehead carried a small purple star. Her ears were pointed like her father.

Sesshoumaru reached out and gingerly touched the tiny cheek growling softly. Wide golden eyes snapped to his and the child began to whimper. He tucked the shaking child into the crook of his arm and began to wrap his long sleeve around her, when he noticed movement again.

"Inuyasha." He called and the younger stepped up to gather Kagome against his chest. She was breathing but her pulse was weak and there was so much blood. "Inuyasha there is another child." Sesshoumaru said softly, his nose picking up the scent, his ears the heartbeat. "Kagome." He called softly and her eyes fluttered open.

A look of joy spread across her tired features. "So-happy to see you." She whispered, "For---forgive me." Sesshoumaru shushed her as Inuyasha held her close. "You must push Kagome." Sesshoumaru told her. She tried, she did but she wasn't strong enough and Sessh knew she needed help.

"You bastard I will have my revenge!" Takemaru screamed as he rushed into the room and Sesshoumaru straightened and set the girl child down gently. "Inuyasha, you must help Kagome bring that child into the world." He said as he unsheathed his sword. Inuyasha grimaced, "Ahh hell." He muttered worriedly.

While Sesshoumaru fought Takemaru in a flurry of clanging steel and showering sparks, Inuyasha moved between Kagome's legs and carefully he pressed his hand to her. His fingertips encountered a tiny foot and even he knew that was bad. With a gulp, he sought after the other foot. This one was his, he knew it in his very core.

A soft cry beside him drew his gaze and he stared down at the girl. His brother's daughter. "Just a minute kid, we gotta help your mom." He told her and the child with her delicate pointed ears stilled. She scrunched up her face a moment later and grunted loudly. Inuyasha almost shouted when the lost foot inside kicked him. Slowly, carefully he began to ease the child from Kagome.

He didn't need to know much to know that she was dying and he fought against the tears that threatened. He had to get this child and then he could tend to her. She wasn't even screaming anymore, her voice a series of short broken and hoarse whimpers.

Little pink feet were followed swiftly by the little boy as her body gave one final heave to rid itself of the pain giving burden. Inuyasha stared at the son, HIS son. The boy was not as pale as the daughter and his ears looked almost human. On his brow was the same star. Twins.

Inuyasha used his sleeve to wipe the baby's face and wrapping him in the heavy firerat haori he settled him beside his sister. Inuyasha gathered Kagome to himself. "Don't you die on me Kagome!" he ordered, "Do you hear?!"


Sesshoumaru brought his sword down in a last vicious arc and in that moment he set Takemaru free from pain and from life. He stood over his body for a moment, before a scuttling sound drew his attention. He narrowed his eyes as a horribly deformed woman tottered towards him. "Sesshoumaru." It croaked, "My love!"

Inuyasha turned to stare when he heard the words. His brother was tensed, waiting for battle again. What the hell was the bitch talking about? She came at him slowly, her eyes wide with adoration and madness and even Sesshoumaru wanted to take a step back from her.

"Do you remember me?" she asked, and Sesshoumaru remained silent. "You love me." She said then and smiled that creepy smile of hers. "You made me look like this so that on one else would want me. I was saved all for you." She assured him.

Her rantings went on for several minutes and Inuyasha growled. "Hurry up Sesshoumaru, Kagome is bleeding to death while you listen to this hag." Sesshoumaru stiffened, his eyes never leaving the woman, "Your injuries are….regrettable. However, I have never nor do I now love you." He told her in a cool voice.

Her yellow eyes snapped wide, "No! That isn't true!" she shrieked, her eyes roving over Inuyasha and Kagome and the pups who were starting to fret. Her eyes snapped back to Sesshoumaru, "No. You do not love her! She is human!"

"She is my mate."
"I am to be your mate!"
"No."
"We fought, you marked me that day with your claws. I have waited for you!"
"You have waited in vain. You were an enemy… nothing more."
She lunged forward and a blur of red knocked her off balance. Her talons shredded through the little fox.
"You lie!" She lashed out at Sesshoumaru and he struck swiftly, burying Tokijin into her heart.
"You die." He whispered and she clutched at him impaled as she was.
"It.. It hurts." She whined softly.

His eyes softened momentarily, "It will pass soon. I promise." He said gently. Blood welled up at her lips and spilled over her chin. Her eyes rolled back and Sesshoumaru held her, pinioned on the blade. Not moving until he was certain she was no longer living. Then he shrugged her free from the blade. "Poor creature." He said.

Meanwhile the world was going black on Kagome. "So-sorry Inu….yasha." She said, "Sess…..lo…love…you. Ba… babies." Inuyasha felt the awful slowing of her heart and then it beat no more. He crushed her to him. "No! Kagome!" he cried out and the pups whimpered softly.

Sesshoumaru spun to see the haunting tableau before him. She couldn't be dead. No, that was unacceptable. Striding across the room, his movements almost frantic he tore her from Inuyasha's grasp. "See to the pups." He ordered and Inuyasha stepped back slowly, gathering the tiny warm bundles against himself, soothing them with soft sounds.

Sesshoumaru cradled Kagome in one of his arms, pressing his forehead against hers. "No Kagome, you must not go to that place." He said in a ragged whisper, "You cannot leave… you have much to do here. The pups…. Inuyasha… they need you….. I need you……..I…. Love you."

His words didn't reach her and he felt moisture in his eyes. With a quick flip of his wrist he had unsheathed Tenseiga. "Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha asked in a soft voice. "It's the only way," Sesshoumaru told him, "We must use the heavenly blade. She WILL live." He slashed the sword in an arc of blue light and within seconds Kagome's heart beat once more.