The Portal

Chapter 23 – Meet Lord Seth, the Falcon King

Their eyes were trained on the sky above, waiting for the ominous demonic aura to appear. Their wait was not long, however. Sesshomaru caught sight of it way before Kagome’s inferior human eyes. It was a bird, a huge bird, coming toward them at an alarming rate.

Sesshomaru could feel the malcontent pouring off of the youkai, and had to wonder what had infuriated the beast so?

Kagome was feeling practically ill with the force of the new youkai’s aura. It was frightening, as she could not remember feeling so overwhelmed since she and Inuyasha had faced off against Sesshomaru, just after she pulled the Tetseiga free in their father’s tomb. When Sesshomaru had finally lost his temper and began to transform, she had felt the same ominous swell.

His instincts were telling him that this was a fierce enemy, and he could feel his beast surge in its attempt to take control. Sesshomaru pushed the call down, as he had no logical reason to release it. This may be a powerful youkai, but he had no reason to feel threatened. He was a guest in this place and had done nothing to merit an attack.

Seth could see his prey long before he reached it. The words of Naraku played in his mind. This new dog, Sesshomaru, thought to take his woman. Nebthet belonged to him, and he would allow no other touch what was his. Too long he had waited for her affections. Too many years he watched his lovely Nebthet from afar. Even after the death of his Father he had been denied her by that bastard brother of his. Yet Anubis would let a new inu make advances upon her person! He would have blood for this. He would insure that there was no threat after today.

“Kagome, leave... now,” Sesshomaru ordered. He had not been taiyoukai of the West for as many years for nothing. He knew this bird had made him his target. Why? He could not answer that, but his instincts were screaming to defend.

Kagome looked to Sesshomaru with fear, “But...”

“Go NOW!” Sesshomaru screamed without even raising his voice.

She didn’t know why he was sending her away, and she had no idea why this new foe had targeted them, but she stood up and ran as fast as her feet would carry her to the pyramid. She had to find a bow and some arrows.

With Kagome out of the way, Sesshomaru could focus his complete attention of the approaching youkai. Within minutes the monstrous bird was hovering several meters above him. Its immense flapping wing span sending a torrent of wind and sand flying through the air. Before Sesshomaru’s eyes the enormous falcon transformed to its humanoid form with a piercing screech. The youkai, still hovered above, flapping his massive wings, with his fierce red eyes focused on him.

“You are the one called Sesshomaru?” Seth called down to the inuyoukai in a booming voice.

‘So this bird knows of me?’ Sesshomaru thought. He wondered how this came to be, but put it aside for the time being. “I am. State your business falcon.”

The falcon youkai rolled his head and ruffled its feathers, before bringing the blood red eyes back to the inu.

Seth was not pleased with this arrogant taiyoukai, but the dog should know who will bring him to his knees, so he answered, “Bow before me, for I am Lord Seth, firstborn of the Falcon God Horus!”

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, and replied, “This Sesshomaru bows to no one undeserving of such! What offense has brought you to seek me out, Lord Seth?”

A flash of rage from the falcon, and he answered the inuyoukai, “You have put your snout where it does not belong, dog!”

A slice of steel could be heard amongst the powerful beat of Seth’s wings, as Sesshomaru unsheathed Tokijin. Lord Seth’s booted feet became the talon pointed claws of his falcon heritage, and in a flash of white and tan, the two clashed.

Sesshomaru expertly guarded and blocked Seth’s razor sharp talons, as he lunged from the sky time and time again. The inu taiyoukai unleashed Tokijin’s wrath upon the falcon lord who averted just in time to receive only a few singed feathers on his left wing. The falcon lord further transformed to gain his deadly beak, which he used to thrust toward the inu’s neck, as his talon'd claws fought to gut its prey.

Sesshomaru had been enjoying himself immensely. At long last, an enemy worthy of his attention! He fought with the bird for some time before he darted with demonic speed to the left then just as quickly he flew beneath the bird, turned and poured a jolt of Tokijin’s power upon the falcon king. He screeched out in a piercing sound, and fell somewhat before regaining his altitude once more. Sesshomaru was taken by surprise when the beasts’ claws raised to unleash their own attack, which hit the inuyoukai across his unprotected chest.

Sesshomaru was hurled through the air before catching himself, flipping, and landing gracefully on bended knee. His eyes flashed deadly crimson, as his temper flared. Then suddenly he became distracted by the shout of a feminine voice calling his name.

Kagome found what she was looking for. She had no idea whose bow and quiver she took, but she promised to return it if she lived. She tore back through the pyramid with speed she didn’t know she possessed, and finally came back to the gardens. Before her, Sesshomaru and the new youkai were battling fiercely. She stopped in her tracks, as Sesshomaru would only take offense to her interference. She would find the best position for her attack and wait.

A crowd had gathered, including Lord Anubis and his mother. The spectator’s watched the battle with interest, and Kagome could clearly see that Lady Nebthet was very disturbed with the whole affair.

Kagome turned her attention back to the battle and swiftly spotted the place she needed to be. She ran to the little rocky spring, where she climbed to the top. No one stopped her, as all eyes were on the battling taiyoukai. Once she balanced herself at the top, she drew her arrow, and readied her bow. She hoped she wouldn’t be forced to use it, but she wouldn’t allow that bird to kill Sesshomaru either.

Her fears came to life when the falcon released an unexpected attack of youki from its claws. Sesshomaru caught the brunt of it across his chest, sending him hurling through the air. Kagome’s heart lurched, and she screamed, “NOOOO... SESSHOMARU!”

The sound of the woman’s scream brought silence over the land making the release of her bowstring resound through the air. All eyes turned in awe as a flaming pink arrow barreled through the air toward the falcon king.

Seth looked up from his prey just in time to see a powerful blast of purification racing toward him in the form of an arrow. Through his shock, he managed to barely escape the arrows deadly accurate path. He felt the burning pain of it, course through his thigh, soon paralyzing his body, and rendering him helpless to fight. His body transformed of its own accord back to his humanoid form. He fell from the sky and landed hard on the ground below. Darkness then washed over the falcon king. His fury contained... for now.

Kagome leapt from her rocky tower, and ran to Sesshomaru. He was still kneeling, and panting hard. His eyes had returned to their golden luster, but Kagome could tell that he was still in pain.

“Foolish wench! You were told to stay away!” Sesshomaru growled.

“Oh just shut up! Like I could stand by and watch the man I love get killed!” Kagome screamed.

Sesshomaru caught his breath at her words. She said that she loved him. This revelation gave him a warm feeling, and would have to be explored further, but he was still angry with her for disobeying. Her interference had drawn the attention of all, including his newest enemy, to his little miko. He could only guess at the trouble now ahead of them.

When he looked up from his thoughts, he saw her angelic face. She was frightened and tears coursed down her cheeks from her huge cerulean eyes. Sesshomaru dropped Tokijin and pulled her to him. He ignored the burning pain of his injuries with only a deep grunt, as he took her lips with his own. The two of them lost themselves in their kiss, closing off the world around them during their heated embrace.

Several things had come to light during and after the battle between Lord Seth and Lord Sesshomaru. One of which was the awesome power that the tiny human female held within. This revelation left the inuyoukai clan wondering at their own safety, for if she could bring down the most powerful of the Lords, then she could be considered a threat to them all.

Another enlightening fact, to all watching the final display, were the obviously deep feelings between the taiyoukai and his human female salve. A slave that could wield a shot of purification, which could easily kill a youkai enemy. Together, these two covered a broad spectrum of power, certainly not to be taken lightly.

There were many emotions felt amongst the inuyoukai clan, as they watched the foreign taiyoukai making passionate love to his female’s tender lips. Some envied the human woman, for holding the attentions of such a fine male. Other’s envied the power of the two. There were those that were disgusted by the open display between a human and an inu, whereas some found a smile. One feeling seemed to reign supreme, however, and that was fear. Fear of these foreigners, and fear of the moment Lord Seth regained consciousness.

Anubis sighed deeply, and shook his head. His brother was going to be one bastard of a houseguest until his recovery. He motioned for his slaves to gather his falcon brother and carry him inside the temple. He put his arm around his mother and gently urged her away from the kissing pair. It would seem that his mother had begun to have feelings for Sesshomaru, as he could feel her sadness.

Anubis called to his steward, “See if Lord Sesshomaru needs assistance. Tell him that a healer will be sent to his chamber’s.” He turned, ignoring the stewards bow, and headed to the temple.

~~~***~~~

So, his new ally had fallen to the miko’s arrow. Such a pity. If Kagome had not interfered, the taiyoukai may have lost the battle. One would never know now. Lord Seth had proven himself worthy in battle today, and Naraku would not let this little setback discourage him. There would be another day to pit the two titans against one another, and next time he would make sure the miko was unable to participate.

Naraku turned away from the disgusting scene before him. The sight of Kagome in Sesshomaru’s embrace turned his stomach. She would belong to him one day, and Naraku vowed to do everything in his power to make it happen.

~~~***~~~

Breathing was a necessity, and so Kagome was forced to pull away from her demon lover and gasp for air. She opened her eyes and took in Sesshomaru’s features. Through it all he remained as magnificent as ever, and Kagome reached up to cup his face against her small hand. He never opened his eyes; he only leaned into her touch.

He was wounded pretty badly, and Kagome knew that he needed to rest. She stood quickly to her feet, and tried to tug on him. Someone behind her stepped forward, and a young inu male relayed the message of his Lord Anubis. Kagome was about to accept the offer of assistance, but then Sesshomaru pushed himself to his feet with a pained grunt. He refused the offer of help, and slowly made his way to the temple. Kagome put her arm around his waist, even though she knew she wasn’t really any help concerning his towering weight.

Sesshomaru looked down when Kagome slid her arm around him. He almost scoffed at her useless gesture, but she met his gaze with worried eyes. He decided against voicing his opinion on the matter, as it appeared to him, that perhaps she was the one who needed support.

Together the miko and the taiyoukai slowly made their way back to the temple.