Yellow Brick Road

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA AND CO., NOR DO I OWN WIZARD OF OZ. I ALSO DO NOT MAKE MONEY FROM THIS.

Thank you to Possessed for beta-ing.

Chapter 29: It Was Time

Sesshoumaru did not return to his chambers until the rays of the new day spilled across his domain. It was time for Kagome to stand. It was time for the pups to be seen. It was time.

Sesshoumaru quickly dispelled the barrier he had sent to protect his pack and when he entered, he noted the tension in the air. Michi and Inuyasha seemed to be at each other’s throats for some reason or another. However, that was nothing unusual, for Michi was a highborn bitch and Inuyasha was a crass whelp that grew up in the wilderness.

“Prepare,” Sesshoumaru’s baritone cut through the tension-filled air. The one word command was more than enough to send the hanyou and bitch into a flurry.

Sesshoumaru moved farther within his chambers to find his mate and pups asleep. As loath as he was to wake her, it was necessary to ensure many more restful nights to come. One clawed finger traced the outline of her face down to the jawbone, the soft underside of the chin, along her throat until it came to his mark. The raised skin was still pink, but had healed much more rapidly than he had ever known Rin’s wounds to be capable.

Three sets of eyes watched the tai-youkai, only one possessing a solid field of sapphire. The throat bobbed under his finger as the owner began to speak, “We missed you.”

“There was much to be done.”

“As I am sure there always will be,” her voice was soft and loving, “It does not change that your absences will always be noticed.” The hand had moved from her throat to cup her face and she gladly nuzzled into it. She would draw from his strength as long as possible.

His head descended until their foreheads were touching. His warm breath washed over her as he voiced his faith, “You are ready. After today there will be none that can deny it.”

“Yes, but I would have wished that it did not come to this.”

“It is the youkai way,” he rumbled.

Kagome smiled mischievously, while teasing, “And is it the youkai way that the male carries no mark?”

“This Sesshoumaru is Alpha.”

She only laughed.

He had explained to her that as alpha, he would never carry anyone’s mark of ownership, to which she had called him a “chauvinistic coward.” Needless to say, that did not go over well. He had refused to talk to her for a few days and when she had enough of his spoiled ways she apologized for insulting him and requested that they talk like intelligent beings.

The following discussion revealed several of the differences between their viewpoints of the world. For him, the mark would show weakness that he was not strong enough to prevent another from marking him in such a way, add to that fact it would be from a human with holy power would only compound the shame. Already, many rumors of his frailty were abundant because of his dismissal of the concubines.

In Kagome’s mind it had nothing to do with ownership, but rather a physical manifestation of her pledge of her fidelity to him. That he had out right refused had forced her to revisit the feelings of being little more than a whore. She was supposed to be happy with only the offer of words, instead of actions that he would remain faithful.

While the beast within raged with anger at her ease of her disregard for the value of his word, his more logical half was confused. The great inu tai-youkai had never broached the subject of his half brother and the undead miko, and he was learning the level of that mistake. His female’s first foray into relationships between male and female had been one where she constantly felt a failure and unworthy. To Kagome, it was normal to fear that you could be replaced by a better version at any time and that words meant very little in the grand scheme of things.

With this in mind, Sesshoumaru allowed her to see just how deeply she had branded him as hers. In the privacy of their chambers, he bared his neck to her. Though no other would ever see the great lord in this position, she understood the absolute devotion that this simple act took. He was irrevocably hers.

It was the noise of his daughters that stilled the inu-youkai’s irritation. “As soon as I am done feeding them, I will prepare for today.”

She exposed herself and allowed both to latch on as she lay on her side. Her mate curled his body along her back as his free hand stroked each pup in turn. Kagome moved her head so that she was using his arm as a pillow and he in turn nuzzled into the top of her head.

The peace of their closeness calmed all within the room.

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It was time.

They stood on the dais of sorts overlooking the courtyard. The West had gathered to greet their new lady and to many disgruntled opinions she was yet just another human.

Kagome could feel the dissention in the ranks as they gazed upon her, Sesshoumaru had chosen to wait until after her presentation to bring out their daughters. She stood slightly behind her mate waiting for the maelstrom that would follow her two cute little furry daughters’ entrance.

The hush swept through the crowd as both Inuyasha and Michi appeared carrying the silver pups. As their names were stated the rising tide of ill will crashed upon the Western Alpha’s pack.

A blue-haired female stepped forward. “Are we to believe that a ningen gave birth to these youkai pups? What sorcery has she placed upon are our Lord?”

It was time. The growling did not stop Kagome from answering the challenge. “I thought that youkai senses were greater than that of a human?! Can you not smell that their scent is a combination of both Sesshoumaru-sama and myself?”

“It is easy enough to find a spell. You deserve nothing of the honors that our lord has bestowed.”

“Are you sure you wish to go down this path?” Kagome’s sapphires bored into the female before her. There was no way to convince this bitch short of death that a miko could be strong enough to stand by their alpha.

A growl answered her civil words, as the inu-youkai charged the petite human, claws extended. Kagome stood her ground, waiting for the last possible moment to raise her defense. While her power’s wells were almost infinite, Kagome was still limited to her reaction time. She would never be as fast as the youkai.

The barrier erected at the last second, forcing the bitch to come in direct contact with it. The other female’s claws were no more, but that did not mean that she was now harmless. The strength and speed still contained within Kagome’s youkai opponent could still end her life.

The blue-haired female hissed and then sneered at the human filth; she would not be denied her chance to win her prize. There would be a new Lady of the West in mere moments. Tensing her muscles, the bitch shot at her opponent with speed that the human’s eyes had no hope of following.

Before Kagome knew what had happened, she was lifted off the ground by her throat. It would seem that her challenger wanted to savor her death. “It is a shame that your pride has blinded you with stupidity,” Kagome gasped out.

A small foot, charged with reiki, slammed into the bitch’s exposed abdomen. Both females fell to the ground. Then one stood on her feet, in a pile of ash that had once been the other.

The air charged to new heights, as Kagome allowed all of the West to see who she was. Her pink aura expanded further and further, forcing all who witnessed it to shy away. All expect her pack.

“I am your Lady, and he,” her aura incased Sesshoumaru, “ is my home. DO NOT think that I will not fight for my place. DO NOT think that I am weak.” With the last words said, she flared her aura even more.

Sesshoumaru stood tense fighting every urge that told him to protect his mate. This was her battle to win, and she was the one who prevailed against the Kami of malevolence. However, for all his self-control red blurred his vision. He would slaughter the West all of Japan and the rest of the world if that is what it took to have her by his side for the rest of time. Never again would she be forced to face anything alone.

The purity of her power burned bright in the courtyard for all to see, for all to fear and marvel in. Some had seen her use this power for their benefits, others wondered what their fate would be. Forgiveness was not a trait of youkai, compassion even more foreign.

Countless eyes watched as she stooped to gather a handful of ash. Her voice rang clear, “This is the fate of any who dares to threaten the wisdom of the West. Your alpha has proven his right to lead, his right to choose, it is now your place to trust in his strength of power and mind.

“I have bared to him. In my submission, I have sworn my power to the West, land and subjects. Those who allowed themselves to be blinded by pride and greed are no longer here. Do not fall to their delusions or the wrath of the West will descend upon you.

“I am Kagome, mate to Lord Sesshoumaru. I am Lady of the West.” She turned to her mate and knelt. Throat exposed, she did not recall her aura but waited for his response.

With a few quick strides, the silver tai-youkai stood before the supplicated priestess. The warmth of her aura penetrated the very center of his being. The West had seen her strength, now they would witness what made her so utterly unique.

His youki expanded in a display that none had witnessed. His youki swirled around him, inviting her reiki to dance with it. The blazing fires of crimson encased her petite form, but her reiki never faltered. It wisped out to caress her chosen alpha. She poured the love of her very soul into its touch.

The two stood together as a beacon for the West, these two opposite beings had joined. Alone they were strong, but together they were undeniable. The West would grow strong and flourish with tai-youkai and former miko to lead them. The masses bared to their alphas.

Sesshoumaru brought his mate back to stand with him on the dais. There was one thing left to do before this day would come to a close.

Kuro enter the courtyard in shackles. The only dignity he had left was the right to meet his death in the eyes. At least he had seen the sun one last time.

“Do you deny your aid in the former breeder’s ploy to kill your alpha and his breeder?” How did the baritone obtain so much frost within it?

“No,” the condemning admission slipped from the younger inu-youkai without hesitation.

“You know the price for disloyalty?” Kuro could only look upon the one who spoke, to look at either female upon the dais was too painful.

“Yes.”

“Then it shall be.” Sesshoumaru began to move forward to remove from this plane the one that had almost cost him his mate and pups.

“Wait,” Kagome would not have spoken out, but her mate had given her no warning of what was to come. She heard the growl of disapproval and exposed her throat in a move that had become instinct.

“Mate, you would speak in his favor? The one who allowed Madoka to gain such close access to you?”

“I would speak in defense of any who has made an honest mistake. Of any who did the best they could when placed in a situation beyond their understanding. I cannot condemn any who make mistakes with the best of intentions behind them.” She spoke clear, strong and with a hint of pleading that, the tai-youkai had not heard from her in a while.

“He should not have ever risked your life.”

“No, he should not have, and I will not stay your hand in your retribution. I only have this to offer. Merciful acts are not always weakness. Honorable acts are not always just. His death will serve the bloodlust of the West, but in the end it will also take away one that knows nothing but fidelity to the West as well.” Kagome held her stance of submission to the great tai-youkai, but it also told of her willingness to stand by his side whatever his decision.

Sesshoumaru’s voice rang out for all to hear, “Is there any that can vouch for this traitor of the West?”

Kuro closed his eyes; he knew that none would risk their life for him. The Lady of the West had only spared him a few more agonizing moments of his rapidly fleeting life.

“This Michi can speak for his actions in the dark moments of that night.” Kuro’s eyes snapped open and focused on the lilac-eyed savior. “This soldier of the West curtailed Iwao’s ability to claim rights to alpha through my bed. He defended both his Lord and Lady’s name while Iwao was intent on their ruin. Finally, he ensured that this Michi knew to protect the Lady, for acts would be made against her in her time of defenselessness. I do not know anything else of him, but that without his help time would not have been on the West’s side to defend itself.”

“Hn.” Was it enough to stay his hand? Had this pup done enough in his last moments of freedom to warrant redemption? Sesshoumaru knew that to not kill the male would be viewed as weakness. If exile was used then he could be unleashing a known threat to come back and haunt his future. The real question was; could he live with his mate’s censure?

Kagome had obviously forgiven the pup for his part, further more she would add his head on the tally of those she had wronged. Her censure would not be directed at him, but herself. She had once said that she understood that his instincts were a part of him just as much as her forgiveness was a part of her. Could he burden his mate further just to satisfy laws of old?

No. The creature that stood at his side deserved no more weight on her shoulders. For her he would show this pup mercy. The stoic inu-youkai stood before the West about to make his proclamation when another stepped forward.

Tadashi did not know Kuro well personally, but he knew of the fellow soldier’s origins. He knew why the soldier had made the first trip to the island of the damned, and he knew that the male had defended the Lady before he was sent into the claws of the former breeder. “I, Tadashi, will vouch that the soldier before you, Sesshoumaru-sama, had made it clear his support of the choice of Kagome-sama as your breeder before his departure with the late Madoka. Kuro was chosen to escort Madoka as punishment for his open support of the Lady.

“The soldier’s background is not one that affords him any special treatment. He has earned his rank based on his merits and as far as I know, he has never taken the easy route. I will vouch that though his actions were reckless, his intentions were true.”

“Hn, then so be it that no more blood with mark this day. However know this; those who have placed their faith in this soldier will fall with him if it turns out that said faith was misplaced.” No more was said as Sesshoumaru turned on his heel and walked back to the dais. Kagome followed, not fearing to show her back to any.

A new era had dawned on the West and none would think of this as the land of the setting sun. Power and mercy twined together just as reiki and youki had.

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AN: Thank you for reading please review. I would also like to point out that this story is not complete.

Emmaren