As Death Gives Life

Chapter 37 – Power


A/N: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I’m so glad that you all are still with me and enjoying the story!

A couple answers to questions

Sheana asked: “I have a question did you mean to say yogi or were you trying to put yoga?”
Answer: Yes, I meant to put yogi. Here is the reason why (Thanks to the American Yoga Assoc. For the definitions)...

Yoga - from the Sanskrit yug meaning "to join together or yoke"; a system of techniques to enable the joining of the physical and emotional/spiritual bodies

Yogi - strictly speaking, one who has attained Yoga, or union of the two bodies, but used commonly to refer to anyone who practices Yoga techniques on a committed basis.


Amy asked: “will sess and kag have other kids? kind of lonely for kebechet to be an only child plus she's not the heir to the western lands right?”
Answer: About the future familial status of our favorite couple... maybe. You will have to wait and see, although with the sexual gusto of those two, and no birth control, my bets are on more children at some point in their life. As far as Kebechet becoming the heir.... Who else but her would be more worthy? Power is what maintains control, and Kebechet has much power. I believe that Sesshomaru knows that his family will never lose possession of the Western lands under Kebechet’s rule. BUT.... the story isn’t over yet. Things have a way of changing.

Also:Several people are concerned that the story may end on a sad or tragic note. Never fear. I am to soppy for that. I love happy endings.

And finally To Shaehl: Anubis is heartbroken that you have expressed your severe hatred of him. He cried on my shoulder for quite awhile until I stripped him naked and forced him to pleasure me for hours. Thanks!

On with the story.....

~~~***~~~

“Argh! I just can’t do it!” she wailed miserably.

Sesshomaru fought the urge to slash at the air in frustration. Had he not been the only one capable of this training, he would have abandoned the mission with prompt accord.

Give up?

Since when had he become so weak? Would he allow her insufferable attitude to sway his goals? He, the feared demon Lord Sesshomaru? Would he accept this defeat at the hands of a female?

Never!

“Woman, quit your pathetic whining and follow my lead,” he snarled.

Kebechet looked over at her mother who was on the verge of tears, before turning to Father Sesshomaru once more. He seemed very... tense, and mother did not seem to be handling the whole situation very well. Perhaps it was time that she spoke up? “Father Sesshomaru, please have patience with mother. Her power is still new to her.”

Sesshomaru turned his golden gaze on that of his daughter. Her words of wisdom did little to dispel his aggravation at Kagome. He simply despised the word ‘can’t’. With a long soul-felt sigh, Sesshomaru gathered the resolves of his patience and turned back to his mate. “Kagome, you will do this thing. You will learn to harness and control your power. You must concentrate. You must focus. Your daughter, now only four years old, can perform these simple techniques. The time has come and gone for you to develop your strengths.”

Kagome blushed and looked away in embarrassment. Sesshomaru always had a way of making her feel like an unruly child. She allowed the moment to pass and turned to her daughter with a bright smile. “Arigato, my beautiful sunrise, for sticking up for your stupid mother.”

Kebechet shook her hear and rolled her blue eyes at her mother. “Don’t be ridiculous mother. You know very well that you are the smartest in all the land.”

Kagome winked playfully at her child. “Yes, you are right. I AM the smartest, aren’t I?” She then looked up to Sesshomaru, who now held a scowl on his pristine face. “Oh! Well, the smartest besides my wonderful mate!” She added.

His scowl became a look of minor annoyance, and Sesshomaru prepared himself for the next attempt to master the basic technique of transforming ones power into material shape. He once again snapped his whip from his fingertips, blasting yet another hay target to ash. He looked to Kagome in surprise when he caught a scent of arousal on the winds. She smiled at him sheepishly, and all thoughts of anger toward her washed away.

She found his power exciting.

The taiyoukai’s healthy ego swelled a bit more with the knowledge that he could still, so easily, effect his mate in such a manner. He made a note to thoroughly assault her lush soft body with his tongue when the time was more appropriate, then pushed those thoughts from his mind.

“Kebechet, show this Sesshomaru what power you wield.”

The lovely little girl with long glimmering white hair and eyes the color of the bluest oceans turned from her father and looked toward the next hapless haypile. Sesshomaru could almost feel the child’s concentration, and it amazed him that one so young could harness that amount of self-control. Kebechet was amazing in many ways, and he was proud of her in every way.

Power.

It pulsed and swirled in an aura of pure white light. Kebechet focused and pulled from the imaginary source deep within her. She had long ago given an image to her source. A pretty little box, carved with images of magical creatures, was kept tightly closed and locked with a golden key. She released the key and opened the perfect lid. Her power surged and flooded her body with tingling life.

She focused her unusual blue eyes on the target, held up her hand and a whip of blazing blue light appeared from her fingertip to blow the haypile apart with a blast of massive force.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as he took in the child’s display. Kebechet could manifest her power in many, different ways. It was almost inconceivable that a mere child could maintain that sort of control, but never-the-less she proved time and again that she would grow to be an all-powerful force in the world. A force that he, Sesshomaru, would nurture.

In a world of filthy humans and vengeful demons, there was only one thing that was truly respected, and that was power. Supreme power. This child held it effortlessly in her tiny hands. She would rise to power in this world and pave her own path, and he would be there every step of the way.

Kagome stepped up to try her hand at blasting a haypile. She was nervous and feeling like a complete failure. Her own tiny daughter could control her inner gifts with ease, but she had such a horrible time trying. Her power had always been an all-consuming need to defend. It would storm over her in the moment of crises and save those that she deemed worthy, including herself. It just didn’t seem to want to work any other way.

With a heavy sigh, she glanced over to Sesshomaru who was focusing his piercing golden eyes on her in expectation. Kebechet had faith in her. Sesshomaru seemed to also have faith in her, but the question remained... did she have faith in herself?

Times past, rolled through her mind, and she remembered her failures. From the very first moment that she aimed her arrow at that dang black raven youkai that stole the Shikon no Tama, to the most recent failed attempt when she singed the roof above her head. The failure and self disappointment came flooding back.

How could she ever do this? She wasn’t strong enough. She just couldn’t control it.

Suddenly tiny hands slipped warmly into her own and she looked down at her four year old little girl. Kebechet smiled warmly up at her. Kagome reached one finger out and traced the gentle curve of the crimson mark over her eye; something that she had done hundreds of times before.

“Mother. This Kebechet knows that you can do this. I know that you can feel the power inside of you. Unlock it. Wield it. You are not a failure. You are beautiful and strong. Father Sesshomaru would not say so, if it were not true.”

Kagome smiled brightly at the tender encouragement that she received from her child. A tiny child, that held the wisdom of a God. She looked up to Sesshomaru and found him watching her, waiting for her response. She smiled and fluttered her long lashes as a faint blush rushed over her pretty face. “Well then, if your father says it’s true, then it must be. For the Great Lord Sesshomaru never tells a lie” Kagome said in a teasing manner and she pinched Kebechet’s tiny button nose playfully. Kebechet giggled and released her hand, stepping back to stand beside her father.

Kagome turned toward the damnable haypile and pushed out the images of her spouse and daughter. She pushed away the singed roof and the missed arrows. She focused on the object that suddenly warped and morphed, through a feat of her mind, until it held the mocking face of an old enemy.

Kagome gasped as she beheld the dark hanyou, Naraku, standing there, laughing at her. Laughing at her failures. Laughing at all the lives that had met their bloody end by his hands. She held the image and she focused on her inner power. Her defenses burned with the need to destroy the tall sleek male.

He deserved to die.... again.

From deep within, Kagome found her power. It was held there, in a tiny glass vial full of sparkling slivers of pink glowing jewel shards. She mentally unscrewed the cap, and felt the sensation of flooding warmth claim her.

Sesshomaru watched in awe as his mate finally touched her source. The power that shimmered from her aura was almost blinding in its intensity. She narrowed his eyes as he watched with eager eyes.

Kagome had never before accomplished this much. Her power was there for the taking, but she never called upon it unless in danger or to protect. It seemed to skit about her soul just out of reach until times became dire. Now he was stunned to see her wield it, and he waited to see what form it would take.

Kagome was zoned out. Nothing existed except Naraku and his taunts. Naraku and his evil, vile ways, rubbing her mistakes into her scarred confidence. Her strength grew, until it almost became painful to contain. Without thought, she raised her right arm, turned her palm up and pointed. “Good-bye,” she whispered with vengeance.

It was time to put failure behind and embrace success.

His golden eyes widened as the word slipped from her full lips. With the utterance of that word, Kagome released a barrage of white glowing arrows from her fingertips. Dozens of deadly fast beams of razor sharp light poured from her source to rip through the haypile with burning intensity. Purifying fire exploded from the target incinerating any trace that a target was ever there at all.

“YAY!!!, Kebechet cheered, You did it mother! You did it!”

Kagome dropped her hand to her side with wide eyes. “I... I guess I did, didn’t I?” She turned to Sesshomaru with a look of surprise, which he met with one of his own.

Sesshomaru recovered quickly from his momentary stupor. He bowed gracefully to his mate and rose with a wicked smile. “This Sesshomaru looks forward to one day testing your power against himself.”

Kagome gasped. Spar against Sesshomaru? No way. No way, no how. He would kill her in a duel.

In the time it took for Kagome to blink in shock, he was by her side wrapping her in his strong powerful arms. He deep resonating voice sent shivers over her entire body as he whispered, “Never fear, mate. This Sesshomaru would never harm his most prized possession.”

Kagome giggled, trying to ignore the warm tickle of his breath on her ear. “Is that all that I am to you, Lord Sesshomaru? A possession?”

“Hn... that and so much more. Allow me to demonstrate the extent of my devotion to you when we retire for the evening,” Sesshomaru whispered before he lightly traced the shell of her delicate ear with his warm wet tongue.

“EWW.... Gross!” Kebechet squealed as she raced out of the room.

Kagome burst into a fit of giggles and Sesshomaru chuckled deeply as he took the opportunity to turn her and take her soft lips with his own. Kami, he never seemed to tire of her luscious mouth. Her teasing tongue playfully touched against his own, earning a rumbling growl from deep within his chest. Sesshomaru pulled away , then kissed her firmly once more.

His little mate from the future.

His Kagome.

~~~***~~~

Kebechet ran from the room in mock disgust at the open show of affection given from her father to her mother. Once free and clear of their sight, a huge smile erupted over her slender and graceful young features. Secretly, she loved it when Father Sesshomaru showered her mother with love. It was the only time that he ever let go of his lordly poise.

Her Father Sesshomaru was a proud and elegant demon lord. He was a strange mixture of death and love, and Kebchet was very glad that she was on the love side of her Lord, because the death side of Sesshomaru could be very scary. She had only seen it once, as he was normally very calm and reserved. The one time that she had seen the beast inside of her father come out in a fury, was ingrained in her memory forever.

She and her mother had been on their way back from visiting Uncle Inuyasha when they were attacked. At the time, Kebechet was unaware of her allure to those ‘black hearted fools’, as Sesshomaru called them. Enemies who would steal her away from her mommy just because she was a demi-Goddess. Heck, she didn’t ask to have this power. It was not a gift, yet it held no curse. It simply... was. It was a part of her, and she would master it for the good of human and demonkind alike.

Two youkai guards lead the carriage, and two headed up the rear. The captain of the guard carried on his arm Kagome’s falcon, Horus. Horus loved to come along on these trips. They had made the trip numerous times past, without a minutes trouble, but on this particular day they were hunted.

A lessor lord from the Southern tip of Japan sought Kebechet for his own. He intended to raise her himself and use her power to overtake all of Japan. They were ambushed and Horus was released to return to the castle for assistance. The battle was terrifying. The guards fought valiantly while her mother crouched over her protectively, uttering words of comfort through her tears.

As the last guard fell to the blade of their enemy her mother took control. It was the first time that she had ever been witness to her mother’s wrath. Her mother could not seem to call upon her full power at will, yet when real danger loomed, Kagome unleashed her true power. Blast upon blast of white light exploded from her hands as she decimated the foreign soldiers. The sight of it was almost as frightening as the youkai that were attacking them. Yet another image carved forever in her young mind.

The sheer numbers of the attackers soon became too much for Kagome and she was eventually struck with an arrow from behind. Kebechet could still see the image of blood splattering, as if in slow motion from the wound, to coat her own tiny face. The force of impact upon her mother sent her slender body surging forth, while long dark hair whipped about in the wind.

‘I screamed.’

Then Father Sesshomaru was there.

And he was very, very upset when he found mother injured. The wind became ferocious, rotating violently around his body as he held mother’s limp, bloody form in his arms. A long white canvas of wildly whipping hair surrounded them both. His beautiful golden eyes slashed to blazing red and his fangs must have grown as long as her hands. He snarled as he looked around the forest, sighting those who had harmed his beloved Kagome.

He was an avenging beast as he slashed through them with lengthened claws and glowing acid whip. Not one soldier was left breathing when her lord father had done serving out his justice. He was covered in splashes of dripping red blood, panting lightly, as he searched for any further threat to his family. It was an image that Kebechet hoped to never see again.

Mother suffered for two days until her body healed completely through. All the while Father Sesshomaru kept close by her side. He was the first thing that she saw when she finally opened her eyes.

Kebechet smiled at that happy memory, just as she darted around the corner. She had been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she did not notice that someone stood waiting her arrival just on the blind side. With an ‘oomph’, the young girl ran into a pair of thick hard thighs, and promptly fell back onto her tiny little butt.

A deep hearty chuckle echoed in the long empty hallway, and Kebechet erupted into a smile. She looked up from the black clad kneecaps and shouted, “Father Anubis!!” Kebechet wasted no time in leaping into her father’s arms with a big hug.

“I have missed you Kebechet!,” her father announced with a squeeze. Kebechet returned the squeeze with one of her own, putting a little strength into it. It was always fun to show her Father Anubis how strong she had grown since last she saw him.

“By Raa, girl, you have become the strongest little princess!” Anubis chuckled as he swept her around before setting her on her own two feet.

Kebechet grinned with pride and then pointed behind her, “Father! It was amazing, mother tapped her power, and wielded it with an assault of blazing arrows!”

Anubis smirked knowingly down at his energetic young child. “Yes, my daughter, I saw for myself, just before I left the Underworld. It appears that my little flower is becoming a force to be reckoned with. I know that she will make Sesshomaru proud.”

“Oh yes! Father Sesshomaru was most delighted to see mother’s attack,” Kebechet innocently exclaimed.

Anubis continued to smile, but the happiness ended there. He did not care to witness such things. It still pained him greatly. “Indeed. This Anubis has been witness to that as well. I do believe that I must agree with you daughter....” Anubis made an attempt to wrinkle his handsome face in disgust, “... Ew. Gross.”

Kebechet laughed merrily at her father’s foolishness, before leading him down the hallway and back to her chambers. She loved it when Father Anubis came to visit. She missed him terribly most of the time, but she understood, sort-of, why he couldn’t be with her all the time. Father Sesshomaru was there when he wasn’t, but it wasn’t the same.

Father Sesshomaru was a proud ruler who stood aloof and untouched. At least, that is the impression that he gives to most. Even around her, he was not playful. He often teased, while keeping a straight mask of indifference, and he was quick to sooth her when frightened in the middle of the night. Sesshomaru was caring of his family, but cold to everyone else, as if they were beneath him. He was an honorable inyoukai, and Kebechet loved him very much.

But he just wasn’t like Father Anubis.

She was his world, when he was with her. Nothing else captured his attention. She was his complete focus. He listened to her concerns and laughed at her silly thoughts. She told him about the latest humor in the castle and he would simply listen with a gleaming smile. He brought her strange exotic gifts from the Land of Egypt, and Kebechet loved to display them in her room. Father Anubis was just... well, Father Anubis. He was different that Father Sesshomaru in many ways, though she loved them both the same.

~~~***~~~

Sesshomaru walked around the boy in front of him with a narrowed piercing gaze. This look served to disarm the hardest of soldiers and make the weak cry. The great taiyoukai circled slowly, appraising the whelp, checking for any sign of weakness.

Damn. He found none.

“Jiyuu, tell this Sesshomaru, what your intentions are for my ward. It has been five years since you first began blubbering around her like a fool, and still you have not proposed a mating. Her ridiculous fears for the future are becoming tedious to mine ears.”

Jiyuu looked down at the wooden floor beneath his feet. Kami, he wished that he could disappear right now. Lord Sesshomaru was giving him the fabled ‘gaze of death’, and asking questions that he wasn’t really ready to answer. This was between him and Rin. He just hadn’t managed to tell Rin the reason for waiting... yet.

“Sesshomaru-sama! May I have leave to speak freely?” Jiyuu answered his superior in a forceful military tone.

“Proceed,” Sesshomaru ordered and stepped away to await the explanation.

“Sesshomaru-sama, I would most happily request the hand of the fair maiden Rin, but I fear that I can not, at this time, do so.” Jiyuu sighed, and once again began. “One year ago, my father approached me, and informed me that he had arranged a marriage with the daughter of his rival. The marriage would bring peace to both of our lands. Besides my feelings for Lady Rin, unfortunately, Yame, the rivals daughter, and I do not get along at all. It was instant hatred. Since that time we have both sought to change the wedding agreement between our honorable fathers, but they refuse to give in. We were told that we should learn to get along for the sake of our lands.” Jiyuu’s shoulders drooped slightly in sadness. “I love the Lady Rin with all of my being, but it will dishonor my family if I were to break the marriage agreement without just cause.”

Sesshomaru glared at the boy. “One year. One year, you have known of this contract and yet you have not spoken one word of it to my ward.”

Jiyuu gulped nervously. He looked away from those blazing eyes and down to the floor beneath his feet. Lord Sesshomaru had a flair for making you feel insignificant and idiotic. He cleared his throat and tried to weakly attempted to defend himself from the accusing glare. “Hai. It is true. I... tried. I tried many times, my lord, but each time she would turn that magical smile and those big soft eyes upon me. I simply could not bear to break her heart. It pains me greatly to see tears in her eyes.”

Sesshomaru considered this deeply. He was angry with the boy, for continuing to lead Rin into this relationship when his obligations lay elsewhere. Unfortunately, however, he knew exactly how Jiyuu felt, and that was a weakness that he would never admit to. He would carve mountains and split the oceans in order to keep Kagome from crying. Her tears were torture on his soul.

And that is why Sesshomaru chose not to kill Jiyuu that day.

Instead, Sesshomaru walked up to stand directly in front of Jiyuu with his head tilted up and his eyes glaring down. “Boy, you have much to answer for. This Sesshomaru demands that you speak of this immediately to his ward, Rin.” He watched, a bit satisfied, as Jiyuu took on a look of utter despair. He waited for the pup to reach the door and said, “Jiyuu.” The boy turned and bowed to him. Then Sesshomaru said, “She will not cry. Rin shall not cry, as you shall take her as your mate. Trust this Sesshomaru to see to the contract.”

A large grin spread over Jiyuu’s face as he bowed low to his Lord. “Arigato, Lord Sesshomaru. Your assistance is most welcome. This Jiyuu will honor you with our union!”

“Hn,” Sesshomaru grunted as he turned away. “See that you do.”

~~~***~~~

A loud knock woke the old man from slumber. He jumped from his bed and opened the shoji door. His servant looked frantically at him as he ran into the room and gathered his robe from the bed. “Wha... Hukaro! What is going on?” Hukaro nervously replied, “Hurry sire! You have most important guest awaiting your appearance!”

Hukaro shuffled his master out of his room and down the hallway. The slender old youkai barely had a chance to complain before he was standing in his greeting room. His heart stilled at the sight of the soldiers awaiting him there. He stood baffled for a moment, until the armor clad men split and stepped back, making a path for a tall youkai.

“L... Lord Sesshomaru!” The old man fell to his knees as he greeted the Western Lord.

“You are the father of Yame, betrothed to Lieutenant General Jiyuu of the Western Military?” Sesshomaru-sama asked in an haughty, even voice.

“Hai...” the youkai replied, while wondering what the Western Lord had to do with his daughters mating contract. Had some terrible fate befallen Jiyuu during battle for the West? Even then, he could hardly believe the Taiyoukai himself would personally come to pass the news to the family of a future mate. It was odd and unsettling, , to say the least.

Sesshomaru motioned behind him with a graceful sweep of his clawed hand. A frail looking youkai male rushed in carrying a vial of ink and parchment. Sesshomaru then pulled loose a pouch hanging from his hakama and carelessly dropped the bag, with a heavy chink, onto the low wooden table next to him. He then turned his piercing gaze on the old youkai. “I have need of Jiyuu elsewhere, and wish to make restitution for the loss to your daughter.”

He was stunned into silence for a moment, then looked up to Lord Sesshomaru. “But... the treaty...”

Sesshomaru ‘harrumphed’ and made a bored motion. “This treaty will stand, for Jiyuu’s family will be well rewarded. Now, sign the new testament. I lose patience here.”

His heart was pounding, but the whole situation was most disturbing. He dared not refuse the feared demon before him. His ruthlessness was known far and wide. The old man walked up to the scholar and took the bamboo pen in hand. He signed his name, in acceptance of the new agreement.

Sesshomaru looked at the trembling man in disgust. He could smell the deceit dripping from this youkai. He was not to be trusted. The less time in his presence the better. The stench was becoming highly unpleasant.

~~~***~~~

Four hours later.....

Ukito looked at the contract before him and the stack of gold coins spilling from the silken pouch. Lord Sesshomaru of the West stood in his own home, arranging for a treaty between himself and his rival, in order to save Jiyuu from a marriage that the boy obviously did not want.

Why?

Ukito looked up from the parchment, just before adding his flaring signature. “Sesshomaru-sama, may this Ukito be so bold as to ask, why? Why is this a concern to your royal person?”

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes on the old soldier. Ukito had served his family well in his day, and had finally retired from battle. The old dog, did not show any fear, which he respected greatly. However, he was not one to suffer questions of his actions lightly. Momentarily, he let the irritation dissolve and regarded the old warrior. “Jiyuu will, instead, become mate to my ward, Rin.”

Ukito was clearly stunned.

“Your human ward?” he asked.

Sesshomaru glared a threat of quick death before replying, “Hai.”

Ukito knew that look all too well, and clamped any further questions behind closed lips. He had just retired recently and there was no way that he wished to greet death so soon. If Jiyuu wished to mate the human ward of Lord Sesshomaru, then so be it. Besides, it wasn’t like he had much of a choice in the matter.

Sesshomaru stepped out of Ukito’s, manor and looked around. He issued the command for his soldiers to depart and himself settled on Ah-Un.

Inwardly he sighed in relief. While he considered meddling in the affairs of others distasteful, this particular need could not be ignored. At least now he could put this issue to rest.

Rin would be very happy when he returned.