Across the Ages

Sorry for the cliffies! heh heh, thanks for all the great reviews and for visiting the sessh-bot :) The next few chapters will be a little more tense and a little darker, but it'll work out... I think.
The moment you have been waiting for.... the challenge! Don't hate me or Sessh for the last chapter.

Chapter Forty-Five

Dawn found the camp in tense silence. Inuyasha and Koga stood on opposite sides of a small clearing. They were glaring at each other as Sesshoumaru recited the reason for the challenge and the rules they were to follow. Kagome was standing beside him, head down, trying very hard not to cry. She was still worried, despite the older youkai's assurances.

Sesshoumaru's eyes lit on his wife. She looked a little tired but ready to fight. He hoped that it wouldn't be needed but he had a fairly good understanding of the wolf's mind. He suspected the wolf would give Inuyasha the best beating he could. The hanyou deserved it.

Ayeka had not acknowledged him. The seconds were announced and they both stepped forward among the hushed murmurs of surprise. Ginta and Ayeka bowed to Sesshoumaru and then one another. Her features were smooth and calm. She looked bored with the proceedings.

Inuyasha and Koga circled each other for a few moments. No weapons were permitted, save fangs and claws. The wolf was faster than the hanyou, so Sesshoumaru was fairly certain Inuyasha would bleed first. He almost smiled at the prospect.

His brother surprised him, leaping and twisting, nimbly avoiding the wolf's claws. Koga however, could sense he was tiring. No verbal insults could be traded per the rules, but they knew each other well enough to read them in the other's eyes. It seemed neither one wanted the match to end quickly as they kicked and punched, but did not draw blood. They were beating the hell out of one another.

Beside him, Kagome tensed. Sesshoumaru growled softly to her, the same soothing sound that Inuyasha used with her. Despite herself, she calmed. She looked up at him, but his eyes were fixed on the battle before him. He seemed to coldly casual about it that her temper flared again. She wanted to kick him for putting her through this. His growls increased and she sighed.

A misstep decided the match, Inuyasha over extended by the slightest bit. Koga saw his opportunity and slashed out with his claws, catching the tanned cheek of his opponent. Not a deep wound, but it bled. Sesshoumaru called the match. Inuyasha's second stepped forward. The match was not over yet. Koga had to beat her to claim the miko.

Many demons watching her rather disapproving of the lady of the west dirtying her hands with such business. Her men however hooted and whistled and cheered her on. They had no doubts the wolf was in for a big surprise. The lady didn't fight fair after all.

Koga eyed his new opponent. He bowed low to her, "I did not want this" he whispered to her, head bowed. She kept her head down as well, "Well it's too late for either of us to back down. Please Koga, don't do this to kagome". They straightened.

Sesshoumaru barked the order to begin and they were on each other in an instant. Ayeka, being human was allowed to wear small gloves with steel clawlike blades attached. Through she'd not fought this way before, she wasn't doing bad at all. Sesshoumaru watched her curve her arm driving her elbow hard into the wolf's jaw. He stumbled backwards, not wanting to harm the woman.

She was human, it should have been an easy thing to make her bleed, but he was fast learning that she was more than what she seemed. He dodged her slashing swing and tripped her, she rolled into a fighting crouch. the wolf suddenly found that he was trying NOT to lose the match. He kept his speed supressed because that was only fair. He suddenly regretted that decision.

They snarled at each other, Ayeka sounding more demon than human. Sesshoumaru had to admit that he was quite pleased with her so far. However, one wrong move and Koga could seriously hurt her, whether he meant to or not. It took a long while for Ayeka to tire, almost as long as it had taken Inuyasha. Her movements were starting to lag, and Koga was not the only one to see it. Damn but he was tired too!

Suddenly she leapt at him and Koga, worried she would be injured only had time to catch her against him as they rolled to the ground. Sesshoumaru was on his feet and staring, as were a number of others. The dust settled and there they were. Koga with a scratch on his shoulder and Ayeka with a claw prick on her arm. They had both bloodied the other.

She lay panting across the winded wolf. Her artificial claws still stuck in him, his grip on her arm unrelenting. It was a draw. Sesshoumaru would decide what was to be done. He detested seeing Ayeka on the wolf and started to make his way to her.

Koga sat up and helped her to her feet. He hissed as he tugged a blade from his flesh. She winced when he released her arm. It wasn't a deep wound, but it stung. They looked at each other and nodded, pride was saved and their secret was safe.

Ayeka looked up at the handsome wolf and swayed on her feet, weariness overcoming her. She slumped against him, and he caught her easily. She let her head fall back as he lifted her. "Thank you Koga" she breathed. Sesshoumaru was there in that moment. He barked at Yamataki to remove Ayeka from the field. She locked eyes with him for only a moment, fiery defiance shown in those eyes.

Koga was standing on shaking legs, worn out, he leaned against Ginta. His actions ensured that Ayeka could not be considered weak. Sesshoumaru was silently grateful for that. Though he doubted it would be needed. In a clear voice he proclaimed that Koga's challenge was revoked and that Inuyasha would undergo punishment according to the law. Kagome would remain his however. He looked at Koga in question, "I agree on one condition" he muttered arrogantly. Everyone waited to hear what he would say.

He turned and glared at Inuyasha, "If anything happens to you, you'll send Kagome to me. I'll look after her and the pup. I want to be named godfather of that child Inuyasha". His demanded stunned many. Inuyasha's eyes widened, "Keh. Sure wolf" he agreed.

Koga hoped that he'd made the right decision in letting the challenge fall as he had. He liked lady Ayeka, he loved Kagome and even though he would never admit it, he admired the hanyou. He nodded and left the field. He passed Kagome and looked up at her, "Be happy" he said with that crooked smile. Her eyes flooded with tears of understanding. She smiled a beautiful smile and rushed to him, throwing her arms around him, "Thank you Koga!" she whispered to him. He hugged her back and sent her on her way.

Inuyasha growled at the wolf over his mate's head as he folded his arms around her. The worst was over, she'd not be taken from him. Like he'd have let that happen. Koga had just allied himself with the hanyou against any other opposition. Now, Inuyasha had to undergo public punishment and the matter could be forgotten.

He rubbed soothing circles on Kagome's back as he waited to hear what the punishment would be. Sesshoumaru turned emotionless eyes to him as he pronounced sentence. "One hundred lashes to the younger son of the Taisho". Kagome whimpered but Inuyasha rumbled to her, "Keh, that's nothing" he joked, "At least he isn't going to put his hand through my chest again".

She nodded slowly, she didn't want him to suffer anymore. She opened her mouth to protest but Inuyasha pressed a clawed fingertip to her lips, "Be silent" he ordered gruffly, "This is youkai law, don't interfere, no matter what. I'll be fine".

Kagome sniffed and nodded again. "When?" Inuyasha asked Sesshoumaru. The elder looked at him, "Within the hour, lets get this done shall we?". Inuyasha nodded. Orders were given and the whipping post was erected. Inuyasha took Kagome to Ayeka, he didn't want her to watch this.

Ayeka was recovered from her taxing fight with the wolf. So, the hanyou would be whipped. For someone of his blood and strength it would be uncomfortable but he would be fine. Kagome, was a different story. She soothed the girl and finally had on of the healers bring her a gentle draft of her herbs to help her sleep.

Kagome would not see her mate's beating, but Ayeka would. She'd stand there for him and tend to his wounds when it was over. She made her way to the whipping post with him, grimacing over the thought of what was to come. He keh'd and shrugged out of his undershirt and haori.

Ayeka held the garments for him, holding his eyes as he was chained the device. His arms spread wide, the muscles in his back rippling beneath his flesh. One of the generals stepped forward with the long whip. He was a grizzled old bear but he wore a sympathic expression.

Ayeka bit her lip as the first lash came, leather cracking sharply in the mid morning air. Inuyasha made no sound. As the heavy lashes followed, he remained quiet, biting his lips to keep his groans from escaping him. Sesshoumaru stepped into Ayeka's line of vision and she looked away.

With the last ten lashes, Inuyasha grunted his pain. His back, tattered and bleeding, turned her stomach but she refused to look away. The hanyou's silver hair was damp with sweat and his usually perky ears were drooping against his skull. Captain Yamataki stood beside her, his loyalty to his mistress absolute. When they finished with the whipping the hanyou sagged against the restraints.

Ayeka made a small sound but her captain moved quickly, as the hanyou was released, the soldier shrugged him over his shoulder. Ayeka nodded and he followed her to Inuyasha's tent. He settled the moaning half demon on his stomach on the thick rug.

Ayeka snapped orders for a healer to be brought at once. Then she set his clothing aside and began to clean the blood away. Her hands were gentle and soothing and cool against his heated flesh. "Ayeka why ... did you stand as my second?" he asked, wincing when she touched a very tender spot. "Because, "she said brightly, "You are my brother and that's what family does".

His drooping ears perked slightly, "Sessh is gonna be pissed at you for a while" he guessed. She stroked his cheek lightly, "It doesn't matter" she told him, "I'd make the same choice again". He covered her hand with his own and squeezed. "Thank you" he said softly, "Where is Kagome?". Ayeka covered his back with a damp, cool cloth, "Sleeping I had the healers put her to sleep for the duration of the whipping. I didn't want her to see this" she admitted. He nodded as the healers arrived. Ayeka stood and gave him over to their care.