Across the Ages

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!! Things are gonna move kinda fast now so I hope I don't lose anyone.

Chapter Forty-Nine

On the third day of the battle Naraku showed himself on the field. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru struggled to reach him but the numbers between them were vast. He stood just beyond their reach, that smug smirk in place. Sesshoumaru roared his anger to the skies.

His voice carrying over the field to the camp. Ayeka and Kagome looked at one another. "Don't worry," Ayeka soothed her, "That's his mad voice. My guess is Naraku was spotted but got away. He's good at that isn't he?". Kagome nodded. She hated being stuck in bed like this, but her efforts had worn her out.

Sesshoumaru had come to see the pup earlier and deemed that another day or two of rest was better. She had not been pleased to learn that demon pregnancies rarely lasted nine months, which meant her own would accelerate as well. That worried her, but she was determined not to let it show.

Ayeka was not pleased being stuck in the rear of the battle either. She wanted to go out there and fight and she'd told Sesshoumaru that. "It's what I do!" she pointed out. He'd merely pressed a kiss to her brow and asked her to stay for the sake of the miko. Should the camp be attacked, he needed to know that his best was prepared to take command and see the girl to safety.

Each night, he returned, soiled with the colors of war and each night they slept in each other's arms, exhausted. She knew that there was no one more powerful than Sesshoumaru, no one who could fight as long and as well as he could but he was showing signs of fatigue. Perhaps that was the dark hanyou's plan.

She tried to voice her concerns but he brushed them aside. The half breed would die and this would be over. Sesshoumaru wanted the war to end so that he could get on with the life he'd so long been denied. He'd decided that if they all survived this that he'd ask her to be his again. He'd re-do the rituals, renew the vows. Marry her all over again.

He of course didn't share his plans with her. Not yet. Now was not the time for wooing or loving, now was the time for slaughter and he meant to see it done. One way or another it would end. He planned to take her home, he planned to take Inuyasha's pack along with them. He was suddenly unwilling to lose any of them.

It was the fourth night of intense fighting that he caught Kagura's scent on the wind. He found her on the outskirts of the camp. She appeared to still be recovering from her wounds. The barrier went up. "I can't stay long" she told him, "He will reveal his plan tomorrow for that is when he intends to take the miko". He narrowed his eyes on her, she didn't look well at all.

"And his guise will be?" he asked. She shook her head, "Look for me on the field tomorrow, Kanna will show you the mirror. There is no other opportunity to do so. I am sorry for that" she wheezed. He sniffed the air around her,"You are not well" he said then. Her ruby lips trembled, "No, I am not. He fears my betrayal and to keep me loyal he hold my heart, quite literally. He is punishing me".

Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat. She might be a mere incarnation and a risky card to play in this game but she hadn't lied to him. No one deserved to not have their own heart. "Tomorrow on the field then Kagura" he said. She nodded and he dropped the barrier as she lifted up and away.

So, he would make his move tomorrow. Golden eyes narrowed as they gazed across the night. Tomorrow he would die. He made a silent promise to the wind witch that she would have her heart back before she died. He could not overlook her past crimes, no, but he could grant her small mercies for good deeds. It was only fair.

He made his way back to the camp to find Ayeka waiting for him. She'd seen the beautiful demoness on the feather of white take to the sky. She now saw the faraway look on her mate's face. He said nothing as he passed her, only took her small hand in his and tugged her along with him.

Settled in the tent, away from the eyes of the world, he threw his barrier up again and pulled Ayeka onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled in her clean hair, rumbling softly. She stroked his hair and the points of his elvish ears. She leaned back from him and brushed his bangs from his brow, peering intently into his eyes.

With a small smile, she traced the stripes of his cheeks. "Sesshoumaru?" she asked softly. He nuzzled against her cheek, "Hn". Ayeka smiled a softer smile at him, "I love you". He hugged her to him, her words like a balmy breeze to a man who'd been cold for far too long. He didn't answer but she knew, and that was enough.

He set her aside a moment later and poked his head out of the tent to call for a soldier. He ordered the hanyou, the miko, the slayer and the monk to be brought to him. Once assembled, he again lifted his barrier and told them of Kagura's visit.

With the information shared, he bid them good night and then he turned to face Ayeka. She looked bone tired. They needed to finish this soon. They'd lost too many men already. She knew that. "It has to be tonight" she told him suddenly and his head snapped to her.

She nodded, "We have to set the lines of charges tonight Sesshoumaru. Otherwise we won't have a chance". He shook his head but she refused to listen, "If he makes his move tomorrow, it's all or nothing. We have to take these men home". She shouldered a large pack with the line and explosives. He took it from her and growled. "Fine, we will go. How long do you think it will take?" he asked. She thought of that. "A few hours" she guessed.

Four hours later they were finished. They would detonate half the explosives behind the enemy. It wouldn't be pretty but it would be fast and it would work. That's all that mattered. Ayeka noticed the large feather above them. "That's Kagura isn't it?" she asked.

Sesshoumaru nodded and Ayeka dug into her pack, "Is there anyway to signal her?" Sesshoumaru merely looked up and let his youkai flare. The feather sank into the woods and he made his barrier. Kagura eyed the lady of the west with uncertainty. Ayeka stood staring at her, Kagura was actually very lovely, with the kind of eyes that stayed flinty to hide hurt.

"Is it true that you want to be free?" she asked softly. Kagura glanced from Sesshoumaru back to the woman and then nodded. Ayeka dug into the bottom of the bag and pulled a dark object out. "Take this then" she said and offered the demoness the item. "What is that?" Sesshoumaru asked. Ayeka unfolded it. "An explosive vest, it's not much but it will work" she explained.

Kagura met the green eyes before her. "This will detonate and kill the wearer a well as the people close to them" she continued. Sesshoumaru growled, "Why do you have such a thing?". Ayeka didn't want to tell him but refused to lie. "I made it, I learned a few tricks in the middle east" she said, "This was to be the last resort should anything happen".

Kagura fingered the vest. It could be concealed under a kimono. "May I have this?" she asked. Sesshoumaru and Ayeka looked at her in wonder. Ayeka had planned to give it to her, but she didn't think the demoness would WANT to take it.

"Sure" Ayeka said softly. Kagura gathered it close to her, "Your certain this will kill me?" she asked. Ayeka nodded, "Oh yes". Kagura nodded, "Tell me how it works. If you fail I shall do this for you" she said. Ayeka explained the vest. She'd made it very simple. Put it on and pull the cord, a chemical would release priming the explosives. When it reached a certain temperature it would detonate. It would only take a matter o seconds.

Kagura glared at Sesshoumaru until he turned away and then she slipped out of her clothing and put the vest on. Ayeka watched her cover herself with the layers of silk. She couldn't help but feel dirty. Like she'd just created a terrorist or something. She'd learned the hard way to fear people willing to go to such lengths. Looking at Kagura she felt tears prick her eyes. Sesshoumaru was stunned to see his wife step forward and embrace the demoness. More stunned to see the demoness react to the first real kindness she'd been shown.

She pulled away and boarded her feather, "I won't let you down my lady" she said and then she rose and Sesshouamru released the barrier. Ayeka watched the other fly away and hoped that she wouldn't betray them all. Still, if Sesshoumaru trusted her this far, she could do no less.

Her mate was watching her closely. She didn't want to tell him those things that she knew he wanted to ask. He sensed her unease and let her be. She had her reasons he supposed and while he was not pleased that she would consider such things, it pleased him that she was brave enough to give that price for victory. "You will never pay that price Ayeka. Swear it to me now" he demanded.

Ayeka looked up at him. He looked...well..worried. "How can I make that promise in the middle of a war?" she asked him. Sesshoumaru shook his head, "I want your word that you will not take your life". She nodded immediately. "Hey suicide isn't big on my list of things to do ok?" she asked in turn.

By the time they arrived back at the camp, they had precious little time to rest. Ayeka hoped that the day would end soon. 'Please' she silently called out to the heavens,'Let the war be over'. Then she shut her eyes and snuggled against Sesshoumaru.

Dawn saw the soldiers ready. Ayeka stood beside Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru gave the command and his men raced onto the field. Ayeka took to the air on Ah-Un and waited for Naraku's minions to cross the line. she wanted to get as many as she could. There! She called the order and Shippo flicked the tiny switch and pressed the button.

The result was instant and devastating as the thunderous sounds filled the air and soil, and body parts flew in all directions. Ayeka looked away from the gruesome sight before her. Swallowing hard she forced her eyes back to the field. "Better them than us" she told herself. She wasn't sure about that though.

Sesshoumaru was embroilled in fighting and Ayeka was battling in the air again. Why did she have all the luck? She hated aerial battles. Below her Kurama was fighting hard, he was incredible. Inuyasha was releasing the windscar again and again.

Hours passed and Sesshoumaru admitted he was tired. There was no end to this, although he had noticed the numbers had been greatly reduced. Thanks to Ayeka's modern weapons. His eyes scanned the field for Kagura but he had yet to see her. Suddenly off the side, he saw a small flash of white. Kanna, the child of void.

She was so close to him now,"Where is Kagura?" he demanded. The soulless child looked up at him, "She is at the castle awaiting Naraku's return" she told him. Her voice cold and devoid of emotion. He growled but she lifted her mirror to him, "Behold Naraku's guise" she whispered.

Sesshoumaru's gaze flickered over the glass and he thought his heart might stop beating. He saw Ayeka, helping Kagome near the edge of the field. Suddenly Ayeka turned and her face brightened.She was obviously greeting someone that she knew. Then he saw the dark hanyou.

The form Naraku had taken was Sesshoumaru's own.