Across the Ages

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Chapter Fifty

The roar that lifted over the field was deafening. It swept over the expanse of the bloodied field sending chills through all that heard it. Sesshoumaru suddenly felt that his great speed wasn't great enough. Inuyasha didn't have to know the details, he just knew that something was terribly wrong.

Ayeka had seen Kagome sink to her knees and rushed to her side. The little miko was flushed and panting. "You've done enough for today", Ayeka told her, slipping a steadying arm around her waist, "We have to get you outta here". Kagome nodded, her vision blurring.

Ayeka called orders to nearby soldiers, trying to make certain their retreat was covered. They weren't moving very fast, not fast enough to suit Ayeka. The battle was drawing closer to them. She had to get Kagome away from the danger.

"What is wrong with the miko?" came a smooth voice and she turned to smile at her mate. "She'd overdone it again Sessh. We have to get her to safety" Ayeka called to him. He nodded, striding towards the two women. Ayeka was bleeding from a deep slash along her arm. She noticed as Sesshoumaru was lifting Kagome into his arms that he hadn't even glanced at it. Perhaps he was too concerned with Kagome.

Kagome stiffened in his arms and her eyes went wide. This aura was not Sesshoumaru. Ayeka sniffed lightly at him and drew back unsheathing her sword. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded. 'Sesshoumaru' turned to look at her in confusion. "Are you feeling well?" he asked.

Ayeka levelled her sword at him, "You. Do not smell like my mate. Who are you?" she asked again. Naraku looked around, no one was close enough to stop him. He lunged at Ayeka catching her over his shoulder, her sword falling from her grip and he sprinted away.

"Naraku you bastard let us go!" Kagome shouted at him. He laughed with Sesshoumaru's deep baritone, "Such language, it seems that your hanyou mate has rubbed off on you little miko" he quipped. Ayeka could hardly believe her eyes. He looked exactly like her mate. Then she heard the far off roar and all doubt left her mind. She kicked and twisted, trying to break free from his grip. If she could even slow him down, she'd be doing good enough but Naraku barely noted her struggles.

Kagome felt sick from the jostling and she felt a pain growing in her abdomen. Was it the pup? It had to be. Kagome silently began to pray to whatever deity would listen that the life of her child be spared. Ayeka managed to land a solid hit to his jaw and suddenly the long silver hair gave way to jet black and she beheld his true visage.

She shrieked and kicked, trying to reach the dagger strapped to her leg. His hold tightened painfully and black spots swam before her eyes. She had to hold on, she had to save Kagome! Kagome was limp now, not struggling, her strength all but gone.

Naraku was nearing the cliffs and she could see the river of miasma at the bottom. Kagome whimpered, was he going to kill them like he'd once tried to kill Kikyo? She hoped not. Where was Inuyasha, surely he felt her distress by now?

Naraku chuckled darkly, "Not to worry little miko, I have better uses for you. Your companion will suffer this fate however" he told her smoothly. She lifted her head to turn frightened eyes to Ayeka. She had to do something. Summoning the last vestiges of her strength she focused her miko energies into her hands and pressed her palms to Naraku.

He yowled at the pain and his hostages fell to the ground with hard thumps. He glared down at them before baring his teeth and releasing his tentacles towards them. They were going to be impaled. THe ground was shaking beneath them, but they didn't have time to worry about that.

At the last moment Ayeka threw herself against Kagome to protect her, however luck was not on her side. She felt the tentacle punch through her chest a second before the earth beneath them gave way and they tumbled over the cliffside.

Sesshoumaru, in true form saw them fall and without hestitation he leapt over the cliff after them, opening his massive jaws. Kagome was aware of huge teeth coming at them and then warm enveloping wetness before her world went black. Naraku laughed as he took to the air, leaving a raging Inuyasha on the cliffside.

Sesshoumaru brushed over the maisma, his paws burned before he leapt upwards again. He had precious cargo with him and he needed to get to the top of the chasm. Inuyasha was comforting Shippo who was convinced that Sesshoumaru had eaten his mama.

Suddenly the white dog sailed upwards over the edge and landed unsteadily on wounded feet. He collapsed and let his jaw fall open. Two drool covered bodies tumbled onto the grass at Inuyasha's feet. Kagome panted and gasped, wiping the liquid from her eyes.

Ayeka wasn't moving. Inuyasha could hear her though, the gurgling breaths she fought to take. Sesshoumaru returned to his humanoid form and knelt over his wounded mate. Blood trickled from between her lips and she wheezed painfully. Both inu's looked at one another, they'd given wounds like that enough to know what it was. Ayeka had a puntcured lung, as they watched she was slowy drowning.

Sesshoumaru lifted her up gently, but the sounds grew worse. There was no way a healer could help her, not in this era. "Ayeka?" Sesshoumaru called softly, stroking her face. She tried to focus on him above the rising darkness. She hurt so badly, she couldn't breathe.

She fumbled for the dagger at her leg. Sesshoumaru saw what she was doing. She wanted release, to die with dignity, without this suffering. She clutched at his sleeves and Inuyasha could have sworn that he saw moisture in his brother's eyes. "Use Tenseiga baka!" he barked. Sesshoumaru glared at him, "It will not heal her, it will only revive life once lost!" he snarled back.

Inuyasha took pity on him, "Give her to me" he said then. Sesshoumaru looked up him in question, "I'll make it quick for her" he promised. Sesshoumaru growled in warning. Inuyasha understood his feelings, "She is suffering Sesshoumaru, she is dying slowly and painfully, you say you can heal her, but you can bring her back to life. Let me finish this so you can do that" he reasoned. Kagome whimpered.

Sesshoumaru felt ill, while Inuyasha spoke only the truth, it was unthinkable to lose her. Even if only for a moment. She made a small helpless sound, her eyes begging him. He shuddered and stood, laying her gently on the ground. He turned, unable to watch. "Do it then before she is too far gone" he rasped, pulling Kagome's face into his chest and holding her tightly.

Inuyasha swallowed hard, he didn't want to do this. He liked her, he loved her, she was his sister now. She held a small hand toward him and he raised his hand. He shut his eyes as he brought his claws down, "Iron reaver soul stealer!". His cry was choked and he gagged as he felt his claws swipe through the soft curves of her body.

The silence was deafening compared to the pitiful attempts of breathing she no longer tried. Inuyasha looked down at her and his stomach rebelled. "It's done" he choked out, kneeling in the bushes not far off. His heaves painful and strong.

"Do not look miko" Sesshoumaru ordered as he drew the heavenly blade. He brought it down in a powerful swing and watched the tiny demons around her vanish. "Return to me at once wife!" For a moment he was convinced it hadn't worked. Then she gave a choking cry and he was gathering her in his arms, whispering to her. She couldn't understand half of it, for his voice was thick with emotion.

Kagome made her way to Inuyasha and she held him tightly, tears falling as he layed his hand over her womb. Ayeka was weak, exhausted from her trials and the shock of what just occured. They needed to get Kagome to the camp, the battle was done. Sesshoumaru had rampaged through it in true form and sadly friend and enemy fell in his wake, such was his haste to reach his mate.

When they arrived at camp, he handed Ayeka to Kurama. The fox grimaced over the saliva drenched bundle in his arms but accepted her nonetheless. Sesshoumaru was going to the castle, he would return with the evil hanyou's head. Inuyasha offered no complaint as they set off.

Kurama barked for bandages and clean clothing. He had to get her clean. He carried her to the stream and waded in fully clothed. He used gentle hands to work the stickiness from her hair and clothing. It was the best he could do. He dared not strip her, Sessh really would kill him for that.

A female soldier happened along then and gladly took over the task of getting her mistress bathed and redressed in clean, dry clothing. Once done Kurama put her in bed and waited for Sesshoumaru to return. He'd never seen the dog lose control like he had today. It was clear to him now, Sesshoumaru DID love Ayeka. He'd not thought such a thing possible.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha burst into the castle, Sango and Miroku right behind them. Naraku didn't seem worried. He arched a brow at the dog lord. "How's the mate?" he asked cruelly. Sesshoumaru bristled and growled. "Shut up!" Inuyasha barked at him, "I'm sick and tired of you".

Naraku laughed and let himself transform. He was a towering monstrosity. He dwarfed them all. Sesshoumaru figured he'd beat him in true form but Mikoru stopped him. "The mate sent you a gift" he announced. The hanyou watched as the monk slipped the launcher to his shoulder. "And what is that?" Naraku asked confidently.

Miroku narrowed his violet eyes, "Your death". His fingers, flicked the arming switch and he pressed the trigger down. The resulting explosion was deafening. The weapon moved too fast for Naraku to dodge, it hit the bulk of his lower body detonation. Bits of the demon splattered across the courtyard. When the smoke cleared, Naraku no longer seemed to smug.

He made to escape his damnable head in tact, how the hell was that? Just then the white feather appeared and Kagura clasped hold of him. It was like an embrace. Sesshoumaru knew then what she meant to do. "Kagura...". She smiled at him, "This is on my terms Sesshoumaru" she assured him. He shot his youkai towards Naraku, searching for something.

Two red, pulsing orbs forced themselves out of his skin and Kagura looked at her heart in wonder. "You are free Kagura, Kanna as well" he told her. She nodded, "Run, please run from here!" she shouted, holding firm to a struggling Naraku.

They had barely cleared the remains of the castle when the explosion ripped through the air around them. Miroku felt a burning in his hand as his wind tunnel sprang to life and tried to swallow him. Knowing there was no other option he thrust his arm away from him, "Take it off!" he shouted and Inuyasha swung the Tetsusaiga downward, severing the hand at the wrist and saving his friend's life.

Sango wrapped his bleeding stump tightly and called for Kirara. They had to see the healer and now. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru refused to leave the castle until they KNEW he was dead. They wandered back inside and took in the carnage. Kagura or what was left of her was scattered and Naraku was there too. The chuck of jewel he had once held now shining white. Purified by Kagura's selfless act apparently.

Inuyasha strode over and collected it, tucking it inside his haori. It was time to get back. As they passed through the gate, Sesshoumaru caught sight of Kanna. She looked on him with eyes that made his hackles rise. "Naraku is dead and Kagura as well. Will you keep your promise Lord Sesshoumaru and set me free to join my sister?" she asked. Sesshoumaru nodded and withdrew Tokijin. The last thing he saw was Kanna's sweet smile.

The castle began to vanish, like it always did, but this time Inuyasha knew, he'd not be back. Kagome was safe from him, the jewel would soon be whole. Kikyo could rest in peace. The world suddenly seemed a lot better to him. Now, he just wanted to get back and hold Kagome.