Across the Ages

Ah! I know...another cliffy. I get more reviews from you guys this way though ;) I am so evilly evil. I love you all!


Chapter Fifty Four

Ayeka had just stood and helped Kagome to her feet. The air seemed more chilled now and she suddenly wanted to go back. The others agreed and they were gathering up the blankets and baskets for the return trip. Suddenly far above them a shadow passed and they turned their eyes to the sky. Two large shapes were descending.

Ayeka knew what she was looking at. "Dragons!" she shouted, "Run for the safety of the trees". The others were hurrying as fast as they could. Miroku had Kagome in his arms. The dragon youkai would be forced into humanoid form to pursue into the woods, that made them easier to fight.

The largest of the two, a bronze, swung to earth so swiftly they nearly collided with it. He'd cut off their means of escape. A barbed tail lashed out and the monk was flung to the ground, the rounded miko sprawled against him. Ayeka unsheathed her sword and Sango released the boomerang at them. The smaller of the two, still massive in his own right landed heavily behind her. His milky white scales glowing like pearls under the sun. Glittering green eyes mirrored her fright.

She cried out when her hiraikotsu was caught in massive jaws and snapped like tinder. Miroku was struggling to his feet, trying to keep Kagome shielded. The bronze beast before him blinked one large crimson eye before stomping it's foot harshly. The resulting tremor ran through the earth, tossing the monk down again as well as Kagome.

Huge talons descended toward her prone form and Ayeka leapt between them, slashing viciously at the clawed foot bearing down on them. Kagome shrieked as blood spattered over them and the dragon hissed in annoyance. Ayeka buried her sword in the tender flesh between enormous toes. The beast paid no attention and grabbed the two females in his clawed grip. Kagome screamed again as they were lifted high into the air.

Inuyasha's head whipped around when a faint scream reached his ears. Sesshoumaru had also heard it and was already leaping over the wall. Inuyasha followed after him, his speed increasing as he fought to reach her. "Kagome!"

They broke through the trees to find a bloodied monk and sobbing slayer. Tatters of the blankets littered the field and huge gouges scarred the earth. The reptilian scent of dragons hung heavy in the air, but there was no sign of them.

"What happened?" Inuyasha demanded. Miroku shook his head, trying to clear the buzzing sound from his ears. "We were attacked. Huge youkai. Dragons." he panted, as he fell to his knees, "Forgive me, I could stop them. They took them". The monk was shaking in his anguished rage. He loved them both and he'd been powerless to help them.

Sesshoumaru had remained strangely quiet, his eyes scanning the sky. They were fast, yes but not that fast. There was no trace of dragons in his domain now. All that remained out of place was the slight dark swirl of magic in the air. They'd used their sorcery to enter and exit the west. This had been no random attack then.

Inuyasha spun to face his brother, "Why the hell are you so calm?" he snapped, "They took Ayeka". Sesshoumaru nodded, "Yes, I am aware of that. However rash actions will serve no purpose now. I know WHERE they are" he replied, "I just don't know HOW they are".

Inuyasha's ears flattened in rage barely contained, "What do you mean?". Sesshoumaru lifted his head towards the sky again. "They were wiped out. So how is this possible?". Inuyasha was confused but he sure as hell didn't want to stand there and wait for answers. He wanted to get them back.

Sesshoumaru looked over at the monk who was being helped up by Sango. Violet eyes met gold and he spoke, "Lord Sesshoumaru I am to blame, I take full responsibility for what has happened" he said softly. The dog slightly shook his head, "No houshi, this is not your doing. This was carefully planned, they merely waited for the opportunity. Return to the palace with the slayer, set up a strict guard around the fortress. No one goes in or out" he commanded.

Miroku nodded and Sango helped him along the path that would take them back to safety. Kirara was no doubt busy playing with the children in the gardens. Sango was glad they hadn't seen this. She looked over her shoulder at the two pale brothers and felt tears well in her eyes. Couldn't anything ever be easy for them?

Sesshoumaru grabbed hold of Inuyasha's wrist as his cloud formed at their feet. "What are you doin?" Inuyasha snapped. Sesshoumaru growled in warning, his alpha not willing to take any form of challenge at the moment. Unfortunately, Inuyasha was also an alpha and he refused to back down.

"Idiot" the elder snapped at him, "Traveling thus it will take but two days to reach them. You are too slow". Inuyasha's ears drooped and he remained silent as they rose into the air. Traveling like this for any length of time would deplete the taiyoukai's energy, he'd be exhausted at the end.

"Who are they?" Inuyasha asked shortly after they were moving. Sesshoumaru growled, "They are the dragons that fought father. They plotted with the villagers to overthrow both he and I. They gifted us with the cursed glass that removed Ayeka from my life, this very age" he answered.

Inuyasha let the information soak in, "So you have fought them before?" he asked. Sesshoumaru nodded, "And so have you. These are the sons of Ryukotsei. Though I was certain we'd destroyed them all. They ultimately killed father and they slaughtered my mother. That they have returned means they have been watching the west and planning action against me"

Inuyasha had never heard him speak of his mother, hell he'd almost forgotten that Sesshoumaru had one. "They killed your dam? Why?" he asked softly. He'd lost his mother too. Sesshoumaru grunted, "Because she was the most beautiful woman in all the empires and Ryukotsei wanted her".

They fell silent, content to travel and think on the mates that they had to save. Worry gave them speed and experience gave them caution as they pressed onward. Inuyasha was wracked with grief and fear, Kagome not only had a pup within her, but she had the whole shikon no tama. Damn it!

He reminded Sesshoumaru of that fact. The dog snarled in irritation, "Why did she not wish and purify the damn thing?" he stormed. Inuyasha growled in response, "Cause it ain't that easy ass". Sesshoumaru glowered at him, "Explain". Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest, making sure to stay close enough that the cloud remained beneath him.

"A selfish wish defiles the jewel and a pure wish makes it pure. Once the jewel is purified it will cease to exist. She can't just make a wish, there is too much at stake" he huffed. Sesshoumaru turned his eyes to the horizon. "The dragons may not need the jewel but they'll use it if they can" he said finally. Inuyasha had expected that but hearing it spoken aloud made him tense all the more.

Ayeka and Kagome tumbled across a polished surface, landing in a tangled heap. Kagome panted and groaned and Ayeka gathered her up. "Oh Kagome are you ok?" she asked. The miko nodded slowly and Ayeka let her eyes wander over her surroundings. A hall they were in a hall.

She looked up at the dragon before her, was he going to eat them now? The bright eye blinked again, the delicate iridescent flesh sliding over the shining orb and retreating. It backed away slowly, it's lumberous movements stinted by the walls around it. Then it was gone and a man stood before them.

His hair was bronze and his eyes were gleaming like glowing embers. He was heavily muscled and not unattractive. "Welcome to the valley of dragons" he said softly, his voice was deep and rough. Ayeka stared at him as another emerged from the shadows. The other dragon, the milky white one. He was not as heavily muscled as the bronze, with a fall of white hair that reached his knees. His eyes were a deep green, he was pretty.

"You are still the same" he commented, his voice like silk, sliding across the distance. This was the one to watch Ayeka knew at once. The pretty one wasn't only a fighter, he was the thinker and that made him far more dangerous than the other.

"Who are you?" she demanded, forcing her voice to steady. she'd placed herself between Kagome and the dragons. The bronze snorted but the pretty one smirked, "I am Yukio, this is my brother Geitanbo" he replied, "You are the mate of the dog prince and you travel with the shikon miko. Although for a priestess she doesn't appear to be very pure. Carrying demon spawn are we?". Kagome sucked in her breath.

"Why have you taken us?" Ayeka asked. The dragon smiled, his curved fangs peeking at her. "Why you ask? We've taken you to lure the sons of the dog general the great Taisho to our fortress" he responded. His emphasis on Taisho making it seem like he'd spat that name out.

Ayeka shook her head, "But why?". The dragons drew closer to her and she flinched as Yukio stood toe to toe with her, armor touching silk. "For vengeance general Ayeka. Why else? Our father fought for the hand of Sesshoumaru's mother but she chose the hound instead".

The small woman had spirit, Yukio would give her that. She glared up into his eyes, her mouth a thin line of defiant fire. She was hot fire to the dog's cold winter. "He will come for you" he assured her, "And he will die". His clawed hand reached to brush against her cheek in mocking gentleness.

Ayeka slapped his hand away and growled at him. He merely chuckled, "Ah, so even human bitches growl now? A trait you must have learned from your mate. Understand your betters bitch and kneel!". His hand struck her cheek in a brilliant backhand that toppled her to the floor.

"Hey!" Kagome shouted, "What is the matter with you?" She tried to approach Ayeka but the smaller woman held her hand up, a silent message to keep back. Ayeka rose to her feet and took her place before him again, toe to toe. "That the best you got?" she asked. He reeled back and struck her again. This was a solid blow against her cheekbone.

Kagome wondered why she was taunting the dragon like this. Her pup seemed to know and Kagome got the distinct sense from her child that Ayeka was keeping dangerous attention off of them with her actions. The dragon sniffed at the human before him. He could smell blood on her, her lip was cut.

He laughed at her, "So spirited. How the dog must hate that. Sesshoumaru needs a good obedient bitch. But that isn't you is it?" he asked, toying with her own fears. "A bitch that can only give him half breed whelps. You didn't think it would last did you? That he would be able to ignore what his blood demands of him?"

Unwillingly she flinched and he saw it. His dark laughter swirled around her as her mind was assaulted with images of her mate pacing, angry that she could not give him a proper heir. Of Sesshoumaru casting her aside and taking a youkai woman. Of being forgotten.

The dragon relished in this sorcery that preyed on the mind. The miko would be next. Kagome felt the evil aura grow and surround them. She knew this power. She locked eyes with him and shuddered, "Illusory death" she whispered and he smirked. "So you know it, well then whore of the dogs look at what it had for you".

Kagome fell to her knees under the weight of the heart rending images. Kikyo and Inuyasha. Her own demon child tearing itself from her womb, freeing it's father to be with his true love at last. She shivered and whimpered beneath the dragon's stare. This spell too powerful for even her.

"Get them out of the hall" he told the other, "They make the hall reek of humanity". geitanbo nodded and scooped a woman beneath each arm. He strode to the lower levels and tossed them on the moldy straw of a cell. They were unaware of their surroundings, lost in the dark imagery before them.

It always went this way. Yukio swore that women were far easier to break once they had a good slap to the spirit. He might not like how they smelled, but he did like the way they felt. geitanbo wasn't considering himself any better than his brother. He'd raped and killed as well, however he preferred to take and kill, rather than play first. This was an extra facet of cruelty that he didn't share.

The dogs would no doubt be hot in pursuit even now. Finally, the feud would end. He was sick of living in isolation. He wondered, would there be anything worth saving by the time they arrived?