Across the Ages

Oh Anon, it's ok!
Chapter Fifty Six

Hours creapt by slowly for the two frightened women, and Ayeka knew that dragons were toying with them

yet again. Every now and then a hissing whisper would reach them. Telling them that they had been abandoned,

that they would suffer long days before death took them.


The stress was not good for Kagome and Ayeka despite her own despondence did her best to comfort the

aching miko. The whispers played upon her own inner fears. Whispering and snickering that inu's were far too

possesive to accept what had occured. She was alone. Forgotten, unloved.


She bit her dry lips until they nearly bled in an attempt to drown out the voices. Every time she

thought of the dragon she felt ill. Her stomach flopped heavily in her stomach and she pressed a hand to her

mouth to keep from wretching. His taste, it seemed would not leave her mouth, a bitter reminder of her own

powerlessness. If only she could get her sword. Said blade was locked in dark magic far from it's mistress.


The sun was setting when Geitanbo returned, his brother slithering along with him. Kagome lifted her

eyes from the stone floor and saw that Ayeka's shoulders were set in firm lines of resignation. "You don't have

to do this" she whispered to the other woman. Ayeka did not look at her, merely gave a slight shake of her

head, "Be silent Kagome. If I let anything happen to you then all the years without him will be for nothing".


Kagome pressed her knuckles to her mouth. If only she could use her powers, if only. The red glow of

the setting sun slipped through that high window and cast the woman in peach and flame. She was defeated

The two inu's landed silently in the courtyard, Sesshoumaru's aura crackling around them before he

subdued it and masked their presence. With a tired nod to Inuyasha they went in search of mates and villains

alike. Inuyasha's heart pounded in worry and anger and he knew that his brother was feeling it as well.


Ayeka refused to look at Yukio when he shoved her backwards near his throne. Claws tearing into

clothing, nicking tender flesh. She turned her head from him as he bent to capture her lips. Her eyes locking

on the sparkling diamond on her finger, so close to the shade of HIS eyes. Kagome huddled nearby, it was like a

train wreck. She didn't want to see but she couldn't look away.


Down the halls they sped, noses following that elusive scent that tried so hard to cling to tall cold

pillars of stone. The faint scent of blood and tears, fear and male sex. It was enough to sicken them. The

castle seemed empty of all life but that was not the case for deep within it's confines, like a whisper of a

dream came to the inu's ears five heartbeats.


Yukio stared down at the rich expanse of white flesh bared to his eyes. The woman refused to cry out,

refused to give him those sounds he longed for. Lightly he dragged his fingertips over the faint mark on her

shoulder. Sesshoumaru's bite. It seared his fingers slightly and he growled lightly.


Bending over her prone form, licking his long forked tongue along the column of her throat. Ayeka

wished he'd just rip it out and be done. Better dead than this. No, she couldn't think that way. Kagome and her

baby were at stake. She let her eyes lift to his. Green fires locked in silent battle.


He stared at her with unabashed lust and she felt her stomach rebel, swallowing hard she lifted her

chin. A sign of defiance. He growled at her and she bared her teeth, "You will submit bitch!" he snapped and

snarled at her, his hot breath fanning over her cheeks.


She would not show him fear. "You will never be him, you will never be close to his glory!" she said in

a heated whisper. The hand at her throat lashed out, cuffing her roughly. Another cheekbone shot, at this rate

he'd shatter it. Why did those have to hurt so badly?


Thought was torn from her and a hard thigh wedged itself between her knees and he shoved her legs open.

His hand fumbled with his hakamas. She felt him lean over her, the hard head of his length nudging against her

folds and she turned her head to the side, silent tears slipping from her eyes. She braced for the brutal

thrust. Had she taken for granted all the times that Sesshoumaru had been there to save her?


Sesshoumaru could smell her fear, heavy now, just ahead. He let his presence be known and threw the

door open wide. The sight before him made his calm demeanor retreat. The inu in him was pissed and wanted

blood. There was his bruised and bloodied wife pinned beneath the heavy weight of his nemesis.


Sesshoumaru growled and even Inuyasha's hair stood on end from the sound. A quick glance told him that

Kagome was unharmed, frightened but unharmed. He drew his Tetsusaiga. "Bastards!". Yukio took his time removing

himself from the woman, his length sliding against her.


Her small whimper set her mate into action and the dragon was flung from her. A hand tossed her

clothing over her once more. She looked up at him but Sesshoumaru refused to look at her. She felt her heart

plummet, she knew he smelled the dragon on her, in her.


Sesshoumaru felt her pain crash against him and he longed to comfort her. He, could not however. He had

two cowardly dragons to kill. If he looked at her, even for a moment, he'd see that look in her eyes. The look

that said he'd let her down. He'd lose control. He couldn't do that, not yet.


Inuyasha and Getitanbo were battling it a few feet away. The hanyou bearing down on the dragon with a

ferocity unmatched anywhere. His father's blood was awake and craving revenge. "How are you alive?" Sesshoumaru

demanded of Yukio as he drew his Tokijin. The malevolent power swirling around the blade.


Yukio smirked, drawing his own impressive blade, "You're tired dog, I can smell it on you. So sad that

you have come all this way simply to die" he mocked. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, "Dragons. You are all the

same, so cowardly that you make war on women".


Yukio hissed, "Ah you are thinking of your mother aren't you? My father challenged for her but she

chose your father instead". Sesshoumaru smirked, "Dogs prefer dogs". Yukio growled, "A war over a woman and

your father and you with him killed half of our people. Only we remained with our father and then your father

put him in dormancy".


Inuyasha heard his words and spoke up, "Yeah and I finished him off, he was barely worth the effort".

Yukio's eyes bled red with his anger. They locked on the younger dog, who had just thrown off his brother.

"You? I will slaughter you" he promised darkly. Inuyasha only keh'd at the remark. "Whatever".


Sesshoumaru glared at the dragon, "Do you want to fight or talk?" he snapped. Yukio snarled and lunged,

his skill with the sword enhanced by his sharp mind. He tried to predict Sesshoumaru's attacks and seemed to be

doing a good job of it as he blocked and thrust and parried. The aura's of the swords clashed above them as

sparks shot off the hissing blades.


Geitanbo managed to rake his claws against the hanyou's stomach, dark blood welling up and dripping to

the floor. "Inuyasha!" Kagome cried out. He forced himself to fight on. Dragons were poisonous weren't they?

Hadn't Sango said as much? He couldn't recall, but his limbs were starting to feel heavy. Not good.


Geitanbo laughed and mocked the hanyou until he managed to swing the Tetsusaiga from the clawed grip.

Kagome watched Inuyasha leap backwards, his blade too far from him. "oh no". The pulse moved through the air

around him and she felt it, her pup felt it, the pulse echoed from her womb.


Inuyasha's throaty chuckle rose into the air. He was full demon now and there would be hell to pay. His

red eyes fell on the dragon in a look of mocking irritation. The jagged purple stripes blazed across his

cheeks. Geitanbo shrank back from him, "The Taisho!" he whispered in wonder.


Inuyasha smirked, "Wrong Geitanbo". He lashed out, his speed nearly tripled, his claws and fangs longer

sharper. The dragon shrieked in painful indignation as hard knuckled fist connected to his jaw, blood and teeth

spraying across the floor.


Inuyasha's demon was enraged, the scent of mate and pup were clouded with fear. He might not have

control of himself but even this primal killer that hid beneath his skin knew those scents, craved those

scents. The dragon launched himself at him, Inuyasha blocked him by grabbing hold of his throat.


The dragon gurgled softly, clawed hands scrabbling to pry away the vice like grip. Inuyasha growled in

amusement. "You die" he said then. Kagome shut her eyes as Inuyasha gutted the creature with his claws,

strewing carnage on the fine floor. The sounds of painful dying ceasing a moment later.


She dared not look. She kept her eyes closed tightly as the soft growl came closer to her. Her small

whimpers lifting to pointed ears. A pulse came from her womb and the demon stared at her before kneeling beside

her. He sniffed the air. Mate, yes. Pup, yes. She felt his face press against her stomach and he rumbled

softly. The fluttering movements of the pup ceasing as calm fell over her.


Kagome opened her eyes and looked down at the silver head in her lap. The head lifted but she found no

golden eyes to comfort her. Only the red. She shivered and the demon snarled loudly before crushing her against

him. She whimpered softly as his beast held her. His long tongue lapping over the mating mark on her shoulder.

Nuzzling and growling.


Sesshoumaru looked over his shoulder to see what had occured. "Do not move Kagome" he ordered "His inu

is free and seems to know you. Let it have it's way". She swallowed hard and slowly, ever so slowly she brought

her arms up to wrap around him. The demon growled his approval and Kagome pressed her face beneath his chin,

licking lightly. Her act of submission. The demon held her tighter, appeased by her actions.


Sesshoumaru focused his energies on Yukio. He'd pushed too hard on the journey here, this was taking

too long. Yukio was a coward but he wasn't weak and Sesshoumaru had to be very careful. The deadly dance of

blades went on and on. Both panting from exertion.


Physically, Sesshoumaru was the stronger, but Yukio was rested. Sesshoumaru dodged to the right as the

dragon lashed out, his movements graceful and calculated. Ayeka watched with wet eyes and a heart full of fear.

He was tired and even she could see it. Finally, he struck Yukio, severing a leg.


"Inuyasha!" he called out. Kagome felt the beast freeze and turn, the red swirled and flashed in his

eyes. Slowly, gold overcame crimson and he blinked, returning to himself. The purple streaks remaining where

they were. He looked at Kagome and cupped her cheek. She leaned into the caress, tears of relief welling up.


"Inuyasha!" his brother called again and he stood. Sesshoumaru peered back at him, "Take them from

here. I will be along shortly" he promised. Inuyasha nodded, the dragon was in for a great deal of pain and he

almost felt sorry for it. Almost, but not quite. He lashed out and tore away the collar holding his mate to the

floor.

He nodded and gathered Kagome into his arms. "Ayeka" he called, kneeling, "Get on". She shook her head
the action stinted by collar and chain. He moved over and freed her. "Come on". She shook her head again, "I

can't leave him" she protested. Inuyasha growled at her viciously. "He'll be fine woman, get the hell on. Now"

His tone was commanding and heated and she obeyed before she thought twice.


Burdened as he was with a woman in his arms and one clinging to his back, he leapt into the corridor

and soon found his way out of the palace. He took to the air, a blur of silver and red against the moon. He

followed his nose to a small clearing. There was a lake there, and no youkai in the area.


He could smell the dragon all over Ayeka and it made him sick. They should haved gotten there sooner.

He gently landed and released Kagome onto the soft grass. Ayeka moved away from him. "There's water to wash in"

he said softly. She nodded and Kagome made to follow her, but Inuyasha caught her wrist in his clawed grip.

"Wait" he said to her.


Ayeka was out of earshot now, and he looked down at Kagome. First things first, he fused his lips to

hers. Welcoming the sweet sounds she gave over to him. When he drank his fill he lifted his head, "What

happened?" he asked her. Her eyes welled up, "It was awful Inuyasha" she said brokenly and he pulled her

against his chest, rubbing her back as the tale tumbled from her lips.


"So that's all that they did to her? They didn't get any further?" he asked, somewhat relieved. She

nodded. He was angry again, that his pup had been threatened in such a way. He would have to wait until Ayeka

returned from the lake to speak with her.


Kagome lifted her eyes to his, the warm honey gold comforting to her. Her fingers traced along the

purple striped cheeks. "Inuyasha?" she asked softly. He shrugged, "I don't know. We'll ask his high and

mightiness when he gets back".


Ayeka was scrubbing viciously at herself with handfuls of smooth sand from the lake bottom when Kagome

arrived. Kagome stripped her clothing and waded into the chilly water. "Ayeka are you ok?" she asked. The other

nodded and rinsed her mouth again and again. "I can't get rid of the taste" she whispered hoarsely.


Kagome rushed forward and wrapped her arms around the other woman. Maternal instinct kicking in and she

wanted to comfort. And she wanted it now. Ayeka felt the warmth behind her and she turned and sobbed into

Kagome's shoulder. "He won't want me now" she gasped, "He didn't even look at me".


Kagome soothed and hushed her. Stroking her wet hair and smoothing out the slight tangles. "He isn't

like that. You know that Ayeka. You can't let the doubts they put in your head rule you". Long minutes passed

and an exhausted Ayeka lifted herself from the miko's arms and stumbled to the shore.


She tugged her clothing into place, having nothing else to cover herself. Kagome tied Inuyasha's haori

around herself and headed towards the faint red glow through the trees. At least he'd made a fire. They could

get a little drier and warmer.


She saw that Ayeka was sitting on the opposite side of the fire, looking fretful. With a sigh, she

settled herself against Inuyasha. His arm wrapping around her as she rested her head against his shoulder. She

wanted to ask where Sesshoumaru was. Was he ok? She wanted to ask but she couldn't bring herself to say his

name. Not when Ayeka looked so sad.


Inuyasha rumbled softly to both women, lulling and soothing them until they fell asleep under his

watchful eye. His brother was alive and well, he knew that. He just hoped he'd get here soon. He tossed another

log onto the fire and waited.


Sesshoumaru prowled across the room toward the dragon. Yukio whimpered, his pain reaching unbearable

heights. His remaining leg a mangled mass of twisted flesh. "I could smell you on my mate" the dog prince

growled menacingly. "Your end will be slow and painful".


Yukio panted for breath as poison dripped onto his already painful wounds. He was unable to fight, the

poisons had rendered him helpless. The only thing keeping him alive was the inu's great desire to play with his

prey. "Tell me Yukio, what have you been doing? Where have you been hiding?"


The dragon wheezed, "The continent. We fled to the continent" he rasped, "After father was slain we

made our plans for vengeance". The dog sniffed delicately, "It seems you failed". Yukio growled softly through

his pain, "The dark hanyou was to remove the women, weakening you and the half breed. But he failed so we took

the duty ourselves".


Sesshoumaru shook his head slowly and chuckled. "Your mistake beast. No one touches what is mine or

those in my pack. You will not live to learn from your mistake". His glowing green poison dripped onto the

upturned face. The beauty marring and melting. Eyes widened and then vanished behind blistering lids.

Sesshoumaru wasn't finished. Reaching down he grabbed hold of the most offending part of the dragon's body and

ripped it off. He sneered at the dragon and then said quite coolly, "This is insulting. Are you certain you are

full demon?"


With a snarl he flung acid across the pitiful creature's face. The lips parted as ruby droplets bubbled

up from them. The wet gurgles of his lungs filling with blood pleased Sesshoumaru. "It's far too easy a death

for you" he muttered and merely stood over him. He wanted to see the life burn out. He had to see it.


Hours later he stepped into the clearing. Inuyasha was leaned against a tree, his arms crossed over his

chest. The two women were curled into balls, sleeping, although not easily. Sesshoumaru's eyes locked on his

sibling, there was something Inuyasha wanted to say.


Golden eyes took in the purple stripes. The marks of a full demon remained as did the scent of one. But

the madness, the souless madness was not present. Sesshoumaru couldn't account for it. Perhaps Inuyasha's demon

had been far too upset to take the stress and was only slowly relinquishing his hold.


Inuyasha tossed his head to the side, clearly wanting to talk. Sesshoumaru followed him a short

distance away. "It's now how you might think" he told his older brother. Sesshoumaru blinked at him and the

story poured forth from Inuyasha's lips.


Sesshoumaru was of course pleased that his wife had not been horribly violated, was angry that the

dragon had dared to touch her at all. He was also made aware of his wife's fears and troubled whimpers.

Inuyasha went nose to nose with his brother, "Better fix it,ass. I can't take hearin cryin women anymore". With

that he stomped back to the clearing and settled beside Kagome, a clawed hand curling over her protruding

abdomen.


Something soft and furry touched her cheek and Ayeka absently batted it away. It returned and she woke

to look up at her mate. He stood stoic as ever towering over. His hand extended to her and she gulped. Time to

pay the piper she mused bitterly. She accepted his hand and he pulled her up and tugged her along to the lake

side.

They said nothing but merely stared at each other. Ayeka dying under his cool silence, he trying to

find the words he wanted to say. She couldn't bear his intense stare any longer and lowered her eyes. A sob

escaped her and she bit it back. "I'm sorry" she whispered.


Sesshoumaru was before her, pressing her body to his. He inhaled deeply of her, the slightest taint of

his enemy remained. She struggled in his arms and he growled, "Cease your struggles Ayeka. No fault falls to

you" he told her gruffly.


She looked up at him in wonder and confusion. His expression was serious as he spoke to her. "I know

what transpired in that fortress. I regret not reaching you sooner Ayeka". She sniffled against his silk clad

shoulder. Trying her best to avoid the sharp spikes of his armor.


His hand curled into the hair at the back of her head, drawing her face upwards. His breath ghosted in

warm huffs across her throat as he sniffed at her. She felt his tongue slide out, lapping over tender flesh and

grazing his bite. It was a comforting feeling and deliberate on his part.


Her next words were a shivery whisper to his ears. "I...I can still taste him". Sesshoumaru ached for

her, "That is easily remedied mate" he told her softly. Ayeka felt his lips close over her own, his tongue

caressing her lips for entrance and she gave it.


Sesshoumaru kissed her slowly, his lips sliding against hers again and again. His tongue slowly,

seductively, methodically mapping the sweet interior of her mouth. She shivered when his tongue pressed against

the roof of her mouth, his fangs pressing against her full bottom lip.


All she knew was him. His scent swirled around her, his taste drowning her. She clung to him, as he

slid his tongue beneath her own. Leaving no corner, no crevice unexplored. Erasing the taste of the hated

dragon and replacing it with his own heady spice.


Pulling back, he murmured against her lips, "I would never NOT want you Ayeka. You are mine. Now and

always". Then he poured his passionate kiss back onto her and she surrendered to it wholly. Large hands skimmed

up her back and tangled in her hair. Drawing her ever closer to his heat, his strength. No one would ever take

her from him again. He'd not allow it.