A New Beginning

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inu Yasha series, even though I want to. The only thing that’s mine here is the plot. *huggles plot*

A/N: Glad you guys are liking it. ^_^ I’ll try to start making my chapters longer, with the hopes that I won’t be suffering from writer’s block again.

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Chapter VI: Contaminated Pack

By early morning of the second day of bonding, before the sun had time to rise, Sesshomaru was the first to wake. With a soft yawn, his pale yellow eyes shifted from Kagome to Rin, and back again, making sure both girls were alright. His tail tightened around Rin while his hand squeezed Kagome’s, seemingly to be a way to remind him that they would both be in good health soon, and both under his protection. His young mind wandered slightly, as the scent of both girls tickled his senses, caressing his beast with the knowledge that he wasn’t alone in the world.

Kagome awoke next, her deep blue eyes scanning the unfamiliar room. She noticed her friends were all sleeping, except for one. Turning her head, she saw in the dark of morning two glowing eyes staring at her. She smiled weekly, turning completely to snuggle up to the boy, earning a gently nuzzle in return.

Finally, Rin awoke, yawning heavily before snuggling back into Sesshomaru’s tail. Her brown eyes tried to adjust to the dark, thanking the Kamis that the sun was now rising. Sesshomaru, feeling the movement within his tail, shifted and looked back, giving a faint toothy smile to the other girl. Finally, Sesshomaru reclined onto his back, allowing Kagome to snuggle into his right side, and Rin to his left. He watched quietly as both girls fell back to sleep, and knowing he’d soon need a meal to replenish his strength. Until his new females were well though, he would refuse to move.

By sunrise, Inuyasha and the Monk were both awake, staring down at Lord Sesshomaru’s pastel yellow eyes. Inuyasha finally broke the silence by nudging Miroku in the side with his elbow.

“Is he blind?”

Miroku shook his head in a negative answer, watching the young lord intently.

“Are you well, Lord Sesshomaru? Can you see well?”

Sesshomaru gave a short snort before glaring at the monk to the best of his ability.

“I can see just fine. I jus’ need sustenance is all.”

“I can take you to go hunt!”

Sesshomaru’s glare shifted towards Shippo, a growl escaping between his clenched teeth as the kit inched closer to Kagome. Instinctively, Sesshomaru’s arm tightened around the girl, pulling her closer into side and chest.

“Keep yo’ voice down, mongwel.”

His lip curled up into a snarl, causing Shippo to stumble back slightly, looking up at Miroku and Inuyasha.

“Lord Sesshomaru, you will need to be kind towards Shippo. He only wishes to help…”

“Yeah, and the brat is protected by Kagome. So whatever you think is happening between you and her, ain’t happening if you piss her off…”

Inuyasha’s rant was cut short by Sango’s boomerang colliding with his head. She glared down at the unconscious half breed, her eyes still heavy from sleep, and her voice gruff and irritable from being woken up.

“If your loud mouths can wake me up while I was sleeping across the room, imagine what the children are feeling.

The demon slayer sat down quietly, gently checking the children’s temperatures, ignoring Sesshomaru’s growls of protests.

“Well, Lord Sesshomaru, your fever seems to have broken, so I’m assuming you are feeling better. Have either of the girls woken up at all yet?”

Sesshomaru gave a short nod, holding the two even closer, if possible, fighting the need to sleep some more. Miroku, noticing the young lord’s weakened state, decided to try and calm his nerves a bit.

“Lord Sesshomaru, you said you were in need of nourishment, perhaps Sango and I could get you something.”

Sesshomaru snorted, turning his head to the side, nearly ashamed by his current state, though completely unwilling to change it if he could.

“I do not need yo’ help, monk.”

“But, m’lord, I was merely offering. I was about to go into town to purchase some new clothes for you and Lady Kagome, as well as buy some food. I knew you would be more than willing and capable on protecting the two young ladies and Shippo, but I only wish to help you keep your strength.”

Shippo was quieted by Sango as he attempted to correct the monk when assuming he needed protection. Sango merely shook her head, indicating for him to let it go for now. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, seemed to be contemplating his options. He knew it would use up almost all his strength to stay awake in his current state of health, so some food would be good. Finally, he gave his consent through a slight nod, looking over at Miroku.

“Alwight, monk, be swift in your retrieval.”

Miroku kept his straight face, giving a nod of acceptance, and left hurriedly with Sango in toe. As soon as he and the demon slayer were out of the room, Miroku’s face broke out into a broad grin.

“Lord Sesshomaru seems to be very fond of our little Kagome.”

Sango giggled, nodding her head, but then frowned as a thought came to her mind.

“Miroku….what about when we break the spell? If they’re bonded, what would that mean for Kagome?”

Miroku’s smile faltered, his mind pondering the possibilities awaiting the sleeping miko.

“I don’t know, my dear Sango, but hopefully we will be able to fix all of the problems, starting with getting fresh clothes and food for the children.

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Naraku eyed Kanna quietly, his crimson eyes contemplative.

“Kanna, go to the volcanoes where the sorceress lives, and let her know her payment is well on its way. Send her to the Western lands.”

Kanna gave a short nod, hurrying out the door. Not long after the child demon left, Kagura stepped in, knowing she was about to be summoned.

“Kagura, an obedient little wench you’ve become. Come, we must travel to our new home.”

His delicate lips curved into a sinister smirk, twisting his flawless features into something unholy. Kagura took a step back, quickly bowing her head to avoid eye contact with the monster of a man as he stepped by her.

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Shippo watched over Kagome from a safe distance, weary of Sesshomaru’s claws. Though his poison could only slow Inuyasha down a bit, it was still very deadly to the young fox demon. Kagome began to stir once more, blinking back sleep and tried to sit up. A small frown crossed her lips when she found she couldn’t, looking up at Sesshomaru for an answer. Sesshomaru merely shook his head, silently telling her not to move, before closing his eyes.

“Sesshmaru? Sesshmaru, are you alright?”

The young dog demon slowly opened his eyes to stare into her own, nodding his head. His chest swelled slightly when the young girl smiled, happy with only the knowledge that he was safe. It was an odd feeling, something he had never felt even with his own mother. He was safe, and that in itself made the little creature beside him happy. His lip twitched, wanting to smile back, though the years of training from his mother had branded him against it. Seeing this, Kagome’s smile grew as she snuggled into his chest, trying to cheer the demon lord up, a little giggle erupting from the attempt to lighten his mood. Sesshomaru tilted his head up, resting his chin on the top of her head and buried his nose into her hair, letting out a little, playful growl.

Shippo watched it all, confused and somewhat put out. With a huff, he hopped onto the unconscious body of Inuyasha, pulling at the halfbreed’s ears.

“You know, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha won’t like it that you’re being to friendly with Kagome.”

The young miko stopped her playful attention towards the dog demon to look at Shippo curiously. Just as her eyes met the emerald ones of the kitsune, Sesshomaru let out a low puppy’s growl.

“It’s alright, Sesshmaru. Inuyasha…It’s not like it matters what he thinks. He only thinks of Kikyo anyway. Doesn’t he, Shippo?”

She smiled up at Shippo, who was wrinkling his nose by now, and beckoned him towards her with her outstretched hand. Shippo, wary of Sesshomaru’s poison, crept towards her, stopping as soon as Sesshomaru’s growl was heard once more.

“Sesshmaru! You leave Shippo alone.”

Her tiny brows knitted together as Sesshomaru glanced at her with an otherwise annoyed expression.

“He shouldn’t be too close, he’s not pack.”

Kagome quirked her head to the side, before gazing towards Shippo.

“He’s my pack, I take care of him.”

Shippo shifted from one foot to the other, clearly bothered, and for the first time in his life, he was relieved that Inuyasha was finally waking up. Inuyasha looked up, his lip pulled back in a snarl from having been hit in the head. Looking over, he noticed Rin was awake, but quiet. Kagome was awake as well, and fussing to Sesshomaru about Shippo. I knew she’d chew into him for that…Hmmm…I wonder if Kikyo is around…Wait, is Kagome snuggling Sesshomaru? What the hell?! She’s only….uhm….young, she shouldn’t be snuggling up to Sesshomaru! At no age!

Sure enough, Kagome was giggling, playing with Sesshomaru’s silky hair, wriggling closer to reach for more strands of the soft locks. With a slight snarl, Inuyasha got up, grabbing for Kagome only to be stopped by a loud snarl. Sesshomaru’s eyes were burning red, warning the half breed away from his pack.

“Back off, runt. She don’t belong to you. Let her go, now!”

“Half bweed, you will leave my pack a-wone, or you will be punished.”

Inuyasha snorted, reaching for Kagome once more, only to pummel into the ground.

“Sit boy! You leave Sesshmaru alone!”

Rin gave a small giggle, yawning softly before being startled at the door opening. Miroku and Sango walked into the room, bearing new clothes and fresh foods. Sango smiled softly at the timid girl before heading to the side of the room to start preparing the food. Miroku offered the new clothes to Sesshomaru and Kagome. Sesshomaru’s eyes, now gaining their gentle yet cold golden colour, reluctantly let the girls go in order to change. He was just so tired of wearing clothes that wreaked of that kit!

Kagome quietly walked into another room, slipping on the new kimono. It was a deep forest green with silver cranes patterned on the back and sleeves. The small obi keeping the kimono in place was also silver, with a pale blue petal designs on the rims.

Sesshomaru settled behind a changing screen, slipping on a pair of navy hakamas and a matching haori. His silver obi wrapped around his tiny waist, but settled his pride in the fact that the material and the clothing in general at least feathered against his stature. Stepping out behind the screen, he ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing out the silky locks. Kagome stepped back into the room as well, giggling as she joined Rin in the wait for food. Sesshomaru quietly sat behind the two girls, taking up a guarding position.

Shippo jumped off of Inuyasha’s shoulder, eyeing Kagome curiously, and ignoring the growl emitting from her new body guard.

“Kagome? Are you feeling better?”

The young miko looked over at Shippo and smiled brightly, hugging the young kitsune.

“I’m fine, Shippo. Never felt better.”

Her smile faded just long enough to scowl at Sesshomaru and demand that he stop growling at Shippo. The young fox demon looked up at his child-like foster mother, noticing that her sapphire eyes were now hinted with golden flecks. Shrugging it off as a part of the bonding, he hurried towards the meal. The young miko turned her gaze towards Sesshomaru once more, a small frown playing on her lips.

“Sesshmaru? Why don’t you like Shippo?”

“He is not pack.”

“Well…then make him pack!”

The young demon lord looked over at the miko, his eyes widening slightly at the thought of bonding to yet another being. He still wasn’t sure why he bonded to her and Rin to begin with, though it did feel good, and his pup-like beast was plenty happy with the results.

“He does not need to shawe my lifespan. He will live long enough.”

Kagome gave out a tiny whimper, sounding suspiciously like a pup’s whine to it’s parent while trying to get it’s way.

“Can you at least be nice to him? Pweeeeeeeeease?”

She widened her eyes, batting her lashes in a way that always made her grandfather melt. The young demon lord glared at the girl before him, his hair and tail puffing up in aggravation.

“…….Fine……..”

The young miko squealed in delight, causing the pup to flinch and jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. During the hug, she snuggled her head underneath his chin, again reminding him of the customs of his people. The unconscious sign of gratitude helped to ease his beast further concerning Shippo, as he gently pet the girl’s shoulder with his clawed hand.

Inuyasha, watching the display in disgust, poking his nose into the air in an attempt to make the sentiment seem beneath him.

“Kagome, get off of him!”

Sesshomaru growled at his half brother, his hair poofing up again.

“It’s not like I have flees like you, half bweed.”

“Hey! I don’t have flees, mutt!”

“I’m a pure bwed taiyouki! You awe da one who’s blood is contaminated.”

Kagome frowned, looking up at Sesshomaru briefly, her question causing him to flinch slightly.

“Contaminated?”

“He is not a pure bweed. That is all it means.”

Her pout only deepened when Sango handed the children their food.

“Human blood is bad, Sesshmaru?”

“I didn’t say that. I said his blood is mixed, which is not good.”

Kagome nodded quietly, nibbling on her meal.

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Naraku stood before the mighty gates of his soon-to-be new territory. The soldiers were lined, their generals barking orders for men to fall back and attack as wave after wave of demons surrounded them. The Dark Prince smirked, knowing that in the end, he would win over this new castle. It was just a matter of time and blood before his victory would be complete.

Shooting out tentacles, he snagged several shoulders, watching as their lives flickered out of their eyes with each drop of blood. Demons and humans alike swarmed around him, only to be taken down by the miasma. His crimson eyes traveled over skewered men, their blood dribbling down the chins and onto the ground, a slow death for the enemy of the devil.

A lone soldier fled from the battle, knowing that he would inevitably die should he stay.

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Kanna wandered into the volcanic surroundings, staring up at the demoness with a vague expression.

“The master wishes you to return to the West.”

“So, the half breed has my payment after all? To be sure, this is too easy. What is his catch?”

“He has ordered you be brought to the West.”

The sorceress scoffed, glaring down at the void child.

“Little scamp, tell me what else he’s wanting of me.”

The demoness narrowed her golden eyes as Kanna simply walked away.

“The master awaits you.”

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Naraku walked past the multitude of bodies that were being devoured by his demons. With a hideously evil smirk playing on his perfect lips, he stalked into the castle, aiming for only one room in particular. After two flights of stairs, and several corridors later, he found himself in front of a set of majestic set of doors. With little effort, he opened them, his sharp nose was assaulted by the scent of Lord Sesshomaru. His eyes traveled to the far end of the room, a tapestry of a young Sesshomaru along with the Great Dog General, and a lovely demoness, the Lady Leiko. In just a short time, I have become the new Lord, and if the lady sorceress wishes her title back, she will provide me with a strong mate and heir…

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A/N: Well, here’s Chapter 6. Sorry it took so long to get it up. There was a huge issue of writer’s block. >.<

I know it’s not the best chapter, but I still hope you guys like it. Reviews and critiques are more than welcome. ^_^