A New Path

Disclaimer: I do not own any aspects of the anime Inuyasha. I do not own characters, locations or the storyline. i only own the original plot of this story.

Chapter 8: Enter Litara

Inuyasha stared at the spot that Kikyo just recently occupied. He knew that destroying her was too little too late, to get Kagome back, but he still felt like it was the right thing to do. The only problem was that he remembered the love he once felt for Kikyo, and the memory of that love made him feel guilty. He needed some time alone to think about what he just did.

“I...I…I’ve got to go…” He stammered, jumping up into a tree and running away through the treetops.

“Do you think he will be ok?” Shippo asked Sango and Miroku.

“He may no longer have feelings for Kikyo, but he used to love her, so taking a part in her ultimate death must have been very hard for him. I only hope that he will be able to get over the guilt he feels.” Miroku said.

“Seeing Kagome with Sesshomaru will help with that, because it will remind him of what Kikyo took from him. Perhaps Inuyasha will find someone else that can help heal his pain. He has lost the only people he ever loved, all in the same day, and he feels that both losses are his fault.” Sango added.

“Let’s return to the village, Inuyasha will eventually return there, and then maybe we can continue to look for jewel shards. I can still sense them, though not quite as well as our dear Kagome could.” Miroku said.

“Alright Miroku, we will return to the village and wait for Inuyasha to return. Come on Shippo.” Sango said.

They walked back to the village, and when arrived they found that there was a surprise waiting for them.

“Shippo! Oh, Shippo, come here, I didn’t mean to leave without saying goodbye, I’m back!” Kagome didn’t move from Sesshomaru’s embrace, but she stretched out her arms for Shippo to come to her. The little red haired kit ran straight to her and leaped into her arms. She hugged him close, and nuzzled her face into her hair. Sesshomaru looked down at her, and marveled at how good she was with the little kitsune. ‘she will be a wonderful mother, and if she is this good with a child that she adopted, she will be even better with children of her own blood…and mine’ It was then that Sesshomaru decided that he would do everything in his power to make her his mate, even if she was a human. She was the most powerful human he’d ever met, and was worthy of bearing his mark. His thoughts drifted back to the time they just spent in the gardens around his palace.
************
Sesshomaru took Kagome’s hand and led her into the gardens. Beautiful flowers and butterflies surrounded them, and the perfume from the blossoms was almost as intoxicating as her scent. Kagome looked around in wonder; it was almost as if they had entered a completely new world.

“Kagome, I don’t know what has drawn me to you, but it seems that I can’t pull myself away. I’m terribly sorry for what happened with you and Inuyasha, he is just too rude and stubborn to know any better, he couldn’t see what he had right in front of him. Kagome looked up at him, and smiled.

“I’m sorry about what happened with Inuyasha and me as well, but that is in the past. Let’s not dwell on it, alright?” Kagome said.

Sesshomaru looked at her for a moment, and then leaned down to take her lips in his. It was a sweet kiss, full of all the promise of a new relationship. They separated at looked at each other hungrily.

“Maybe I should return to my friends, before they think I abandoned them, especially Shippo.” Kagome said.

“Very well, come here and I will fly you back.” Sesshomaru pulled her into the circle of his arm, and flew her back to Kaede’s hut.

************
Inuyasha walked into Kaede’s hut to see Kagome leaning against Sesshomaru with Shippo in her lap. He turned bright red, and hung his head ashamedly. He didn’t look into Kagome’s face. Slowly he looked up, and spoke.

“Kagome, can I talk to you, in private? I promise I won’t hurt you.” Inuyasha asked. Sango and Miroku looked at each other in shock, why would Inuyasha say that to Kagome, why would he need to say that. Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru to see his reaction to Inuyasha’s request. The Demon Lord gave the slightest inclination of his head, which told the miko that he approved of her speaking to Inuyasha.

“Alright Inuyasha…but you must promise me that you will not lose your temper. You will not yell at me.” Kagome said. Inuyasha nodded his head to show that he agreed. Then he led the way outside the hut. They walked far enough away so that the others would not be able to hear the conversation. When they were far enough away, Inuyasha turned to Kagome.

“Kagome, I’m so sorry for everything. I know that you heard what I said to Kikyo, last time you went back to your time, when Sesshomaru fell through with you. But you didn’t hear the whole conversation.” He said.

“I think I heard enough of the conversation Inuyasha. If you brought me out here to tell me all the wonderful sweet nothings you and Kikyo exchanged, don’t bother. I have more important things to do, and I don’t want to hear it.” She replied.

“It’s not like that, ok? Just listen and let me finish would you?” He said.

“Go on then.”

“I caught up with you in time to see you in Sesshomaru’s arms, falling through the well. Before I could follow you, Kikyo showed up. She started telling me that you betrayed me for Sesshomaru, and that when you were going home you were really going to his bed, that sort of thing. Moreover, I believed her; she made it sound so convincing. That’s when I decided that Kikyo was the best choice for me to make, because at least she didn’t leave me for my brother. I’m so sorry Kagome.”

“Inuyasha…SIT BOY!” Kagome said, with angry fervor.

“OW! What did you do that for?” Inuyasha yelled.

“That was for being a complete idiot! Not only did you break my heart, but also you believed the woman that betrayed you fifty years ago! Even if Naraku did trick her, if she truly loved you she would have tried to talk to you before trying to kill you! You attacked me Inuyasha! Attacked me for doing what you told me to, running away from danger, and for crying about you hating me. Sesshomaru comforted me. Both times you hurt me…he helped me.” Kagome yelled, tears streaming down her face. Inuyasha started to get up, having recovered from her sit spell. She didn’t give him a chance.

“SIT!” She said.

“Damn it Kagome! What was THAT for?” He asked.

“That is for yelling at me. I told you not to before we even left the hut.” She said.

“Well, are you going to forgive me? Kagome, will you please come back to me? I need you to be by my side when I fight, when I do anything. Please?” Inuyasha asked.

“No. Inuyasha, you messed up for the last time. I have a real chance to be happy, and I’m not going to give that up. I can’t believe that you are going to change. If you truly cared, you never would have believed Kikyo. I’m sorry.” With that, Kagome turned and walked away from the first boy she ever loved. Turned and walked toward the first man to love her, even if he wasn’t entirely sure that’s what it was.

Kagome walked back into the hut looking very upset. Sesshomaru took one look at her face and jumped up, looking ready to kill. She stopped him.

“No, I’m all right; it was just an emotional conversation that’s all. He apologized, and explained why he said those things to Kikyo.” She said.

“Very well then, I will let him be. I must return to my own lands now, but I will be sending you a servant. One of my maids, it is only fitting that you have a lady’s maid, since you are my intended. I’d trust any of my household with my life. Will you walk with me to the trees?” He asked.

“Of course I will.” Kagome replied.

They walked outside to the edge of the forest. And Sesshomaru spoke to her of Inuyasha.

“Kagome, I do not want you to be alone with Inuyasha at any time. I do not trust him. I would prefer that you did not associate with him at all. You will not go with them when they go seeking the Sacred Jewel again.” He said. He watched as her eyes darkened, and she stiffened.

“I’m not one of your servants Sesshomaru. If I want to go with Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku, I will. I will not be told what I can and cannot do.” She said.

“You will do as I ask, when I, the Great Sesshomaru, ask something of someone, especially a human, I expect that something to be done.” He retorted.

“So I am just a human am I? Why did you bother to mark me if that’s all I am to you? A human plaything. Don’t bother to send your lady’s maid, or even come back for that matter.” With that, Kagome turned to run away, tears in her eyes. Something like this wouldn’t normally bother her that much, but she didn’t entirely trust Sesshomaru’s interest in her. It was too fast, and too strange. However, against his better judgment, Sesshomaru wanted this woman, so he reached out and prevented her from leaving.

He grabbed her arm, and pulled her to him. The moment she was crushed against his chest, he leaned down and claimed her lips with his own. He pressed against her, after a moment of just pressing against her lips; he ran his tongue across her bottom lip. With the second swipe of his tongue, Kagome opened her mouth to him. He pushed inside and swept along her warm mouth. After a moment, he released her. He ran a clawed hand down her cheek, and spoke.

“Keep an eye open for the arrival of my maid. You will know her by the way my mark tingles at your first sight of her.” He leaned down, and lightly kissed his mark, then her mouth. With that, he left her. She stood, the wind from his passage billowing around her. She touched her mouth, and the mark, and smiled. She turned and went back into to Kaede’s hut.

“Kagome, what happened? You have a lot of explaining to do, what are you doing with Sesshomaru of all people? Moreover, what happened between you and Inuyasha that would make him promise not to hurt you? What is going on?” Sango asked.

“Yes Kagome, we are all rather curious as to what happened. We’ve never seen Inuyasha so upset.” Miroku said.

“I notice that you bear Sesshomaru’s mark Kagome, you do understand the implications of this correct?” Kaede said. Kagome blushed.

“Alright everyone, I’ll explain, but you have to give me a chance. I overheard Inuyasha telling Kikyo that he loved her, and that he was using me to get the Sacred Jewel. Sesshomaru was with me at the time, having fallen through the well with me when he was trying to get me as bait for Inuyasha. He held me while I listened to Inuyasha. Then, when we were fighting a demon, Inuyasha told me to run. When I was running, I started to cry. I could let my feelings out when I was alone. I ran to an open field, and Sesshomaru found me. He kissed me, and Inuyasha saw us. When he saw, he attacked us, and almost hit me with Tetsusaiga. Sesshomaru flew me away from Inuyasha to his palace. He kissed me again, and said that he wished to court me. In order to protect me from other demons, he left his courtship mark on me. I was sort of caught up in it, and marked him at the same time. Then we came back here.” Kagome said. She stood trying to catch her breath, and watched everyone’s reactions.

“Kagome…are you sure that you lost yourself in the moment when Sesshomaru marked you?” Kaede asked.

“I didn’t even realize that I bit him until I saw the blood on his shoulder when it was all over. I don’t know what came over me.” She replied.

‘For Kagome to mark him back, that could mean two things. Either she has dog demon blood in her somewhere, or she is his true soul mate. That could explain the sudden attraction to him. I will have to keep a close eye on her.’ Kaede thought.

“Kagome, are you sure this is what you want? I mean, it’s Sesshomaru. I always thought that he hated humans. He’s not using you to get at Inuyasha is he?” Sango said.

“I…I’m not positive. But the way he kisses me…I think it is real.” Kagome answered.

“No demon would mark someone unless they truly felt strongly for that person. Even the courtship mark is sacred, and no demon, not even Sesshomaru would use it in such a vulgar manner.” Kaede assured her.

“Perhaps we should all go to bed, and talk more in the morning. We’ve all had a long, exciting day.” Miroku said. Everyone looked out the door, and noticed that it was dark outside already. They had dinner and went to bed. Kagome lay down on her pallet, wrapped her arms around Shippo, and began to dream of her new love.

************
Sesshomaru arrived back at his palace, and immediately called for his strongest, most trusted maid.

“Litara!” He called. A young dog demon came running up to him. She was dressed in a loose fitting kimono over an outfit similar to Sango’s armor. She was well toned and muscular. She had long red hair that covered the points of her ears. She had markings somewhat similar to Sesshomaru’s, red lines on her cheeks, red eyelids, and a golden sun on her forehead. The similarity was because she was the last remaining member of the pack to which Sesshomaru’s family belonged. When they were younger, it was believed that they would mate one day, but with the pack gone, they had to marry others so that they could bring the pack back to its former glory. The fight with the demon lord from the continent, Lord Hyoga, killed most of the pack. Sesshomaru’s father may have defeated him, but the victory was not without a cost.

“Lord Sesshomaru, you called for me?” She asked, bowing to him.

“Litara, I have chosen a possible mate. She is traveling with my brother, Inuyasha. I would like you to go and protect her, not only from outside worry, but from him as well. He is not exactly happy that his wench chose me over him.” He said.

“I understand my lord. They will be near the old village where Inuyasha’s other wench lived correct? If not I will track the scent of your mark.” She said.

“I told her not to leave, but she has a stubborn will of her own. You may have to track her, but not if you leave now and travel quickly. This could be a good opportunity for you to find a mate of your own.” He said.

“I will leave in an hour, and I should arrive by midmorning. May I take my leave my lord?” She said.

“Go ahead. Remember to pack for traveling, as she may decide to go with them looking for Jewel Shards regardless of my wishes. Farewell Litara, and do not disappoint me.” Sesshomaru said.

“Yes my lord.” Litara replied. She returned to her room, and began to pack for the journey. She packed her favorite weapons, her best armor, and her best kimonos. She also packed provisions for herself, including her journal and personal herb store. At the end of the hour, she was already a mile outside of the palace, racing toward her lord’s intended. And unknowingly, toward her destiny.

Sorry it took so long you guys, i'll try my best to update more quickly in the future, i hope that this long chapter makes up for it! Thanks for the reviews!