After Midnight

DISCLAIMER: I have a grand total of $3.47 cents in the form of bottle returns and pennies. I have nothing you can sue me out of beyond that. But just in case you can somehow take my internal organs I will say it. I don’t own it.


Chapter 7:
Destruction and Healing

“To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destory can be the thoughtless act of a single day.”
-Sir Winston Leonard Spenser Churchill


For a moment Sesshomaru thought he was blind. The little miko’s blast of ki lit up the entire area like mid day. When the waves of purity and the roar of Bakusaiga dissipated, the demon Lord was disappointed to find that half of the remaining army, as well as Naboru, had escaped.

The monk and taijiya blinked up owlishly at Kagome from where they had been knocked to the ground.

“Are they gone?” Kagome asked in a thick voice.

Rin pulled her fingers from Kirara’s fur and stepped towards the miko. “Yes Kagome-nee-chan. They are gone.”

Kagome felt her world sway and her vision go dark around the edges. She looked at Rin and gave her a sheepish smile. “Good, because I don’t think I can do that again.” Her knees gave out and she was unconscious before Rin caught her.

Kikyo crouched down next to her mate, running a slightly shaking hand across his forehead. She let out a relieved breath and closed her eyes. “We should gather what supplies we can before the whole town burns,” Kikyo advised in a hushed voice.

The command to gather supplies seemed to snap Miroku and Sango out of their shock. As Rin struggled to pull the younger miko up the shrine steps she felt the weight on her shoulders cut in half. “Thank you,” she whispered.

A small smile crept onto Sango’s lips. “No problem.” Together they carried the unconscious miko to the top, passing by Miroku who had the kitsune in a fireman’s lift. She noticed Shippou’s wounds were healed and marveled at the control the small woman warrior held over her powers. By will alone Kagome could destroy or heal.

At the top of the steps they gently laid their friend down underneath the red tori. Miroku placed Shippou beside her before turning to his wife.

“Should we search our home first, dearest Sango?” A rough hand caressed the taijiya’s cheek.

She raised her hand to cup the back of Miroku’s. “Yes. Hopefully we’ll be able to salvage some of the powders and other weapons.” Sango watched her husband’s gaze slip over her chest and a decidedly lecherous gleam sparkle is his violet eyes. “Hentai,” she mumbled before setting off down the steps.

Kikyo shook her head at the couple as they disappeared into the smoke surrounding the village. Taking one last look back at Inuyasha she set out after them. She went to her elder sister’s former hut first, knowing that Kagome and Shippou’s belongings would be there. Picking through the puddles and piles of dust that were all that remained of the army, she caught sight of her destination. The smoke curled around her in the breeze and she was forced to draw her sleeve over her nose. Thinking back to Shippou’s appearance, Kikyo sent up a prayer for the villager’s safety.

What remained of her sister’s hut was rubble. It hadn’t caught fire, but the blow from Sesshomaru’s Bakusaiga was enough to flatten it. A heavy sigh escaped her as she began to pick through the debris. After a good fifteen minutes of digging all that could be saved from the hut was resting against the base of the steps. She had drug out both their backpacks, sleeping bags, and the two dusty bedrolls the girls had used the night before. If things went the way she suspected they would need the extra materials.

Turning around Kikyo made her way further into the village. A clatter to her left sounded as the hut across from her collapsed. It spewed forth a rain of embers that swirled on the updraft. Patches of black earth smoked lazily beneath her feet. Kikyo passed the burning remains of her own home with a sad shake of her head.

At the top of the shrine Rin tenderly brushed a stray lock of hair off of Kagome’s face and tucked it behind her ear. She stood, casting a glance toward the white figure still half-way down the stairs surveying the village. As she went to pass him by on her way to help the others he spoke.

“We must leave,” his words fell in his normal emotionless tone.

She shook her head and gave him a bemused smile. “We can’t track them while they’re being masked by Kagome. We can’t even look for signs in the underbrush. Haruki taught both of them young how to avoid leaving a trail, and they’re going to do what they were taught. Especially now.”

Rin paused before she continued and Sesshomaru knew he was in trouble with the next word out of her mouth.

“Father,” she whispered. “I know you don’t like it, but my best bet for finding my daughters right now is Kagome. I have faith in you, but she can track the necklace. Until we find them it will keep them from harm, but I still want to get to them quickly.”

She looked up into the demon Lord’s golden eyes and saw them soften a bit just for her. Rin smiled. She knew he loved her, even if he didn’t say it.

“Now, are you going to help me gather supplies or is such an activity beneath you?” Rin teased.

Sesshomaru snorted, cocked a brow, and fell into step beside his daughter.

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An odd lumpy brown and lilac blur flitted through the forest on almost silent feet.

Sayuri rolled her head off her sister’s shoulder in order to gain better access to a fuzzy cat ear. “Tsuki,” she whispered, little fangs nibbling her lower lip. “Do you think they’re still looking for us.”

Akitsuki shifted her sister up higher on her back in an attempt to keep the chain, now draped over both their necks, from choking her. “I don’t know Ri, but I’m not stopping now.”

A soft sniffle came from over the elder girl’s shoulder. “Do you think Shippou’s ok?”

An odd lump formed in Akitsuki’s throat at the thought of the kitsune. “Of course,” the panther hanyou said trying to will confidence into her words. She found it wasn’t as hard as she had thought it would be. An underlying respect was beginning to build for the sly orange haired youkai. “He’s strong,” she finished with more certainty.

“Do you think Mama’s okay?”

This Akitsuki didn’t hesitate on. “She’s probably causing those nasty snake’s problems right now.”

Sayuri giggled before her voice fell into a grave whisper. “Do you think we’ll be okay?”

The elder sister grimaced. She’d been running since dawn and though she was a half-demon she could feel the exertion taking it’s toll, especially since she had to carry her sister. The girl had demanded they both wear the stupid necklace and having Sayuri on her back was the only way to do so while traveling at a decent speed.

Akitsuki could feel the spiritual power in the charm wrap around both her and Sayuri in a comforting manner. What she couldn’t see was the rose colored aura that enveloped them both.

“Tsuki?” The younger girl questioned after a moment of prolonged silence.

“Hai. We’ll be fine.”

Sayuri noticed the dark turn her sister’s thoughts had taken and endeavored to drag her out before they latched hold of her mood. “As soon as we get to the smelly wolf’s cave, right?”

The elder half-demon giggled. “Yeah, as soon as we reach the stinky cave.”

Spotting the outline of the mountains the wolf lair rested in against the setting sun’s rays, Akitsuki picked up speed.

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It was late afternoon when everyone finished scavenging. Sango strapped her packs on Kirara and dropped cross-legged onto the ground.

She worried her lip and turned to Kikyo. “Why hasn’t Kagome woken up yet?”

Kikyo glanced over at the unconscious woman and her kit. “She used up a lot of her power so she’s going to need to rest for awhile.” The miko gave a tired sigh. “Honestly, if she were any other miko it would have killed her.”

Sango’s intake of breath was sharp. “Why did she do it then? We planned to retreat.”

“Miko’s have instincts too,” was Kikyo’s simple answer.

Rin caught on to what the elder miko was implying. “They threatened her child.” She looked over at Shippou.

“Children,” Sango corrected.

Rin eyes snapped back to the taijiya as she raised her eyebrow in a gesture similar to her father.

Sango stifled her giggle with her hand. “I know Kagome. She thinks of you as a daughter. She protects you as fiercely as she does her son.” Rin wrapped her fingers around her necklace and Sango smiled. “That youkai through a dagger at you.”

Sesshomaru bit back a snarl.

“In Kagome’s mind that is grounds for death,” Miroku concluded.

Rin nodded and patted the demon Lord on the arm.

As everyone fell into silence Inuyasha began to stir. Kikyo ran over to her mate as he moaned a bit and then sat up.

Inuyasha looked around and wrinkled his nose at the smell of smoke. “What the hell happened?”

The daiyoukai’s cold voice answered, “Naboru.”

Inuyasha was on his feet in a heart beat. “What the hell is he doing here?” The hanyou eyed his half-brother. “Shouldn’t you have left by now?”

Miroku ignored his friend’s outburst and turned to Sesshomaru. “The youkai that attacked us is named Naboru?”

The daiyoukai gave a curt nod. “He is Lord of the Southern Lands.”

“Hey! I said what in the hell is he doing here?” Inuyasha growled and placed his hand on the hilt of Tessaiga.

Sesshomaru gave his half-brother a glare filled with distain.

“Lord Sesshomaru is here with Rin. They are seeking her children,” Miroku answered in a level voice.

“Well they aren’t here so he can leave.” Inuyasha spat.

“Inuyasha,” Kikyo put a restraining hand on her mate’s bicep.

Rin decided to head off the situation. She stood up and addressed the hanyou. “Kagome is the only one who can track my daughters now.”

“Well that’s too damn bad. Guess you shouldn’t have lost them in the first place.”

A low growl of warning thundered through Sesshomaru‘s chest.

Thinking fast Sango stood up between the two brothers. “Inuyasha. You shouldn’t speak to Rin that way or you’ll have to deal with Kagome when she wakes up.”

“What?” He barked as he searched wildly for the miko. He saw her lying nearby and rushed to her side. “Kagome?” Inuyasha cradled the miko’s head in his hands. “What’s wrong with her?” He demanded turning back to the group.

Kikyo walked over to her mate. “Leave her alone, Inuyasha. She needs to rest. She over taxed her strength that’s all. Kagome will be fine after some sleep.”

The elder miko turned to the rest of the group. “We should get as far away from here as possible by nightfall.” She shouldered two packs and waited for the rest to get ready.

“How are we going to carry everyone? We need to travel quickly.” Sango pointed out as she and Miroku hoisted Shippou’s unconscious form onto Kirara.

“I’ll carry Kagome,” Inuyasha offered.

“You need to carry Kikyo,” Miroku reminded him.

“I can carry both,” the hanyou snapped.

Miroku, Sango, and Rin exchanged a look. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at his daughter.

Rin shook her head. “It’s nothing,” she said in a whisper only the daiyoukai could catch. “Kagome wouldn’t like it is all.”

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The group left the village with the monk and Inuyasha running on foot. The taijiya and the still unconscious kitsune on the fire cat. Rin with Sesshomaru on his youki cloud. Kikyo on Inuyasha’s back, and Kagome in his arms. Behind them the village that was Edo collapsed in on itself. The open space filled with smoldering huts and the shrine on top of the hill the only testament to its once existence.

Entering the forest the demon Lord cast a look down at his new traveling ‘companions.‘ Sesshomaru had to admit there was something very undignified about the little miko in the hanyou’s arms while his mate hung on his back. He mentally snorted. ‘Why should I care if it is improper?’

A very persistent voice in the back of Sesshomaru’s mind pointed out that he did care, because he respected the miko. The demon Lord squashed the wayward thoughts but agreed with Rin‘s earlier assessment. If the miko were awake she would not be pleased with her current situation.

As the sun was setting the group came across the place where Naboru attacked Shippou. Patches of burnt grass, claw marked trees, and torn ground attested to the kitsune putting his training to good use. Sesshomaru scoured the whole area but as Rin said there were no tracks from the two small cat hanyous. Neither was there scent.

“Should we stop here for the night?” Miroku asked in a soft voice.

“No,” the daiyoukai’s baritone rumbled. “There is a suitable area ahead.”

“Since when do you call the shots you arrogant bastard?” Inuyasha griped.

“Inuyasha, your choice of words reveals your intelligence,” the demon Lord replied smoothly. He gathered Rin and zipped ahead of the group. A few moments later he touched down in a clearing and eased Rin out of his grip. His senses swept for danger and finding none, he settled his back against the nearest tree.

The taijiya joined them next. She slid off the fire-cat, hefting the kitsune from Kirara’s back. Miroku’s purple robes appeared through the trees. He cast a glance around, then threw his bag down and helped Sango remove the supplies. Kirara shrank back down to her smaller size and wound herself around the taijiya’s ankles with a purr.

When Inuyasha entered the clearing his mate slipped from his back and deposited her bags. The hanyou sat down cross legged with Kagome in his lap. Sango eyed the sleeping miko’s position before tightening her jaw and stalking off into the woods.

Rin looked over at the demon Lord. “I think I’ll go help Sango,” she said.

“I’ll go too,” Kikyo chimed.

Sesshomaru’s gaze followed the women until they disappeared into the woods. Keeping one ear on their conversation, he watched the monk unravel several bed rolls to form a circle.

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Rin caught up with Sango a few yards into the forest. She was muttering to herself and Rin caught the words “Kagome,” and “jerk.”

“Sango what’s wrong?”

The demon slayer spun on her heel and pointed back towards the clearing. “He’s what’s wrong!”

Rin motioned for the woman to keep her voice down and Sango sucked in a breath through her teeth.

“That jerk always does this. Kagome comes around, and he gets all clingy. He won’t leave her alone for a second. He has a mate. He has no business with Kagome on his lap!” She hissed.

“I agree,” Kikyo added in a soft voice.

Sango clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, Kikyo. I’m sorry it’s just that-”

The miko cut her off. “No, you are right. Kagome and I dealt with our differences long ago, but Inuyasha will always be a sensitive area.”

Rin leapt to the younger miko’s defense. “You know she doesn’t have feelings for him anymore. Not like that, and from what she has told me things get tense when she is in the village. It‘s one of the reasons she‘s gone so much.”

Kikyo made a placating gesture with her hand. “I am aware. If Kagome were awake she would not allow herself to be in the position she is in.”

“I don’t understand him.” Sango gave a frustrated sigh as she began to gather firewood. “I mean I know male dog demons are possessive and protective, but once they take a mate-”

“They usually don’t act that way with other females,” Rin finished. “Yes, I know. His behavior is abnormal.”

Sango turned to Kikyo and handed the woman an armload of firewood. “Please don’t be upset with Kagome over this.”

Kikyo gave a sad smile. “I’m not. If I am upset with anyone it is my mate.”

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Sesshomaru’s ear twitched as he heard the girl’s finish their conversation. ‘So, the mutt is not as loyal as he portrays himself to be.’

He observed the women as they returned with their arms full of wood. The elder miko’s gate was stiff and her shoulders were straighter than usual. The taijiya still seemed agitated. Rin cast a glance over at Kagome and frowned. ‘He seems to cause much tension in this group,’ the daiyoukai mused.

The monk started the fire and Rin came over to take the bed roll closest to the demon Lord.

“Rin?”

The girl turned to see Sesshomaru’s raised eyebrow. She gave him a wan smile. “I’m just worried about Sayuri and Akitsuki.”

The daiyoukai nodded. “Haruki.”

Rin could hear the question in his voice. “He stayed at the Eastern Lord’s castle upon request. The Lord wanted to discuss options for battle.” She gave a shaky laugh.

Sesshomaru was hesitant. He didn’t really want to bring up Rin’s second son, but it had to be done. “Haru.” His voice was flat.

Tears gathered in Rin’s eyes. “I saw it,” she answered his unspoken query. Her voice was choked. “He made us proud.”

“Hai,” Sesshomaru’s voice was uncharacteristically soft as he looked into his daughter’s glistening orbs.

The quiet of the moment was broken by Inuyasha‘s shouts.

“Why do I have to put her down? She’s fine where she is!”

“No she isn’t Inuyasha. She has her own sleeping bag and she would be more comfortable there,” Sango admonished.

“Feh. Whatever. I’m not putting her down.”

“Put. Her. Down.” Sango growled.

“I must agree with Sango on this my friend. Kagome has made it quiet clear in the past that she does not appreciate this type of physical contact.” Miroku accompanied in a light tone.

“I don’t care what the wench has made clear,” Inuyasha snapped.

Before Sesshomaru understood what it was he was doing he was on his feet. He’d had enough. Faster than Inuyasha could protest, he was across the fire and had pulled the miko from his half-brother’s arms.

“You dishonor your mate, little brother.”

Inuyasha growled and made to stand to snatch Kagome back.

“Mate,” Kikyo called in a voice of steel. “If you continue this course of action I will have Miroku restrain you with a sutra.”

The hanyou glared at the monk, who reached his hand into his robes and pulled out said sutra. Inuyasha plopped back down. “Feh.”

The demon Lord laid the miko out on the sleeping bag between Rin and the kitsune. Sango maneuvered Kagome into it casting scathing glances over at the fuming hanyou.

As she sat back she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Let’s just get some sleep.” Sango plopped back into her bed roll.

Sesshomaru stayed awake, watching as one by one the beings around him fell asleep. The dampness of spring surrounded him as he mulled over his recent actions.

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‘Guardian.’

Kagome’s eyes snapped open. ‘That was a wired dream,’ she thought. Kagome closed her eyes and tried to remember what it had been about. Already the images were slipping away from her.

She had been in a forest and it was daytime. She followed a flash of silver hair. ‘Well that’s not unexpected,’ Kagome groused. Next Sayuri hovered over her, telling her not to move. Kagome had looked down and she had been covered in blood. Then she saw Rin. The dream images got fuzzy, but there was a pair of bright ice-blue eyes. They had held such warmth and concern and Kagome had the distinct impression that she knew who they belonged to. She had almost fallen back asleep while thinking about her dream when she heard what had awoken her again.

Guardian.’

This time Kagome sat up slowly and looked around. Goose bumps raised on her arms from the chilly night air. Her battle garb was bunched around her, slightly stiff in places from the dried blood. She grimaced at the smoky smell that lingered in the cloth.

The fire in the middle of the camp had died down to a languid flicker. Its waning light glanced over the huddled lumps of her companions. She rubbed her face with her hands trying to rid herself of the clammy feeling. ‘Ugh, I need a bath.’

With that thought in mind Kagome searched the vicinity for her sword. Someone had taken it off her and laid it next to her sleeping bag and backpack. Her fingers wrapped around the simple black hilt lovingly. The pad of her thumb traced over the etching of a tiger winding through a stand of bamboo. A heavy breath left her.

Releasing her grip, she dug through her pack and pulled out a spare set of her fighting garb. The sound of water came from her left. She stood and made her way stealthily toward what she could tell was a small stream just beyond the trees.

It was early, very early and she couldn’t help but be peeved by her second night of interrupted sleep. Though she had slept all day and her body was no longer weary, her mind was giving her fits.

As she reached the stream and kneeled down Kagome heard the voice call her again.

‘Guardian.’

“What?” Kagome bit out in a whisper. ‘Really, now I’m in trouble. I’m talking to voices in my head,’ Kagome chastised herself.

In a murmur almost too soft for Kagome to hear the voice continued.

‘Beware.’

Kagome growled and splashed water on her face. ‘Oh great. Beware. This better not be another army falling on my head. I don’t think I can take it tonight,’ she quipped.

‘She comes.’

Kagome blinked and froze. ‘That’s new,’ she thought. ‘Who comes?’

A twig cracked behind her and Kagome grabbed her sword.

The voice faded away on the breeze.

‘Beware, Guardian.’

Kagome stood and pivoted in one fluid motion bringing her sword point against the neck of the interloper.

Her eyes widened. ‘I’m so dead.’

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AN:

Indigo: ::ducks random objects being thrown at her head:: Wait! Don’t kill me yet. I did a double post and I promise next chapter is not a cliffe.

::readers stop bombardment::

Indigo: ...Well, maybe a teeny tiny one...

::flying objects resume::

Muse: ::grabs Indigo:: Evasive maneuvers!

Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers. Keep reviewing it feeds the muse! You know the drill.

Preview!

Chapter 8: The Thoughts and Happenings of Night

Once they were on their feet Akitsuki hoisted her sister onto her back. “We should get out of here,” she whispered.

Sayuri nodded her agreement. The panther hanyous traveled two steps further toward the North before the leopard jumped down from the tree in front of them.

“Hello little girls,” he purred flashing his fangs.

Akitsuki backed away as he reached his claws out to grab them.