Devotion and Sacrifice

By Danyealle

(fanfiction/angst/death)

Chapter 7

Everyone was rudely awakened early in the morning by Kagome’s shout of “Jewel shard!”  She was up, in a battle stance, tetsusaiga drawn before most of camp had scrambled to their feet.

As the boar youkai charged closer, Sesshomaru sized up the low-level youkai then said, softly, to Kagome, “Take him out.”

Nodding, she focused on where the jewel shard was.  Then, when it got close enough, took its head off with one swing of the big fang.  After retrieving the jewel shard from its forehead, she turned to Sesshomaru, grinning, “I did it!”

“Indeed you did.  Good job!”  He told her, nodding his approval.

“WOOHOO!  ‘Gome victory dance!”  Rin shouted then her and Shippo began to wiggle around the camp site in a dance Kagome had taught them and they had modified, something like a sped up version of the Macarena with some spastic moves added, giving everyone a good chuckle. 

Though he didn’t show it, Sesshomaru found the children’s ‘dance’ amusing and let them continue for a few minutes before sending them to gather their things.  They would have to move on before they could eat.  The remains of the boar would attract scavengers.

Because they had done it so many times, they were packed and moving within a short time with Shippo and Rin modifying their ‘victory dance’ to something they could continue while walking, entertaining everyone.

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Later that night, it was story time-the miko had been reading the kids the first Harry Potter book (though it had been for the kids all the adults loved the story as well).  When she was done and they were bedded down for the night, she slipped to the hot springs for her nightly bath and soak.

Finished with the task of washing her hair and then scrubbing really well, she donned her bathing suit and slipped back into the hot, bubbling water for a relaxing soak.  After about 15 minutes or so, she felt Sesshomaru come into the area.  Metal hit the ground then she heard a whisper of silk before she felt him enter the water.  Slipping behind her, he pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist then placed a kiss on top of her head.

Smiling, she leaned back against his chest, feeling a soothing vibration against her back, almost like a large cat purring.  It was a sound that she immediately liked, a lot.

Putting a finger under her chin, he tilted her head back and kissed her, his long, slightly rough tongue parting her lips then exploring her mouth.

They broke off the intense kiss, leaving both of them panting heavily, Sesshomaru took the opportunity to rest his cheek on top of her head.  Closing his eyes, both he and his beast were satisfied.  Yes, he was aroused, there was no doubt about that, but he was more pleased.  It felt ‘right’ to hold her like that.  Her aura and presence was such that he was soothed by her, almost as though he had taken some kind of drug.

Also, as he was finding out, she was like a drug in other ways; addicting.  The closer he was to her, the more he wanted of it.  His beast was all but purring like a neko who had overdosed on cat nip whenever the miko was near.  Though they both wanted more, a lot more, for her they were content with going slow and easing towards more.  However, he was well aware that the first time they had actual sex and his beast was out he would have a mate whether he wanted one or not; because sure as Kami made little green apples it would mark her. Surprisingly, he wasn’t upset by that idea at all.  In fact, somewhere in him it was already decided that she was his and would be his mate.  It seemed inevitable and he was comfortable with that. 

After what could only be called cuddling on her for a little while, they talked for a bit.  He was asking her about the Harry Potter book she had been reading.  Yes, she had told all of them it was a children’s book from her time but he, like the other adults in the pack, was completely enthralled by the tale.  Though she wouldn’t tell him the end, she would discuss the plot up to the point they were at.  He was thrilled to learn that there were six more books in the series after the one she was reading.  After learning that he extracted a promise from her to bring the others when she went home the next time so he could read a bit ahead.

As they sere delving deeper into the plotline he heard a disturbance coming from camp.  Catching a whiff of graveyard soil, it didn’t take him any degree of deductive reasoning to take a logical guess as to what being just showed up.  Hopping out of the water with her, he bid her to get dressed quickly.  Turning his back to her, he dressed and pulled his armor on.  As he was sliding his swords into place he turned around to find her doing the same.  Giving an approving nod, he grabbed her pack and had her follow quickly then took off for camp.

When the two stepped into camp, Kikyo was there. Immediately, all eyes swiveled towards them.  From the uncomfortable looks on their faces it was obvious what questions had been asked.

When they stepped into the camp Kikyo looked at the two forms just joining the scene.  When she saw her reincarnation wearing the fire rat and tetsusaiga her eyes narrowed, “Where is Inuyasha?”  she barked.

Exchanging uncomfortable looks with Sesshomaru, Kagome wasn’t sure what to do.  They had all assumed that because the dead priestess hadn’t been seen for so long she had known about Inuyasha’s death.  It appeared they were wrong.

Steeling her backbone, Kagome stepped forward and proposed Kikyo to take a walk with her, saying she would explain everything.  Then they disappeared into the trees.

Unwilling to let the miko go off alone with the dead one, Sesshomaru dropped her pack and followed silently a ways behind them.  Just a couple minutes from the camp, he found them in a small clearing, sitting on a log.  Gently, Kagome was telling the dead miko the events that led up to Inuyasha’s death.  When she quietly told her he was gone and where he was buried, Kikyo’s whole body slumped and he heard a soft sob.  Once again Kagome showed how different she was from everyone else.  Putting her arms around the being who had caused her endless amounts of heartache and pain, she held her while she cried.

Finally, Kikyo pulled herself together and dried her tears.  She thanked Kagome then muttered something neither the miko or taiyoukai could hear.  Calling her soul collectors, she had them carry her away.

Kagome stood and watched her until she was out of sight.  Suddenly, she felt an arm wrap around her waist and a soft voice whisper, “Thank you Kagome.”

Smiling, she knew who it was.  By now she was used to weird occurrences and they no longer frightened or unnerved her.  “You’re welcome,” she whispered back.

When Sesshomaru stepped into the clearing, he too sensed his half-brother.  But, like her, he was used to it by now and ignored it.  She had turned around when she sensed him come close and smiled.  Putting a hand on her shoulder, he looked down at her, “You never cease to amaze me Kagome,” he said, voice almost tender.  “She has caused you untold amounts of pain and anguish yet you comfort her while she cries.”

“It was the right thing to do,” she stated simply.

“Most others wouldn’t see it that way,” he replied.

“I’m not most other,” she told him, looking up into his eyes.

“Indeed, you’re not,”  he agreed.  Leaning down, he kissed her tenderly then pulled her into a hug, careful not to injure her on the sharp spikes of his armor.

“But I smell like…” she protested softly but allowed him to pull her close.

“It matters not,” he told her gruffly.  Yes, the stench of graveyard soil was marring her wonderful smell but he didn’t care.

Melting to his body, she sighed happily.

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After going back to camp she had taken another quick bath and changed her clothes to get Kikyo’s smell off of her.  After that she filled in the rest of the pack in on what had happened.  After a bit of discussion about it they all retired for the night.

Well after midnight, Sesshomaru was awakened by a strange feeling.  Immediately alert, he quickly scanned the camp until he found the source; a small, pink ball of light no bigger than an average-sized pearl was coming right to where he and Kagome were.  Just as he put his hand on Tokijin and was about to rise it picked up speed and slammed into Kagome’s chest, vanishing.

Immediately, she was awake, gasping and clutching her chest.

Quickly, he moved over and knelt by her, concerned, “Kagome?  Are you OK?”

Sitting up, she nodded, shivering.

“What happened?  Do you know?” though his voice was calm, he was worried, having no idea what may have just attacked her.

Grabbing his hand, she gave it a gentle squeeze then looked at him, a single tear slowly trickling down her cheek.  “That was the missing part of my soul returning.”

Sighing in relief, he understood.  After so many years of being the walking dead, Kikyo was gone.  Gently, he wiped away the tear with his thumb. “She doesn’t deserve your tears,” he told her softly.

“Yes, she does,” she replied kindly.  Putting her hand on her chest, she looked up into his eyes.  “Anyone filled with that much pain and sadness deserves a few tears from someone.”

Not caring if anyone was awake and saw him, he pulled her into his arms and held her.  Only Kagome could shed tears for a being that had hurt her so badly.  Only his Kagome…