Choices and Changes
By Danyealle

(M/F, FanFiction, Inuyasha, Sesshomaru/Kagome)

Chapter 17

As he sat listening to reports from his generals, Sesshomaru found his mind kept wandering to Kagome. No matter what he did he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Nor could he place what that ‘something’ might be.

Before he had left that morning he had tried to persuade her to come with him but she had declined. They had a couple good, solid clues about Naraku and shards, the first they had in a while, so they had to check them out. Although he understood it did nothing to alleviate his anxiety. By the time he had left the group he had done everything he could to ensure her safety but that didn’t dispel his anxiety.

As his meeting was beginning to move towards an end he decided that trying to go through what seemed liked hundreds of scrolls on his desk that needed his attention would be a worthless endeavor. Instead he was going to go check on Kagome and once more try to persuade her to come with him. If she were anyone else he would just flat out order her but he couldn’t do that with her. She was as stubborn as he was and would refuse, resulting in an argument. Normally, his nature was to order and not argue but mating was a partnership, which meant give and take on both partners end. He also wasn’t sure if an argument over nothing more than a feeling was worth it.

It seemed that the longer the meeting drug on, the more agitated he became. As time ticked by that feeling grew. He knew deep in his gut that Kagome was in danger. No, he had no ‘proof’ of it but he knew.

Just as he was about to dismiss them he heard her screaming for him in his head. That was no trick of his mind. Between his mark and her miko powers she was able to get through to him if she had to. He could feel her fear and pain; it was almost too much for him to take. Telling his generals to get some men and follow him, his ball of light formed and he streaked off towards where he felt she was.

~~~~@~~~~

The other battered members were tending to the little mikos’ injuries when Sesshomaru showed up. No one had to even look at him to tell how angry he was, they could feel it in his aura.

When he walked to where she was laying, all he had eyes for was her but the closer he got he noticed all the others were bruised and battered as well, looking as though they had been in a fight. Though Kagome did appear to be in the worst shape.

He waited until the slayer finished bandaging the worst of her wounds then he gently picked her up. When he looked at her battered face he felt his heart break a little. He had failed her and she had gotten hurt.

Looking at Kouga, whose’ handsome face was all but unrecognizable from the bruises and blood, he asked, voice a dangerous growl, “Who did this?”

“Inuyasha.” Came the reply, followed by a feral growl from the ookami who was cracking his knuckles. “Since you’re here I’m going to go find the fucker.” He snarled.

“Bring him to the Western Fortress… ALIVE.” Sesshomaru said then motioned for his men to follow the wolf demon.

Turning to the slayer and monk, he asked gruffly, “Can you get to the fortress on your own?”
Both nodded then the slayer stepped forward holding the fox kit. “You may want to take Shippo with you though. He’s hurt fairly badly.”

One look at the kit that his mate saw as a son told him why. He was battered almost as badly as Kagome was. Looking at the slayer, his eyebrow was arched in an unspoken question.

Shaking her head, she replied softly, “He tried to protect her.”
That was all he needed to hear. “Lay him on her chest.” He said gruffly. The young kit had tried to protect what was his and had been badly hurt in the process. His honor wouldn’t allow him to ignore that.

Backing up, he looked at the two humans. “Get to the fortress as fast as you can.” Then is light formed around him and he streaked off to the west.

~~~~@~~~~

The second he stepped into the front door of his ancestral home he began barking orders. Shippo was quickly taken by one of the healers. He was to be put in the room next to Rins’. Kagomes’ room, the one right next to his, wasn’t finished being decorated yet so she was to be put in his chambers. He waited in the hall while the healers saw to her and she was cleaned up.

Pacing the hallway, he did his best to placate his enraged beast over the abuse of their mate. While he paced he ran a litany of what he planned to do to the half-breed once he was in his grasp.

Finally, the healers were done. Her injuries looked worse than what they were but she was bruised pretty good and did have a broken arm.
Slipping into the room, he walked over to the bed. Her face was bruised and there were some scratches on it but it wasn’t as bad as he had first thought. Easing himself onto the side of the bed, he gently ran his claws through her hair.

Stirring around, she asked in a slightly slurred voice, eyes, slowly opening, “Sessho’ru?”

Sliding closer, he rubbed her head softly, “Yes Kagome. It’s me.” He said, voice soft.

“Inuyasha?” She asked, body tense.

“He will pay for what he’s done to you.” He told her in a firm voice.

“Something is wrong with him. Smells funny…” She said, looking up at him. “Please promise you’ll look into it before you do anything.”

Looking down into those beautiful big eyes of hers, he nodded. “I promise Kagome. I will make sure I know what went on.”
“Thank you.” She mumbled softly, giving his hand a squeeze. She wanted to go back to sleep but forced herself to keep her eyes open. “Shippo?” She asked, knowing the kit had been hurt.

“Your pup is fine Kagome. His injuries have been seen to and he is resting comfortably.”
“Thank you.” She said again, holding onto his hand tightly.

Sliding closer, he put his arm around her gently. Her head rested on his chest and he growled softly, soothing her as she drifted towards sleep again.

He stayed with her until Jaken poked his head in to tell him that Miroku and Sango had arrived.