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They stood back to back, both gasping for breath after their jail break turned into a non-stop fight for their lives. They had fought their way through countless soldiers, both demonic and holy. And while no single assailant was stronger than either of them they more than made up for it in sheer numbers. Sesshoumaru suppressed a groan as he pulled himself fully upright, reaching a hand to support his partner as well. They weren't done yet, and if they tarried any longer he was afraid they would give in to the weakness in their bodies.
Only one further obstacle lay between them and their objective, but they were already exhausted and their captors had taken their gear and their weapons. They had nothing except the thin shirts and pants that had been waiting in their cells when they had been tossed in naked, battered, and their powers suppressed.
They had lost count of how many days they had been held, but eventually Sesshoumaru realized that the suppressants were being snuck into their food. He and the miko began passing the food between their cells, youki suppressants would do nothing to a miko, and vice versa. It took him a week to recover enough youki to summon his dokkaso, even longer for Kagome to start regaining her reiki. As much as they needed to break out, they both knew it was suicide without at least having their natural abilities.
The day they made their escape the locks of their cells fell prey to his acidic poison almost instantly. Their captors were clearly relying far too heavily on the suppressants to keep them in line. He did so love a hubristic enemy.
The miko had not recovered her abilities to the same extent he had. That wouldn't stop her from fighting like the hellcat she was, but it did mean he intended to keep her behind him as much as possible. Fortunately she was used to guarding the rear while he played the tank, so she didn't argue his reasoning. She was too busy stealing weapons off of dead bodies as fast as he dropped them.
Youki-infused bullets would zing past him to take down the dark mikos and monks blocking their way, followed by reiki-infused kunai being flung with stunning accuracy into the hearts of rogue youkai. When she ran out of ammo the absurd woman he was partnered with would charge the weapons with reiki and use them as projectiles as well before racing to the next dead body, stripping it bare of weaponry in moments before pouncing on her next kill.
He had first met her when she was a civilian, his half-brother's little friend, and had scoffed at her innocent naivete. Her desires for a peaceful world were the stuff of children's fancies and he had no time for it. The world did not operate on the hopes and dreams of the eternally optimistic. Change required action, it was why he had become a soldier in the first place.
He next met her in the uniform of a new recruit, the old foxfire tattoo on her ankle now bearing dates that showed the span of only a hundred years, and her eyes now burning with determination. She still wanted the same things, but she had learned that they came at a cost and she wasn't going to let more innocents pay that price. He soon learned that threatening those she cared for was a one way ticket to a tsunami of righteous fury. It was amazing, and he hadn't given more than a cursory argument against her being assigned to him when she completed her training. He had to keep up appearances but he wasn't about to talk himself out of the chance to watch her go up in flames as she charged into battle.
He watched her now, moving fluidly with him, as her holy powers danced around him, healing his injuries even as they burned away the youkai who attacked. He hadn't told her, never would tell her, that she had long ago become his reason to fight. She was capable of something he never believed possible. She was still innocent, still bright, still carrying the hope of the peaceful future she had always dreamed of. No matter how many missions they ran, no matter how many fights, and injuries, no matter how much pain she was forced to witness or inflict, her inner light still shone. Because for her, every time she took down a rogue miko or youkai, she was ensuring countless innocent lives would be spared.
He was simply an exterminator, but she was a crusader, and he would gladly pour his life out on the battlefield if it meant ensuring she attained her goals.
They had lost track of how many hallways, and rooms, and bodies they had cleared. His whip never stopped flying, except to be replaced by dokkaso when he plunged his claws into any enemy that managed to get close enough. She was darting back and forth, her small frame allowing her to slip under the guard of the larger youkai, delivering searing blasts of purity before they knew she was there. Progress was slow, but steady and they had been holding together well, until a dark miko nearly landed a deadly hit on Kagome. A snake flew through the air towards her, venom glinting on fangs ready to bury themselves in flesh. Her back was turned away from the attack as she fought with an oni, she wouldn't see it in time to stop it. He was between them in less than a moment, a snake's venom was nothing to a daiyoukai, the strike wouldn't harm him.
And then he felt it, the burn of purity rushing through his veins as the snake sank it's teeth into him. The dark miko was laughing, pouring more of her power into him through the conduit of her familiar. The witch was clever. She had observed them, seen how he would protect her, and bided her time until the perfect moment to strike.
He raged as he fought against her powers, but he was losing. He hadn't fully recovered his youki, and he had been fighting non-stop for longer than he knew. Her tainted reiki was overwhelming him and he was powerless to stop it.
His knees hit the floor just as Kagome turned and saw what had happened. Her scream echoed through the room, drowning out the cackling of the witch, as she dove for him. Gentle hands pulled him close, wrapping him in the sort of embrace he had only dreamed of. Holding him to her, she whispered, “Stay with me. Please.”
The room erupted with her power, the searing purity flooding the space like a tidal wave, surging over their enemies and beyond the walls. They were surrounded by the agonized screams of the dying as her power burned away youkai and tainted holy ones alike across the compound. But all he knew was the gentle heat as her power cleansed the dark reiki from his wounds, and all he heard was her voice still pleading for him not to abandon her.
Silence fell around them as the swell of her power finally ebbed, leaving them alone together. Sesshoumaru slowly raised his head, his hands sliding up to her shoulders to gently pull her away from him. “Miko...Miko, I am here.”
Tear-filled eyes met his as she released a shuddering breath, slim hands roaming his arm and chest checking for wounds. “A-are you alright?! That was Tsubaki's snake that bit you...”
“Miko...”
“I know, I know, ‘There is no one strong enough to defeat This Sesshoumaru...”
“Miko...”
“...but she's still strong enough to hurt you, especially right now when you're weakened...” She was rambling, trying to distract herself from the reality of what had just happened even as she sought to confront the damage it caused. “Oh kami, we have to go before she gets back up, if she lands another hit...”
“Kagome!” She froze with a gasp, looking up at him in shock. A gentle hand came up to hold her cheek. “She is no more, you did away with her and all the rest. For the moment, we are safe.”
She stared around the room, taking in the emptiness, before she collapsed against him in relief. “I was so worried. I've never seen you get hurt like that before.”
“You know there is no being capable of defeating This One.” His tone was all bravado, but he wrapped his arms around her gently, feeling the way she trembled as she tried to calm down. He spread his aura to cover her, intending to comfort and soothe. And that's when he felt the weak flickering of her own normally vibrant aura. The radiant glow he expected was a scant fraction of its normal power. The trembling he felt was due to more than just her worry for his well-being. He pulled her away again, cupping her jaw so she would be forced to meet his eyes as he snarled, “Foolish woman! You've nearly killed yourself!”
“I had to!” She snapped back.
“You did not!”
“Yes I did! That was the organization's top general! Her reiki could have damaged you so badly you wouldn't be able to heal! I couldn't let that happen, I had to do something!”
“Risking your life was not the appropriate choice!”
“Yes it was! Because I wasn't risking my life, I was saving yours!”
“My life isn't worth that!”
“It is to me!!”
He froze. “Miko.”
“No! You don't get to argue this one. It was worth it to me, and I would do it again without a second thought!”
He held very, very still, afraid to do anything to break the moment. “Why?” he asked softly, his hand gentling against her cheek.
She pressed into his touch. “Because I love you. And I couldn't live without you.” She whispered the words that rang through his mind with all the power of an echoing gong, her eyes downcast, afraid to meet his.
“Oh, you cruel woman.”
“WHA-mmmph!” Her shock and upset at his words died a swift death when he claimed her with a kiss that was every bit as desperate and needy as she had been when trying to save him. Weakened youki suddenly bloomed out strong and steady, enfolding her protectively as his arms did the same.
And she melted into it, surrendering to the warmth that she had secretly longed to feel since the day she met him. The loss represented by the dates on her ankle was only part of the reason she had become a soldier. Proving her ideals, and herself, to him had been important from the very beginning. She had wanted his respect, and his understanding, and then as he earned hers in return, she wanted his love.
He was resolute in his ideals, hard-edged and stern. But she had seen how he could soften, how he would care for those he considered his. His fury on the battlefield was not born of bloodlust. Ruthless efficiency was a tool to him, not a character trait. Every move he made, every drop of blood shed was done in the name of protecting those who needed it. Removing those who would cause harm simply for the sake of it.
She was a child playing at war. He was a knight, bound by his honor and duty to do what was necessary. And she would follow him into the flames, every single time.
His arms were warm and gentle around her, carefully cradling her still fragile body as he kissed her with a gentle ferocity that left her reeling. When he finally pulled away, he pressed his forehead to hers, the simple affection anchoring them in the tumultuous aftermath of everything they had just experienced. Long moments passed before the silence was broken by an uncertain voice.
“Wh-why did you call me cruel?”
He smiled, a startling curve of the lips that left a bright, softness in his eyes, and drew a gasp from her lips. “Because, Koi,” gentle claws combed through her hair as he spoke, “you have just signed the death warrant of any being, human or youkai, who would dare attempt to harm you. I have desired to call you mine for years now, and I will not allow anything to take you from me.”
He punctuated his declaration with another lingering kiss, but swiftly pulled away when he felt her body start trembling again. Sliding an arm under her legs he stood and carried her to a corner of the room that was semi-hidden behind a pillar. He had no doubt that she had purified any and all enemy forces still in the compound, but he wasn't about to compromise his legendary vigilance. Especially not with the precious cargo he now held in his arms. She had curled into him immediately, her slight weight against his frame sending a surge of warmth through his chest.
He sat down, leaning into the corner at his back, arranging her on his lap so she would have the most comfort she could. “Rest now, Koi. I will keep watch.”
“But, what about you? You need rest too.”
“I will be fine, I am not the one who nearly killed themselves eradicating the vermin in this place.”
“Hey! You don't get to be mad about that, I saved your-”
He quelled her ire with another tender kiss. “Rest. Given that you set off the equivalent of a holy atomic bomb, I have no doubt that our compatriots will soon find us. I will be fine until then, and I will gladly listen to any remonstrations you deem necessary when you have awoken.”
Her half-hearted glare quickly faded as the exhaustion finally claimed her overtaxed body. He watched as her eyes slid shut, the tension in her face easing with sleep, her small form becoming heavy in his arms. He wanted nothing more than to simply lay down beside her and hold her close as they both slept, but he couldn't do that until he knew she was safe. Bracing his head against the wall, he forced his eyes to stay open, and waited.
The sounds of footsteps and voices began to draw near. The slap of running feet and shouted snippets filtered into the large room. They were nearly upon them, and Sesshoumaru braced for the intrusion. He would fight them all again, if necessary.
“Oi, this way! I can smell the bastard in here!” Never in all his long centuries would he have imagined that he'd be grateful to hear his half-brother's voice. “Hey asshole, I know you're in here....SHIT!” The hanyou pulled up in shock at the sight of their two best soldiers in such a shattered state. “What the hell happened to you?!”
“We were correct in our suspicions that they possess the ability to suppress ki. The both of us were disabled.”
“Houshi!” Inuyasha yelled over his shoulder. “We need a medic over here!!”
A voilet-eyed young monk rushed over, kneeling to assess Kagome first. His attempt to reach for her was met with a growl that was an unmistakable warning, ‘Do not touch the miko.’
“Err, Sessoumaru-Sama? Is...everything alright?” The growl only got deeper. “...Inuyasha?”
The hanyou's nose was working overtime as he took a closer look at the pair on the floor. “Yeeaaah, Miroku why don't you go and get Sango and Ayame to come help Kagome. I think that would be the best thing in this situation.”
“Ah...Yes. I do believe you are correct.” Miroku backed away carefully before running from the room, putting as much distance between himself and the possessive daiyoukai as possible.
“Hey, Sesshoumaru.” Inuyasha crouched down so he was eye-level with his brother's red-tinged gaze. “Sango and Ayame are coming to get Kagome out of here. You know they're both safe, so we need you to let them take her to get the care she needs, okay? We'll put you in the same ambulance, you don't have to be apart from her. But I can tell she's not the only one who nearly killed themselves today, so let us help, please.”
A stiff nod was his answer, and he stepped back as the two women approached and carefully lifted the unconscious woman onto the gurney and began slowly wheeling her away.
Amber eyes flared wide in shock when he saw his brother try and fail to stand and follow his partner. With a muffled curse he yanked Sesshoumaru onto his feet and grabbed his arm, hauling him across the room, shouting the whole way. “Listen asshole, we've got this covered. I already told ya we don't need you hanging around sticking your nose in our business and calling it ‘supervising’. We let you do your job, so leave us the hell alone to do ours. Now get your ass in the ambulance so you can go debrief the research medicos on your experience.” If anyone noticed that the fearsome daiyoukai seemed to stumble just slightly while being dragged behind his brother, no one mentioned it.
As soon as they were out of the room and out of sight, Inuyasha's voice calmed, now encouraging instead of scolding. “Come on, it's not much farther and you'll be with her again. You two did good today. Because of y'all this facility got cleared without major damage. That means more files and research can be recovered, live prisoners freed. This is a monumental win for us thanks to you two. You just have to make it a little bit farther so you both can rest.”
Shoving his brother into the ambulance, Inuyasha smirked as he told him, “Kagome's a cuddler, so don't be afraid to snuggle up on the ride home.” The monk would have been proud of the eyebrow waggle as he shut the door in Sesshoumaru’s face.
As the ambulance pulled away Miroku stepped up beside the hanyou. “Well, that's a new development.”
“Keh, it's about time. Can't believe she had to purify a three mile radius just to get through to him.”
“He tanked nearly the entire facility, acting as a shield for her.”
“He said their ki had been suppressed.”
“No shit? And they still...” The monk gave a low whistle. “So....how long do you think Kouga will survive the next time he tries to claim Kagome as his woman?”
“¥7,500.00 says he doesn't even manage to grab her hands.”
As soon as the doors shut and the vehicle started rolling, Sesshoumaru sagged down onto the bench, beyond caring that his half-brother had not only seen his weakness, but helped him maintain his dignity. Lifting his head his first question was for her. “Kagome, is she..?”
“She's stable, she should be fine with plenty of rest,” Sango told him.
He gave a shuddering sigh of relief. “Thank you.” The young woman gave him a pat on the shoulder and told him to get some rest before climbing into the front to give them a bit of privacy.
Sesshoumaru decided it was foolish to argue against something you wanted anyway, and took his half-brother's advice. Swaying with fatigue he pulled himself onto the gurney and gently gathered her in his arms, tucking her head beneath his. His last thought before sleep claimed him was gratitude that it would be a long drive.