Here you go. I hope you like how I’m moving the plot along. Sorry it has been so long between updates, but I’ve been pretty busy. Not only do I still have real life to attend to, but I’ve been really working on my writing. I have one ebook out called “Reclaimed Love” under the pen name Austin Southerly, and I just finished the second one and am sending it in for publication. Look for it soon. Also, I’ve started several series of short erotica stories that are up for sale. So with all my fanfictions, my original stories, and everything I do in real life I’ve been stretched pretty thin. It’s not an excuse, but that’s my reason.
To everyone that has reviewed or PM'd me? Thank you. Your words mean a great deal to me. I write fanfiction for free, but it's nice to feel appreciated when someone drops me a line to let me know they enjoyed my efforts.
I am still trying to get everything shifted over to my blogspot. It is slow going. I don't do any of the tech stuff. SouthernLady23 and Nycsnowbird handle all of that, and they are trying to finish loading all of my True Blood work on the site, and after they get that done they'll put up my Inuyasha, Law and Order, and Pitch Black work. Check there for updates.
No beta or proofing. As is.
Chapter 28
“My lady? Lord Sesshoumaru requests your presence in your garden.”
Kagome looked up to see Kenji standing in the doorway of her private sitting room. Rin and Shippo were with their tutors, so it was just she, Aisoku, and Ami at the moment. The Gathering had ended four days ago, and Kagome was so glad that it was a chore she wouldn’t have to repeat with her future pups. Having to sit on display as Sesshoumaru’s whore day after day while the demons that owed him fealty looked down on her was not something she was looking to repeat anytime soon.
She’d been lucky that when the Gathering ended Sesshoumaru had been bogged down with work do to the war with the other lords, so she didn’t have to spend any of the daytime with him. A reprieve from his presence was just what she’d needed. While Sesshoumaru had allowed her to invite her friends for a visit, Miroku had sent word back that it would be a few weeks before they could come as his village was dealing with a demon infestation. It saddened her that they couldn’t come right away, but she knew they had their own lives.
Now, rocking a sleeping Aisoku in her arms, Kagome asked, “Is something wrong, Kenji?”
“Not that I know of, my lady. I believe the lord simply wishes to speak with you.”
“Very well.”
Kagome let Ami help her to her feet, and with Aisoku still sleeping in her arms she followed behind Kenji as he led her towards the garden that Sesshoumaru had built specifically for her. She didn’t know what Sesshoumaru could possibly need to speak to her about. As much as she loathed it, she had been playing the good little wife for him, and if he wasn’t going to speak to her about something she’d done she really couldn’t guess what he needed to see her about now.
When Kenji led her into the gardens Kagome spotted Sesshoumaru standing by the bench he’d had placed by her koi pond. He didn’t particularly look upset, but she knew that didn’t mean he wasn’t planning on hurting her. She remembered all the times he’d hurt her with a smile on his face, and reminded herself she had to be careful in dealing with Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru watched his mate approach and saw the wariness in her eyes. It was one of the issues he was going to discuss with her this afternoon. He’d thought about simply having her brought to his study, but decided to speak to her in her garden. It was a more relaxed atmosphere, and he hoped it would help demonstrate to her that he wanted the relationship between them to be better.
“Your mate, my lord,” Kenji said with a deep bow when he’d brought Kagome to stand right before Sesshoumaru.
“You may go.”
When Kenji, Ami, and her personal guards had retreated, Kagome began, “I didn’t do anything wrong. I’ve been good.”
Sesshoumaru’s eyes narrowed and he had to fight from releasing a sigh. This was exactly the problem. Kagome was always afraid around him, always on guard. Every time he looked at her she would go stiff and her eyes turn wary and fearful as though she expected him to strike her at any moment. Yes, he’d made a mistake in the beginning of their mating. He never should have treated Kagome as he had, but there was nothing he could do about the past. He could only make their future together better, and he was determined to.
“I did not have you brought here to reprimand you, Kagome. I know you are doing well. I have told you many times I am pleased with you as a mate and mother to my son. I brought you here so we may talk.”
“Talk?”
“Yes, talk. There are several matters I wish to discuss with you this afternoon. Sit.”
Once they were both seated on the bench, Sesshoumaru began, “Kagome, tell me what you need from me to begin moving past your disdain for me.”
“What?”
“Tell me what I need to do for you or give you to help you begin moving past what happened between us when we were first mated.”
Kagome blinked. Then blinked again. Then a third time before asking icily, “You think you can just give me something big and expensive and it will make everything right? You think you can take back beating, torturing, enslaving, and raping me by buying me something? That’s a whole new kind of dense right there.”
Sesshoumaru held back his growl. He would not punish Kagome for her words as he’d promised her that he would never harm or reprimand her for anything she said to him in private. It was her public actions that were still subject to scrutiny. But that didn’t mean he was going to tolerate her insulting him.
“Kagome, you are free to say what you wish to me in private, but I would caution you against insulting me in such a way. I want to repair what is damaged between us, and you are going to tell me where to begin.”
“Unless you’re going to take this collar off and let me take Rin, Shippo, and Aisoku through the well back to my home there is nothing you can do to make up for what you’ve done to me.”
“You speak as though I have robbed you of some great life. You yourself have made it clear you held no lands or title in your time. You were not wealthy or powerful, and lived the life of a commoner. I have made you a queen, Lady of the West. I have taken away your short human lifespan and gifted you with immortality. You love children, and I have given you two more in addition to your kit, as I will give you many more. I would give you anything you asked for.”
Clutching Aisoku close to her, Kagome hissed, “You have given me a golden cage! You’ve made me a pampered pet! Your breeding whore!”
“You are no whore! You are my mate and queen!”
“That’s not what you said the night you first raped me, or many of the nights after that. You’ve made it very clear to me and everyone else what you think of me. I’m a thing. A thing for you to use however you want. You talk about giving me immortality like it is some great thing, but in fact you’ve just extended my servitude. You talk about making me Lady of the West like it affords me some respect or freedom, but in fact it’s just a fancy term for breeding whore. You made me a toy, Sesshoumaru. Don’t pretend anything you’ve done has been for me. It was all about you. It has always been about you!”
“That is not true,” Sesshoumaru growled. “In the beginning you may have meant nothing to me, but you know that has changed. You know I’ve ordered all who owe me fealty to pay you respect. You know that I am trying to make your life as comfortable and pleasant as possible. I have offered to let you have your friends come visit several times a year. I built you this garden for your personal use. I’ve built you your own study and library since I know you like to keep your mind active. I am trying to show you that you are important to me, I am trying to make up for how poorly our mating started, but you fight me at every turn.”
Kagome’s eyes darkened with her anger. She couldn’t believe Sesshoumaru was actually saying these things to her. He really was delusional if he thought he was being nice to her. “Do you even hear yourself? You take me away from my home, my family, my friends, you rob me of everything that I am, you put this collar on me to suppress an integral part of who I am just so I can't fight back when you rape me, and then you turn around and tell me I should be grateful to you for giving me a great life? Truly, Sesshoumaru, you are a whole new kind of fool.”
“Careful, Kagome.”
“No! I’m going to talk, and you’re going to listen. I may not be able to stop you from hurting me, but I’m at least entitled to my own thoughts.”
Refusing to back down now, Kagome decided to let it all out. “You are a complete and total fool if you think I can ever forgive you for what you’ve done to me. There is no garden, or dress, or study, or library, or jewel, or visit with my friends you can give me that will ever make up for the fact you raped and tortured me. There is nothing you can ever say or do to make up for the fact you’ve put a collar on me like I’m some sort of animal. There is nothing you’ll ever be able to do to make up for the fact that you’ve locked me in this pretty cage.
“You’re a monster, Sesshoumaru. Just like Naraku, except he was never stupid enough to pretend to be better than he was. At least with Naraku he was up front with the fact he was evil and enjoyed hurting people. You hide behind this mask of superiority, but I see you. I see exactly what you are, Sesshoumaru, and nothing you ever do or say will change that. I will despise you until the day I die. I will never forgive you for what you’ve done to me. I may have to stay here, I may have to let you rape me night after night, I may have to stand behind you silent and obedient so your people can see what a good little breeder you have, but don’t ever think for one moment I could ever want to be yours. The only thing I despise more in life than you is Inuyasha, and you are certainly doing your best to surpass him.”
Her words stung. Sesshoumaru sat beside his mate and looked deeply into her eyes so filled with anger and hurt, and realized he was actually affected by what she said. He was offended and angry by her declaration, but more importantly another emotion was welling inside him. One he didn’t recognize. He didn’t know what it was, but it was most definitely unpleasant.
Her calling him a monster, likening him to Naraku and Inuyasha, was a blow not only to his pride and honor, but at his very manhood. He was a demon of standing, and he would never sink to such levels as those two. It bothered him greatly that Kagome still saw their mating as rape. She was his, and he did his best to give her pleasure every time he touched her now. How could she possibly think what they did was rape? He’d never experienced anything as beautiful and perfect as he did when he was with Kagome. He’d been fucking for centuries, but no woman he’d ever been with had given him a fraction of pleasure that he found with Kagome. As far as treating her like an animal? How absurd! He placed her on a pedestal! Everyone in all his lands knew just how much he valued Kagome. He bought her the finest clothes, made sure she had all her favorite foods that his people had to search all the lands for. He’d taken her kit in as a ward and was providing him with the best tutors and opportunities to be had. How could she think he was a monster? Again, that unnamed emotion welled up within him, creating a tight ball in his stomach that made him feel sick and he forced it away. He decided he’d analyze this new emotion later. For now he’d focus on how best to handle his mate.
“I will forgive you your outburst. I know your emotions rule you, and as you have yet to adjust to being immortal or part of the demon world I understand that you don’t see how much I have given you. I will do my best to help you learn how to live in this world and be happy as my mate. It is apparent to me you need more time and exposure to my world to understand how much I value you. I will arrange for you to spend time with the mates of some of my nobles.”
“Sesshoumaru, if you think—“
“Enough! I will hear no more of your misguided ramblings. It is clear you are still unaware of how my world operates. The very fact you call yourself a ‘thing’ proves this. I will correct this mistake. You will be shown that I value you, and once you realize your place then we will begin moving past the unpleasantness of the beginning of our mating together. For now there is something else we must discuss.”
“Which is?”
Reaching out to stroke his claw along his son’s ear, Sesshoumaru explained, “The attacks on my supply lines have increased. I must leave the shiro to see to this threat myself.”
Tightening her arms around her sleeping puppy protectively, Kagome asked, “It’s Kagura, isn’t it? She’s behind this, or you at least think she’ll use your absence to try and kill me don’t you?”
“Very astute of you. Indeed, I am quite certain that it is Kagura behind this, and I intend to return with proof of it. I do believe she will use my absence as an opportunity to assassinate you. It is because of this that Kenji will now accompany you everywhere when I am gone.”
“Everywhere?”
Nodding his head, Sesshoumaru explained, “Everywhere. When you are bathing, dressing, sleeping, anything and everything you do will now be done with Kenji right beside you until I return.”
Considering how possessive Sesshoumaru was with her, Kagome couldn’t help but ask, “You’re going to let him see me naked?”
“Yes. I trust Kenji more than any other. I know he will not overstep himself. I do not wish to intrude upon your privacy as I know how sensitive humans are about public nudity, but until I return I cannot risk Kagura getting close. You are to go nowhere and do nothing without him, is that understood?”
“Perfectly.”
Kagome didn’t know exactly how she felt about Kenji seeing her in so many private moments, but she knew there wasn’t anything she could do about it. Sesshoumaru had made his decision, and she’d learned that he would not be swayed when he made a decision about something. ‘Besides, better to have Kenji with me than Sesshoumaru. The longer Sesshoumaru is gone the better.’
Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome’s gaze became guarded, and he wondered what she was thinking about. He wouldn’t ask thought. Given what she’d just said to him moments before he doubted it was anything favorable in regard to him. Instead he said, “There is more we need to discuss.”
“Ok.”
“Myoga has told me that Inuyasha and Kikyo are traveling to speak to Bokensu to speak to him about their infertility problems.”
Where once hearing Inuyasha’s name would cause her heart to hurt, sting and ache in the wake of his betrayal, now Kagome merely looked at Sesshoumaru with a cool detachment. She’d written Inuyasha off completely, closing the door on that part of her heart and life for good. Instead of getting upset, she asked, “And this concerns me how?”
Sesshoumaru was greatly pleased by Kagome’s complete lack of emotional response to his announcement. While he genuinely did need to discuss Inuyasha with her, he’d also brought the subject up to see if she responded to his news in anyway. He wanted to see if the mere mention of his idiot half brother could still affect Kagome’s heart. He was glad to see she was totally unmoved by his words, and thus he carried on.
“It concerns both of us because once Bokensu confirms to them that they will never have children it could cause them to lash out.”
“Lash out how?”
“Let’s begin with Kikyo. She hates us both now, but you especially. Seeing you mated and raising a family while she is condemned to a childless life with Inuyasha could cause her to seek revenge. In fact, once she realizes that not only can she not bare children, but I knew this would happen to her before reviving her I’m certain she will attempt to kill you and Aisoku to get back at me. You she will kill because she always hated you, but Aisoku she will want to kill to hurt me. She will want to deny me the heir I denied her.”
Kagome’s heart skipped a beat at Sesshoumaru’s words. The thought of Kikyo coming to kill her son terrified her. Mainly because now that she wore the collar she’d have no way to protect her son. While Kikyo’s powers were not significant as they had been in her previous life, she still had them and that made her dangerous. Looking down at her sleeping pup, she asked, “What are you going to do to protect him?”
“I will protect you both, Kagome, and you don’t need to worry about Kikyo. I simply wanted to alert you to the danger. It is Inuyasha that is the greater concern.”
“Why? Inuyasha would never try to kill me.”
“I know this, however, once he learns that he gave you up to mate Kikyo, to build a life and family with her, but she is incapable of giving him all the things he’s ever dreamed of he will most likely react badly.”
Processing what he’d said, Kagome speculated, “You think he’s going to try and kidnap me?”
“Indeed. I don’t know what will happen between him and Kikyo, but I think this could be what pushes him over the edge. He might kill her, he might not, but I don’t doubt he will come for you.”
Kagome briefly gave thought as to what she would do if Inuyasha came for her. She hated him. Other than Naraku he was the first person she’d ever hated, and she believed he deserved every bit of misery he’d brought upon himself, but if he did come for her she would accept his help. If he came for her she would beg him to take her to the well so she could get herself and her children beyond the reach of the monster next to her.
Sesshoumaru could practically read Kagome’s thoughts in her expression. “He will not take you from me, Kagome, and if you try to escape with him, try to get to the well to go home to the future I will punish you for it. If you attempt to escape I will—“
“Beat me, rape me, whip me, yeah, I know what happens when you decide I’ve been a bad breeding whore.”
Sesshoumaru’s hand snapped out to take hold of Kagome’s chin and turn her face fully towards him. His hold was not painful, but it was firm, and his gaze was hot with his fury, his voice cold as he said, “You will stop calling yourself such a derogatory name.”
“You’re the one that gave it to me.”
Were he a different demon he would have flinched. It was true, he had called her his breeding whore when he first took her as his mate, but he’d seen quickly that she was so much more than that. She was so much more than he’d given her credit for, and he would make sure she came to realize just how much his views and feelings for her had changed. It was just going to take time.
After a long pause he released her chin, and continued, “I may have given it to you in the beginning, but I have since then taken it back. You are my mate and the Lady of the Western Lands. You deserve respect, and you will not speak of yourself like that again.”
When his mate said nothing, Sesshoumaru added, “And I have told you before that I will never physically hurt you again. I will no longer use physical punishments when you misbehave. If you attempt to run you will be confined to our suite for a year. You will not be permitted outside at all, and will only be allowed to move about our personal chambers for the duration of your punishment.”
Kagome’s eyes widened at his words. The mere thought of being locked inside their bedchambers for a year was horrifying to her. She loved the outdoors. She loved moving around and being active, and she swore if Inuyasha did come and present her an opportunity to escape she would not allow Sesshoumaru to catch her and return her to this hellhole.
Again Sesshoumaru could see the flash of Kagome’s thoughts in her eyes, and he assured, “You will not escape me, Kagome. I am your mate and this is your home. Your place is with me, and here you will remain for eternity. At my side and in my bed.”
She couldn’t have suppressed her shudder of revulsion at his words even if she had wanted to. Instead she said, “I’m here because you forced me here. It is not my home, and it will never be my home. You’re my rapist, and this is the prison you’ve put me in. I love Aisoku, just like I love Rin and Shippo, but this is not our home.”
He wasn’t going to argue with her over this. Doing so would not help him to repair his relationship with his mate. Instead he said, “I am aware of your desire to leave me, but I caution you against doing so anytime soon. If you must attempt escape I would ask you wait until after I have solidified my rule over Japan. As long as the other lords are still alive, as long as their houses exist it puts you and Aisoku in danger. Our enemies will not hesitate to strike Aisoku down if they find him outside the safety of the shiro. You may hate me, but think of our son before you do anything foolish. Though I very much doubt you’d be able to escape me even with Inuyasha’s help.”
“I’ve heard the ‘I’m all powerful and no one can stand in my way’ speech from you before. We can skip it now.”
Refusing to respond to her insult, determined to prove to Kagome he could make her happy, Sesshoumaru replied, “That was all I needed to discuss with you currently. It is time for lunch. I will escort you to our chambers to nurse Aisoku, and then we’ll collect Rin and Shippo and go to the dining room.”
“Ok.”
As Sesshoumaru took her arm and led her into the shiro, Kagome thought, ‘If there is a chance for me to escape, I’m taking it.’
…
…
…
Across Japan Inuyasha and Kikyo were making their way through the thick woods that were supposed to be the home of the ancient tree demon Bokensu. They had been traveling since they spoke with Myoga, and according to the directions they’d been given Bokensu wasn’t too far ahead. The trip had been mostly silent, with the two mates speaking only when absolutely necessary. Of course that was becoming the norm for them.
Pressing through thick underbrush the duo found themselves standing before a massive tree. With her miko abilities Kikyo could tell that this tree was special, and her instincts were confirmed when a face suddenly appeared in the huge trunk of the tree.
“You Bokensu,” Inuyasha asked without preamble.
“Indeed, and you are Inuyasha. I was wondering when you would show up.”
Surprise clear on his face, Inuyasha asked, “You know who I am?”
“I knew your father, and his father before him, and, of course, I know your brother. It is because of him that I have been expecting you.” Bokensu’s eyes darted to Kikyo as he added, “And your mate. I am sorry to see that my fears are confirmed and you have indeed mated the undead priestess.”
Kikyo finally spoke as she declared, “I have been restored to life. You will not refer to me in such a way again.”
Bokensu reprimanded, “You have no power to order me, woman, and you will not do so again. You deserve no respect from me, and you will get none. Midoriko was a close friend of mine, and the crimes you have committed against her and the Shikon Miko will never be forgotten by me. You are a disgrace and an abomination, and you deserve the fate before you. It only saddens me that you have condemned Inuyasha with you.”
Both Inuyasha and Kikyo froze at the tree demon’s words before Inuyasha asked softly, “It’s true, isn’t it?”
Knowing exactly what the hanyou was referring to, Bokensu confirmed, “Your mate will never have children, Inuyasha. She died as she was meant to, and though she breathes, true life can never be hers again. I explained this to Sesshoumaru when he first approached me about resurrecting her.”
Kikyo let out an enraged cry before hissing, “He knew! He knew this would happen to me!”
“Indeed. Sesshoumaru cared not for your future. He wished only to give you breath so you would agree to helping him trick Inuyasha into turning Kagome over to him in return for you.”
Kikyo went impossibly still as Bokensu’s words rang through the small grove. She turned her head to see Inuyasha’s body freeze up before he turned to look at her with eyes colder than Sesshoumaru’s, and for the first time she was truly afraid of him. After being resurrected her powers had been greatly reduced, and she’d only been able to accomplish the things she had because she’d siphoned off Kagome’s untapped power for her own use. That was no longer an option, and she knew if Inuyasha came at her she would not be able to defeat him in battle. Her hand tightened around her bow and she prepared herself for whatever Inuyasha would do.
Inuyasha heard Bokensu’s words, realized just what it was he was saying, and turned to face his mate. After the confrontation at Sesshoumaru’s palace all those months ago, he’d realized that Kikyo had done some pretty bad things, especially to Kagome, but this? Learning she was in on Sesshoumaru’s plan to take Kagome as he had was too much.
“Is this true, Kikyo? Were you working with Sesshoumaru? Was that day all an act? Did—did you manipulate me into giving Kagome to my brother?”
“What does it matter, Inuyasha? You are my mate and she is his. The past is the past.”
Her response was as good as an admission of guilt and Inuyasha felt a cold rage take him. His hand was moving before he knew it and he slapped Kikyo across the face as he growled, “You cold hearted, lying, back stabbing bitch! How dare you!”
Kikyo raised her fingers to trace her red cheek before she glared at her mate and struck back. She lit her bow with her holy powers and hit Inuyasha across the chest with it. It caused him to fly back and crash into Bokensu’s trunk as she replied, “Don’t you ever raise your hand to me again, hanyou. I told you before, and I’ll tell you again, I will do whatever I have to in order to survive.”
Glaring at Inuyasha as he regained his feet, his expression filled with loathing, she continued, “Yes, I was part of Sesshoumaru’s plan. He approached me and offered me a chance to live again, and I took it. Kagome’s freedom was a small price to pay. She is a shadow, a cheap copy of my greatness, and when it came down between me and her I chose me without a second thought.”
Inuyasha didn’t get a chance to respond as Bokensu let out a chuckle. “A shadow of your greatness? Cheap copy? Kikyo, you are the cheap copy of Midoriko. Your soul, was a tiny part of Kagome’s and that was why Sesshoumaru could so easily extract it with his sword and give you life again. It is why you were able to steal from Kagome’s own power for so many years. The truth is Kagome is superior to you in every way. The Kami themselves created her soul, and have created a destiny for her greater than any other. You are the shadow, and you will forever be the lesser being. Saying differently only proves your stupidity.”
Focusing on Inuyasha, Bokensu explained, “Young hanyou, I am sorry you have set yourself on this path, but there is nothing to be done now. Kagome is bound to Sesshoumaru, and the Kami have created a new path for them. Kagome is beyond your reach now, and as long as you are bound to Kikyo your path is hers. There is nothing I can do, there is nothing anyone can do to, to give life to Kikyo’s womb.”
It was all too much. Far too much, and Inuyasha’s cold rage focused solely on Kikyo. His hand remained on his sword as he told his mate, “I’m leaving, Kikyo. I do not want to live with you anymore. Return to the hut if you want. I don’t care. I’m done with you, your lies, your betrayals, and your cold heart. If I have to walk the world alone for the rest of my life it will be better than spending another moment in your presence. Your life may be bound to mine because I was stupid enough to mate you, but you will live it far away from me.”
Kikyo’s eyes went wide as she asked, “What? You’re leaving me?”
“Yes.”
“You can’t do that!”
“Watch me.”
“I am your mate! You are supposed to provide for me! To take care of me! Protect me!”
Shrugging, Inuyasha replied, “And I was supposed to trust you. I was supposed to have a mate that wasn’t a backstabbing barren bitch. I guess that we’re both shit out of luck.”
Turning to face Bokensu, Inuyasha asked, “Is there anyway for me to free Kagome?”
“No,” Bokensu replied. “You could take her from Sesshoumaru, but the well will not allow her to return to the future. The well was made by the Kami to bring Kagome here so she could walk the path she needs to fulfill her destiny. Returning home would interfere with that destiny. You might be able to get her away from Sesshoumaru, but it will do more harm than good. You cannot defeat him in battle, and it is best to let Kagome find a way to change her circumstances on her own. I doubt she would welcome any help from you as it is.”
Inuyasha’s ears flattened against his head at the reminder of how badly he had betrayed his friend. Nothing he had learned today had done anything to lift the shadow from his heart. Instead he found himself in an even more desperate situation, and he doubted he’d find a way out of it anytime soon. With his questions answered, Inuyasha turned to Kikyo and said, “You’re on your own. I’m not your lapdog anymore. Don’t look for me, because if I see you again I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep myself from killing you.”
Kikyo watched with wide frightened eyes as Inuyasha bounded up into the treetops and leapt away from her. She remained in a stunned silence for a moment before shouting, “Inuyasha! You can’t leave me here! You can’t abandon me!”
When he did not turn around to come back for her she looked at the tree demon and seethed, “You idiot twig! Why did you tell him about my agreement with Sesshoumaru? What the hell am I supposed to do now? With my powers so reduced I need Inuyasha to protect me.”
“Do you hear yourself, fallen priestess? Your very words prove why I told Inuyasha the truth. You’ve deceived and used that poor boy enough. You used him in life, and in death your treatment and abuse has practically destroyed him. You think only of yourself, and care nothing for anyone else. It is because you are such an abomination that I told Inuyasha the truth. He might have warranted punishment from the Kami for his betrayal of Kagome, but I chose to have mercy on him. Now be gone from my home, vile woman, and never return here.”
Bokensu roused his own great power. The trees of his forest bent to clear a path as Bokensu lit up with a glowing warm yellow light. Kikyo had no time to prepare herself for the attack as a bright orb of energy shot from Bokensu’s trunk to hit her square in the chest. Her body was flung back through the path the tree demon had cleared until she hit the ground and skidded several yards to crash into some thorny bushes. The trees closed behind her and Kikyo felt a demon barrier go up around Bokensu’s grove. She knew she would not be able to break through it to get to the tree demon behind it.
Extricating herself from the thorny bushes Kikyo stood in the forest with her bow clenched in her fist. Anger and humiliation burned bright inside of her and all she could think was that everything was Kagome’s fault. All of it. That stupid girl had been nothing but a thorn in her side since she’d been resurrected, and she wasn’t going to stand for it anymore!
Starring off in the direction Inuyasha had gone Kikyo gave a brief thought to following after him. Perhaps give him some time to cool off before trying to get him to see reason, but decided against it. If she couldn’t have children with Inuyasha then there really was no point in them staying together with his hatred for her. She’d gotten her extended lifespan from him, and that would have to do for now. She might not be as strong as she once was, but she was still a priestess, and she could defend herself long enough to find somewhere safe to stay. She’d already determined she would not return to the hut she’d shared with Inuyasha. No, she’d find somewhere to live and begin plotting her revenge. She had been wronged, and those that had done these injustices to her were going to pay. Starting with Kagome.