The Mischievous Lady by Maria-Salvatore29

Howling My Pain

Chapter 17: Howling My Pain

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

A/N: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

-x-X-x-

-Sesshomaru-

I sat behind a desk where scrolls regarding the affairs of the West are piled up. I picked one and decided to read but my mind drifted to her.

She was so confident in the trial earlier. She untangled herself from the webs the Elders created to trap her. She might feel wronged for being used against those arrogant fools, but aside from putting the Elders in their place, I also wanted to see how far her quick wit and courage could go. As always, she didn't disappoint.

I scanned the contents of the scroll in my hand but it was Kagome's face that I could see, and her innocent sapphire eyes that would occasionally glitter with mischief.

I set the scroll down and strode in front of the window. Now, I have Father to contend with. For her. She also knew my half-brother, and it seems she holds him dearly in her heart. Hnn. Yet, she distaste my presence…

A knock on the door startled me out of my reverie but I avoided showing emotions on my face.

One of the soldiers stationed as an élite guard entered, his aura emits urgency. He knelt behind me, waiting for an acknowledgement. I blinked, once then twice, before speaking. "Speak."

"My lord." He stood up. "There is an attack in the Middle Lands. The entire lands had been raided. The guards in our Eastern border asked for reinforcement because the people of the Middle are in a riot to enter our lands. Probably to take refuge." He reported efficiently.

I was about to agree on the reinforcements then I remembered Kagome's dedication for the Middle people.

I turned to face the soldier, then I issued a command. "I shall go there myself with forty soldiers. Prepare for departure immediately."

For a moment, he seemed surprise at my command but like any good soldier, he just bowed and followed through.

Kagome will be distraught with this news.

After the thought entered my mind, I narrowed my eyes and rebuked myself. Why are you thinking of a lacking girl like her too much?

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My forty soldiers and I arrived in the Eastern border half an hour later. Massive fire in the Middle created heavy smoke, and the smell of blood greeted us as well. The screams and cries of the people were also echoing in the lands.

I entered the fortress that serves as a stronghold in the Eastern border and greeted the General.

"My lord," he bowed low. "We have chased away the refugees, but some of them are violently fighting us."

I nodded once before climbing the stairs to the guard tower that overlooked the Middle Lands. The General fell in one step behind me. We inspected the damage of the invasion.

"Who might have done this?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at the wide scale destruction.

"We have tried to find out. They had used sophisticated explosions, and advanced weapons…it seems suspicious."

Sophisticated explosions that started such wildfire...

Advanced weapons that killed even the youkais that lived in the Middle lands…

I narrowed my eyes and nodded. "This is not simply a raid."

"We thought so as well."

"Investigate this further." I ordered. "You are dismissed."

"Yes, my lord." He bowed before leaving me alone.

Only a few youkai were left in the Middle. The smoke was also thinning, making the damage more visible, and the hundreds of corpses were starting to smell.

That was when I saw someone wielding a sharpened stick to fight off a youkai horde. On the other side, there was a person surrounded by ten youkai.

The person, who from the physical built might be a woman, did not have a weapon but when she raised her clawed hands, it glowed with crimson hue, and started to fight them with sophisticated knowledge of combat.

I focused on her further, intrigued at the courage and strength she excluded, and then she flipped back. She whipped her face back, her hair flowing backwards, revealing her face.

I squinted a little, and my eyes widened fractionally.

Kagome.

Why haven't I thought about this? Of course she'll be here, fighting for what she considers her people.

She swayed on her feet then she fell on her knees. She was heaving badly, all the fighting must have drained her energy. I took a step forward, my feet seemingly wanting to go beside her, but I stopped.

Few feet away from her, another female wolf-youkai with a little kitsune youkai in her arms appeared. The young kitsune youkai struggled out of her arms then ran as fast as his little legs could carry him towards Kagome.

"Xiao!" He screamed happily.

Kagome turned towards him and a look of horror painted her tired face. She tensed and screamed, "Shippou!"

But it was too late. The remaining youkai threw a spear into the kitsune's heart before anyone could save him.

Kagome seemed frozen in place, her mouth hanging open, and her eyes unblinkingly wide. She must be going into shock.

The kitsune fell on the ground, coughing up blood as he clutched at the spear on his chest. The youkai grinned and rapidly lifted Kagome by her neck. She grabbed his clawed hands and tried to struggle free.

Before I could decide to help her, the other youkai girl, who had Shippou in her arms, darted forward and pounced towards the youkai holding Kagome.

With crimson eyes, she stabbed the youkai in the chest. Quickly eliminating him. Breathing heavily, she turned to Kagome with concerned eyes.

Kagome laid on the dirty ground. Then, she slowly crawled to where the kitsune knelt.

"Shippou…" she mouthed, her eyes full of regret and suffocating sadness.

I grabbed at the Tensaiga on my waist as she cradles the dying child with tears streaming down her face.

I took another step forward and contemplated if I should help end her misery. But I halted and huffed at myself. This is pathetic. Why should I be concerned of her personal affairs?

With one last glance at her sobbing form, I turned away and decided to leave.

-x-X-x-

-Kagome-

I cradled Shippou in my arms. Shippou, the little boy I saved and treated like my son. Shippou, an innocent bystander, and now he was…dying.

I closed my eyes and focused in finding my miko energy. After several tries, I came up with nothing. I cursed under my breath. Stupid seal. Stupid, stupid seal. If not for the seal Father put, I could easily wield my reiki and save Shippou.

"Shippou," I cried softly, my hands shaking.

His emerald eyes shined with unshed tears but his lips curled upwards as if straining to smile for me. "You came…" he whispered.

"W-what?" I asked, fighting to stay in control of my emotions.

He raised his tiny hand and placed it on the necklace that I had given him before I left for the West.

"You keep telling me that you'll protect me…so I know you'll be here tonight…" he groaned.

"Shippou." I caressed his chubby cheek.

"Xiao," he whispered. "Thank…you. I always think of you as my mother. For me, you're the greatest person I've ever encountered. Who cares if you're a hanyou? You're still better than anyone..." He gasped out, blood dripping from his mouth. "…and you…are n-not a shame…"

I nodded at his words quickly as tears fall from my eyes. "Forgive me, darling. I…I…my energy—" I tried to explain but he cut me with a soft laugh.

"No…Mama. It's okay," he whispered, reassuring me.

I smiled back and repeated the word breathlessly. "Okay. You'll be okay."

He smiled too, even if blood stained his teeth, and then slowly, he closed his eyes. Right then, I know he's dead.

I trembled and screamed his name loudly. "Shippou!"

Ah Chen knelt beside me, crying quietly while tapping my shoulders gently.

"Kagome-chan…" Ah Chen whispered worriedly.

I hiccupped and then smoothed a hand over Shippou's forehead. "Shippou…" I gasped, my world seemingly going dark, and my mind replayed back all the time when I have lost my mother.

It had hurt like this too.

The pain seemed determined to eat me alive. I felt my fangs grow, and my claws sharpen. I heard Ah Chen's panicked voice trying to calm me down but I couldn't feel anything. Somehow, I knew that my beast was overtaking me but I couldn't call myself back. I felt numb, and then I heard an anguished howl pierce the smoky air.

Before I completely lost my mind, I realized that the howl belonged to me.

-x-X-x-

Word Count:1450

Prompt: Stella's Word Prompt Game – Opprobious

Sunset Miko's Once A Week Challenge – Innocent