Glory of Love by Kogasangel

The Glory Of Love

A/N: This is my submission for Princess Sky's weekly challenge prompt:  Pledge.  Please read and review.

 ~!~

Silvery tears slid down her cheeks as she kneeled in the water.  Her throat was hoarse from crying, but she didn’t care.  Naraku was dead, but the battles were far from over.  With the jewel now complete, she was in even more danger than before and it would not be long until a new enemy set its sights upon the accursed jewel.

However, this knowledge was nothing compared to what had happened only moments after Naraku left this world.  Inu Yasha, in his desperation for Kikyou to remain by his side, demanded the jewel from her once she purified it.  The dead miko stood in the background, watching to see if her reincarnation would hand over the jewel, but remaining silent as the hanyou and younger miko stared each other down.

She tried to reason with him, saying that the jewel could never be used as there was no such thing as an unselfish wish and should someone wish upon the jewel, it would taint and chaos would rule over the lands.

The inu hanyou didn’t want to hear it.  His eyes grew even colder than Sesshomaru’s as he stepped towards the miko.  His hand held out, he snarled at her that if she didn’t give him the jewel, he would remove her pathetic existence from their era, forever.

Their companions stood silent.  None of them could believe what was happening, but Miroku’s face hardened.  For several weeks, he had wondered if the hanyou had ulterior motives regarding the jewel, and not just to become a full youkai, either.  Inu Yasha’s insistence that they found the jewel has become an obsession and now, he was finally seeing Inu Yasha for what he was.

Kouga and his men were standing to the side, snarling.  However, Kouga had made the decision that it was Kagome’s choice, but should she give him the word, he would render the hanyou unconscious, for he knew that the precious miko would never allow someone she had considered to be a friend to die.  He may have held onto that consideration, but there was one who did not.

Sesshomaru watched the scene with careful eyes.  He knew that this would happen and because the hanyou had pledged to watch over the young miko, it fell to his shoulders to ensure that the pledge be kept.  This was about his family’s honor and he would not allow that miserable excuse for a half-breed to sully their name, any longer.  His hand upon his beloved sword, his eyes narrowed as the hanyou began to take menacing steps towards the young miko. 

When she saw him curl his claws, she knew that he would attack her without reservation.  Looking into his eyes, she knew that her friend was gone and had been gone for a long time.  Taking a deep breath, she said, “Watch very closely, Inu Yasha.”

The hanyou’s eyes widened as Kagome’s hand tightened around the jewel.  Before his eyes, the jewel vanished and he watched as a trail of pink light ran up Kagome’s arm and disappear into her shirt.  His eyes narrowed upon hers.

“What in the hell have you done, wench?”  He demanded, his temper growing unsteady.  “Give it to me or I will make sure that you never see your family again.”

Kagome’s own eyes narrowed and she did the only thing she could think of.  “SIT!”  She yelled and continued to yell the subjugation spell until the hanyou at her feet stopped all movement.  The large field was quiet and she softly said, “I never wanted this to happen.  I never wanted to think you capable of such a betrayal.  However, now that I know you are capable of it, I will ensure that you never get your claws on the jewel.  From this moment on, Inu Yasha, I relieve you of your promise to protect me.  You are free to roam as you wish, but know that I will never accept you again.  If you go near my family, I will purify you to the point where your precious youkai blood all but disappears and all that remains is a simple, human man.  Consider this your first and last warning.”

She turned from him and when Shippo screamed out her name, she turned in time to see Inu Yasha leaping at her, his claws extended with deadly intent.  But, before he could strike the blow, an arrow hit him in his shoulder and trapped him against a tree.

Kagome’s stunned eyes turned and watched as Kikyou made her way towards where Inu Yasha hung.  His eyes were wide and he shook his head.  “No.”  He whimpered, his golden eyes darkening in pain as his puppy ears drooped.  “I did this for us.  How could you betray me?”

Kikyou walked up to him and replied, “I never betrayed you, Inu Yasha.  If it is within my ability to protect an innocent, then I will do so.  My reincarnation is wise to refuse your request for the jewel.  I am satisfied that she is the best choice as a guardian.  However, I will not allow you to escape your pledge to me.  You will be returning to hell with me and we will be as you always wished.  Together.”

Kagome watched as Kikyou stepped forward and placed her hands upon her lover’s chest.  When the portal to hell opened up at her feet, Kagome was about to intervene, but a strong hand upon her arm prevented her from moving.

“He has made this choice and it will be his responsibility to see it through.  You cannot interfere.”  Sesshomaru said as he watched his brother and the dead miko descend into hell.  “He desired a lifetime with her and now he has it.”

Now, as she kneeled in the water, her sobs lessened, but the hurt from the day’s events ran through her head.  With Inu Yasha gone, she was alone and even though she had freed him from his vow to protect her, she wondered if she hadn’t freed him, would he have allowed himself to be dragged to hell.

His golden eyes watched her as her tears slowed.  His brow creased as he wondered, not for the first time, why this human miko’s tears drove him and his beast to a fury.  What was it about her that made him crave her presence so?  Would he be better off if he left her to her own devices or would it displease him if she were not within his sight?

He really didn’t have an answer, but he did know that when she was unhappy, he felt the urge to fix whatever had vexed her so and knowing that this was something that he could not fix, he felt a foreign emotion that he had only felt once before in his life.  He felt useless.

Stepping forward, he wondered if he reached out to touch her, would she accept his gesture?  He had seen other humans offer such support during emotional times and it appeared to him that humans were creatures that often craved contact whenever they experienced events such as the one the miko had suffered.

He was silent in his approach, but he knew that she felt him.  His cool hand fell upon her shoulder and for a second, she stiffened, but then turned and launched herself into him, her arms wrapping around his mid-section and her tears flowed once again.

He was not a being that was made for comfort, yet both Rin and this precious miko looked to him to provide it and suddenly, that uselessness he felt lifted.  He was not useless during these times as his presence clearly brought comfort to those in his fold.

He allowed his claws to run through her hair as a soft rumble echoed throughout his chest.  Kagome’s sobs lessened as the sound soothed her battered heart.  When she was finally able to pull away, she found that he was unwilling to allow her to leave his embrace.

“No matter what, miko, I will stand beside you.”  He pledged as his golden eyes searched her dark ones.  “This Sesshomaru will not leave your side.  Will you accept my vow?”

Kagome felt a bit of the ache in her heart lift as she saw the uncertainty that was etched on his handsome face.  Taking in a deep breath, she gave a small nod and allowed herself to be brought back to his chest.

~!~

Kikyou glanced over at her companion, who had watched the scene with careful eyes.  “Do you see?”  She asked, softly.  “The one she was always meant to be with his finally opened his eyes and now, her future is set.  Do you regret your decision?”

“Feh.”  Inu Yasha muttered but then glanced at the couple before him.  “She deserves to be happy and it’s better that she fall for the ice king rather than that mangy wolf.  Besides, the bastard can protect her better than anyone I know, myself excluded, of course.”

“Of course.”  Kikyou agreed with a smile.  “It’s time to return, Inu Yasha.”

The hanyou nodded and accepted the hand that his immortal beloved held out to him.  As she led him away, he glanced over his shoulder and watched as his words were carried on the wind to the best friend he ever had.

“Be happy, Kagome.”

Sometimes I just forget to say things I regret,

It breaks my heart to see you crying,

I am a man who will fight for your honor,

I’ll be the hero you’re dreaming of,

Gonna live forever, knowing that together

That we did it all for the glory of love

~Peter Cetera/New Found Glory—The Glory of Love