Blood Blades

Allies

They came to a landing out front of Inuyasha's hut. Ah-Un stood outside. They let out an excited 'chuff' and ran to Karuma after she hopped out of Sesshomaru's arms and tossed the blanket by the hut. Both heads came down on her shoulders. She wrapped her arms around them. "I'm okay, loves..." they lifted their heads and licked her cheeks.
Inuyasha came out first, stepping outside before the others noticed. He came around Ah-Un. "Are you okay, Ruma?"
HA!...good question. "I really don't know, Inuyasha." Her head was bowed, exhausted. The fight with herself had left her drained. She turned to him and lifted her head. "I should be okay for now though."
He lifted his hand and touched her cheek where the stripes could be seen faintly. "Your stripes are showing...are you sure you are feeling up to this? Me and Sesshomaru could take that dragon, Ruma."
She shook her head. "No...I cannot leave his side...it is impossible. My choice has been made."
A look of understanding crossed his features. "Sesshomaru..." Inuyasha looked around Karuma. "Is this what I think it's about?"
His brother gave a nod. "Damn..." Inuyasha mumbled. "You coulda picked a better time..."
Karuma flared up. "You think I chose this, Inuyasha? I know this is the worst possible time. I know the odds are against me, dammit. I am actively working to suppress the demon as we speak...and I grow weary of fighting it. Especially since I don't want to fight it. I am ready to be mated, dammit!..." She palmed her head in her hands. "I am so done..." She mumbled.
He threw up his hands. "Alright, easy Ruma...I'm sorry." Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her from behind, folding his arms under her chin.
"Calm yourself, sweetheart. Don't stress yourself out." Calm...yes. God, this is difficult. "I love you, Karuma..." He whispered in her ear. Yess...her eyes slipped closed. "Soon, my love...be strong...you are incredibly strong, Karuma...soon we will be mated, I will be yours...you will be mine." Yes, soon. Be strong, Karuma...she took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
"We must make haste, Inuyasha." She reached into the folds of her kimono and withdrew the map to the temple. "Away to the south...an enchanted forest behind an elven barrier. Well, the barrier failed after so many centuries, the forest exposed. I know the dragon is there...but I don't know what else may be lurking there after all this time, or what we may find." Stepping out of Sesshomaru's arms, she set the opened map across Ah-Un's back. Inuyasha bent to take a look. "Apparently even without the barrier, the temple is still hard to find. Elves are good at hiding things. But...I figured we just follow the stench of dragon, and we will find the temple easy enough."
Rin poked her head out. "Mother!" She ran at Karuma as she knelt to the girl. Karuma scooped Rin up in her arms, hugging her tightly. "Are you okay now?" Jaken appeared behind Rin from inside.
"I'm alright, little love. Sorry if I frightened you."
"You didn't frighten me...I was worried about you though, scared for you. What happened to you, Mother?"
Shit...
"Something I intend to help her with soon enough, Rin. Do not fret, I know how to help your mother." Oh, thank you, love. I had absolutely no idea how to explain a heat to Rin...when she is older though. I wish I didn't have to hide it from her, I wish to be honest with her.
"So you will be okay, Mother?"
"Yes, sweetheart." Soon...God I wish it was now...
Karuma set Rin to her feet. Jaken gave her a look, most likely wondering what the hell happened. "I'll be alright, Jaken. Stop worrying."
"I can't help it, Milady..." geez...
Kagome stepped outside. "Karuma?"
"Hmm? What's up, sis?"
"You want to come in for a tea real quick? Maybe talk a minute?" Aww, she is reaching out... "A hot tea is great for the nerves."
"Do you mind, love? I won't be long." Sesshomaru nodded. "Stay out here with Sesshomaru, Rin. Give me a few minutes, okay, little love?"
"Okay, I will."
Wow...going inside willingly. Huh...I need to talk to someone though, god it's good to have someone to unload on. Not alone anymore Karuma...and Kagome is awesome... sister... She took a deep breath and followed Kagome inside.
"Come sit by the fire, Karuma. I'll get you a cup." Quietly she walked to the fire and sat, holding her fingers out to it's warmth. I feel chilled...and it really ain't cold out. Just a slight morning chill the sun would soon chase away. Kagome brought them both over a tea. Handing one to her, she sat down beside her.
"So what is going on, Karuma? You are obviously upset...Did something happen between you and Sesshomaru?"
Yup...a big something. She sighed and took a sip of her tea...yeah, that's nice... "I don't know where to start, Kagome...do you know much about how dog demons mate?"
Her face turned red. "I know Inuyasha had a strong urge and well..." She pulled her hair up off the back of her neck. Four puncture scars marked her neck. Karuma smiled... an instinct that is hard to ignore.
"He marked you. It is instinct on the part of the male dog demon. You are not a dog though..." Geez, how do I explain? "Being a female dog demon...when we take a mate, we must challenge our partner..."
"Challenge? Like, as in, fight?" Karuma nodded.
"It's very dangerous, the demon's way of testing the male's worth...for a strong father, my demon will rise, Kagome. It will challenge not only Sesshomaru, but every male around me...females too if they get in the way. If that should happen while fighting that damned dragon then..."
"You will challenge him as well."
"Yes. A deadly gamble."
"Is there a way to stop it?"
"I am trying my damndest to repress the demon...but I almost lost that battle earlier."
"Why fight it? Don't you want to be Sesshomaru's mate?"
Yes, dammit... "That's not the issue here...of course I want to be his mate. Once he marks me though..." Kagome looked confused. Karuma sighed. "I will go into heat."
"Heat? Like an actual dog?"
Dammit, I'm not a stray, Kagome. She took another sip of tea. How do I explain this? "My urge to breed will be uncontrollable. I will not be able to fight...and neither will Sesshomaru. So...even if I wanted to...and I really want to...I cannot slip up. I am fighting the demon inside myself as we speak. I cannot be rendered helpless until that god damned dragon is dead."
"Wow..."
Boy, you ain't just a shitting...wow, indeed. "Yeah...Wow."
"How do you suppress it? Is it difficult?"
"Right now it's a contest of will. But, I grow tired...weary...sometimes I need to do a sort of mini Serenade. Soon though, all of my efforts will be for naught...the demon will win, the instinct too powerful for me to repress. A ticking time bomb at least has a clock... I have no idea when it will happen."
Karuma downed the end of her tea. "I gotta go...dammit, I don't know if or how I'm gonna do this."
"If I have learned anything about you, Karuma, it's that the elf in you makes you incredibly strong. Have faith in yourself. And use the Serenade as much as possible...it may make it easier to fight off the demon. The way it calmed Inuyasha last night was incredible." Yeah, Sesshomaru and myself as well... "It's gotta work on your demon too."
Karuma took Kagome's advice to heart, bringing up a sphere beside her. Piano this time...the sphere lit up as the piano started playing. Yes...her eyes closed.
"You amaze me, Karuma." Kagome spoke up.
"Thank you, dear heart...I really wish I didn't have to fight this though." Her eyes opened and met Kagome's. "I want so badly to be his mate."
"Speaking of that...when does a heat end?"
Karuma smiled softly. "When I carry his pup...or pups...dogs are known to have multiple pups, you know." She reached out and touched Kagome's stomach. "You have been warned, sister."
Kagome's eyes got huge. "Seriously?" The look on Kagome's face was comical. Karuma started laughing.
"Yes, seriously. Just be prepared for that outcome." She pulled her hand back.
"Like I didn't have enough to worry about..." Kagome mumbled.
Karuma stood up, dragging the sphere with her. "I might be able to tell with time, Kagome...I told Inuyasha that in a few weeks, I can tell the sex of your babe as well...if you want to know."
"By scent, Karuma!? That's so cool!"
"Never tried it with multiples, never had the opportunity." This might prove to be interesting. Time will tell.
"Well, let me think about it. We have time."
Maybe. If I go into heat and everything goes well...I won't see anybody for a while... and when I do see them. Mated and pregnant...yes, I want that.
"Come, Kagome. I have to go." She held her hand out to the priestess. Kagome set her empty cup down and took her hand. Karuma hauled her to her feet. "Thank you, sister. I am grateful I have you to unload on. I feel better."
"Hey, no problem. What are sisters for?" Honestly, I was not expecting her to become my sister. My family...every one of them, are so special...keep it together, Karuma. No tears.
They walked back outside together, the sphere she had called out following behind. Sesshomaru gave her a look upon seeing the sphere. "I'm okay, love. The music makes it easier, that's all. I don't have to fight quite so hard." He gave her a slight nod, but still looked worried.
Rin came over and grabbed her hand. Oh, little love, you know something is off. Thank you... The girl's eyes came to hers, a look of concern in them. "That music is pretty, Mother...but are you okay?"
Karuma smiled down at her. "I'll be alright, Rin. Please don't worry, sweetheart."
She nodded. "I have to go, Rin..." Karuma watched as Rin's eyes filled with tears. Oh god...ripping my heart out kid. She knelt down to the girl's level, opening her arms. "Come here, little love." A small sob escaped her as she hugged Karuma...dammit, tears filled her eyes as well. Standing up, Karuma wrapped her wings around Rin.
"Shh...it's okay, sweetheart..." Rin was shaking, tears running down her cheeks, wetting Karuma's kimono. "Please, Rin...I will return to you, I promise. I have both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha to protect me. And you know how strong they are. Have faith in us, daughter...be strong for us...I love you, Rin...shh." Tears ran down Karuma's face now as well. Rin's shaking had stopped, but she still cried. Dammit...I wish I didn't have to leave her.
Kagome spoke beside her. "I'll stay at Kaede's with Rin. Keep an eye on her for you."
"Thank you, Kagome." She nodded and went to Inuyasha to say good bye. Karuma caught the passionate kiss they shared. Dammit...I wish I didn't have to take Inuyasha. He should be with Kagome. "Last chance to back out, Inuyasha..." Karuma spoke up, bending to set Rin on her feet...holding her hand.
"Nothing doin', Ruma...you're stuck with me."
Karuma smiled...then caught a scent. Hmm...her smile spread more. "We are about to have company." Sesshomaru sniffed and nodded.
Suddenly a voice rang out from the roof of Inuyasha's hut. "Hey! Karuma! Is this party by invite or can anyone crash it!?" A chorus of wolf howls sang out in greeting. Flowers floated to the ground in front of Karuma's feet. She looked up to find Koga, and a female wolf demon smiling down at her...Ayame, flowers...I smell flowers.
They both hopped to the ground in front of her. Wolves on two, and many on four legs, surrounded them. Two subordinates flanked Koga's sides. Karuma shook her head slightly at Koga. "Foolish wolf. We cleared the dragons from near your territory. You dance with disaster now...the dragon lord is a thousand times stronger then them."
"Which is why you need all the help you can get...I am posting guards around this village...so your loved ones remain safe. I don't want to have to chase them down again." Oh, Koga...tears filled her eyes again. Sesshomaru stepped up behind her, setting his hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you, Koga..." Sesshomaru said. Koga nodded. "Karuma, this is my mate, Ayame." Karuma smiled and letting go of Rin's hand, she reached out her hands to Ayame, grasping both of hers.
"It's good to finally meet you, Ayame..." flowers... "Your scent...like a breath of spring. At least, the springs I recall from long ago...when the world was newer. It's very calming."
Her cheeks turned pink, but she smiled. "It's good to meet you too, Karuma. And, thank you." Their hands separated and Karuma had flowers in her hands. Nifty trick.
"I plan on staying here with the pack to watch over the village. So no worries if they are safe or not. Just worry about that dragon."
"I'm going with you though...along with Ginta and Hakkaku here." Koga threw a thumb, pointing behind himself at the other two. She looked behind Koga at his subordinates.
"Are you sure about this, Koga? The odds are stacking against me...Hi, boys." She waved at them. Both their cheeks turned pink. She received a "Hi, Milady" and a "Hello, my Lady."
"What happened to the confident half demon I saw ready to rip dragons apart even though we were far outnumbered? I say the odds just increased in your favor, Karuma. We will rip him to shreds, my friend."
Right. Yes...The wolf's eyes traveled to the sphere softly playing music. "What the hell is that!?" Karuma smiled, then played a heavy electric guitar riff, lighting the sphere as brightly as possible in the daylight.
"Why that would be mine, wolf. It will be my constant companion for a while...so grow accustomed to it...an elven ability, trying to calm myself. This mission will be dangerous in more ways than one, Koga."
"What?...elven? Are you half elf!?" She nodded. "Well, no wonder you seemed so different compared to the other two."
"She's also a princess..." Rin spoke up. Yup, thanks Rin.
"Princess!? Well, damn Karuma," he chuckled, "I'm glad I allied with you...I get to assist a princess...her Lord...and that mutt." He threw a thumb over his shoulder once again, now pointing at Inuyasha. "Well, I guess ya gotta take the bad along with the good."
"What was that!? You got a problem with me, ya mangy wolf!?" Karuma burst out laughing. "It ain't funny, Karuma! We don't need his help..."
"Yes, we do, Inuyasha. Just them keeping an eye on the village is a load off my shoulders. Like Koga said, we need all the help we can get. And it ain't Koga's fault if you can't take a joke." Now Koga burst out laughing, which caused Karuma to smile. She heard Sesshomaru chuckling behind her. Inuyasha gave her an ugly look...and it so reminded her of when he was a pup. "Come now, puppy..." she walked over to him, speaking low for his ears alone...although Kagome heard, standing close to him as she was. "We should rely on his strength, brother...for your wife, and your pup." She smiled, "your strength far exceeds his, Inuyasha, and yet he still wants to help us against the might of that damned dragon, that is a true friend if ever you had one, brother."
"Huh...Fine. Whatever."
She nodded. That would be the closest to an agreement that she would get. Time to go. "Jaken."
The imp perked up as Karuma turned to him. "Yes, Milady?"
"I'm counting on you to keep an eye on my daughter. Let no harm come to her." She walked over to the imp and knelt down to him, wrapping him in a hug. "Take care of yourself as well. I will return, my friend." His arms came around her and squeezed.
"I'm gonna hold you to that, Karuma." She released him.
"Rin, come here, sweetheart." The girl came to her. Karuma hugged her again. "I love you, Rin..."
She sniffled. "I love you too, Mother."
"I have to go, sweetheart. Remember be strong. I will return for you, daughter." Karuma leaned back and kissed her cheek. She nodded and gave Karuma a sad smile. Karuma released her and stood. "We head south, boys." She turned to Sesshomaru. "Ready, love?" He nodded.
"Want to ride on Ah-Un with me?"
"Absolutely, princess." She smiled softly at him...mine.
Kagome spoke up behind her. "Be careful, Karuma. I know everything will work out. Stay strong, sister."
"I will, Kagome. You take care as well." She turned to Kagome and gave her a hug. "I love you, sister, and thanks again."
"I love you too, Karuma. And, thank you. If not for you, I wouldn't be as happy as I am." Karuma pulled back and smiled at Kagome.
Speaking low, Karuma whispered, "When I return I will most likely be mated and pregnant. We can raise our pups together, Kagome."
"Yes! That would be awesome! I look forward to it, Karuma."
She stepped away. "Ah-Un. Come, loves...we leave." They stepped up to Karuma and she flipped onto their back, sitting down. Sesshomaru climbed up behind her.
"Be careful, Milord!" Jaken hollered.
Karuma looked over her family being left behind. At least they were well protected this time. I hate this...
"We will return, princess." Sesshomaru whispered in her ear. She nodded.
"Alright, ready boys?" They stood beside her nodding. "Okay, lets go, loves." She petted Ah-Un's scales. They took off toward the south.