luxken27fics | Inuyasha | Allegiance [2]: Vengeance

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Title: Allegiance
Author: LuxKen27
Fandom: Inuyasha
Universe: Canon (Post-manga)
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Romance
Rating: M
Warning(s): Character death, violence
Summary: Strictly-come-canon, post-manga. Kagome is forced to seek out Sesshoumaru's protection in the wake of unexpected tragedy. As she insinuates herself into his life, Sesshoumaru comes to realize her second chance is also his, as her presence drives him to confront mistakes from his own past.

~*~
“No.”

He felt, more than heard, the huff of annoyance that escaped her lips. “Why not?”

He swiftly turned to face her, unable to resist unleashing one of his signature cold golden glares. “This is not your battle. You will only be in the way.”

Kagome scowled at him, struggling to hold her frustration in check. “I could be an asset,” she argued. “You know of my powers and abilities. Besides…” Her eyes dropped away from his as something other than irritation clouded her features. “I feel like I need to repay you.”

He drew back slightly, giving her an assessing stare. It had scarcely been a fortnight since she’d shown up at his doorstep so unexpectedly, dirty and tired and thin, yet proud, holding her head high as she explained her situation and asked for protection.

It was horrible timing, really; he’d been expecting this attack on his holding and had been preparing his forces to defend the walls of his castle – and the lands beyond – against the imminent invading forces.

It had certainly crossed his mind, to exploit her powers to his advantage. She was probably the only person on the planet who could purify the likes of him, if she put her mind to it. She had taken an interest in his methodical plotting, seemingly in awe of his thoroughness.

He was Sesshoumaru, Lord of the West. He left nothing to chance.

“Unnecessary,” he replied. “Besides, you’ll be of more use to me alive than dead.”

She acquiesced at that, but he sensed it was not the end of the conversation.

Indeed, not. She was stubborn, intent on demonstrating that her battle skills were intact. Still, he was wary – even during the battle with Naraku, it was painfully obvious that she didn’t have full control of her miko powers. Each time she had approached him and attempted to prove her worth, he rejected her outright.

But then his top general was felled by sudden illness on the eve of the expected attack.

He knew there was no one more battle-worn among his ranks than the little miko-in-training. As dawn broke, his vassals grew antsy for his decision. Against his better judgment, he put her in charge of the far flank, defending the least-vulnerable point of his lands.

He felt it, the moment she was felled.

He was all the way across the courtyard, leading the battle against the enemy directly. There was no scream of panic or shout of warning when she went down, but he sensed it all the same, as though she was standing at his shoulder. He reacted before he could think, turning away, cutting through swathes of enemy forces. Sudden urgency flooded through him, a low, guttural snarl ripping from his throat. The need to find her – protect her – avenge her – was primal, spreading up from his core, overwhelming him.

He wouldn’t stop until he killed them all for daring to injure her…

…and later, when she was safe again, he would wonder how those instincts were awoken once more.

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