InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Strength of Bond ❯ Removal ( Chapter 26 )

A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I honestly had no plans to be sick for two and a half weeks plus finals drawing up to rear its ugly head to take up all the rest of my time. Then home for the holidays without internet. Plus, I know you are all going to kill me for this chapter, so delaying the inevitable was also a nice idea.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha characters. Story is my own creation.

 

Translation and Pronunciation Guide:

Aa- (ah-ah) Yes- usually only used by males.

Akki- (ahk-key) Evil spirit.

Baka- (bah-kah) Moron, idiot.

Gomen nasai- (go-meh-n nah-sigh) I am very sorry. Very formal.

Hai- (hi) Yes.

Koishii- (coy-she) Lover, sweetheart.

Kutabare- (coo-tah-bah-reh) Fuck you!, shove it!, go to hell!, drop dead!

Musou- (moo-soh) A blank mind.

Nani Shiyagaru-(nah-knee she-yah-gah-roo) What the fuck?

Okaasan- (oh-kaah-sah-n) Mother.

Otouto- (oh-toe-toh) Little brother.

Temee- (teh-mehh) Bastard.

 

Warnings: This chapter will invoke fan fiction reader violence. Please do not kill the author.

 

Chapter 26

They stumbled through the doors of Sesshoumaru's home after their interlude at the hotel. After the chase, Inuyasha had proceeded to memorize Kagome's body in their short time frame, and in the end, committed her very being to his blood. There would be no place on earth he would not know where she was. Inuyasha currently had his arms wrapped solidly around the girl, whose legs had yet regained their strength. Their auras were so enmeshed, in which no blue or red appeared, but a pulsing vibrant purple.

“It never ceases to amaze, this Sesshoumaru, how much of a baka my otouto is.”

They froze in the entry to see the Taiyoukai standing in the doorway to his office. His normally emotionless countenance seemed strained, his gold eyes relatively flat and limpid. What had happened while they were away? Why did he seem so lifeless, well more lifeless than usual?

“It's only eleven, Sesshoumaru. We came back safe and sound and before curfew,” Inuyasha said, his eyebrows rose in surprise. Never in his life had Sesshoumaru cared about when he came home, especially before the stroke of midnight. “What happened?”

“I suggest you and Kagome get some rest. The Council has been called into session tomorrow at eight o'clock. Apparently, your actions of tonight have caused the injury to fifteen youkai and humans. This has caused quite a stir and the guardianship of the miko is in question.”

“Injuries?” Kagome breathed in surprise. “What injuries?”

This time it was Sesshoumaru that raised an eyebrow. “Apparently a fight broke out in Tsukiakari's dance room, and the pair of you were reported to be at the center of it.”

“There was a fight,” Inuyasha murmured, “But it was a verbal fight. No one got hurt.”

“Apparently the witnesses, the injured, and the video surveillance disagree with that assessment. Nevertheless, tomorrow you both will be able to give your testimonies. I suggest you rest as it will be a long day tomorrow.” He swept back into his study, the door shutting behind him with a resounding bang.

“Inu…ya…sha?” came the weak voice of Kagome before her body went completely limp.

Said hanyou held the slumped form of his mate. She had fainted. “Perfect,” snarled the irate hanyou, golden eyes flashing red every few seconds. “Just fucking perfect!” With that said, he stormed his way up the stairs, cradling his mate to him.

~~~~~~

Kagome stood with her mother inside the large chamber. Unlike the first time she had come to this room, the entire floor was vacant except for a podium at which she now stood. The large diesis for the council members stood before her, every seat except two was filled. Her mother and Sesshoumaru had been removed from the council for this ruling. They were too close to the individuals involved in this affair, and, thus, the public viewed that they wouldn't be objective. She raised her eyes to see that the entire room was filled with balconies of prestigious looking individuals. At least four hundred people were there, all of them there to listen to the interrogations and vote on a decision.

 

She took a breath to steady her nerves before focusing back onto the members of the Mageran Council. Her fate was going to be decided by people she had never met more than once.

 

The high counselor houshi, Kong Fang, began the questions, his face emotionless and stern. “Is there a reasonable explanation for last night's events, Taishou-san?”

 

She bowed once for the procession. “Hai, Counselor Fang. My friends and my mate decided that we should do something together. It has been a long time since I have had the chance to be a normal teenager. Due to recent attacks, I was basically a prisoner in my own home. Not to mention that it was currently under discussion whether or not I would even be allowed to leave the grounds after today.”

 

“It is for your safety that you were to remain inside of Counselor Taishou's dwellings. Our decision about your confinement to Counselor Taishou's house was to be made for your safety. We had not expected there to be so many attacks since the destruction of your former residence,” Kong Fang said in a polite, neutral tone.

 

Gavan Lyel spoke next, his normally glowing green eyes were dull and lifeless with dark bags beneath his eyes. “Aye, there were at least three rouge attacks in the area outside your place of residence. Still, lass, we haven't called you here about the attacks, but about what you and your friends were doing out. Are you tryin' to justify your actions for last night especially when you had been left out in the open without a proper guard? You are the guardian of the Shikon no Tama, lass. You cannot just go out and play.”

 

She scowled at the normally jovial man. “Proper guard? What proper guard? Do you really expect me to walk around with an entire army? Oh that's wonderful. I can just see all the fire codes being broken by the first store.”

 

“Proper guard is not the issue here, Mrs. Taishou,” murmured Mercede Cira. “We only wish for you to explain to this panel why you and your friends ventured out into the open after so many attacks upon your dwellings.”

 

“Especially when the Shikon no Tama is with you,” said a snide voice from her right.

 

Startled by the new voice, Kagome turned her head to see a man sitting there. His nose upturned, oily black hair, and dark features proclaimed him as a slimy snake. She had an instant dislike to the man, and her eyes narrowed in challenge. “So I am to just sit in my room all day long so that your precious jewel is safe? Kutabare!”

 

The members of the council and panel were shocked by the vulgarity issuing from the miko. No one had expected such a demure, kind, young girl to be that mean toward another person. Silence drew in the audience chamber and the man in corner smirked. “You should learn your manners better girl. I represent the people of the community.”

 

She glared. “The council represents the people.”

 

The man lost his smirk and glared right back. “My name is Akki, Musou, miko. As you would answer any question posed by the council, you shall also answer mine. I represent all the people who were injured last night because of your actions.”

 

“No one was hurt while we were there!” she fired back at the man. “Besides, it is my life, not yours! I chose to go out with my mate and my friends. What gives you the right to dictate my life? You are not my mother and you are most certainly not my husband!”

 

Ahalya Kumari's voice spoke up then, drawing the audience back to the council, “Calm yourself, miko. It is the job of this council to protect all members of this community. We are only seeking the answers that we have questions to. Last eve, injuries of fifteen innocent people were documented. We wish to ascertain why they were attacked.”

 

Kagome took a deep breath to calm herself, so as not to insult the woman. It was not her fault she was here, after all. She shouldn't take her anger out on someone else. “Innocent? Attacked? We didn't attack anyone last night. Honestly, I have no idea why there are claims to people being hurt. No one was hurt while we were there,” she said in a strong, clear voice devoid of anger.

 

“We have video and documented evidence that proves otherwise,” Musou said.

 

She whirled around at him, pointing a long finger at him and snarled, “Then you have a doctored video tape and thus falsified evidence. The only `fight' that occurred there was a verbal fight, which we did not start. Those people insulted my mate and the honor of my family. I defended him as he defended me. We took no aggressive action toward anyone.”

 

“That is where you are wrong, miko. The tape, which came to me directly from the owner of Tsukiakari, clearly shows your mate slash first at the innocent bystanders that were only assisting you away from his inappropriate behavior… in a public place no less,” Musou said with a smile.

 

“What?! Are you insane?! Those temee were trying to take me away from my mate! That's a threat on a youkai claim!”

 

“He is not a youkai, he is-”

 

“URASAI!” Stunned silence filled the room. “Nani shiyagaru is your problem? My mate is a hanyou, yes, but that means he is both human and youkai. According to youkai law, any being mated to one containing youki energy is therefore justified to protect his or her mate. That includes hanyou! What is wrong with this community that causes such racial hate toward hanyou?! Get a life and stay out of mine! As for those temee who seem to be faking injuries, they attacked us verbally first, and then preparing to hurt us physically.”

 

He pushed aside the comments with a sneer, “Did you or did you not engage in sexual activity in a public place?”

 

Her face bloomed in color and her forceful body language faltered. “What has that got to do with anything?”

 

“So you did,” he stated without preamble. “How can you stand there and suggest that those poor people coming to your defense was not justified? He practically molested you in a public facility!”

 

The members around held their breath in surprise. The miko's aura had expanded so violently, and with such force, even the humans in the room felt her power. “First, baka, he didn't molest me. Second, he is my mate and he can do whatever the hell he wants to with me. Third, it is neither your business nor the business of the entire world to know what my mate and I do with each other. Fourth, there were others doing far worse `sexual activity' than we were, including a couple in the back corner having sex. You would have known that if you watched the video more thoroughly. Fifth, what gives them the right to defend my honor by attacking a hanyou? That's racial discrimination, not help. Racial faggots, not good Samaritans, were targeting my mate. Finally, shut your damn mouth.” And with a flourish of movement, she flipped the man the bird, tossed her hair over her shoulder, and placed her back toward the man.

 

Counselor Lama cleared his throat and regained the attention of the panel that had struck up into conversation at the conclusion of her statement. “Do any of the members have any more questions to ask of Taishou-san?” Silence greeted him, most far too worried about the violent waves of her aura to want to ask more. “Very well. We shall review your testimony, Taishou-san. Take her back, Counselor Higurashi, and bring in Taishou, Inuyasha.”

 

Kagome took her mother's arm, her body still radiating her power and fury. Her mother escorted her into a side chamber, and they passed Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru on the way. Both had rather dreary looks about them, well… Sesshoumaru looked relatively the same. Kagome took a grateful seat in the backroom watching as Kouga, Ayame, Miroku, and Sango all paced nervously in the room. Her mother sat beside her and held the miko as her anger dissipated and she was filled with abject horror and despair.

 

~~~~~~

 

Inuyasha stood at the podium, head tilted slightly down, shoulders sagged. He occasionally glanced upward at the counselors, but avoided eye contact. This whole mess was his fault. No matter what he did, they would take her from him. The least he could do was keep calm as Sesshoumaru instructed and hope his humility would sway the votes. The last thing he needed was to prove to them how hotheaded he really was.

 

“Was it your idea to take your mate out?” Mateus Roque asked in a loud masculine voice.

 

The humbled hanyou stood before the council and audience. “Aa.”

 

“Despite the recent attacks to your mate?”

 

“Aa.” His ears were flattened against his mane of silver hair.

 

A short pause and the voice of Zahara Kamaria asked, “We have heard that some activity of questionable content was executed in Tsukiakari's dance room. Was it you, Taishou-san, that took the initiative to be vulgar with your wife's body and engage in sexual activity in a public, family oriented place?”

 

His eyes glanced upward in surprise, to lock eyes with they warm brown sugar eyes of the woman. He thought over the question a moment, recalling the events in his mind. If Kagome had been wearing underwear, perhaps he would not have been so bold. Nevertheless, he had initiated the contact. He bowed his head lower in shame and answered with the same defeated answer, “Aa.”

 

“You were then interrupted by several guests in the club, correct?” asked Sarah Lilac, her wings rustling with her slight movement.

 

Inuyasha didn't even look up. “Aa.”

 

“And then you struck first upon the crowd,” stated Musou's snide voice to the side.

 

At this, he lifted his head with a snap and turned to fix a glare at the man on the side. “Interesting to see you here, Akki. Didn't you lose your bars as a lawyer after your last client attacked and killed a hanyou child in court? Not to mention that you were said to have stated that `the child had it coming to him'?”

 

A very ugly look passed over the man's face. “I believe you read too many tall tales, Taishou-san. As you can see, I am here to represent the people you attacked last night. Just goes to show one cannot trust a mixed blood.”

 

Inuyasha snorted. “I heard about these false claims, but I recall no injuries occurred at any point while myself and my mate were in Tsukiakari.”

 

“According to the video surveillance in the facility, it shows that you attacked the innocent people that came to help Mrs. Taishou.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes blazed a bright orange-gold. “I can't say about the video surveillance evidence, but I can say that those people tried to take my mate from me. I swiped a warning, but in no point did my claws or youki touch or harm anyone. Even if it had, it is within my rights to attack anyone who goes against my claim.”

 

“Hanyou have no real rights to such instinctual claims like a youkai. Why do you lie to defend your actions?”

 

Inuyasha turned the moment he felt his brother's power double. He reached out and placed one hand upon Sesshoumaru's shoulder, silently telling him to calm down. Inuyasha, through furious, had one thing going for him: Kagome. Apparently their bond had more side effects than anyone could have expected. It was her calm that kept him from lashing out. He took a steadying breath, drew back his hand, and turned once again to Musou. “I am the son of the greatest youkai lineage in the world,” he announced in a powerful, commanding voice. “You insult my family's honor by suggesting my youkai is weak. If you take a look at my personal profile, you will see that my youki levels are higher than most full youkai. If anything, my youkai instincts are stronger than half the youkai population.”

 

Murmurs followed from the audience, and Inuyasha was glad to feel Sesshoumaru's anger dwindle back to manageable levels. The last thing they needed was a transformed Inu-youkai in the chamber. Inuyasha fidgeted when silence returned to the room, but remained quiet. He had already felt the severe outburst of anger from Kagome during her interrogation. He blamed himself for the outbursts. This bond stuff was tricky and somewhat inconvenient, like now.

 

“Did you attack the people trying to help your mate?” inquired Counselor Cira.

 

“Keh, Help? They weren't there to help. They called Kagome a…” he swallowed, “`a hanyou whore' and other derogatory names. They wanted to kill her when they reached to take her away. So yes, I attacked them when they-”

 

“So you did attack first. I think we have all needed to know,” Musou stated in a smug voice.

 

Inuyasha growled. “They attacked me first, if you would let me finish, you pompous prick.” He growled and redirected, “They rushed at us and I defended her, but I never touched them.”

 

“Where did you take her after the fight?” Counselor Lilac asked.

 

“What does that have to do with anything?” he asked, returning his gaze to the counselors.

 

“Answer the question, Taishou-san,” the silent Counselor Fang stated.

 

He blanched and his started to fidget. “Her… aura… was fluctuating badly. I-I couldn't take her home immediately. It was strong enough… t-to attract unwanted… attention,” he stuttered out. “We stopped at a hotel before we headed back.”

 

“And you did what at the hotel to calm her so called `fluctuating aura'?” asked Musou in a snide voice.

 

“Do I have to spell it out for you, Akki? She's my mate! Put two and two together,” sputtered a flustered hanyou, cheeks flaring red.

 

“So you are saying that you mated the poor girl, just after hurting harmless humans and youkai? Pathetic and so crude.”

 

“Yes I mated her,” he snarled, “But I never touched those people.”

 

Counselor Lama raised his hands. “Enough. I think we have all we need to hear. Any other pertinent questions? No? Then, Taishou-san, you may return to the chamber. Bring forth Raine, Sango to the stand.”

 

Sesshoumaru lead the hanyou out of the room and passed Kagome's mother leading out Sango. In the back of the chamber, Kagome was found sobbing into a handkerchief. Inuyasha rushed over to her, while Miroku, Kouga, Ayame, and Sesshoumaru talked quietly.

 

“Gomen nasai,” she sobbed into his chest when he reached her. “I tried to remain calm, but I was so angry at what they were saying. I even cursed at them and called them horrible names.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes softened and he pulled her form into him. “It's okay Kagome.” He kissed her forehead and rocked her back and forth.

 

~~~~~~

 

“Do to these attacks and the irresponsible actions of the bonded pair, a better solution is needed. The council and audience have voted and determined that one, Taishou Kagome, should be removed and placed into a home better guarded and protected until such a time as it can be determined whether or not the bond between the miko and the hanyou will remain,” announced Counselor Lama in a deep, but regretful voice. “An objective family has been chosen by Akki-san to take Taishou-san until we come to that decision. Therefore she and the Shikon no Tama will be moved into the custody of the Gehin Family until we reconvene next week.”

 

Inuyasha and Kagome stood side by side in front of the council and their peers. Kagome's face became sheet white at the announcement. Inuyasha just stood there with his jaw clenched and his claws fisted tightly. Sesshoumaru stood one step behind his brother, looking indifferent. Sango clutched Miroku in silent sobs. Mrs. Higurashi just stood there in shock, her hands trembling.

 

“What about my son, Shippou?” Kagome inquired in a shaky voice.

 

The smirk upon Musou's face froze. Others in the audience and the council also looked puzzled. Counselor Lama cleared his voice, “What son, Taishou-san?”

 

“My mate and I adopted Shippou, a kitsune youkai soon after the attack upon our original dwellings. Will Shippou remain with me or with my mate?”

 

“We were not aware…” started Counselor Fang.

 

“Excuse me, Counselor Fang, but I believe I informed the council nearly a week ago that my sister-in-law and my brother had adopted a child into their care. Was this not taken into advisement?” Sesshoumaru asked.

 

Guilty looks passed among members of the council. It was obvious they had not considered the kit into their plans when they decided to break apart the mates. Musou had a dark scowl on his face that almost made Inuyasha want to smile. “Serves the temee right,” he murmured by Kagome's ear.

 

“The boy should stay with the hanyou!” came a shout from the audience above. “Youkai belong with their own kind!”

 

Kagome turned the most scathing look up to the audience. “He is my child whether or not he's youkai, hanyou, or human. I never thought people would physically sicken me until today. You people are destroying my life for your own racial discriminatory needs.” A pink glow appeared around her light blue aura, pulsing in time with her heartbeat.

 

“I believe that the boy would do best to remain in the care of one, Taishou, Inuyasha, until a decision is made,” Musou stated. “It is clear that youkai influences upon the girl need to be completely eliminated in order to maintain a proper distance to the situation of their bond. If we remove the hanyou, then he must remove the child as well.”

 

A murmur of accent permeated from the audience. The counselor's drew together for a quick assessment before Counselor Lama stood again to talk. “It is the decision of this council that the youkai pup remain in his adopted father's care.”

 

Kagome's heart sank even further into despair. Bad enough they took her mate and love away, but also her newly blessed son too. She hated them, every last one of them. When the final decision came about her bond, she didn't care what they voted. She would destroy the jewel if it meant that her mate would be her own again and people would keep their nose out of their business.

“It has also been decided that the hanyou, Taishou, Inuyasha, is a bad influence on the miko. Thus all visitation and communication rights are revoked until further notice. Therefore, Counselor Higurashi will be assigned to siphon off excess energy for the miko if it becomes a problem. We shall reconvene in one week with our decision.”

 

The slam of the grovel was deafening. Kagome's knees gave out and Inuyasha caught her before she hit the ground. Her eyes were glassy, tears streaming down in torrents. Her porcelain skin was a snow white and ice cold. If he didn't know better, he would be sure she had just died.

 

“It's okay koishii. We will be back together soon. It's only a week.” Though the words were spoken, neither gained comfort from them. “Your mother has been granted permission to siphon off energy through a touch bond so you won't be completely alone. And Shippou can still call you, even though I won't be allowed. So you still have him.”

 

Kagome turned her head up to stare at the hanyou. Her eyes were a dull gray, their sparkle of life gone. Teardrops fell upon her face, and it took her a moment to realize that they were not all her own. She lifted a hand to his face brushing at the hot droplets. “Inuyasha? Are you crying?”

 

He stared at her in surprise for a moment before he reached to touch his own damp cheek. A few more hot tears hit his palm. He lowered his hand and stared at the wet hand before turning his gaze to her. “Of course not.” He rubbed his face to brush away any stray tears.

 

Her eyes refocused, a tentative smile upon her face. He had cried for her. Her heart warmed with the knowledge. Even if their time together had a few weeks, there was no one else in the world that made her feel as he did. “What are we going to do?”

 

He held her close, burying his nose into her hair. “We are going to do as they say, for now. If they are going to break our bond, I'll figure something out.”

 

“I don't want to go.”

 

“I know. I don't want you to go either.” He rocked her back and forth in his arms, ignoring everything around them. “If you need me, break the rules and call for me. I will always be there for you.”

 

“And I, you.” They kissed fleetingly, their auras melding into each other for a moment.

 

“Taishou-san, it is time to be leaving. Gehin-sama is waiting,” stated Musou Akki.

 

She whimpered as Inuyasha stood with her. “Be brave, koishii.” He kissed her ear before he released her into the custody of two guards and Akki. He glared at the man.

 

Kagome turned one last time to him as she was escorted away. “Take care of Shippou for me.”

 

“I will.” And then she was gone, her sobs echoing hollowing in his ears. He stumbled before sitting back down on the floor. Small arms encircled his body, a soft sent of cherry blossoms filling his nose. Kagome's mother was holding him. He leaned into her embrace and cried.

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