Kagome awoke with a start–her senses alarming at the vast, powerful youki emanating from nearby. As she rose from the dense fur pillowed beneath her and turned toward the source, a gasp of surprise escaped her.

Not too far away, Sesshoumaru stood, the barrier before him already beginning to shiver like a soap bubble in the breeze as he raised Tessaiga against it. The sword’s broad blade glowed vibrantly red, demonic power continuing to gather and swirl around it in spiralling crimson waves.

Kagome’s heart swelled at the sight, a smile of pure elation spreading across her face. He’s done it!–Sesshoumaru’s unlocked Tessaiga’s second form…

“Holy shit!”

Skidding to a halt beside her, Kouga stared mesmerized along with her, the other wolves and Jakken panting as they caught up with them a minute later. Together, they all watched with bated breath as Sesshoumaru leapt and plunged, bringing the transformed fang down upon the glimmering shield with a thunderous, blinding crash. Kagome shielded her eyes, turning aside as sharp, crackling winds of demonic energy whipped across her face and through her hair and sleeves.

When she looked up again, the barrier was gone.

Tiny, fading sparkles of youki rained down as Sesshoumaru elegantly landed. Glancing back at her, he sheathed the Red Tessaiga in one fluid, self-assured motion–as if destroying gigantic, seemingly impenetrable enemy forcefields was everyday’s business for this Sesshoumaru.

Kagome’s stare flattened. Wonder why he wasted all that time with the sword when he could have just applied that crushing ego of his…

“Milord…”

Her dispassionate gaze slid to the misty-eyed imp standing closeby. “Jakken…are you crying?”

As he fixed her with a watery glare, Ayame and her grandfather drew up beside them. The wolf girl curled a clawed fist to her breast, her expression fierce as she gazed upon the mountain looming ahead.

“The way is clear,” the Elder wolf declared, ears lowering as he padded forward. “Let us ascend and reclaim our sacred lands.”

“Hell yeah,” Kouga growled in agreement, grinning in a baring of fangs. “You ready, Kagome-chan?”

“I’m ready,” she replied with a determined nod. “Let’s go!”

As Jakken scrambled atop Ah-Un, Entei touched down next to her, looking very put-upon as he carried her yellow bag and weapons in his teeth. Thanking him profusely, Kagome equipped herself and climbed aboard as Sesshoumaru approached, collecting his abandoned tail. Realizing belatedly as he did so that she must have slept wrapped up in it all night, Kagome blushed.

“Thank you,” she said shyly, meeting his gaze. “That was incredible, by the way–how you brought down the barrier. You made it look so easy.”

“It was,” he replied, claws resting on Tessaiga’s hilt as he regarded her intently, “in the end.”

Her blush deepened at the intensity in that look. With a smoky snort of exasperation, Entei pawed at the ground.

“Guess we’d better get going,” Kagome said, crooking a smile.

Sesshoumaru inclined his head. As they took to the sky to join with the others, who were already rapidly advancing up the slopes, he caught her by the arm, his features hard as he looked to the dark, craggy summit ahead.

“Stay close to me,” he said to her lowly.

Swallowing, Kagome followed the ominous direction of his gaze. “Sure thing.”

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi