Jodah's Revenge
This story is rated R for explicit sexual situations (yaoi, rape, torture)
Chapter 14
Bakura was waiting on the other side of the portal, which opened right at the Castle gate, with a worried look on his face. If Jodah were to go through, he would be right at their doorstep and no one had the power to stop him. If it weren't for Malik, Bakura himself might be dead. The blue mage stood there, nervously wringing his hands when Kurama came outside and saw the portal. He asked what was going on and Bakura reluctantly told him about Hiei's plan. There was no need to keep it a secret any longer -- once the portal had triggered, there was no going back.
Kurama stared at the mage in alarm. He could believe it of Hiei, but for Bakura to help! He told one of the guards to bring the Princess and anyone else they could find. If Jodah came through the portal -- Kurama shook his head. How irresponsible of Bakura and so unlike him!
Bakura wanted to help free the captives and to his way of thinking, that was worth the risk. All he had considered was getting the captives free of Jodah. He remember all too well what had happened to Malik. And Malik had been almost the same age as Aniki. The boy had been Jodah's sexual slave for years, then he was beaten and whipped, yet still he saved Shilo, the Blood Demon Lord's son, and then gave his own life for Bakura's. He would not let that happen again! If Hiei was willing to risk his life, then Bakura was going to help him.
InuYasha came running out, the Tetsusaiga already drawn. Toya soon followed and so did Kaiba and Rin, Kaiba standing in front of her protectively. Kenru came out and Kurama went to her. She was just beginning to show her pregnancy of 3½ months and her mate, Tekki, didn't even know she was having their child. The Princess arrived last, her face full of concern. Hiei had rushed headlong into danger without telling anyone except Bakura. The two of them had risked the Castle! She was torn between being furious at them for doing it and being proud of them for having the courage. In a very few minutes they would learn if their gamble had paid off or not. And it might very well be at the cost of all their lives.
The portal hummed with energy and suddenly three humans appeared, two men and one woman. Kurama recognized Aya and welcomed him. He wasn't sure who the others were but he moved all of them away from the portal, for it was humming again. Kouga stepped through, carrying Tekki in his arms. He went to Kaiba and Kenru rushed to her mate's side. Kouga was surprised to see that she was pregnant. He wondered what else had happened while he was in the Human World.
Kouga told them that Jodah had confronted Hiei and Aniki and that Hiei had told them to go through the portal. Kouga was embarrassed that he didn't stay with them, but he wanted to get Tekki home. Aara wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly, "Thank the gods you are safe. You have been through enough! I'm glad you didn't stay!"
Long minutes passed and the portal remained inactive. Suddenly it sprang back to life and Aniki walked through, carrying Hiei. Aara rushed to them, followed by Kaiba. Hiei had passed out from using his Dragon of the Darkness Flame. After setting him down, Aniki went to his Princess and she wrapped her arms tightly around him. Tears of relief slid down her cheeks.
After Hiei and Tekki were put in bed, Kaiba and Rin staying at Tekki's side, Aniki gave them the news. Hiei had killed Jodah with his Dragon. Kurama did not remember it being that strong; Hiei must have been training hard to control it more, and therefore could use more of its power. Aniki also told them that the island was destroyed, now in flames from his lightning.
Kouga wanted to return home but Aara insisted that he get checked out by Kaiba first. The Wolf reluctantly agreed. Besides Kagome was still in the Human World. The swift hawk-like birds that Otherworld used as messengers were sent to tell Kome of his father's safe return and asking him to bring his mother home.
Aniki gave Bakura the four crystals that Jodah had and he put them into a deep pocket. Bakura had already noticed the Kouga did not have his crystals, which meant that these were his, but he wanted to make sure that they were safe before they were returned to him. InuYasha promised that he would take Kouga home as soon as Kaiba gave him the okay. While he was waiting, Kouga changed out of Sakio's clothes to more comfortable clothes, but he still didn't have his furs. Those would have to wait until he got home.
Kurama was talking to Aya about Sakio. They would certainly honor Hiei's promise not to hurt the man, but he had raped Kouga for months. Sakio sat quietly in a chair, trying his best to be invisible. Having a Demon as a pet was fun until he was thrown into a world where Demons ruled. For the first time in his life, he was not in control and he was terrified. It was only because of Aya that he was alive at all.
Kurama decided that Kouga should decide Sakio's fate, whether or not he should be allowed to return to the Human World. InuYasha had suggested giving him over to Shido as one of their feeders. Sakio wasn't sure what that meant, but he definitely didn't like the sound of it. Kouga came downstairs after changing and the question was put to him -- what to do with Sakio?
Aya protested that when he had asked for Sakio's safety, he had meant for Sakio to be returned to the Human World unharmed. Aya looked at Kurama -- wasn't he human? He certainly looked like one. But then so did Aniki and he was a Thunder Demon. Finally, Aya gave up; he had saved Sakio's life and perhaps he should be punished for what he did. Kugaro and Hido had paid with their lives.
Kouga wasn't sure what to do. At first he had wanted to kill the human, but now -- the one who had really caused all this was Jodah and he was dead. And Sakio didn't even think of him as a person, he had just been a pet to the human, an animal. So in Sakio's mind, he had done nothing wrong.
"Just let him go home," Kouga said, to the moans of InuYasha and the surprise of Kurama, "I just never want to see him again." Aya thanked the Wolf but Kouga shook his head. If it weren't for Aya, none of them would be free. They owed the man a huge debt.
Kaiba came downstairs with bad news. Tekki was not responsive at all, even to Kenru. He had been tortured throughout his captivity and his mind had completely shut down in an effort to protect itself. Tomorrow Kaiba would try again to reach him, this time with the Princess' help.
It was decided that Kouga should spent the night. Neither Kagome or Kome would be there tonight, so he might as well rest here in the Castle. First thing in the morning, InuYasha would take him home. Kurama would follow with Aya and Sakio later that morning. That would also give Bakura time to clear the crystals.
Kouga reluctantly agreed and Kaiba followed him to his room. Kouga didn't really want to be prodded anymore, but Kaiba was very gentle. The Wolf Demon had not been hurt physically. As soon as Kaiba left, Kouga ran a hot bath. He had missed being able to take a long relaxing bath, since Sakio's house only had showers. He found bubble bath just like Kagome's and put it in the tub, watching the soft bubbles form. Then he slipped into the tub, letting the hot water cover his body. He was home! Tears of relief began to run down his face and he stayed in the tub until the water grew cold, quietly sobbing.
After making sure that Hiei was asleep and safe, the Princess went to her youngest male. Aniki curled in her arms, realizing that he was very lucky. It had been so foolish of him to get captured -- instead of freeing the others, he became the third victim. When she asked, he told her what Jodah had done on the plane, but swore that nothing else had happened. Hiei had burst into the house just in the nick of time. Hido had tied him to the bed and was getting ready to take him. Aara held him, stroking his brow, and the boy soon fell asleep. He didn't need sex -- he needed comfort and that's what Aara gave him. Tomorrow she would deal with Bakura and Hiei.
Aya had asked for a room separate from Sakio. At this moment, he didn't want to have anything to do with him. Aya was appalled at the treatment that Tekki had received. But what worried him most was that Sakio seemed to think that he was not guilty of anything. Kouga was just a plaything and since he had not harmed the Wolf physically, he saw nothing wrong in what he had done. Aya doubted that even meeting his family would change Sakio's attitude.
Kurama also spoke to the maid that had arrived with them. She hated what she saw, but was afraid for her life. The only thing she could do was care for the captives as much as she could. She told Kaiba about Kugaro and his visits every third day, always tearing Tekki apart. Kurama offered her a chance to live her in Otherworld and she jumped at the chance. She had no family back in the Human World. She asked if she could work in the Castle and Kurama offered her a little home instead, but she shook her head. She liked caring for people. Kurama nodded and gave her into the care of the head housekeeper.
As soon as dawn broke, InuYasha and Kouga set out for the Village. They would arrive by noontime. Several hours later, Kurama, along with several guards and a wagon made the same trip, this time with Aya and Sakio. Bakura had cleared the crystals and Kurama took them to return to Kouga.
As soon as he got the message, Kome had rushed through the portal to his grandmother's home to tell them the good news. Kagome immediately returned with her son, promising her mother that she would visit soon and thanking her for all she had done. By the time Kouga and InuYasha arrived, Kagome had the house filled with flowers and had his favorite meal, a fresh raw liver, waiting for him. Kagome ran to her mate, covering his face in tiny kisses, and holding him tightly. Kome hugged his father as soon as Kagome released her mate.
InuYasha went to see Hiten and told him and Serafin that Aniki was home safe. Also, that Aniki had destroyed the entire island without the added power of Banyruu or crystal shards. He was sure that Kurama would now give the boy the crystal shards he wore in his incarnation as Bankotsu. He had been saving them until Aniki was old enough.
The entire Village turned out to welcome Kouga home. The wolves, the four-legged kind, were sticking very close to their leader, and everyone was tripping over them. They had been lost without him; Kouga had never been gone for more than a couple of days before. Ginta and Hakkaku were also sticking very close.
That night, as Kouga got ready for bed, he undressed while Kagome was turning out the lamps and straightened up the living area and kitchen. He stood there naked and felt terribly vulnerable. He got out a sleeping shirt that his mother-in-law had given him long ago, but he had never worn. After putting it on, he slipped into his bed. Kagome joined him shortly, wearing a thin nightgown. She moved to her mate, surprised when she felt the nightshirt. Kouga never wore anything to bed! He loved sleeping, as he put it, "free." He moved further away, right to the edge of the bed, unable to even touch her. His mind was a jumble of confused thoughts. For months he had wondered about the feelings that Sakio aroused and how Kagome felt when he made love to her, and now he couldn't get past the questions. He was afraid to touch her and afraid to be touched. Kagome quietly said goodnight to him and lightly kissed his cheek, then moved to her side of the bed, silent tears running down her face. They fell asleep for the first time in 33 years without being wrapped in each other's arms.
The next morning, Kurama arrived with Sakio and Aya. Aya loved the quaint little Village but Sakio hated it. There were no conveniences, no electricity, no phones. Nothing! Sakio still did not see that he did anything wrong. He understood why they hated Kugaro -- he had tortured his pet, Tekki, but Sakio had always treated Kouga gently and had never hurt him once. Shortly after their arrival in the village, both Aya and Sakio were taken to the portal and sent back to the Human World. Sakio was very glad to get back to civilization. After calling a taxi, he started making plans, but the young man shook his head. Aya didn't want to ever see Sakio again. He put Sakio in the cab and said a final goodbye, telling him never to call him again. Sakio would never understand the reason for Aya's decision.
Kurama gave Kouga his shards and, together with his son, Kome, the two Wolf Demons headed out on patrol. Kouga ran full out, feeling the wind on his face and the ground under his feet for the first time in months. Kome watched his father run for a few minutes, then joined in, the two Demons just enjoying the feeling of freedom.