Clash of the swords
Disclaimer: Sigh I never owned Inuyasha or anyone else from Inuyasha before, so what makes you think I'll own him now? Can I stop putting this?
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"Sesshoumaru-sama!" The toad squeaked in exasperation. "Where are we going now!" His round yellow eyes looked his 'master' up and down, his toes gripped to the soil that fell beneath his feet. He paused, the staff in his right hang remaining stationary.
The demon lord did not turn to his servant, nor did he stop in his tracks. He continued his way along the path, not a word slipping through his mouth.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken hurriedly wobbled after his master, puffing to catch the oxygen he'd failed to inhale.
"Jaken-sama," Rin said, walking along side the toad. She merely had to take a step to be in time with his continuous running. Her hand was gripping the reins of her companion, Ah-un. The beast roared now and then, shaking it's main. "You should try not to anger Sesshoumaru-sama."
"I should try not anger Sesshoumaru-sama? You-" And with the remark, Sesshoumaru turned and kicked his little companion straight in the face. It was a wonder that the little toad had even decided to stay amongst Sesshoumaru & company.
"We're going to find Inuyasha," the demon breathed coldly, "Unless he decides to find us first, catching whiff of my scent." Rin eyed her master, taking small steps behind him.
"Why do you and Inuyasha fight so much?" Her voice trailed into the air.
"Why you stupid girl! You-" Jaken's face met with a foot once more, his nose pushing into his jaw. "Why take it out on me?" Muffled words came from Sesshoumaru's servant. The demon lord gave a small sound of approval.
"Why not." He continued onward, Rin at his heels. A stream of tears were released from Jaken's heartbroken eyes, expecting at least Rin to give him sympathy, but she did not. She carried on with Sesshoumaru, singing a song happily, her words shrilling to his bones.
"You little brat, you-"
"Jaken!" The demon called back. "My hearing is that of a superior being. Do not be mistaken at what I can and cannot hear." His eyes narrowed.
"Yes, m'lord!" The toad gasped, rushing to catch up.
"Are we seeing Kagome-chan anytime soon?" Rin asked the dog youkai. A faint frown spread across Sesshoumaru's face.
"Yes, indeed, we are going exactly to see her..." his ears perked up. "Very soon."
"Yata!" Rin exclaimed, her palms slapping together in one motion. She smiled up at her master, as if to thank him for this opportunity. But he did not return her smile, nor her glance. His eyes were set upon his trail before him, if anything else.
"SESSHOUMARU-SAMA!" The nagging voice called after. "Please wait!" Though, he knew his request would not be heard.
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"Kagome-sama," an appreciative voice filled the air. "This food is really quite delicious." The monk studied the box of assorted sushi, and licked his lips, giving out an 'Itadakimasu!' before digging his chop sticks into the delicacies layed before his eyes. Kagome blushed, her face turning a scarlet colour.
"It's really nothing." She said modestly.
"Ah, Kagome-chan!" Her friend exclaimed. "Give yourself some credit sometimes! Why don't you try it?
"Oh, I shouldn't. I didn't really make enough, and I don't want Inuyasha to go without." She shrugged her shoulders, looking at the hanyou. Miroku's stare fell on Sango's, their eyes drooping. They turned their glares to Kagome, who was expecting an answer from Inuyasha.
Miroku and Sango knew very well that Inuyasha would not be enthralled by Kagome's cooking, and would hurt her feelings by searching for his favourite food, Ramen.
"You know what Kagome?" Miroku shot his opinion in quickly, before Inuyasha could respond. "I think you should have it. Inuyasha's a strong boy that can go without food for a few days, but you cannot, so it would be wise-"
"Keh! Who said I wasn't hungry?" The hanyou snapped, taking to box of sushi from the blanket they'd spread across the ground. Sango's eyes were fixed on her stubborn hanyou friend, her thoughts diverted from her hunger. Miroku merely sighed, his eyes closing in frustration. His mouth hung open, ready to greet the food gripped by the chop sticks with his tongue, but it never made it that far, for his ears were listening intently for Inuyasha's stupidity, which Miroku, he hated to admit, much enjoyed watching.
Inuyasha simply munched on the sushi, no words escaping from his mouth.
"Do you like it Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, a sweet smile spread across her face.
'Oh boy, he's gonna let it slip!' Sango cried, in her mind.
'Hahaha... that hanyou's in for it now. Poor Kagome, though... ah well, it's worth it!' The monk grinned.
"Yeah, it fills the small void of hunger." He replied, his thoughts obviously concentrated on what he was eating.
'He didn't...'
'He is actually eating it...'
"Wow, Inuyasha! You usually complain about there being no Ramen!" Shippou smiled happily at the hanyou's choice, though Miroku and Sango's eyes quickly fell on the kitsune, giving a dangerous look. "Huh..?"
Before the fox knew it, he'd received three punches in the head. One from Miroku, one from Sango, and another from Miroku, just because the monk plainly didn't like the fox.
"W-what was that for!" Shippou wailed. He threw his hands into his hair, feeling for bumps, which were of course, very noticeable. He ran his hands over his head, hoping to ease the pain, but the pain did not subside.
"Hmph." Inuyasha grunted between he chewing. "Shippou's a baka." Kagome glanced at Inuyasha, her eyes widening, but they soon fell into a content look, her lips smoothing themselves into a smile. "What?" He mumbled, swallowing a handful of sushi at once, taking notice to Kagome's sudden interest in him eating.
"It's nothing." She said, appreciating him not bringing up the Ramen, though she still did resent the fox's comment.
Inuyasha's hair thrusted itself into a strong pull of wind, very suddenly. The different strands overlaying themselves, the shine from the sun shifting spots very quickly, the shimmer immense.
"Inuyasha!" Sango groaned. "Put your hair away! It's blinding me!" His eyes studied her, but then he smirked, his expression overconfident.
"Deal with it, you weak human."
"Inuyasha..." Miroku began, but looked over his shoulder. Inuyasha's ears perked up, his eyes narrowing, as if to search for something amongst the rolling hills and trees.
"I can smell... something... familiar.." Shippou pointed out, trying to improve his skills as a demon, but he was useless anyway, and everyone knew.
"Sesshoumaru." Inuyasha and Miroku said at once.
"Houshi-sama?" Sango looked puzzled. "How did you know-" Miroku grunted, her eyes looked pained.
"Sesshoumaru's hart is driven by an evil desire... My only guess is that it is to get Inuyasha pissed off, so he'll hand over the Tessaiga... ( Proper Japanese Spelling) I can sense his dark heart, though it was never like this before..."
"You're saying something is wrong with Sesshoumaru?" Shippou questioned. The breeze grew harder again.
"Either his plan is purely evil, or something is manipulating him into something even he doesn't wish." Inuyasha laughed.
"No one can manipulate Sesshoumaru." The hanyou pushed his feet out before him, and pressed his hands on the ground. He hauled himself up, and walked before his friends, as if to protect him.
"Don't be so sure, Inuyasha." Kagome warned. Inuyasha listened intently to Kagome's words, but then frowned.
"You're speaking garbage." He ran his fingers over the sheath of the Tessaiga, it was smooth, unhurt by the violent blade of his father's sword. The handle was strong, but had an old feel to it at the same time. He gripped at the sword's handle, and brandished his blade, examining the fang for errors. His dearest possession could not have errors, for that would simply not do.
A lengthy figure emerged from beyond the forest. There were no faults to his step, as he feet nimbly hit the ground, at an easy pace. His hair, alike Inuyasha's, was hurling itself into a dance with the win, the shine easily noticeable for their range.
"Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha growled. The tall figure did not stop in his tracks, but continued to make his way towards the group's picnic. His "tail" blew violently with the wind, it swaying from side to side. Inuyasha's growls grew louder, his throat vibrating.
The demon's flawless pace stoppedm mere feet away from his half-brother. His eyed his brother, his eyes narrowing.
'What's wrong with him? His eyes look very pained...' Kagome observed the demon, noticing he seemed very lifeless, his movements limited.
"Inuyasha," his words were cold, paining even him. He surveyed his brother's group, his eyes pausing on the pathetic fox demon. If the youkai were not already lifeless seeming, he would have let a small grin slip, for this kitsune was in no league with the great Sesshoumaru.
"What is it?" The hanyou readied his stance, looking for the place to strike his brother. Sesshoumaru's eyes were set on Inuyasha, a meaning trying to slip past the barrier that restricted his words.
Unfortunately, Inuyasha simply growled at what he assumed to be Sesshoumaru provoking him.
'Something's wrong!' Kagome slipped beside Miroku, her heart pounding in worry.
"Miroku," the school girl whispered, "You can feel it too, right?" The monk nodded simply, a look of worry spread over his face.
"He's restraining himself. See how he's eyeing off with Inuyasha? He's fighting a war inside of himself, debating whether or not his decision may have proven to be the right one. Accepting an offer from another demon does not seem likely from one such as Sesshoumaru himself, but even Sesshoumaru is not as low as what he's thinking."
"What's he thinking?" Shippou butt in. Miroku shrugged, and examined Inuyasha's brother. The demon took a small glance down to waist, the Tenseiga beating against his leg. He raised his eyes at his brother, and smirked.
"Words are deceiving." The shot a direct look at Kagome, his stare beating down, right into her soul. With his final glare aside, he turned from whence he headed, and carried himself to where he'd left Rin, and his servant Jaken.
Kagome could feel her heart beat against her ribcage, her hand resting against her chest. Sango turned to look at her, her hair pushing past the wind and down her back.
"Kagome-chan!" She called in worry. The miko's eyes were widening, he mouth having trouble with words. Inuyasha's head snapped around in an instant, to look Kagome up and down.
"Kagome!" He ran up to her, resting his hands on her shoulders. She heaved a deep breath, and peered into his eyes.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" She struggled with her tongue, "Nothing happened to me, I'm really fine!" She gave a false smile to reassure her friends. Miroku eyed her, his staff jingling as the wind hit the little chains dangling from the top into the pole, the base of the staff.
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"Will you pipe down, you stupid girl!" Jaken commanded, irritated by Rin's cheerful singing. "Why Sesshoumaru-sama keeps you around, I'll never know."
"Jaken-sama..." Her hair fell dormant at her sides, after being harassed by the wind. "Do you really dislike Rin that much?" Jaken shifted his weight uncomfortably, beads of sweat dripping down his face. He eyed the girl, his eyes drooping.
"Of course." He folded his hands over his chest. "You're annoying, stupid, and-" Another foot, square if the face, if faces were square...
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin squeaked happily.
"Sesshoumaru-sama." Jaken groaned from under Sesshoumaru's foot. After being removed, the little toad peered up at his master.
"Bokusenou..." A spiteful look overtook their master's face. "He'll regret toying with me."
"What do you mean, m'lord?" Jaken questioned. He shielded his face, fearing an incoming stomp, but his face remained unharmed.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin called. Sesshoumaru looked at his companions, his eyes pained, which was clearly visible to Rin.
"That tree is testing me, that doesn't go over well with one such as myself." He quickened his pace, taking one last look at Rin.
'Sesshoumaru-sama, what's haunting you, I wonder?' Rin gave a heavy sigh, but followed after her master.
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"I'm telling you, I'm okay!" Kagome clarified. Her friends were circled around her, inspecting her for injuries. "Why did you look so..."
"Terror-stricken?"
"Maybe because... Sesshoumaru directed his words at Kagome, which is rare." Miroku added. He appeared to be the only one who understood the situation well enough. "It's obvious she's not hurt, isn't it?" Inuyasha growled in disagreement.
"That bastard Sesshoumaru! You said something was wrong with him!" Kagome shook her head, her black locks bouncing off her shoulder.
"It's not Sesshoumaru!" She shouted out in an instant. "When he warned me... his heart was back to normal... but he..."
"When the darkness from his heart disappeared, I assumed it was Kagome's purification manners that snapped him out."
"Maybe that's why he snapped out of it when he looked at Kagome," Sango added.
"That bastard wouldn't be 'snapped out' of anything, he wouldn't be entranced!" Inuyasha snapped. "You guys don't know him at all." There was a pause, everyone's eyes at Inuyasha.
'Inuyasha is right... Sesshoumaru snapped out of it on his own... He appeared to have regained his regular heart back after glancing at the Tenseiga.' Kagome searched through her thoughts, looking for reasons. This matter very much intrigued the miko.
"Is she okay?" Shippou blurted out, taking not of Kagome's focused face. They all glanced at her, their eyes fixed on hers.
"Kagome-chan?"
"Tenseiga..." Her mouth fell open, her eyes widening. Her eyes raised up to meet her friend's, her face flushed. "I'm sorry, did I just blank out?" She smiled weakly, her face burning from embarrassment.
"Keh." Relieved she was okay, Inuyasha fell back onto his side, regaining his boredom. "Nothing unusual with you, spacing out half the time."
"Did you say Tenseiga?" The little fox peered up and met her eyes, her face covered in worry. She bit her tongue, her face going redder.
'Did I say THAT out loud?'
"Tenseiga? Isn't that Inuyasha's brother's sword?" Sango asked briskly. Kagome nodded her head slowly, as she shifted her weight restlessly. She settled herself comfortably, and lost herself deep in thought, her eyes falling shut.
'His heart... it was clouded by a hate... a desire for bad... he hated...' her eyes snapped open. 'I should have remembered! When I first met with Sesshoumaru... my instincts... I could tell he was an evil person, ready to kill Inuyasha to know where their father's tomb was... He tried to kill Inuyasha in his fathers tomb... he threatened to kill me! His heart was corrupted... like it was just then... a hate for Inuyasha... for humans.
'When he met Rin... I noticed his heart gradually began to soften... as if Rin were purifying him... but no, that's no right, she doesn't have the ability. There is a bond there... He cares so much for Rin... decreasing his hate for humans, I suppose...
'So what made him snap all of a sudden? Like he was ready to kill-' Kagome's heart sunk. She's felt like she'd been hit with a wave of fear when Sesshoumaru had looked at her, like he was planning to kill her. 'But what would be his reasons for that?... Miroku said he was fighting himself inside, debating whether or not he wished to attack me, and he didn't... He told me, "Words are deceiving," and left... But what does THAT mean?'
"Kagome, okay, you've been opening and closing and widening your eyes and looking around shocked for the past six minutes, is there something you wish to tell us?" Sango asked.
"Tell you...?" Kagome said groggily, forgetting her friends were even there. "No, there isn't."
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So that's the end of Chapter one. What did you think? I kind of rushed through it, and it shows. Chapter two will make up for this one, I hope. I have a good idea of what's going to happen, but reviews and suggestions always help! Please review:D
Raven the Shikon-Hawk