Well...what can I say? I know that I should be working on my other fics, but once I had started playing Shall we date? Ninja Love I just couldn't get this story out of my head! Of course, staying true to my specialities, it's a crossover with Inuyasha, but instead of Kagome, I'm going to try my hand out at Sango...just kidding! Or am I? Anywho let's get on with the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own either Inuyasha or the game, Shall We Date: Ninja Love. They belong to their respectful owners.
Tale of the Princess
1581, Kawachinokuni
The sun beamed down through the window of the temple. Shining down on the sleeping figure resting upon the wooden floor. She snuggled deeper into her sleeping mat, throwing the blanket over her eyes in effort to block the light. Just as she was successful in thwarting the sun's plans to rouse her from her peaceful slumber, something whacked her on the head. Shooting up with lightning fast speed, the girl opened her mouth to shout at her assailant.
"Sango," she cried! "That hurt, you know?"
The other girl, known as Sango, grinned and picked up another pillow. Cocking her arm back, she threw the projectile at her sister. "Then get up! It's time to start our duties!" Her cinnamon colored eyes gleamed mischievously when she saw her sister huff and tossed the blanket off of her body. "Aren't you just a ray of sunshine, Kagome."
Kagome flipped Sango the finger as she rolled up her sleeping mat and put it away. Turning back around, she gave the taller girl a pointed glare. "Okay? I'm up. What duties do we have to do?"
Sango pushed a wicker broom into Kagome's hands. "Grandfather said to sweep the temple."
"The entire temple!" Kagome bemoaned. "That's going to take all day!" She shoved the broom back into Sango's hands. "You can sweep. I'm going to feed the cats." Ignoring her sister's angry retort, Kagome went to the kitchen and began making fish cakes for her pet cats. She'd raised them from newborns when the mother cat died when giving birth. Sprinkling just a small amount of spices on the patties. Kagome took them off the fire and placed them in a burlap bag.
Walking outside, the dark-haired girl covered her eyes to fend off the brightness of the sun. "Ahh, such a bright day!" she smiled warmly at the villagers who spoke to her and she raised her bag to show the freshly made treats inside. Walking past the two women, Kagome bumped into a tall stranger. Looking up at the man, the first thing she noticed was the two swords strapped to his hip. Samurai? The next thing that caught her eye was his dark green hair and sharp grey eyes.
A blush tinted her cheeks red when he suddenly reached out for her and took hold of her hand. She relaxed when she realized that he was just helping her back to her feet.
"Are you okay?" His deep timbering voice rumbled through her ears.
Kagome struggled to find her voice as she tried to take her eyes off his bared chest. Finally, she managed to do both and looked him in his eyes and said, "Yes. I'm fine. Thank you." She dusted off her kimono.
He looked down at the bag in her small hands and caught the delicious aroma of the fish cakes inside. Catching the girl's eyes once more, he pointed down at the sack. "Can I have some of that?"
The dark-haired girl blinked in confusion before gazing at where his finger was pointed. He wants a fish cake? Opening the bag and pulling out two pieces, she held them out to him. "Sure. I just made them. So, they're a little hot."
The man took the cakes out her of hand, his long fingertips brushing lightly over her palm. He raised them to his lips and slid them in his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully before a large smile spread over his lips. "Thanks. You're a very good cook."
Kagome returned his smile with one of her own. "Everyone in the village thinks that too." She blushed lightly as she stared into his grey eyes.
"I see why. You have a talented gift." He cracked another smile as he bent at the waist. "I almost forgot to introduce myself. I'm Musashi Miyamoto."
"Musashi?" Kagome repeated, liking the way his name rolled off her tongue. She bowed and introduced herself. "My name is Kagome. What are you doing in this country village?"
Musashi's smile faded just a bit as he ran his hand through his bangs, growling when his fingers pulled at the tight braid that held up his ponytail. "I promised to meet someone around here."
The dark-haired girl tilted her head to the side. "Oh yeah?"
He nodded and placed his hand on his hip and gave her another one of his charming smiles. "Yeah. Actually it's time now." He gave her a little salute as he turned to walk away. "See you and thanks for the snack!"
Kagome sighed as she watched Musashi walk away. Pressing the burlap sack to her chest, she giggled giddily. He was very handsome. Very handsome indeed. With a skip in her step, Kagome made her way over to the old temple where her kitties were waiting on her. But she was stopped when a monk stepped in front of her.
"Where did you go?" He asked with a quirk of the brow.
"I went to make some snacks for the cats." she answered, trying to move around him, but he was not budging.
The monk gave her a disapproving look. "And you left Sango to do all the sweeping?" he shook his head and grabbed her by the arm. "You can't keep on neglecting your duties. Just because you are one of the chief priest's granddaughter." Taking the bag from her hands, he plucked out a fish cake and quickly ate it. "I will feed the cats for you. Or have you forgotten that there are bandits recently seen."
Kagome bowed her head, her bangs hiding her eyes. "Yes, I remember. Bandits that Nobunaga Oda sent to hunt down ninjas."
The monk nodded as he guided her back to the temple where Sango was seen sweeping the dust off of the floor and out the door. "He is well-known for hating ninja. He even used Koga to invade Iga, but now plans to destroy Koga as well."
Sango, who was now within hearing distance, stopped sweeping and smirked. "Is the great Nobunaga really that scared the ninja?" She placed her hands on her hips. "I mean it's not like they can overthrow him."
The monk shot the taller girl an annoyed look. "Yeah, in fact, he is. He knows of their true power and fears they will get in his way."
Kagome took that opportunity to snatch her bag back from the monk's hands and ran up the steps to stand beside Sango. "It's not like Nobunaga is going to take over this country for sure."
"That's true." the monk agreed, not realizing that the dark-haired girl had taken the sack out of his hand. "There are still other possible players. Like the really strong samurai serving under Tokugawa."
That drew the girls attention even further. A really strong samurai? How cool! "What's his name?" they asked simultaneously.
"Munenori Yagyu, the head of the Yagyu clan." The monk said after a moment of suspense, getting the girls even more riled up. "Not only is he an amazing swordsman, but I hear that he is quite clever too."
Kagome smacked her left palm in her right palm before gasping and quickly his her hands behind her back once more. "I know of Lord Munenori! I heard them from Grandpa." she turned to her best sister. "Remember, Sango."
Sango nodded her head. She remembered their grandfather telling them stories of the Yagyu head being extremely strong with a sword. He was calm, calculated, and sometime cruel. She sighed. "Yeah, but I also heard that he is forced to do cruel things."
The smaller girl hummed in agreement. "But that really has nothing to do with our little temple."
The monk narrowed his eyes. "You can never be too careful, Kagome. Sango."
"Yes, yes." Kagome waved the monk off as she grabbed her sister's hand. "Hey, let's go feed the cats!"
When Kagome said those words the monk finally noticed that the burlap sack was no longer in his possession. By the time he had looked up to demand it back, the two girls were already gone, heading towards the main hall of the temple. "Wait! Kagome! Sango! The priest said to stay away from the temple!" he sighed as he realized that the girls were no longer within hearing distance. "They can't hear me anyway."
Sango and Kagome laughed cheerfully as they finally managed to get rid of the old monk. While they enjoyed their simple life in the country, the monks could be a bit overbearing with all the chores they assigned to the girls. Walking down the hall and turning the corner to the place where the cats were, the girls were greeted by an unusual sight.
A man with chin-length raven hair that had a small braided charm hanging on the right side of his head and piercing green eyes was scratching one of the cat's on the stomach. While they could not see his mouth because of the thin black mask that covered the lower half of his face, his eyes were shining with content and happiness. Suddenly he snapped his head up with an angry look.
"Who's there?" he said in a low voice, pressing the kitty closer to his chest in a protective manner.
Sango narrowed her eyes. What is he so uptight about? "That's our question. We're the granddaughters of the chief priest here. What are you doing with Kirara?" she placed her hands on her hips and challenged him with her eyes.
The man rose to his feet and set the cat down. "So you're the girls?" He walked over to Sango and Kagome, sizing them up before taking hold of their chins. He was so close to their faces that they could feel his warm breath fanning out over them. Just as they were about to blush at his sudden closeness, he chuckled. "Even from every angle, you just look like boring, ordinary girls. Except for the eyes." He added, looking into Kagome's stormy blue orbs.
"Hey, Saizo?!" Another voice called out from behind them. A tall young man with long, flowing orange hair and bright emerald-colored eyes walked into the temple and stood beside Saizo. He threw his arm over the shorter male's shoulders and laughed merrily.
Saizo gave the newcomer and annoyed look as he released his hold on the girls' chins. He reached around and threw the arm that was around his shoulders off of him. "Sasuke. You know I am older than you. Watch how you talk to me!" he finished with a smirk.
It was Sasuke's turn to look annoyed as he threw Saizo a dirty look. "Shut up!" he growled realistically. "Not like it matters!" His entire demeanor changed as he looked down at the two girls standing before them. "Who are they?"
"They say that they are 'those girls'." Saizo said nonchalantly.
Sasuke's smile widened as his eyes lit up with joy. "Really?" even his voice rose with excitement. "They are Sango and Kagome?" He looked them over, his eyes lingering on Sango's face, before his smile widened to a full on grin. Sasuke moved over to the brunette and pulled her against his chest, hugging her tightly. "Sango is such a cutie!"
Sango blushed deeply as this stranger embraced her. She's never been hugged like this by a man and it took her off guard. She blinked then Sasuke's weight and warmth was suddenly thrown back. Looking up, she saw that Saizo had pulled the tall boy away from her and was giving him a scolding.
That gave me a shock! Sango thought as she placed her hand over her racing heart. I wonder if he is younger than even me? He's so tall!
Kagome stood in front of her sister just incase that Sasuke person tried to grab Sango into another forced hug. "Who are you and what do you want with this village?"
Saizo stopped yelling at Sasuke and gave the shorter girl a long stare. He smiled secretly when he saw that she merely returned to look with a glare of her own. Quirking a thin brow, he tilted his head to the side, "Are you stupid or something?"
"Stupid!" Kagome fumed. Oh, how she wanted to slap that smirk off his handsome face. Did I just call this jerk handsome?!
"You can't tell by our clothing who we are?" Saizo said while gesturing to his and Sasuke's outfits.
The girls finally took a good look at what the two men were wearing. Saizo wore an indigo-colored kimono that had his shoulders exposed and was trimmed in a dark purple trimming that had a sakura pattern. His obi was a cream color and had a chain sickle tucked into it. Sasuke wore a dark green kimono that was trimmed in orange and had the sleeves ripped off to show off his muscular arms. A black mesh shirt was easily seen through the opening of his kimono. Three small hoop earrings pierced his left ear. He wore a bright yellow scarf around his neck to complete his look.
They're ninjas! The girls thought together.
Sasuke snuck by Kagome and gave Sango another tight squeeze before rushing off. "See ya later, Sango!"
Sango blushed when the tall boy embraced her before leaving and almost waved him goodbye. She stopped herself before she could complete the action. What the hell am I thinking? I don't even know the guy!
"Uhm, excuse me?"
The girls jumped and swiveled around on their feet to face a man with flowing blond hair that was tied into a messy side ponytail and kind blue eyes. He looked to be much older than the girls, probably in his late twenties, but he was still good-looking nonetheless. Scratching the back of their heads nervously, they answered, "Yes?"
The blond bowed his head. "Sorry for surprising you. Are you one of the villager?"
The girls nodded. "Yes, we are. But who are you?"
"I am Rennoshin, a doctor who visits here sometimes." He bent at the waist as his blue eyes shone with concern. "I was on my way out but then I saw you, two, standing here by yourselves. I was a bit worried so I wanted to check."
Kagome blushed at the softness of his voice and when the doctor pressed his hand against her forehead gently. "I-I'm fine. I'm healthy as a horse!" she said, scrambling away from Rennoshin's touch.
Rennoshin smiled gently as he withdrew his hand. "That is good to hear. Health is the most important." He patted Kagome on the head softly as he ruffled her long raven hair slightly. "Well at any rate I am glad to hear you are fine." he glanced over at Sango. "You are well, miss?"
Sango nodded and thumped her fist against her chest. "Strong as an ox!" she boasted.
"Sorry for worrying you, Dr. Rennoshin." Kagome bowed.
Rennoshin waved his hand back and forth before adjusting his glasses. "I'm not worried about that. Don't worry." He gave her a kind smile before turning around. "Well, I will be on my way then."
Kagome waved goodbye to the doctor before flashing Sango a brilliant smile. "We sure are meeting lots of new faces today, aren't we?" Though she had a sinking feeling that she would not be seeing that kind man again anytime soon.
Sango nodded in agreement. "And two of them were ninja. Did something happen near the village?"
The shorter girl shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe we should ask grandpa?"
The older girl nodded once more and took hold of her sister's hand. Together they walked back to the main hall of the temple. As they prepared to enter the room to where their grandfather was, hushed voices were easily heard behind the rice paper door. One of the voices were guttural and scratchy to the ears and the other was the raspy tone of the chief priest.
"I'm sure you know, but Nobunaga plans to wipe out all of the ninja." the man stressed on the word "all."
"Of course I understand the situation, Lord Hattori." their grandfather replied, exasperatedly. "There is no future for the ninja if we don't stop Nobunaga."
Kagome looked over at her sister with wide eyes. Lord Hattori was here? Why did her grandfather not tell her. He of all people should know what a huge fan of his she was. She admired him greatly for his strengths. And from what she's heard from the village women, he's astonishingly handsome.
The scratchy voice spoke up again. "I have talked with Lord Mochizuki from Koga. We are going to unite and fight." the voice turned urgent. "And for that we need Sango and Kagome!"
Sango blinked in confusion. Why did they need them? They were merely temple girls who had no type of importance to this cause. Wanting to know some answers, she threw open the door with a fierce look in her cinnamon colored eyes and a frown on her lips. "What the hell do you need me and Kagome for?" she demanded.
Their grandfather stood to his feet, his black robes rustling with the quick movement. "Sango! Kagome! What are you doing here? I told no one to come near the temple hall."
Kagome stood beside Sango, her face mirroring her sisters, her frown deepening when she saw that it was not the Lord Hattori she was thinking of. "Grandpa, what are you talking about? Why do the Elders of Iga and Koga need us?"
The Iga elder rose to his feet with an astound look on his face. "These girls are our future. The heirs to the Kusunoki style?"
"Answer the question, dammit!" Sango cursed.
The chief priest sighed as he moved over to the sisters. Grabbing their hands softly in his, he looked them in the eyes. "Sango. Kagome. I should have told sooner, but you two are the daughters of Masashige Kusunoki."
The girls could not believe what their grandfather was telling them. That they were the daughters of the infamous King of the Ninja. The man who created the Kusunoki style - a vicious form of martial arts that could leave a person paralyzed and near death. "What? We're just the priest's granddaughters. Our parents died."
"We aren't actually related by blood. I adopted you when you were every young." the priest said sadly. "I raised you here to keep you safe from Nobunaga."
The Iga elder stood to his feet, his eyes hard and voice stern. "You are actually the princesses of the Kusunoki. The origin of ninjas." He turned to the door and barked out, "Hanzo!"
Kagome's heart sped up tremendously when the door slid open and the tall, handsome figure of Hanzo Hattori slid inside the room. His chin-length dark blue hair fluttered around his cheeks as his lips pulled up in a sincere smile. Kagome felt faint when his beautiful black eyes landed on her.
Hanzo walked over to the girls and bowed before them. "Pleasure to meet you, Princesses." His lips dipped down in a slight frown as he looked deep into Kagome's eyes then into Sango's. "I know you are probably surprised by these sudden events, but please rest assured, we will protect you with all our power."
Sango blurted out, "We? Who is we?"
"Hmm..." a voice hummed close to the brunette, making her jump and cling to Kagome. "So they are the princesses?" The newcomer eyed them up and down with a faint smile on his lips. "They really don't look the part." He saw the fire that burned in their eyes and smirked. "But they do have nice eyes."
"Goemon!" Hanzo scolded. "Watch your mouth in front of the Princesses!"
Kagome glanced over at Goemon, taking note of his appearance. He had long, shoulder-length auburn hair with bands that fell carelessly into his molten amber eyes. On his right arm was an intricate tattoo of red tribal markings. His left arm was protected by a burgundy arm guard. His black shirt molded against his chest, the muscles clearly seen underneath. A dark orange kimono was draped around his hips in an intimate fashion. And to finish off his look, two small hooped earring pierced both ears. So he is Goemon Ishikawa from Iga?
Goemon gave Hanzo a cheeky grin. "You're just as stiff as usual, Hanzo." He looked down at the girls with a sly smile. "I mean we will be living together."
"Living together!?" The girls exclaimed, bright blushes tinted their cheeks red.
The chief was the one who rescued his adopted granddaughters as he cleared his throat loudly. "In order to oppose Nobunaga, the Iga, Koga, and Fuma clans are joining together. You two are the symbol of that unity, as the Princess heirs to the Ninja origin." He waved Goemon away from the girls. "And five ninjas have been chosen from the villages. We are coming up with a plan to oppose Nobunaga."
Hanzo stepped a little closer to the girls, his eyes kind. "For that purpose we are all assembling in Iga."
"You are to go to Iga for training." their grandfather said somberly.
"Training?" They said in unison while pointing a finger at one another.
Goemon managed to sneak back over to where the girls were and threw an arm over their shoulders and pulled them close to his body. "If you are to be a symbol of unity, you need some knowledge of ninja. Don't worry, I will gave good care of you." His fingers trailed down the length of their arms in a soft caress as he leaned in to whisper in their ears, "And in exchange, you can let me have some fun too."
Sango rammed her elbow into his stomach while Kagome stomped on his foot. We can't relax with pervs like him around!
The Iga leader dropped to his knees. "Please help us, Sango and Kagome!" He bowed his head in impleadment. "We need you two to hold this alliance together. You're the only hope we have!"
Kagome felt uncomfortable with the elderly man on his knees before her and her sister. She also knew that Sango did not like it when others grovelled in front of her. It was a sign of weakness in Sango's eyes. "Please raise your head and stand up."
Just then the door slung back open and two figures walked inside. Sango tensed her body as she was very suddenly pulled into a tight embrace by Sasuke. She struggled for a moment and sighed when she realized that he was much too strong for her to even think about breaking his hold on her.
"Sango! I missed your face already!" Sasuke said eagerly as he squeezed her tighter before releasing her altogether.
The priest smiled faintly at the small blush that tinted his older granddaughter's cheeks. "I see you've already met. These two are Saizo Kirigakure and Sasuke Sarutobi from Koga." He watched with curious eyes when he saw Saizo stand next to Kagome and give her a long stare.
The girls shifted away from the two Koga ninja before their eyes settled on the third man who walked in with them. He was the shorter of the three. His snow colored hair glistened in the sunlight and his blood-red eyes shined with a dullness that matched his quiet demeanor. He wore an all black kimono with the neck open just enough to show the black mesh shirt underneath. A burgundy scarf was wrapped around his neck and his mouth as well as his nose was covered by a thin black mask.
"Uhm...Who is this man, Grandfather?" Sango questioned, gazing over at the handsome young man.
"He is Kotaro Fuma from the Fuma clan."
Kotaro said nothing as he nodded his head in greeting. His cold, quiet demeanor made him seem a little scary. But the girls were not ones to judge a person by their outer appearance. Maybe underneath that was a kind and gentle man.
"Kagome. Sango." he waited for the girls to look up at him before continuing, "I raised you as ordinary girls. But now is the time for you to step into the world. You are the heirs." He took a deep breath as he was about to confess the secret he's been hiding for several years. "Your parents did not die of illness. They were killed by Nobunaga's men."
The sisters stood there in shock at the words that just came from the old man's mouth. Nobunaga killed their parents? How? Why could anyone be as cruel to rip apart a family. Nobunaga had to be stopped and stopped immediately! They walked out the temple and into the garden, pacing back and forth. That villain must be stopped before he has a chance to destroy anymore families.
"Princesses?" Hanzo's voice snapped the girls out of their anger induced thoughts.
"Lord Hanzo?"
Hanzo walked over to where the girls were slowly; he saw the pain and anger that burned in their eyes. "I know that you are probably confused after hearing this so suddenly." He gave them a soft, sad smile. "Even finding out that your parents were murdered."
Kagome looked directly into Hanzo's eyes, fighting off the blush that threatened to blossom over her face. "We are more angry that confused, Lord Hanzo." she said carefully, anger barely concealed in her voice. "Many more people are dying in wars as we speak. And all because of Nobunaga Oda."
"Heh," he mused, "I see now that you really are their heirs." Hanzo walked over to the girls and wrapped his arms around their shoulders gently, pulling them closer. "I'm sorry for putting you through this." He released them and looked into their eyes and a small smile tilted his lips upward. "You have your parents' eyes."
Goemon walked into the garden and grinned cheekily when he watched the older ninja step away from the princesses with shy intentions. Placing his hands on his hips, he said, "Hanzo, you sure don't understand women very much."
Hanzo frowned almost instantly and turned his nose up at the redhead. "Goemon!" he shouted viciously. "I said watch your mouth around the Princesses!"
"So..." Goemon said, ignoring his elder completely as he walked over to where Sango and Kagome were standing. "Who are you going to choose?"
The girls blinked curiously and tilted their heads in confusion. "Huh? Choose what?"
"I am the youngest and most powerful!" He boasted, puffing out his chest to make the tight black shirt stretch across his muscles.
Hanzo placed his hand on his forehead and shook his head slowly. "Sorry, but some of us do have to grow up." He glared at the redheaded ninja.
Goemon simply flashed Hanzo a sly grin as he moved to wrap his arms around the princesses' waists tightly. Leaning down, his whispered their names seductively. Warm breath ghosted over their ears, making them turn bright red with embarrassment. "Just letting you know, but I am the best with woman. Why don't you both become mine." His hand slipped lower on their hips, squeezing the flesh there gently.
"Why you..." they said venomously and prepared to slap the ninja away from them.
"What?" he said teasingly. "Not your type?"
Hanzo's eyes flashed angrily as he began to reach into his kunai pouch strapped to his right thigh. "Goemon! If you don't cut that out..."
"Hey you!" Sasuke's voice called from a distance. "Get away from Sango!" He threw something with his right hand and a ninja star came whizzing by Goemon's face, nearly slicing his cheek.
Goemon jumped away from the ninja princesses to avoid being cut by another deadly ninja star that Sasuke had thrown. Growling low in his throat, he glared at the taller boy. "What the hell? Do you want to take me on?"
Sasuke stood in front of Sango as if to protect her from the redhead's gaze. Looking down at Goemon, he took on an offensive stance. "Yeah! I will make you pay!"
Hanzo butted into the argument between the two ninja and grabbed the Iga ninja back by his shoulder. "Goemon!"
Saizo appeared next to Sasuke and whacked him on the back of the head before pulling him back. "You idiot!" He turned to Hanzo and bowed slightly. "Apologies, Lord Hanzo. This is kid always lets things go to his head."
"Don't treat me like a kid." Sasuke snapped, an irate look on his face. His green eyes shifted over to Sango for a brief second before he boasted, "I am a master of Ninja techniques!"
Goemon scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest as he continued to glare at the younger Koga ninja. "Yeah, I heard of the name Sasuke Sarutobi. I hear that he is as agile as a monkey." he smirked as he continued with a devious look in her amber eyes. "But that his brain is the same size too!"
Sasuke reached into his kunai pouch and withdrew one of the knives. "What did you say?"! he growled through gritted teeth. "Acting all big just because you are famous." Lifting the kunai up be prepared to throw it, but the blade was snatched from his fingers by Saizo.
"Yup," Goemon smirked smugly as he crossed his arms over his chest, "I am famous for being good with the women and my combat skills. Got a problem?!"
Saizo sighed irritably. Both young ninja were acting like children arguing about who had the better toy and it was getting quite ridiculous. In his opinion, neither of them were in the right mindset to be ninja. "Alright." he said, his voice rising above the arguing duo. "Let's just hurry up and decide this." He reached out and grabbed Kagome by the arm and drew her close. "So, who do you choose out of us?"
Kagome snatched her arm out of his grip with a faint blush tinting her cheeks. "What are you talking about?"
Goemon arched a fine brow as he tilted his head to the side. "Wait. You didn't hear from the elder, little girl?"
The younger sister stuck her tongue out at the redhead childishly and refused to answer his question. If he could not call her by name then she had no reason to talk to a selfish self-centered man like him. Crossing her arms over her chest, she glared at him defiantly.
Hanzo chuckled at the young princess's antic before scolding the other ninjas. "I am telling all of you to watch your mouth. They are our Princesses."
Kotaro silently walked towards the garden, bowing his head at Sango and Kagome respectfully as he took his place in between them. He folded his arms across his chest and watched the other carefully.
Sasuke walked over to where Kotaro was and wedged his way next to Sango and threw his arm around her shoulder before grinning down at her. "Hey Fuma guy! Say something at least!" he flashed the Fuma ninja a quick grin.
"It's a waste of breath." Kotaro spoke for the first time, his voice low and timbering that sent chills down the Ninja Princesses' spines. "I am already prepared to die for the Princesses."
That shocked the girls. Kotaro was willing to die protecting them? How he that adamant about his mission? Sure, every human being deserves a chance at survival, but they did not want anyone to die for them.
Hanzo shook his head and moved to stand in front of Kotaro with a stern look in his ebony eyes. "That is fine and all Kotaro, but do so carelessly." He placed his hand on the other man's shoulder. "We didn't come here to die. We came here to survive." Hanzo removed his hand and looked directly at Kagome and Sango. "Princesses, we are going to head to Iga. But all eight of us is too conspicuous. So, we will take separate ways to distract the enemy. We want each of you to head to Iga with one of us."
Sango stepped in front of Kagome with a fierce look in her eyes. "You want Kagome and I to separate and go with one of them?" she shifted her eyes to Sasuke who had an eager look in his eyes. She felt wary of him with his many advances to always hug her when he felt the need to, but he was very handsome and adorable when he wanted to be.
"That person will assure your safe passage to Iga." the elder ninja said as he held his hands up in a defensive manner. "I know that it will be hard for you to separate from your sister, Princess Sango, but it is for the best."
Goemon moved to wrap his arm around the older sister's waist but was swatted away. With a smirk, he closed in on Kagome and drew her close to his body. "We will protect you from Nobunaga." He jumped back when he noticed Saizo throwing him dirty looks with barely hidden anger.
Sasuke wrapped his arms back around Sango in a tight hug, grinning broadly as he announced in a cheerful voice, "Also remember that we have to stay together always! Even in the bath!"
Sango shoved the orange-haired ninja off of her with strength she did not realize she had. "That's going too far, pervert!" she yelled and moved to grab Kagome's hand and glared at anyone who tried to get close to them.
Saizo sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Don't worry your petty little head. We aren't doing it because we want to see you naked."
The younger Koga ninja took Sango's hand in his gently and gave her his best puppy-dog eyes, making the emerald-colored orbs sparkle innocently. "Come on, Sango, pick me. I will do my best."
Goemon pulled Kagome to him once more and grabbed Sango's other hand. "If you pick me, it is guaranteed to be fun." He gave them both a flirty wink.
Kotaro remained silent, but he did take the Ninja Princesses away from the other ninja and escorted them over to Hanzo. He walked back over to where his scowling comrades were and said nothing and crossed his arms over his chest in a look of dull defiance.
Hanzo placed his hands on each of the sisters' shoulders and gave them a kind smile. "Princesses, they are all talented ninjas. Which do you want to pick?"
Sango looked at her sister with worried eyes. She had no desire to separated from Kagome, but if it was for their safety then they must. But who should she pick. Saizo? Kotaro? Goemon? Sasuke? Well, she knew for a fact that she did not want to around a pervert like Goemon and Saizo seemed to be more interested in Kagome. So that left Kotaro and Sasuke. Thinking back, she really did not want the Fuma ninja to risk his life to protect her.
"I'll travel with Sasuke." she said finally.
Kagome thought over her choices. Sasuke was out from the beginning. He was too engrossed with her sister. Saizo seemed easy to talk to, but Kagome knew that they would but heads way to often to ever get along properly. Goemon was a definite no. She'd probably break his arm f he tried to wrap it around her waist again. Kotaro would most likely end up getting tired of her constant talking since he was more of a quiet type. Maybe Musashi is still around. He seemed to be really strong. He helped me up with just one hand. If he is meeting someone around here, then maybe we'll meet again. Kagome thought about the two swords he had strapped to his hip. Plus since he's not a ninja it might be safer and less conspicuous.
"Hey, Lord Hanzo, I think I'd like to travel with you. If that it okay." Kagome said.
Pairings have been decided! I am going to use both Sango and Kagome in this story. Now I know that each SWD character has their own story, so I'm splitting this fic into two parts. I'll explain it later on with how my ideas will come together, so enjoy!
~Kirei Ai Tenshi
