Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Kagome trotted through the forest, sighing as she walked. The sky above her was a pristine blue; only a few clouds dotting the heavens. The birds above her flew in a "V" pattern, and she vaguely wondered if they were geese. Kagome scoffed. They had to be geese. Only geese flew like that. Kagome drummed her fist on her shoulders, sighing. Her claws dug into the smooth skin of her palm, drawing blood to the surface.
The wounds healed in less than three seconds. Kagome frowned, still uncomfortable with the speed of her recovery. Though she had to admit, it was much more convenient than stopping and bandaging her wounds. If she ever got into a fierce battle, she could just waltz away without stitching anything. Kagome ran her fingers through her hair, watching the tresses slip through her slender fingers.
Her dark hair had transformed into a pristine white, resembling that of Inuyasha. No, more like Sesshomaru's. Instead of the fluffy complex like Inuyasha's had been, hers was straight and silky. Just like the regal demon lord. She scanned the vicinity with her icy eyes, satisfied with the lack of movement. At least her eyes had stayed the same.
Her sapphire orbs hadn't endured much transformation, except how they were almost always narrowed. Her almond shaped eyes were pronounced more cat-like—higher intimidation factor, perhaps?
Kagome shuffled through the forest, keeping her right hand rested on the blade's handle unconsciously. She wasn't in any danger, and rarely needed the blade. She only kept it there for precautions, mostly.
That didn't mean she was incapable of swinging it around, though. Kagome had scoured the lands for the best teachers; threatening to purify them if they refused. She was told to be a quick learner, and was told to have natural skill, but Kagome knew where this had come from.
Inuyasha, of course. She had wished for his fighting skills sixteen years earlier. Kagome sighed, running her fingers through her mane in disappointment. She hadn't caught a whiff of his scent all these years. Even if she lost her attraction towards him, that didn't mean she wanted to lose him.
Over the years, Kagome had heard rumors of his whereabouts, but all the clues came to a dead end. Kagome's breath hitched as she walked, recalling one particularly painful memory.
It had been the grayest of gray days. The clouds were fat, dark ones, and the heavens looked endless; as if the darkness would consume the villages, too.
Kagome sat in the building, leisurely sipping her tea. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the conversations surrounding her. Her humanoid ears twitched slightly, but it easily could've been mistaken for her shaking her head.
Kagome sat on the wooden bench stiffly; perspiration beading on her forehead underneath her fringe. This was one of the earlier times she had to use a concealment spell; having to concentrate fully on it not releasing in the middle of the village.
Kagome clutched her cup tighter; in danger of it breaking in her hands. A particularly tipsy man stumbled in, asking the young maiden for a cup. She shuffled passed him, bowing slightly. He plopped down at a table, few of his friends following. They-- unlike the man-- were not drunk, surprisingly. A big-nosed man whispered.
"Did you see the size of his sword? It was shaped like a fang!" He pointed to his dull canine, eyes sparkling with excitement. Another of the friends arched an eyebrow. He was very dark.
"Ha! You wish! No one has a sword like that!" He crossed his arms, huffing. He pursed his lips. "You must've imagined it, you geezer." The big-nosed man gasped; his hands slamming onto the table. No one seemed to notice his outburst.
Kagome's ear twitched in his direction. The big-nosed man took notice of this, and continued. Kagome did not see the hungry look in his eyes as he examined her from head to toe. She was too busy concealing herself. He continued in hush tones.
"No! I'm serious! He had an unusual hair color, too! I think he was a demon." He narrowed his eyes at the word. Demons were usually taboo to speak of in a village tea house. The drunk man piped in, suspicion laced through his speech.
"Oh, yeah? Well then show us where you saw him!" The big-nosed man stood up, seething. His veins in his neck were visible; twitching with every word he spoke. "Fine! Follow me, then," he ushered out the screen door, two men following behind.
Kagome opened her eyes, paid for her snacks and left. She followed the direction of their footsteps. It was now raining heavily; the water desensitizing her sense of smell. Kagome followed until she was in a deserted alleyway, twisting her head, searching for the men.
Kagome yelped as two strong arms wrapped underneath her own arms; her arms being pulled behind her head. She twisted her neck to see the face of her attacker. It was the dark-skinned man. Kagome gulped as the big-nosed man appeared from behind the shadows, leering.
He whispered; a ribbon of cloth in his palm. Kagome closed her eyes. He was only a human. She wouldn't hurt him. It was against her philosophy. Just because she was a demon now wouldn't change that. She'd let him do whatever he'd please because she didn't want to hurt him.
"Now, this won't hurt a bit. Just relax, pretty girl. You actually might find it fun." He wrapped the gag around her mouth, and with wide eyes, she realized what was going to happen. Kagome kicked her legs, wriggling in her attacker's grasp. She couldn't do much with her strength if she didn't have any fighting skill.
The predator grabbed her by the chin, his blubbery lips pressing against her own. He tasted like salty beef and sake. He murmured against the skin of her neck. She felt disgusted wherever he touched her.
"Now, shall we begin?"
Kagome hissed, her youki flaring dangerously around her. They had assaulted her. She wasn't raped, luckily, because a kindhearted villager stopped them from going any farther. She was thankful to him that he saved her chastity. She even offered him a reward.
His request? Her virginity, of course. Even she couldn't play innocent with the way he leered at her. It was worse than big nose's stare. Kagome had merely stalked off, not wanting to endure more of the embarrassment. That was the last time she spared a thought about human or demon. Evil was evil, no matter what form it takes.
Kagome slid her hands along the trunks of the trees she passed. She memorized the texture of each one, as if she was experiencing the forest for the first time. She did this every time she traveled-- Thinking that the trees would enjoy such intimate actions. Kagome stopped in the midst of her tree caressing when she felt the steps of a woman approaching.
They were dainty feet, but obviously that of a grown woman's. They were approaching even faster now, and as the person's body was in view now, with closed eyes, the person ran straight into Kagome's chest plate. Kagome stiffened; who was this girl? A voice broke her out of her thoughts. It was muffled.
"Lord Sesshomaru! I was so scared! A demon chased me on the way to the castle! You were right; I am in danger without Jaken or a guard to protect me." The young woman looked up, shock plastered on her face; reflected in her dark eyes. She backed away, realizing the mistake.
A blush rose to her cheeks, and she dug her toe into the grass. She stuttered. "I am sorry. I thought you were Lord Sesshomaru because of your hair. It's identical to his. I guess I wasn't thinking straight; considering you're a lot shorter, and a woman." She turned her head, petrified.
Kagome arched an eyebrow. It was true that her hair had grown a considerable amount, and could be mistaken for Lord Sesshomaru's at a far distance, but when did Lord Sesshomaru let a human girl touch his person so intimately?
Kagome spoke, compassion laced through her voice. Wait, where was the "emotional distance"? Shouldn't she be an ice prick right about now? Maybe it was because it's a human-- A human girl, nonetheless. Kagome blinked.
"What is your name, miss?" The human bobbed her head up, a smile plastered to her face. "What a fast recovery," Kagome thought. With a giggle, the female spoke. "It is Rin, Milady!" Kagome's face stayed indifferent, but inside, her mind was spinning.
Rin? The human girl he kept around? Kagome smirked. What reason does he have to keep her around now? She sniffed the air, frowning. Well, he wasn't using her as a concubine of sorts. Kagome's eyes narrowed, and with a lurch of her arm, pulled Rin behind her back. Someone was approaching. Quickly, too.
Bursting from the trees, a large demon entered the small patch of land. The wind rustled Kagome's hair; her silver locks shifting out of place. Kagome examined the demon's stature, and nearly choked.
He was a formidable one, that's for sure. He towered at a frightening eight feet, and he was obviously a lizard demon. His muscular hind legs dug into the earth with his monstrous talons, his torso barrel-like and rippling with muscles. His arms were just as muscular as the rest of his body, a sickening orange.
His face, however, fascinated her the most. Bulbous eyes the color of emeralds, a snout pierced by a human arrow, and a muzzle filled with rows of razor-sharp black fangs. Kagome was surprised that Rin got away unscathed. Kagome got into a defensive stance, and hissed.
"To get to the girl you must fight me first." She cracked her knuckles menacingly, her fangs exposed. Her blue eyes faded into a deep purple, approaching red quickly. The demon merely laughed, his forked tongue flickering as he spoke.
"You're a weak one! Having to use your beast so quickly into battle!" Kagome barked, commanding respect. "You will be silent! Or else your death will be infinitely more painful." The demon chuckled, his voice mocking.
"Oh, I'm so scared. What're you going to do? Scratch me--" Kagome raced forward, her claws emitting a pink glow. She wouldn't be so nice as to let him finish his sentence. Her claws sliced cleanly through his face and torso, leaving deep fissures in his body.
His body went into a quick spasm before death. His hands twitched, and Kagome stomped on them with her feet. She loomed over his body, examining her handy work.
His muscle had been torn considerably well, and the white bone jutting from his shoulder had been sliced off, too. Kagome watched the steam rise from the claw marks, evaporating as it curled towards the heavens. She furrowed her brows. She didn't make it as painful as she should have.
Kagome turned her now blue eyes towards Rin, and wiped her claws off with a cloth. No use in grossing the human out further by licking her claws clean. To her surprise, however, Rin was staring excitedly at Kagome. She squealed.
"That was amazing! You have claws that purify! It is simply fascinating!" Rin ran over, and took the cloth from Kagome's hands. She cocked her head to the side, questioning. "Wouldn't it just be easier to lick them clean?"
Kagome stared. Was this girl deranged? Shouldn't she be running from her about now? Shouldn't she be thanking her for not licking them clean? Kagome shook her head, smiling. "I didn't lick them clean because I thought you would be disgusted."
Rin stared with her chocolate eyes, and smiled. Her eyes were sparkling with embarrassment. A pretty blush rose to her cheeks, and she mumbled. "Lord Sesshomaru made me accustomed to it. I've seen worse demises, truthfully." Kagome chuckled, popping one finger into her mouth.
"Of course, of course. I simply forgot you were his property." Kagome straightened, examining her now spotless claws. She scratched the side of her face, and looked over at Rin. She hadn't properly looked at her until now.
Rin had a childish face with large brown eyes and small lips. She wore her hair down, except for the small ponytail jutting from the side of her head. Kagome remembered this from sixteen years previous. Rin had a petite body with a small chest and narrow hips.
She looked no shapelier than a wood plank. Kagome sighed. Rin hadn't changed much except in height, really. It would be a pain for child-bearing, really. As Kagome looked more at Rin, she realized the dangers she would be in on her journey back home. Kagome cleared her throat, and spoke. "Rin."
With the mention of her name, Rin smiled. "Yes, Milady?" Kagome couldn't help the small smile that graced her lips. She was adorable, even if she was a woman now. Kagome ran her fingers momentarily through her hair. "Because of the dangers in these lands, I shall accompany you to the castle. I will be your guardian for the moment." Kagome spoke. "Now, will you point me in the direction of your castle?"
Rin nodded, happiness threatening to jump out of her throat. She pointed towards the West. She giggled. "Please, follow me, Milady!" Rin ran in the direction opposite of the sun, Kagome following the energetic woman.
- - - - -
Jaken knew he was fucked. Sesshomaru had expressively told him to follow Rin and make sure she was safe, but he had gotten attacked by an eel demon. Engaging in battle for no more than twenty minutes, he had lost Rin. By the time he found where she had discarded one of her shopping items, and following the same direction as she would've took, he almost died of a panic attack.
The stench of death was overwhelming; but it wasn't just that. The victim had been killed the same way as the level A scouts. "Purifying claws," he viciously thought. Jaken thought about Rin, and froze. What if she was abducted by the perpetuator? Someone had to have something against Lord Sesshomaru to kill his scouts.
Plus everyone in the territory knew not to touch Rin. What if they found Rin? What if they were going to kill her? What if they were going to demand Sesshomaru to resign or else she was killed? Jaken's eyes swirled with emotion; sadness, fury, and the biggest one-- Fear. He croaked, and started to waddle towards the West. If he was an enemy of Sesshomaru, he'd go straight for the castle.
Maybe the criminal was as stupid as Jaken imagined them to be. Jaken gathered his staff in his arms, running as fast as he could now. He was panting heavily.
"Do not worry, Rin! I will save you!"
- - - - -
Kagome walked alongside Rin, strutting in silence. She carried Rin's package with one arm, and used her other hand to hold Rin's own. Kagome's eye twitched slightly. Again, how was she subjected to this?
"Please, Miss Kagome, let me hold your hand!" Rin bounced alongside Kagome, pouting incredulously. Kagome sighed. Rin was a measly 4'10", while Kagome a staggering 5'9". Rin craned her neck to look up at her protector and Kagome sighed. She asked this five minutes ago.
"No, Rin. I will not." Kagome looked straight ahead, afraid to meet the eyes of her acquaintance. Rin whispered, heart broken. The treetops whistled with the help of the wind, and all was silent-- Even Rin's usually bubbly voice.
"You're my protector, are you not? Then protect me from emotional wounds, too. I will cry if you do not allow me to." Rin was not kidding; Kagome could already smell the salt.
Kagome sighed. Really, this was all too much. Kagome watched the trees as she watched, scoping out anyone who could be hiding in the foliage. Because of the way they were traveling, demons would think them to be easy prey.
Kagome soured. She hated seeming vulnerable. That meant people around her thought she looked weak automatically. Kagome's blood started to boil as she recalled the lizard demon's words.
"You're a weak one! Having to use your beast so quickly in battle!"
Its not that she was weak. She just felt better giving in to her animal instincts. Besides, she controlled the beast, not the other way around. Who cares if she uses her beast? That's not a problem. Is it?
Kagome stared off into space, her feet moving of her own will. She didn't even realize when Rin had let go of her hand. Kagome felt the tugging at her sleeve, and stuttered. "I apologize, Lady Rin. I am not in the best of spirits. What is it that you need?" Rin pointed north of her.
"We have arrived at the castle, Milady."
- - - - -
Jaken huffed; he was almost to the castle gate and he hadn't caught a whiff of Rin's or her abductor's scent. Jaken shivered, fearful. This person had to be a master spy for another demon lord. No, Jaken would've known if one of their allies had a demon with purification abilities. So the demon wasn't of these lands. That made them even more terrifying.
Jaken was now only a few feet in front of the castle gates, and straightening his posture, barked towards the guards. He wasn't very intimidating because of his height.
"Did Rin arrive safely?" Jaken's forehead was beaded with sweat; huge drops larger than rain. The guards rolled their eyes. They knew Jaken would pay for it if Rin was ever in danger. They couldn't wait until that day would come. The small imp had been around for more than four hundred years. He didn't look like he was going to die soon.
Akito murmured, his eyes aimed at the marble floor. Lord Sesshomaru even made the trails perfect. "Yes, she did arrive, Jaken. She also brought her protector." Jaken's eyes widened in relief, and he chuckled. His life was sparred today!
Wiping a loose tear from his eye, he sighed out of relief. "This person, was it a woman or a man?" Akito looked at his partner, Hoshi, and replied in unison.
"A woman, sir. But she looked as if she had recently been in battle. The smell of lizard blood was coated into her claws." Jaken froze. Rin had brought home the killer of Lord Sesshomaru's finest! With new found determination, he pranced through the front gates. This woman would meet an untimely demise. No one escapes Lord Sesshomaru's wrath for something as important as that.
- - - - -
Kagome wandered through the hallways, following Rin as she gave a tour of her home. The outside of the castle was gorgeous, as expected of Lord Sesshomaru. The white marble mass was three stories tall; not including the dungeon underground. A large wall barricaded the castle from the rest of the territory. Inside the castle grounds were the barracks, training grounds, and the servants' quarters. It was simple and elegant. Kagome didn't think Sesshomaru would have it any more extravagant.
Kagome's fingers gingerly raked against the tapestries adorning the white walls. There were few, but they were of the best quality. They were all pictures of great dog demons, and Kagome wouldn't expect him to have anything else. Kagome walked slowly, unable to escape the beauty of the castle. She passed by several servants, bowing as she walked. They were all women.
Kagome arched an eyebrow. Did Sesshomaru have a reason to only keep women in his household? For the exception of soldiers and guards, Jaken was the only male in the house. Kagome frowned. Where was the little imp, anyway?
Rin had suddenly stopped, and before Kagome could inquire why, she saw the small head before her bow towards the waist. Kagome nearly shuddered when she heard the icy words following her action.
"Rin, welcome back."
