Chapter 1
Buyo does it Again!
Kagome walked silently towards the well with a few huge bags. She sighed. "Man these bags get heavier each time." She said to herself. She didn't really mind considering all the stuff she had gotten for her friends.
Mai watched her friend as she walked towards that strange old well house. She had so much to tell her and she wanted to show her Taj, her new pet, which was in a carrying case in her hand and her new guardian friend Lily, which was surprisingly a brown squirrel that was about 2 feet tall with a big fluffy tail. But what had been the most surprising thing was it talked. She and Kagome hadn't seen each other in what was forever considering the fact that she had been traveling back and forth to America. She carried her friend's (really late) b-day gift, which was a new yellow bag, which she was kind of using at the moment to hold the rest of her stuff. For some unknown reason she fancied yellow, according to her mom. She had also bought her a camping set. It included: burners for cooking up food, a sleeping bag, a first aid kit, a fishing pole, and some can food. She also has bought her some ramen since her mom said that she had a sudden liking for the stuff.
So there she was following her unknowing friend to the well, getting ready to surprise her but when she got there, it was empty. "Kagome!" She yelled out confused. Looking around she shuddered at the spookiness of the well. "Kagome?" She called again looking over at the well. "You didn't fall in did you?" She asked, but when she didn't see anyone she sighed with relief. "So where could you be?" She stood up to go back to the main house when she saw Buyo. "Hi there kitty." She said and patted the really fat cat.
Buyo sniffed around her bag and started to pull on a string with force. Unfortunately for her, it was after she stood up and started walking up the steps. Mai felt the tug on her bag and yelp in surprise as she started to fall backwards. Since there was nothing for her to grip, she began to fall backwards and into the well. She screamed as she held on to her new pet Taj, but she landed on a skull and blacked out.
Kagome felt an odd sensation coming from the direction of the well. It almost felt like a Shikon shard, but kind of different. Frowning she looked back but there was nothing there and the sensation disappeared.
"What's wrong Kagome?" Shippou asked.
"Nothing, Shippou-chan. I thought I felt something but it must have been my imagination."
"Oh." Shippou said and sniffed the air. "I don't smell anything different."
"It must be nothing." Kagome said and sighed. "Let's get back to Inu-Yasha before he starts tearing things up."
"Yeah, he is not happy to have to wait in Kaede's hut for the night."
"Some ramen will cheer him up." Kagome said and disappeared into the forest.
Mai opened her eyes and saw stars. Frowning she sat up and looked around the creepy well. Her back ached from lying on her bag and Taj was looking at her really funny, while still in his carrying case.
"Sorry, Taj." Mai told him and let him out.
"Meow." Taj walked up to her and rubbed his head against her hand instantly forgiving his friend.
"Come let's find out if Kagome is back at her house." She said as she climbed the vines up to the rim of the well. 'Vines?' "Hey Taj, is this strange to you?"
"Mrrew." Taj actually nodded. He sniffed the air. "Mrreow."
Mai looked at the area around them. Woods, greenery and stars were all she saw. "Where are we?"
"Definitely not in Kansas." A voice said from behind her.
Mai jumped and almost fell back into the well, but caught herself. "Who said that?" She asked when there was no one there.
"Me, crazy weird girl, Lily."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about you." She said and lifted her guardian from the bag behind her back. Lily had been in her bag that was strapped around Mai's shoulders like a purse, but since Lily had been sleeping (actually hiding from the public), and hadn't spoken, she had forgotten about her.
"So I noticed when I awoke with dirt in my mouth." Lily said frowning.
"Oops, sorry." Mai said sheepishly.
"Well we should start walking. I mean there has to be a village somewhere."
"Right." Mai said and started to walk away from Kaede's village.
"Sesshoumaru-sama I don't feel well." Rin said frowning as she walked behind Jaken. She sneezed for what seemed like the hundredth time that day as she leaned against Ah-Un
"She has a fever." Jaken said, checking the little girls forehead. "Her face is flushed."
Sesshoumaru sighed. He didn't know anything about human illness or how to treat them. He never had to. So he did the only thing he could think to do. He picked her up and sat her on Ah-Un. "Jaken, I leave you to treat her."
"B.b.b...but I don't know how to treat humans."
"Then find out." He said to him.
"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama." Jaken thought for a second. "What about Inuyasha's wench? She should know how to treat her."
Frowning Sesshoumaru turned and changed his course and started walking toward the village. He really didn't want to see his brother but he didn't want to be bothered with some other stupid human who was afraid of him. That usually resulted in him killing, and he was in no mood to fight. Unfortunately things would not go so smoothly.
Mai looked around the village at the strange people who was bowing to her. She sweat-dropped and backed up from the people. "Ano..I'm just an ordinary girl. I'm not this powerful miko you are looking for."
"But you resemble her." One of the villagers said. Actually she didn't really look like Kagome. She had deep red hair and silver green eyes.
"You dress like her too. You must help us."
"Lady Mai, I think we should help them." Lily said from her shoulder. "They look desperate."
Mai sighed and nodded. 'I wonder who they are looking for?' She frowned. "We'll try to help, if we can. What do you need us to do? "
"Vanquish the demon. He has been feeding on our village for three nights. So many people have left and our men are hurt and can't fight anymore. Please."
"A demon? How do you expect me to do that?"
"With your priestess powers." A noise was heard near one of the houses and then there was a scream. "It's here!"
Mai looked up and came face to face with the worst thing she had ever seen, and unfortunately it was the thing she was most afraid of. "Sp.sp.sp.SPIDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed and fainted.
"Mai!" Lily screamed and began to shake Mai. "This is not the time to faint! It's getting closer." Taj, who was standing in front of them suddenly roared and grew really big. Lily gasped and watched as Taj began to growl.
"Hey you weren't supposed to pass out." The villager said and shook Mai.
Groaning Mai opened her eyes. "Man I just had the worst nightmare ever. I dreamed there was this really huge.. It's no dream." She said as she gazed at the huge black and green spider that was currently making its way toward them.
"Mai we have to get out of here." Lily said grabbing her hand as the spider stopped in front of them. The villager screeched and ran.
"Hey.." Lily started.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? I have not seen such purity since the Shikon no Tama." It said as it stood in front of them.
"The shikon.what?" Mai asked, surprise that the spider could speak. Swallowing her fear she asked. "What are you talking about and why are you here."
"Your soul."
"My soul?" Another swallow and a step back, as it got closer.
"Your soul shall make me very powerful and it will be delicious to devour." Step closer with an evil glint in eye. "I think I'll even go slow. Savor the taste."
"Delicious? Devour?" Mai said and backed up into a tree. "You wanna eat me?" Mai asked in a small voice.
The spider laughed and ran forward. Taj jumped at it and momentarily stopped it. Mai watched as Taj blew some blue flames at it.
"I didn't know that he could do that." Mai said in awe.
"This is not the time to be impressed; we have got to get away." Lily said as Taj got knocked away. He hit a tree and the spider grabbed him and bit him.
"No, Taj!!" Mai cried and threw the first thing she could get her hands on at it, which was a spear.
The spider dropped Taj and cried out in pain. Fortunately for Mai, she had thrown a spear at him and it hit him in eye.
"You will pay for that!" The spider said and ran toward them.
"Ack!" Mai cried out, barely dodging a web. She grabbed Lily and ran towards Taj, who was back in his small form and grabbed him by the tail.
"You can't escape from me." It said as it hurled another web at her.
Screaming, Mai ran into the woods faster than she had ever run before. "This can't be real. I must be dreaming." She ran to a hut and went inside it. The web hit the door and melted it. Lily grabbed Taj and buried themselves in her bag.
"Why are you hiding?" The villager said as she hid inside a hut with them. "You are supposed to be out there vanquishing that thing!"
"Are you kidding me? Did you see the size of that thing?" She asked as it came crashing down through the ceiling. Some people got caught in its web and melted. She and the villager screamed horribly and ran out side.
"Hey use your miko powers and kill it!" The villager said running with her.
"I can't. I don't have any powers. I'm not even a miko!" She tripped over a branch and fell, a web going over her head and melted a tree. Rolling over she got up and ran.
"Noooo! We are going to die!" The villager screamed.
"Don't say that." Mai said breathlessly. They paused at a tree breathing hard. It was enough for the spider to catch up with them and knock the villager away. Mai gasped and ran again.
The spider laughed enjoying the chase. "Give up ningen. I might make your suffering less."
"No way." Mai said running through the woods barely dodging trees. She was so tired. "You can't eat me. I don't even taste good!" She screamed again. "SOMEBODY..ANYBODY...HELP ME! This has to be a dream. Mai wakeup!!!!"
"This is no dream! You will be mine!"
"Noooo!!!! I can't believe this is happening. Somebody help!!!" She screamed as she ran forward.
Jaken had walked ahead of Sesshoumaru to see what the commotion was. He frowned when he smelled human blood as well as youkai. "It's just some human tribe getting attacked by a lowly spider youkai." Jaken said, turning around to face Sesshoumaru. "You wanna check it out?"
"No." He turned to take another route but turned back when he heard the plea for help and smelled the saltiness of tears. He looked further into the forest and saw a girl with maroon hair running towards them at an incredible speed, with a huge yellow bag on her shoulders and the huge spider chasing her. Sesshoumaru frowned. "It's coming" He said, whilst standing slightly behind Jaken.
Mai was breathing heavy and tears blinded her eyes. She could feel her heart beating so rapidly, she was sure it would explode. She didn't see Jaken until it was too late. She tripped over him and landed headfirst into Sesshoumaru's stomach. Her arms went around him as she tried to keep her balance from falling to the ground. She slowly began to realize that she was holding someone's waist. She looked up and sobbed. "Please. I can't run anymore." She said crying.
Sesshoumaru looked down in shock. This woman had one, invaded his personal space and two, was still holding him and crying on him getting him all wet and she expected help.
Didn't she know who he was? In anger he raised his hand and melted the unfortunate spider that had been chasing her with his poison claws. He stared down at Mai and frowned a warning to her.
"I'm sorry, I need help." Mai said still with tears in her eyes, unaware that he killed the spider. "I didn't mean to fall on you." She said through her tears. "Will you please help me? It said it was going to.e.e.EAT me and my friend got hurt and I don't want to die."
"It's dead." He said, smirking at her rant.
She released him and looked around at the spider. Sure enough it was melted down with nasty green goop. She gasped and smiled with relief she grabbed him into a huge hug. "My hero! Thank you.thank you...thank you." She said. "You are sooo cool. Wow!!! You killed it and didn't even break out in a sweat. Oww, hey you have lethal looking spikes on your armor did you know that? Wow, I can't believe you killed it. Man I was so scared. I was sure I was going to become spider food."
"Baka ningen wants to die." Jaken said shaking his head.
Sesshoumaru said nothing. He was now watching the strange lady, who seemed to resemble that girl Kagome. She wore the same style clothes, an indecent short skirt made of unfamiliar material (jean) and a fitting shirt that curved around her provocatively. Although she looked different, maroon hair, eyes the color of shiny grass, her spirit reflected that of Kagome. Realizing that she was far from a being a threat he decided to let her live. He hadn't wanted to kill anyone that night anyways and the spider didn't count.
Mai turned around and looked at Jaken. "Ano. it's a walking frog." She said bending down to look at Jaken. She poked him, touching his green skin.
"Hey what are you doing, baka! Keep your filthy hands to yourself."
Mai screech and jumped back. "It talks." She said.
"Of course I talk. I'm not like some stupid unintelligent youkai, foolish girl."
"Hey, how was I supposed to know that? You are a walking frog."
"So what, there are a lot of my kind around." Jaken shook his head. "Baka ningens don't know anything."
"Are you calling me stupid?" Mai asked threateningly.
"Well you are ningen."
Mai hmphed and frowned at him. "My name is Mai and I'm not stupid and if you call me that again, I'll kick you so hard you'll be tall."
Jaken swallowed and stepped back. "You do that and I'll fry you." He said shaking his staff.
Mai grabbed his staff and tried to wrestle it out of his hand. "I should fry you first!"
"Let go!" Jaken yelled. "Baka!"
Mai felt movement in her bag and Lily poked her head out of the back. "Is everything okay now. Ack!"
Sesshoumaru, who has been watching Jaken and the strange girl argue with amusement, picked up Lily and looked at her frowning. "Who are you?" He asked the little youkai threateningly.
"I'm Lily, Princess Mai's guardian." Lily said shyly.
"Then why didn't you guard her instead of running from some weak spider?"
"I couldn't have fought that thing. Did you see how huge it was?" She said frowning. "Besides I'm a peaceful guardian. I give advice not fight."
"Then how can you be her guardian?"
Lily frowned in thought. "I know how to well, umm..I used to know how to keep her out of trouble."
"Lily! It wasn't my fault that some stupid spider wanted to eat me. I didn't get myself into trouble. Those stupid people thought that I was a miko, although I don't see how considering there is nothing special about me." Mai said and caught Lily as Sesshoumaru dropped her.
"You are rambling again." Lily said. She was feeling a bit unnerved having been just dropped by what she thought was a strange man only to realize that he was a very powerful youkai lord. "Anyway, thank you very much for your assistance. We would have been dead if you had not helped." She said bowing gracefully.
"We did not help you. Sesshoumaru-sama killed that thing because it got in the way."
"Even still, it was killed." Mai said.
"Yeah but not to help you, baka ningen. Why would we help you anyways?" Jaken asked as if it was a crime for them to be helping. "You ningen don't know much."
"My name is MAI!!!! So what I'm ningen. You are a frog and I don't care why he killed I'm just grateful that he did!" She wrestled his staff from him and was about to hit him with when Lily stopped her.
"Mai! That's not how you treat people."
"But he called me a baka!" Mai looked over at Jaken. "Ooh you better be glad."
Sesshoumaru said nothing as he watched Mai yell at Jaken. She seemed to be glowing a strange golden color and it reminded him of the Shikon no Tama. "Where did you come from?"
"I'm lost. I was looking for my friend at her shrine, when I fell down an old well. When I woke up, I was here in this strange place. I can't find my friend and the first village I found was not a good one. I ended almost getting eaten." Mai said and shrank down to the ground at the base of a tree, after dropping the staff which Jaken snatched up. "This is one of the worst days of my life."
Sesshoumaru nodded and turned around. "Well it's gone now." He said and started back toward Ah-Un. He was going to leave them to continue to his destination.
A low moan caused him to stop. He turned back to watch Mai as she took a Taj out of her bag. (It's a big bag.) She began to rub his head and whisper his name to get him to wake up. He cried again and she frowned at the teeth marks.
"Ano.."
"What is it now, ningen?" Jaken asked. He too had seen Taj but said nothing.
"Do you know how we can treat him?" Lily asked from Taj's side. She had hopped down off of Mai's shoulders to examine him. "He was poisoned."
"We don't have time to help you." Jaken said and turned away.
"Please. I don't know how I could repay you, but I can try." Mai said quietly.
"Why should I help you?" Jaken asked.
"Because....." Mai said with tears in her eyes. "I don't know who else to ask and Taj might die?"
Sesshoumaru frown. He wanted to leave her there and go do what he had started to do, which was find that wench, Kagome, but something inside of him pulled at him to help her; her tears maybe? He hated seeing women cry. He turned back to look at her again. A thought flashed in his mind. 'She looks like Rin did after he brought her back to life with Tensaiga! Give her black hair and brown eyes, she would be an older Rin.'
"Jaken, tend to the neko." He said and turned and walked toward Ah- Un and a sleeping Rin.
"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama." Jaken turned and walked towards Taj. He checked him and looked at his wound. "I'm going to mix something for him and once he drinks it, he'll be okay by the morning." He turned to move.
Mai surprised him by giving him a huge hug. "Thank you little green man." She said smiling happily. "Sorry I made you mad earlier."
"Put me down, baka ningen." Jaken screeched.
Mai put him down with a smile. Lily bowed to him and thanked him. Neither of them saw the smile that crossed his face as he walked back toward their now camp spot.
Mai tucked Taj in a cotton throw (small blankie) and got up and walked over to the strange man. "I really do appreciate all that you have done." She said to him. She carefully eyed Ah-Un. 0_O "It's been a really strange day for me."
Sesshoumaru nodded but said nothing as he examined Rin.
"Is your name Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Yes."
"Wow, what a pretty little girl. Is she your daughter?" Mai said and watched him check her head for a fever. Rin shivered and sneezed and moaned. "She sounds sick. Does she have a fever?"
"Yes, can you treat her?" Not answering the first question.
"I can try." Mai said and went to her bag to get a towel, medicine, water and a blanket. She walked back towards her and wet the towel. She saw him look on with curiousness, which was although concealed in his facial expression; it showed in the way his eyes looked.
"What I'm gonna do first is wipe her down. If she is feverish, it means her body is trying to fight the illness, which is good but we don't want her to get too hot." She explained like a pro. She was interested in nursing at her school. "What's her name, may I ask?"
"Rin"
Mai nodded. After she wiped down Rin she then filled a cup halfway with water and dropped a tablet in. It started to fizz, which caught the Taiyoukai attention. "This is a medicine that will help cure her of the illness." She said, totally concentrating on her task.
"We take it when we get sick. I'm not too knowledgeable about herbs, except.I know.green tea leaves! Do you know where I can find some green tea leaves?"
Sesshoumaru looked at the girl strangely. He knew what green tea leaves were but the enthusiasm the girl displayed was like a child's. She seemed like an endless pot of joy. "Jaken! He called.
"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken had just finished with Taj and was conversing with Lily, who he thought was annoying.
"Do you have any tea leaves?"
After Mai prepared the tealeaves, she picked Rin up and sat her on her lap, and slightly awoke her. "Rin." She whispered her name gently. "Wake up sweetie." She spoke motherly; unaware of the looks she was getting from the youkai.
Rin woke up and moaned. She looked at Mai, but didn't really see her, but only her silhouette at first. "Okaasan?" She asked, incredulous? Her vision cleared a little, "I'm sorry. I thought you were my mom." She said quietly, but she looked really sad.
Mai smiled. "No don't be sorry. My name is Mai, and even though I'm not your real mom, I can be your god-mother." At Rin's confused look she explained. "It's kinda like a pretend mom. I'll be your pretend mom, until you feel better."
Rin smiled and looked over at Sesshoumaru who gave a small nod. She then leaned her head against Mai's shoulder. "Rin doesn't fell well."
"I want you to drink this tea for me." Mai said, handing her the warm cup of tea. "It will help you feel better."
Rin drank the tea with Mai's help. She leaned back onto Mai's shoulder when she finished and went back to sleep. Mai looked down at Rin and smiled. She felt a sense of belonging and it kind of surprised her.
"Taj, is doing good. He is showing signs of healing." Lily told her and sat next to Mai.
"Wow, that's great." Mai looked over at Jaken who was looking at her funny. "Thanks little green man." She said.
"My name is Jaken!" He yelled.
"Shhh. You'll wake Rin." Lily said.
Mai, shook her head and looked toward Sesshoumaru, who looking off into the distance, not paying them attention. Actually, he knew everything that was going on, but -he said nothing, of course Mai didn't know that. She was too busy realizing how good he looked. She hadn't paid attention at first, but now that the adrenaline rush was over, and relaxation was taking over, she realized that he was gorgeous. He looked back at her feeling her stare at him. Their eyes locked and Mai smiled at him.
Sesshoumaru looked at her strangely. 'What is she smiling at me for? Why is she even looking at me? Baka ningen.' "You should get some sleep." He said instead of asking the question on his mind. 'Why was she smiling at him?'
Inu (Reading the script): Hey, I thought I was in this script.
Gailibop: You are.
Inu: I don't see me.
GB: You haven't read Chapter 2 yet.
Inu: Where is chapter 2?
GB: We need some reviews first.
Inu: Hey you.
Some Reader: Who me?
Inu: Yes you.
SR: What is it?
Inu (point Tetsusaiga at them): If you don't review this I..gonna {Osawri} hmmfr
Kag: I'm sorry about that. Please review and let us know how you like it so far. Thanks!
Buyo does it Again!
Kagome walked silently towards the well with a few huge bags. She sighed. "Man these bags get heavier each time." She said to herself. She didn't really mind considering all the stuff she had gotten for her friends.
Mai watched her friend as she walked towards that strange old well house. She had so much to tell her and she wanted to show her Taj, her new pet, which was in a carrying case in her hand and her new guardian friend Lily, which was surprisingly a brown squirrel that was about 2 feet tall with a big fluffy tail. But what had been the most surprising thing was it talked. She and Kagome hadn't seen each other in what was forever considering the fact that she had been traveling back and forth to America. She carried her friend's (really late) b-day gift, which was a new yellow bag, which she was kind of using at the moment to hold the rest of her stuff. For some unknown reason she fancied yellow, according to her mom. She had also bought her a camping set. It included: burners for cooking up food, a sleeping bag, a first aid kit, a fishing pole, and some can food. She also has bought her some ramen since her mom said that she had a sudden liking for the stuff.
So there she was following her unknowing friend to the well, getting ready to surprise her but when she got there, it was empty. "Kagome!" She yelled out confused. Looking around she shuddered at the spookiness of the well. "Kagome?" She called again looking over at the well. "You didn't fall in did you?" She asked, but when she didn't see anyone she sighed with relief. "So where could you be?" She stood up to go back to the main house when she saw Buyo. "Hi there kitty." She said and patted the really fat cat.
Buyo sniffed around her bag and started to pull on a string with force. Unfortunately for her, it was after she stood up and started walking up the steps. Mai felt the tug on her bag and yelp in surprise as she started to fall backwards. Since there was nothing for her to grip, she began to fall backwards and into the well. She screamed as she held on to her new pet Taj, but she landed on a skull and blacked out.
Kagome felt an odd sensation coming from the direction of the well. It almost felt like a Shikon shard, but kind of different. Frowning she looked back but there was nothing there and the sensation disappeared.
"What's wrong Kagome?" Shippou asked.
"Nothing, Shippou-chan. I thought I felt something but it must have been my imagination."
"Oh." Shippou said and sniffed the air. "I don't smell anything different."
"It must be nothing." Kagome said and sighed. "Let's get back to Inu-Yasha before he starts tearing things up."
"Yeah, he is not happy to have to wait in Kaede's hut for the night."
"Some ramen will cheer him up." Kagome said and disappeared into the forest.
Mai opened her eyes and saw stars. Frowning she sat up and looked around the creepy well. Her back ached from lying on her bag and Taj was looking at her really funny, while still in his carrying case.
"Sorry, Taj." Mai told him and let him out.
"Meow." Taj walked up to her and rubbed his head against her hand instantly forgiving his friend.
"Come let's find out if Kagome is back at her house." She said as she climbed the vines up to the rim of the well. 'Vines?' "Hey Taj, is this strange to you?"
"Mrrew." Taj actually nodded. He sniffed the air. "Mrreow."
Mai looked at the area around them. Woods, greenery and stars were all she saw. "Where are we?"
"Definitely not in Kansas." A voice said from behind her.
Mai jumped and almost fell back into the well, but caught herself. "Who said that?" She asked when there was no one there.
"Me, crazy weird girl, Lily."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about you." She said and lifted her guardian from the bag behind her back. Lily had been in her bag that was strapped around Mai's shoulders like a purse, but since Lily had been sleeping (actually hiding from the public), and hadn't spoken, she had forgotten about her.
"So I noticed when I awoke with dirt in my mouth." Lily said frowning.
"Oops, sorry." Mai said sheepishly.
"Well we should start walking. I mean there has to be a village somewhere."
"Right." Mai said and started to walk away from Kaede's village.
"Sesshoumaru-sama I don't feel well." Rin said frowning as she walked behind Jaken. She sneezed for what seemed like the hundredth time that day as she leaned against Ah-Un
"She has a fever." Jaken said, checking the little girls forehead. "Her face is flushed."
Sesshoumaru sighed. He didn't know anything about human illness or how to treat them. He never had to. So he did the only thing he could think to do. He picked her up and sat her on Ah-Un. "Jaken, I leave you to treat her."
"B.b.b...but I don't know how to treat humans."
"Then find out." He said to him.
"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama." Jaken thought for a second. "What about Inuyasha's wench? She should know how to treat her."
Frowning Sesshoumaru turned and changed his course and started walking toward the village. He really didn't want to see his brother but he didn't want to be bothered with some other stupid human who was afraid of him. That usually resulted in him killing, and he was in no mood to fight. Unfortunately things would not go so smoothly.
Mai looked around the village at the strange people who was bowing to her. She sweat-dropped and backed up from the people. "Ano..I'm just an ordinary girl. I'm not this powerful miko you are looking for."
"But you resemble her." One of the villagers said. Actually she didn't really look like Kagome. She had deep red hair and silver green eyes.
"You dress like her too. You must help us."
"Lady Mai, I think we should help them." Lily said from her shoulder. "They look desperate."
Mai sighed and nodded. 'I wonder who they are looking for?' She frowned. "We'll try to help, if we can. What do you need us to do? "
"Vanquish the demon. He has been feeding on our village for three nights. So many people have left and our men are hurt and can't fight anymore. Please."
"A demon? How do you expect me to do that?"
"With your priestess powers." A noise was heard near one of the houses and then there was a scream. "It's here!"
Mai looked up and came face to face with the worst thing she had ever seen, and unfortunately it was the thing she was most afraid of. "Sp.sp.sp.SPIDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed and fainted.
"Mai!" Lily screamed and began to shake Mai. "This is not the time to faint! It's getting closer." Taj, who was standing in front of them suddenly roared and grew really big. Lily gasped and watched as Taj began to growl.
"Hey you weren't supposed to pass out." The villager said and shook Mai.
Groaning Mai opened her eyes. "Man I just had the worst nightmare ever. I dreamed there was this really huge.. It's no dream." She said as she gazed at the huge black and green spider that was currently making its way toward them.
"Mai we have to get out of here." Lily said grabbing her hand as the spider stopped in front of them. The villager screeched and ran.
"Hey.." Lily started.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? I have not seen such purity since the Shikon no Tama." It said as it stood in front of them.
"The shikon.what?" Mai asked, surprise that the spider could speak. Swallowing her fear she asked. "What are you talking about and why are you here."
"Your soul."
"My soul?" Another swallow and a step back, as it got closer.
"Your soul shall make me very powerful and it will be delicious to devour." Step closer with an evil glint in eye. "I think I'll even go slow. Savor the taste."
"Delicious? Devour?" Mai said and backed up into a tree. "You wanna eat me?" Mai asked in a small voice.
The spider laughed and ran forward. Taj jumped at it and momentarily stopped it. Mai watched as Taj blew some blue flames at it.
"I didn't know that he could do that." Mai said in awe.
"This is not the time to be impressed; we have got to get away." Lily said as Taj got knocked away. He hit a tree and the spider grabbed him and bit him.
"No, Taj!!" Mai cried and threw the first thing she could get her hands on at it, which was a spear.
The spider dropped Taj and cried out in pain. Fortunately for Mai, she had thrown a spear at him and it hit him in eye.
"You will pay for that!" The spider said and ran toward them.
"Ack!" Mai cried out, barely dodging a web. She grabbed Lily and ran towards Taj, who was back in his small form and grabbed him by the tail.
"You can't escape from me." It said as it hurled another web at her.
Screaming, Mai ran into the woods faster than she had ever run before. "This can't be real. I must be dreaming." She ran to a hut and went inside it. The web hit the door and melted it. Lily grabbed Taj and buried themselves in her bag.
"Why are you hiding?" The villager said as she hid inside a hut with them. "You are supposed to be out there vanquishing that thing!"
"Are you kidding me? Did you see the size of that thing?" She asked as it came crashing down through the ceiling. Some people got caught in its web and melted. She and the villager screamed horribly and ran out side.
"Hey use your miko powers and kill it!" The villager said running with her.
"I can't. I don't have any powers. I'm not even a miko!" She tripped over a branch and fell, a web going over her head and melted a tree. Rolling over she got up and ran.
"Noooo! We are going to die!" The villager screamed.
"Don't say that." Mai said breathlessly. They paused at a tree breathing hard. It was enough for the spider to catch up with them and knock the villager away. Mai gasped and ran again.
The spider laughed enjoying the chase. "Give up ningen. I might make your suffering less."
"No way." Mai said running through the woods barely dodging trees. She was so tired. "You can't eat me. I don't even taste good!" She screamed again. "SOMEBODY..ANYBODY...HELP ME! This has to be a dream. Mai wakeup!!!!"
"This is no dream! You will be mine!"
"Noooo!!!! I can't believe this is happening. Somebody help!!!" She screamed as she ran forward.
Jaken had walked ahead of Sesshoumaru to see what the commotion was. He frowned when he smelled human blood as well as youkai. "It's just some human tribe getting attacked by a lowly spider youkai." Jaken said, turning around to face Sesshoumaru. "You wanna check it out?"
"No." He turned to take another route but turned back when he heard the plea for help and smelled the saltiness of tears. He looked further into the forest and saw a girl with maroon hair running towards them at an incredible speed, with a huge yellow bag on her shoulders and the huge spider chasing her. Sesshoumaru frowned. "It's coming" He said, whilst standing slightly behind Jaken.
Mai was breathing heavy and tears blinded her eyes. She could feel her heart beating so rapidly, she was sure it would explode. She didn't see Jaken until it was too late. She tripped over him and landed headfirst into Sesshoumaru's stomach. Her arms went around him as she tried to keep her balance from falling to the ground. She slowly began to realize that she was holding someone's waist. She looked up and sobbed. "Please. I can't run anymore." She said crying.
Sesshoumaru looked down in shock. This woman had one, invaded his personal space and two, was still holding him and crying on him getting him all wet and she expected help.
Didn't she know who he was? In anger he raised his hand and melted the unfortunate spider that had been chasing her with his poison claws. He stared down at Mai and frowned a warning to her.
"I'm sorry, I need help." Mai said still with tears in her eyes, unaware that he killed the spider. "I didn't mean to fall on you." She said through her tears. "Will you please help me? It said it was going to.e.e.EAT me and my friend got hurt and I don't want to die."
"It's dead." He said, smirking at her rant.
She released him and looked around at the spider. Sure enough it was melted down with nasty green goop. She gasped and smiled with relief she grabbed him into a huge hug. "My hero! Thank you.thank you...thank you." She said. "You are sooo cool. Wow!!! You killed it and didn't even break out in a sweat. Oww, hey you have lethal looking spikes on your armor did you know that? Wow, I can't believe you killed it. Man I was so scared. I was sure I was going to become spider food."
"Baka ningen wants to die." Jaken said shaking his head.
Sesshoumaru said nothing. He was now watching the strange lady, who seemed to resemble that girl Kagome. She wore the same style clothes, an indecent short skirt made of unfamiliar material (jean) and a fitting shirt that curved around her provocatively. Although she looked different, maroon hair, eyes the color of shiny grass, her spirit reflected that of Kagome. Realizing that she was far from a being a threat he decided to let her live. He hadn't wanted to kill anyone that night anyways and the spider didn't count.
Mai turned around and looked at Jaken. "Ano. it's a walking frog." She said bending down to look at Jaken. She poked him, touching his green skin.
"Hey what are you doing, baka! Keep your filthy hands to yourself."
Mai screech and jumped back. "It talks." She said.
"Of course I talk. I'm not like some stupid unintelligent youkai, foolish girl."
"Hey, how was I supposed to know that? You are a walking frog."
"So what, there are a lot of my kind around." Jaken shook his head. "Baka ningens don't know anything."
"Are you calling me stupid?" Mai asked threateningly.
"Well you are ningen."
Mai hmphed and frowned at him. "My name is Mai and I'm not stupid and if you call me that again, I'll kick you so hard you'll be tall."
Jaken swallowed and stepped back. "You do that and I'll fry you." He said shaking his staff.
Mai grabbed his staff and tried to wrestle it out of his hand. "I should fry you first!"
"Let go!" Jaken yelled. "Baka!"
Mai felt movement in her bag and Lily poked her head out of the back. "Is everything okay now. Ack!"
Sesshoumaru, who has been watching Jaken and the strange girl argue with amusement, picked up Lily and looked at her frowning. "Who are you?" He asked the little youkai threateningly.
"I'm Lily, Princess Mai's guardian." Lily said shyly.
"Then why didn't you guard her instead of running from some weak spider?"
"I couldn't have fought that thing. Did you see how huge it was?" She said frowning. "Besides I'm a peaceful guardian. I give advice not fight."
"Then how can you be her guardian?"
Lily frowned in thought. "I know how to well, umm..I used to know how to keep her out of trouble."
"Lily! It wasn't my fault that some stupid spider wanted to eat me. I didn't get myself into trouble. Those stupid people thought that I was a miko, although I don't see how considering there is nothing special about me." Mai said and caught Lily as Sesshoumaru dropped her.
"You are rambling again." Lily said. She was feeling a bit unnerved having been just dropped by what she thought was a strange man only to realize that he was a very powerful youkai lord. "Anyway, thank you very much for your assistance. We would have been dead if you had not helped." She said bowing gracefully.
"We did not help you. Sesshoumaru-sama killed that thing because it got in the way."
"Even still, it was killed." Mai said.
"Yeah but not to help you, baka ningen. Why would we help you anyways?" Jaken asked as if it was a crime for them to be helping. "You ningen don't know much."
"My name is MAI!!!! So what I'm ningen. You are a frog and I don't care why he killed I'm just grateful that he did!" She wrestled his staff from him and was about to hit him with when Lily stopped her.
"Mai! That's not how you treat people."
"But he called me a baka!" Mai looked over at Jaken. "Ooh you better be glad."
Sesshoumaru said nothing as he watched Mai yell at Jaken. She seemed to be glowing a strange golden color and it reminded him of the Shikon no Tama. "Where did you come from?"
"I'm lost. I was looking for my friend at her shrine, when I fell down an old well. When I woke up, I was here in this strange place. I can't find my friend and the first village I found was not a good one. I ended almost getting eaten." Mai said and shrank down to the ground at the base of a tree, after dropping the staff which Jaken snatched up. "This is one of the worst days of my life."
Sesshoumaru nodded and turned around. "Well it's gone now." He said and started back toward Ah-Un. He was going to leave them to continue to his destination.
A low moan caused him to stop. He turned back to watch Mai as she took a Taj out of her bag. (It's a big bag.) She began to rub his head and whisper his name to get him to wake up. He cried again and she frowned at the teeth marks.
"Ano.."
"What is it now, ningen?" Jaken asked. He too had seen Taj but said nothing.
"Do you know how we can treat him?" Lily asked from Taj's side. She had hopped down off of Mai's shoulders to examine him. "He was poisoned."
"We don't have time to help you." Jaken said and turned away.
"Please. I don't know how I could repay you, but I can try." Mai said quietly.
"Why should I help you?" Jaken asked.
"Because....." Mai said with tears in her eyes. "I don't know who else to ask and Taj might die?"
Sesshoumaru frown. He wanted to leave her there and go do what he had started to do, which was find that wench, Kagome, but something inside of him pulled at him to help her; her tears maybe? He hated seeing women cry. He turned back to look at her again. A thought flashed in his mind. 'She looks like Rin did after he brought her back to life with Tensaiga! Give her black hair and brown eyes, she would be an older Rin.'
"Jaken, tend to the neko." He said and turned and walked toward Ah- Un and a sleeping Rin.
"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama." Jaken turned and walked towards Taj. He checked him and looked at his wound. "I'm going to mix something for him and once he drinks it, he'll be okay by the morning." He turned to move.
Mai surprised him by giving him a huge hug. "Thank you little green man." She said smiling happily. "Sorry I made you mad earlier."
"Put me down, baka ningen." Jaken screeched.
Mai put him down with a smile. Lily bowed to him and thanked him. Neither of them saw the smile that crossed his face as he walked back toward their now camp spot.
Mai tucked Taj in a cotton throw (small blankie) and got up and walked over to the strange man. "I really do appreciate all that you have done." She said to him. She carefully eyed Ah-Un. 0_O "It's been a really strange day for me."
Sesshoumaru nodded but said nothing as he examined Rin.
"Is your name Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Yes."
"Wow, what a pretty little girl. Is she your daughter?" Mai said and watched him check her head for a fever. Rin shivered and sneezed and moaned. "She sounds sick. Does she have a fever?"
"Yes, can you treat her?" Not answering the first question.
"I can try." Mai said and went to her bag to get a towel, medicine, water and a blanket. She walked back towards her and wet the towel. She saw him look on with curiousness, which was although concealed in his facial expression; it showed in the way his eyes looked.
"What I'm gonna do first is wipe her down. If she is feverish, it means her body is trying to fight the illness, which is good but we don't want her to get too hot." She explained like a pro. She was interested in nursing at her school. "What's her name, may I ask?"
"Rin"
Mai nodded. After she wiped down Rin she then filled a cup halfway with water and dropped a tablet in. It started to fizz, which caught the Taiyoukai attention. "This is a medicine that will help cure her of the illness." She said, totally concentrating on her task.
"We take it when we get sick. I'm not too knowledgeable about herbs, except.I know.green tea leaves! Do you know where I can find some green tea leaves?"
Sesshoumaru looked at the girl strangely. He knew what green tea leaves were but the enthusiasm the girl displayed was like a child's. She seemed like an endless pot of joy. "Jaken! He called.
"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken had just finished with Taj and was conversing with Lily, who he thought was annoying.
"Do you have any tea leaves?"
After Mai prepared the tealeaves, she picked Rin up and sat her on her lap, and slightly awoke her. "Rin." She whispered her name gently. "Wake up sweetie." She spoke motherly; unaware of the looks she was getting from the youkai.
Rin woke up and moaned. She looked at Mai, but didn't really see her, but only her silhouette at first. "Okaasan?" She asked, incredulous? Her vision cleared a little, "I'm sorry. I thought you were my mom." She said quietly, but she looked really sad.
Mai smiled. "No don't be sorry. My name is Mai, and even though I'm not your real mom, I can be your god-mother." At Rin's confused look she explained. "It's kinda like a pretend mom. I'll be your pretend mom, until you feel better."
Rin smiled and looked over at Sesshoumaru who gave a small nod. She then leaned her head against Mai's shoulder. "Rin doesn't fell well."
"I want you to drink this tea for me." Mai said, handing her the warm cup of tea. "It will help you feel better."
Rin drank the tea with Mai's help. She leaned back onto Mai's shoulder when she finished and went back to sleep. Mai looked down at Rin and smiled. She felt a sense of belonging and it kind of surprised her.
"Taj, is doing good. He is showing signs of healing." Lily told her and sat next to Mai.
"Wow, that's great." Mai looked over at Jaken who was looking at her funny. "Thanks little green man." She said.
"My name is Jaken!" He yelled.
"Shhh. You'll wake Rin." Lily said.
Mai, shook her head and looked toward Sesshoumaru, who looking off into the distance, not paying them attention. Actually, he knew everything that was going on, but -he said nothing, of course Mai didn't know that. She was too busy realizing how good he looked. She hadn't paid attention at first, but now that the adrenaline rush was over, and relaxation was taking over, she realized that he was gorgeous. He looked back at her feeling her stare at him. Their eyes locked and Mai smiled at him.
Sesshoumaru looked at her strangely. 'What is she smiling at me for? Why is she even looking at me? Baka ningen.' "You should get some sleep." He said instead of asking the question on his mind. 'Why was she smiling at him?'
Inu (Reading the script): Hey, I thought I was in this script.
Gailibop: You are.
Inu: I don't see me.
GB: You haven't read Chapter 2 yet.
Inu: Where is chapter 2?
GB: We need some reviews first.
Inu: Hey you.
Some Reader: Who me?
Inu: Yes you.
SR: What is it?
Inu (point Tetsusaiga at them): If you don't review this I..gonna {Osawri} hmmfr
Kag: I'm sorry about that. Please review and let us know how you like it so far. Thanks!