Hi again everyone! I was so glad at the support I got from you all! I checked my inbox the next day and I had a handful of favorites and story alerts, so thanks! =D Only two reviews, but hey, I was expecting zero. Haha.
I dedicate this chapter to Serenity digo19 and Science Queen for being my first reviewers! This ones a lot longer, so enjoy!
And I won't spoil a thing yet, so read on!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 2: Second Impressions
"Hn."
"Well, what do you say?"
"….Absolutely not."
"What! Why not? Oh Come on!"
"Miko, do not wake Rin unless you wish for a more permanent sleep of your own."
"Are you threatening me?" Kagome's eyes sparked with frustration. I can't believe him! Are all dog demons this difficult?
"Are you so fond of flirting with death?"
Kagome groaned. She had started out fine, and said every line perfectly (she had practiced what to say on the way), but the minute her little plan came to working together with Inuyasha, and herself along with Kikyo to kill Naraku in the end, the demon lord wouldn't hear any of it.
"Lord Sesshomaru please! Understand what needs to be done. Kikyo and I have to deliver the final blow, and demonic power alone will not eliminate Naraku for good! Plus, we need your knowledge of the battlefield to organize ourselves effectively! You know Inuyasha doesn't know anything about that kind of thing."
"This Sesshomaru will not repeat himself." His steely gaze turned harder at her impudence.
Ok. Enough! He's so darn stubborn! Well two can play at that game, there is no way I'm leaving until he agrees.
"Do you think I'm looking forward to working with Kikyo? We're all making sacrifices here! Please, I can protect Rin during the battle with a barrier, and Shippo and Jaken will take turns watching over her.
Sesshomaru's indifferent stare set her over the edge. He still wouldn't listen to reason!
"I'm giving you a fool proof plan here! At least meet me halfway! You don't have to be such a jerk! Just think about this Sesshomaru!" She was in his face now. Well, if she was dying anyway might as well go down with dignity.
"Watch your tongue Miko. This Sesshomaru wouldn't be such a "jerk" as you put it, and would be able to think if you closed that bat cave you call a mouth."
"Well I'd close my mouth if you'd stop being so arrogant!" Kagome poked him in the shoulder.
"Well this Sesshomaru would not have to be so "arrogant" if you used your primitive brain to comprehend that I refused your offer."
This is simple logic my Lord, it's you who doesn't get it! Huh, I guess it can't be helped, since dogs have smaller brains than us humans anyway!"
Sesshomaru grabbed Kagome by the throat. "Such a disrespectful little wench! Don't you dare compare this Sesshomaru to your despicable race; much less have the gall to think myself beneath you in any way! Leave now before-"
Sesshomaru would have beheaded the mouthy bitch, if not for a more pressing matter that caught his attention. He looked down and smirked.
Kagome narrowed her eyes. What's so funny? I'm being serious and he's laughing! Is this how he gets his kicks? What the hell is he looking at? Kagome followed the demon lord's face downward.
Shit.
The belt from her robe had caught fire. No wait....now her robe itself had caught fire. Perfect.
Well, so much for my dignity. Wait? FIRE!
"AieeeeEEEEEE!!!!" Kagome flailed her arms and ran in circles. Sesshomaru made sure to hop out of the way lest she set him ablaze. "Watch where you step Miko!" Kagome turned to him frantically. The fire was spreading up her robe. She ran toward him, eyes pleading. "Oh Kami! What do I do? There's no water here! Oh! I know! Stop, drop, and roll! Wait- no! What if i roll onto the fire?! Um…oh geez!" Kagome frantically took the robe off before it burned her skin and stamped on it until the fire went out.
When the fire had finally gone out, Kagome, now huffing and out of breath, picked up the black mass that used to be her robe. She didn't know what to do, so she just stared at Sesshomaru, who looked like an angry cat at the moment. Apparently her fire dance had spooked him a bit, and out of instinct he stood crouched, ready to spring if necessary.
She couldn't help it, she burst into laughter.
"I—snort- I'm sorry! I- hahaha! That was j-just so- hahahaha! And your face was like- pfft!..-hahahahahaha!" Kagome gripped his arm to hold herself up.
Sesshomaru's anger seemed to wane upon seeing the Miko's actions. How interesting indeed. Her emotions are like the tide. She was just ready to attempt to wring my neck (emphasis on attempt), now she's laughing as if we are long time friends.
Kagome quieted and looked at Sesshomaru with a twinkle in her eyes. "Aw come on! That was funny! Even I laughed and I was the one who caught fire. This seems right down your alley Mr. Sadist."
"A sadist am I? Shall we test that theory further miko?" He towered over her in an attempt to intimidate the woman. Funny thing was, Sesshomaru found himself inclined to play along. And chose to do so by bringing to attention that the miko still had possession of his remaining arm.
"Hn. This Sesshomaru believes it is you who is the sadist. Such a grip on my arm miko. Are you trying to hold this Sesshomaru prisoner?" His smirk widened at her horrified expression.
Kagome froze and looked down. Eep! I've been holding onto him this whole time? Why didn't he say something? Or just cut my arm off? Kagome blushed and quickly yanked her hand away. She giggled nervously.
"So Lord Sesshomaru wh-"
"Lord Sesshomaru? Rin heard noises and it smells funny. Did Master Jaken fall into the fire again?"
Tch. The priestess woke Rin. Now I shall never get peace.
" Oh be quiet Rin! My Lord! This lowly Jaken will dispose of this eyesore. Such a shame the previous fire did not roast her as you intended, but my staff of two heads will not fail!"
"No way Master Jaken! Lord Sesshomaru would never burn Miss Kagome!...Hey! Miss Kagome is here! Are you here to play with Rin?"
"Silly little human! My Lord has done much worse to your kind! Like when he- ouch!"
Hmm. Kagome could have sworn she saw a stone thrown from Sesshomaru's direction just then. She giggled. Who knew Sesshomaru had a sense of humor? Oh, right. The sadist thing.
Kagome quieted her giggles to smile at the little girl. "That would be more appropriate for the daytime Rin, I came to talk to Lord Sesshomaru." Giving the demon lord a glare, she walked over to the little girl and kneeled down. "I'll see you in the morning Rin, get some rest so we can play later okay?"
The girl yawned. "But Rin's not sleepy Miss Kagome! Rin wants to stay up with everyone!"
Kagome saw Sesshomaru's face. Ouch. He's staring at my neck so hard I already feel it breaking. I need to get Rin back to sleep…come on…what did I do when Souta was like this? Aha!
"Hey Rin, you want to know a secret? But no telling okay?" Kagome tucked Rin in amongst the furs, and ushered Ah Un close to her. Sesshomaru, standing not too far away looked on in interest.
Rin bobbed her head excitedly. Kagome bent down and whispered something in Rin's ear.
The little ward's eyes grew wide with wonder.
"Really Miss Kagome?"
Kagome winked and nodded at the sweet little girl. "But you have to go to sleep okay?" Rin nodded and giggled as she burrowed into the furs. She was asleep in minutes as Kagome stroked her hair.
She turned to Sesshomaru. His brows had risen upon hearing what the Miko had said to his ward. "She idolizes you, you know. She's such a sweet little thing. Sometimes I wish for that naivety again." She could have sworn she heard the demon lord scoff at that, but she ignored it…for now. Kagome stood up and dusted herself off, careful to mind her proximity to the fire.
"You weren't just gonna let me burst into flames were you?"
Silence.
What an asshole! However, instead of anger, Kagome felt amused by it all.
"So, Lord Sesshomaru about the whole "becoming allies" thing…
His gaze hardened immediately.
… I want to make it more like a deal; a pact, or a trade of sorts."
That caught his attention. The miko wishes to make a pact? Interesting.
"And the conditions?"
"If you join up with everyone, I promise you won't have to camp with us or anything, or be with Inuyasha all the time. You'll decide all the battle tactics, and I'll do you three favors of your choice."
"Three?"
"Yes three, you know, like a genie?"
"Come again?"
"Oh never mind! It's just future lingo. Are you in or not Lord Sesshomaru? Can you endure an alliance or are you just not strong enough ?" Kagome extended her hand. This should get him. If it would show his weakness in any way he couldn't refuse. So easy! All men are predictable when their pride is challenged.
"Woman, this Sesshomaru is more than capable of putting up with the half breed and your ramblings. And such a brave thing to put your fate in my hands...maybe even foolish of you." Kagome tried to pretend the predatory gleam in his eyes didn't just make her shiver.
"So you'd be really stupid to pass this up then. Do we have a deal?" Now Kagome fixed her gaze on him without wavering. She wanted to show him she wasn't just some troublesome little human; that she was on the same level as him. She would show everyone. Especially that Inu-baka! Hmph!
The demon lord slowly removed his hand from his kimono sleeve and extended it.
"We have a deal, Miko."
Kagome grabbed his hand with both of hers, being mindful of his claws, and shook it vigorously. "I knew you'd see reason! Thanks so much! And good night Lord Sesshomaru! I'll be seeing you tomorrow okay?"
Kagome bowed respectively; then turned and walked back into the dark forest from which she came.
Sesshomaru watched her leave, and whispered a soft "Good night" as he stared at his hand. His claws began to glow green and he violently slashed out into the forest with his poison whip.
The carcass of a Saimyosho fell to the ground, sizzling.
"Not this time Naraku. This time…" He looked in the direction of the Miko's departure.
"This time there is something quite unexpected in your way." The demon lord looked up to the crescent moon once more before closing his eyes in a content slumber.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Naraku seemed to be sitting peacefully in his fortress, but inside he was seething with anger.
"Kagura! Kanna! Come!"
In a flurry of wind the sorceress Kagura appeared. Next to her the small Kanna of the Mirror materialized.
"You called for us master?" Kagura looked to the ground in trepidation. Damn. He's not happy. Whenever he's unhappy we suffer. I'm getting tired of putting my life in danger because of his paranoia.
"Any news of Inuyasha or Kikyo? Of Sesshomaru or even that wolf runt? Has that meddling priestess Kagome found more jewel shards?" He tapped his fingers impatiently on the floor.
"The insects have not found anything of importance. If they did, they have been discovered and killed." Kanna's singular tone echoed in the castle.
Naraku ground his teeth together in frustration. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. That he was in danger. Hah! Me? In danger? Impossible. I cannot die!
"No matter. I believe I shall pay our dear travelers a visit and see for myself." His red eyes gleamed with thoughts of torture. "Do not interfere."
"Master, allow me to check on Sesshomaru, and Kanna to spy on Kouga the wolf demon in your absence."
Naraku smirked at the wind witch. "Do as you wish. But if you cause me trouble there will be consequences."
And with that he was gone.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It was the perfect recipe for a beautiful day. The sun had just begun to filter through Kagome's eyelids, and she could hear faint birdsong accompanied by the sweet sound of-
"Oi wench! It's morning. So tell us what happened with my bastard of a brother already!"
"Well Inuyasha he didn't kill her so I trust that it's good news. Do not fear, though she may be unconscious, I will wake her by using…what did Lady Kagome call it? Mouth to mouth resurrection?
"Thwack. Don't you dare Miroku! And I think she said it was VCR or something. Who cares anyway, she's fine, so let's just let her wake up the natural way alright?"
"Kagome! Please wake up! Inuyasha's abusing me!"
"Pipe down ya little runt!"
"OW! Kagome please sit him!"
"Mew!"
Kagome woke to five pairs of eyes…belonging to five faces…that were currently, seriously, invading her personal space.
"My Kami! SIT! Thump. Don't scare me like that you guys! I almost had a heart attack!"
" MMFTH?! DAMNIT KAGOME WHAT THE HELL! You said to ask you in the morning what happened!"
"I MEAN WHEN I WAS AWAKE STUPID! Have you no common sense?"
The group sighed in unison. "We warned him.."
"Keh! Whatever wench. So what happened? He tried to kill ya didn't he? I told you he was an asshole and wouldn't listen to reason! Next time you won't be so dumb and maybe you'll-
"He agreed."
"WHAT?!"
"The Miko said this Sesshomaru agreed to an alliance dear brother, or have you gone deaf?"
Inuyasha turned to see Sesshomaru and his group emerge from the trees.
Rin spotted Kagome and ran to her. "Hi Miss Kagome! Now you and Rin can play!" Kagome smiled down at Rin and then looked up to smirk triumphantly.
"Ha! Told you Inuyasha!"
…………………..
…… "Inuyasha?"
Her half-demon friend just stood there with his mouth agape.
"It seems the half-breed has lost his speech as well. Quite the improvement actually."
"What was that you dipshit?"
"Ah. It appears not. Pity."
"How dare you address my lord as such you vile creature! Shall I introduce him to my staff milord?"
"Inuyasha watch your mouth!" Kagome ground out between her teeth. She cast a not so friendly glance at the now smirking Sesshomaru. Nice way to show up and be the mature one, big brother Sesshomaru. Yes, that's right, taunt Inuyasha, 'cause that always gets him to shut up!
Suddenly the daiyoukai snarled and pulled out his sword, assuming a battle stance. "Tch. What timing."
Inuyasha's ears went against his head in fury. "Naraku!"
Kagome, cursing under her breath, shielded Rin in her arms and turned to face the black swirling miasma cloud above them.
"Ku ku ku." Naraku chuckled darkly. I don't mean to interrupt your little quarrel, but I was passing by and thought I'd start my morning off with a little exercise and recreation."
He looked to Kagome with a mischievous gaze. She matched it defiantly, tightening her hold on Rin.
"So, shall we begin?"
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*wipes forehead* PHEW! That was a marathon! I have no beta so if there are mistakes I didn't catch I apologize! I will try my best (and probably fail) at the fighting that is sure to come in the next chapter. Also our beloved Kouga makes his appearance, and a little glimpse of Kikyo. I'll warn you, Naraku's an asshole in the next chapter, but it's not the final battle. After the giant testosterone fight between the demon males *rolls eyes* things will probably set into a more quiet pace before the final confrontation. So keep a look out!
Thanks so much for reading!
Miss_Clockworks
