Meet the Neighbors
"Is there anything you need to warn me about before we leave?"
Seth watched the group as they readied themselves for the coming trip across the demon infested countryside. She herself was already packed and anxious; she had no idea what she would encounter in this strange land.
Kagome straightened, her heavy backpack and sturdy bow secure on her back. She smiled at her warmly, seemingly unconcerned.
"Not really…Naraku and his incarnations are the only dangerous threats now a days. But there are two more that may pose a problem," She explained," There's Koga, the leader of the wolf demon tribe, although he's mostly on our side, mainly because he insists he's in love with me. Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older half-brother, might be more trouble, though the so-called 'trouble' is often just brotherly feuds. Yet, they're not as bad as they were,"
The mention of Naraku only made Seth uneasier. Cain's own mention of him was faint yet clear in her mind. She remembered the event itself but not what was said. She would have to beware of this Naraku and his incarnations. The ruler had a feeling he would only hinder them, and worse.
Inuyasha noticed the troubled expression on Seth's face. He was a bit worried but mostly curious; this new member of their group, however short her stay with them was to be, intrigued him. He wondered what other surprises she would bring.
"What is it? Is something bothering you?"
Seth jumped from her deep thoughts and gazed up at him with surprised green orbs, "Oh…no; well…yes…" She denied at first but then admitted, " Its just…this Naraku worries me. Who is he exactly?"
A grim, dark air instantly seemed to still and silence the group. Seth caught her breath, fearing she had said something she shouldn't have.
"I'm sorry…was there something wrong with what I said?" She instinctively apologized.
The mood lightened and the dark cloud of memory lifted from the group slightly and briefly. The five exchanged glances while the newbie waited to be either scolded or assured that no harm had been done.
Luckily, it was the latter. The group decided who should describe their mortal enemy to the new girl. Mirkou would be the one, being a monk who was wise and mostly mature, aside from womanizing habits, from which they hoped Seth would never witness or become the target of.
"Naraku is a shape-shifting half demon. He has wronged every one of us and has gotten away with it," He explained grimly, " We're are nowhere close to be the only ones he's hindered, yet he caused us much suffering. He's cursed my family, destroyed Sango's village and is holding her younger brother, Kohaku, prisoner, and had Inuyasha sealed to a tree for fifty years. And that's still not even close to half of what he's done,"
Seth's gaze became as grave as the others', "I see…We better hope we don't encounter him then…"
Kagome nodded weakly, her brown eyes dark with dread, " Yeah…I mean, we wouldn't want you to get dragged into our war with him, especially since it seems you have your own at home. There's no telling what he'd do if he found out about you…"
The ruler's eyes caught a glimpse of color, but when she looked, there was nothing there, "I think he already knows…"
Having been listening, the strange woman, that had barely missed being discovered, with piercing red eyes stealthily wandered away from the group she had been ordered to spy on. She, once far enough from them, pulled a delicate feather from her dark hair and threw it to the wind. In mere seconds, she was sailing it on the breeze, towards her master.
She found out about what he had wanted, and what he desired would be his soon enough…
"Oh! It's so beautiful out here!"
The group smiled to themselves at their guest's delight. Seth was gazing around in awe at the virtually untouched landscape, her jade eyes alight with wonder; at least she was beginning to enjoy her visit. They were glad that she, even if it would be for a short time, was forgetting her worries about being trapped there.
It had been a peaceful journey so far. Several hours had passed since they had left the village and nothing had yet gone awry. Those in Inuyasha's group could only hope it remained that way.
Yet, just as they feared, they had company…
Inuyasha stiffened and his nose twitched, "Great…here comes the mangy wolf…"
All turned towards where their leader was facing. As if on cue, a great, whirling cyclone appeared to dance over the green plain.
Seth, not knowing what the hell was going on, gave a cry of panic and ducked behind Kagome, who looked back at her in surprise before returning her attention to their windy guest.
"Good afternoon, Koga," She greeted calmly.
"Koga?" Seth murmured from behind her hiding spot, beginning to peer out.
At once, the whirlwind dispersed and the wolf demon stood before them, tall and black-haired, one hand on his hip in his usual cockiness. His blue eyes fell on the priestess immediately, and his hands suddenly found hers.
"Why, good afternoon, Kagome. Lovely today, isn't it?" He replied, "Is mutt-face keeping his hands off you or do I have to teach him a lesson?"
"What was that!" Inuyasha snarled.
A small sound caught Koga's attention and he glanced down curiously. Jade eyes gazed up at him, seemingly as curious as he was. They belonged to a little dark-haired girl, appearing around ten years old. She hid behind Kagome almost meekly, but held her own confidence. Koga was very surprised; he had never seen this child before.
"Well, who's this little runt?" He questioned, finally looking over at the half-demon and the others.
There was a short pause, but it was a surprise to him who answered.
"It's Seth, Seth Nightlord. I'm going to be traveling with them temporarily,"
Koga blinked down at the girl, who had been previously hiding from him. Now, she gazed at him right in the eye with almost no fear; all she was of him now was wary.
"Hey, weren't you scared of me a minute ago?" He asked suspiciously.
By now, Seth stood apart from the priestess, hands behind her back, "Not quite…I just didn't know what you were. You see… I'm not from around here so I didn't know what to expect. But now that I know…"
This girl was becoming more intriguing by the moment; she certainly wasn't your everyday human, if she even was one in the first place. Yet, even though she did smell like a mortal, there was something strange about her, something almost…demonic…
"Ah! I see. You're no average human, are you? How old are you?" Koga wondered, growing excited.
"You wouldn't believe me if…"
"990 years old…"Inuyasha answered, more straight forward then Seth would have ever been, "And she's also a strange type of vampire that can walk during the day, a crusnik, and the empress of an empire on the continent…"
Everyone stared at the red-clad teen with wide eyes. Meanwhile, he gazed back, unfazed with arms crossed.
"What? There's no sense in keeping it a secret. He's not going to do anything with her," Inuyasha reasoned in a low, aggravated growl before addressing his group solely, "Besides, she's not going to be here long anyway. We're going to track down a way home for her so she can return to her kingdom and family,"
Seth smiled to herself at the hanyou's sheer determination and will, glad it was he she met. He and his group's fearlessness and generosity were certainly something she liked and knew would aid their mission greatly.
"Daammnn…"Koga drawled, looking down at Seth with disbelief, "It's always the midgets…isn't it?"
The Crusnik obviously wasn't a fan of his comment. She gave him a warning look that seemed beyond the ability of someone looking as young as she.
"Scram, wolf…" Easily heard in her voice was a dark, cold snarl, one that made Koga's tail droop.
A strange whimper-like sound escaped the demon, as if she was suddenly a living nightmare, and he went to leave obediently, "Alright, alright. I'm going. I was just stopping by anyway to say hi to my Kagome "He then looked over to Inuyasha, "Be careful with this 'new girl' of yours. I sense she's not as harmless as she appears. She might even catch Naraku's attention if you're not careful,"
Seth's blood ran icy hearing that name again. She remembered the flash of color back at the village, the feeling of spying eyes, and her somber hunch that was already hunting her…
"So, her Majesty is still alive? How fortunate…"
"I saw her myself. The empress is alive and well. However, she is escorted by Inuyasha and the others,"
"I can take care of them if you wish, Naraku…"
"No, I will do so else how. Besides, you've brought her here. You've done your part of the deal; allow me to do mine…"
"Yes, of course…My sister now belongs to you…"
"Are you serious?"
Seth looked from face to smiling face. The whole of the group was beaming at her warmly. They stood before a merchant's stall, clothes hanging within of many colors and styles.
"Of course…you'll stick out like a sore thumb around here in those clothes. We're going to purchase a more local outfit for you," Sango explained, "Now, go on. Pick something out. Think of this as a welcoming gift,"
With the article soon bought, Seth dressed shyly, hidden only by the local foliage; she definitely wasn't used to this. Yet, it was worth it. She was pleased with how she looked in their traditional dress.
"Oh, Seth! You look precious!"
The girl blushed faintly at Kagome's compliment as she showed off her new clothes. A loose emerald yukata hugged her small body and flowed slightly at her ankles. Delicate butterflies seemed to dance across the soft fabric as she moved carefully, cautious of the strange sandals that her feet now rested in.
"Thanks…but they're a little uncomfortable," Seth murmured, trying not to sound ungrateful.
"You'll get used to it…" Inuyasha replied, very sure yet not knowing the hidden meaning Seth took from his words.
"I sure hope not…"
What was she going to do? How was she going to get home? How the Empire faring without her guidance?
God, she was homesick. Her heart longed for her family and for her people. She prayed desperately that fate was with her, that she would somehow find her way back. She didn't belong here…
"Seth? Where'd you go?"
The girl looked back to see Kagome, who had wandered away from the warm fire and her friends to find her.
Seth's legs hung over the cliff belonging to a crisp waterfall that overlooked its pool and a surrounding forest, and her hands were collected in her lap. She still felt silly in her new clothes and had to resist the present urge just to kick off her odd shoes, let them drop into the water below, and just go around bare foot like Inuyasha.
"Over here…" She called and was quickly discovered.
The priestess came over and settled down next to her, "What are you doing over here by yourself? Is there something bothering you?"
The Crusnik sighed but shook her head, "No, not quite. Just homesick is all…" She replied sadly, her eyes dark with depression as they fixed on the moving waters next to her, "I wonder what Ion is doing right now…"
"Ion?"
"My husband…blond haired, scarlet eyed, and just a bit taller then I am," Seth described, sinking deeper into sorrow as she remembered that she was without her lover, and that he was probably worried sick, " He's very handsome, beautiful almost; nobility. He's actually been mistaken for girl every now and then, which aggravates him greatly,"
Kagome giggled, "I can imagine…" Yet, she fell quiet when Seth became grim and silent, her green eyes always dark, "You must miss him; I'm sure he must miss you as well, immensely,"
The ruler nodded wordlessly and her guest took that as her cue to take her leave, "It's getting late. I have to return to the others; Inuyasha's going to start picking on Shippo soon if I don't baby-sit him…" She smiled warmly and stood, "Don't forget to come into camp when you're tired. You are one of us now; you don't have to keep such distance,"
After that, Seth was left to herself and her depression. The empress didn't remember feeling this lonely before. She knew she had allies, yet the didn't change the fact that she was an outsider…
"Seth…"
A strangely familiar voice floated on the breeze, practically making her heart stop in disbelief. A form detached itself from the shadows and stood illuminated in the moonlight.
"At last I've found you! Everyone's been so worried!"
Seth felt faint. Her heart and mind had to be pranking her, such cruel things to sorrowed souls. Before her was someone who she held most dear. His blond hair glistened like the sun under the sun of the night and his ruby eyes gleamed strangely. It was almost as if he had been summoned by some magic…
"Ion…"
As much as she couldn't believe her eyes, her beloved earl stood before her, seemingly as real as herself, holding her gaze tenderly. For a long moment, both were still before the blond moved, smiling and strolling over to her. Their eyes met, his intense red staring into her astonished green, and he reached out to stroke her face softly and slowly.
That was all it took; she was his. Tears of joy spilled over and cascaded down her pale cheek lightly as she embraced him, sobbing, "Oh, Ion,"
"Shh...dear Seth. I'm here. I've finally found you," He shushed her, yet there was a strangeness in his voice, one that her aching heart ignored. He then pushed her away gently, holding her shoulders as she gazed up at him with shimmering emeralds, "How about we go home?"
At first, Seth wanted to jump at the offer, but something came to mind. Uncertain, she looked back at the warm fire that light the shadows of the nearby clearing. What about Inuyasha and the others?
"But what about...? There's these people that helped me and I don't want to leave without a word. I bet they would love to meet you," The girl suggested, moving to return to her feudal allies.
To her surprise, Ion caught her trailing arm firmly, almost roughly. She stopped short in shock and gazed back at him, "What is it? Ion?"
The earl's face was suddenly hard, "No...Don't trust them. They are against you. They are trying to keep you from finding Naraku,"
Confusion assaulted the ruler, "What? I thought Naraku was...I thought he was working with Cain. I heard Cain talking...,"
The blond seemed worried, his eyes strange. He shook his head gravely, "No, my love. He is working against him. He was speaking of him out of fear; he knew that Naraku would only hinder him," Ion explained, "In fact, he was the one who helped me here and will teleport us back to Byzantium. Now, we must go before we are caught,"
Torn and puzzled beyond words, Seth allowed him to pull her into the night. However, there was a commotion back by the fire. She looked back to see Inuyasha running towards them, his friends only yard behind him.
"Seth! Who's there with you? Come back, I smell Naraku!" He yelled after her.
Ion stopped short ahead of her, a curse on his lips. He pulled her suddenly to him and before she knew it, his lips had claimed hers almost roughly but gently and lovingly enough to quell her. Almost as suddenly as it had happened it was over; the blond separated and gazed down at her intently.
"I must leave, my love. I can't be discovered. Don't let them know that you know. I shall return for you..."
With that, he ran from her and the approaching company. She was so confused; this had happened so quickly and she had to act soon. She noticed they had been something weird about him tonight, he didn't seem to be himself. Yet, once again, her heart argued, eager to be back in his arms. She only prayed she would fool her supposed allies.
Nearby, Ion finally stopped his flight near the next wood. He took a moment before he turned back to where he had left Seth. There was a wicked smile on his noble lips. Suddenly, his form wavered and a dark haired man stood in his place, his red eyes devious.
He had succeeded, had placed doubts in the empress' head about her only hope to escape this time period. When he had held her out of false affection, he had felt his prize pulsating within her, the sleeping demon. And with that last kiss, he had bewitched her. It wouldn't be long now...
The empress was under his spell and the demonic power of the Crusnik would soon be his...
A.N: Reviews are appreciated...
