Disclamer: Yeah, you know the drill. Step 1: Acknowledge the fact that I do not own Inuyasha. Step 2: Understand that since I do not own him or the series, you can not sue me. Step 3: Know that I do own my brother in Mario Party 6 on the GameCube (HAH! Take that!).
Sry for any misspellings…Well, here's the next chapter! .
Beauty? Is That It? -- Chapter 9 (Kagome's POV)
I smile when thinking back on how I acquired my odd yet adorable new friends. A soft wind blows, moving the outfit Naraku dressed me in before he placed the curse on me, which meant that I was unconscious and he probably saw me naked... It is a white simple yet elegant dress with bare shoulders, thick straps wound around my collarbone; it is long sleeved. I look like a less-naked mermaid. There are two sea-green ribbons going from the low-top rim encircling my bosom, swirling around and down to the bottom where the dress flares out slightly (1).
I watch Kohaku who has just finished picking fruit from the trees, wash them in the lake. Kohaku is the only one who could go out of the miasma.
I learned that the barrier could be exited from the inside, but people outside could not enter unless they were more powerful than Naraku or if they were invited in. Since Kohaku worked for Naraku, Naraku did not have to be troubled of fetching Kohaku if he tried to escape. Food could only grow outside of the miasma that covered the barrier because the poisonous mist ruined all the food inside.
My gaze switches to Shippo who is running after some fireflies. "C'mon little guys, I won't hurt you," I hear him groan. He trips over a rock and falls flat on his face. I laugh at his innocence as he sits on his rear, rubbing his red-aching nose.
A few minutes later, Kohaku carries the fruit over to me and I call Shippo to eat dinner. I take a fruit that looks like a peach and bite into it. It is sweet and sour, just the way I enjoy it. Shippo gnaws at an apple while Kohaku nibbles on a pear.
After we finish our dinner, Kohaku throws the cores into a corner of a tree for them to decompose. While I kneel to wash my hands, I am interrupted by a shadow hovering over me. I do not need to turn around to see who it is…because I already know.
"What do you want this time, Naraku?" I asked annoyingly as I stand up to face him.
"It is simple really…You know what I want."
"Take it then! You already took everything else. You have enough power."
"Oh really…What have I already taken from you?" He smirks and lowers his head to meet me eye to eye.
I place a finger over my mouth, giving the impression that I was thinking, "Oh, I don't know… maybe you took me, my freedom, my father's life and my natural rights!" I sarcastically say.
He says, "Heh, you are very witty, my Lady. How about you marry me?"
I become furious, "You ask me the same question every night, and every evening I give you the same answer. Why would you do the same thing over and over again, expecting to get a different result? I'd rather die first, you asshole."
His temper rises a bit, "Tell me, former princess, why must you be so difficult? You have no idea how merciful I have been with you."
I cock my head to one side, cross my arms childishly and retort, "Well, lord of the vermin, I figure you would be very used to it by now. As I have said, I'd rather die or kill myself before I willingly accept anything from you."
"Hmph, fine…be that way, woman," he snaps, "I think you need another night…to think about my offer." He points to the sky that is instantly shrouded with fog.
I stiffen. I knew it would come to this, but I can never take the shock. It was excruciating. The transformation gets more painful every time. "…N-no…," I whisper ghastly as I return to the waters. The same glowing water surrounds me and consumes me, turning me back into a swan. Tears flow from my amber eyes and I catch the sight of only Shippo watching helplessly from the bushes and Kohaku was nowhere to be seen. It seems he has already left us for the night.
The next morning before the sun beats upon me, I feel something shaking me. I can vaguely hear the water rippling underneath me. "A few more minutes, father," I mutter sleepily.
"But if I let you continue to snooze, you will miss my surprise," replies the voice.
I jolt awake. I look at him and my surrounding. I am not in my room and I do not see my father. Then, I remember that I am a prisoner of a gruesome demon and that the setting is my dungeon cell. I begin to tear up again, but then I stop when I feel a snug hand wipe away a stray tear on my cheek.
Kohaku gives me one of his few smiles, "It should be illegal for a lady to cry even if there is a curse upon her." He pauses and looks at the heavens, "Come on, I want to show you something." He cradles me in his arms and carries me to only-he-knows-where.
We stop when we see Shippo kicking his hind-legs in excitement and mumbles, "Come back here, fishy. I want to eat you…" He is drooling as well.
We both laugh and continue to venture through the forest. We stop on a hill just in time to see the sun rise. I am amazed at the breathtaking scene, "Wow…"
Kohaku looks down at me, "Um…surprise?"
I thank him for his considerate idea and the lovely thought he put into it. I recall the event that took place yesterday evening and ask him, "Where were you last night? You do not usually leave so early."
"I went to do some thinking. As soon as I had peace and quiet, I thought of cheering you up."
I think a moment, "How do you do it?"
"Huh? Do what?"
"How are you able to stand working for such a malicious demon whose goal is to destroy any opposition in his path in order to rule over the all kingdoms?"
He opens this mouth, but then he closes it as if he forgot what he is going to say. To me, it looks as if he really does not know what to say or how to answer me. No, duh Sherlock…he only got his memory erased by a psycho who tricked him to work for him…
Regardless, he tries to answer me, "I can't stand working for him, but in a strange way, I do not have a choice. I do not remember my past and before I met you, I did not even know that I had a name. I-I just can't remember…"
We continue to talk about his memory but we do not get very far and our knowledge of Naraku shrinks to a mere speck. Just then, Shippo comes walking over rubbing his muzzy eyes, "G'morning?"
I smile, "Morning Shippo. Have a nice dream?"
"Yeah," he turns to Kohaku, "Good Morning."
Kohaku replies ironically, "Late Morning…"
Shippo flares up, "Hey! It's Good Morning."
"Late morning, tiny raccoon," Kohaku smiles humorously.
Shippo shakes a balled fist at him and grits his teeth, "Would you stop calling me that! I am a fox not a stupid raccoon!"
Kohaku lifts his hands up as if in defeat, "Okay, okay Shippo. I am just playing around. You don't have to be so sensitive."
"Well, you don't have to be so 'in'-sensitive," replies Shippo angrily crossing his arms.
I shook my head, smiling. This has happened almost every single morning. I do not scold Shippo for sleeping in. After all, he has no reason to wake up early either. Kohaku would say something that angers Shippo and then he would end up apologizing in the end.
I am reminded of Inuyasha… Whenever we used to get into argument, he would be the first to "accept defeat". I wonder what Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Kirara and Sesshomaru are doing right now. I miss them all, especially Yashy. I want to say sorry for how I acted the way I did before I left. Sorry for making him look foolish in front of his whole kingdom. Also, sorry for not telling him how I felt when I had the chance to. Now…I probably will never have the chance to let him know…
… that I love him…
that I always have and always will…
TBC…
1- It is similar to the dress Odette wears in the actual movie, if you have seen it…it is only similar, I added my little fashion in there too.
Yay! I finally finished…this chapter is a little cheesy though -.-
BTW, Yashy is Inuyasha's nickname…yes, kinda gay, but oh well .
REVIEW PLEASE! THANKS!
