Chapter 10 – Shifting Sands

"It's beautiful, isn't it, Kagome-chan?"

"Ah," she really didn't know what to say. She had found the gift lying innocently over her bed when she woke to the brightly glaring sun. It was white and golden, and she had found a few golden bands to go with it, but even if the Egyptian gown was very beautiful, she was not quite sure if she should wear it. That was the exact reason she brought it to Sango, hoping that the elder woman would know what to do, but she had not expected Sango to take to it so quickly.

Sango frowned, "However, I don't think you should wear it."

"You don't?" Kagome asked, blinking rapidly. Her clothing had already changed to that of the world around her, but the gown was even finer than what she was wearing.

"No," Sango shook her head. "It is obviously from that prince, and there's no telling what customs they have here. Accepting this might not be such a bad thing, but wearing it in his presence might tell others that you've accepted something more from him, such as marriage. Some cultures do those sort of things, you know."

"Yeah, I must have forgotten," Kagome frowned. "I was just so shocked to have found it, you know. No one has ever given me something like this before." She touched the material before, delighted with the foreign feel, and wondering if she would be able to take it with her if she did decide to take it with her. After all, she was sure if she asked she could find out whether or not the customs in this world included giving items to women they wished to marry, and if accepting it meant they accepted the marriage. That just was not something that she was able to do, no matter how lovely the gown was, and she would return it if that turned out to be the case.

"It might be good if you remind yourself of it then, Kagome-chan. There's no telling how long it will take in order to return home, or how many cultures we will pass through. And, there's no telling how many different men will try to give you or me something without telling us the true meaning behind accepting it," Sango frowned a bit deeper. She understood that Kagome was shocked to find such a piece of finery laid out for her, but now was not the time to forget such obvious things. She supposed, though, that she should be happy Kagome brought it for her to see, instead of putting it on and accidentally putting herself into a position that could damage their departure.

Kagome blushed, "I will. Thanks, Sango-chan, I'm not sure what I'd do without you."

Sango reached out and placed her hand onto the other girl's shoulder, smiling a bit when she noticed her friend's embarrassment. "Kagome-chan, there's no reason for you to thank me. I will do anything I can in order to keep you and houshi-sama safe, and Sesshoumaru if I have to, so that we can go home. I'm not saying that because the only thing on my mind is going home, but because you're my friend, and I'll do anything to protect you – even if I have to protect you from yourself."

"I'll try my hardest to do the same," Kagome replied. She wished at that moment that she could form that fierce protectiveness in her eye the way Sango did, but she was glad either way that she had such a friend. She was glad that even though they had had a rough start when they first met, they had become friends and traveled with each other before and even after all this started.

She was not sure what she would do without her.

A soft knock on the doorframe interrupted what Sango was about to say, and she turned her head to see a small, tanned woman moved into the room. Her head was down, and her lack of gold or fine clothing spoke of her rank, as she shuffled into the room quietly. However, as Sango scanned her eyes over the woman, she noticed that she looked remarkably like the bat hanyou they had once encountered. The only difference was the dark hair, for she was not sure about her eyes with her head down.

"Oh, hello," Kagome greeted her.

The servant glanced up shortly, and then lowered her head once more. "Prince Sesshoumaru wishes that I take you to the dining hall for nourishment. He said that he wishes to speak with the Goddess Kagome and her companions before they leave to search the kingdom," she said softly. "I am here to fulfill any needs that you may have before we depart."

Sango pulled her gown back up onto her shoulders, having wished to change into something else she might be carrying, but deciding against it. Already she could feel the heat swarming into the palace from outside, and the gown was one of the few things keeping her sane. "Thank you, you may wait outside the door until we're ready," she stated.

The servant dipped her head and moved backwards out of the door. Then, she moved a few paces away from their sight, not wishing to anger them. She knew the punishment should she make Prince Sesshoumaru angry, and she did not want to think about how much worse it would be if she angered his chosen or her companion.

Kagome fingered the fine material between her fingers once more, and sighed, "I suppose I should return this."

"Yes, otherwise he might begin to wait for the moment that you wear it." Sango laughed a little, "Who knows, he might sneak into your bedchamber during the night in order to place the gown onto your body, and then when you don't realize its there, fling himself into your chamber and declare you're his wife."

Kagome blushed, "It would be Kouga-kun all over again."

oOo

Kagura allowed a smirk to cross her face as she flew onward, the wind whipping by her at a gentle pace. She knew the feel of the wind as if it was apart of her, and soon she knew it would be. The wind was free, unhindered by man or youkai, and often times showing such force that it was clear that it ruled over both. It was as clear as the sunlight that shined down upon the land during the day, and the light the moon cast throughout the night. And soon, it would be clear that the wind was apart of her, and that no one could hold her down with chains.

Hakudoushi had been easy to manipulate into giving her heart – much easier than she had originally thought. However, she had never expected that the boy held her heart, whether he was apart of Naraku or not. She had often thought that after manipulating Hakudoushi, she would have go on some long quest in order to obtain the item from wherever Naraku had hidden it and called it from each time he showed her she would never be free. Apparently the hanyou was losing his touch.

Now, she had agreed to free Hakudoushi from the chains that kept him tied to Naraku. After all, one more ally to help defeat the bastard hanyou was something she would not pass up, even if she had to do a little extra work. The bastard had many abilities, but she doubted that he would be able to stop them once they all were able to turn their backs on him. Naraku, no doubt, would be the first thing that Hakudoushi went after once he was free, and the hanyou would have no way of defending himself, since Hakudoushi was Naraku and Naraku was Hakudoushi until the ties were severed.

However, Kagura was no fool. She knew that even with her heart, Naraku could still see through her eyes the way that he had been doing since before she knew he had the ability. He could not feel what she felt, or know her thoughts, but he would no doubt be troubled when she landed in the courtyard of one of his pervious castles. The bastard would probably know which castle she had landed at, and would try to stop her, but she knew that Naraku was far from the area. He might be able to travel at a much faster pace, but he could not travel faster than the wind.

Even so, she knew that she would have to prepare herself for his arrival.

From Hakudoushi's words she assumed that Kanna would be waiting, or somehow meet her within the castle. Kagura knew that Kanna was able to suck the souls from others, but she was not sure if Kanna would be able to suck the soul out of Naraku's chest. The hanyou had probably formed some type of defense in case his incarnations turned against him, and she would not doubt that he built a defense against Kanna's mirror. He already had a defense against her wind, why not against the void that Kanna created? And that defense could prove to be their downfall, unless they managed to escape before he was able to do much damage.

Kagura sighed, knowing that though the wind often ruled over the lives of man and youkai, in physical form even wind was vulnerable. Her flesh was a hindrance in many ways – not only did it cause her pain when damaged, but it caused her to lust, and to feel. The wind did not need such things, but her flesh did not care, and that truly was her weakness. Yes, she was afraid of death, even if she would be reunited with the wind in its truest and oldest form, but that was a natural fear of all physical creatures – that was not her weakness.

A small frown formed onto her lips, and Kagura forced those thoughts from her head. For now, with her heart, she was free. Her heart beat within her chest. Things were right in the world, and even if Naraku held a small tie to her still, it was good to simply know that they were. Because of that, she did not need to worry about the vulnerability that she had, nor the link that still connected her to Naraku.

And, knowing that was true, Kagura allowed the feather she rode to begin its descent.

oOo

Hakudoushi breathed deeply, allowing the separation to take place. He could feel the heart within him twisting, trying to find a way in order to remain within his body, but he forced it to surrender to his will. It was such a weak thing, Naraku's ningen heart. It feared, and it lusted, even after all this time, and that made it weak. However, Hakudoushi knew more about the heart than anyone else, and he also knew that it reflected that Naraku was weak.

Yes, his master would be easy to break once he was free.

However, as Hakudoushi cast his light colored eyes over the cave walls around him, he wondered. He was not like Kagura, wishing to be free because he felt connected to something that was always free. He was not like Kanna, wishing to be free in order to feel more than the void in his chest. He was like neither of them, or any other incarnation that Naraku had created from his flesh. He was strong, uncaring that he had nothing within his chest or unconnected to something greater than himself. So, he pondered, what was the reason he wished to be free of Naraku's chains, other than the thought of killing him?

After a moment, Hakudoushi supposed that there was none. He wished to be free in order to kill Naraku, to prove that he was the strongest. He wished to be free in order to show Naraku that he was a fool, and rub his face into the dirt as he did so. He wished to be free in order to simply say that he was free, and go about his life, whatever it was, in the fashion that he wished. He wished to be free, because he did not wish to have chains holding him to something that was inferior to himself.

Then, as Hakudoushi pushed more and more against the heart settled within him against his will, a brief flash filled his vision. A girl smiled at him innocently, though he knew that she truly smiled at another, not at him. Her hair fell around her heart shaped face, while her eyes glittered in happiness, directed at and meant only for him. And, behind her, her aura spread out in its massive form, the purify creating a marvelous creature of strength, and showed that she was anything but weak.

Hakudoushi closed his eyes then, allowing the image to remain in his minds eye. The miko wench. He scowled at the very thought of her, for even now, when she was dead, she troubled his thoughts. He supposed that the obsession had grown from Onigumo's obsession for Kikyo, but he knew that Onigumo was a fool to lust after that bitch. Hakudoushi knew that he had chosen the right miko, the living one, for her power had increased and strengthened since Kikyo had called the soul hers. However, though powerful, the miko was troublesome and unwanted, even when his physical form protested.

The heart in his chest gave a loud thump, and then skipped a beat. The action caused Hakudoushi to release the pleasant vision of the miko, for he hated whenever the weak thing mistook what was his for its own. Onigumo's weak heart was unable to tell the difference, proving its weakness even more, between the living and the dead. Naraku's weak heart was unable to tell the differences between the old and the new, and Hakudoushi was unwilling to share.

His mind set, he returned to his task of separating the heart from his body. He had yet to decide where he was going to deposit the thing, but it did not matter to him at the moment. He was determined to cast the thing from his body and finally enjoy a brief vision of his miko without the thing interfering. It did not matter that she was now dead, her face and voice were etched into his mind, and he would be unwilling to let her go. The heart only got in the way of that, constantly thinking of Kikyo whenever he envisioned her, and its weakness made it unworthy of his body.

Not a second later a wicked smile spread across his face. The annoying organ fell to the floor, beating and reminding him of Naraku's life. However, his smile stretched when he realized that soon he would be able to rid the world of Naraku's existence. Yes, he would enjoy feeling his blood on his hands, but why waste his energy? It would be so much simpler to take a stab at the heart, stopping Naraku in his tracks, and wondering about the ways he choked for life.

oOo

Kanna stepped away from the shadows the moment she realized that Kagura had arrived. Her footsteps were light as she made her way over to her, while her eyes swept over the ruins of the once beautiful structure. She remembered the way it stood before Naraku's influence had corrupted the walls and killed those within them. However, she was not there to admire the beauty that it had once held, nor was she there to care about it, because she knew what her mission was.

"Kagura," she greeted her sibling.

Kagura flicked her fan closed, the weapon going unnoticed by her sister. She frowned only a little when she noticed how much Kanna had not changed, even with her soul within her body. No doubt it was, since Hakudoushi had released it – but her eyes were still dark voids, and she still held up her mirror as if it were her only thing in life. "Kanna," Kagura nodded.

"This way," Kanna said, turning on her heel.

Kagura continued to frown when she realized that even Kanna's voice had not changed. However, she supposed that there was a chance that Kanna's soul was exactly as she was, a lifeless void. It would surely explain the reason that her sister's mood did not appear to be affected, or anything else about her. Though, Kagura did take notice that the once white flower in Kanna's hair was now a stunning purple, and very easily picked out from the rest of the white form that made up Kanna.

Kanna moved down the corridors soundlessly, knowing that Kagura was following her closely. She knew that Kagura was aware of where the chamber was, but allowed her feet to lead the way. They lead her through the castle without much thought, until finally she stopped in front of a single door, and waited for Kagura to slide it open. Once she had, Kanna stepped inside, and moved to where the trapdoor was located. "Here, Kagura," she said, her voice low and emotionless.

Kagura watched as Kanna leaned down, her hand grasping the handle and pulling the entrance open. Instantly Kagura knew that something lay within, for she could hear the soft sounds of what she knew was supposed to be an infant. However, she knew that it was not truly such a thing, and stepped down the steps leading into the darkness once Kanna had taken the first few. Her fan was held tight in her hand, sliding open a bit, just as she reached the bottom.

"There," Kanna pointed.

Kagura followed her finger, and saw in the darkness the small bundle that was obviously the infant. It was raised on a small pedestal, and reaching out into the darkness with its small hands. Kagura narrowed her eyes, uncaring of its life as she raised her fan. Then, with a simple flick downwards, blades rolled through the darkness and struck the infant before it could make another sound. They cut into its flesh, slicing it to pieces as more and more spun from the edge of her fan and toward the small life form.

Kanna twisted her mirror, capturing the soul that escaped the form within seconds. Her mind was set on her freedom, and she did not notice the tug she felt within her, or the fact that the flower in her hair was beginning to drain in color. For soon she would be free, and she would take Hakudoushi far from this land in order to live without chains. She could no longer feel the void in her chest, for she would have a reason to live, other than to serve her lord and father.

She did not take her eyes off the pedestal for a moment, knowing that another figure was supposed to come forth. Kagura was not disappointed when she noticed the small wooden figure now standing erect on stop of the platform, or when it began to grow. She opened her fan wider, her eyes narrowing as the form came to life, Naraku's form instantly attacking her. However, she was prepared, and sliced through the first barrage of tentacles that came her way.

Blinking, Kanna moved from Kagura's side, and walked by the distracted puppet. Its goal was to destroy the one who destroyed the infant, so it took no notice of her. Kanna was not worried, for she easily moved to the other side of the chamber, and reached out for the stone figure sitting on a low shelf. The figurine was identical to Hakudoushi, and appeared to be cracked only slightly across the chest. The small imperfection caused a small smile to stretch over Kanna's normally stoic face, and she turned to retreat to the stairs.

Kagura gritted her teeth, wondering what in the world Kanna was doing. However, she was not given time to think as another set of tentacles was sent her way. She destroyed them quickly, feeling her chest heave a bit each time she flicked her wrist. She did not understand why the thing would not die, since that blasted Inuyasha and his group could defeat them so easily – especially if this was one created some time ago. "Damn it," Kagura hissed, "die! Dance of Blades!"

Kanna took a small glance at her, before taking the first few steps up toward the light. Her fingers tightened around the small figurine, before she felt another tug inside of her, this one more noticeable. Then, slowly, the color drained completely from the flower in her hair, and her eyes became a bit darker in color. They swirled like a true abyss, and she gave a small nod before she turned toward the battle taking place in the underground area around her.

Kagura froze for only a second, before her head whipped around in order to see Kanna staring at her through the darkness. Her eyes were the most terrifying things that Kagura had ever seen, the swirling blackness signaling the abyss that would soon take her over. Then, in her error of judgement, she felt something impale her from the front. She did not even need to turn, for her vision was soon filled with that of tentacles, only then for everything to fade away into nothingness.

Kanna blinked, and turned to walk back up the stairs. The puppet behind her gave a low keening, obviously pleased with its kill, but she did not care. She did not take notice of anything until her foot landed on the floor, and she cast her eyes up toward the one that ruled her. Then she lowered her head, and reached out her hand in order to give him what he demanded of her, placing the figurine into his outstretched hand.

"Good girl, Kanna," Naraku laughed.

Oh, how he loved whenever fools played right into his hand.

oOo

Kagome smiled a little, before offering the gown up to him. The prince appeared to be confused, but she was not about to let him fool her on this one. She already had Kouga back at home declaring that she was his woman all the time, she did not need someone declaring that she was going to be their wife or something. The gesture was really sweet, but she did not want anything to stop them from going home. "I really like it, I do," she tried to assure him, "but I just can't take something like this from you."

Prince Sesshoumaru frowned, "I do not understand, Goddess Kagome."

"Please, its Kagome," she sighed, "and I can't take this. I'm sure that you put a lot of thought into getting it, but I don't think that I should take it from you."

"No," Prince Sesshoumaru shook his head. "You do not understand, Kagome. I did not give you such a thing."

"Huh?" Kagome blinked. Now she was confused.

Prince Sesshoumaru frowned, before casting his eyes down the table. His eyes sought out that of the God that had been angered with his flattery of the Goddess before him, and wondered if he had done this in order to make the Goddess angry with him. He knew that the God had not visited Kagome during the night, but perhaps he truly was her husband and was trying to make sure that she wanted nothing to do with him. The very thought caused him to scowl, for he would not be deterred from the beauty before him.

"I'm afraid that I did not give you that lovely piece of art, Goddess," Prince Sesshoumaru sighed. "I wish now that I had thought of such a gesture, but I did not. Perhaps one of the servants decided to place it out for you to wear, thinking that it would look lovely on you." His eyes darkened a bit, and he leaned a bit closer to her, "And, I should thank whoever it was that did so, because I am sure that it will look divine."

"Oh," Kagome blushed.

"No," he shook his head, "I am positive that it will. Though, this feeble piece of cloth would be nothing without your beauty to enhance its own, Goddess. You will be what truly makes it shine, for on any other I am sure that it would look plain and unnoticeable."

A few seats down, Sango hit Miroku in the arm when he mentioned that the prince was quite good. She scowled at him, and muttered that he should be thinking about something other than flirting – like going home. However, the houshi did not seem to get it, because he chuckled and took another sip of his wine. So, Sango hit him again, restarting the cycle once more.

"I—I really don't think that I should take it, though," Kagome finally said. She decided to ignore the way that he was staring at her, since it turned her insides to mush. He was obviously a master at flirting with women, since he used both his voice and his words in order to make it seem even more flattering. "I mean, it's really not mine to have! I appreciate the gesture, but I don't think that I could take this from anyone."

Prince Sesshoumaru blinked, "If someone placed it in your chambers, then it was obviously meant for you to wear. You should not let such a gift go to waste."

"Please," she pleaded.

He reached out, and took the gown from her quivering hands. Then, he bowed his head, and called forth a servant to hold it. "If that is what you wish, Goddess. I will have the owner found immediately, and have it returned. However, should that person decide that they wish for you, and you alone, to have it, there is nothing that I can do," he replied.

She twitched, before saying, "Don't get any ideas. I'll know if there is even the slightest difference, and then I'll know to bring it straight to you."

Prince Sesshoumaru laughed, asking, "Whatever gave you that idea, Goddess?"

"Its Kagome," she reminded him once more.

"Kagome," he corrected himself. He did not see why she insisted on it, but he supposed that he should not have her wrath turned upon him. "I would not dream of doing such a thing once it has been done. No, I will do something even better."

Kagome shook her head at him, watching as he raised his goblet to his lips and drank. Then he turned to smile at her once more, and she returned the smile, before going back to her food. It was hot out, and she knew that she would need as much as she could possibly get in order to get through it. And she did not think it would be very polite of her to not even touch what had been placed in front of her face.

Prince Sesshoumaru cast his eyes down the table, and noticed that the unnamed God was looking in his direction. However, he realized after a moment that the God was looking not at him, but his advisor, standing just behind him on this morn. His eyes narrowed, and he looked back at Naraku for a quick moment, noticing the way his eyes quickly shifted in order to look further down the table. He was no fool, though; he knew that Naraku had been gazing at Kagome, and whatever reason he had would not be hidden for very long.

Sesshoumaru shifted himself, feeling the gold around his shoulders shift as well. However, he paid little attention to the trinkets as he cast his eyes over the other occupants of the table once more. He found it odd that the miko would find such a thing lying on her bed for her in the morning, and that he had not even noticed a single sound the night before. However, he did not need sound in order to notice that the miko now smelled of his double's advisor, and decided at that moment that he would watch him a little more closely.

After all, he needed the miko and her strange key to return home. The mortal would not stand in his way.

KibaSin: Well, that was fun to write. Though, I hated all the twists and turns, since I had to reread a couple of things in order to make them happen. Hm, but I love my changes in Prince Sesshoumaru, since the boy is very much like a mixture of Kouga and Miroku. And, who doesn't like a bit of romance? Hehe.

Kiba