I just want to tell all my readers I really appreciate your patience with
me as I try and get out these chapters. Thankfully I type fast, in the
time I do have on the keyboard ^_^ Enjoy 10!! And for all you hopless
romantics (like me) who are just waiting for some chemistry -wink- I
promise you won't be disappointed.
Pruningshears: Thank you for all your wonderful feedback. You've actually touched on a few things that I'll be mentioning if not in this chapter (which at the point of this review I hadn't finished), then the next chapter. As for modern accessories, well we'll see what I can come up with. Francesca's not your average person, woman or not, and can take a great deal in stride, more than some it seems. I hope you'll continue reading/reviewing.
del_kaidin(): It's taken me a while, but this chapter really beat at me. There was so much plot to get covered, and so many details that I needed to work through, I hope it's worth your wait.
Wizardess Gal : Thanks ;) I hope you're pleased with this chapter.
Miko Youkai: Keitaro, dreamy? *hears a loud and indignant FEH from behind her* Oh Kei, you are so obstinant, most men would love to have women tripping over them. *FEH* Ah well, I'm sure I'll convince him to loosen up :P
Kay: I hope you enjoyed the other 8 chapters, and here's 10 ^_^
*******************************************************
I was right on a few accounts. The twins snuck into my futon in the middle of the night and Kohana followed not long after. It was too hot to have all those warm bodies around, and it becomes almost stifling. I couldn't sleep between the heat and my nervousness, so I pried myself away fro everyone and walked outside.
The night air was a little bit cooler, but not much, so after looking around, I slid out of the youkata that Kagome had loaned me and made my way carefully down the side of the small stream that rand through the village. The water was cool, and as I splashed some on me, I felt much cooler and more at ease.
"Nee-san," I heard mumbled behind me, and I looked up to see a sleepy eyed Kohana staring down at me, "It's too early for a bath."
"I know, " I whispered, "but I was too hot and couldn't sleep."
"Oh," she said and sat down. I finished my mini-bath and reached for the yukata. Making my way back up the riverbank proved more daunting than going down, and I sat next to the drowsy child.
"Kohana, go back inside, " I said gently and she shook her head, rubbing her eyes. "No Nee-san, I wanna stay up with you." I smiled, "I'll be going back to bed soon, I just need to think,"
"About what," she asked, tilting her head to the side curiously. I sighed, and realized she wasn't going to stop. So I settled a little more comfortably in the grass.
"I'm nervous about meeting all the other youkai tomorrow, the human men don't seem to like me very much, so I'm sure the youkai won't think very kindly of me."
"That's not true Nee-san," she said, rubbing her eyes again and looking determinatly at me, "They like Mamma just fine, they listen when she talks, so I'm sure they'd listen to you too."
"They listen to your mother because they know her, and she is a miko. I'm just a strange woman from a strange place, " I said.
"Well, make yourself not such a strange woman from a strange place, "she said simply,as if it could easily solve my problem with such a simple statement. I opened my mouth to reply and couldn't. It really was that simple, wasn't it?
"Thank you Kohana," I said and hugged her, "You're right. Now come on, I can't make them like me if I look all tired and ugly when I meet them, now can I?"
Kohana giggled, "You're very pretty Nee-san," she said and hugged me back, yawning. We walked hand in hand back to the house, and settled back down to chase sleep once again.
Despite my talk with Kohana that morning, when the sun rose, it brought with it a lump of dread in my stomach. I blinked and looked at the ray of sun that broke thorugh one of the windows, then rolled voer, covering my face with my arm. I heard the rustling of clothing and very soft footsteps. I continued aying there silent and as sill as I could but the footsteps stopped beside me.
"Get up," said Keitaro's rough voice, "We have to leave now to make the meeting on time, " he grumbled and I sat up.
"I'm ready, "I said, reaching for my clothes. He tossed a bundle at me.
"Wear this," he ordered and I opened up a worn but still very lovely kimono. There was also a small hair clip nestled in the material. I glanced up at h im to thank him and he actually smiled, " You'll look lovely in this, hurry and get dressed."
Far be it for me to be ungrateful for a gift, but something tugged at my mind and I gently reached out. Kei was nervous, and anxious, as was I, but there was something else.
Anger made my hands shake as I rose to my feet and threw the kimono at him. His face flashed surprise on his face before his anger kicked in.
"How dare you," he snarled and I got right into his face.
"How dare I?" I said, "Don't think I don't know what game you're playing at. You want me to get dressed like that so the others will see me as nothing more than a delicate woman, a hinderance rather than a help, and will keep me from going with them. Well I won't go along with it, I'll dress in my own clothes!"
He glared at me and I reached for the ties of the yukata and saw he was still standing there, arms crossed, "Do you mind?"
He stood firm, "Why should I care? Nothing exciting to see, " he mumbled. Fine, two could play this game. The greatest benefit of being rasied in an Itlaian culture is there are certain things that you are taught from a young age. One is a great sense of pride in yourself, which I had in abundance, so without a second thought I loosened the yukata and let it drop from my shoulders. I reached for my jeans and slipped them on, careful not to catch the fastenings in the bandages around my chest. When I looked up, Keitaro had his back turned.
"Have you no modesty woman," he snarled, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"I thought you didn't care," I taunted as I slipped on my shirt, "Besides, you didn't see anything, I had my underclothes on."
"It doesn't matter," his voice pitched to almost a whine, and I snickered again. "Are you decent yet woman?"
I sighed, "Yes, let's get going," he glanced hesitantly over his shoulder at my obviously strange attire.
"At least wear the clothing my mother gave you," he snapped.
"Why? I'm not a miko, and I won't go under those pretenses. I'm going just as me." He grunted and headed out the door. I followed him, having to double my pace to keep up with his swift walk. Just past the village he stopped and knelt.
"Get on," he said with a sigh. I glanced at him and stepped behind him a little baffled. I hadn't ridden piggyback in more than a decade, almost two and being a grown woman, how to do so was a little awkward. I carefully wrapped my arms around his neck and he snorted, "Damnit woman, we're late as it is!"
"I'm sorry your highness, I'm not exactly sure how to do this," I snapped back and pondered how to brace a knee on his side when his arms looped around and scooped my legs against him. I yelped and fell forward against his back, and just as quick, he stood and took off. I gripped my arms tight around his neck until I could get a better grip on his waist with my knees, and then I moved my arms so I wasn't strangling him, but held onto his shoulders. I bowed my head down against the back of his neck to keep the wind from pulling at me and slowing us down. It was an exhilarating feeling, flying through the forest at such speed. I had taken horseback lessons as a teen, and it wasn't half as exciting as this was.
I closed my eyes, and took the time to build up my mental walls. I had never been around youkai before (with the exception of the kitsune) and I didn't know how their emotions were going to effect me. Keitaro seemed to notice my stillness and paused in his run.
"Are you alright?" he asked, concern very open.
"Fine. Hurry, we need to get there," I muttered and felt the wind puck up again. I weaved the wall as strong as I could and ventured loosening my concentration to see if I could pick up on Keitaro. Touch always made things ten times stronger but my mind remained blessedly calm and free. That was a good sign.
We cleared some brush and appeared on a small clearing where a few farmiliar faces and a great many non farmiliar faces sat. I sat near Kagome who smiled warmly in welcome for a brief moment before turning to the assembled. There were some wolves, a few bears, a large spider like creature and one face I recognized towering above the rest, Jinenji seated quietly to the side. Keitaro took a seat beside me, much in the same pose as his father, arms and legs crossed and a neutral look on his face.
"Where are the children," I whispered to Kagome.
"In a nearby den with Shippou's mate,' she whispered in return. I nodded and waited for someone to speak. Everyone was staring at me, and I looked down at my hands to resist staring back.
"So this is the woman," I heard a man's voice and glanced up. He was tall and slender, with a weathered look to his face, the he still looked very young, my age in fact. His long brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he wore armor over fur clothing. "What is it with you and your stray, strange womene, Inu-koro?" Kagome narrowed her eyes, "Kouga!" I noted he looked slightly guilty at her obvious reproach and shut his mouth. I simply lifted my head and pretended to ignore his comment.
"We all know why we're here," spoke up Inuyasha, "There is a new threat to our lands, and it needs to be stopped."
"It has only killed a human so far, perhaps that is its only prey," came a voice among the wolves.
"It also tried to kill my daughter Kohana. If not for this stray, strange woman, she would be no more," he said. "I've called you all together to come up with a way to rid ourselves of this danger before it becomes worse. It may have a taste for humans now, but what if it decides on tastier food, perhaps a more challenging prey? How will you all protect your mates and pups from an enemy with no scent and no form?"
"No scent, no form, that's impossible," came an outcry.
"Not impossible, very true," Inuyasha replied.
"Inu-koro, your nose has probably gotten too weak from all your years in the human village," joked Kouga, and the assembled laughed with the exception of Inuyasha's family and myself. Kouga was getting on my last nerve, first with his insult to me, and this constant 'dogface' comment. Keitaro looked furious and about to stick his foot firmly in his mouth and say something insulting, when I decided to speak up before he could do so.
"It's true," I shouted and jumped to my feet. Kagome stared at me, and Keitaro simply rolled his eyes, as if I was the one doing something stupid. Kouga stared me down with a look that made me extremely nervous. It was the hungry look of a predetor that brought ice to my veins.
"And how would you know, humans are blind in their senses compared to us," he snarled and I took a slow step forward.
"I have proof, it attacked me. Even over a day's bandages and ointment, surely the mighty prince Kouga could pick up that scent," I whispered just loud enough to sound meek and mocking at the same time. There was a hushed whisper throughout the assembled and Kouga looked at me nervously and then squared out his shoulders, "Alright then," he answered to my challenge.
For the second time that day, I shamelessly shed my shirt, of course still decent with the bandages that were wrapped around my torso, and turned my back to him I held my breath as I felt his presence against the still painful wounds on my back and after a moment he stepped back.
"It's true," he declared after a moment and the assembled threw up their voices in argument. I took a step back, but didn't sit.
"What are we supposed to do," came Jinenji's soft voice, impressive over the roar of the others.
Keitaro spoke up now, "That's why she's here," he said pointing to me. I turned my head to give him a withering look when the cold sensation of a strong fist hit my stomach. Down I went, my hand flying to my lips to keep back the bile that threatened at the back of my throat. My skin went cold and despite the heat, I felt frozen. I knew then what guys must go through when kneed.
Then at the back of my mind, a light angging feeling, tugging at me to pay attention. The sweet scent of jasmine flooded my nose, bringing me back to my physical senses, in torment as they were. I looked around, feeling disembodied as I looked into the worried eyes of Keitaro who had knelt in front of me. Feeling rather faint, I moved away before he could touch me. As strange as I felt, I didn't doubt that I would either pick up on his emotions or even worse transfer my feelings to him, and I didn't want to risk it.
"Something-"I whispered as it hit me again, bending me down to the ground. I pressed my forehead to the thursty earth and dropped my mental walls. A cold fist grabbed onto my heart and squeezed and I gasped for breath. It was worse than the first attack, the hunger came in many voices, each one hungrier than the first. I felt my body lurch as each call of hunger sounded inside me and I stumbled to my feet.
"Francesca," I vaguely heard as I stared blankly out into the forest.
"Is she mad?" I heard behind me, but their emotions were bearly a whisper to my mind.
"They're here," I heard myself mumble and Keitaro grabbed my shoulder, the heat from his hand shocking me back, but that was the only sensation I felt from him, his emotions were strangely hidden from me.
"Where?" he hissed and squeezed my arm. I stretched out my senses trying to find the source. The hunger intensified and I reached up my hand to grip his wrist tightly, keeping a sense of my physical self at the surface of my mind. Very faintly, I heard laughter, children's laughter. I opened my eyes and pushed him away, turning blindly and stumbling away.
"No!" I cried and felt an arm pull me close and I found myself swept into Keitaro's arms.
"Francesca," he whispered in my hair, and I gained my voice enough to whisper, "The children, oh God, they're after the children." His eyes widened and he shouted, "The children!" He took off running so fast that the wind that brushed against us took my breath away. I took deep breaths until the pounding in my ears subsided. Kei's presence was like a wall of protection and I used that to my advantage, strengthening my will.
I could hear the swift pounding of feet as everyone ran with us, and I felt terror brush my skin, ours and theirs. We broke thorugh the forest line and heard screams from within the cave. At the front lay a mound of golden fur.
"Akame," Keitaro whispered and let me down. I was about to ask him who it was when a cry rose up and I saw Shippou run forward and cradle the body to him, his face folded in silent sobs. I knew then who she was. I bowed my head and felt the cold grip my stomach. I pressed my hand to the ground, and closed my eyes.
"Quick, get the children out of here," I cried and saw looks of resistance. The wailing echoed from within the cave walls, and I felt a bout of nausea flood over me in reaction to the emmense sadness.
"They're going to call them back, and it'll be safer for them if they're taken from here," I said, hoping that would convince the parents. It seemed to work for the most part. A hand full of people I didn't know stayed behind, as wel as Keitaro, Kouga and Inuyasha. Kagome left with much resistance, wanting to stay with me, but Inuyasha convinced her to stay with the children, to used her abilities to protect them. She handed me an arrow before she took off running, and I held that arrow like a lifeline, gripped tightly in my fist.
I felt the pull of hunger rise up again, and stared across the empty clearing, waiting for some sign. The wind had picked up and all the foliage was rustling, leaving physical signs of movement moot. I tried to calm down, to focus myself, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart. I closed my eyes and let all my mental defenses collapse around me and gave up all control to the power of my Empathy, something I had never done before. It washed through me and spread out like a giant hand. My vision blurred for a moment and I looked around. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Everytyhing seemed to be covered in a faint glow. Inuyasha and Keitaro glowed red, and Kouga was a dark blue. I looked inot the forest and felt them approaching now, slowly but steadily and saw the shapless shadows forming in the distance. I smiled and stared down at my hands, glowing almost opal, a rainbow of colors glittering from within the light.
"I can see-" I paused and spun around, as I felt them approaching faster. My concentration slipped and the colors vanished, my basic defenses slipping back into place. I froze and tried to gain it back, but I was tired, and couldn't force them down again.
I heard the sound of a sword being drawn, and waited. Silence and then as if there were a sound, the pounding roar of hunger filled my ears. It paused at the edge of the clearing.
'What are they waiting for?' I thought, and stood as ready as I could, waiting for the battle to begin.
YES!! I KNOW I'm the queen of Cliffies, all bow before my wickedness :P I'm sorry guys for doing this, but I'm tired, and I just typed 8 pages in 1 hour, which I'm sure is a record, and my fingers hurt. ^_^ I hope you all like the build up and I'll bring you a great fight scene in Chapter 11, I promise.
Pruningshears: Thank you for all your wonderful feedback. You've actually touched on a few things that I'll be mentioning if not in this chapter (which at the point of this review I hadn't finished), then the next chapter. As for modern accessories, well we'll see what I can come up with. Francesca's not your average person, woman or not, and can take a great deal in stride, more than some it seems. I hope you'll continue reading/reviewing.
del_kaidin(): It's taken me a while, but this chapter really beat at me. There was so much plot to get covered, and so many details that I needed to work through, I hope it's worth your wait.
Wizardess Gal : Thanks ;) I hope you're pleased with this chapter.
Miko Youkai: Keitaro, dreamy? *hears a loud and indignant FEH from behind her* Oh Kei, you are so obstinant, most men would love to have women tripping over them. *FEH* Ah well, I'm sure I'll convince him to loosen up :P
Kay: I hope you enjoyed the other 8 chapters, and here's 10 ^_^
*******************************************************
I was right on a few accounts. The twins snuck into my futon in the middle of the night and Kohana followed not long after. It was too hot to have all those warm bodies around, and it becomes almost stifling. I couldn't sleep between the heat and my nervousness, so I pried myself away fro everyone and walked outside.
The night air was a little bit cooler, but not much, so after looking around, I slid out of the youkata that Kagome had loaned me and made my way carefully down the side of the small stream that rand through the village. The water was cool, and as I splashed some on me, I felt much cooler and more at ease.
"Nee-san," I heard mumbled behind me, and I looked up to see a sleepy eyed Kohana staring down at me, "It's too early for a bath."
"I know, " I whispered, "but I was too hot and couldn't sleep."
"Oh," she said and sat down. I finished my mini-bath and reached for the yukata. Making my way back up the riverbank proved more daunting than going down, and I sat next to the drowsy child.
"Kohana, go back inside, " I said gently and she shook her head, rubbing her eyes. "No Nee-san, I wanna stay up with you." I smiled, "I'll be going back to bed soon, I just need to think,"
"About what," she asked, tilting her head to the side curiously. I sighed, and realized she wasn't going to stop. So I settled a little more comfortably in the grass.
"I'm nervous about meeting all the other youkai tomorrow, the human men don't seem to like me very much, so I'm sure the youkai won't think very kindly of me."
"That's not true Nee-san," she said, rubbing her eyes again and looking determinatly at me, "They like Mamma just fine, they listen when she talks, so I'm sure they'd listen to you too."
"They listen to your mother because they know her, and she is a miko. I'm just a strange woman from a strange place, " I said.
"Well, make yourself not such a strange woman from a strange place, "she said simply,as if it could easily solve my problem with such a simple statement. I opened my mouth to reply and couldn't. It really was that simple, wasn't it?
"Thank you Kohana," I said and hugged her, "You're right. Now come on, I can't make them like me if I look all tired and ugly when I meet them, now can I?"
Kohana giggled, "You're very pretty Nee-san," she said and hugged me back, yawning. We walked hand in hand back to the house, and settled back down to chase sleep once again.
Despite my talk with Kohana that morning, when the sun rose, it brought with it a lump of dread in my stomach. I blinked and looked at the ray of sun that broke thorugh one of the windows, then rolled voer, covering my face with my arm. I heard the rustling of clothing and very soft footsteps. I continued aying there silent and as sill as I could but the footsteps stopped beside me.
"Get up," said Keitaro's rough voice, "We have to leave now to make the meeting on time, " he grumbled and I sat up.
"I'm ready, "I said, reaching for my clothes. He tossed a bundle at me.
"Wear this," he ordered and I opened up a worn but still very lovely kimono. There was also a small hair clip nestled in the material. I glanced up at h im to thank him and he actually smiled, " You'll look lovely in this, hurry and get dressed."
Far be it for me to be ungrateful for a gift, but something tugged at my mind and I gently reached out. Kei was nervous, and anxious, as was I, but there was something else.
Anger made my hands shake as I rose to my feet and threw the kimono at him. His face flashed surprise on his face before his anger kicked in.
"How dare you," he snarled and I got right into his face.
"How dare I?" I said, "Don't think I don't know what game you're playing at. You want me to get dressed like that so the others will see me as nothing more than a delicate woman, a hinderance rather than a help, and will keep me from going with them. Well I won't go along with it, I'll dress in my own clothes!"
He glared at me and I reached for the ties of the yukata and saw he was still standing there, arms crossed, "Do you mind?"
He stood firm, "Why should I care? Nothing exciting to see, " he mumbled. Fine, two could play this game. The greatest benefit of being rasied in an Itlaian culture is there are certain things that you are taught from a young age. One is a great sense of pride in yourself, which I had in abundance, so without a second thought I loosened the yukata and let it drop from my shoulders. I reached for my jeans and slipped them on, careful not to catch the fastenings in the bandages around my chest. When I looked up, Keitaro had his back turned.
"Have you no modesty woman," he snarled, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"I thought you didn't care," I taunted as I slipped on my shirt, "Besides, you didn't see anything, I had my underclothes on."
"It doesn't matter," his voice pitched to almost a whine, and I snickered again. "Are you decent yet woman?"
I sighed, "Yes, let's get going," he glanced hesitantly over his shoulder at my obviously strange attire.
"At least wear the clothing my mother gave you," he snapped.
"Why? I'm not a miko, and I won't go under those pretenses. I'm going just as me." He grunted and headed out the door. I followed him, having to double my pace to keep up with his swift walk. Just past the village he stopped and knelt.
"Get on," he said with a sigh. I glanced at him and stepped behind him a little baffled. I hadn't ridden piggyback in more than a decade, almost two and being a grown woman, how to do so was a little awkward. I carefully wrapped my arms around his neck and he snorted, "Damnit woman, we're late as it is!"
"I'm sorry your highness, I'm not exactly sure how to do this," I snapped back and pondered how to brace a knee on his side when his arms looped around and scooped my legs against him. I yelped and fell forward against his back, and just as quick, he stood and took off. I gripped my arms tight around his neck until I could get a better grip on his waist with my knees, and then I moved my arms so I wasn't strangling him, but held onto his shoulders. I bowed my head down against the back of his neck to keep the wind from pulling at me and slowing us down. It was an exhilarating feeling, flying through the forest at such speed. I had taken horseback lessons as a teen, and it wasn't half as exciting as this was.
I closed my eyes, and took the time to build up my mental walls. I had never been around youkai before (with the exception of the kitsune) and I didn't know how their emotions were going to effect me. Keitaro seemed to notice my stillness and paused in his run.
"Are you alright?" he asked, concern very open.
"Fine. Hurry, we need to get there," I muttered and felt the wind puck up again. I weaved the wall as strong as I could and ventured loosening my concentration to see if I could pick up on Keitaro. Touch always made things ten times stronger but my mind remained blessedly calm and free. That was a good sign.
We cleared some brush and appeared on a small clearing where a few farmiliar faces and a great many non farmiliar faces sat. I sat near Kagome who smiled warmly in welcome for a brief moment before turning to the assembled. There were some wolves, a few bears, a large spider like creature and one face I recognized towering above the rest, Jinenji seated quietly to the side. Keitaro took a seat beside me, much in the same pose as his father, arms and legs crossed and a neutral look on his face.
"Where are the children," I whispered to Kagome.
"In a nearby den with Shippou's mate,' she whispered in return. I nodded and waited for someone to speak. Everyone was staring at me, and I looked down at my hands to resist staring back.
"So this is the woman," I heard a man's voice and glanced up. He was tall and slender, with a weathered look to his face, the he still looked very young, my age in fact. His long brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he wore armor over fur clothing. "What is it with you and your stray, strange womene, Inu-koro?" Kagome narrowed her eyes, "Kouga!" I noted he looked slightly guilty at her obvious reproach and shut his mouth. I simply lifted my head and pretended to ignore his comment.
"We all know why we're here," spoke up Inuyasha, "There is a new threat to our lands, and it needs to be stopped."
"It has only killed a human so far, perhaps that is its only prey," came a voice among the wolves.
"It also tried to kill my daughter Kohana. If not for this stray, strange woman, she would be no more," he said. "I've called you all together to come up with a way to rid ourselves of this danger before it becomes worse. It may have a taste for humans now, but what if it decides on tastier food, perhaps a more challenging prey? How will you all protect your mates and pups from an enemy with no scent and no form?"
"No scent, no form, that's impossible," came an outcry.
"Not impossible, very true," Inuyasha replied.
"Inu-koro, your nose has probably gotten too weak from all your years in the human village," joked Kouga, and the assembled laughed with the exception of Inuyasha's family and myself. Kouga was getting on my last nerve, first with his insult to me, and this constant 'dogface' comment. Keitaro looked furious and about to stick his foot firmly in his mouth and say something insulting, when I decided to speak up before he could do so.
"It's true," I shouted and jumped to my feet. Kagome stared at me, and Keitaro simply rolled his eyes, as if I was the one doing something stupid. Kouga stared me down with a look that made me extremely nervous. It was the hungry look of a predetor that brought ice to my veins.
"And how would you know, humans are blind in their senses compared to us," he snarled and I took a slow step forward.
"I have proof, it attacked me. Even over a day's bandages and ointment, surely the mighty prince Kouga could pick up that scent," I whispered just loud enough to sound meek and mocking at the same time. There was a hushed whisper throughout the assembled and Kouga looked at me nervously and then squared out his shoulders, "Alright then," he answered to my challenge.
For the second time that day, I shamelessly shed my shirt, of course still decent with the bandages that were wrapped around my torso, and turned my back to him I held my breath as I felt his presence against the still painful wounds on my back and after a moment he stepped back.
"It's true," he declared after a moment and the assembled threw up their voices in argument. I took a step back, but didn't sit.
"What are we supposed to do," came Jinenji's soft voice, impressive over the roar of the others.
Keitaro spoke up now, "That's why she's here," he said pointing to me. I turned my head to give him a withering look when the cold sensation of a strong fist hit my stomach. Down I went, my hand flying to my lips to keep back the bile that threatened at the back of my throat. My skin went cold and despite the heat, I felt frozen. I knew then what guys must go through when kneed.
Then at the back of my mind, a light angging feeling, tugging at me to pay attention. The sweet scent of jasmine flooded my nose, bringing me back to my physical senses, in torment as they were. I looked around, feeling disembodied as I looked into the worried eyes of Keitaro who had knelt in front of me. Feeling rather faint, I moved away before he could touch me. As strange as I felt, I didn't doubt that I would either pick up on his emotions or even worse transfer my feelings to him, and I didn't want to risk it.
"Something-"I whispered as it hit me again, bending me down to the ground. I pressed my forehead to the thursty earth and dropped my mental walls. A cold fist grabbed onto my heart and squeezed and I gasped for breath. It was worse than the first attack, the hunger came in many voices, each one hungrier than the first. I felt my body lurch as each call of hunger sounded inside me and I stumbled to my feet.
"Francesca," I vaguely heard as I stared blankly out into the forest.
"Is she mad?" I heard behind me, but their emotions were bearly a whisper to my mind.
"They're here," I heard myself mumble and Keitaro grabbed my shoulder, the heat from his hand shocking me back, but that was the only sensation I felt from him, his emotions were strangely hidden from me.
"Where?" he hissed and squeezed my arm. I stretched out my senses trying to find the source. The hunger intensified and I reached up my hand to grip his wrist tightly, keeping a sense of my physical self at the surface of my mind. Very faintly, I heard laughter, children's laughter. I opened my eyes and pushed him away, turning blindly and stumbling away.
"No!" I cried and felt an arm pull me close and I found myself swept into Keitaro's arms.
"Francesca," he whispered in my hair, and I gained my voice enough to whisper, "The children, oh God, they're after the children." His eyes widened and he shouted, "The children!" He took off running so fast that the wind that brushed against us took my breath away. I took deep breaths until the pounding in my ears subsided. Kei's presence was like a wall of protection and I used that to my advantage, strengthening my will.
I could hear the swift pounding of feet as everyone ran with us, and I felt terror brush my skin, ours and theirs. We broke thorugh the forest line and heard screams from within the cave. At the front lay a mound of golden fur.
"Akame," Keitaro whispered and let me down. I was about to ask him who it was when a cry rose up and I saw Shippou run forward and cradle the body to him, his face folded in silent sobs. I knew then who she was. I bowed my head and felt the cold grip my stomach. I pressed my hand to the ground, and closed my eyes.
"Quick, get the children out of here," I cried and saw looks of resistance. The wailing echoed from within the cave walls, and I felt a bout of nausea flood over me in reaction to the emmense sadness.
"They're going to call them back, and it'll be safer for them if they're taken from here," I said, hoping that would convince the parents. It seemed to work for the most part. A hand full of people I didn't know stayed behind, as wel as Keitaro, Kouga and Inuyasha. Kagome left with much resistance, wanting to stay with me, but Inuyasha convinced her to stay with the children, to used her abilities to protect them. She handed me an arrow before she took off running, and I held that arrow like a lifeline, gripped tightly in my fist.
I felt the pull of hunger rise up again, and stared across the empty clearing, waiting for some sign. The wind had picked up and all the foliage was rustling, leaving physical signs of movement moot. I tried to calm down, to focus myself, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart. I closed my eyes and let all my mental defenses collapse around me and gave up all control to the power of my Empathy, something I had never done before. It washed through me and spread out like a giant hand. My vision blurred for a moment and I looked around. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Everytyhing seemed to be covered in a faint glow. Inuyasha and Keitaro glowed red, and Kouga was a dark blue. I looked inot the forest and felt them approaching now, slowly but steadily and saw the shapless shadows forming in the distance. I smiled and stared down at my hands, glowing almost opal, a rainbow of colors glittering from within the light.
"I can see-" I paused and spun around, as I felt them approaching faster. My concentration slipped and the colors vanished, my basic defenses slipping back into place. I froze and tried to gain it back, but I was tired, and couldn't force them down again.
I heard the sound of a sword being drawn, and waited. Silence and then as if there were a sound, the pounding roar of hunger filled my ears. It paused at the edge of the clearing.
'What are they waiting for?' I thought, and stood as ready as I could, waiting for the battle to begin.
YES!! I KNOW I'm the queen of Cliffies, all bow before my wickedness :P I'm sorry guys for doing this, but I'm tired, and I just typed 8 pages in 1 hour, which I'm sure is a record, and my fingers hurt. ^_^ I hope you all like the build up and I'll bring you a great fight scene in Chapter 11, I promise.