A.N. I had started writing this chapter the last day of school and was hoping that my good luck would last throughout the summer…however…my grandma recently passed away.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, but I do own this plot...
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Captivated Amber
(Tsuki)
Chapter Eleven
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(Tsuki)
Kagome awoke to the feel of cool stone.
Of course, that was not the only thing she awoke to.
The next things to catch her gaze were the two pools of molten wheat staring into hers.
Sesshoumaru's amber eyes pierced through hers and he scowled. He broke his gaze, murmuring sarcastically with a mask of impassiveness. "And here I was fearing you would do something to waste my time. It appears I was mistaken."
Kagome sat up, her head slightly clouded and a strange burning in her side. "Leave me alone."
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes in warning and his lips tilted further downward, "Do not dare command this Sesshoumaru."
Kagome rolled her eyes and looked at her surrounding. Apparently she had been brought from outside and placed on the floor beyond the door.
Sesshoumaru had been standing against the wall looking down at her.
As always.
Looking down at her.
Kagome suddenly laughed almost scornfully, looking at him, "How the hell do you expect people to be comfortable here?"
He did not bother to look in her direction, but she did notice the slight look of annoyance tinting his features, "It is not my desire to make anyone 'comfortable.' My only desire is results."
Kagome slammed her hand against the floor, harshly asking, "How do you expect to get that then?!" She mirrored his previous scowl, her face angry and bewildered, "Of course I was used to some unconscious feeling of dependency—weakness even. I had virtually no memories of love or affection and they were my only link to it," she referenced to Mirouku and Sango, something Sesshoumaru caught easily, though with irritation that she was speaking as if to gain some form of compassion.
He looked at her with disgust, 'Does this girl believe she will gain this Sesshoumaru's sympathy?' He mentally scoffed and continued to stare at her with an outward face of indifference waiting for the moment where he could crush any of hopes of gaining empathy.
He did not expect her next words though.
"However, that was it. I was equal to them." She stressed the word with a hard glint to her eyes. "I was adequate. But here…You and everyone else undermine my capabilities to such disgusting levels! How can't I help but feel inept? How can't I help feel as if I'm lacking something essential again when you bastards are shoving that stigma down my throat every second of the day?!"
She looked at him squarely in the eye and shook her head, "I'm by no means looking for your sympathy. This is no sob story. It's a warning. I want your fear." She smiled, "And as a heads up: if you keep your eyes closed for too long, I'll show just how adequate I am. I did not build a reputation because of weakness."
Sesshoumaru said nothing at the end of her speech before he broke her gaze with a snort. "I shall be expecting it then."
And while there was a clear hint of mockery, a small sum of it was a promise.
But that sum was all that she was looking for.
Kagome smiled slightly, "Good."
Sesshoumaru turned to walk away. "You have my permission to rest."
The raven haired girl leaned against the cool wall and stuck out her tongue, "I would have done so anyway, milord."
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(Tsuki)
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Sango ran a hand through her hair before gingerly notching another arrow, "Oh man, I must be just about the worst archer, huh? I've hit everything but the target."
She looked at the scattered arrows sticking up in the grass that had completely missed the target with a wince.
Kikyou gave her an assuring smile, "It's your first try."
Sango pulled back on the arrow and string and released it after a moment of trying to aim. The brunette let out a wince as it flew clear over and past the target, before piercing the grass.
Sango covered her eyes with a pout, "I think I'm done."
Kikyou walked over to her, "Try one more time. Fix your stance and that will help."
"Really?"
The miko nodded at the doubting and yet hopeful question. "Here." She adjusted Sango's body into a sideways position and had her level her arms with her shoulders. "Now try."
Sango licked her lips and released the arrow. It flew in a steady line towards the target.
The brunette waited with baited breath as the arrow drew closer to the target and struck it a few inches from the center.
Sango let out a cheer, before she doubled over laughing, "And it just took a good twenty tries."
As Kikyou sauntered over to the stray arrows, she corrected, "Thirty-seven."
Sango blushed. She had not even known that she had been counting. "Same thing…"
"Of course."
The brunette no longer felt as enthused. She awkwardly held the bow, feeling like a child who had produced a common word, in front of an adult with an extensive vocabulary.
'And here I was starting to like her.'
Sango ran a hand through her hair, her cheeks still flushed. "I'm going to make my way to the dojo. I'll return the bow myself."
She did not even known if Kikyou was even listening, but she really just wanted to do something she knew she could do to rid herself of the unfamiliar feeling that was ineptitude.
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(Tsuki)
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Being re-introduced to the extensive training was exhausting. It was also impressive. Every single combatant there worked not as a sole entity but as a group.
They worked in such impressive unison.
It actually excited him to join them. He found over the years that he somewhat enjoyed the rush from the rare fights he occasionally got into that came from his womanizing ways and his chosen vocation.
And each movement seemed to bring back the feel.
Shippou had let him go after a few plans were made for their journey.
Inuyasha was currently leading the groups, but he kept reminding them that he had other things to attend to so his time with them was brief.
Mirouku let out a sigh, but no matter how male he was or how much he enjoyed pushing his limits both mentally and physically. He was worried.
He could not put that before Sango or Kagome.
He had to keep in mind their fragility.
Not because they were female- by no means was that the reason- he had no reason along those lines. He just knew that being unofficial militia would not suit them and maybe even him…forever.
It was because they could not kill another person. Human or not.
And it didn't take a genius to realize that they were going to have to if they stayed there long enough.
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(Tsuki)
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"I missed this." Sango sighed as they walked carefully down a slightly declined grassy bank, located along a river.
They had been allowed an early rest and ate their dinner with the rest of the militia, in a somewhat crowded cafeteria. It had been uneventful, and they had taken their leave within a half hour to make private preparations.
Inuyasha had ordered a full physical with the medical staff before the trip and before they went to sleep there was not a bruise on any of their bodies.
Sango immediately suggested that they leave as soon as the sun rose so as soon as light entered the room, they were up. Shippou had told them to contact him before setting off and they had.
But as they reached end of the hill, it became apparent that they had company.
Mirouku frowned as the figure came into view, "General Hiyo. What did we do to deserve the pleasure of your visit?"
The General slid down onto the bank, "Did you truly think that you were going out by yourselves. I still have to supervise."
Sango's eye brow twitched, "I think we're old enough to not need a babysitter."
Hiyo smiled at her, "Remember who you're talking to. I'm three centuries old. You're a pup in my eyes."
Sango bit her bottom lip to hold back a retort.
Kagome sighed and adjusted the gloves from her training attire. They were wearing yukatas over their outfits so as to lessen the attention they drew and each carried a fur knapsack on their backs. Sango visibly had an extra carryon, however. Her Hiraikotsu.
Kagome gazed out onto the water calculating how long her energy would last her. She did not yet feel wary from the bag she shrunk, but then again it was only halfway through the first spell.
She closed her eyes and continued walking, praying to whatever god she could think of that Hiyo would not inconvenience them.
As if reading her thoughts, Mirouku turned to the general and bluntly told him, "Your company is quite intimidating. Would you mind keeping distance?"
General Hiyo laughed coolly, "I see. I shall take to the air then."
He removed the orange yukata only to reveal his bare chest and a set of black and golden orange wings. The feathered appendages flapped once in a stretch before spreading as he tied his hair into a high ponytail exposing that the blonde highlights did not run through the raven locks completely.
With a smirk he took to the air.
Mirouku rubbed his temples with a grunt, "That is the showiest man I've ever seen."
Sango snorted, "I don't see how he could hide those wings like that. I honestly never would have known."
Kagome let out a wan smile, "The youkai aging system is …enviable. I'll give him that. He looks as if he's barely a decade older than we are."
The three resumed walking, less enthusiastic than moments before, now knowing that they would have Hiyo's company throughout the trip.
Mirouku pulled from his pocket a miniature map that he received from Shippou. "I think we can probably get there by noon tomorrow if we continue as discussed."
Sango stretched out her arms, "So, we're going to try and give General Hothead up there a little challenge so he has something he has to try keeping up to?"
Kagome laughed and the three broke into a hard sprint across the valley and into the woods that would be their home for the upcoming hours.
The canopy the tall trees created cut them off from sight of the Orange Bishop youkai that was General Hiyo.
The three continued their sprint, careful of the under bush and protruding foliage for almost an hour.
Kagome suddenly slowed to a stop and let a short hiss, "Stop!"
Sango and Mirouku gave each other looks before turning to Kagome, who was gesturing for them to get down. Sango detached her Hiraikotsu and they crouched down behind a bush with Kagome. The raven haired girl put a finger to her lips, "I heard hoof beats."
Sure enough the rhythmic sounds emitted from an area near by.
The gallop slowed to a stop and there was a whinnying, "I saw three young girls come in this way, sir. They all looked pleasing."
Mirouku scowled with an incredulous look upon his face and Sango and Kagome covered their mouths to keep from laughing.
Another horse pulled up next to the first and they heard a wisp-like voice laugh, "Then we shhhould find thehhhm and hhhhave some fuhhhn. Ihhh hhhhhhhaven't tasted hhhhuman flesh in so long…I mihhhss it. Tell mehhh where they went!"
Sango cringed and her hand angrily griped her weapon.
She looked at the other two.
Mirouku opened his knapsack and soundlessly pulled out a collapsible staff that had once been his father's. Within seconds he had it assembled. Kagome brought out her bow and placed several arrows in her sleeves.
She looked at the two and then tilted her head in the direction of the two youkai.
Mirouku smirked and shook his head and pointed toward himself.
Sango nodded while holding in a laugh.
Mirouku quickly crawled to a tree and disassembled his staff. With a high falsetto, he placed his hand on his heart, "Oh thank goodness I found someone! I got separated from my sisters and have no idea how to find them!"
The youkai on the horse led the animal around into Mirouku's direction. He was a lizard youkai with glistening fangs and large golden eyes with black slitted pupils. He had the appearance of a large lizard with human structures and a tale.
He gave a grotesque smile and remarked in his drawn out whispering tone, "Youhhh arehhh ahhh vehhhry beauhhhtifuhhhl wohhhman…."
Mirouku hid a scowl at the blow to his masculinity. 'Beautiful? No man should ever be referred to as beautiful.'
He suddenly paled. Was he really that feminine? 'Ugh…My masculine pride! It hurts!' Mirouku abruptly cleared his throat and continued in his falsetto, "Well thank you…"
He appraised the second demon, which if anything was almost describable as a clone of the first.
Mirouku batted his eye lashes, "Do you mind if I hop a ride with you two?"
The second gave an excited laugh. His voice was at a pitch that rivaled Mirouku's. "But off course!"
Mirouku skipped up to the two youkai and the second made room for Mirouku, "Pleasehhh sit hhhhere." He removed his legs from the hoisters.
Mirouku made the motion to mount himself onto the horse, however, instead of bringing one leg up; he brought up both legs and planted them firmly into the youkai's chest. The youkai let out a cry as he sprawled to the ground. "Youhhh bihhhtch!"
The movement startled the horse, but Mirouku reigned it in, "I'm a man you blind bastard!" He took out his staff and smacked him across the head with a hard 'thwap'.
Mirouku quickly rode off yelling, "Hurry up and catch up, Sango."
The second rider gasped after him trying to settle the horse enough to resume a chase, "Wench! How dare you!"
Mirouku's companions did not give him the chance.
Sango and Kagome came from behind the bushes laughing and Sango took care of the other lizard with her Hiraikotsu and Kagome took control of his horse.
Kagome quickly returned her bow and arrow to her knapsack before she rode off with Sango holding her Hiraikotsu in her lap.
The brunette grinned, "I wish I could see their faces when they wake up." Kagome grinned prodding the horse to go faster, "Well I don't think they'll miss humans too much anymore."
As they caught up to Mirouku, he called with a pout, "Speak another word of this again, and I swear to you both that you'll regret it."
Sango stuck out her tongue, "We must have caught you at the wrong time of the month, eh, Mirouku?"
Mirouku groaned into the mane of his horse, morning the loss of masculinity.
As they continued riding, between navigation and gentle teasing, they failed to take note of the five pairs of eyes that kept watch.
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(Tsuki)
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At the first break in the trees, Hiyo joined them, looking amused as he rewrapped his yukata around him, "Nagaremono through and through, I suppose. I see you have acquired some new assets."
Mirouku shrugged, "They handed the opportunity to us, so we took it. It couldn't be helped."
Sango had to stifle a laugh in thought of the meeting with the two youkai. That was something she would not forget for decades…
The General smiled, "Of course. That's quite understandable." He looked at the three, his gaze lingering longest on Kagome.
"I believe I will ride with you."
Mirouku hid a look of distaste, "I suppose… that would be oka—"
Hiyo interrupted him with a wave of his hand, "Not you…the miko."
Kagome did a double take and then squeaked out, "Excuse me?"
Hiyo smiled, "I trust that's alright, huntress?"
Sango's lips fell into a frown and she dug Hiraikotsu into the ground so that she could dismount. "Anything for you, General."
She gave Hiyo a glare as he took her place on the horse and she remounted behind Mirouku.
Kagome grit her teeth as Hiyo wrapped his arms around her waist, "I wouldn't want to fall off now would I?" In a louder voice he called, "Resume the ride!"
Kagome dug her boots into the side of the horse and let out a short call. It broke into a trot immediately.
Hiyo leaned into her ear and hissed, "Know that we are rivals, miko, and I am not one to lose. I will not give you the satisfaction of winning."
Kagome's face scrunched up in confusion, "What the hell are you talking about, Hiyo?"
He chuckled in her ear, "Go ahead and feign ignorance, miko. I just want you to know that I acknowledge your challenge."
Challenge?
Kagome turned around slightly, still not grasping what challenge she made. But still…if she was competing with Hiyo then no matter what it was, she would be sure to crush him.
Wish a smile, she turned back around.
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(Tsuki)
A.N. R&R