Disclaimer: I don't own IY, my name is not Rumiko Takahashi, enough said...
I feel really really flattered by the reviews! Thanks guys! Here's chapter 11...
After those words spoken, all was silent.
Now everything was starting to make sense. Probably not to Kagome, but everything seemed to be falling into place for Sesshomaru.
"Now...Back down and give yourself up or this girl dies" Kagura said calmly. The odd woman had walked closer and was now standing not to far away from Naraku, not more than five feet, though the sudden spark of disgust and anger was directed to Naraku in her eyes, but she didn't let it show that much, it only lasted a single second.
Lord Higurashi pressed the blade of the knife closer to Kagome's neck. The princess gasped as she felt the sharp blade cut through her delicate skin. She felt a drop of something wet and sticky run down her neck, and knew it was blood. A tear slipped down her cheek at the pain. She had never been cut this deep before, even if it was just a tiny scratch compared to other wounds people had suffered.
Sesshomaru made his face look expressionless, yet he instantly dropped his earlier fighting-and-defense stance, showing that he was backing down.
Naraku even looked a little surprised "You've made your decision so quickly?" he asked smoothly, then smirked "I see you must really care about this girl a great deal..."
Kagome wasn't really paying much attention. She probably would've, but the freezing cold snow and winds, plus the natural cold of the night, and plus the small wound she had received from her 'father', it made her force herself to stay awake, though she was losing this battle. The moment Sesshomaru had backed down, Kagura had approached her, 'her father' loosened his grip on her and Kagura had decided to hold her up instead; but when this happened, Kagome instantly passed out in Kagura's arms.
The sorceress seemed awfully annoyed and rolled her eyes with a sigh, taking hold of the girl's body.
Lord Higurashi's body limply fell to the snow covered ground.
Sesshomaru stared down at the body of Kagome's father, realizing everything. He glanced at Kagome's unconscious form in the sorceress's arms, then sent a glare to Naraku, everything he needed to say was already so clear in his eyes.
Naraku chuckled, getting the silent message "So, you have it all figured out now that it's too late, don't you. Yes, I killed this man, I killed him when he came for that peace treaty. He would have probably been spared, but when I said that the alliance would only be made if I could marry his daughter Kagome, he refused, so I had to kill him. Besides, he was much more useful dead to me than alive. I then made Kagura animate his corpse with a very convenient skill of hers known as the Dance of the Dead. You are probably wondering why I chose to marry Kagome rather than her older sister, which would have be more traditional. Well, when I had captured you, I was really there, but at the same time, another version of me, a copy or a puppet rather, was trying to form a nice alliance with Lord Higurashi. When I had you...intoxicated,"
Naraku paused to chuckle again here "from the sake you were so enjoying, and drugged, I had asked you what your mission here was, you told me it was to destroy the Shikon no Tama, it was so simple, you also told me that Kagome would be the key for finding it, and that was why I needed Kagome over here without arousing the suspicions of the other lords." with red eyes shining with victory, Naraku gave off a wicked smile "Now Sesshomaru, you will come with me without giving me any trouble, or else..." he gestured to Kagome "That girl will die..."
Sesshomaru had no choice then. Besides, there may have been some slight chance that he could survive this. However, if he had not gave himself up so easily, then Kagome would have definitely died, he knew that Naraku was serious about killing Kagome, perhaps after he had the information he needed on the Shikon no Tama...but he guessed that Naraku himself did not know where the jewel was and that was probably why he had not already killed Kagome, seeing as she meant nothing to him...Though, if she did have information on where the Shikon no Tama was, would Naraku kill her when he had what he needed? Most likely...Sesshomaru needed someway to prevent the girl from giving up any info.
Here he was again, back at Naraku's dark castle. Naraku had took him back in this cloud of miasma, it was difficult to breathe in there, so Sesshomaru was actually relieved when they arrived at last.
Kagura had took Kagome for the ride for some reason...Her on this big magical feather was slower than Naraku's miasma cloud, so naturally, he and Naraku had arrived first. Bad thing about the miasma cloud was that he could not see anything with where they were going, it was too dark. Far too dark. So Sesshomaru had no idea where exactly they were.
The first thing that had happened since they had arrived was being taken to this deep dark cell, without being allowed to try to escape, the consequence being result of Kagome's death. This was really very frustrating and difficult.
So here he was. There seemed to be no way to escape, Naraku had long since left, and Sesshomaru wondered what was happening to Kagome now. He had only been in this cell for no more than five minutes, and he also wondered what Naraku had wanted from him here...
The cell was round and stone, and actually looked more like a dungeon, it was really cold too. There was a small cell door that was actually made out of solid iron that probably had magic binding them as well, so there was no need for a lock. There were, of course, small holes in the top for breathing so the prisoners did not suffocate.
No longer than a minute later, Sesshomaru noticed a familiar POOF of sparkly white smoke from the corner of his eye. He lazily and gloomily looked over in that direction, already knowing who had appeared.
"Sesshomaru-sama!"
"What is it that you need to say, Myouga?" Sesshomaru asked quietly.
"Oh, I've come to say that, well, you can speak in the mortal's tongue now!" Myouga exclaimed so very cheerfully.
"I can?" asked the obviously grumpy and unimpressed Sesshomaru "How useful, and it would have been even more useful an hour ago..."
"You were able to use it an hour ago! In fact, you were able to use it days ago! You just needed some, you know, experience with the mortals, and now, the kami have granted you the ability. It's like a game!"
"A game?" echoed the still unimpressed man.
"Exactly! A game! I suppose you were just used to not talking. In any case, you can now speak in the mortal's language, and not just understand them! Huzzah!"
Sesshomaru stared with disbelief at the tiny overly cheerful being. He seemed awfully...chipper. Did he not realize where they were? In a dungeon for kami's sake! This was not good! Myouga was smiling like this was the most important moment in his long life.
Though, he did not think about it too much, because just then, the cell's door opened up. Myouga jumped back and hid somewhere in the corner of the dark room, running from whatever trouble there might be.
It was Kagura, the wind sorceress from earlier. She was carrying Kagome in. The princess was still unconscious, no surprise, it hadn't been more than fifteen minutes since he had last saw her.
Kagura seemed like she was about to just throw Kagome in the room, then just walk off. But before she could, Sesshomaru quietly spoke up.
"Give her to me"
The wind witch paused and blinked a couple times, before she cautiously walked over to him and handed the body of the shivering girl to him.
Sesshomaru took Kagome in his arms. She'd probably freeze to death if she stayed like this much longer. Her lips were blue and her teeth kept chattering. Without much thought at all, Sesshomaru instantly pulled off his haori and wrapped Kagome up in it. It was a little ripped from Naraku's attack, but it was better than nothing. He held the girl close to his chest to warm her up even more.
Kagura watched them for a few seconds, some emotion in her eyes, she took a shaky breath "I'm sorry" she whispered.
Sesshomaru looked up at her and stared with a small frown "For what?"
"For everything" the sorceress replied, staring down at the floor "I only obey Naraku because he holds my heart in his hands." she touched her chest where her heart should be "If he had not, I would have never done anything like animate the girl's father's corpse, I would be fighting against him. Truly."
"Why does Naraku want me here?"
Kagura frowned "I don't know. He doesn't trust me enough to tell me everything." she shook her head, then spoke the next part quickly "I need to go. Good luck with whatever you're going to do" with that, she stood up and left the dungeon, closing the metal door behind her.
When she had left, Myouga stepped out from his hiding place. Even though it was such an obvious hiding spot, Kagura had not noticed him. At all.
"Well...that was interesting" The little man commented. He floated over to Sesshomaru and stood on his shoulder, and stared at the sleeping face of Kagome. The princess was no longer chattering her teeth, and was actually smiling softly in content as if she was suddenly having a good peaceful dream.
Myouga watched with wide eyes as Sesshomaru sighed softly and rested his chin atop the girl's head, unconsciously holding her closer.
"I see you really care for this girl" Myouga quietly stated "That's nice and all...but remember, just...just don't fall for her"
Sesshomaru darted his eyes over to the being standing on his shoulder "What are you talking about now?"
"I'm talking about...love, you know? Don't fall in love with her." Myouga continued "At least try not to, alright?"
The younger male stared back. He cared for Kagome, yes, but she was just his friend, right? That was the only reason he was protective of her...right? "I'm stronger than that"
Myouga sighed and gave a smile "Yes, I know. But you are still very young, Sesshomaru-sama. You know what will happen when your work here is done, don't you?"
"I know" Sesshomaru snapped, sending a glare to Myouga. He then looked back down at Kagome's face and whispered "I know..." the thought of it now felt worse than it should have, or rather, worse than it did when he had started this quest.
"You know, you should use this time to explain things to her." Myouga advised "She'd probably be so confused..."
"Uggh..."
For a second, Sesshomaru and Myouga looked at each other, then back at Kagome who was making that noise.
Her lips parted and her eyelids started to flutter open. When they did open, she found herself staring into the warm golden eyes of Sesshomaru.
"Hello Sesshomaru..." She whispered, a smile touching her lips.
Sesshomaru stared at her for a couple moments in silence. Right, now he was going to speak the language of mortals. He closed his eyes for a few moments, focusing on speaking a different language. It couldn't be all that hard, could it?
"Hello Kagome"
Kagome gasped 'Did he just...speak?' she stared at him with wide eyes, not saying anything. Did he really speak or was it just her imagination? Was that really his voice? It sounded so wonderful and...beautiful...
"You..." She realized her position in his arms, being held close to Sesshomaru's chest, and blushed. She might have moved from her place in his lap, but she was so comfortable and warm, so she stayed. She heard a chuckle.
"Spoke?" another voice offered, the same voice that was chuckling. Kagome blinked and looked in the direction that voice came from. She saw a tiny little...being...whatever it was.
Her delicate hand reached up to Sesshomaru's shoulder and poked the little old man there. The tiny man jumped back and was suddenly floating in the air. She noticed the tiny chubby pair of cute little wings on the man's back.
"Okay, what are you?" She demanded, freaking out a little, her eyes going wide.
"My name's Myouga" said the little man pleasantly.
Kagome stared, her eyes still wide "Kagome..." she whispered in reply "What are you?"
"Nice to meet you to" Myouga replied cheerfully with a hint of sarcasm.
"Myouga is a type of a pixie, also a messenger for the kami" Sesshomaru answered her question.
"You just talked again! Didn't you?" Kagome accused, pointing a finger at Sesshomaru "What is going on here?"
"Sesshomaru-sama always could talk. He just didn't" the old pixie man called Myouga answered.
"You what?" The princess asked, looking accusingly at the younger male, then snapped her head back to Myouga "Why not?"
"He couldn't speak in the tongue of mortals. Until now, of course"
"The tongue of mortals?" Kagome echoed, filled with bewilderment.
"Most young celestial beings cannot speak with the tongue of mortals because they have not the experience yet, so they speak in the celestial tongue."
"Why are we speaking of celestial beings now?" Kagome demanded in all her confusion, staring at Myouga and Sesshomaru, waiting for all the answers to her questions.
"It's alright to tell her" Myouga said to Sesshomaru "Besides, you're meant to. Kagome-sama is important for this"
Sesshomaru's patient (for now) gaze met Kagome's own bewildered gaze "Kagome...the reason we are speaking of celestial beings...is because that's what I am"
The girl stared with wide eyes at him, searching for any lie, she found none "...Oh..." she mumbled, all she could say really.
"You...don't believe me...do you?"
Kagome widened her eyes further "Oh...no...no, no, no, no. I do believe you"
"Really?"
"Oh yes. It's just..."
"You need proof?" Sesshomaru offered, and Kagome nodded slowly.
"Well" Myouga cut in, beginning to answer her question "That's a simple request!" he pointed to Sesshomaru's forehead "See that mark? Some celestial beings, namely angels, have that mark"
Kagome stared at the blue crescent moon "Oh, so that's what it means! And I guess that answers the question on what you are...where are your wings? Don't angels have wings?" the answer practically hit her in the face when she remembered the day she found him in the woods "Those scars on your back...are those...?"
"That's what they were" Sesshomaru muttered.
"What happened to you?"
"Naraku"
Kagome gasped, knowing what that meant "That's despicable!" she then paused "But what did Naraku want you for?"
"Allow me to answer that!" Myouga joined in "Naraku is a power lusting man who has absorbed, and even killed celestial beings, that's why he's after Sesshomaru-sama now. He has the power to absorb the power of others, you know."
"I get that" Kagome said "But how am I involved? What does Naraku want with me?"
"Naraku is after the Shikon no Tama" Sesshomaru told her "You're the key to finding it"
Her jaw dropped "That's...That's crazy! I don't even have an idea of what that is!"
Sesshomaru frowned "You don't?" he glanced at Myouga, but the old pixie shrugged "Well, it is a jewel that grants wishes. Not many people here know what it is in this realm. Just a few. However, Naraku is one of them, I suppose he was also after the legendary jewel"
"Legendary?" She blinked, but Sesshomaru just continued.
"The jewel needs to be destroyed before it can get into the wrong hands. I don't know why exactly you're the key to finding it, but..."
His voice trailed off as the sound of the door started to open again. Knowing who it was, Sesshomaru tightened his protective grasp on Kagome, Kagome also huddled closer while Myouga cowardly hid in Sesshomaru's hair.
I feel like stopping now, hope this chapter didn't disappoint. Thanks again for the reviews...and ugh, I have dentist tomorrow...scary!
Anyway, I had trouble earlier because Darth Vader stole my chocolate. But I told him that if he thought happy thoughts, he could fly. And he believed me so much, he jumped out the window of the top floor. I successfully defeated Lord Vader and won back my chocolate. Amazing, right?
Thanks for reading my nonsense.
-Peter Pan