Hey!
I just wanted to thank all those who reviewed!! FANK YEW! So much:3 93 reviews...keels over...
Well here's chapter 21! I honestly didn't know this story would be this long . lol
Ah well!
Enjoy!
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Ruby's face slammed painfully into the uneven ground.
She groaned.
Great, just dandy. She thought sarcastically as she pulled herself up.
Brushing off the stray leaves that had clung onto her skirt Ruby glanced around her to see if anyone had witnessed her embarrassing display of walking around a tree.
But all she was met with, was trees.
She froze in mid turn, suddenly realizing that she was now surrounded by much more trees than she had remembered and that the small wooded house that was facing her just moments ago, was gone.
Ruby gulped as she pushed the panic aside. Come on Ruby pull yourself together girl!...Maybe when I fell, I was knocked unconscious and some random prankster had dragged my body into the middle of the park...yeah...that's it...maybe...cough!
Looking around her at all the lank trees she decided impulsively to take a left.
Well, here goes nothing.
-----
After walking for a few hours through the never ending forest she cursed.
'For shit sake you've got to be joking me! Hasn't anyone heard of houses around here!' she shouted to the towering, gnarled trees.
Maybe I should take a rest or something she thought exhaustively as a stinging sensation ran through the muscles in her thighs and traveled down to pinch at her toes.
Looking around her once more she decided that it would not be a wise decision to do so. God knows what's out there...
Huffing, she shifted her school bag and continued to walk in the direction that she had been going.
Where am I anyway?
Her eyes dropped tiredly to her feet. For some reason...this place...seems really familiar. Like a dream or something.
Thud!
Grabbing her now sore head, she slightly jumped on the spot. 'OWWW'
Cracking open an eye she gazed teary-eyed at the object she had walked into.
It seemed to be some sort of gray/black stone wall.
She blinked.
How the hell did that get there?
Taking a step back Ruby was given a clearer view of the "wall".
Actually it wasn't a wall.
It was a person.
A very tall person.
Trailing her eyes up to the person's face Ruby gasped.
Her eyes teared up as she gazed at the man standing before her.
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The man looked down his nose at the inferior wench that had walked straight into him.
The strange girl in an extremely, indecent kimono continued to stare up at him in awe, unnerving the distant being in front of her.
What is she staring at?
This ningen wench was strange looking. She had uncommon blue eyes, pale unblemished skin and hair as black as the midnight sky.
Her blue eyes were staring openly at him as she stood in what he assumed was shock.
Suddenly she smiled dreamily at him.
Narrowing his glacier golden orbs he cleared his throat.
That wench was seriously unnerving him.
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He was exactly as she remembered him.
His soft flowing silver locks swayed gently in the chilling breeze as his tall, lean figure stood unwavering before her. Her fingers twitched slightly, the remembrance of once running her fingers gently through the soft strands suddenly coming into her mind.
A coy smile made it's way onto her face.
His molten eyes lined with crimson stared down at her impassively as his face continued to stay in the same emotionless mask she had grown accustomed to seeing, every day of her stay in this world.
At the sound of the ethereal being clearing his throat Ruby finally snapped out of her stupor.
'Sesshomaru' she whispered delicately to the tugging wind.
The sky above them began to darken, quickly summoning large black clouds to loom over the forest menacingly.
-----
A perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose and disappeared under silver bangs.
'Wench, how is it that you know this Sesshomaru?' the cold Taiyoukai asked, barely concealing the surprise and curiosity from entering his deep voice.
-----
Ruby laughed.
'Ah come on Sesshomaru, have you forgotten me already?' she asked humorously. That jerk better not have forgotten about me already! Her eyebrow twitched.
Looking him directly in the eyes Ruby expectantly waited for his answer.
-----
Sesshomaru frowned.
This ningen wench facing him had the audacity to look him, Sesshomaru, The Lord of the Western Lands, directly in the eyes.
As the winds began to pick up, a deep growl rumbled in his chest angrily, scaring the girl in front of him.
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Ruby's eyes widened as a deep growl came from the angry inu-youkai facing her.
Taking a step back she chewed on her bottom lip while keeping a wary eye on him, trying to contemplate what she could do to get out of this.
Oh no! He doesn't recognize me...Her blue orbs began to tear...He seems really annoyed...I can't believe he's forgotten about me already...when it's only been five months.
Something wet hit her cheek and slid down to her chin.
Pulling her eyes away from Sesshomaru she looked up at the sky as more water tapped at her face.
Great just what she needed...rain.
As the sky began to cry down upon the forest's inhabitants Ruby blinked slowly and glanced back at the impassive being still standing there gracefully, unaffected by the cold winds that nipped and stabbed at Ruby's exposed legs.
A quite sob passed her lips as she gazed sadly at the youkai.
'Sesshomaru, it's me, Ruby, don't you remem...?'
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Sesshomaru growled as the name Ruby was mentioned. The furious beast inside of him lashed violently against the barriers of the taiyoukai's mind, outraged.
He hadn't seen or heard of her ever since that fateful day when he had rescued her from Naraku, when he kissed her passionately and she had whispered those three fateful words to him...only to have her cruelly snatched away by some unknown force, four years ago.
Four long, excruciating years where he had waited for her to come back, ferociously searching all the lands for any sign of her...but there was none.
She had completely disappeared from his life, leaving him empty.
Four long years where he had eventually buried all his feelings for her away.
For four long years the name Ruby was not uttered once.
She would have been in her early twenties but the girl in front of him was clearly younger.
And here, standing in front of him was a ningen wench claiming to be her.
It disgusted him.
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A clawed hand wrapped tightly around her throat, halting her from finishing.
Her hands shot up to his as she attempted to free her neck from his grasp, gulping for air as she kicked out at him unsuccessfully.
What's wrong with him?
Staring into the deep empty golden pools which were his eyes, Ruby stopped struggling.
There was no recollection, no familiarity, no recognition in his eyes.
If she was honest to herself, she'd say that she was really afraid. The last time she had met him there was some underlining of mischievousness and playfulness in his golden orbs but all she saw now was a chilling emptiness.
The rain drenched her cold face and slicked her short black hair to her face as she hung limply in the grasp of Sesshomaru's clawed hand, wishing that she could suddenly be sent back to her own world.
This was not the world she remembered.
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His hand loosened slightly as the girl fell limp in his hold.
A smirk of satisfaction playing across at his thin lips.
'Hn'
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Slop.
Ruby gasped as her knees met with the wet muddy ground beneath her, her hand reactively coming up to rest against her sore neck. Staring wide eyed at the brown sullen ground she fought furiously to hold back her tears.
'Know your place, wench' a deep baritone voice echoed above the constant thrumming of the rain and bellowing of the wind.
Squinting through the darkness that had accompanied the rain and the tears welling up in her eyes, Ruby could barely make out his tall slender frame as he turned his back on her and walked away. Leaving her on her own, in the cold and rain.
'Sesshomaru' she uttered under her breath before fatigue pulled her into the world of darkness.
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A dull throbbing pain crawled along her skull as she began to regain consciousness.
Without opening her eyes she began pressing her finger tips into her temples, willing the annoying pain to go away.
Searching for her blanket with a blind hand she wrapped her fingers into the soft material before throwing it her head, blocking out all the unnecessary light which was now shinning into the room.
Opening her eyes slightly under the blanket she stared unseeingly into the small enclosed space, her mind running over her dream...no, nightmare.
She roughly bit down on her lip when her eyes began to water.
In her nightmare Sesshomaru had been so...different. He didn't even remember her.
A tear escaped down her cheek and stopped on her slightly parted dry lips, leaving her with a salty bitter taste in her mouth.
Her heart clenched at the remembrance of it.
Inhaling deeply, a look of determination entered her blue orbs.
It was only a nightmare.
Mentally shaking her head she pushed away the dream and wiped away the trail the tear had left on her cheek.
I guess it's time to get up.
Pulling on the blanket Ruby groggily sat up and yawned.
'So your awake?' a feminine voice asked from her left.
Ruby's eyes snapped open and her head whipped around to face the owner of the voice.
Her eyes suddenly widened completely as she stared in shock at the woman who was wearing a kimono and a warm smile.
'My dear, you could have seriously ended up sick if you had stayed in that rain'. Warm brown eyes looked at Ruby in concern.
'Do you feel alright now?'
Ruby nodded numbly.
'How...?' She managed to stutter before her voice completely failed her.
The old woman gingerly sat on the edge on the futon and rested her hand comfortingly on her forearm.
'Dear, I was the one who, originally, brought you to this place but an evil hanyou Naraku somehow intercepted the pathway I created and appeared before I could reach you in that park'.
Ruby's brows furrowed.
'So, does that mean you're the one who controls how and when I get here?' she questioned the old woman, her voice underlining another meaning the old woman didn't realize.
The old woman nodded. 'Yes dear' she answered proudly.
Ruby fought to control her facial expression blank and her voice the same but the anger still entered her voice. 'So you were the one who pulled me away from Sesshomaru and dragged me back into the original world?'
The old woman hesitantly nodded. 'Yes dear' she answered quietly.
Ruby's face contorted in anger and disgust as angry tears gathered in her blazing eyes.
'So my meeting with Sesshomaru last night wasn't a dream' she ground out through clenched teeth.
Her hands fisted tightly as she stood up to tower over the old woman who was looking at her with pity.
Pointing a shaky, accusing finger down at her Ruby gritted her teeth once again.
'You're the reason why he doesn't recognize me! Why? Why does he not remember me when it's only been five months?!' she screamed as her breathing became uneven as angry tears brimmed over and slashed down her face coldly.
The old woman slowly pulled herself to her feet and walked over to the small fire in the center of the room. Pulling a tin kettle of the suspended iron hanger she went about fixing two cups of tea, not answering Ruby immediately.
'My dear' she said quietly over her shoulder at the seething teenager 'It may have only been five months in your original world that has passed but it's been four years here'
Ruby blanched. What?
Shaking her head she humorlessly laughed.
'That's not possible'
The old woman glanced over at her with a questioning look. 'Oh? How so?'
Ruby's eyes narrowed. 'Because...'
Biting hard on the inside of her cheek she turned on her heel and stalked out of the hut.
The warm air enveloped her in a hug as she stepped through the makeshift door.
Without looking around her or where she was going Ruby ran off blindly, wanting this all to be some sick nightmare that she'd soon wake up from.
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Reaching a small clearing beside a running, shallow stream Ruby dropped to her knees panting, her head bowed.
'Excuse me miss, is there something wrong?' a deep, concerned voice asked her.
Ruby sucked in a deep breath before raising her troubled orbs to the water before her.
A man stood waist deep in the stream, trying to caught fish. His long hair was tied back at the nape of his neck while the long sleeves of his haori was rolled up to his shoulders. A look of concern was evident in his bright eyes.
Her breath caught in her throat once more as water slid down her face, confused and hurt.
'Doku' she choked out as her lips quivered dangerously.
The man in the stream looked surprised before a look of suspicion replaced his pale features.
'Do I know you?' he asked cautiously, straightening up.
Water dripped from his ebony locks as he stood waiting for her to answer him.
Ruby's mouth parted, about to tell him who she was but stopped.
Four years.
Closing her mouth she slowly shook her head, shifting her gaze to the ground.
More hot tears slipped from her face as she stood up.
Woefully gazing into his warm golden eyes, a contrast from his cousin's, she smiled sadly at him.
'Take care my ex-boyfriend, make sure you don't catch a rebellious fish, Lord Doku' she said softly over her shoulder as she began to walk away.
Walk away, she seemed to be doing that so often now.
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Trudging back to the small village Ruby made her way back to the old woman's hut. She didn't know where else she could go.
'INUYASHA!'
Reaching the clothe door Ruby froze.
'Sit Boy!'
Thud!
Slowly turning her head she stared at the scene before her in suprise.
'Kagome! What the hell was that for?' Inuyasha's gruff voice echoed throughout the small village.
A woman dressed in a pair of jeans and a blue strap top with long wavy blue/black hair put her hands on her hips.
'THAT! INUYASHA was because you were insensitive! JERK!' Kagome screamed.
Ruby's heart hammered painfully against her chest.
Before she could stop herself Ruby had began to cross the large space between them. 'Kagome!'
Kagome turned to see who was calling her name. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly in embarrassment as Ruby drew closer.
'Am, I'm sorry...who are you?' she asked shyly, a bit wary.
Ruby smiled. 'It's me, Ruby'
Kagome blinked at the seventeen year old before her, a look of confusion passing across her chocolate orbs.
Ruby chewed on her bottom lip.
Kagome started. 'Uh...you...'
Ruby held up a hand to stop her.
'Okay, listen, I know this will sound weird but hear me out...'
When Kagome nodded she continued 'Well after I was saved by you, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, from Naraku, I had been transported back to my own world...'
When Kagome looked like she was going to interrupt Ruby shook her head.
'The reason why I'm still seventeen is because after the incident I was sent back to my original world but only five months have passed since then but in this world...four years have passed since then ...and, if you're wondering, I had my hair cut and dyed'.
Ruby took a gulp of air and watched Kagome for her reaction to the information.
Kagome looked skeptically at her before she walked up to her and took a closer look at her face.
Suddenly she was pulled into a warm hug.
'Kami, Ruby I thought you had been killed!' the elder girl cried, squeezing her harder.
Ruby tapped her on the shoulder and gasped. 'Kagome...can't...breath...'
Kagome blinked and laughing nervously she pulled away, tears in her eyes.
Ruby turned her gaze to Inuyasha only to see him standing there with his mouth hanging open.
'Are you trying to catch flies?' she asked jokingly.
Inuyasha frowned and walked up to her also, inspecting her face the same way Kagome had.
Straightening up he lifted a strand of her hair. 'You killed your hair?'
Ruby laughed as Kagome rolled her eyes. 'No Inuyasha, it means that she colored her hair with chemicals.
Inuyasha folded his arms.
'Feh, I knew that'
'Sure, Inuyasha, sure' Ruby joked.
Kagome beamed and clapped her hands together, effectively getting the attention of the hanyou and girl.
'Ruby, I have soooo much to tell you' Grabbing her around the arm Kagome proceeded to drag Ruby to another hut further down.
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Ruby's eyes widened.
'What?'
Kagome smiled warmly. 'Yip'
Ruby looked to Inuyasha for confirmation only to see him nod proudly.
Her mouth fell open.
'OH MY GOD! CONGRATS!!!!' she shouted loudly. 'Whens it due?, What gender are you expecting? What's the names? What...?'
'Feh! I'm going for a walk you women talk to loudly' Inuyasha complained as he got up and left.
Ruby looked back at Kagome and launched at her.
'I'm so happy for you, a baby!'
Kagome giggled. 'Thanks'.
A wave of melancholy washed over Ruby as she plastered a smile onto her face while Kagome began telling her how Miroku and Sango had gotten married and were expecting their second child.
Wow. Everyone's happily settled...I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't been sent back?...If I had actually stayed with...Sesshomaru.
Swallowing a lump in her throat she pushed away those thoughts. There was no point living in the past and wondering about what ifs, if he couldn't even remember her.
Turning her attention back to Kagome she smiled. At least her friends in this world were all happy.
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Ruby yawned.
Last night she had promised Kagome that she was going to go to the hot springs with her this morning.
So here she was, tracking through the forest sleepily carrying a towel Kagome had given her and a simple red kimono with a cream obi hanging over her arm, heading towards the hot spring to bathe.
Once they had entered the warm, steamy spring Ruby let out a relaxed sigh.
Kagome glanced over at her, a sly smile slipping over her mouth. Edging over to Ruby she gently nudged her with her elbow.
'So, Ruby, now that your back maybe you should give Lord Sesshomaru a visit, he seemed really taken with you last time'
Her smile widened when Ruby suddenly turned away from her.
Kagome laughed. 'Hey come on, there's no need to be embarrassed' Looping her hand around the young girl's arm she turned her so she could face her but when Ruby turned around Kagome's smile vanished at the sight of the girl's streaming tears.
'Ruby! What's wrong?'
Ruby shook her head while she wiped at the tears. Laughing bitterly Ruby looked into the murky waters of the spring.
Cold molten eyes stared down at her emptily as she knelt on the sodden ground.
'Know your place, wench'
Ruby sighed, a tired smile ripping at her mouth.
'Nothing'
Kagome stared down in concern at the girl. Why is she so upset?
A quite laugh sliced through her thoughts. Turning to Ruby she quizzically at her.
'It looks as though the dye is finally beginning to wash out' Ruby laughed bitterly as she watched a black swirl and collect in the water around her form.
Kagome smiled, worried for her friend.
The rest of their time at the hot spring was spent in silence only occasionally interrupted by the sound of the warm water splashing.
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'Hana?'
The old woman turned to see Ruby enter the hut nervously.
'Yes dear?'
'Am, is there anything I could do for you?' Ruby asked sheepishly.
Hana glanced around her small hut, her wrinkled brown eyes finally landing on a small pile of logs.
Turning her gaze back to Ruby she smiled.
'Dear would you mind getting me some fire wood? We're running awfully low, if you wouldn't mind...'
Ruby nodded her head determinedly. 'Okay'.
Exiting the hut Ruby made her way quickly into the forest in search for suitable sticks. She just wanted something to do, to get her mind off of things.
He's probably moved on anyways. He's gorgeous...he probably already has a youkai mate. Sigh.
Making her way deep into the wooded forest Ruby stooped to pick up thick branch of the ground.
She cursed.
'Uh crap, I forgot how difficult it was to walk in these death traps' she muttered to herself as she rolled her eyes.
'At least the one Sesshomaru had given me was more easier to get around in...even though it weighed a ton heh heh'.
Tripping over a root Ruby grabbed frantically at a tree to her left and finally regained her footing.
A small childish giggle rang to her left. Looking up Ruby smiled coyly at the girl girl who was watching her with an amused expression.
'Am, hi'
The little girl giggled again as she made her way over to Ruby.
'Are you alright pretty lady?' the little girl asked beaming a toothy grin.
Ruby laughed. 'Yeah I'm alright, thank you for asking'.
Ruby frowned.
'Girl, why are you walking around a forest on your own, it's dangerous' Ruby exclaimed.
The little girl just smiled.
'I'm not on my own, I'm with...'
'What are you doing all the way back here? You filthy ningen! Stop causing trouble!' a squawking voice complained, the owner of the voice emerging from the trees.
Ruby's brows shot skywards. 'Jaken?...Then this girl must be...' Glancing down at the girl who was now chirping about how she was finding flowers Ruby smiled sadly 'Rin' she whispered.
Ruby was snapped out of her reverie when the low branches at the far side of the clearing parted, only to reveal...
...Sesshomaru.
Ruby's eyes widened as she froze. Her blue eyes locking with the cold hearted Taiyoukai's golden eyes.
'Uh...' was all she managed to utter before she dropped the branch and ran in the opposite direction she had come.
No no no no no...don't! She mentally berated herself when she felt the sharp pull in her chest. She couldn't cry, she couldn't, not anymore...when he had forgotten her.
Glancing over her shoulder Ruby sighed in relief when she realized that he was out of sight.
A small smile lit her face when she snapped her head around to watch where she was going ...only to collide painfully into a rock.
Falling on her back she coughed, slightly winded.
Scraping her elbows on the ground she hoisted herself up and opened her eyes.
Her heart stopped.
Nononononononooonoooooooo!!
'Ah...heh heh Sesshomaru...hi?'
Amber eyes stared down at her inexpressively.
Standing up she brushed of the dirt of her kimono and glanced nervously up at him.
He opened his mouth slightly only to be interrupted by a loud yell.
'Hey!'
Ruby's eyes widened.
Inuyasha.
Sneaking a peek at Sesshomaru she gulped. This is bad.
Inuyasha burst through the shrubbery and glared at angrily at her.
'RUBY!!! WILL YOU GET YOUR ASS BACK TO TE VILLAGE BEFORE KAGOME SIT'S ME TO HELL!'
Ruby frowned. The impassive Taiyoukai forgotten.
'Why? What's wrong?' she asked worriedly.
Inuyasha folded his arms.
'How the hell am I supposed to know? She's so bloody moody lately!' Inuyasha grumbled. 'Feh!'
Ruby giggled. 'Well she is pregnant Inuyasha'
'Feh!'
Rolling her eyes at the stubborn hanyou Ruby sighed.
'Inuyasha I've got to gather firewood though'
Inuyasha glared at her.
'Look, I'll get the stupid firewood, you just get back to the village and fix Kagome' he bargained. Ruby, at this, outright laughed.
'Inuyasha...heh...God...she's not broke...hah...fix...gasp...her..heh, you'll never change'.
Inuyasha mumbled under his breath.
Ruby stopped laughing. 'Sorry...I didn't quite catch that Inu'
'Feh!'
'Inuyasha'
Ruby jumped as she suddenly remembered the Taiyoukai standing across from her.
'Uh...' Glancing back at Inuyasha Ruby smiled apprehensively. 'Well I'll go back to the village now...bye' she called over her shoulder as she ran away. Uh oh.
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Sesshomaru pulled his gaze away from the running girl to look at Inuyasha.
What was going on here?
He glared at the hanyou.
'Inuyasha, who was that?'
Inuyasha was taken aback.
'Uh, that's Ruby...remember from years ago?'
Sesshomaru growled. 'Hanyou do not lie to me, that girl does not resemble her'
Inuyasha's brow furrowed in concentration.
'Oh, that's because she...changed her hair color and in her time only five months have passed while four years have passed here since we all last saw each other'
Sesshomaru frowned.
'How is that possible?'
Inuyasha shrugged. Turning away from his cold half brother Inuyasha went in search for firewood.
Leaving Sesshomaru to digest what he had just learned.
Silver brushed against pale skin as golden eyes gazed in the direction the strange clumsy girl had went.
Ruby.
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Hope you enjoyed!!
Hey I'm on a roll here with the updating lol So Sesshomaru has found out that she really is Ruby... I wonder how the impassive Taiyoukai is going to get her...? ...hhmmmm!!
Well until next time...Je ne
Please read and review!!
Lady-of-the-Darkened-Moon