Chapter Twenty Four – More Shocks & Surprises
Disclaimer – All publicly recognizable characters, settings etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the creator. The director/author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I only do this for fun.
Author Note – Thanks for the reviews! I love them all! I really hope that you all have enjoyed this story as well as Blood Moon. I've been thinking of a story but I would love for someone else to write this one for me. If you are interested, it will be a Inuyasha/DragonBallZ crossover but I haven't seen any other writer do this story in the 'M' rated section. If you wish to try, let me know. I even have a title for the story. HEHE but with the stories I'm writing on at the moment I don't have much time to start another. LOL Now if you want Message me or leave me a review. Now onwards...
Note:
Beast's thoughts
Personal Thoughts
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(Few Miles From Edo – 11:00 AM)
Kagome, Bella and Sango were on Ah-Un while Inuyasha and Miroku were ridding on Kirara. They were getting close to Edo and the Bone Eater's Well. Bella snarled as Ah-Un lowered to the ground just as she jumped off the side. Inuyasha snarled as he followed. Ah-Un followed quickly with Kirara beside him. They were both going as fast as they could but neither animal thought they could reach the Beta's of the West in time before something happened. When a mournful howl ripped through the air, Ah-Un and Kirara went to the ground as they finally were close enough that way their riders could run. It took Inuyasha no time to arrive in the clearing to see the blood and two bodies, that were layed slain, on the ground.
Inuyasha noticed first that Kagome and Bella were crouched over a body near the bone eaters well. His hear thumbed loudly in his chest as he moved as quick as his body would allow. Inuyasha could smell that it was Kaede's blood yet his brain didn't seem to want to allow it through to his heart. When he finally was close enough, Inuyasha had to close his eyes as he fell to his knees. He couldn't believe the state of the body. It was ravaged as if an animal was gnawing at it to feed. He couldn't even imagine that it was anything else then Victoria at this moment. It wasn't until he heard a slow thumping sound that his ears swiveled back behind him where the young boy lay.
"Oi, I think the kids alive!" He yelled as he spun around and rushed to the kids side. "Kagome, Bella!"
Bella rushed to her mate's side as Kagome stayed with Kaede's body. "He's alive but poisoned." She looked to her mate. "I need Kagome and she wont allow me to stay with Kaede's body." She bit her lip. "Will you..."
"Of course." Inuyasha whispered as he turned and hurried to Kagome.
Bella turned back around as she kept her eyes on the sick boy in front of her. His eyes finally did open but he seemed to not be seeing anything. Her heart clenched at the thought of the young boy dying. She knew that she would be able to save him if Kagome could give him enough power to boost his blood production. As soon as she saw Kagome out of the corner of her eye, Bella latched onto the boys wrist causing him to whimper in pain. Kagome's eyes widen as Bella's swirls started to heal the blood Bella was taking from the boy. She had never felt this kind of energy. There was a coldness to it which could only explain the demonic part yet the pureness that came along with the darkness was overwhelming. Bella finally was able to release the boy and lay down as a wave of fatigue hit her.
"Check him." She whispered as her eyes drooped close.
Kagome nodded as she checked over the boy and found that he was indeed alive and well. She couldn't believe that Bella was able to do that. She hurried back to Kaede's side because she knew Inuyasha wanted to be with his mate since she collapsed once again after healing someone. Kagome could feel that their pup was doing well and that it wasn't harmed in the least. It wasn't long before Sango and Miroku appeared in the clearing with wide eyes. Sango rushed over to Kagome as she fell to her knees and let out a wail of anguish. Miroku rushed over to Sango then realized who she was seeing. His eyes didn't want to believe but his powers reached out and felt that Kaede's power was gone from the village. Forever.
"I shall say a prayer." Miroku whispered as he closed his eyes holding a hysterical Sango. "Why don't you help Inuyasha take Bella to the village? The neko boy also needs to be transported back and tended to. I shall bury Lady Kaede under the God Tree. Hai?"
Kagome nodded as she turned to Inuyasha. "Hai, Kaede would have loved that." There were tears in her eyes. "Ah-Un can carry the boy, who I believe Kisho the one who Miso told us about, and myself back to the village."
Miroku nodded in agreement as he watched Kagome, Inuyasha and Bella along with Ah-Un and Kisho headed back to Edo. He couldn't help but wonder what was happening at the Castle. He prayed that it was going better then it was going for them. At least they were able to save the boy. If Kaede was younger she may have survived yet with her age, Kaede was going into battle with full knowledge it could be her last. It just so happened she tried to pick her last fight with a vampire. Miroku chuckled softly as he unwrapped his arms from around Sango and started over to Kaede's body. Kirara was at his side, fully transformed, by the time he stood at the elder miko's body. He already knew that her soul had passed on yet he couldn't help but pray that she went to Heaven to sing with the angels.
Lady Kaede was well loved and respected.
(Western Castle – 11:30 AM)
Sesshoumaru was sitting in his study when there was a knock on the door.
"Enter." He called without looking up from his documents.
Jaken entered with a frown on his face. "My Lord, a couple has arrived for the ceremony." He waited til his lord looked up. "They are from the West. They wish to greet the Lord and Lady of the castle."
"They shall during the ceremony." Sesshoumaru waved him out of his study as he went back to his duties. "Make sure there is a room ready for any guests that arrive."
Jaken nodded as he turned and headed back out the door. He hurried down the hall's as quick as his short legs could carry him and found the couple by the entrance to the castle. He bowed as he arrived.
"If you shall follow me I will take you to your rooms." Jaken said in a polite tone yet he couldn't help but feel that something was off with these two. "My Lord has told me you will have to wait for the ceremony before you can greet the lord and lady together."
The female snarled at Jaken. "Fine, show us to our rooms." As her mate tightened his grip on her arm. "Forgive me I haven't been feeling good."
Jaken nodded as he turned and lead the two demons to their rooms. He knew that they were different since their scents were many. It seemed to him that there were two set of scents. Since he had not met either Victoria or Niro, Jaken wasn't sure if they were indeed them but he couldn't help but scent a neko and spider from the two following. When they arrived to the room, Yuki was standing there with a fake smile on her face. She could also feel something off about the couple.
"I have prepared your room." She bowed as she moved over to open the door. "If there is anything you need, all you need to do is ask. One of the servants shall be around every few minutes to check on the rooms." Yuki watched as the female narrowed her eyes then disappear while the male stood there with a grin on his face.
"You have my thanks." The male nodded. "My name is Tuso and my mate is Kuri. Please forgive her, she is rather ill since our trip. All she needs is a few hours rest and she will be her happy self again."
"That is fine." Yuki nodded as her and Jaken turned to leave, neither of them saw the transformation of 'Tuso's' face.
Tuso turned and headed into his room, only to see that Kuri had taken off the pendant. "You need to keep that on at all times until it's time to reveal ourselves." His eyes were narrowed as he walked over and layed down. "We are in a house of Inu youkai's. They will know if they scent you. If you blow this I will personally kill you myself."
"You are paranoid." Kuri snarled back to him, without actually looking at him. "They will never know." She smirked as she thought back to Edo. "I have made sure that the Lady of the Castle is out of the way for a while. I want to see if I can persuade Lord Sesshoumaru to change mates." She smirked wider as she turned her eyes to Tuso.
Tuso shook his head. "You will only dig your grave sooner by going after a mated male." His eyes were serious. "Going after Lord Sesshoumaru will end in your death by Kagome's hands and you will never get to Bella."
"Keep your mouth shut." Kuri snapped as she fully turned to him slipping the pendant back over her head. "I will do as I wish. Naraku was my mate, not you."
Tuso sneered as he stood to his full height. "And he is dead." He reminded her causing Kuri to shake. "Now get your head in the game or you will blow it for both of us."
"Fine." Kuri snapped at him as she walked over to the door. "I'm going to get something to eat. Do you wish to join me, mate?" She sneered the word as if it was poison.
Tuso smirked at her as he moved to her side. "Of course dear, where you go, I go." He leaned down as he opened the door. "Just make sure you don't blow this for me getting Lady Suyri."
Kuri chuckled as she walked out into the hall with a blush on her face. "I would never!" She batted her eyes. "That is for the bed room only, Tuso."
Tuso growled playfully as they headed towards the kitchen. As they rounded a corner, Emmett and Suyri were walking towards the gardens. Kuri stopped and smiled as Tuso appeared at her side grabbing her playing their chase up.
"Why did you..." He then blinked a couple of times as he pretended to just notice Emmett and Suyri. "Forgive me, I was just playing with my mate as we headed to the kitchen." Tuso smiled brightly as he looked directly to Suyri.
Suyri frowned as her eyes narrowed but Emmett chuckled. "Naw, don't worry." He smirked pulling Suyri closer to him. "Suyri and I are waiting til after our ceremony til we complete the bond."
"Oh, I'm happy for you." Kuri said with fake enthusiasm. "Being mated it wonderful. I thought we were coming for only the Western Lords ceremony but I guess we got a double ceremony."
"Then you'll be thrilled since there is another couple that is going to be announced." Suyri smiled warmly as she tried to hide her unease. "Lord Sesshoumaru has finally taken a Beta and his Beta is mated as well as expecting."
So the bitch is pregnant. Kuri thought as she smiled. "Oh I bet the lord is thrilled." She wrapped her arms around Tuso. "Do you mind, I'm getting hungry."
"Forgive me." Tuso kissed Kuri's forehead. "If you don't mind, I need to feed my mate." He turned and bowed to Emmett and Suyri as they moved past them.
Suyri watched them go with narrowed eyes which finally caught Emmett's attention. "Is something wrong?" He asked with a frown on his face. "Why are you glaring at the couple?"
"I'll tell you when we meet up with mother and father." Suyri whispered as she looped her arm through Emmett's. "That couple didn't sit well with me. I could feel something different about them. As if they weren't as they appeared."
Emmett frowned as he sniffed the air. "Yeah, I can smell that somethings different." He kept his senses alert. "Once we get to your parents I'll feel better." His playfulness gone. "Now that I look back, Tuso didn't seem to even wish to speak with me. The female on the other hand. She rubbed me the wrong way."
"What ever it is we'll find out once Kagome and Bella return." Suyri felt safer with the Chishio demon and Pure Inu around. "They are both able to sense evil. Even if shielded."
Emmett nodded as they hurried down the hall towards Suyri's mother and father's sitting room. Jaken had been standing on one of the other halls when he heard the four of them speak and knew instantly that he felt an evil presence for a split second. Making up his mind, Jaken rushed down the halls and towards his lords study. He could feel that his masters youki was still there which could only mean he was busy with his scrolls. Jaken knew that Sesshoumaru didn't wish to be disturbed unless it was about his mate yet he couldn't help but think that the Lord would wish to know of this.
(Feudal Era, Edo – 1:00 PM)
Bella and Kagome sat in Kaede's hut with a couple of the Elders of the village. One was Kaede's Uncle, on her mother's side. Inuyasha was out working in the fields with the other males while the females were working on the things that were needed to be done. The Elders of the Village were all males yet knew that Inuyasha didn't have the stomach for business which was their reason to speak with Lady Kagome and Lady Bella.
"Do you need something to drink?" Bella asked as she looked between the three elders.
"No, that is not needed." The eldest Elder smiled softly as his silverish eyes looked at everything but Bella. "What we do wish to speak to you about who will take Lady Kaede's place? She was our town miko."
The youngest Elder nodded. "Hai, we do need another but we also want to see what Inuyasha and Lady Bella shall do once this journey is over and done with?" He looked to Bella. "Shall you return to this village? Or shall you go elsewhere?"
"If it is alright with the elders, I will take up Lady Kaede's place." Bella bowed at the waist, or as much as she could since she was growing rather quickly. "I do not know the ways of the miko but I am able to cure people just as Lady Kagome can." She didn't raise up until one of the Elders spoke.
"You are Chishio." The middle Elder said loudly. "Why would you tend to humans? For food?" His eyes were narrowed and filled with hatred.
Bella raised up quickly that she was up before the humans could blink with an angry look on her face. "Forgive me, Elder but you do not know me or my raising." She looked to the others. "You know that Kagome comes from a far away land, as do I. My father is a keeper of peace and is a Chief. Before I was bitten by a vampire, I lived a normal life and had dreams. I never believed that my first boyfriend would be my first to the last yet here I am. I would never harm a human since I feed from the animals and demonic animals around here that has no intelligence other then their instincts."
"I agree with Bella." Kagome said rather hotly. "Bella is the most caring person I know and that includes any ningens I have met. You should be so lucky that Bella wishes to work in place of Kaede."
"Please forgive Kaslo," The elder Eldest bowed his head. "He has been set in his ways many of years."
"Like you arn't, Huro." Kaslo snorted crossing his arms.
Both Kagome and Bella laughed at the two of the three Elders of Edo. They acted like young boys arguing on who was right and who was wrong. The youngest Elder shook his head as he looked to Bella.
"I am Zuko -the youngest of the Elders, I am sorry for these two." He bowed his head as he cut his eyes to Huro and Kaslo. "They are usually more adult about such things." Zuko sighed as a sweat drop appeared over his head. "Please Elder's we need to get back to discussing on who will replace Lady Kaede."
The two oldest Elders nodded and turned their attentions to Bella. "Are you sure you wish to take up this obligation?" It was Kaslo who asked. "It can be dangerous at times."
"You do remember who you are talking to, hai?" Bella asked with a smirk on her face.
The youngest elder, Zuko, chuckled and nodded. "I do believe she will do fine." He turned to the others. "Why should we worry in losing her? She is a chishio demon. Any blood illness she can detect before any other healers could."
"You are correct in that, Zuko." Huro said as he gazed his silvery eyes to Bella. "I do believe you shall do child. Please do not fear to come to any of us if the villagers give you any problems."
Kagome smiled brightly as Bella bowed her head. "I will find another healer to take my place in the mean time." She sighed as she rose from her bowed position. "There is an enemy that could wipe the village in one swipe. She is the one who killed Lady Kaede. Please allow some of the Western soldiers to come and aid in protecting the village until the danger has passed."
"We will allow this only until the danger has passed." Huro said after seeing the other two Elder's nod. "It was Lady Kaede that showed us that even youkai's are not as evil as we were always led to believe growing up. It has been hard since there were many more youkai attacks many years ago yet then again there were a lot more youkai at the time as well." He smiled at Kagome. "It was also Lady Kagome that showed us the error of our ways. Youkai and Hanyou's are people no matter what the outside appearance may be. Yes there are evil youkais, just as there are evil ningens."
Kagome had tears in her eyes. "Thank you Elders." Kagome bowed causing the Elders to gasp. "Just because I was transformed into a youkai, I was once human and will never forget that fact. It was only the will of the Kami's that I am to be here once again." She raised up and smiled as tears ran down her face. "Not only that but your acceptance of Inuyasha was a lot since he was always shunned."
Bella nodded this time. "If you had killed him, I wouldn't have my mate so I also thank you." She smiled widely as Inuyasha suddenly appeared. "Inuyasha are you ok?"
"Feh." Inuyasha mumbled as he walked over with a slight blush on his cheeks. Kagome knew he had heard a little of the conversation they were having. "Sango and Miroku are on their way."
"Then we shall allow you time to speak with your mate, Lady Bella." Kaslo smiled as he stood, helping Huro up as well. "We hope you shall stop by on your travels if you do need more time. We would love to see you, even you Lord Inuyasha. You have earned a place in this village since you were protecting it for over 50 years. We are thankful to you."
Inuyasha stared wide eyed Kaslo who was wearing a grin. He just nodded unable to say anything. Everyone chuckled seeing the mouthy hanyou speechless for a few moments. Zuko helped the two oldest Elders out of the hut just as Sango and Miroku came in sight of the hut. Miroku's arms were around Sango's shoulders as they flew on the back of Ah-Un. Kirara was in kitten form and curled up in Sango's lap as she wept for the loss of Kaede. As they passed the Elders, Miroku bowed his head as Sango kept on crying not really seeing the world around them. Miroku was rather worried.
(Future; Volterra, Italy – 9:00 AM)
Felix and Demetri stood at the entrance of the castle just inside the building, since the sun was shining rather sunny that day. As the car pulled up, a tall man with bright red hair and green eyes stepped out and headed to the door just as the car came to stand still. The man opened the door allowing the people inside the limousine to exit and stand beside the large car. Jake had hopped out and hurried to get Billy's wheel chair since he knew his dad would need to get out before Kagome and Sesshoumaru. Once Billy was standing by the red haired man, who Jake was giving an odd look, Charlie exited the limo with Kagome and Sesshoumaru following behind him. As soon as Charlie's eyes adjusted since he and Billy were asleep when they had landed, they grew wide as he finally saw the castle.
"This is where we're going?" He turned his eyes to Kagome, who nodded with a smile.
"If you are ready." The man said with a smirk. "My name is Shippou and I am the young kit that my mother may have told you about." Shippou chuckled when Charlie gasped.
"Wow." Charlie whispered as he shook his head. "I guess I still have fully accepted what I've been told." His eyes finally found Felix and Demetri. "Um... do you guys see those guys standing in the shadows?"
Sesshoumaru chuckled along with Kagome. "Those are guards from the Volturi." He nodded to Felix and Demetri. "They will lead us to the throne room."
"They wont eat me?" Charlie whispered causing Felix and Demetri to chuckle. "What?" He blinked a couple of times as they headed towards the door where Felix and Demetri were standing.
"You have no worry." Demetri smirked as he held out his hand for them. "I shall bring up the rear." He waited til all of them walked by until Jake and Billy started by him. "I hate to say but his wheel chair will not be able to go where we are going. If you would permit me, I shall carry you Billy Black." Demetri was trying to be respectful. "Your son can bring the chair."
"Jake?" Billy turned to his son. "I don't mind."
Jake nodded as Demetri picked up Billy and slung him around on his back. "Grab a hold with your arms and I shall keep your feet from dragging." Demetri told him. "We shall be there soon."
Billy chuckled as Demetri rushed down the halls leaving Jake to follow. He hadn't been able to run in some time thus it caused a thrill to run through him. It was something he never thought he would feel again. As fast as he was going, the ride on Demetri's back ended rather soon for Billy's taste. Jake entered a little time later and allowed Demetri to sit Billy back down in the wheelchair. Jake stiffened when five hooded people came out of one of the side doors. Three of them sat in the thrones that were placed on the raised platform. The other two stood on the side as they three pulled back the hoods.
"Welcome, my wolf friends." Aro clapped his hands together. "I am happy to have you here. Young Isabella informed me that you were not like the Children of the Moon but shifters that took on the shape of a wolf thus the reason we have kept silent about your existence."
Billy's face looked rather priceless as his eyes were wide. "You knew of us?"
Aro nodded as the other two lowered their hoods. "Because of young Isabella, I was able to see what truly happened when you transformed." His eyes then moved to Charlie. "I am also pleased to meet you, Charlie Swan. Your daughter is rather magnificent."
Jake turned his eyes as well as Charlie. "Bella!?" Charlie yelled as he took a step forward. "What? When? Why?"
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Author Note – Here is another chapter for A Different Destiny. I would really like if you would review. I miss hearing what you think of my story so far. Now what do you think will happen? Will things go good? Or will Lady Bad Luck show up? Til next time keep reading and reviewing...
~*Dragon*~