(Italics) – Actions
Italics – Thoughts
Regis: (sits on the couch enjoying Jade's tea) Is this any way to treat your big brother?
Rin: (tilts head at a 45 degree angle) Brother? I'm confused… (bites lip)
Sess: (speaks from the hallway) You're no blood relative of Jade's. It just so happened that you were very close at one time. (knocks on his door again) Jade unlock this door and come out of my room.
Jade: (hiding under the blankets) Never! You'll never take me alive! I'd rather commit seppuku! (rustles under the sheets)
Sess: (gapes in horror) Are you in my bed? You had better remake my bed before I get in there!
Rin: (blinks at the visitor) So, how exactly do you know Miss Inujun?
Regis: (looks up at her from his cup) Oh, we used to go to school together. I helped her come out of her doghouse, if you know what I mean?
Rin: (shakes head quickly) No, I don't. (blinks at him)
Regis: (sighs) She didn't have a very nice home life, so she crashed at my house a lot. I encouraged her writing, too. I graduated a year early and helped her get this place. (looks toward the hall) I'm practically her big brother! (glares)
Sess: (walks into the living room steamed) Look, it's your own fault that you got drunk and played with her ears! She's never recovered from the "Good morning, beautiful" line you dropped on her the next morning while embracing her. Now, could you please leave, so that I can get my room back? (glares down)
Regis: (stands with hands in the air) Alright! Alright! Don't get prissy with me because she hasn't gone in heat at the sight of you yet! (runs before Sess can recover)
Sess: (gapes at the vacant couch) I hate that mortal….
Jade: (peeks her head out the door slightly) Is he gone… Sesshoumaru…? (whines)
Rin: (nods) Yeah, Lord Sesshoumaru scared him off! (makes her victory punch)
Sess: (tries not to growl) Don't you have another chapter to post… Jade?
(The females nod, blinking at his demeanor.)
Sess: (walks into the study) Jade the Inujin does not own the rights to Inuyasha. She came up with a story that fit some of the characters and added a few of her own. Here is the product of her work. Please enjoy… (walks to his room and shuts the door) POST!
Jade: (jumps with a start and runs for the study) I'm going! I'm going!
Rin: Poor Father… His pride just got stepped on. He must feel awful. I'll go make tea!
Ch36: The Japanese Adventure
Water rose, splashing as tiny droplets onto a light brown surface. Sighing at the cool temperature, Jade opened her dark eyes as water dripped from her long eyelashes. She rubbed the nape of her neck as she straightened her back upright.
"So you don't remember anything?" Susan asked from her seat on the bathroom counter. Her khaki skirt stood out from the pure white counter top. Swinging her bare feet in the air, she watched her taller friend dry her face with a towel. "Nothing, from last night, at all?"
"I told you already, Sue," Jade heaved a sigh, draping the towel back on the wall, "I can't remember a thing. All I can think up to is the bite. After that, it's all a blank."
Frowning at the statement, the fairer skinned teenager realized that it was probably best if she didn't recall the past events. "If she knew that she hurt Sesshoumaru, she'd never forgive herself. Besides, from what Sess told me, it's a gift to live in bliss of yesterday."
Stretching, Jade asked the other, "Would you hand me my shirt? Sesshoumaru is waiting for me back in the bedroom. Can't keep Prince Punctual waiting too long." Grinning at her friend, all tension and anxiety melted away.
"Here." Handing over the large, blue T-shirt, Susan hopped down to the floor. To Jade's eyes, a child jumping from a jungle gym couldn't surpass the cuteness of the action. "Be careful, Jade. Come home conscious today, or whenever you come back."
Opening her large arms, the teen invited her friend in for a hug. Smiling up at the six-one, young woman, Susan walked into her crony's embrace. They hugged for a short while, already feeling the withdrawal, yet they parted at last and waved each other a good-bye.
Lunch time rolled around some time later, and it found Mitchel standing by the mailbox. All six-foot-five of his youthful, athletic build leaned on the stone-encased box. It had been almost a whole semester since he had applied to the same medical school as his father. Now, he was waiting for a letter of some response.
His father had always fascinated him in his craft. When he was a boy, Dr. Lytner used to take him to the hospital with him. He was enchanted at the thought of healing people. Before his battle with cancer, the good doctor had encouraged his only son to go after that dream. It wasn't until his father's death that Mitchel had made it his goal to be a general practician.
It was obvious that he enjoyed giving aid to the ill and injured. He definitely had a stomach for the job. All of the battle wounds Jade and her feudal friends brought home were proof enough of that. The previous night had invigorated him and his dream. Still, as he waited on the postman, all he could think about was the unfinished conflict from that evening.
He remembered following Susan up to the dark computer room. She was curled in a ball in the corner. He had walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her. She had turned to face him, crying into his chest. They had fallen asleep together that way.
Today, after waking to the morning light, they had avoided each other. Susan had gone to take Jade elsewhere, distracting her so he could check on Prince Sess's bandages. It felt wrong to not talk, but what could they say?
"Why can't things all be equally difficult? It's unfair for brain surgery to be easier to approach than matters of the heart!" As if to relieve some of his tension, the mailman waved a hand in front of his face. "Oh, sorry, thanks for the mail!"
Retreating into the house, the seventeen year old sifted through the envelopes. "Junk mail… Bills… Political propaganda… Letter for Jade… More junk!" Dropping the mail on the kitchen island, the young man growled at the absence. Fetching the ingredients for a luncheon meat sandwich, Mitchel started slapping on the mayo.
"How long do I have to wait?" he grumbled. Cutting some cheese, he glared at the helpless pepper jack. "Is God playing with me or something? 'Cause I'm feeling like a puppet in a screwed up play!" Ramming the bread on top of his meal, the teen huffed. It was at that moment that the letter caught his eye.
Curious as to why it stood out to him, he pulled the envelope across the island. It was post-marked from Florida. It had a big notice under the stamp: Important. "Who would send Jade a letter from Florida? Important?" Eying the letter, he considered what to do as he ate his lunch. "Where's Sue?"
Elsewhere, upstairs in the computer room to be exact, Susan sat on the futon couch. It was her get away place. The couch could easily fold out into a bed, and she'd begun to use it most often when Jade's travels interfered with her rest. It was here that she would usually write. Today, her creativity was fluctuating. Not six hours ago, she had awakened in the corner opposite her now.
Shaking her head, she erased the thoughts again like an Etch-A-Sketch. She didn't want to think about it. It was bad enough that she had had a crush on Mitchel Lynter since their freshman year. He had been in Miss Gimlee's care since middle school, but they had not been on very peaceful terms. Typical children, they were as different as cats and dogs. It wasn't until ninth grade homeroom that they were forced to become friends.
Mitchel had been elected homeroom representative, and Susan had been chosen as room secretary. They spent time together for that sole purpose; probably more than she'd first cared for. However, he turned out to be more than the dumb, baseball jock she'd thought him to be. He told her about his dream to be a doctor, like his father had been. Since money was going to be hard to come by now, he had worked hard on his pitching, so he could get a scholarship to go to his dad's medical school. His plans and goals made her feel so small in comparison. He was an altogether guy, with a handsome mug to boot! What could she do? She fell, hard.
Shaking her blonde locks again, the five-foot-six teenager gripped her pencil once more. "Write! This is supposed to be a stress release for you… Now, release!" The pencil remained motionless. Sighing with defeat, she started staring out the window.
"Don't start daydreaming about him. It wasn't meant to be… He's the perfect guy. I'm just not the perfect girl… for him."
As if to answer her musing, a voice reached her ears. "Sue!" She looked out of the corner of her eye. "I thought I'd find you here," Mitchel said with his handsome grin. "I was looking for you." She turned her head, still silently gazing up at him. Extending his hand, Susan saw the envelope. "This came for Jade. Do you know what it's about?"
Taking the letter, she read the return address. "Well, it's from a Samson Trammel. He's a private detective from Pensacola, Florida. My magic powers of reading the back of the envelope say so. I don't know who he is though. Jade's never mentioned him. Sorry…"
Grinning at the magic comment, the pitcher replied, "Cute, Sue. Do you know where Jade is? It says it's important. It could be time sensitive."
Shaking her head for a third time in the last ten minutes, she answered, "Again, I'm sorry, but she left with Prince Sess and the gang hours ago. Remember? You know how they work. They could be gone till next week or until dinner."
Shrugging in disappointment, the young man took the letter from Susan's hand. Placing the envelope on the computer desk, Mitchel said, "Well, I guess it won't hurt to wait a little longer. You'll get it to her when she gets back."
The young woman was too busy staring at her hand. Mitchel had touched her hand. It suddenly seemed sacred, and for a split second, she considered cutting it off and placing it inside an air-safe, viewing container. She realized it was her writing hand. The idea died as suddenly as it was born.
Not hearing a response, Mitchel turned to leave. He made it to the doorway, stopping. They had to settle this tension between them, or it was going to drive him insane! Turning about ninety degrees from his waist, he opened his mouth. "Hey, Sue," he said in a softer voice than usual, "we're okay, right? I mean after last night."
Susan Johnson froze. The memory of crying alone in that very room came back to her. The strong – yet gentle – embrace of the young man before her felt so fresh. She'd cried herself to sleep in his arms. They'd fallen asleep in each other's arms! It was every girl's dream, but it felt painful to think about at that moment. "Don't start, Sue! You're not the girl for him…" Looking up at him, she smiled. Not a word came out, for they would have given her away.
Mitchel nodded in return. Turning to leave, the tension had only worsened. They both felt awkward. He didn't want to leave things that way, but his mind was too swamped to focus. "There will be plenty of better times to talk. I need some time to think. Yeah, I need to think..."
After he left, time seemed to slow down as Susan turned back to her writing. "Roses are red. Violets are blue. I'm just like the violets because I truly love you." Dropping her pencil, she moaned, "Gawd, I'm such a sap! Stop angsting!"
Footsteps interrupted her self-suffocation by pillow. Looking over at the door – from under the throw pillow – she saw two perplexed twins, staring at her. "Are you feeling alright?" they spoke in stereo.
Lifting the pillow, she sighed heavily. "I'll live, unfortunately. Did you two need something? Or did you come here on the whim that I was stepping toward suicidal?"
"Computer," they replied in sync.
Waving them on as if she were the guardian of the room, she pulled her skirt back below her knees. "I'm not using it. Knock yourselves out! It's all yours."
Sitting in the swirly chair together, the freshman noticed the letter on the corner of the desk. Blinking in curiosity, Mark asked, "What's this, Sue?"
Without looking at them, she pulled the pillow away from her mouth to reply. "It's for Jade."
Gaping, May inquired further. "Does she know about it?"
Pulling the pillow down to her chest, Susan eyed the twins. They were staring straight at the envelope as if it were filled with Anthrax powder. She sat up, walking over to her roommates. "No," she answered after the awkward pause, "she left this morning before the mail came. Is something wrong?"
"Jade needs to read this," they said quickly, not looking up.
Something felt frightening about their voices. This wasn't like them. "Well, it does say 'Important' on the front," she tried to lighten the mood, unsuccessfully.
In a quick motion, Mark snatched the envelope and pushed it into Susan's hand, clamping onto it. May grabbed the other hand, and the two pulled their friend out of the room. The stun didn't wear off until they reached the bottom of the stairs. Susan tried to free herself from their grasps, but they held with an amazing hold for their small builds.
"Mark! May! What's wrong with you guys? Where are we going?"
"You have to get this letter to Jade," Mark answered curtly.
"She must read it as soon as possible," May added with unshaken urgency.
Susan shook her head as they neared their room. "Guys, there is no way I could find her before dinner. Japan is huge now! It was probably even bigger back then! How do you expect us to find her?"
Stopping in the walk-in closet, the siblings turned to look at the confused teenager. She gasped, almost screaming. The twins' eyes were blazing white. Their stoic faces looked toward her, grabbing her attention. "Susan," they spoke with an eerie ringing in their voices, "we cannot go with you. It is up to you to find Jade."
Gaping in disbelief, Susan couldn't find her voice to question them. The Door creaked open on its own accord. Mark and May pushed Susan through, gingerly. "The Door will not yield to you until you find Jade. Only then will you be able to transcend Time again."
As the Door began to close on its own, again, Susan tried to keep it open. "No!" She cried, "Mark! May! I can't do this all by myself! Don't leave me alone! Please!" The Door wasn't affected by her struggle. It continued to slowly close.
The twins whispered to her. "Don't worry. The Master will be with you. He will guide and protect you." Just before she couldn't see anymore, the light faded from their eyes. The twins fell to the floor.
"MARK! MAY!" Susan screamed. The Door shut, leaving her alone in the mystical meadow of wild flowers. Fear sunk into her heart. She was all alone. Nobody for miles and there was danger everywhere in between. She gasped when she felt her jaw tremble, but it turned out her whole body was shaking.
"Where am I supposed to start?" she thought wildly. "I don't know anything about this country or its customs! I have no idea where I am. I can't understand a word of Japanese from anyone other than Sesshoumaru! I don't even have any shoes!"
Tears fell down her cheeks. She was scared out of her mind, but she knew she couldn't just stand there. Swallowing some nerve in her pride, she turned around to at least see her surroundings.
Flowers seemed to cover the whole visible plane. Beautiful, warm colors blanketed the ground. A calm settled over her spirit; nature always soothed her soul. With her nerves quieted, the seventeen year old looked once more at the backdrop. In the distance, she caught sight of a silver glint in the floral sea. "It couldn't hurt to start there. It could hurt to stay here though…" The memories of Kaze's entrance into their lives pushed her into action.
She began to walk among the flowers in a straight line. After some time, her nose picked up the scent of the vivid wildflowers. It was divine. She longed to sit and smell them each. "So this is what Sesshoumaru means when he compares Jade's scent. It must be even more radiant to his nose. Jade must smell good!" Perking her first smile since she had arrived, the time passed by quickly for her.
Finally, she found the glint's source. A large river with a powerful current rushed before her. Gaping in dismay, Susan couldn't hold back the cry. "Oh my gawd! I can't cross this! Screw swim team in junior high! There is no way!" Falling to her knees, she felt tears again at her helpless situation. Her lip quivered as she tried not to break down.
("You have to get this to Jade." "She must read it as soon as possible.")
Biting her lip, she focused on her goal. On shaking limbs, she stood once more. A fish jumped out of the river in front of her. It flicked its tail rigorously, trying to reach the sky before gravity could pull him back down. Its splash left an impression on her. Though the fish must have known he couldn't really escape the river, he had given his utmost effort to try.
"I have to try," Susan mused to herself. "It may seem impossible, but at least, I can look back and say I did my best to try. Right, Jade?" With a new motivation, she put one foot in front of the other. Repeating the step, she began to stroll along the river's edge. As her feet moved unconsciously, the young woman became lost to the river's flow.
When sunset fell, she realized that the wildflowers were nowhere to be seen. Gaping about wildly, she found herself lost, unfamiliar with the scenery. This time she slumped to the ground from exhaustion. Her eyes were unfocused until her stomach growled loud and long.
"That's right," she smiled tiredly. "I missed lunch and dinner, now. I didn't realize it was so easy to forget to eat." Seeing a green plant beside her hand, she decided that if she was an omnivore she could stomach eating a plant.
As she munched on the tasteless plant, she noticed a large part of her fatigue. Gaping in horror, she grabbed her right foot. It was bleeding badly, as was the other. "I must have cut them up walking on the rocks near the riverbank." Grunting, she grasped the concept that walking was a bad idea. "What do I do now?"
The letter seemed to look up at her, wondering why she hadn't noticed it was still there. Holding it before her face, she wondered why she was doing this. "I can't go home because of you," she said to the envelope as if it could understand her grievances. "I have no way of finding Jade or Sess before dark. We're stuck between a rock and a hard place with little to no options. Well, I'm too tired to think right now. I'm going to take a nap."
Tucking the envelope inside her shirt, Susan curled into a ball on the grassier part of the bank. As her wariness began to overtake her, her mind began to flow freely. She remembered the twins, and she shed fresh tears, worrying about them. She recalled the last image of Mitchel in her mind. Her eyes closed, holding the frame in place. "Mitchel… what are you doing right now?" Just as sleep took her into the Dreamworld, dark clouds grew overhead.
"Sue!" Mitchel called, jogging toward the computer room, "Sue! It's time to eat! You know that nourishment that humans need to live?" With no response, he looked into the dark room. "Sue, dinner's… ready…" There was no sign of the teenager. Turning on the light, he saw her notebook on the futon. Glancing at the desk, the envelope was gone, much to his surprise. "Maybe she's in her room…"
As he approached the open door, he noticed two figures, sitting on the bottom bunk. Mark and May looked like sad statues from a Greek collection. He stopped in the doorway. "Hey guys," he said as gently as possible, "you know dinner's ready? Is Susan in here?"
"She was," May said in a distant voice.
"Was? Where'd she go?" No response came. He blinked in surprise at their lack of speech. Usually, those two wouldn't shut up. Something was up. "Alright, you two," Mitchel said, crossing his arms, "what's going on? Only one thing is for sure when you're quiet; trouble's brewing. Talk to me."
Looking at him with fearful eyes that surpassed all puppy eyes, they spilled their story, tearfully. "We went to go use the computer and saw Sue and the letter for Jade. Something happened to us because… it felt like a hammer hit us in the head. The next thing we knew, we were dragging Sue with the letter here. We couldn't control our bodies! We opened the Door and…" They stopped as the thought made their faces twist with guilt, identically.
Mitchel gaped down at them. "And did what? What did you two do?"
"We…" they caught their breath as tears welled up in their eyes. "We pushed her into the feudal era! We told her to find Jade and give her the letter." They silenced, waiting for Mitchel to snap on them.
The seventeen year old stared in disbelief at the fifteen year olds. His mouth gaped open as he searched for words to make a sentence. Finally, he found his voice, only to lose his nerve. "What were you thinking?"
May recoiled at his tone. "We weren't," Mark came to their defense. "I told you – as did my sister – that we couldn't control ourselves. Something had taken over us. We didn't even wake up from it until a few minutes ago!"
"After the force left us," May said timidly, cowering behind her brother, "we fainted in the closet. We just woke up. I swear, Mitch! Please, believe us…"
"Mitchel," came Miss Gimlee's voice, "did you get Susan yet? Would you mind fetching the twins as well? She's usually with them." The hair rose on the back of Mitchel's neck at the voice. On impulse, he shut the bedroom door, locking it for reasons beyond him. He then dashed for the Door.
"It's no good," May said sadly.
"Until Jade returns…" Mark continued.
"… The Door is locked," they finished, still sitting on the bunk bed.
Banging on the Door's frame, Mitchel growled in frustration. "Sue! Sess! Jade! Some one! Anyone! Please, open this door!" Banging his fist against the Door, he cried, seething through his clenched teeth. "Sue… Susan, hang on. Please…" Giving up his tantrum, he walked out of the closet, leaning back against the wall. He slumped to the ground before long. What were they going to do now?
A slight rumble came from the closet. The three teens turned their heads to look. Inside the walk-in closet, the Door was trembling. Mitchel sucked in his breath. He hoped he hadn't upset something on the other side. Out of nowhere, the Door burst open. The three dove out of the way of the gust of wind.
"What in all the hells is going on over here?"
Mitchel looked up to see Jade, glaring into the room. Prince Sess stood behind her, alert and on guard. All he could do was gape back at her. Was it that he was frightened of her flared, brown eyes? Or, was he speechless with joy to see her? A sharp bark from Kaze forced him to speak. "The twins sent Sue to find you in the feudal era by herself!"
Jade gaped in shock. "No way! She could be anywhere! When did this happen? How long has she been gone? Mitch!"
"I don't know!" He yelled back at her, reflexively. "It happened around noon, I guess. That was the last time I saw her. Ask them!" Pointing at the twins, he wanted her to yell at someone other than him. After drilling the details out of Mark and May, Jade slumped in the cushioned chair. She looked angry enough to kill a grizzly bear.
"Why can't we just track her?" May spoke up.
"If we can't find her," Mark continues his sister's thought, "you or Sess could just smell her trail."
Thunder clapped outside the Door in the meadow. Pointing in that direction, Jade replied curtly, "There's your answer, kids. Lightning storms sizzle your brain waves, remember? Then, we have the lovely water falling from the sky. It washes away scents, so Sesshoumaru and my sense of smell is useless! And here's the icing on the cake, our friend is lost somewhere in that!"
Drops of water awakened the sleeping Susan, yet she refused to open her eyes. If she just ignored it, it would go away. "Get real, Sue," she thought with a hint of whine. "This isn't a dream. You're not going to wake up on the futon. Just grit and bare it!"
Suddenly, she heard a voice. "Arewa nan desuka? (What is that over there?)" She stiffed. This was her first encounter with a stranger in Japan. It sounded female, but she didn't really want to find out for sure. Remaining still, she hoped whoever it was would ignore her.
"Shirimasen (I do not know.)," came a child-like, female voice. Great! There were two of them? Was her luck shot to Hell today or what? She felt a tap on her side. It wasn't intended to inflict injury. It was more of an annoying patting that could only be meant to wake her.
"Oi. (Hey.)" The firmer voice said to her, "Nanio shimasuka? (What are you doing?) Sameru! (Wake up!)" Opening her eyes, Susan beheld two females, leaning over her.
Staring down at the strange creature, Kagura blinked as she opened her light colored eyes. Never had she seen a being with hair as the Sun and eyes of the sky. It smelled human, but there was no way it could be human! The being appeared to be female; however, she would need to uncurl its form to be certain. "What's wrong with you?" She asked the creature in an irritable tone, "Don't you feel the rain? What are you, a kappa?"
Seeing the thing gape at them, Kanna spoke up again. "I don't think it understands what you are saying, Kagura. Perhaps, it doesn't speak."
Grumbling at the thought, the wind child realized her sister had a point. "Gods! What should we do with it?" Fear was evident in the light irises. If it did speak, it must not understand them. Something about it made her curious. She couldn't leave it alone in the rain.
"Perhaps," the void one said with equal curiosity, "we should take it to Father. He knows things we don't. He might even know what this is."
Sighing heavily, Kagura replied, "We have nothing better to do. It's clear there aren't any shards of the Shikon around here, let alone on this thing." Looking down at the coiled figure, she felt a pang of pity. It nagged her as pity always did. It seemed to get her into trouble a lot. Shrugging in defeat, she said to the creature, "Get up! You're coming with us since you don't have the common sense to get out of the rain!"
Susan was jilted by the voice. The dark haired one was obviously talking to her. Only, she had no idea what she was saying! "I… I'm sorry, but… I don't understand," she said timidly. What a waste of breath.
The two gaped down at her. "Ossharuka? (It speaks?)" The dark haired one gaped in surprise. Susan hoped she hadn't angered them. Biting her lip, she curled tighter, feeling the dry letter poke her stomach. The dark haired female grabbed onto her arm, pulling her up, "Kuru! (Come!) Ikimasho! (Let's go!)"
Once on her feet, Susan felt a gust of wind sweep up under her feet. Gasping, she fell backward, expecting to feel the rocks near the river. To her astonishment, the teenager found herself inside of a feather, shaped like a boat. Looking over the edge, Susan gaped as they rose quickly into the sky. They were going above the dark, rain cloud! "Oh my gawd… What have I gotten myself into now?"
Back at the house, Jade paced around her room. Rubbing her temples to relieve her growing headache, she tried to come up with a way to find their lost friend. Mitchel had brought everyone something to eat. It was an easy escape from Jade's frustration. She had calmed down before he had returned though. The twins sat with Rin and Kaze, mostly watching her eat. The white wolf had nudged their bowls toward them, encouraging them to consume the food, but they couldn't muster up enough appetite.
Sesshoumaru had sat down in the chair that Jade had vacated. The ice mage sat on his left on the free armrest. Jaken had planted himself on the right side of the chair on the floor. Takashita – however – had been out of sorts lately, so she remained in the closet, lying on the carpeted floor asleep.
The lord prince had been consulting Sogi. The only advice the rodent could give was to begin as soon as the rain lifted. The shower wasn't heavy, but the lightning was against them. It could mean the young woman's scent wasn't completely lost. The dog kept the council in mind. Still, he had to figure out something in the present.
"Tell me what you told Susan, exactly," he said to the twins. They looked up, knowing someone had spoken to them. He repeated the question as they stared into his mind to find out what he was saying.
"We told her to find Jade and deliver the letter as soon as she found her," repeated Mark, which Jade relayed to the lord.
"Do you recall if you said anything else?" Sesshoumaru inquired, cupping his chin with his thumb and fore finger.
Mark considered the most random part of their ordeal. May met her brother's gaze. She knew he didn't think much of it, but Prince Sess was looking for something. He might understand what had occurred, for his time was nothing like theirs; so to ease her conscience, she would give him every boring detail. "We told her that some 'Master' would be with her to protect her."
Jade and Sesshoumaru perked up at the word. Rin looked at them, blinking with curiosity. "The Master used you to send Miss Susan to us?" Sesshoumaru came to the same conclusion. The mysterious being had wanted Jade to read that message so badly he sent a trusted friend to deliver it. What was in it?
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from the bedroom door. Mitchel had just punched to door jam. Frustration blared from his body language, yet they all knew how worried he was about the missing girl. Inside, he was screaming. All he could think about was the look on her face that last time he'd seen her. For all he knew, it might have been the last image he would ever have of her.
"You're such an idiot, Mitch!" He growled, hitting his head on the door and letting it rest there. Closing his hazel eyes, he saw her face again. Now that he reflected on it, it had been a sad smile, a forced one. Why hadn't he tried to talk to her? "There's always time to talk, huh? What a load of crock! I should have talked to her. Awkward silences only make things worse… I'm such an idiot. Now, Susan's out somewhere alone and – knowing her – scared."
Jade glanced outside the open Door. Her brown eyes sparkled with delight. She cried, "The rain stopped! Let's go, Sesshoumaru!"
"Where do you purpose we begin?" The lord was getting objective, serious was at one-hundred percent. "Do you have any idea where she might go?"
"Well," the tomboy bit her lip in thought, "it's late. Sue couldn't have gotten too far away. The river! She couldn't have crossed that! She might be along it somewhere."
Seeing Sesshoumaru nod, Mitchel gathered that they were leaving. Stepping in front of Jade, he said sternly, "I'm going with you."
"Mitch…" Jade sighed lightly. "This isn't America. It isn't even the same century. I think it would be in the best interest of everyone if you stayed here. Miss G's going to go postal enough with Sue missing…"
"I'm going with you, Jade!" He spoke clearly, looking into her eyes. "I won't get in the way, and I won't slow you down. This is something I have to do; don't you understand that? I have to go." His passion got through, even to Sesshoumaru. Putting his hand on Jade's shoulder, the lord nodded his approval, silencing her protest.
The twins stood behind the party. Their heads were bowed in shame, yet Mitchel told them to look up. "We'll find her, guys. Don't worry. Enjoy your dinner." They smiled at his grin as he left with the others.
"I hope they're all going to be alright," said May.
Mark look back at her. "They'll be fine. Jade and Prince Sess will look after them."
"Mark," she said warily, "what about this Master they spoke of? If he has the power to take over our bodies, he must be strong. What should we do about him?"
The other remained silent for a while. "We'll just have to tell him that we didn't appreciate his commandeering of our will, now won't we?" A strange grin grew upon his lips. His twin reflected it as their eyes gleamed.
High in the night sky, Susan flew in the flying feather with her two strange rescuers. Her damp hair and clothes had dried rather quickly as the wind flowed about them. She had spent most of her time looking over the side at the dark sky. She finally glanced at the two females for the first time since they'd dragged her along with them.
They definitely weren't human, so maybe they were like the canine prince. The dark haired one had pointed ears like Sesshoumaru. The other had small talons that she guessed could grow to be similar to the dog's. They had to be youkai of some kind, but Sesshoumaru had told her about the other breed of non-human entities: Oni. He had once explained to her the difference between oni and youkai…
("An oni is a crazed beast without true intelligence. They are mostly followers of a youkai lord – as in Naraku's minions – members of a group, or lone terrors to humans. We youkai are usually blamed for their antics, and most humans think they are no different from us. They could not be more wrong.
A youkai is a spirit that has taken a physical form. We possess intelligence and can control our insanity. We can think while in our crazed state, though it is pure self-preserving. Usually, most youkai are confined to a primitive form, such as an animal or plant. The stronger – which are the minority – take a human form and are quite powerful. The strongest of these have both a human and another form. I am among those elite.")
Looking away from the strangers, Susan stared over the edge at the ground below.Though they soared through the air at an amazing speed, she could still make out the deep green of the open field below. Gaping in the awe of it, she realized why Jade spent so much time here. "It's so beautiful," she mused to herself. "It's pure and unspoiled, not tainted like our time. Everything is true to what it is. Nothing artificially made, man still respects the earth he came from." She smiled unconsciously. It was true beauty. "I wouldn't mind staying here. I don't blame Jade for always taking her time coming home…"
Glancing over her shoulders, Kagura stared at the thing in her back seat. Now that she had a better view, the creature was definitely a female. Was she human? She smelled like one, but she'd never seen a human with gold hair! "Come she be a god of some kind? I've never seen one, but I've heard they don't look like anything on the earth. Those eyes are like a clear day's sky. I've never seen anything like that in Nihon."
Turning to her sister, the wind child said, "Show her face to Father, so he can be ready when we arrive. I don't want to lose my head because I brought something weird home."
"That sounds wise," Kanna replied in her soft voice, "but is it wise to speak before her?"
Glancing at the creature again, Kagura answered the inquiry. "I really don't even think she understands one word we're saying."
Nodding in acknowledgement, the void began murmuring some kind of incomprehensible chant. It was so low that even Kagura's ears couldn't pick up any words. The mirror in her hands rippled. Turning toward the female, Kanna spoke to the looking glass, "Father, we have a guest."
A voice reached the sensitive hearing. Grimacing, the spider youkai rose from his futon. This turned out to be an ill thought decision, for he fell back, causing more pain then when he rose. A mirror – similar to the one Kanna carried, only larger – sat on a stand not far from his futon. It was rippling, meaning Kanna wanted him to see something.
Rolling onto his side, he pushed himself up so he could see into his private mirror. He touched the frame, calming the ripples. As the image cleared, he heard the voice again. "A visitor?" Naraku rubbed his head. "This had better be worth my time and suffering…." He looked to see the image of a human-looking creature. His red eyes gaped with interest.
The pale complexion glowed in the moonlight. Strands of gold flowed in the wind from her head. Pale blue eyes gazed at something below. That face, those eyes, the lips, and hair, where had he seen them? "I know that face…" Naraku mulled over his scattered memories. "Kanna," he said to the looking glass, "bring this female to me. I am truly curious to meet her."
Back on the feather, Naraku's words echoed in Kanna's ears. Staring at the oblivious female, she nodded. "I understand, Father."
Hazel eyes stared skyward. Why? He just had a gut feeling. After they had reached the river, Mitchel had become lost to conversation. Jade only spoke Japanese on this side of the Door, so it took a great deal of effort to remember he was even there, let alone that he only spoke English. Susan's faint scent was lost near the water, so Jade and Sesshoumaru had started after any sign of her.
He tried to search, but his eyes always looked to the dark sky. Something drew his eyes every time. There was nothing there, but it was as if he knew something had been. His heart pounded within his chest. "Just like last night," he reflected, sitting on a rock, "I feel anxious. This time, I'm not afraid of my own feelings; I keep thinking she could be in trouble. I can't do anything, and that scares me more than anything in my life! To know my own limitations, I feel powerless! A fragile child seems more equipped than me…"
A violent throb stuck his chest at his thoughts. His own pessimism was wearing him down. Grabbing his chest, the youth fought back tears. Regret swept over him again. "Sue…" Mitchel thought, "… I should have told you! Then, I would have been honest with us both. You've changed me so much, and I've gotten so used to you being with me. It's real funny how we only see how much we want something when it's taken from us. I'm hooked on you… for good."
Rin blinked at a strange feeling in her chest. Someone was hurting, and from the clarity, it was someone close. She poked Jade in the leg and pointed at the youth behind them. The tomboy gaped at his body language. He was holding his shoulders, hunched over, as he sat on the med-sized rock. She knew his emotions perfectly, and she knew that he would turn inward if they didn't keep him positive. Like I did… "Hey, Mitch!"
He gasped at the sound of his name. "Mitchel," Jade called to him, "don't be getting yourself lost! We found a trail of foot prints near the bank! They might be Susan's!" Hope swelled at the core of his chest. His eyes lit up and a half grin grew on his face. He ran over to the group, which was quite talkative. Unfortunately, he couldn't understand a word of it.
"Are you certain you're feeling alright, Takashita?" The toad had been doting on the doll since her breakdown. It made Sogi sick, but no one stopped him. If it kept Takashita happy and quiet, who were they to argue?
She didn't respond. Since she had calmed, the doll had turned inward. She would nod and shake every now and then, but nothing much more came from her. It was as if she were deeply in thought. The party had summed it up to stress and shock. Still, she did seem disconnected somehow.
The canines and Jade were focused pursuing the eroded tracks. They were barely visible in the night light, yet their keen eyes studied them carefully. Rin stood behind the trio. Sogi sat upon her right shoulder, silent in thought. Jaken and the doll walked just behind the child when Mitchel caught up to the party. Taking a few steps up, he fell in beside little Rin.
"What do you make of them, Sesshoumaru? Could they be Susan's?"
The dog was eying them when Jade's questions came to him. Looking at her from the corner of his golden eye, he replied, "It's the strongest lead we have. I haven't seen any other tracks here, strangely. They are human prints; I can tell that much from their form, but I can't say they are Susan's for certain."
"If we run," Jade said with an excited hint, "could we catch her? These weren't running tracks. She must have walked all day, assuming they're hers."
Stifling a chuckle, Sesshoumaru got the hint. "Rin, get on Kaze, quickly."
"Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru!"
"Takashita," the dog said, "get on Jade's back. I'll carry Mitchel on mine. Jaken will be fine in my tail. We're running."
"Mitch," Jade said in English, picking up the dazed Takashita, "you're going to ride on Sesshoumaru's back. We're not sure how far these tracks go, so we're going to run. There's no way you could keep up, so hold on tight. He's a fast puppy!" She winked at the last comment.
"What?" Mitchel gaped at her. Sesshoumaru was looking at him, obviously waiting. "This is going to be murder on his ribs!" Seeing annoyance in the dog's gaze, the teen stopped his protest before it began.
After Mitchel climbed on Sesshoumaru's back, everything was a blur. Literally, everything around them blurred together. The wind in his face excited his spirits. He'd never felt such a rush! "Is this what Jade's feels when she runs? It's incredible! The wind in your face, and the whole world melted into one around you. She could never feel this back home. Here, it's open and free, not crowed and congested. She can be herself here… No wonder she only comes home for short periods of time."
Suddenly the dog stopped. He grunted at the inertia on his back. It made his ribs tighten. It wasn't comfortable, but they were healing quickly. Thank gods he wasn't Inuyasha! "Jade!" He called. She reappeared a few yards away. "The tracks end here with an indentation!"
"Nani! (What!)" Mitchel's mind was still spinning after the run. He saw Jade gaping at the ground. "Chikushou! (Damn!)" She punched the ground. "Ima nanio shimasuka? (Now, what do we do?)"
Something was wrong, but Mitchel didn't understand a word. The rat said something, followed by little Rin. Staring at her a moment, he wondered how old she was. She acted older than she looked. That was for sure. He'd have to ask Jade sometime. Hearing the toad's shrill voice, Mitchel's attention returned to the rest of the group.
"You mean to tell me," Jaken squawked angrily, "that I was balled in Lord Sesshoumaru's tail for absolutely no reason?"
"It's an honor to be curled up in Lord Sesshoumaru's tail," Rin protested. "It's warm, fluffy, and comfortable. I like it!" The dog stopped paying attention, knowing the child would win by the cuteness factor.
"Wait!" Jade gasped in surprise, "Look, there's another two set of prints. They came from over there, almost out of nowhere…"
Staring at them from a time, Sesshoumaru replied coldly, 'Nowhere is right. This troubles me. We have no way of knowing whose they are. The rain killed the scent trail. All three end here, so where did they go?"
After scaring Jaken into silence, Rin looked up at the perplexed Mitchel, standing beside her. She felt bad for him. He was in a strange land with a different language. He looked confused and frustrated. "He must really miss Miss Susan," she thought, remembering the feelings she'd felt from him earlier. "He seems lonely. I can feel it." Reaching out her hand, she squeezed the teenager's. He looked down at her in surprise. She smiled up at him, "I'll stay with you."
Jade glanced up at Rin's voice. She was speaking to the confused Mitchel. The young man blinked down at the child, and Jade could tell he was over-thinking. Trying not to laugh, she walked up to him. "She said she'll stay with you," the tomboy translated. "She must have sensed something in your spirit. She has a strong sense of empathy."
"Oh," Mitchel grasped the situation, "I thought she wanted to lead me somewhere."
"She might," Jade winked. "The Master often uses her as a vassal to us. It was through Rin that he led the others to where Sesshoumaru, Takashita, and I were yesterday."
"The Master?" The young man gaped at the reference. "You mean that thing that the twins were talking about? The one that possessed them and pushed Sue here uses Rin, too?"
Jade became serious at his mood change. "The Master has been helping us. He seems to know a lot about me and Sesshoumaru, so I trust him. Rin's powers are kept in check because of him. I don't know how or why he made the twins send Sue here, but I know he's watching over her for us. Maybe he had a reason for her to be here. We just have to trust him." Turning around, she went back to look at the footprints.
Mitchel thought about what she had said. Rin was still holding his hand. He glanced at her. "She feels others' emotions, and she fully trusts this Master character. Maybe I should trust her a little," he thought to himself. He squeezed her hand softly and smiled back. "I can't go wrong with something as cute as her."
Sesshoumaru sighed heavily. He was out of ideas, and he was beginning to develop a headache. He turned to stare at the river. "Some inspiration from a kappa would be nice," he muttered under his breath. "As long as it doesn't come from Jaken…"
Jade touched the prints, gently. A thought was birthing in her mind. "Sesshoumaru," she asked in a quiet voice, one that only he would hear, "do you think I could find something in my true form?"
The dog glanced over his left shoulder at the question. He replied just as quiet, "What did you have in mind?"
Standing, she walked beside him, crossing her arms. "I can control Light, right?" He nodded in affirmation. "Every life gives off Light, right?" Again, the lord nodded. He was beginning to catch on. "So…" she paused for the effect.
"So if you could find the remnants of the Light left behind," the dog continued, "then you might be able to see who was here."
"I love when the scientific method makes sense!" Jade grinned at her creative genius.
Sogi tapped his chin after he heard the proposal. "It's worth a try. There is no wasted effort in a search," he said. His opinion made Jade feel bubbly at the fact that she'd thought of it.
"Alright," she said, peeling off her large shirt, "here goes nothing."
Mitchel saw Rin point excitedly at the tomboy. He knew something was up, but what would her wings do to help find Sue? Her wings sprouted around her sleeveless undershirt. They were a brilliant white in the moonlight. Then, she did something he'd never seen her do before; she embraced herself, letting her wings engulf her. He watched in awe as a bright light began to grow from within the feathered cocoon. Suddenly, the glowing wings opened in a great swoop, sending a wind over the surrounding area.
He covered his eyes in reflex. Looking back, the teenager gasped at the figure standing where his friend once had. A beautiful woman stood regally in a slim white gown. Her skin was a lighter tan than Jade's. Dark brown hair flowed freely to her ankles. Her bare arms were slender yet strong. A gentle, noble expression rested upon her visage. Who was she?
Turning toward the awestruck boy, she smiled a motherly beam. "Hello, Mitchel Lytner," came her lyrical voice, "this must be strange for you. It is I, Jade. This is what I truly am. If you find it puzzling that you can understand me, it is because the language I speak can be understood by whomever I wish to hear. It is often called 'speaking in tongues' in your time, I believe. Simply put, anyone can speak this language, but they must access a part of their soul that few mortals have ever been able to harness."
Blinking away his stunned countenance, the pitcher tried to think of something to say. "Why are you telling me this?" It was the first thing that came to his mind.
Grinning at his awkward tone, she gazed upon him with understanding. The angelic woman walked fluidly up to him. "You are a person of thought. I merely wanted to answer any questions you might have. I also wish to tell you that I will speak for you and Sesshoumaru. The two of you will be joining forces to rescue young Susan. Your time is coming, young one, and soon your true strength will be known to you."
She touched his shoulder. He felt a calm sweep over him. All the anxiety and worry melted into a mysterious warmth. Her face appeared as one seen by children in their dreams, kind and nurturing. She was easing his spirit. "Is she like Rin? Does she know my feelings?" Lifting her graceful hand, Mitchel felt refreshed, the kind after a well-deserved rest.
Jade then returned to where the prints ended. Kneeling, she touched them. Her glistening brown eyes closed as she attempted the planned feet. The large, white wings straightened into an arc above her. Her brow wrinkled a bit in her concentration. "I sense the Light of Life here," she spoke in a hypnotic voice. "Three Lights once rested here. One had been here longer, for its Light is stronger than the other two… I shall try to amplify them."
Raising her hands skyward, a few notes left her throat. Her wings began to glow again; only this time, the Light gathered at the center between them. Opening her eyelids, Jade revealed glowing white sockets. "Time," she sang in an operatic voice, "reveal to us a fragment of Light that I desire…"
The ball of Light between her wings began to fade. On the ground, figures of Light formed above the foot prints. Jade's eyes dimmed down to a slightly obvious glow. She looked at the bright forms. Blowing a gentle breeze from her lips, the images sharpened, yet only her eyes could see the actual people. Suddenly, she gasped.
"What do you see, Jade?" Sesshoumaru was staring at the figures. He could see they were people, but their features weren't visible. All they could see were glowing silhouettes.
Pointing to the figure closet to the ground, Jade said, "Susan was lying on the ground – curled as a cat – right here."
"Then those were her tracks!" Mitchel felt empowered to be included in the group for once.
Nodding, Jade replied, "Yes, Mitchel, you are correct. Those are young Susan's prints. These two… I did not expect."
"Who?" Sogi asked, intrigued by the occurrence before them. "Who do you see there?"
The star child swallowed her surprise, "Kagura and Kanna."
Even Takashita showed shock at the revelation. As murmuring began amongst the party, Mitchel stood silent in confusion. Who were they? He approached the Light figures. Kneeling on his right knee, he reached for Susan's form. It was warm from the Light; still, he could almost see her curled up in a ball in that very place. "Just like last night," he said to himself, "but I can't hold you this time…"
"What would Naraku want with Miss Susan, Lord Sesshoumaru?" Rin asked, looking up at the dog.
Sesshoumaru glanced down at her. "I don't know, Rin," he answered honestly. His gaze lifted to where the young human touched the glowing form. He had a sad smile on his face. "We have to hunt down Susan and find her soon. If Naraku is involved, she could be in grave danger…"
"Oh, my feet!" Susan bit her lip and tried not to yelp. Her bare feet were throbbing horridly. She had just landed in a courtyard not too long ago with her rescuers. They had motioned for her to follow them. Well, at least, the taller one had waved her fan toward herself.
They were now walking on an elevated, wooden floor. The smooth wood was hard beneath her sensitive feet. Though it did hurt, it was better than more rocks. "Look on the bright side, Sue," she thought trying to motivate herself. "It's warm and dry here. You're not a slave… yet, and they haven't hurt you… yet…." Her motivation died instantly.
She noticed that there were sliding doors along the hallway they had taken her through. Most were closed, but there was one door that had been left wide open. She glanced inside as she passed. It was a dark room, but she had adjusted to the dim lighting. Within the space, she saw a futon laid out. Someone was lying down underneath. As she walked slower to see better, a moan came from inside. She gaped, holding back a cry. It was a pained kind of moan. She felt awful for whoever was lying down in there. She noticed the dark, long, wavy hair just before she hurried back to the two females.
Hearing the quickened pace, Kagura glanced back at the girl. At least, she'd decided to start calling her a girl. In an odd way, she reminded her of the young, human girl she had been teaching until recently: Kamachi. Shaking her head of the memories, she noticed the girl's feet were bleeding now. It had just caught her nostrils, so they must have either been fresh or reopened.
She stopped, tapping her sister on the shoulder. "Kanna," the wind child sighed heavily, "the girl needs to be tended to before she meets Father."
"A new kimono would be nice as well," Kanna added, staring the girl over as if she were a doll. "Her old one seems to be… old. There's not much left of it."
Opening her fan, Kagura swept it downward, coming toward them. From a joining hallway, two skeletons walked in their direction. "Those look to be your handmaidens, Kagura," Kanna observed.
"They are." Motioning her fan up, clockwise, she spoke her orders. "Take this girl and tend to her needs. Her feet must be bandaged and give her a kimono that suits her. She will be meeting the master after you are through, so see that she is ornamented accordingly." Closing the red and white fan, the two skeletons bowed and looked to the girl.
Susan stood gaping at the skeletons. They were dressed in very simple kimonos. Black hair fell from their skulls. She didn't know if she should be frightened or awestruck. This was like a Halloween dream come true! The tall female pointed her fan at her and then to the skeletons. Swallowing the nerves in her throat, the teen took a step forward. The skeletons bowed again and led Susan down the hallway.
Groaning under her breath, Kagura blew some of her hair out of her eyes. "I'll go announce us to Father. Did he sound interested when you sent her image? I'd like to know what I'm walking into, or else, I'm sending you." She narrowed her eyes at the clueless void. "He always liked you better."
"Father said he was curious," the albino replied. "You should be fine. Don't forget to speak softly. His senses have been fluctuating since yesterday."
"I'll remember that," the other said. Kanna bowed in farewell and began to catch up to the skeletons. Kagura turned to the room she'd noticed Naraku was in. "May the hells be kind…"
The spider was lying down, trying to sleep. Her ears told her his breathing had at least evened since they'd left him in the cellar. He had been shaken as much as was mangled, and he had demanded his privacy as he's struggled to pull himself back together. She'd been more than happy to leave the palace, yet part of her did feel bad for her father. "I may hate him, but I would never wish what happened to him on anyone, even him!"
She entered the dark room, kneeling after a few strides. "Kanna and I have returned. Kanna is with our guest at the moment. She is being prepared to meet with you as I speak."
Naraku sat up, weakly. Grimacing, he ground his fangs together tightly to suppress an outcry. After the pain subsided, he looked over at the kneeling female, wearily. Her head was bowed, and the image of a sleeping woman flashed before his eyes. With more effort, he forced his legs to become mobile. Approaching his daughter, he said tiredly, "Rise, Kagura."
Standing, the female froze in surprise. Inches from her face, Naraku stared down at her. A blank expression was painted on his face. "Is he still not himself?" she thought.
His crimson irises scanned her form. They homed in on her face. Her eyes were gaping back at him. "It is said that any man can see his mate in his daughter's eyes," the spider mused. His pale hand reached up to touch her cheek. "So then, who do I see in your eyes?"
"Father…" Kagura stammered over her own voice, "You… You're not yourself. That Jade did something to you. She did something! You have to snap out of it!" She silently hoped Naraku would not hold that outburst against her.
"Kikyou…" He said placidly. Retracting his hand, he looked beyond the female before him. "Even when she is gone from my sight," Naraku said darkly, "that woman still haunts my memories. She is rooted so deep in my mind that she has mothered my children."
Walking passed the wind child, he left her alone in the dark room. Once she was completely alone in silence she collapsed to her knees. An emotion of fear was what she desired, yet all she felt was shock. "Why?" Kagura gasped for the air she'd forgotten to breathe. "What did he mean? Was he actually thinking of that myko, or was he still insane?"
On the other side of the palace, some time later, Susan sat, staring at the open field in the night colors. Walking had proved to be quite difficult, so the little albino had called a tall skeleton with samurai armor to carry her to a room. There the skeleton maidens had cleansed and bandaged her feet. A sea-blue kimono was chosen by one of them to wrap over a thinner yellow one.
Now, they had just finished her hair. It was pulled up, but it wasn't too tight. Bowing, the three skeleton servants left her with the albino child. At least, Susan had guessed she was a child. Sesshoumaru had once said that youkai could take the form of any age, so she supposed there really was no way to guess. The little youkai walked up to her, raising her mirror. Susan looked into the mirror's face.
She gasped at her image. She had to admit she looked attractive. "Utsukushii desunee… (Very beautiful…)" the albino said with a small smile. Looking up at her, Susan made a note to remember the word. She wanted to know what it meant. Then, with a bow, the small youkai left her on the edge of the palace. Loneliness finally hit Susan in the heart. She would miss their company.
Looking down at the dirt ground directly below, a tear fell down her cheek. For the first time today, she felt homesick. She missed Miss Gimlee and her old-fashioned ways. She worried about the twins again. Their faces haunted her memory, helpless to help. Now that she thought back, Jade's parting that morning felt so incomplete. Should they have hugged longer? Should they have talked more? Rubbing her temples, she summed up that it just had needed more.
More? That birthed a whole new thought. The memory of her last words – or lack thereof – with Mitchel came to her. "I didn't say anything," Susan reflected with regret. "Why? Why didn't I tell him I felt nervous? Am I just living out the old proverb? 'Don't put off till tomorrow what you could do today.'" She paused at the phrase.
"Tomorrow," she mused. "I've been looking to tomorrow for so long that I forgot I might not even have the next minute!" Wrapping her arms around her, she longed for one of Mitchel's hugs. "Like last night, I wish I could just cry in his arms again. I want to go home…"
A poking feeling came to her left fore arm. Digging in the kimono sleeve, she found the envelope that had gotten her into this mess. "If only Jade or Sess were here…" Putting the letter back inside the sleeve, she decided that it wasn't worth crying over. Leaning forward, she picked up a stick that was long enough to reach the ground. To pass the time, she started doodling in the dirt.
From the doorway of the room behind the girl, Naraku watched. He just couldn't shake the familiarity of her face. Where had he seen her? "I know her," he thought with frustration. "Why must my mind be so… disconnected? I can barely hold my thoughts together! This wouldn't be so exhausting if my body wasn't a wreck! I can accept that lose, for it was my own fault. I let myself get too close to my victim. Ah! There I go again! Think straight!"
As Naraku fought his own conscious mind, something caught his eye. The girl drew a crescent moon in the dirt. His thoughts drifted to what a crescent had to do with anything. There was the celestial maiden, but she'd died years ago. There was the moon cycle that he used to dictate when he let his power fall. Again, he dismissed the train of thought. "Wait! A crescent? The crescent marks…"
Suddenly, he grabbed her hand. She gasped in surprise. He looked into her light blue eyes. They glowed in the moonlight, yet he wasn't admiring right now. "Do you know Lord Prince Sesshoumaru?"
Susan gaped. This was the person she'd seen in the dark room. He looked stressed, but she let that side. She didn't understand what he had asked, but she knew one word at least. "Do you know Prince Sesshoumaru?"
The look in her eyes made him think of Jade. Right before he had bitten her, she had looked him in the eye with an expression of purity. This girl had that same look. It would have been beautiful to him, if the previous day didn't still haunt him. He knew he wasn't well. He was in no condition to battle with something untainted. He had no intension of getting the same burn twice in two days!
"Kagura!" He stood, feeling the slight dizziness. The wind child landed on the ground before them, kneeling. She awaited his wishes. "Take this girl to Sesshoumaru's Door. She is from Jade Carden's time."
Looking up with a perplexed expression, Kagura asked, "Father, are you certain? If she is from that Jade's time, why not use her against them?" An awkward silence fell on the trio.
With a calm voice, Naraku finally answered. "I am not well, Kagura. My mind is clouded with confusion mostly. My thoughts are as scattered as the stars above you. I am… I feel detached from myself. And above all, I have no desire to see Jade any time soon. Now, take her and see that she returns to her time." He turned to leave the way he'd come.
"Wait!" Susan called to the tall male. He paused. Standing shakily to her bound feet, the young woman stumbled toward him. His eyes gaped back at her. She fell to the floor. He knelt to make sure she was alright. Grabbing his hand, she bowed her head to touch it with her forehead. "I know you won't understand a word of this, but…"
Naraku gasped as she looked up at him. A sudden change occurred in her voice when she spoke. "Thank you for being so kind to me." To his astonishment, he understood what she had said. It was strange as if the first half was impossible to be understood, but the second half sounded perfect Japanese. That wasn't possible! Was it?
"I was feeling so alone," she continued, still registering with him, "and I didn't know what anyone was saying. I was so confused, but you came, someone that knows Sesshoumaru. I don't care how you know him; I'm just glad that I found someone that knows him!"
Tears fell from her eyes. From pain or relief, he thought it might be a mixture of both. Taking her hands, he helped her to her knees. The touch reminded him of how Kikyou would hold his hand when he was suffering. A warm, small hand that always stole his breath away, it was a bittersweet memory. "You are going home now, Daughter of the Sun."
Susan gasped as the words came through to her. They sounded like good old English, yet that was impossible. Looking at his face, she saw something in his eyes that struck her heart. Was that sorrow?
Suddenly, a rock flew over her head, striking Naraku in the left eye. He reeled in pain, grabbing his face. Susan cried out in dismay. She helped guide him into the room as the wind child spun around with a swoop of her fan.
"DANCE OF BLADES!"
Dodging the stack, Sesshoumaru looked over at the flustered pitcher. "Are you jealous or something?"
The winged woman let down her wings to re-ask the question. "Well," the teenager was flushed with rage, "I saw that guy with Sue, and I… did what I do best! Pitch!" There was no argument. They knew he had a point, and he'd made it.
Coming up behind the two, tall males, Jade said, a bit winded, "Well, that is all well and good, but you just struck Naraku, himself." The American suddenly felt sick.
In the blink of an eye, Kagura dropped from the sky in front of them. Her eyes bore down on them, fan open for another attack. Getting between the female and the party, Jade said firmly, "Go now! Find Susan! I shall stop this youkai here. She shall not pass me."
"Don't push yourself too hard with her," Sesshoumaru said with a wicked grin. Jade blinked at the statement; then, she blushed as it dawned on her what he had meant.
"Try me, bird woman," Kagura spat with anger. Naraku was weak enough, so why did these specific pains have to show up? How had they even found the palace this soon? The girl couldn't have been gone very long. Wasn't the barrier still up?
Sesshoumaru pulled Mitchel's arm. "We have to go!" Bewildered, the teen followed. Rin and Kaze ran ahead with Sogi. "We're not out of the woods yet." He scoffed at his forest luck. "Where are the other two?"
"Lord Sesshoumaru!" Rin's cries were cut off by the jingle of chain links. The dog yanked the human teen behind him. There at the doorstep stood Kanna and Kohaku. Mitchel glanced around the giant tail at them. Swallowing his nerves, he came to grips with the fact that a kid – no taller than his hip – had him scared to death.
"Kohaku isn't in very good humor today," Kanna said in her soft voice. "He has been sleeping for some time now, weeks or months we can't recall, but you have awakened him. He isn't very happy."
"My Lord," the rodent leaped from the child's shoulder to the ground, "please continue on. Rin, Kaze, and I shall detain these two! Hurry, sire!"
"Very well, Sogi," the prince nodded. "Thank you." Again, he dragged the confused pitcher out of danger.
The mage looked up at Rin and her wolf. "Can you handle the void?" She nodded in affirmation. "Then, I will deal with the boy," he said, taking a deep breath. "Be safe at all costs, Rin."
"I know, Master Sogi," the child smiled down at him. "Kaze will keep me safe."
Inside, the palace, Susan knelt beside the youkai. They were still in her room. She'd guessed it was her room, at least. She was worried about the male. He had been holding his face since she'd pulled him inside. Being disorientated, he had been led to a corner. Now, she waited until one of the females returned. Finally, the youkai lowered his hand. She gaped as the flesh re-grew. "He's just like Jade…"
Gaping back at the girl, Naraku was stunned that she hadn't left his side. Even when he healed himself, she still sat next to him. "It's almost as if I'm back with Kikyou…" he thought. "But, this girl doesn't know who I am. She doesn't realize I am Sesshoumaru's greatest enemy. She doesn't know that I almost killed Jade not two days ago. She just trusts me, blindly. Why?"
Suddenly, he felt a presence enter the palace. It was a strong youkai. It had to be Sesshoumaru. Of all the times, he had to face Sesshoumaru in his state! He stiffened. He had to come up with some kind of diversion. There was no time to make a ghoul doll. His children were occupied, and his brain was still drifting in and out of his head. What was he going to do?
Standing, he backed the girl into the corner, covering her from outside view. Almost seconds later, the wall exploded. The debris flew away from him at a mere glance, yet it put a great strain on his mind. There stood Sesshoumaru – Toukijin drawn – with a human male at his side. Arching an eyebrow, he said in a hostly manner, "Lord Sesshoumaru, how pleasant of you to drop by. Did you miss me that much?"
"Last I saw you, Naraku," Sesshoumaru replied, lowering his blade slightly, "you were in pieces all over a cave floor."
Smirking, the spider said, "I suppose it's just a devil's luck."
Mitchel stepped forward. "Sue! Where are you?"
"Is he looking for this lovely flower my daughters picked for me?" The spider stepped aside to reveal the shocked Susan. Sesshoumaru gaped to see her with Naraku, but Mitchel was more focused on her. She looked absolutely beautiful.
"Susan," the dog youkai said sternly, "you must come with us. This is Naraku, the spider youkai that attacked Jade! You're not safe here!"
She gaped speechlessly back at the dog, but more importantly, Mitchel was there. He'd come. He'd come all this way just to find her. It brought tears to her eyes. "Mitch…"
Raising Toukijin again, Sesshoumaru motioned the teen toward her. "Naraku, we'll be taking the female."
"Fine."
Sesshoumaru was taken aback by the statement. "Excuse me, are my ears failing me, or are you giving up?"
"Neither." Naraku watched the two humans embrace. He felt jealous of the male for a moment. He had enjoyed the pleasure of being trusted for once. No one ever trusted him, and rightfully so. Still, there was a part of him that longed for the affection of another. Unfortunately, he knew the one he wanted would never be his. He returned his attention to Sesshoumaru, ready for a fight.
"Come on," Mitchel said, taking her hand.
"Wait!" She faulted. He turned to see the bandages on her feet. Gaping at them, he couldn't help thinking worst case scenarios. He scooped her up in his arms and ran. Susan clung, trying not to squeal.
"Mitch, wait! We have to go back! There's been a misunderstanding. Sess can't fight him like this. He's sick…"
"Are you insane?" Stopping a moment, Mitchel put her down. "Sesshoumaru is the only one that could handle him! I'm not about to take you back there so you can get seriously hurt! I won't!"
The girl silenced. She saw fiery passion in his amazing hazel eyes. He wouldn't be swayed, but why? Did he actually care about her that much as a friend? The tears from earlier returned and fell. "I love him so much, but could this mean he could actually want me?"
The young man gasped at the tears. He hadn't meant to make her cry. Wrapping his arms around her tiny form, he whispered down to her. "I'm sorry, Susan. I guess this is the best time to say this before I change my mind. I have something I should have told you earlier today." He turned her face toward his. "I have been in-love with you ever since freshman year, when we got to know each other. It wasn't until I thought I might lose you that I gained the guts to tell you."
Trembling with joy, Susan clung to him, crying. It was real! Thank goodness this wasn't a dream, any of it. The world faded away into that moment. She wished it would never end. "Mitch," she said timidly, "I have something I should…"
A scream shattered the air, startling them all. Everyone turned to see Jade fall to the ground. A bloodied wing fell limp against her body. One of Kagura's wind blades had struck the inside of her wing, the venerable side. Now, the angel gasped in agony. Kagura was ruthless with rage; before she could finish the female, she saw the two humans, staring back at her. With a growl in her throat, the wind child pulled her fan back for a swing.
"DANCE OF THE DRAGON!"
Naraku and Sesshoumaru gasped at the same time. There was no way the mortals could survive the attack. Pushing the spider back, the canine rushed as fast as he could toward the frozen teenagers. As the tornadoes fell upon them, time seemed to stop.
In that fraction of time, Naraku noticed a figure staring at him. Takashita stood on the edge of the palace grounds with Jaken. As her dark eyes met his crimson ones, they both gaped.
"Takashita, are you alright?" asked the frog with concern.
"Oh yes," she replied, "I'm feeling much better."
"Well if no one else thanks you,' he continued, "you know I did. If you hadn't led us here, we would have been walking around forever! You are so helpful!"
Snarling, Kagura retreated. Landing in the room with Naraku, she inquired on his condition. "I am much better, Kagura. Thank you for asking."
Confused at his temperament, the wind child changed the subject. "What do we do now? They have escaped!"
With a heavy sigh, the spider said in a grumbling tone, "Darn that dog, now I have to move." The female blinked at his change. "Don't look at me that way, Kagura. I just got my head back on straight, that's all."
Under the dark, moonless sky, Mitchel and Susan sat against the mountain. Sesshoumaru had tapped into his transformation when he had pushed himself, allowing him to fly them home. The blind spots had finally faded from their eyes, but Sesshoumaru was nowhere to be seen. It was dark after all.
In the distance, they noticed a faint light on the horizon. "Sunrise won't be too long now," Susan said. Mitchel nodded in agreement thought she couldn't see it. The tension was gone between them at last.
"You know, Sue," the pitcher said in reflection, "when I realized you might be gone forever, I didn't know what to do. I felt so much rage that I thought I could tear the Door apart. I demanded to come find you, but in the end, all I did as throw a rock that made a big mess." He hoped Jade's wing was alright and hung his head at his rash decision.
Looking down to her bandaged feet, the young writer thought about what he had said. "Mitch," she said to get his attention, "there's something I should tell you." Turning her head to look up to look him in the eye, she abandoned her nerves. "Mitchel, you're the bravest young man I've ever been graced to meet. You're strong, gifted, and intelligent. You have your whole life planned out, and I know you'll reach every one of your goals. All I want from you is…"
He stared down at her. She's paused. What had she paused for? Was she trying to turn him down nicely? He bit his tongue at the thought. "Don't jinx yourself!"
"I…" she hesitated. Could she say it? "I just want one of your hugs!" The sweat drop fell down the back of her head at the failed confession.
Mitchel gaped at her declaration. A smile crept over his lips as he pulled her close. She sat in his lap, looking up at him innocently. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her against his chest, closing his eyes.
The sunrise was more prominent now, but it hadn't risen quite yet. Susan hugged him back, squeezing around his chest. In a low voice, she whispered something to him.
Hazel eyes gaped open at what his ears had just heard. "I love you, too, Susan Johnson," he said, trying not to yip for joy. Turning her chin up to look at him, he planted a deep kiss that stunned her for a moment just as the Sun rose into view.
From a distance, Sogi and the lord watched to two love birds. "Lord Sesshoumaru," the rat asked with pure curiosity, "why can't you achieve such a feat with our angel?" He received a glare that normally was reserved for Jaken before the dog stormed off, slightly embarrassed. "Well, with his wounds healed, he can beat the frog all he wants now. Sorry my friend, I think I just brought some wrath upon you." With a big smile, Sogi ran after his lord.
The dog's figure caught Susan's eye as they left. Gaping she broke off the kiss. "Gosh dang it! That stupid letter is still in my sleeve!" Mitchel rolled his eyes, pulling her closer to him as she tried to run off.
Author's Note: Dear gawd, what can I say about this chapter? I almost made an LOTR reference with Jade. It about killed me when I imagined Jade screaming Gandelf's infamous line for The Fellowship: "You shall not pass!" Damn, I had to stop typing a minute… Yes, I am aware that there were many "at least" phrases. It was a joke with myself, so don't hold it against Sue or me. I know this was a long one guys, but it was also two sides of the same story in one. It took me a while to write. Every one, thank Neko-chan for editing this chapter, and I will forever love Neko-notes. Hopefully, she'll be doing it more often, and I will be typo free! Share your thoughts in the review section! Now, I have to stroll down memory lane for this next chapter. Let's just say something from the past is about to come bite the party in the butt! Ja!
Jade: (sips on a cup of cocoa) Is he going to come out of his room for dinner, at least? (I had to…)
Rin: (shrugs from the bar stool next to the kitchen island) I don't know. I haven't seen him this edgy since…. (stops before she says too much)
Jade: Well, he can't stay in there all day. I hope he at least gets something in the night. (stands up from the table to make him a sandwich)
Rin: (smiles from her stool) Father, we're so close. You just have to make the next move. All this working behind the scenes is going to wear me out…. See you all next chapter, friends! (waves cutely)