A1969: -sigh-
Inuyasha: what now?
A1969: oh, you'll find out soon enough.
Sesshoumaru: humans…
A1969: -rolls eyes-please, we all know how you love humans!
Sesshoumaru: do not think that I, Sesshoumaru—
A1969: blah, blah, you hate humans, blah, blah, whatever.
Sesshoumaru: -glares-
Kagome: okay…anyway, thanks to those who bothered to read and review the story!
A1969: your reviews were very much appreciated.
SoSoSoSoSoSo
"Who are you?!" Inuyasha demanded, stepping in front of Kagome, Tessaiga held at the ready.
The woman's mouth tilted slightly at the corners, as though she were amused. "Inuyasha," Kagome said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't. She's not an enemy. This is Serezume, the miko who helped me unleash the rest of my powers."
Inuyasha glanced sideways at her. "What?"
"She's the person who helped me unlock my true potential," the miko-hanyou explained. "Like me, she's a half-demon priestess too."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at the woman. "You heard her," Serezume said smugly. "I am not a threat, so back off, pup."
The hanyou held Tessaiga even tighter. "Inuyasha…" Kagome said, her voice carrying a hint of a threat.
He narrowed his eyes at Serezume for a moment and then, reluctantly, he sheathed Tessaiga. He glared at Kagome, then at the other miko hanyou. "If you try anything funny…" His voice trailed off, carrying a hint of a threat.
Serezume raised her eyebrows and chuckled—the sound of her laugh was like that of running water. "You think that I shall 'try anything funny'?" she asked, amused. "If I wanted to do away with either of you, I would have done that a long time ago."
Inuyasha glared.
"Pardon him, Lady Serezume," Kagome said, an apologetic note coming into her voice. "He's…one who's quick to judge."
Serezume nodded. "My sympathies are with you, then."
Inuyasha glared. "Anyway," Kagome went on, her tone a little more forceful. "What did you say about my bow?"
The other miko-hanyou gave her an enigmatic smile. "Ah," she said. "It has been broken in battle. And your demon blacksmith cannot fix it…Naturally."
"And you know someone who can?" Inuyasha taunted.
Serezume's smile only grew more pronounced. "I'm not saying I know someone who can," she said, waving her hands. "I'm saying that I can."
Kagome's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Y…you can?" she asked, hardly daring to believe her ears. Why didn't she think of this before? She gave herself a mental kick for not thinking of the obvious, but, then again, it had been such a long time since she had last seen Serezume, and they hadn't really chatted the last time they had seen each other.
"Yes."
SoSoSoSoSoSo
- - Mizuki - -
I ran my hands over the smooth, yellow silk of the kimono that lay on the futon in Rin's room. I inwardly smiled to myself as I stared over the design—pheasants flying over the sunset. Rin would be so surprised when she came in…
As though thinking of her drew her to me, the door to the room suddenly slid open and Rin came in, her hair tousled and a bright flush spreading across her cheeks. "Rin," I said. "My, my…you're sure…sweaty."
She shook her head. "Not so, hahaue," she reassured me. "I just raced Master Jaken to the castle, that's all."
I narrowed my eyes speculatively. "Are you sure about that?" I asked. "You know I don't want you to catch a cold."
Rin nodded. "Anyway," I said, smiling. "Come here for a moment."
She approached me, her chocolate brown eyes sparkling with curiosity as to my presence in her room. "Here," I said as I gestured to the kimono lying on her unmade futon. "This is for you."
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really?" she asked, turning to face me. "Honestly, hahaue?"
"Of course."
She tilted her head innocently at me. "What for?"
I shrugged. "I just thought—and Sesshoumaru agrees with me—that you needed a new set of kimono," I answered. "And besides…you'll need it."
"Can I ask what for?" she asked as she fingered the silk reverently.
"Well…I'm not sure, but…Sesshoumaru said that Lord Hiroshin was coming to stop over and visit." I frowned to myself. Like most demons, Lord Hiroshin despised humans, but, in this case, Rin being Sesshoumaru's adopted daughter and all, I was sure that he would make allowances. That was only partly why I was worried, though—Lady Yuhiko, Lord Hiroshin's daughter and the woman who had once been obsessively in love with Sesshoumaru was accompanying him.
The first and last time I had seen her was at my engagement feast. She had said that she resented the woman who had taken Sesshoumaru away from her.
Hnn…
Wait. Was I…jealous? Why was I…worried? Truth be told…I sort of was, I guess. Why was I even jealous? Sesshoumaru was already married to me, and I, his wife, was pregnant…So why should I be jealous? Shouldn't I feel secure?
Jealousy was something new to me, that's all. For, as long as I have lived, I have never felt this way about a man before, never felt the trifles of love…
Until I met Sesshoumaru, that is.
"Hahaue?" Rin asked, after I had been quiet for too long. "Is anything wrong with my brother or sister?" Her eyes strayed to my hand on my womb.
I looked up and gave her a reassuring smile. "No, I'm quite fine. I was just thinking, that's all." I was quiet for a moment. "Well, c'mon, let's see if this kimono fits you, shall we?"
SoSoSoSoSoSo
"And how is Mizuki?" Lady Takara asked Sesshoumaru.
They were sitting in the grandiose reception room. Lady Takara was making one of her frequent visits which, these days, seemed to be more frequent than usual. Sesshoumaru suspected that the frequent visits had something to do with the fact that she, Lady Takara, was soon to be a grandmother.
"She is well, as always," her son replied. Though, at this very moment, not being near her, not having any sight of her, made him somewhat anxious.
"And what about you?"
He gave her a look. "I do not understand why you find it necessary to ask me such a question."
"Ah," his mother said sarcastically. "I always forget that you are frequently well. No, my son, I do not mean healthwise, I meant…How are you feeling?"
"Feeling?"
"Yes, feeling," Lady Takara said dismissively. "After all, the way I see it, Mizuki is close—terribly close—to her due date…Surely, you must feel something. Because if you feel nothing, then you are far too cold-hearted for your own good."
His brows actually furrowed. "Of course, I feel something," Sesshoumaru said, folding his arms. "My mate is soon to deliver my heir—"
"Or heiress," Lady Takara put in.
"—naturally, I feel something," Sesshoumaru went on, as though his mother had not interrupted him. "Anxiety…worry…Do not look at me that way, mother, of course I worry."
"Why, whatever will you worry about?" His mother raised her eyebrows.
"Loosing her," he said. Strange, he did not seem at all ashamed to admit to being worried.
"In childbirth," his mother murmured. Though, it was rare—indeed, it was strange and unheard of—to hear of a demoness who had died in childbirth, it was still a possibility. Lady Takara sensed that her son truly did worry about that part, for it was out of character for him to ever admit to being worried about anything. "It is unheard of for an immortal to die in childbirth. Indeed, it has never been thought of. But, I admit, there are possibilities."
Sesshoumaru growled. Anyone saying that there was a possibility that his Mizuki would die was deranged. "Do not think of such," he said.
"I think it because I am being practical," Lady Takara said flatly. "However, you need not worry—Tenseiga can save her if it comes to worst."
Sesshoumaru's eyes hardened. "Tenseiga does not work on her," he muttered. He remembered the time that she was dying, the time when they had had no choice but to turn to Mizuki's goddess mother, Tsuki, for help. He had tried to use Tenseiga on her then, but it had failed.
Lady Takara looked stunned. "No?" A note of puzzlement entered her voice. "Why ever is that so?"
"I do not know." Sesshoumaru knew perfectly well why Tenseiga would not work on her—though Tsuki had taken away Mizuki's goddess hood, Mizuki was still part-goddess, and Tenseiga being a demon blade…
"Queer," his mother murmured. She looked up at her son, who was looking out the open doors that led to the veranda. His eyes were cold, but beneath their cold exterior, she could easily make out the faraway look in them.
"You needn't worry," his mother said. "Mizuki is a sturdy young woman. I am sure she will be fine."
"I suppose."
His mother rolled her eyes. She was about to reply when the door to the reception hall slid gently open and a maid knelt in the doorway.
"My lord, my lady," the maid said, bowing to them both. She straightened up and then looked at them both. "Lady Mizuki is here, milord."
"Ask her to enter," Sesshoumaru replied.
A moment later, Mizuki entered the room, with Rin at her side, wearing a brand new kimono. She smiled at Sesshoumaru and then at Lady Takara. She knelt down beside her husband, with Rin following her every move. She was about to bow to the older demoness, but Lady Takara stopped her.
"Don't be silly," her mother-in-law chided. "You are very pregnant now…It would seem foolish."
Mizuki, compromising, smiled. "Good afternoon then," she greeted. Beside her, Rin bowed to Lady Takara, and then promptly straightened up. There was such a solemn look on her face that Mizuki fought down the urge to chuckle.
"I see you are doing well," Lady Takara said, assessing her daughter-in-law. Mizuki's slight figure had been replaced by a full rounded build, something which greatly distressed the moon demoness and amused Sesshoumaru, for, when they were alone, she would innocently ask him if he thought her fat. Whereupon, he would reply, frankly (and a bit jokingly) that she was but she was not to worry since she would regain her old figure soon enough. He had then joked (which was strange, hearing him joke) that if she did not regain her figure, he would be most disappointed, which was a joke, of course—he loved her no matter what size she was.
"Thank you, milady," Mizuki said, smiling.
"And, how are you feeling?"
Before Mizuki could reply, Sesshoumaru interrupted. "She does not mean physically," he said lazily. "She wishes to know how you feel about…"
Mizuki's eyes suddenly seemed to glow. "I…cannot describe how I feel," she replied. "Honestly, I cannot."
To her surprise, Lady Takara chuckled. "You seem happy and anxious—anxious to see your child. Sesshoumaru feels quite differently."
Mizuki looked up at her husband. "Differently…as in…you are having…doubts?"
The tone of her voice alarmed him. His gaze automatically snapped to hers. "No," he said. "I feel anxious—not because I wish to see our child…but because I worry about you."
She raised her eyebrows. "Me?"
"He worries that you might…" Lady Takara looked at Rin, who was listening with rapt attention and decided to rephrase. Mizuki may be able to handle it, but she doubted that Rin was as resilient. "…fall asleep."
"Asleep?" Mizuki asked, puzzled. Lady Takara gave her a meaningful look, and she understood. "Oh…I have never considered that since I do not think that I…will fall asleep."
Sesshoumaru glanced uneasily at her. He wanted to change this topic before it upset her—fast.
"Mother, will you stay for Lord Hiroshin's visit?" he asked.
His mother raised her eyebrows. Usually, she would make a remark about Sesshoumaru changing the topic without any hint of subtlety, but, since Hiroshin was to be discussed, she let it be. "Hiroshin?" she asked, disbelief in her voice. "Hiroshin? That"—she struggled to find a word that would not sound too disrespectful, but failed—"pragmatic bastard is dishonoring you with a visit?"
Mizuki raised her eyebrows. She had never heard Lady Takara refer to anyone in that manner before. Lady Takara must have had a serious grudge against Hiroshin to speak so dishonorably of him.
"Yes, along with his daughter, Yuhiko," Sesshoumaru said carelessly. "For three days."
Mizuki raised her eyebrows. Three days? Yuhiko would be with them for three days?
Just as she was about to open her mouth, there was another knock at the door. It slid open and the same maid knelt in the doorway. "Lord Sesshoumaru, Lord Hiroshin has arrived."
SoSoSoSoSoSo
Kagura was bored.
More than bored, she was fed-up. Fed-up with staying in the same castle, staring at the same luxuries again and again, fed-up with waiting for Naraku to finish perfecting his new body. How much longer until her master was finished? It had been a month since he had obtained the Jewel, for Pete's sake.
"Kagura," a blank voice behind her said.
Kagura jumped then spun around, her pulse thudding in her veins. "Kanna!" she exclaimed. "How many times must I tell you to stop doing that?"
Kanna only stared up at her. Then she held her mirror up to her sister. Kagura bent down to peer into the mirror and her eyes widened. In the mirror, she could see the dark orb where Naraku lay. But the orb was cracking and where it cracked, dark light issued, followed by billowing miasma…
"Naraku has awoken."
SoSoSoSoSoSo
- -Mizuki- -
"It has been a long time, Lord Sesshoumaru." Lord Hiroshin greeted as a maid ushered him and his daughter, Yuhiko, into the reception hall.
Sesshoumaru merely tilted his head at him—a sign that he was not interested in Hiroshin's visit, though, of course, Hiroshin was not aware of it. Lady Takara, however, was. Though she detested Hiroshin (I don't know why), she didn't want to give the Lord of the North the impression that her son was inhospitable. She gave Hiroshin a gracious smile that easily hid her dislike.
"You'll have to excuse my son, Lord Hiroshin," she said. "He has other matters on his mind." She glanced sideways at me for a second, then returned her gaze to Hiroshin.
Sesshoumaru glanced at her, then at Hiroshin. "Indeed."
Lord Hiroshin turned his gaze to me and I blushed. Yuhiko, likewise, turned her attention—which had been focused on Sesshoumaru—to me. "Of course," Hiroshin said, nodding his head in agreement. "Lady Mizuki, you are doing well, I hope?"
I lowered my eyes to my hands folded on my lap. "Yes," I said. I never felt comfortable during these kinds of gatherings. "I'm fine. Thank you for asking, Lord Hiroshin."
"When is it to be due?" I looked up at owner of the voice. Yuhiko sounded bored and a bit…jealous? I couldn't tell.
"Soon," I said coldly, turning a steely gaze on her. I noticed the way she referred to my child as 'it'.
"And, is Lord Sesshoumaru pleased?" she asked, returning her gaze to Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru, sensing my antagonism, raised his eyebrows as he answered in the same cold tone as I. "Naturally."
Yuhiko nodded her head. "I am glad for both of you." She said these while looking at me and the look in her eyes as she said this only stated that she meant the opposite.
SoSoSoSoSoSo
"I can't believe how long it's taking that woman!" Inuyasha roared, his vocal chords working overtime. He was referring to Serezume who had taken Kagome's bow to be fixed.
"Be patient, Inuyasha," Kagome said, sighing. She, Inuyasha and the others were sitting just outside of Kaede's village.
"Be patient, my butt!" Inuyasha snapped, standing up and towering over her. "She said it would just take a day to fix! And look—it's been three days now! You can't tell me to be patient!"
"You wear red 'cause it matches your temper, don't you?" Hakudoshi sneered, having had enough of Inuyasha's yells.
The hanyou rounded on him, but before he could smack Hakudoshi on the head, Kagome sighed and said, "Sit."
Inuyasha crashed to the ground, sending dust into the air. "Dammit!"
"Kagome's right, Inuyasha," Sango said. "Be a little more patient. After all, Serezume must have been wrong about fixing the bow. Maybe it's taking her longer than she intended, that's all."
"Bah!"
"You know," Miroku began. "Hakudoshi has a point. The color of your clothes matches your temper. Who agrees with me?" He raised his hand and looked around the group.
Kohaku, Sango, Hakudoshi and Shippou raised their hands in the air. They looked expectantly at Kagome. "Well," Kagome, who did not want to offend Inuyasha further, hesitantly began. "Erm…I think he wears it 'cause…it…looks good on him?"
Inuyasha growled. "Whatever."
SoSoSoSoSoSo
Lady Yuhiko sat in the guest chambers, kneeling in front of a brazier and staring at her face in a mirror. Night had fallen and Yuhiko, who was somewhat proud of herself, had a nightly ritual that involved staring at herself in the mirror for a good quarter of an hour.
She was beautiful, that was quite undeniable, but that beauty had not been enough, it seemed. Honestly, she asked herself, what had Sesshoumaru seen in Mizuki? She could not stop herself from asking this question. She had known him for so long, they had practically grown up together but when Sesshoumaru started accompanying his father to battles, they seemed to have drifted apart. Still, she had thought that somehow they would end up together when they had reached marriageable age…
Well, it seemed that she had been wrong on that aspect.
She had not been after Sesshoumaru merely because she loved him (though, given the circumstance, her love and devotion had become a sort of obsession), she had desired him also because of the power he held.
Yes, she had always envisioned becoming his bride, but it seemed her vision had been changed.
So, how was it that Sesshoumaru came to choose someone like Mizuki? Mizuki had her looks, but they were nothing compared to hers. Mizuki was, in truth, no one. Her background was unknown (Sesshoumaru still insisted that she was of 'noble birth'), she didn't seem to have any connections and, above all, she didn't seem to have any family. Where was the noble birth in that?
It was common knowledge that everyone (and by everyone, she meant royals) were somewhat shocked at Sesshoumaru's marriage to an apparent no one. They were even more shocked that Lady Takara had allowed such a thing to happen. Where was the justice in that?
And now, Mizuki carried his child.
Yuhiko gripped the handle of the mirror so tightly, that it snapped in her grasp as though the thick cherry wood handle was nothing more than a toothpick. The mirror fell to the floor with a dull clatter. Urgh! When she thought of how Mizuki and Sesshoumaru made that child…
Her blood boiled.
Disgusting. She certainly did not want to imagine them doing that. She felt revulsion rise within her until she felt the entire room was polluted with it, filling every corner with her feelings…
But, wait, did the aura in the room suddenly shift?
Yuhiko stood up and spun quickly around. "Show yourself!" she demanded. "Do not think to hide from me…Your scent may be sealed, but your aura is not. Or perhaps you have done so, but have done it poorly?" There was a taunting note in her voice.
"Oh?" a feminine voice said.
Yuhiko tensed, preparing herself for battle, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. "Come out of hiding, whoever you are!"
She tensed as a figure emerged out of the darkness. A woman with silken black hair and ruby eyes…
"Who are you?" Yuhiko demanded.
The woman chuckled in a pleasant manner. "No need to take alarm, Lady Yuhiko," the stranger said with mock-respect in her voice. "I am no foe of yours."
"Then who are you? And why do you sneak up on me?"
The woman shrugged. "My name is Kagura," she said simply. "I am a wind witch and I came because my master wishes to…help you."
"Oh? With what, I wonder? I require no assistance."
Kagura smiled mockingly. "You require no assistance, you say? For your information, I know just what kind of problem you have—it was the same one as I had, you see."
Yuhiko's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Instinct told her to kill the woman, but…
"Oh?" Yuhiko said. "You say our problems were similar—that you had the same one as I do now? If that is so, then, please, enlighten me."
Kagura began fanning herself in a bored manner. She smirked, her ruby lips glistening in the moonlight filtering through the window. "Why, Sesshoumaru, of course."
Yuhiko stiffened. How did this woman know about her deepest secret? She should kill this woman now, before word of her long-hidden secret spread about, bringing her great shame.
"Oh, don't look at me that way, Lady Yuhiko," Kagura said. "I—or rather, my master—can help you."
Yuhiko narrowed her eyes. "Oh? And how does your master plan to help me?"
"Mizuki has something my master wants," Kagura said. "He knows about Mizuki's condition—he wants the child growing in her."
"And, why, would he want Lord Sesshoumaru's child?"
"Because, my dear, the child represents two opposing beings," Kagura said lazily. "You may not be aware, but Mizuki is part-demoness, part-goddess."
"What?"
"Oh, yes," Kagura said calmly. "Sesshoumaru has been saying that Mizuki is of 'noble birth', well, what he's really saying is that her mother is a goddess—the moon goddess, actually."
Yuhiko's eyes widened. "But…that is unheard of," Yuhiko muttered. "A goddess and a demon uniting to form such an offspring as Mizuki…and Sesshoumaru knowingly marrying her despite knowing what she is!" She looked sharply at Kagura, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "But you jest. If Mizuki is what you say she is, then why is it that she emits no divine aura?" She became aware that she was defending Mizuki and she inwardly frowned with distaste at herself.
"Her goddess mother took it away from her," Kagura said, shrugging. "My master is not exactly sure why. Now, will you agree to help my master?"
Yuhiko frowned at Kagura. Oh, she wanted to help the stranger woman and the unknown mater, but the thought of what might happen if Sesshoumaru were to find out about this deception…
As though reading her thoughts, Kagura smiled reassuringly at her. "Oh, my master will guarantee that your hand will not be detected."
Yuhiko frowned. Two sides within her warred. One side that said she shouldn't have anything to do with this, and the other side that screamed for revenge.
"What do I have to do?" she finally asked.
Kagura smirked. "Simple. Bring Mizuki to me."
SoSoSoSoSoSo
- -Mizuki- -
"Rin, be careful!" I called out to the little girl running ahead of me. I was taking a stroll through the garden with Rin. I had grown bored in the castle and, truth be told, I wanted to keep a distance from Yuhiko. It had been three days since they had arrived and today was the final day of their stay, thank kami.
It wasn't that I disliked Lord Hiroshin and Lady Yuhiko. It was just that the latter was so…annoying. Every time Sesshoumaru was with me, she would have a look in her eyes akin to a glare hidden behind a 'I'm-happy-for-you' look. It was just not that. I noticed the way she also stared at Rin. Though her manners towards Rin were pleasant enough, I often noted how the corners of her mouth would turn down infinitesimally and unnoticeably in a look only meant to be disgust. If Sesshoumaru noticed these things about Yuhiko, he didn't show it.
And as to her father, Lord Hiroshin, I could see now why Lady Takara, who had already left three days ago, though Lord Hiroshin to be obnoxious—the Lord of the Northern Lands was just too…proud of himself, of his lands, of his achievements and, generally, of his daughter. No, scratch that. He was more than proud—he was boastful.
"You should come to the North sometime, Lord Sesshoumaru, Lady Mizuki," he had said, on the second day of his stay, during breakfast. "You should come and see the palace! I had the entire reception hall remodeled and now the rafters are gleaming with gold! I had it inlaid with gold, you see. Mahogany is just somewhat plain…" The last part of his sentence was accompanied by a somewhat supercilious glance at the highly polished mahogany rafters of the reception room.
Once, he had accompanied Sesshoumaru when the latter was inspecting the guard. "I never need to inspect my guards!" Lord Hiroshin had exclaimed proudly. "I trust in them and I know they're skilled enough to go on without any inspection!" Sesshoumaru's only reaction to this was to narrow his eyes at empty space.
Then, he bragged about his daughter…
"She had so many suitors!" Lord Hiroshin had proclaimed proudly, placing a hand on Yuhiko's shoulder who, in turn had looked a little smug. "Why, once, even a demon lord from the mainland came a courting! Ha! You should have seen the jewels he had sent! But Yuhiko spurned him, you see."
"And why would she do that?" I had asked as I felt Sesshoumaru's hand close in around mine.
"Because she had her eyes set on someone else," Yuhiko had answered, her eyes flickering to Sesshoumaru, then away again. I remembered feeling a startling sense of jealousy then—a jealousy that made the baby in me kick several times.
So, all in all, no one was upset to see them go. Why, even the servants, whom Yuhiko ordered around with vigor, were secretly rejoicing at their departure.
"Hahaue, look!" Rin cried out, running back to me, something in her hands.
"What is it, Rin?" I asked. Rin skidded to halt in front of me and held out her hands. Inside, there was a single blue butterfly. One of its wings was bent, as though it had been trodden upon; the other wing fluttered helplessly.
Rin looked upset. "I saw it on a rose!" she cried out. "Hahaue, who could have done such a thing?"
Rin's words failed to reach me, however. I looked sharply around. These parts of the gardens were off-limits except to the gardeners who tended to them but even the gardeners were gentle enough not to harm a butterfly…
So who had been in here?
I took the butterfly from Rin's hand. Suddenly, it flapped its one wing, then lay still. I carefully closed my hand around it, not wanting Rin to see that it was dead.
"Hahahue?" she asked. "Is something wrong?"
"No, Rin," I lied. I glanced around. No one was there. "Come, let's go back to the castle and see Lord Hiroshin and Lady Yuhiko off, shall we?"
She nodded and skipped on ahead, the broken butterfly forgotten. I sighed and let Rin run ahead. I opened my hand and looked at the dead butterfly that lay on my palm. I held out my palm and let the breeze carry its body away…
"I do not know why both you and Sesshoumaru tolerate that little girl," a voice behind me said. A voice I knew well.
I spun around and to my relief, it was just Yuhiko. Whew! I thought it might be one of Naraku's underlings!
"Lady Yuhiko," I said, tilting my head, the bulge between my hips preventing me from bowing. "I thought you and your father would depart soon."
"Oh, yes," she said, taking a step towards me. "I thought that it would be appropriate if I bade my farewell to you."
"Why must you bid me farewell?" I asked, attempting a cheerful tone. "It should be I who should be saying goodbye!"
She suddenly smirked and took a step closer. I did not like the look on her face…
"Goodbye, Lady Mizuki."
And then everything went black.
SoSoSoSoSoSo
"I win again!" Sango cried out as she threw the two playing cards on the ground.
Miroku sighed. "I'm afraid Sango is just too fast a learner."
Kagome agreed. "I come from the future and I loose to her at a card game!" she said, sighing dramatically. Night had fallen and they had decided to set up camp. They were playing 'the old maid' by the light of the campfire. She glanced at Inuyasha who was lying on his side, facing away from them. "Wanna join us, Inuyasha?"
"No," he said, not turning to look at them.
"Aw, come on," Kagome said. "You'll enjoy it, I promise!"
"Bah!"
"He's just upset because Serezume's taking too long," Hakudoshi said as he watched Kagome reshuffle the cards again.
"Aw, come on, Inuyasha," Kagome chided. "Loosen up! Everyone's playing. Even Kohaku and Hakudoshi—come on!"
"I don't want—" he suddenly stopped in mid sentence. He quickly sat up, his ears twitching. "Do…you guys sense that?"
Everyone looked up at the sky. All of them could sense strong demonic aura headed their way—an aura that seemed to sizzle with anger and rage. An aura that made them shudder. "What is it?" Sango asked as everyone stood up.
Inuyasha sniffed the air. "It's…Sesshoumaru!"
As though on cue, white light shot out of the air and crashed to the ground with tremendous force, sending chunks of rock flying about.
Inuyasha automatically scooped Kagome in his arms and out of the way of the chunks of boulders. Sango immediately grabbed Kohaku and pulled him back while Hakudoshi jumped back towards Entei, Miroku quickly following him with Shippou on his shoulder.
"Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha bellowed as soon as the dust settled and he could make out his brother's form. "What—!"
He stopped his sentence when he saw the look on his brother's face. Sesshoumaru's eyes were blood red and his fangs were bared. He looked as though he was about to transform. Inuyasha had seen his brother angered on several occasions, but never had he seen Sesshoumaru look this enraged before…
Sesshoumaru frightened him, he admitted.
"Mizuki!" Sesshoumaru snarled, his godly self control completely slipping. "She's gone!"
SoSoSoSoSoSo
A1969: gah! Cliffhanger!
Inuyasha:
you're cruel!
A1969: I know! Kagome, you're up!
Kagome:
please review! C'mon, Christmas is up—be good!
