HI MY FRIENDS! Second chapter to Eclipse I'm so excited! PLEASE "REVIEW"
Chapter 2
"How the hell did I get into this mess!?" Inuyasha growled as he sat against a tree with his arms folded next to Miroku, while Kagome was getting a drink of water from a small stream up ahead with Sango and Kirara (who was in her large form) by her side.
"Patience Inuyasha, humans aren't as strong as demons, or half demons in this case" said Miroku.
"Traiter" Inuyasha mumbled under his breath.
"I heard that, but I'll let it go if you tell me one thing…" Miroku trailed off.
"Yeah, what?" questioned Inuyasha.
"Do you like Kagome?" the monk asked suspiciously.
Inuyasha's eyes widened. "WHAAAA!? What are you getting at you lecherous monk!?" the half demon exclaimed.
"So you do," Miroku said simply, making Inuyasha's face turn red.
"T-that's none of your business Miroku!" he barked, turning away from the monk, who smiled.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of my friend, love is a precious thing and it can start with a small smittened attraction that we feel towards another, I think Kagome would be a suitable wife and mate for you" Miroku proclaimed.
"Practice what you preach monk, you've been flirting with that demon slayer for the past two hours since we started this trip, why don't you make a move on her like you do to every girl you come across?" Inuyasha teased.
Miroku cleared his throat "As much as I would love to do just that, if I even look at her she would gut me like a fish, and her name is Sango" the monk stated firmly.
"You always have to have the last word…" Inuyasha sighed as he then turned to look at Kagome, who was drinking the stream water from her cupped hands. "Well I can't deny the fact that Kagome is beautiful, cause she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen…. But no one wants a half demon for a mate or husband, there's no way she'd accept me, she probably doesn't even like me…" Inuyasaha thought to himself as he watched Kagome blissfully. "Are you done yet?!" Inuyasha then called out to the three females by the stream.
"Be patient you half dog!" Sango shouted as Kirara (who was in her large form) growled at the two men under the trees.
"You don't have to bite my head off, I was just asking!" Inuyasha snapped.
"All of you calm down! To answer your question Inuyasha I'm finished, as for you Sango you owe Inuyasha an apology, he is a being with feelings as much as the rest of us, half demon or not!" Kagome proclaimed firmly.
"How did you know I was a half demon?" Inuyasha asked cautiously.
"I'm a miko I could sense it, Shippo and Kirara could smell it, and I simply told Sango" said the lovely maiden as she picked up her quiver of arrows that also held her bow, along with her mandolin that was lying next to her as she got back up on her feet and dusted off her yellow kimono. "What?" she questioned when she noticed Inuyasha staring at her curiously.
"You don't think I'm a freak…?" the dog lord asked in disbelief.
Kagome raised an eyebrow. "Why would I think that?" she questioned.
"Well duh, because half demons aren't accepted by humans or demons" said Inuyasha looking away from the miko while crossing his arms.
" Maybe you yourself are not accepted because of your bad attitude," Shippo proclaimed as he was lying on a tree branch above Inuyasha and Miroku.
"I heard that you little pest!" Inuyasha shouted as he jumped onto the branch and gave the little fox a nuggie.
"OW! HEY!" Shippo cried out.
"Both of you knock that off!" Sango shouted, making Inuyasha growl as he threw Shippo out of the tree, to which Kirara caught him on her back.
"Inuyasha, that wasn't very nice!" Kagome exclaimed.
"Whatever, let's get a move on, the castle is a lot farther west!" Inuyasha barked as he jumped down from the tree branch and stomped ahead of everyone else.
"Has he always been this rude?" Kagome asked Miroku, who sighed.
"No, Inuyasha just doesn't know how to really act towards those who accept him as a half demon, since for most of his life he was only truly accepted by his family, and those who followed his father only accepted him because he was the son of their leader"
"Oh, how awful I feel sorry for him, but he should be more open minded. I think he's special in his own way, Inuyasha himself just has to see that" Kagome said.
Inuyasha's ears twitched at the miko's words (which she had no idea he heard) "she really doesn't care that I'm a half demon?" he asked himself, but before he could continue in thought his canine nose picked up a delicious scent.
"What do you smell, Inuyasha?" Miroku questioned from behind the dog lord.
"There's an inn a mile or two up ahead, but we don't have time to-" Inuyasha started but Shippo cut him off.
"An inn?! Great, I'm starving!" the little fox kit exclaimed jumping in front of the two men.
Inuyasha sighed. "Fine but just for lunch and then we're leaving" he growled. As the group walked in the direction of where Inuyasha smelled the inn.
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It wasn't long before the six travelers came across a wealthy looking demon inn with the sound of beautiful music coming from the inside.
"This looks expensive," Kagome said nervously.
"No worries I have enough money for a meal for all six of us" Inuyasha proudly assured as he and the group went inside the inn to see demons of all shapes and sizes sitting around the inn eating meals and watching a female demon on stage wearing a pink kimono with white decorative butterflies on it, she had elf like ears, red eyes, and black hair that was in a bun held up by two light pink feathers. She was singing a wordless medley but it was beautiful all the same. After a moment the female demon left the stage after the song, earning applause from the audience in her wake.
"She had a very pretty voice," Sango commented as she and the rest of the group sat on their knees at one of the tables.
"Eh, Kagome sings way better," Shippo replied with a shrug"
"Good point" Sango stated, making Kagome blush as Kirara sat in her lap in her smaller form
"You sing Kagome?" Miroku asked, raising one of his eyebrows.
"Um… yes," the miko replied bashfully, but before another word was said the female demon who had been singing on stage only moments ago approached the group's table.
"Pardon me, my name is Kagura. I overheard that one of you could sing?" she asked, glancing at the group, but stopped when her eyes landed on Kagome and her mandolin. "It's you isn't it?" Kagura asked, trying to contain her excitement.
"Uh… Yes I love to sing and play my mandolin" Kagome stated cautiously.
"Oh that's great!"" Kagura exclaimed as she then embraced Kagome, making Sango and Kirara flinch. "My partner Kanna quit yesterday and I need a duet partner for my next few performances, would you do me the honor of singing with me on stage?" Kagura asked kindly.
"Sing… on stage…?" Kagome trailed off looking at the stage at the front of the inn.
"You should" Inuyasha stated, making everyone at the table look at him. "I've heard you sing, you should share it with as many as you can," he said, not looking at the others for the fear that they might see the blush on his face.
Kagome blinked at Inuyasha but nonetheless looked back at Kagura. "I'd love to sing with you," she said shyly.
"Great, let's go!" Kagura exclaimed, dragging Kagome backstage with her.
"Kagome shouldn't be up there with that stranger, come on Kirara we have to-" Sango started but Miroku held up a hand.
"Kagome made her decision to sing with Miss Kagura so let her, you only live once to accomplish your dreams" he said wisely.
Sango just sighed and crossed her arms while Inuyasha and the others turned their attention to the stage waiting patiently for Kagome and Kagura's performance.
Meanwhile backstage, Kagura's makeup artists were busy coloring Kagome's lips and cheeks while Kagura herself was showing Kagome the lyrics of the songs they would be singing together.
"Are you ready miss….?" Kagura trailed off asking the miko for her name.
"Kagome," Kagome replied simply.
"Kagome," Kagrua replied with a smile. "Are you ready?" she asked.
"As I'll ever be" Kagome stated confidently as she and Kagura walked onto the stage.
"Look, there's Kagome and miss Kagura" Shippo said pointing to the stage that was when the musicians began to play and soon Kagome herself began the first verse of the song;
"Sing a song, a cure for sorrow.
The meaning hidden deep within echoes without cease,
Belief in the dreams that I have yet to see,
The sky shows life ahead and a light on me…."
Kagome sang, as Kagura then picked up the next verse;
"Offering a hopeful appeal for all error, or fault, or wrong.
Learn from all you do,
With this song the ties will mend the dream repeated on and on and trapped,
You now finished"
Kagura sang as the music then started to pick up as the two women on stage began to sing together;
"Eternal journey, draws closer to an end knowing everyone
Will seek the same truth,
Hidden deeply comes to you along the way,
The world became a home,
Through the strain I share this aria elated,
My voice carries on,
Enveloping all even against all the odds,
Now on my way the world out there to see,
Though the strain I share this aria.
Grief aside and armed with wisdom,
Call out the sunrise as life carries on…."
Kagome and Kagura sang as the song ended.
Everyone in the audience was speechless for a moment, but then they cheered and clapped in admiration.
"Oh, I've never heard such wonderful singing before, '' Miroku stated as he clapped along with the crowd.
"You should hear Kagome sing her mother's lullaby" Shippo chirped as he too clapped for Kagome and Kagura.
Inuyasha let a rare genuine smile grace his face as he stared at Kagome on stage. "Well, that was amazing," he said to himself as he lightly clapped, not noticing that Sango and Kirara were looking at him with concern etched onto both of their faces.
"Meow" Kirara squealed as she looked up at Sango from her lap.
"I know, Kirara I worried too…"
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After singing the afternoon away with Kagura, as well as having lunch with her and the rest of her companions, Kagome noticed Inuyasha staring at the exit of the inn anxiously.
"Kagura," Kagome said as she turned to the demon woman sitting next to her.
"Yes?" asked Kagura, turning to the miko.
"It was wonderful to sing with you, but my companions and I have to take our leave," Kagome said politely.
"Oh what a pity, well when you return we simply must sing together again, Kagome" the demon woman insisted with a smile, but Kagome only smiled sadly.
"I would love to sing with you again, being here and being able to share my voice is a dream come true… but I don't think I'll be able to ever come back here…" the miko trailed off.
Kagura raised an eyebrow. "But whyever not?"
"I…" Kagome trailed off but stopped when she heard Sango clear her throat, giving the miko a cautious look as she, Kirara, and Shippo shook their heads.
"It's hard to explain but the point is I want to sing with you again but I can't," Kagome said.
Kagura then gently took Kagome's hand in hers. "Well let me reassure you that you will always be welcomed here Kagome and you may sing with me if ever you do come back, my friend" the demon woman proclaimed.
Kagome smiled as she then gave Kagura a hug. "Thank you"
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"Farwell Kagome, and have a safe journey, all of you!" Kagura called out as the six travelers left the inn and waved goodbye from a distance.
"I'm glad to see you've made a new friend," Sango told Kagome as she held Kirara in her arms.
"Aw, do my two big sisters approve?" the miko teased.
"She seemed decent enough" Sango stated firmly as Kirara meowed in agreement.
"Thanks, I'm glad too. It was nice meeting another singer and getting the chance to sing for others…. Like I've always wanted to…. I wish I could do that all the time…" Kagome trailed off sadly. "But on a lighter note, what do you think of Miroku?" she asked the demon slayer, who nearly choked on her own breath.
"I'm sorry what?! You think I like that leacher?!" Sango gritted softly so Inuyasha and Miroku (who were leading the way) could not hear her.
"I… didn't say you did…. But you do! Look, you're blushing!" Kagome teased as Kirara nodded in the demon slayer's arms.
"I- I- well you know, Inuyasha seems to like you!" Sango stated.
"Wait what? What are you talking about?" the miko asked innocently.
"Well I didn't want to say anything, but before I knocked him out back at home, I saw him blushing as he was watching you sing and play your mandolin" the demon slayer admitted.
Kagome blushed. "He… likes me?" she wondered softly as pink blush rose to her fair cheeks.
"Well obviously, but the real question is do you like him?" asked Sango.
"I-" Kagome started but was cut off when Shippo flew down from the sky in his smiling pink balloon form.
"The sun is setting, we should find shelter for the night" the little fox proclaimed as he transformed back into his normal form onto Sango's Hiraikotsu.
"Right," Kagome stated as she walked up ahead to catch up to Inuyasha and Miroku. "Um, hey Inuyasha, Miroku where are we spending the night?" the miko asked.
"We're gonna keep walking till nightfall, then we'll build a fire and call it a day" the dog-eared man replied simply, making Kagome bit her bottom lip nervously
"I was thinking we could find a shelter or something before sunset" she suggested firmly.
"No, we'll make it to the castle of the west sooner if we make use of all of the daylight!" Inuyasha stated gruffly.
"Um, what lord Inuyasah means to say is that his mother is getting weaker by the moment and the sooner we make it back to the castle the better" Miroku clarified in a much kinder way.
"But we need our rest if we're going to make it to the castle all together" Sango commented, joining the conversation.
"Look we're already wasting time by standing around doing nothing, if it really means that much to you, we'll take shelter in the next cave we find, happy?!" questioned Inuyasha.
Kagome smiled at the dog eared man. "Thank you Inuyasha,"
The miko's smile made the young half demon lord blush to which he quickly covered up by stomping ahead.
It wasn't too long before the group of travellers came across a lake with a small cave nearby.
"This looks suitable for the night" Miroku proclaimed while surveying the area.
"I'll get some fish for dinner from the lake," Inuyasha said.
"Me and Shippo will get firewood," Sango stated.
"I will accompany you!" Miroku stated boldly, putting a fist to his chest.
"Fine!" Sango huffed, rolling her eyes.
"Really?" Miroku questioned, a little shocked.
"Don't look at me that way, the only reason I'm letting you come is because I don't trust you and your wandering hands around Kagome!" The slayer exclaimed.
Miroku sighed as he then followed the demon slayer and the little fox deeper into the forest, leaving Kagome and Kirara alone with Inuyasha who was swiping his claws at the water in the lake to try and catch some fish.
"Come on you dumbass fish I'm hungry!" the dog eared lord growled as he swiped at the water in a more persistent manner than before.
Kagome sighed as she then put her mandolin and quiver down beside the cave's entrance and walked over to Inuyasha with Kirara in her arms. "You know you might have a better chance of catching fish if you had more patience" the miko stated.
"Feh, what would you know about catching fish?" Inuyasha questioned, rolling his eyes.
Kagome smirked as Kirara then jumped out of her arms, transforming into her larger form and brought over the miko's quiver (which held her bow and arrows) to the miko herself. "Thank you Kirara, now watch and learn dog boy…" Kagome instructed as Inuyasha then stepped back from the lake's edge while Kagome carefully positioned her arrow in her red bow, watching a small school of big fish in the lake. After taking aim the miko released her arrow, which shot into the lake stabbing the two biggest fish at once, the scene made Inuyasha's jaw drop.
"How did you….?" Inuyasha trailed off.
His expression made Kagome giggle. "Plenty of practice and patience is what it takes" the miko replied as she then tied her kimono up to her knees and retrieved the two big fish on the arrow.
Inuyasha shook his head. "Whatever lucky shot is all it was" he stated.
"Oh really? What to test that theory?" Kagome challenged.
"What are you offering?" Inuyasha asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Whoever catches the least amount of fish has to clean up after dinner," Kagome stated.
"Deal!" Inuyasha agreed.
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"Why am I so unlucky?" Inuyasha questioned looking at the three very small fish he was able to catch and then looked over at Kagome's large pile of big fish.
"Guess who's stuck on cleaning duty?" the miko teased.
"Shut up!" Inuyasha snapped blushing, making the miko laugh again.
That was when Kirara rushed over Kagome's side in her large form and began to nudge the miko towards the cave's entice in a persistent manner.
"Kirara what's the matter?" Kagome asked… that was when the miko noticed how low the sun was behind the forest trees. "Oh no!" Kagome exclaimed as it then disappeared below the horizon line.
"what, what's wrong?" asked Inuyasha.
"Be on your guard!" Kagome demanded as she got her bow and an arrow ready while Kirara took a fighting stance beside her.
"Kagome, what the hell is your-" Inuyasha started but stopped when he noticed how dark the sky was getting… night had begun… and the full moon and stars could now be seen and from the moon came a dark shadow that landed in front of the three friends.
"Who's there?!" Inuyasha barked as he took his Tessaiga out of its sheath and got ready to fight.
The shadow responded by taking the shape of Kikyo herself. She had not changed in appearance at all since the last time Kagome had seen her; she was still the same age, wore the same clothes and had the same sword Kagome had seen her with that awful night twelve years ago…
"Kikyo…" Kagome said menacingly.
Kikyo smiled wickedly. "Indeed, I've missed you as well, my dear twin sister…"
BUM BUM BUM! See you in the next chapter! REVIEW!