"..." Normal chat
ABC Thought
- You are my beautiful April 1st -
Chapter 17
"Yes, I do!"
I answer loudly. Then the next thing I know, I've returned to reality.
"Huh…W-Where?"
The darkness is complete replaced by wide orange sky, big trees and grasses. The peaceful scenery gives me a sleepy vibe and I yawn, feeling the afternoon breeze blowing against my face and hair.
Isn't this the forest a while ago?
Assuming that everything is back to normal, I sigh and check my body. Seeing that everything's grown back to the way it's suppose to be.
Now what?
After spacing out for a bit, I finally realize that what I'm sitting on right now is definitely not the ground. Because if it is, I should be feeling some grass poking under my butt instead of something so soft and fluffy
Slowly I look to the right and see the upper half of a white kimono along with someone's neck.
Long silver hair and MokoMoko, yup this is Sesshomaru alright.
The moment I look up, our eyes meet. Then various questions start popping up inside my head.
What the hell? Have I been lying on his lap for half of the day?! Why didn't he just dump my body onto the ground and walk off? Was he having that much of free time to spend watching me sleeping?!
I flutter at the thoughts and out of embarrassment I sit up, bowing my head to him several times to apologize.
"Uhm..Uh..S-sorry, sorry!"
"Hn."
Sesshomaru just gives me his same old boring response, acting as if everything is fine even when we are not. He then shifts his gaze away, while I just give up and suffer within his embrace.
Seriously, for someone like Sesshomaru to be willing to keep me, a so-called-filthy human that he always despite deep down to the core, in his arm like this.
Did this dude just hit his head into a rock or something?
Just like that I remain frozen on his lap, debating whether I should get out or not. And when to do that would be sufficient so that I won't embarrass us both. Or mostly just myself.
Seriously, where are Rin and Jaken off to when I need them?!
Tired I look down, only to realize how messed up my clothes are. The school's blue coat is gone, white shirt is torn off in half from a long cut in the middle that reveals most of my bare chest and the grey skirt is mostly tainted by dry blood.
No wonder it feel so cold even with clothes on.
"Eek!"
Shocked, I yelp out loud and quickly cover my chest in reflex. Confused, Sesshomaru turns to look at me and without thinking, I push his face away to the other direction.
"No! Don't look! Don't look!"
In instant I jump out of his grip to face my back on him. Keep telling to myself that he probably doesn't have the time to see anything. But then something hits me hard to the bones.
Hold on! Haven't I been unconscious for a while…? Does that mean he has, hasn't he…
Back to Sesshomaru's spot, there's simply no reaction from him and he's still carrying that emotionless face. Getting me irritated even more.
Hmph! It's not like I care about what he thinks!
Right now what's more important is to find something to wear. Only then I realize most of my stuff is inside my backpack, which is suppose to be with Ah-Un, who is now nowhere to be seen.
Just great, don't tell me that he's gone too?!
As I'm busy searching around the spot for something to cover myself, Sesshomaru has somehow sneaked up right behind my back like a ghost. Almost giving me another heart attack.
"W-What do you want?!"
Therefore I shout and back away, suspecting that he would do something inappropriate. Though what he does is simply holding the backpack up to my face. In instant I take it from his hand and hug it into my chest. Overjoyed.
"U-Uhm…T-Thank you."
Turned out Sesshomaru was keeping my bag while waiting for me wake up, since he knew that I would be needing them.
Watching Sesshomaru walks back to his spot, a smile subconsciously appears on my face as I hug the schoolbag closer, feeling the warmth of happiness flowing all over my body.
Jeeze, how silly of me to doubt him like that…
At a faraway mountain
"Hmph… Just as I expected…That girl…"
Standing on the peak and accompanying him are some of the Saimyosho. Naraku smirks to himself after hearing Kagura's report. Her mysterious abilities and the impact she had on Sesshomaru. Truly interesting…
"Heh heh…Wouldn't that just make things more exciting? Kagura?"
He shifts his gaze back to Kagura who is standing not too far behind him. Though she doesn't seem to be as much happy as he is and just looks away into distance.
The next morning.
Shiomi is controlling the two-headed dragon flying on the air alone and it's been almost an hour already.
"I guess we have to fly a bit further to find it. Let's go Ah-Un."
*Flash Back*
At the same spot from yesterday.
"What? Buying a new Naginata?"
Both Rin and Jaken are surprised to hear to my suggestion as I nod.
"Yes, you know my old one is broken right?"
It did help me in some situations so I couldn't see why not getting another one to use. Plus, I had been carrying the weapon around me all the time to defend my self ever since the beginning. Now it felt so weird not having anything in my hands.
"But do you have money for that, onee-chan?"
Rin asked me about the most important issue and I smiled awkwardly.
"Well…you see, that's the real problem here."
The currency I had was considered worthless to this world. That's why I needed to find a person living in this era to exchange or at least beg for some, and the only one here in this group who would probably own them was going to be...
"Jaken-san? Please! Can you please lend me some money? I promise I will return them back."
Clapping my hands and bowed to him, I plead.
"It's no use begging! Do I look like someone who carry human stuff around?!"
However Jaken instantly refused and turnd away. Well, it's not like I would expect him to give in that easily.
"Beside, What's the point getting another if it's going to break again?! It doesn't chance the fact that you are still useless with or without one!"
While at it, he complained about me being redundant for the team.
"How could you say that?! I was the one who saved you from Kagura yesterday!"
I resisted, recalling how much I had sacrificed myself for them to escape back at the forest. Only to get him even angrier however.
"What?! It's all because of you that our life got threatened in the first place! And it was also you who almost killed us with that crazy attack of yours!"
Jaken jumped and pointed his staff right at my face, kept on yelling. "Dared to damage Sesshomaru-sama's precious face! I haven't forgiven you for what you have done!"
He had shed so much tears for his lord's beautiful face, which was almost ruined by some measly human. Completely ignored the fact that his wound had already been healed without a single scar ages ago.
"But you can't blame all that on me! That's unfair!"
We both knew that back then, I was unconscious and couldn't control my actions when fighting with Sesshomaru. Yet Jaken ignored that as well and refused to show any tolerance.
"Hmph! I don't care! What's done is done!"
Jaken walked off to Sesshomaru's spot to end our conversation. When almost reaching to Sesshomaru's spot, he heard him call and he quickly rushed to his side.
"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama?"
"Give them to her."
Therefore he demanded calmly, shocking us all.
"B-But…"
Still, Jaken resisted. Not willing to follow his command and even trying to make an excuse out of it. However he immediately changed his mind once seeing Sesshomaru's frightening frown.
Then he reached for his pocket to search for something inside his sleeves and took out a small, dark brown leather pouch before tossing it to me. Pouting.
"Here!"
"Thank you, Jaken-san."
Catching the pouch, I took a peek inside. And what a surprise, it's full of gold coins. Hmm…Not carrying any human stuff you said…
"Alright, I'll get going now."
With this amount should be more than enough, I approached Ah-Un which was sitting not too far away and got on its back. Once ready to go, Rin walked up to me to ask.
"You're going alone? How about Rin coming with you too?"
"Nah it's fine, I can handle this. It's better if you to stick close to Sesshomaru-sama for the meantime."
Cause in this world, danger is lurking in every single corner and I could not guarantee her safety just by myself. Thankfully, she understood the situation well and I pat her head.
"It may take a bit long but don't get too worried, okay?"
Meanwhile Jaken turned to his lord as they watched Shiomi flying away from below.
"Sesshomaru-sama, is it okay to let her go like that?"
However Sesshomaru didn't answer and walked toward to a tree nearby to take a seat, leaving Jaken standing there speechlessly.
*End flash back*
"Over there!"
Seeing a small town up ahead, I urge the two-heads dragon to fly toward to that direction.
"Come on, Ah-Un!"
Once close, we land behind a big tree near the town's gate.
"Stay here and behave okay?"
And Ah-Un nods to me, showing his obedience. After having prepared everything, I make my way into the town.
Inside the town
Weaponry shop, weaponry shop…
I look around, checking shops one after another to find a Naginata that I can use. The moment passing by a clothes store, I hear a loud crash and some woman yelling. Then a girl gets pushed out of the door of that same house.
"Get out! We don't do business with the likes of you!"
A woman, whom I assume to be the shop's owner, stands by the doors and shouts. Soon everyone gathers around the place to observe the situation, whispering things to each other.
"That girl looks familiar, isn't she working for that place?"
"Tsk, anything that comes out from there has never been good."
"Even dare to show her face to public, the nerve."
The young girl looks around my age, in a green Kosode and white Mobakama. Holding something warped inside a blue Furoshiki. Despite being buried deep under multiple layer of insults, she doesn't fight back and keeps staring down at her feet.
Before I even realize what is going on, a piece of cabbage's came flying toward to her face. Then more and more of garbage are being thrown at her as she freezes on her spot, quietly suffering from their wrath.
"H-Hey... Stop-"
Can no longer stand watching, I try to get through the crowd to help her out. Only to get pushed back outside instead. While I'm trying to think of another plan to save her, a man comes up from the other side and eases the mobs with some simple sentences.
"Please everyone, calm down. May I have an explanation of what is going on here? What did this poor girl do wrong?"
Therefore his appearance causes one of the citizen gasp and they immediately stops what they're doing
"Oh you are…Houshi-sama!"
Taking the chance that no one is paying attention to her, she rushes over to the monk's side and quickly hides behind him for aid.
Curious about this Houshi-sama they're speaking of, I walk around the crowd to just to find out who he is. There, standing before me is a group of familiar people.
It's Inuyasha and Kagome-chan!
What a coincidence that Houshi-sama is actually Miroku, who talking to the man at the front, while the others are standing behind and listening to the story along with him.
"Kagome-chan!"
Recognizing my voice, she steps out of the group to greet me.
"Senpai?!" What are you doing here?"
However Miroku has taken one step ahead of her and grabs my hands.
"Oh, aren't you the pretty girl from before? It's been a while since our first met, isn't it? How have you- Bonk!"
His speech gets cut off by Sango's giant boomerang.
"What a pervert."
Shippou, who sits on top of Inuyasha head, comments as both of them give him a bored look.
"B-by the way mister, where were we?"
Trying to break the awkwardness, Kagome takes turn to ask the villager.
"You see, that girl over there is working for the local Okiya" (Okiya: Geisha house)
The old man points at the young girl standing behind Miroku.
"Okiya?"
That word immediately drawing our attentions. Still, simply working in an Okiya shouldn't turn yourself into a criminal in this era, if I remember correctly.
"And what's so bad about that place?"
Curious I ask him. Thinking that there must be another cause for them to despise it so much. And it seems like I have hit the mark.
"Well you see, the Okiya is originally a youkai nest."
Instantly hearing so, the girl jumps in to defend her home.
"Our Okiya is definitely not a Youkai nest! We are not Youkai and so does Azusa-sama!"
Surprisingly, her timid attitude just now is completely gone.
"Azusa-sama? Who's that?"
Catching an unfamiliar name in the conversation, Kagome ask and he continues, carrying quite a disgust expression on his face when introducing shortly about this mysterious woman.
"Azusa is the owner of that Okiya in the middle of the town."
Being reminded of the past, he yells at her.
"If you all are not youkai then explain to me why man always disappearing every three nights?!"
Turns out that the people who's disappeared had visited that Okiya at least once. And what makes him so confident about his theory is that none of these things never happened in this town until these strange women arrive.
"You all should be grateful that we haven't burned down your whole house to dust!"
"No! I won't let you!"
Angered by his words, she charges at the man to fight him but Miroku has stopped her.
"If you don't mind sir, we would like to discuss with her."
Therefore Miroku offers to deal with this mysterious case, much to their delight.
"Ah yes, Houshi-sama! We will leave them to you then!"
*At our way back to the Okiya*
"So…your name is Chiyo, correct? And that you were adopted into the Okiya by Azusa-sama a long time ago?"
Miroku gets further into the story while walking next to her.
"Yes. Please trust me, Houshi-sama. We are really not youkai and we don't capture men like what he said."
Walking in between Sango and I, Kagome asks about her life in town.
"About what happened earlier...Has they always treating you like that?"
Just as Kagome has expected, Chiyo nods again.
"That's right…But it's okay, I've already gotten used to it. As long as I've gotten what I needed."
Sympathize with her lifestyle, Miroku pulled her close in an embrace. Patting her head gently.
"Oh you poor thing. But don't worry my dear, once we prove that your place is just a normal Okiya. I can guarantee you that there shall be no hardships between you and the townspeople ever again."
He then goes on and on about his upcoming plan yet at the same time not releasing the girl.
Hearing his words, Inuyasha shoots him a not-so-amused look. "Uh huh."
"Thank you, Houshi-sama…"
Moved by his words, she bursts into tears within his warm embrace. Meanwhile from behind, Sango's face darkens and she's unleashing a killing aura.
Confused about her sudden change of attitude, I give Kagome a "What's with her?" look and Kagome responds back with a sign of "I will tell you about it later."
Judging from her expression, it's quite easy to guess that this is going to be complicated.
*At the Okiya's entrance*
The moment arriving, we're awed by how grand it looks. Then by my side I can hear Kagome whispering something to Inuyasha, having him nods in agreement.
"Yeah, I can feel a strong demonic aura inside this gate."
Same goes to Miroku and Sango. "Yes, something's definitely hidden deep in here."
"Huh? What are you guys talking about?"
While I just stand there staring at them like an idiot, having no single clue of what everyone is saying but they sure do act professional.
"Eh? You mean you don't feel anything malicious, Senpai?"
Kagome's surprised when seeing me shake my head in response.
Well best I can do by observing from here is that there definitely a lot of men coming in and out from this place, but I guess that is just too obvious to count.
"Cheh, what do you expect from her? She's only some weak human."
Inuyasha spat at how useless I am. Well, it's not like he's expected anything from me to begin with.
"Don't be so rude, Inuyasha!"
Kagome scolds him and the guy walks off with a "Hmph!"
"Senpai, please don't mind him too much."
Knowing that it's not possible to change his attitude toward me when we have just met each other for several days, she apologizes to me in his stead.
"It's alright."
I try to act cool about it, hoping that they won't end up fighting again because of me. Those words of his sure as hell pierced through my pride but let's face it, he's not in the wrong at all.
"Everyone, come on in! I'll introduce Azusa-sama to you guys right away."
Can't let her important guests waiting outside, Chiyo invites us into the big gate in front.
"Coming!"
And for some specific reasons, Miroku is the only one in the group responds with most delight. As he walks straight up ahead together with her, leaving us hanging at the back.
"Is it me or he seems to be a lot more lively when it comes to women?"
It's all thanks to this special event that I have a better view about this man.
"Nope, it's not just you, Senpai…"
My judgement seems to have correct the moment Kagome sighs.
Once stepping inside the hall, greeting our eyes are various of beautiful Geisha and Maiko walking back and forth in their colorful kimono and make-up. Pairs of Hana Kanzashi of July are visible on their heads and they're full of perfumes. Whenever a guest passes by, they would greet them with such a gentle and breath-taking smile.
We also hear men and women laughter mixed with the sound of relaxing Shamisen that are played inside almost every room.
"Wow this is definitely Miroku's paradise." (Shamisen: Three strings musical instrument)
Shippou comments as we walk by the guess rooms.
Don't you mean men's paradise?
I'm amazed by how the Okiya has already full with costumers, even when it's only mid-day. That's pretty much prove how popular this place is.
"Are these people your guests, Chiyo? My, I didn't know that women were interested in Okiya."
Just then two Maiko, who are in purple and yellow kimono, approach us from behind. Seeing the confused look on our faces, Chiyo quickly introduce them to us. "They are Midori and Reiko, good friends of mine."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, honorable guests."
As Midori and Reiko greet us with a bow. We bow back to them in return, except for Inuyasha.
Taking the chance that both of her friends are here, Chiyo explains the situation to them.
"Actually these people are here to look into the rumor of missing people that happens recently."
While Midori's showing her sympathy, Reiko ignores it all and gets closer to Miroku to flirt with him. "My, aren't you a handsome man…Such a waste…"
Of course, the guy accepts those sweet honey lines into his ears 110% without resisting. "Oh please, you flatter me too much, lady. Though I must say that you are one of the most beautiful flower I've ever met in my life"
He holds her hands and stares deep into her eyes, pleased to have Reiko giggling to his flatters. "My, my… What a lady-killer you are…"
Meanwhile the rest of the group including me, who are forced to watch the scene, are onn the verge to puke.
"You know, this could be a trap right?"
Unsure if these people are trustworthy, Shippou whispers to us.
"Really? I don't think he will even care."
Sango replies quite dully as if having given up her faith on him.
Not giving a damn about those two, Kagome whispers to Inuyasha's ears in hope that he has gained some information about the place.
"Inuyasha, can you smell anything?"
Curious, I lean closer to the two and luckily still in time to hear his full explanation.
"These women's scents are somehow different than Chiyo's…But I still can't figure out what it is when they're all mixed into other stronger smells around."
Now that he mentions it, every Geisha and Maiko here is basically showering themselves with different flower fragrances. No wonder they've distracted Inuyasha's sense of smell.
"A-Anyway, Azusa-sama must be inside her room upstairs! Please, follow me!"
Not wanting Reiko's messing around to waste everyone's time, Chiyo grabs Miroku's hand and drags him away. Then we're lead toward to a big luxurious room, if not, the biggest room of this Okiya. Once inside we meet another beautiful Geisha, who looks like in her twenties with white make-up and crimson lips, wearing a formal black kimono as her obi's tied at the back and a Hana Kazashi on her hair like any others.
The lady sits in the middle of the room and asks Chiyo after seeing a bunch of strangers standing by the door.
"Chiyo, these people are…"
Immediately Chiyo bows to her and explains.
"Azusa-sama! They are here to help us clear the missing men incidents rumors. So I figure it would be best to bring them here to meet you first!"
Hearing so, Azusa smiles and approach us. "I see, thank you Chiyo."
"Greetings, Azusa-san. My name is Miroku and just like what Chiyo said, we are here in order to inspect further into the case"
Miroku steps ahead to greets her. Judging from the expression on her face, we can see that she's pleased by his polite and professional aura.
"No word can describe how grateful I am to see you here helping us."
"Please, the pleasure is all mine. Now Azusa-san, can you tell us more about what had happened lately?"
"Ah yes, as you've heard that this place has been in business normally for a long time now... "
Therefore we learn that long ago Azusa's loyal customers disappeared without a trace every three nights after visiting her Okiya. Townsmen had come here to investigate the strange phenomenon for weeks, still, their efforts turned in vain. Years after years, rumors begun to raise and calling them youkai, who had created this whole place to attract the townsmen and feed on their flesh.
As far as we know this town was used to be youkai-free and the people had not once suffered from any attack of wild animals.
"Did you perhaps notice any strange signs from the customers when they leave?"
After listening to her story, Miroku ask Azusa one final question and she shakes her head.
"No, not at all. Everyone seems to be totally fine."
Once done reviewing, the guy walks back and forth the area, trying to place every piece of the puzzle together while we just stare at each other, pretty much as confused as he is.
Though if I remember correctly, didn't Inuyasha mention something about demonic aura is being hidden in this Okiya earlier? Does Azusa-san know anything about that? Or is there something else that she hasn't told us?
"Since we all now aware that men only disappear at night. How about you stay here with us for today? It would be more convenient for the investigation, wouldn't it?"
The sound of Chiyo claps her hands to draw everyone's attention. And before Miroku can open his mouth to speak, Sango chips in.
"But Chiyo, we don't have enough money to pay you."
Luckily Azusa has already got that covered.
"Please, it's the least thing I can do to help."
Only waiting for Azusa to say so, Miroku bows to her in appreciation. "Then we gratefully accept your offer".
"Bah, now we even have to stay."
Inuyasha crosses his arms and walks off, not even bother to hide his irritation. Shippou, who is sitting on his shoulder, persuades him. "I suppose there's no other way around. We're doing them a favor after all."
"Senpai, are you sure you want spend the night here with us?"
Then Kagome turns to ask me to reconsider about my decision to stay.
"Yeah, no problem."
Of course I refuse to leave. There is no way I'm going to miss the chance to experience new things in this era nor abandon the Okiya's mysterious case without at least knowing the answer.
Hearing heroverly confident answer, Kagome can only nods. Wondering if Sesshomaru's actually okay about her staying here with them. "Oh alright then…"
(Apparently, Shiomi has completely forgotten the reason she come to this town)
At night
Inside the guest room on the 8th floors (The highest floor)
Right now I, together with Inuyasha's group are being treated with some Sake and sushi by Chiyo, Midori and Reiko. While Azusa's playing the Shamisen and singing to us in the middle of the room. Her beautiful voice and melody easily captures our souls except for this one guy, Inuyasha, who doesn't seem to enjoy anything else but food and killing.
"Somehow my mind feels so calm and peaceful when listening to her."
Sitting in the middle of Kagome and Sango, I watch the woman in awed. Seem to be only waiting for that compliment, Chiyo giggles and describes about Azusa's special ability excitedly.
"I know right! That's what make Azusa-sama special than anyone else!"
Notices the girl is still wearing her old clothes instead of a kimono like the others, Kagome asks why she hasn't changed her clothes and Chiyo scratches the back of her head shyly.
"Uhm...You see, different from my friends who are already Maiko, I'm still in my Shikomi training progress."
Judging from the gentleness in her tone, I take a guess that she would become a great singer in the future.
"So you must be having a good voice too?"
However Chiyo shakes her head, claiming that she's not good enough to become a Jikata like many others do.
(Jikata: a geisha who specializes in singing and playing musical instrument)
"That's why I'm going to work hard to become a Tachikata instead. You know, it has always been my dream to be a great Geisha just like Azusa-sama and I will do everything I can to make it come true."
(Tachikata: Geisha who is dedicated to dance)
"You must be admiring her a lot."
"Yes, absolutely. To me, Azusa-sama's like my mother and my mentor, she's someone really important to me."
After that the four of us continue chatting about various things while enjoying the sushi and Azusa's singing. Throughout our small talks, I find out more about Sango and Miroku stories from Kagome as Sango, the youkai hunter, actually having feelings for Miroku, the true lecher.
Seriously though, to be in love with such a guy... Must be quite tough to keep your heart from constantly breaking for every single day pass.
Feeling full from all the sake and food, I excuse myself first to find the toilet and also to take the chance to explore further into this place.
For every floor, outside of the guest rooms is a long out-door hallway guarded with wooden fences around half of human body height. A stair case leading up by the left and leading down by the right as the room we are staying in right now is most biggest room on this floor. Once done and instead of going back, I decide to stay outside to enjoy the starry night sky at the hallway.
Resting my arm onto the fence, I watch the full bright moon from above. Feeling the cool night breeze blowing at me, I can't help but sigh in happiness. Ah…This feels so nice… I'm glad I visited this place.
Wait... Visited here to do what?
Only then I finally remember the real reason I go to this town. To buy the Naginata...
God damn it! I got too carried away and totally forgot about it! And I had already told Kagome to be staying here till tomorrow, it would be rude of me to leave now for sure.
But then if I don't, Sesshomaru is going to be so mad... Bah, What am I saying. It's already too late for that now, I'm so going to get killed sooner or later anyway..
Suddenly I hear a rustling sound behind me and turn around to check, only to see Sesshomaru on the air right in front of me. His long silver hair and Mokomoko *beautifully* floating within the wind and of course, he doesn't look all so happy to see me.
Jeeze, talk about the devil. He sure knows exactly when to make his terrifying appearance.
"U-uhm…H-Hello…?"
"What do you think you are doing?"
Sesshomaru questions me in such a low tone that it almost sounds like a snarl.
"Well…I'm here to help Kagome-chan and Inuyasha with their investigation…And, uh... it seems that I've got to stay with them till tomorrow...?"
Sensing his enormous killing aura, I quickly back away to avoid that deadly glare of his. My voices gets smaller for every step I take.
"We are leaving. Now."
As expected Sesshomaru ignores all my excuses, urging me to grab his hand and fly away from this place.
"C-Can I at least be here till midnight? Please? I really want to know what mysteries this place's holding! Once everything's revealed, I will be out of here in no time, no regrets!"
Not giving up, I try to ask him one more time. And just like before, Sesshomaru refuses my request within a heart-beat.
"No."
Honestly, he's even more difficult than my mom. Since just asking is no longer working on him, I decide to use my last resort by showing Sesshomaru the most pitiful face I've ever had. Praying that he will eventually give in.
"Pretty please? Just this one time! I promise!"
For some reasons he doesn't respond and lands onto the floor next to me instead. Much to my surprise.
Does that mean my baby face has actually worked? Does that mean I can stay?!
Assumed to have his permission, my eyes sparkles and show how overjoyed I am.
"Yay! Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama!"
Clearly is annoyed, Sesshomaru turns his head away from me. "Hmph!"
So... Is he going to wait for me at the hall or what? Since Inuyasha is also inside and I doubt that he still has any mood left to see his brother's face.
"Okay, I will be going back to my room now. The others must be waiting."
I bid him goodbye and walk away. Only a few steps later however, I notice Sesshomaru's walking next to me.
"Eh? You're coming too?"
Surprised, I ask but receive no reply. Oh well, I guess that's that…
Let's just hope that those two won't end up tearing the whole place a part because surely, I do not have enough money to pay for compensation. In the end I lead him back to the guest room and gently slide the door open.
"I'm back."
Hearing my voice, Kagome and the others shift their heads toward to the door. Their eyes widened the moment a white tall white figure walks in.
"What?! Sesshomaru!?"
Never been in a good mood whenever meeting his old brother, Inuyasha spat. "So you're here too huh, Sesshomaru."
"Remember, You two can't fight here! This is not a battle field."
Kagome quickly reminds him to stay as neutral as possible.
"Soon…"
And Sesshomaru replies mysteriously as he steps into middle of the room, where Azusa's sitting and draws out Tokijin and points the sharp blade right at her face for no reason, much to our surprise.
"Azusa-sama!"
Sensing danger, Chiyo and the other two girls Midori, Reiko all rush over to her. Yet Azusa gestures her hands for them not to.
"Sesshomaru, what are you doing?!"
Figure that things won't end well with Sesshomaru's bizarre attitude, Kagome attempts to stop him but Inuyasha has pulled her arm back. "Wait!"
"Dear guest, If there is something about us that causes to your dissatisfaction. Perhaps we can sit down and discuss about it?"
Azusa halts the Shamisen playing and calmly offers him a peaceful solution. Still, Sesshomaru doesn't back down and proceeds demanding something that even sounds ridiculous to human ears.
"Reveal yourselves." Or so he says.
After a while and Azusa still refuse to make any move, Sesshomaru mercilessly strikes at her. Terrified when witnessing her mentor death moment, Chiyo screams and collapses onto the floor.
"No! Azusa-sama!"
To think that we will see blood splashing on the wall and a sliced corpse, instead we see Azusa dangling on the ceiling up above and looking down at us, laughing manically.
"Heh heh heh…Just as expected from Sesshomaru-sama, your noses are as sensitive as always."
Then her attitude turns solemn once seeing everyone has stayed on their guards.
"Ah…Such a waste…Everything was going smoothly too…"
From below Chiyo gasps in despair, can't not believe what is happening.
"Smoothly? What's going on, Azusa-sama?"
Since this is the first time in her life she has ever seen Azusa acting like this, exactly like a true youkai according to the rumors they've been hearing.
"Oh, there's nothing to worry about, my child."
Azusa then calls both Midori and Reiko to come her side.
"Let's us have the biggest welcome party of our Okiya's history begins."
Definitely nothing good coming from this thing so called *welcome party*, a biggest one at that.
Qucikly I make my way to Sesshomaru's side and stay behind him in case of surprise ambush. And just as I've expected, the whole place suddenly starts to rumble then every door, window is shut tightly and locked from outside by an unknown force.
The wall behind Azusa opens up to reveal another giant, empty hall inside. In middle of the it is a huge hole surrounded by wooden fences.
"We'll be waiting, if you are still alive that is."
Azusa chuckles as Midori and Reiko grab Chiyo. Fleeing off the room to jump down the hole on the other side.
"Kyahh!"
Even after they're gone, we can still hear Chiyo's multiple screams and cries upon being forced to do a free falling from the 8th floor. Quickly, we rush after them to follow but the entrance has closed.
Despite countless attempts to destroy the wooden surface with Tessaiga, the thing just won't budge. Then Inuyasha tries to break any other door on sight yet receiving the same result, even more bizarre that there isn't even a single scar left on any of them after suffering from such damages from him.
"F*ck! Why can't I cut these things?!"
Clearly is annoyed, Inuyasha curses here and there, hitting everything nonstop. And then there is Sesshomaru, who remains at his spot and observes the place quietly.
Meanwhile I find it quite interesting to see these two brothers acting so differently in the same situation. Now that reminds me, isn't this the first time for them to be stuck together within one place?
"It seems like this place has been protected by a strong magical barrier."
Miroku examines one of the doors on the wall and senses an enormous amount of malicious energy behind them.
Terrified, Shippou yells and hugs Kagome's tighter. "So we're trapped?!"
"Precisely," The monk nods in confirm.
Soon we hear loud crashes and lots of men screaming from the floors below. Worried about the villager men's safety, Kagome urges the team to find the way out.
"But not just us! We have to save the other people too!"
Just then I notice a the wooden steps going down at the further corner of the area and alert them.
"Guys look! There's a staircase over here!"
"So she wants us to take the long route, huh? Fine! We'll do it her way then!"
Checking from above, we see men's separated body parts scatters everywhere that almost fully covered the whole floor and Inuyasha smirks, tapping the huge sword onto his shoulder and makes his way down the stairs to prepare for a big battle.
"I wonder what kind of youkai they are."
Curious about these weird women's true identity and their purposes, Sango speaks up.
"Heh! There's only one way to find out!"
Inuyasha smirks, rushing into the battlefield fearlessly together with his team mates.