Frost-Bite
In this chapter I'll introduce one of my own sidekick characters that will have a very short role throughout the story. So sit back, read and enjoy….
Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho anime/manga.
Meanings:
`Thought'
"Speech"
Beast
So… (A word drawn out like soooooo) so… (Cuts down the need to write drawn out words much easier I think.)
Chapter 5.
'Village of Tenbun Oka (Destiny Hill)'
Toran's mark had been pulsing non-stop she cursed the damn dog knowing he wanted to meet with her. "Stupid mangy-mutt." She muttered under her breath. The closer she got to the village the pulsing eased directing her on where to go. 'Wander what else this mark is capable of doing?' Toran thought as she made her way up the hillside.
On top the snow covered hill Toran allowed Kagome to stand as she took in the sights before her in fascination while looking down at the small youkai village. The scenery was more than beautiful. Kagome's eyes wide and clear a sense of welcoming and old magic had her wanting to go there in a heart beat and for once Kagome didn't mind. A wide smile adorned the miko's flushed face her blue-gray eyes alight with mirth watching youkai children play in the snow.
"Wow this is beautiful"
"That it is Kagome!"
"That looks like fun wanna join them Toran?"
"That would be unwise since we are only here to do business and keep you from freezing. Playing children's games would set us back a few hours which we don't have." Kagome's brought her head down in shame her smile faltered her cheery mood turned solemn. Toran noticed.
Kagome knew she was getting cold the paste had already wore out and they were pressed for time but a little fun never hurt anything even for a few minutes. Toran argued with herself and thought about the simple request. She was becoming to attached to the miko. Kagome reminded her of herself when she was young. Coming to a decision Toran wanted to make the miko smile again. She could not understand why she felt concerned or elated when it came to Kagome.
`Perhaps I will find out one day! That look does not belong on the miko's face she is too happy of a creature to have such a solemn look. Such an enigma this Kagome Higurashi?' Toran thought determined to make the miko smile staring down at the path they were to take Toran had a plan to make the miko happy all it would cost her was a bit of her pride.
"So where do we go from here?"
"The Village!"
"Huh…. No Duh! Really?"
"Really however, there are some personal matters I must attend to when we arrive. I will leave you in the market place for you to choose the clothing you need. They have the most enchanting weaponry I'd ever seen so you may want to purchase a bow, a set of arrows, perhaps some hand to hand combat knifes, stars or sai and possibly a sword or two." Kagome looked at Toran shaking her head.
"A bit much don't ya think? But why a bow?" Kagome added hearing all the battle gear she was to choose from. What did Toran have in mind for her?
"You did not think to bring your bow with you, in all fairness it would come in handy from time to time especially when we venture into the mountain tops as well as your continued training. Kagome only shook her head from side to side she was not worth the fuss, so why was Toran asking this of her.
"Why do you do that? You need to learn Kagome you cannot not always depend on your bow or others to protect you. You need to know how to fight from afar and close range…. That I can teach you. It will be for the best since you are close to gathering the last of the shards and I assume Naraku will be after you to obtain them will he not?" Kagome looked shocked Toran knew basically everything on what she and her group had been doing.
"Yeah, that or he'll send Kikyo to steal the rest of the shards. Inu Yasha still doesn't believe me Baka hanyo!" Toran looked down at Kagome in shock she had thought the dead priestess was well dead again.
"The dead priestess still walks." Kagome nodded her head while Toran gave a grimacing smile.
"Yes. It was Kikyo who stole half of the Shikon from me when she tried to kill me then gave the jewel to Naraku. Who now has an almost complete jewel? I'll never forget that day." Kagome made a fist never will she let that ever happen again. Looking to Toran who returned the look saying.
"Then it is settled you will purchase the bow, arrows and a worthy sword or two and other close combat weapons. It will not due to be unprepared for a fight even if it is with the walking dead priestess. By the time you return to your friends you will be a warrior."
"Ugh you really think so! I mean cool, I can do that?" Kagome smiled her soul felt joyous just from those simple words Toran spoke and to show her appreciation Kagome did what she always did when she was happy.
"Oh…Oh ooh…. Thank you so much Toran!" Kagome squealed in delight hugging Toran when several youkai on lookers walked by shaking their heads smiling at the scene the two made. It was then Kagome remembered she didn't have any money on her. Now how was she to buy clothes let alone a bow and some arrows?
"Ugh… Toran?" Kagome looked dismayed
"Yes Kagome!" Toran couldn't understand the sudden change.
"I don't have any money with me to buy…" It was then Toran knew why and cut Kagome off as she spoke.
"Worry not Kagome I have more than enough. This is part of your payment for your services. You deserve the best! Money is no object!" Kagome looked at her with wide eyes that sparkled happily bowing to Toran she couldn't help herself as Kagome straightened then leap at the panther hugging her once again.
"Yes, well that is quite enough it's best we keep moving. I'll take you to where you'll be shopping. Once there do not venture farther than needed. This may be a peaceful village but there are always hidden danger Kagome. You must remember that."
"I'll remember. I won't go far scouts honor." Kagome gave Toran a two finger salute.
"Scouts honor? You are not a scout yet you speak of this honor code?" Toran questioned not knowing what the miko meant for she couldn't be a scout she doesn't know how to shadow.
"It's not what you think, it a group of children of different ages from five years old to sixteen they learn about life and how to do things like camping, fishing, tend to wounds, how to hunt, how to track, learn a bit of sewing, cooking, how to make things like shelter, difference between good berries and poisonous ones and eventually live of the land. Stuff like that." Kagome clarified watching Toran nod in understanding.
"That is the way of some youkai as well. Packs do that along with teaching them to fight and protect. Ningen are not so different after all." Toran stated as the continued walking down the path to the village.
Toran noticed Kagome watching the children play while absently rubbing her arms the paste had long ago wore off yet the miko's aura shined brightly as she watched the children play. Sighing to herself she knew to keep the miko happy she needed to let her have this fun she always talks about even ignoring the biting weather.
It was time for Toran to put her plan into action the miko's thoughts were elsewhere not paying attention to what she was doing. Taking the time Toran made several small snow balls a wicked smile gracing her lips as she sped ahead of Kagome turned around and called out to her making her think that she was moving to slow.
"Kagome!" Toran shouted from the distance gaining her attention.
`This is just great! Now I'm falling behind…. Better catch up.' Kagome thought as she began to sprint. That's when it hit her. Out of the blue something very cold and hard smacked her in the chest causing her to fall back into the snow. Blinking her eyes she stared at her snow covered chest.
"Now who in the world?" Looking up she saw Toran's arm move and then again something slammed into her shoulder.
"What's happening?" Kagome eyed the snow then she understood what was going on like a light bulb lighting up in her mind gathering snow in her hands molding it into a snowball Kagome stood facing Toran as she ran then threw it at her companion catching her off guard.
"AAAAAHHHHA! TAKE THAT!" Kagome cried out watching the snowball hit it's target.
"You will pay for that Kagome." Toran challenged.
"Oh yeah lets see." Kagome squealed dodging another attack while throwing one of her own. The youkai children stopped what they were doing to watch the ningen and panther youkai throw snowballs at each other while dodging them every once in a while. Laughter could be heard throughout the valley as the two females played while making their way to the village.
"You done that on purpose." A breathless Kagome panted as she walked.
"I do not know of what you speak?"
"Yes you do, come on I want to hear it."
"No."
"Toran."
"I dislike repeating myself."
"Toran."
"Fine, yes I did that on purpose. I do not enjoy seeing you unhappy."
"Huh? I mean why? Everyone is unhappy at one time or another. It's life." Kagome stated not really thinking on the matter, though it was true you cannot always be happy or unhappy all of the time.
"This I know, remember what I taught you about ningen emotions? Youkai sense them a hundred times better than a ningen can. All emotions have their own unique scent. So when you show that emotion the air around you will become that as well. You are a exceptionally cheerful, giving and loving creature, Kagome. This sadness you possess at times does not suit you."
"I didn't know that it affected everyone, that's why everyone acts strange around me, well youkai and hanyo at least. So they feel the mood I'm in as well as the scent of it…. WOW! How embarrassing." Kagome exclaimed smiling once more as she thought about the new information as she continued following Toran as they turned a corner entering the small village Kagome couldn't wait to get some warmer clothes the paste was already pealing away, doing nothing to keep the chill away.
Kagome and Toran walked through the vast array of huts leading to the merchants and shops eyeing everything and everyone. Never had Kagome seen so many different kind of youkai. She was amazed beyond belief. Kagome was nervous being around so many yet she felt comfortable as well something about this village filled her with inner peace and she couldn't figure out why shaking it off due to the weather Kagome continued following Toran who was being greeted by passing youkai.
"You must come here often." Kagome asked.
"Yes, in a way this is a home away from home."
"Oh… I can relate to that…. That's how I sometimes see Edo village. In a way this place is comforting…. I can't explain it?"
"Explain to me what you are feeling and I will try to decipher what it is that makes you feel this comfort as you call it."
"Well…. I feel like I've been here before, but I know I have not. Yet something deep inside of me is wary but not scared. I can't really explain much more than that. So what do you think it might be?"
"There are several possibilities."
"Okay! So…."
"One could be that of the jewel you carry it is made up of youkai and miko!"
"Never thought about that!" Kagome brushed her fingers over the glass jar containing the shards inside her sweater.
"Another reason maybe that you feel comfort here is that you have found peace in the presence of youkai?"
"Um! That could be it…." Kagome cheered.
"There is one other reason as well."
"What other reason could there be?"
"That you have once lived as a youkai in your past life."
"What no way…. That's impossible, I'm just Kikyo's reincarnation… I don't think." Kagome was cut off when Toran stated her facts.
"Did you not tell me that you have an uncommonly large soul?"
"Well yeah."
"Then it is possible that your soul may have been reincarnated many times before that of this Kikyo."
"I doubt that."
"You may have well been a youkai in one or more of your former lives."
"That's still hard to believe especially when I am a miko of sorts."
"Do not deny what is possible even youkai are reincarnated Kagome."
"I….I… Didn't know."
"There are many things in this world that are unexplained."
"Oh… That much I know is true. I've seen things that others would think that were crazy and unbelievable. So I guess you could be right."
"I know I am. That is probably why you attract youkai and why you do not wish to harm them unless under attack. It is a given trait of being a youkai Kagome."
"You gotta be kidding me?"
"I do not know what this `kidding me' is?"
"Oops…. Sorry! What I meant was that you must joking um something like amusement of another beings life or mishaps."
"Hn. Then I do not be kidding you Kagome. What I say is true."
"Um Toran?"
"Yes Kagome."
"If what you say is true then what would that make me?"
"That Kagome only the Kami know. For you smell different than all ningen, you may look ningen and I would imagine you would taste like a ningen, yet deep within your soul you are made up of many souls joining together as one becoming something special to both worlds."
"What's that supposed to mean? I don't follow?"
"You are someone that the Kami placed in this world for a special reason what that reason is I do not know? Perhaps one day you will find out."
"Okay! Oh wow look at that Toran!" Kagome became suddenly excited seeing several youkai doing tricks using their weapons and youki doing what would be considered Kabuki Theater.
"I see quite clearly however we need to hurry about our business perhaps when we travel through this way again we may stop to watch."
"REALLY! WOW! I'd like that Toran thank you." Kagome cheered the best she could while rubbing her arms. Toran shook her head in thought.
`The miko does not worry for her well being no matter what she experiences. She will learn the hard way I suppose.'
The two turned the corner coming to the main market place. Toran was greeted by a handsome male shishi with golden hair tied in a high ponytail, deep yellow cat eyes wearing a dark green haori and hakama the inner shirt a cream color along with his obi on his side was a pouch, knife and a katana tied at his waist. Both youkai bowed to one another in greetings while the male looked past the female panther to the strangely dressed ningen.
"It is a pleasure to see you again Toran and who is this lovely creature with you?" The male questioned eyeing Kagome appreciatively ignoring the look Toran gave him as he walked up to Kagome who then bowed in greeting only for the male to take her hand in his.
`Oh no please Kami not another Koga! Or even worse Miroku or Hatchi?' Kagome thought when he took her hand brushing his clawed fingers lightly in circles under the tender skin of the pulse-point of her wrist.
"Kariudo, this is the Miko Kagome my ward. Kagome my distant cousin Kariudo."
"Why would you make a miko your ward? Better yet how is it that you came by such a lovely creature?" Kariudo inclined stepping closer to the miko sniffing her neck and hair while holding her hand in his; a smile crossed his handsome features sensing the distress of the miko as her heart beat picked up in pace.
"Ugh! Toran?!" The blushing miko called out inhaling the masculine scent of male that began dominating her senses creating an overload in her brain.
Sniff "He smells so good." 'Sniff` "Ummmmm" Sniff
"KA..RIU..DO. That's quite enough…. Remove your hands from her and step away!" Toran couldn't help but smile at the way Kagome blushed from what her cousin had been doing. Kariudo happened to be the only one in the family tree that actually cared about ningen and it seems that it has rubbed off on her.
"Forgive me, I did not mean to cause alarm. You know how much I adore ningen Toran and she…" Sniff; sniff "Smells wonderful! A combination of Ginger and spice." Kariudo stated stepping away from Kagome her hand still in his bringing it up to his lips and gently kissed each knuckle sending shivers down Kagome's spine.
"Indeed I do however, Kagome is pure and she will stay that way, do I make myself clear!" Toran declared as Kagome finally came back to her senses her eyes sparked confusion as she scowled at the male before her.
`Did Toran imply that he would, nah couldn't be, she didn't mean what I think she meant did she?' Kagome thoughts were jumbled not wanting what Toran said to be true until she heard the male speak again.
"Ahh, such a tantalizing vixen, how can I resist Toran? Untouched by males and quite beautiful as well what a lovely mate you'd make miko Kagome!" This comment caused the miko's previous blush to deepen even more. Miroku and Koga immediately flashed in Kagome's mind allowing the anger to get the best of her while Toran placed a hand on Kariudo's chest pushing him back away from the miko.
"Hentai! I'm not some play toy for you damned males. So back off or I'll, I'll….. Have Toran castrate you where you stand." Kagome scolded clenching her fists at her sides allowing a bit of her purifying power to surface while doing her best to calm down knowing the male only meant to…. Whatever the compliment meant it was still perverted for her virgin ears.
"OUCH, YIP, OUCH! Okay, Okay I got the point already. Sheesh! Females…." Kariudo yelped when Toran hit him over the head several times with her fist.
"Such power in those lethal claws of yours! I truly love it when a female is dominating. Ha ha ha ha ha!" Kariudo joked hearing Toran growl in the process Kariudo enjoyed toying with his cousin.
"It seems that you have brought out the Hentai in me!" Kariudo jumped away before Toran could hit him again.
"I warn you Kariudo." Toran's temper was growing short how she hated him sometimes. Looking to Kagome she appeared to be smiling holding her fist to her mouth trying to keep the giggles at bay.
"You know how playful of a creature I am. Truly I meant no harm just adding some spice to my dull life." Kariudo held up his clawed hands in defense just in case Toran want to hit him again.
"Your life is dull!"
"Ouch, now that hurt!" Kariudo stated putting his hands on his beating heart in mock pain. Toran huffed knowing he was indeed too playful.
`It seems the miko finds this situation amusing. Perhaps she has been in the company of that perverted houshi too long. What a strange day this had turned out to be.'
"No matter we need to be off so if you don't mind." Toran grabbed Kagome's hand leading her away from her perverted male cousin where the most of the clothing were only for the male to step ahead of them.
"But I do mind Kitty!" The panther glared at the shishi whom walked backwards in front of her pleading.
"What do you want, I don't have time to play games with you Kariudo?"
"I only wish for your and the lovely miko's company while you're here….. I give you my word of honor! No more games." The shishi declared knowing Toran wouldn't turn him down.
"Fine, when we arrive at the merchant shops I will entrust the miko's safety to you! I have other personal matters to attend." Toran stated as they came upon the booths selling their goods.
"That I will happily do for you my dearest Toran." Kagome looked at the two shaking her head they really reminded her of her Sango and Miroku however, she didn't know what to think of him except nice hair, beautiful eyes and a hot bod. Kagome kept looking him over he was definitely a Hottie!
`I bet he has a nice tight butt and a hard sculptured chest and, and…... Oh Kami I did not just think that…. No, no, no… Not me too…. Damn it Miroku your rubbing off on me!' Kagome visibly paled where her mind was taking her until she heard Toran's threat.
"I will remind you Kagome is my ward also under the protection of the Western Lord Sesshoumaru. NO HARM IS TO COME TO HER OR YOU'LL FORFEIT YOUR LIFE!" Toran declared growling out the last words hoping her cousin would obey the meaning.
"I understand Toran though the miko seems to be a willing female how can I possibly resist! OUCH! Just pulling your tail kitty, geesh Toran lighten up will you no wonder you're not mated yet. OUCH, OUCH, OUCH! All Right, All Right I surrender, I won't touch and I will look after the miko as you would. Damn kitty you're a tough one." Kariudo joked while a blushing Kagome looked on smiling. Straightening his clothes Kariudo put on a mask of indifference.
"The next time I won't be so lenient, I'm already in a Tribal Debt to the Dog so I don't need you to make matters worse."
"Now how did that happen? Never mind I don't want to know! All I can say is that the miko will be in the best of care that I assure you."
"She best be or I'll have your hide."
Kagome couldn't help it Toran and Kariudo were too much. Never did she think she would have fun on this mission and yet her she is laughing at the antics of both of them. They happily reminded her of her friends. Kagome continued to allow Toran to lead her where she would get a new outfit. They had stopped in front of the main clothing area looking around at all the wonderful clothes and furs. Not far away an old youkai woman who looked to be as old as the Earth itself was curiously watching Kagome from the corner of her eye.
Toran scanned the merchants and what they had to offer. Toran had briefly noticed the old Baba look at Kagome whispering "it cannot be." Ignoring the old female Inu known as Yanagi. Toran looked over the most of the stalls various sets of clothing and furs. Toran knew none of the merchants could match Yanagi's fine collection clothes, boots and furs. Toran smiled down at Kagome handing her a satchel full of gold.
"Keep the satchel close to you, pick pockets linger. I have business to attend then once I am done we shall dine then stock up on provisions for our trip. I will return shortly. Kagome do not forget to look at the weapons, perhaps Kariudo will be kind enough to help you in that area as well. I leave it to you." With that said Toran left leaving a nervous Kagome and her newest guardian alone to shop.
End Chapter.
There you go so what do you think of Kariudo? He's hot like Yoko with Miroku's attitude and sexuality and yes a with the similar agenda's. I'm still working on his personality he is a playful type yet can be a worthy opponent when need be. Were getting closer to the good stuff. So any and all feedback is appreciated let me know how this was by reviewing.
Thanks for your support and enjoy.
Thanks a bunch!