A/N: Well, this chapter is very, very delayed, but.. school! ;_; It completely drains my creative juices. No time to write, too much homework. Also TV shows. Just kidding. Sort of. Yeah, anyway, the short and overdue chapter is also due to the fact that I'm not quite sure what to be writing next. So.. I'm just going to wing it, whatever that means.
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Disclaimer: Heya! I don't own Inuyasha, or Miroku, or Sesshomaru, or Sango, or Kagome, or Shippo, or Rin, or Jaken, or any of the villagers. Hm.. Did I cover everyone? Hehe..okay, on to the story.
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Thanks to everyone for reviewing! I probably wouldn't have continued this story if I didn't think anyone was reading it.
Sakura~I hope I answered all your questions in the last email.. if you have any more questions, email me or review! Or review anyway..
ChaosCat~ Thanks for the review! I agree that Fluffy is adorable, but he's a different sort of adorable.. Inuyasha is just irresistable!
Kumi Boa~ ^_^ Here's the next chapter!
bel-chan~ Thanks for the comments.. I couldn't really think of a suitable thing for the servants to do around him.. and anyway, he does seem pretty scary!
Lian Leviathan~ Thanks for reviewing!
Embyr~ Thanks! Please keep reading, and reviewing, and reviewing, and..
Mercuria~ ^_^ I'm so flattered that you like my story so much you don't care about the pairing. Thanks!
MoonKnight Maiden~ Haha.. I hurried this chapter for Inuyasha's sake. We can't lose those adorable ears, can we? Okay, so this chapter was slow.. sorry Inuyasha!
Emmi-chan~ Sorry about the length of the chapters, it's just that I want to get them out soon so people don't forget and lose interest. ^_^ Sango and Miroku make an beautiful couple, ne?
Rhapsody~ I read your story.. loved it! I hope you keep reading mine!
LilFoxgirl~ Hey, thanks for reviewing! Cuz I sorta stopped writing for a while, and then I saw your review today, so I just had to finish the chapter. Thanks!
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Inuyasha ignored the glare of the sun rising sun and looked off into the distance. He was almost positive that they would reach Kagome today. Beneath the tree where Inuyasha sat, Miroku was laying out the plan of attack to Shippo and Sango. He and Inuyasha had discussed it last night, while the other two were innocently asleep. Neither of the two were able to sleep; Miroku from being estastic over his new found relationship with Sango, and Inuyasha because he was worrying over Kagome. To be brutally honest, Inuyasha hadn't been able to sleep for about two days now, and only his growing desperation to reach Kagome kept his energy level normal. But if was going to fight Sesshomaru, his energy had to be way past normal, well into the "able to take down Sesshomaru's whole castle with one slice" level. And that required sleep. Inuyasha almost found himself nodding off on the tree, while listening to Miroku drone on about everyone's respective roles in the plan. He quickly woke himself up by scratching a rather deep cut into his face. Inuyasha grimaced. The scratch should heal without a scar, but it would take another couple of hours or so. At least the stinging pain would keep him awake for the rest of the day.
Sesshomaru quickly racked his brain for a plausible answer to Kagome's frantic question. His face, however, kept up a masquerade perfectly, not showing a single flicker of a thought of emotion. "They are imposters." he said.
Shippo peered up at Inuyasha from Miroku's shoulder. "I didn't know you got a cut!" he pointed out. Sango, too, glanced back. "Oh, Inuyasha! I didn't see that yesterday either. Are you all right?"
"Imposters?!" Kagome exclaimed. "Of who?"
Sesshomaru had prepared for this follow up question in the five seconds he'd had available. "Of Inuyasha and your friends, of course."
Inuyasha swatted Sango's hands away from his face. "Stop that!" he snapped irritably. "I'm fine."
"Your cut will get infected!" Sango scolded.
"I'm half demon, remember?!"
"So?"
"But why would anyone want to disguise themselves as my friends?" Kagome asked, bewildered. Sesshomaru hid a smile. He had things under control now.
Miroku, who had been ignoring the fuss over Inuyasha, spotted a large gray shape in the distance. It was surrounded by mist, but the fog was slowly being burned off by the blazing sun. "The castle!"
"And that," Sesshomaru said primly. "is the whole story, as I know it."
Kagome sat on a chair opposite him, her thoughtful face propped up by her hands. "So, these strangers are after the Shikon shards.." she murmured. It felt like she had to repeat what Sesshomaru had told her, just to understand everything. Unconsciously, a hand reached up to clutch the large piece of the Shikon no Tama around her neck. Suddenly, a wave of rage washed over her. "They did that.. just to get the shards?!" She stood up, almost toppling the chair over. "How dare they.. well, just wait 'til they come. They won't know what hit them!" Sesshomaru watched her rush out of the room with a throughly satisfied expression.
"This is suspicious." Inuyasha remarked from his hidden perch in the leaves.
"What is?" Miroku was next to him, keeping a firm grip on Sango's hand, should she relapse and fall.
"There aren't any guards walking around."
"So?" Shippo piped up. "That's good for us, isn't it?"
Miroku understood. "No. Sesshomaru is not that careless. This means that either he has some secret and he knows we can't get in past the front door, or that he has a hidden trap, which will kill all of us easily. Of course, the third option is that he actually wants us to get in, but that's related to the hidden trap theory."
Sango nodded thoughtfully. "That's good, Miroku-kun. We have to be very careful getting in."
"It's the third option." Inuyasha interrupted. The others stared up at him. "How do you know?"
"It's easy." he scowled. "Just think. He hasn't killed Kagome yet, as far as we know." He had keep his voice from breaking when he said the last part. "That means he's using her as bait to lure us in. He doesn't want the shards, because Kagome has them. So he's probably after my Tetsusaiga." Inuyasha tightened his grip on the precious sword.
"So, what?" Miroku wondered out loud. "Do we just stroll in?"
"I'm going first." Inuyasha announced. "If it's safe, you all follow me."
Shippo shook his head fervently. "No!" he declared. "It's dangerous for you to go alone, Inuyasha. After all, if we came so far already, why can't we all go together? We're so close to Kagome!"
"He is wise beyond his years." Miroku intoned.
"Idiots!" Inuyasha griped. "Don't you realize that if there _is_ a trap, then we'd _all_ get killed? This isn't a game! And Shippo, I know you want to be honorable or some other crap like that, but you've proved your point already, okay? Just let me handle it."
Sesshomaru stood on his balcony, hands resting on the stone wall surrounding the platform. He smiled coldly when Inuyasha and his group came into view. The fools. They were all venturing forth all at the same time. It would be a moronic plan if there had been an ambush ready, but as it was, Sesshomaru knew that they would get inside the castle safely. He turned his back to the blue sky and entered his dark room. It was time to talk to Kagome.
Kagome stared out at the fluffly clouds drifting past her window. She realized, quite suddenly, that she hadn't spent time with Rin for a while now. But she really didn't want to dampen the child's spirits with her own confusion and depression. There was a gentle rap on her door.
"Who is it?" she called out. She didn't feel like having Jaken fuss over her, especially since he was just obeying Sesshomaru's orders, and not really caring about her welfare. But the cultured voice that replied was not that of the little toad, but rather Sesshomaru. Kagome had to admit that she still wasn't sure about her feelings for him. While he had always acted as nothing more than a generous friend or caretaker, she felt a stirring feeling within herself whenever she saw him. However, this feeling was sometimes canceled out by the sense of foreboding that also accompanied him. It was almost as if she had a bad memory of him.. but couldn't quite figure it out.
"Idiots!" Inuyasha complained as they made their way warily to the castle, keeping a hand on their weapons and an eye out for danger. "You said that already." Miroku pointed out.
"Can't you get over it?" Shippo added.
Inuyasha gave them all a death glare, but keep silent.
"We're here." Sango announced. They had made it to the front courtyard without incident. Now, to find Kagome..and avoid Sesshomaru.
"They're here?!" Kagome put the delicate china cup down rather forcefully, eyes sparkling with life and anger. "Why, those... what are we going to do, Sesshomaru-sama?!"
"Don't worry," he soothed. "I have a plan. Now, this is completely up to you, whether or not you want to carry it out."
"Of course." Kagome said firmly. "I'm sure this is what my friends would have wanted."
"Ah.." he commented. "You are, ... remembering your friends now?"
She nodded. "And, Sesshomaru-sama, I know this is going to sound strange, but I'm getting a sort of memory of you, too. Are you sure we haven't met before my amnesia?"
Sesshomaru blanked behind his polite masks. 'Shit.. the human is starting to remember me!'
"Of course I'm sure." he said smoothly. "Would I lie to you?"
Kagome colored. "Oh, of course not! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply anything!"
"I'm sure you didn't." Sesshomaru comforted. "Now, here's the plan..."
Inuyasha had his sword in one hand as he peered around a gray stone corner. "Clear." he announced, keeping a careful eye on the windows above them. It would be just like Sesshomaru to pour down some scalding oil or something.
Actually, Sesshomaru had a much more complex plan than Inuyasha was imagining. He figured that the best way to beat his pesky half brother in combat would be to wound him emotionally, first. And what better way to do that than to have Kagome confess her love for Sesshomaru in front of the entire, unsuspecting group? Oh yes, Sesshomaru knew about Kagome's budding feelings for him. He could see it in her aura, how it changed to a gentle pink when he neared, and the way she became more alert and wide-eyed. And, being him, Sesshomaru had planned a way to use this infatuation to his advantage. After all, what plan could be better? He'd get rid of one of his worst enemies in the most crippling way, and have a human female to play with. At least, until she wore out, like all the others. Then, he figured, she could be demoted to playing Rin's nurse. It all worked out. For him, of course.
"He knows we're here." Inuyasha murmured.
"Are you sure?" Sango whispered, peering over his shoulder. "There's no sign of life around here. Looks very deserted, in fact."
"Don't under estimate him." Inuyasha grumbled. "He may me a bastard, but he's a smart bastard."
Kagome rushed out toward the front courtyard, Sesshomaru strolling behind her. She flew out of the hallway and into the garden.
Inuyasha froze as a figure hurtled out of the castle, stopping across the garden from him.
"It's Kagome." Shippo breathed, hardly daring to believe it. But before he could celebrate, Kagome spotted them. Her eyes narrowed. They swept over the group until her piercing gaze landed on Inuyasha. Their eyes met.
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Hmm.. this chapter was short. But I just wanted to tell you guys that I didn't give up on the story or anything. ^_^ Thanks to everyone for reviewing, and please continue to do so! See, when I don't get reviews, I get discouraged and don't think about it as much. But if I keep getting reviews... ^_^_^_^ I would be so happy! Anyway, I check my account almost everyday, so I'll remember to continue if you remember to review! Ah, I probably will anyways..
Thanks!
1/11/02
C
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Disclaimer: Heya! I don't own Inuyasha, or Miroku, or Sesshomaru, or Sango, or Kagome, or Shippo, or Rin, or Jaken, or any of the villagers. Hm.. Did I cover everyone? Hehe..okay, on to the story.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks to everyone for reviewing! I probably wouldn't have continued this story if I didn't think anyone was reading it.
Sakura~I hope I answered all your questions in the last email.. if you have any more questions, email me or review! Or review anyway..
ChaosCat~ Thanks for the review! I agree that Fluffy is adorable, but he's a different sort of adorable.. Inuyasha is just irresistable!
Kumi Boa~ ^_^ Here's the next chapter!
bel-chan~ Thanks for the comments.. I couldn't really think of a suitable thing for the servants to do around him.. and anyway, he does seem pretty scary!
Lian Leviathan~ Thanks for reviewing!
Embyr~ Thanks! Please keep reading, and reviewing, and reviewing, and..
Mercuria~ ^_^ I'm so flattered that you like my story so much you don't care about the pairing. Thanks!
MoonKnight Maiden~ Haha.. I hurried this chapter for Inuyasha's sake. We can't lose those adorable ears, can we? Okay, so this chapter was slow.. sorry Inuyasha!
Emmi-chan~ Sorry about the length of the chapters, it's just that I want to get them out soon so people don't forget and lose interest. ^_^ Sango and Miroku make an beautiful couple, ne?
Rhapsody~ I read your story.. loved it! I hope you keep reading mine!
LilFoxgirl~ Hey, thanks for reviewing! Cuz I sorta stopped writing for a while, and then I saw your review today, so I just had to finish the chapter. Thanks!
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Inuyasha ignored the glare of the sun rising sun and looked off into the distance. He was almost positive that they would reach Kagome today. Beneath the tree where Inuyasha sat, Miroku was laying out the plan of attack to Shippo and Sango. He and Inuyasha had discussed it last night, while the other two were innocently asleep. Neither of the two were able to sleep; Miroku from being estastic over his new found relationship with Sango, and Inuyasha because he was worrying over Kagome. To be brutally honest, Inuyasha hadn't been able to sleep for about two days now, and only his growing desperation to reach Kagome kept his energy level normal. But if was going to fight Sesshomaru, his energy had to be way past normal, well into the "able to take down Sesshomaru's whole castle with one slice" level. And that required sleep. Inuyasha almost found himself nodding off on the tree, while listening to Miroku drone on about everyone's respective roles in the plan. He quickly woke himself up by scratching a rather deep cut into his face. Inuyasha grimaced. The scratch should heal without a scar, but it would take another couple of hours or so. At least the stinging pain would keep him awake for the rest of the day.
Sesshomaru quickly racked his brain for a plausible answer to Kagome's frantic question. His face, however, kept up a masquerade perfectly, not showing a single flicker of a thought of emotion. "They are imposters." he said.
Shippo peered up at Inuyasha from Miroku's shoulder. "I didn't know you got a cut!" he pointed out. Sango, too, glanced back. "Oh, Inuyasha! I didn't see that yesterday either. Are you all right?"
"Imposters?!" Kagome exclaimed. "Of who?"
Sesshomaru had prepared for this follow up question in the five seconds he'd had available. "Of Inuyasha and your friends, of course."
Inuyasha swatted Sango's hands away from his face. "Stop that!" he snapped irritably. "I'm fine."
"Your cut will get infected!" Sango scolded.
"I'm half demon, remember?!"
"So?"
"But why would anyone want to disguise themselves as my friends?" Kagome asked, bewildered. Sesshomaru hid a smile. He had things under control now.
Miroku, who had been ignoring the fuss over Inuyasha, spotted a large gray shape in the distance. It was surrounded by mist, but the fog was slowly being burned off by the blazing sun. "The castle!"
"And that," Sesshomaru said primly. "is the whole story, as I know it."
Kagome sat on a chair opposite him, her thoughtful face propped up by her hands. "So, these strangers are after the Shikon shards.." she murmured. It felt like she had to repeat what Sesshomaru had told her, just to understand everything. Unconsciously, a hand reached up to clutch the large piece of the Shikon no Tama around her neck. Suddenly, a wave of rage washed over her. "They did that.. just to get the shards?!" She stood up, almost toppling the chair over. "How dare they.. well, just wait 'til they come. They won't know what hit them!" Sesshomaru watched her rush out of the room with a throughly satisfied expression.
"This is suspicious." Inuyasha remarked from his hidden perch in the leaves.
"What is?" Miroku was next to him, keeping a firm grip on Sango's hand, should she relapse and fall.
"There aren't any guards walking around."
"So?" Shippo piped up. "That's good for us, isn't it?"
Miroku understood. "No. Sesshomaru is not that careless. This means that either he has some secret and he knows we can't get in past the front door, or that he has a hidden trap, which will kill all of us easily. Of course, the third option is that he actually wants us to get in, but that's related to the hidden trap theory."
Sango nodded thoughtfully. "That's good, Miroku-kun. We have to be very careful getting in."
"It's the third option." Inuyasha interrupted. The others stared up at him. "How do you know?"
"It's easy." he scowled. "Just think. He hasn't killed Kagome yet, as far as we know." He had keep his voice from breaking when he said the last part. "That means he's using her as bait to lure us in. He doesn't want the shards, because Kagome has them. So he's probably after my Tetsusaiga." Inuyasha tightened his grip on the precious sword.
"So, what?" Miroku wondered out loud. "Do we just stroll in?"
"I'm going first." Inuyasha announced. "If it's safe, you all follow me."
Shippo shook his head fervently. "No!" he declared. "It's dangerous for you to go alone, Inuyasha. After all, if we came so far already, why can't we all go together? We're so close to Kagome!"
"He is wise beyond his years." Miroku intoned.
"Idiots!" Inuyasha griped. "Don't you realize that if there _is_ a trap, then we'd _all_ get killed? This isn't a game! And Shippo, I know you want to be honorable or some other crap like that, but you've proved your point already, okay? Just let me handle it."
Sesshomaru stood on his balcony, hands resting on the stone wall surrounding the platform. He smiled coldly when Inuyasha and his group came into view. The fools. They were all venturing forth all at the same time. It would be a moronic plan if there had been an ambush ready, but as it was, Sesshomaru knew that they would get inside the castle safely. He turned his back to the blue sky and entered his dark room. It was time to talk to Kagome.
Kagome stared out at the fluffly clouds drifting past her window. She realized, quite suddenly, that she hadn't spent time with Rin for a while now. But she really didn't want to dampen the child's spirits with her own confusion and depression. There was a gentle rap on her door.
"Who is it?" she called out. She didn't feel like having Jaken fuss over her, especially since he was just obeying Sesshomaru's orders, and not really caring about her welfare. But the cultured voice that replied was not that of the little toad, but rather Sesshomaru. Kagome had to admit that she still wasn't sure about her feelings for him. While he had always acted as nothing more than a generous friend or caretaker, she felt a stirring feeling within herself whenever she saw him. However, this feeling was sometimes canceled out by the sense of foreboding that also accompanied him. It was almost as if she had a bad memory of him.. but couldn't quite figure it out.
"Idiots!" Inuyasha complained as they made their way warily to the castle, keeping a hand on their weapons and an eye out for danger. "You said that already." Miroku pointed out.
"Can't you get over it?" Shippo added.
Inuyasha gave them all a death glare, but keep silent.
"We're here." Sango announced. They had made it to the front courtyard without incident. Now, to find Kagome..and avoid Sesshomaru.
"They're here?!" Kagome put the delicate china cup down rather forcefully, eyes sparkling with life and anger. "Why, those... what are we going to do, Sesshomaru-sama?!"
"Don't worry," he soothed. "I have a plan. Now, this is completely up to you, whether or not you want to carry it out."
"Of course." Kagome said firmly. "I'm sure this is what my friends would have wanted."
"Ah.." he commented. "You are, ... remembering your friends now?"
She nodded. "And, Sesshomaru-sama, I know this is going to sound strange, but I'm getting a sort of memory of you, too. Are you sure we haven't met before my amnesia?"
Sesshomaru blanked behind his polite masks. 'Shit.. the human is starting to remember me!'
"Of course I'm sure." he said smoothly. "Would I lie to you?"
Kagome colored. "Oh, of course not! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply anything!"
"I'm sure you didn't." Sesshomaru comforted. "Now, here's the plan..."
Inuyasha had his sword in one hand as he peered around a gray stone corner. "Clear." he announced, keeping a careful eye on the windows above them. It would be just like Sesshomaru to pour down some scalding oil or something.
Actually, Sesshomaru had a much more complex plan than Inuyasha was imagining. He figured that the best way to beat his pesky half brother in combat would be to wound him emotionally, first. And what better way to do that than to have Kagome confess her love for Sesshomaru in front of the entire, unsuspecting group? Oh yes, Sesshomaru knew about Kagome's budding feelings for him. He could see it in her aura, how it changed to a gentle pink when he neared, and the way she became more alert and wide-eyed. And, being him, Sesshomaru had planned a way to use this infatuation to his advantage. After all, what plan could be better? He'd get rid of one of his worst enemies in the most crippling way, and have a human female to play with. At least, until she wore out, like all the others. Then, he figured, she could be demoted to playing Rin's nurse. It all worked out. For him, of course.
"He knows we're here." Inuyasha murmured.
"Are you sure?" Sango whispered, peering over his shoulder. "There's no sign of life around here. Looks very deserted, in fact."
"Don't under estimate him." Inuyasha grumbled. "He may me a bastard, but he's a smart bastard."
Kagome rushed out toward the front courtyard, Sesshomaru strolling behind her. She flew out of the hallway and into the garden.
Inuyasha froze as a figure hurtled out of the castle, stopping across the garden from him.
"It's Kagome." Shippo breathed, hardly daring to believe it. But before he could celebrate, Kagome spotted them. Her eyes narrowed. They swept over the group until her piercing gaze landed on Inuyasha. Their eyes met.
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Hmm.. this chapter was short. But I just wanted to tell you guys that I didn't give up on the story or anything. ^_^ Thanks to everyone for reviewing, and please continue to do so! See, when I don't get reviews, I get discouraged and don't think about it as much. But if I keep getting reviews... ^_^_^_^ I would be so happy! Anyway, I check my account almost everyday, so I'll remember to continue if you remember to review! Ah, I probably will anyways..
Thanks!
1/11/02
C