AN: Hey there people! Thanks for the great reviews! Also, thank you for the suggestions! Some of them might show up earlier in a different form..hint hint. As usual, this chapter is a whole lort of nothing big for a while, but it builds up...at least I think it will... Well, I hope you enjoy it! Please review and send any suggestions, comments, or death threats. I really don't know where this chapter is going, but I hope you like it...there are a lot of *~*~* things in this chapter...^^;;; Peace and passion fruit!
Warning: This chapter contains depictions of death, but this is rated PG-13, so if you've been reading it, you should be able to deal with it.
Disclaimer: Is it really necessary for me to put this on every chapter...no...so why do I do it? Because it's fun to make fun of you people who would actually ever think that I own Inu Yasha. I feel sorry for you and your stupidity. Bwhahahahahaa! Uh..yeah.
A TWIST OF FATE*~CHAPTER 13
Kagome, making sure that she was alone this time, undressed, put on the robe, and headed for the hot springs. She needed some more time to think. She had sensed the problems occurring on the eastern border of Sesshoumaru's land. She could sense the death, and...very slightly...she could sense a shikon shard.
She didn't know when her powers had become so much stronger. The eastern border of Sesshoumaru's lands was obviously miles and miles away, yet she could sense a shikon shard, no, multiple shikon shards, as if they were very close. Strange. Everything was changing, it seemed, even herself.
She was so tired, but couldn't get the thoughts out of her head. Thoughts of the next day, thoughts of Rin and Shippo (she worried about the babysitting-toad's sanity), thoughts of Inu Yasha, and, yes, even the self-centered Sesshoumaru.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sesshoumaru stood in his room thinking. The other lords considered him dangerous because he thought so much. But Sesshoumaru had never cared. He thought as he wished and was the better for it. And if the other lords had a problem with it, it made no difference. They wouldn't be quick to bring it up with the infamous, eldest son of Inutaisho.
He thought about how his minute amount of problems had doubled since making a pact with the human girl. Bad move from the beginning. Or was it? He had already justified the pact to himself and taking her with him for the day that would follow. So why did his mind keep on wandering back to that infernal human? I have no time for such games. Sesshoumaru pushed the thoughts of the human woman from his mind and turned to the balcony of his chamber (bedroom doesn't seem right for him). The sun was just setting and he had a perfect view of it, considering his room was in the west wing of the house. The sky was saturated with dark reds and deep purples. He watched as the the glowing sun slowly descended below the horizon. Just another day. Like a second compared to how long he had lived and would live. Sunset was not a beautiful time for Sesshoumaru. It was the time to be even more wary and cautious of his surroundings. He stared straight at the vibrant hues staining the sky, but saw none of them. His focus was elsewhere.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kagome opened her eyes slowly. She yawned and turned her head, looking out on the balcony of her room. The morning sky was beautiful. Everything was starting to glow gold and orange, tips of leaves touched by the first rays of the sun which was, very slowly, peeking out from the horizon. The sunrise was absolutely stunning from her vantage point. Sunrise. OH NO!! SUNRISE! Kagome sat bolt-upright in bed. What if he's already gone! Kagome jumped out of bed and ran around the room, gathering up her clothes and belongings. I can't believe it! Where's that stupid toad when you need him for a wake up call?! She was almost hysterical now.
"You're late."
"Ack!" Kagome jumped what felt like three feet in the air.
"As usual, you humans are anything but punctual."
"Hmph. Look, I'm sorry ok! I was tired! I was up late!" she glared at him.
"And why would that be? You knew we would leave today."
"Yeah..well...I was thinking hard last night." She couldn't stand to meet his intense gaze, so started to go around the room, grabbing her school uniform and searching for her other shoe, slower this time, a little calmer knowing that he hadn't left without her.
"Thinking hard, or hardly thinking."
Kagome growled at him, but continued with her search for her left shoe. That was something that Inu Yasha would say.
"You know..." Kagome looked up at the demon lord, from the ground. "You and Inu-" A strange look formed over her face. "Nevermind."
"Myself and Inu Yasha what."
"Ah-hah! Excuse me." Kagome crawled over to Sesshoumaru.
What does she think she's doing.
Kagome reached around him and grabbed her shoe from its resting spot behind his white-clothed, right leg.
"Myself and Inu Yasha what." this time Sesshoumaru growled a little bit to get the point across. Nobody left him hanging.
"I'm ready!" Kagome said, slipping on her shoe. "Well, are we going, or not?"
"What were you going to say, wench!"
"Huh? I don't know what you're talking about."
"You..." Sesshoumaru growled softlly.
"Oh! That! Yeah, heh heh, well, I was going to say that-"
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" the toad scurried in with a bow. "Ah-Un is ready."
"Oh look...Rock'n Jaken decided to pay us a visit...." Kagome stated offandedly, waving a wrist. Sesshoumaru had no clue as to what she was talking about.
"Where is Rin."
"She's eating breakfast with the fox brat, in the dining hall, my lord."
"Fox brat!?" Kagome growled at Jaken. "Don't you dare call Shippo a fox brat!!" Kagome lunged at Jaken, ready to give him a good kick in the head. Sesshoumaru intervened just in time, grabbing Kagome by the collar of her clothes.
"I can not have you killing my servant." he stated plainly, while restricting the girl who was now reaching for the toad's neck. "If possible in the least bit, I believe your temper has taken a turn for the worse." Sesshoumaru pulled her back from the toad demon who was now huddled in the corner, cursing all human spawn. "We will go see Rin and the kitsune. Then we leave."
Since Kagome had appeared to settle down a bit, Sesshoumaru released her collar and exited the room.
"Both of you. Come."
Kagome muttered something under her breath about drill sargeants and commanders and 'yes sir's. Once again, Sesshoumaru had no idea what she was rambling on about.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Kagome-okasan!" echoed off of the dining room walls as huge mouths, full of breakfast, grinned at the two entering the hall (Jaken in tow). The two children latched themselves onto Kagome's legs.
"Good morning Shippou! Good morning Rin!" Kagome smiled at the two while prying them off of her knees.
"Rin. Have you finished your breakfast." Sesshoumaru turned to the young girl.
"No....." Rin looked down at her feet.
"Then return to the table and do so." The fact that the girl would disobey the rules he had set, just to greet the human woman annoyed him.
"B-But-Kagome-okasan came in!" She looked up at him with huge eyes.
"That is no reason for you to leave the table before you are finished."
Rin cast her eyes back to the floor and looked up again. "Rin is sorry..."
"Rin...I would like it if you would finish your breakfast. I have something to tell you when you are done. You too, Shippo." Kagome said as seriously as she could to the children.
"Oh..OK Kagome-okasan!" Rin ran back to the table and Shippo hopped onto Kagome's shoulder as she walked down and took a seat.
Kagome sat and watched Rin and Shippo finish eating, nibbling a bit of breakfast herself, after Sesshoumaru had demanded it.
"You will not be of any use if you are starving."
Right. Whatever. Kagome frowned, downing some rice.
The kids finished fairly fast. Kagome was thankful, the silence was killing her. Sesshoumaru had taken a seat and taken up his routine of staring at her and Rin while they ate. It was kind of creepy. Thank goodness for the speed at which young children can eat! And thank goodness for their periodic giggles escaping their side of the table as Rin poked Jaken with her chopsticks every so often. Everybody abused him. Even his master. Kagome almost felt bad for the toad-alligator-pigeon cross youkai. Almost. To his credit, he was an extremely loyal servant to Sesshoumaru....either that, or he was very scared for his life.
Rin and Shippou had finished their meal and both simultaneously looked at Kagome. Kagome simultaneously looked to Sesshoumaru for help. Sesshoumaru simultaneously looked like he couldn't give a damn. And it went on like this until:
"Ooh! Kagome-okasan! Tell Shippou and Rin! Tell them what Kagome-okasan said she'd tell them!" Rin clapped her hands.
"Yeah..Kagome-okasan...what're you gonna tell us?" Shippo looked at her, wonderingly. Kagome had a distinct impression that the children had misunderstood the nature of the thing she was going to tell them. Why was she so worked up? They were just going away for a day or two..or three. The children would be fine.
"Well..you see...Sesshoumaru and myself are...well..."
"Rin's gonna have a real mommy tomorrow!!!!" Rin had exploded from her seat, jumping up and down, clapping enthusiastically.
"Yeah!! Way to go, Kagome-okasan!! Wait..what about Inu Yasha..won't he...yeah, right! Forget dog turd! You're gonna be Sesshoumaru's mate! He's way cooler than Inu Yasha!! I'm really gonna have a mom!!" Shippou was bouncing around just as much as Rin and had latched onto Kagome's neck.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It would be an understatement to say that Kagome had a difficult time getting past that and telling the two kids that no, she was not going to marry or mate with Sesshoumaru tomorrow, she was leaving with him on an important trip and they might be gone for a few days. Jaken would take care of them. At this, Shippou had almost screamed.
"You're letting HIM watch us!!"
"Don't worry, Shippou, he'll be nice...won't you, Rock'n Jaken?" Jaken had scuttled off to talk to his master after hearing her say this. But Kagome had reassured the two children that everything would be ok, leaning down and whispering something to both of them. They had immediately cheered up and waved Kagome and Sesshoumaru happily off. In the next few days, Jaken would discover that the two children had been told of a large chest containg many small kimonos and makeup. He would discover the ultimate horror of the game so affectionately known by Rin and Shippo as 'dolls'. The only problem was...there wasn't a single doll in the house. But children are resourceful. They would soon, with the aid of Kagome's departing whispers, find a great replacement.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He had to give her some credit. The girl had kept up amazingly well. But they had well been going on eight hours of consistant traveling, Sesshoumaru and Kagome walking beside Ah-Un. But the girl was finally looking a bit worn. She had asked if they could stop for a rest, but Sesshoumaru did not wish to waste time. He threw her onto to back of Ah-Un. He couldn't understand why she had to take a ridiculous bag with her. What could she posibly have in it? It was very....substantial...to say the least. He imagined it was half her body weight. So what? If she wished to suffer, let her. But he wouldn't have her holding him up.
Kagome sat atop Ah-Un a little bit nervous. The creature had eyed her and sniffed her. She wasn't quite sure of what to think, but it seemed to have accepted her, continuing on, basically ignoring her prescence on its back. It was completely indifferent right now. Ha. It's true. Pets do resmble their owners. The personality of Sesshoumaru, and the greeness of Jaken, who was, undoubtedly its caretaker. But, after a couple of minutes of riding atop of the dragon, Kagome became comfortable and settled into a more relaxed position.
I do not understand. How can she be so trusting. She is surely incompetent. She is too willing to trust everything so quickly. She is so open. Why, she even believes that I will not kill or even harm her. Foolish. Indeed.
So far, in the entire trip, not a word had been said since they had left Sesshoumaru's home. Kagome could feel someone watching her when she looked away, but when she turned to Sesshoumaru, his focus was elsewhere. Psycho maniac! Kagome screamed in her head. A few times.
Any other time, she woulnd't have minded. Any other time, Shippou would have been there. Any other time..Miroku, Sango, sometimes Myouga...even Inu Yasha would be there..How were all of them?... And any other time this never would have happened in the first place. Man, fate loved to screw with her.
Kagome was abruptly torn from her reveries as Ah-Un came to an abrupt halt and she nearly flew over the beast's shoulders.
Glancing ahead of them, Kagome could see why Ah-Un had stopped. The soil on the path in front of them was stained with the blood of what appeared to have been a group of three vililagers. Sesshoumaru stood over the boddies, examining the carnage. Kagome felt her stomach churn and nearly fell off of the dragon again, averting her gaze. Sesshoumaru stepped over the bodies and, without a word, continued down the path, Ah-Un following in his wake.
Kagome looked to Sesshoumaru's form. She desperately wanted to ask him who those people were and how they had been killed, and why. But the urge to ask was counter-balanced by the fear of Sesshoumaru's response since, after observing the people on the path, his face had become dangerously dark and closed.
They continued, more cautiously this time. Less than a half an hour later they came to a clearing in the woods. Just above the tree line, Kagome could make out tendrils of black smoke rising into the air, joining a grey cloud that had gathered there. The smell of burning filled her head, burning her throat and nose, pulling at her stomach. But Sesshoumaru continued on. Kagome felt a rising tide of fear and anxiousness wash over her. She reprimanded herself for being so affraid and braced herself for something awful. She could feel it around her, smell it in the smoke, and hear it in the absence of forest life around her.
Slowly, coming out of the woods, they caught a glimpse of a small village. Sesshoumaru led them on and they approached it, the feeling of dread in Kagome rising immensely. They walked to the first building. A small hut built similar to Kaede's, buring brightly. They continued on through the middle of the road. Numerous scattered houses were in different stages of being enveloped by fire. Something was not right. Not right at all. Not just the burning. Wouldn't the villagers be attempting to put out the fire? There wasn't a person in sight. Just burning huts. She imagined nearly all of them were up in flames. Not a person in sight. Had they fled? Something was definitely wrong.
Sesshoumaru had sensed it. The smell. Not the burning, that was obvious. But the smell. He knew what had taken place here. The demon or demons that did this would pay dearly.
Kagome looked around them and caught a glimpse of a shrine at the edge of the village. It was untouched by flames. Sesshoumaru led them away from the houses and towards the shrine. Kagome could sense the pull of the shikon shards stronger now. They approached the small shrine slowly. It was simple, yet fairly large for a village that size. The nagging feeling in Kagome's stomach grew stonger, if possible. It was a medium-sized structure with steps leading up to its sliding wood-paneled door. There were slats in the door and above it that allowed light into the structure, but none escaped back out through them. A new smell reached Kagome's nose. The smell of iron tinged the air.
Sesshoumaru stopped at the foot of the stairs, Kagome stopping behind him, leaving Ah-Un a few feet away. Sesshoumaru seemed to be contemplating something but proceeded to climb the five or six short steps, Kagome trailing closely behind. Her heart skipped a beat. Her hands were sweating but she felt chilled to the bone. Sesshoumaru stood at the door way. He reached out and slid the door open easily.
A small scream escaped Kagome's lips. A body fell half way over the threshold of the doorway.
Her eyes opened in horror. She couldn't believe it. The dead. Piles of the dead. Men, women, children. All...dead, swimming in pools of blood. Some had been run through with an unidentifiable large object, others had arms, legs, or heads ripped off. Mangled boddies were strewn across the floor of the shrine. Blood. Staining everything. And that feeling. The light from behind them cast eerie shadows on the piles of the dead, making them even more grotesque in the black pools of eachother's blood, eyes open, staring wildly at an unseen enemy, blood flowing from their mouths and wounds. She desperately wished to pry her eyes away, but couldn't.
She had seen many people that had been murdered before, such as when Kohaku, Sango's little brother had killed a village, but for some reason, this was far more sickening than that. She couldn't handle any more death. Kagome held her stomach and covered her mouth, turning away from the horrid sight.
Sesshoumaru stood, looking over the corpses, a stoic mask concealing his face. He hadn't wanted her to see it. He had known, before opening the door, what lay behind it. He had known since they entered the village. The smell had given it away. He hadn't wanted her to see it. He didn't know why. He wanted to protect her from it, as much as his fury and pride hated it, he had wanted to, just as he did for Rin. He didn't want her to know the truth....but he had allowed her to follow him anyway. He hadn't thought she would come. She turned back to him now, avoiding the scene before them.
"What happened to them..." Kagome looked up at him, her beautiful blue eyes now clouded over with grey. Sesshoumaru stood silent for a moment. Keeping his face in check he coldly replied:
"Stupidity."
Kagome looked as if she were pained greatly. Sesshoumaru just didn't...
"No. Do no think that. They were victims of stupidity." he stated coldly. He slid the door closed and began to descend the steps.
"Wait..." Kagome remained standing on the steps. "Can't we-"
"There is nothing you can do for them. Their time is over. They are finished." There was a type of finality in his voice that hit Kagome hard.
"But I thought you could bring people back to life!!!" Kagome screamed at him. He could smell salt. Her eyes were shining.
"They are past my ability."
No... They couldn't be. "You're Sesshoumaru! Sesshoumaru, God damn it!! You brought Rin back to life! You fought off Naraku! You.... can save people..."
While Sesshoumaru had stood in front of the doorway to the shrine, he had not felt tenseiga pulse at his side. The people had been beyond reviving. They had been dead too long. Not that he would have revived them right then and there anyway.
"As I said. They are past my help. They are past your help. Yes, I am Sesshoumaru, but I am not...."
He could feel her struggling against a wave of emotion.
"At least can we give them a little bit of respect...." she whispered quietly.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She had restrained her feelings and collected her thoughts. Sesshoumaru opened the sliding wooden door once more. Kagome had gathered up all the strength she could muster and entered the small building. The scent of blood and burnt flesh stung at her throat, along with the smoke from outside. She gazed upon the dead villagers, the broken bodies. Children. Children and their mothers. And the fathers. All...gone. All in a holy structure. All dead. Kagome closed her eyes and knelt down, touching the pools of blood. Demons, places, even humans can be purified. The whole shrine held a black aura, but slowly, she purified it with a stronger power than she had ever exhibited before.
She stood, glancing around the shrine, an odd look in her eyes. Suddenly, she felt Sesshoumaru's presence next to her. He observed the bodies, looking for signs of what evil thing had done the task. None to be found, but the place reaked of demon. It surprised him slightly to see that she had cleansed the entire shrine. No...how was I unaware of this.. Realization hit Sesshoumaru.
"Move." Sesshoumaru grabbed Kagome by the waist and jumped out the closed door, splintering it in the process, just as the whole building was smashed in from the roof. He let go of Kagome, placing her on her feet. "Get your bow. Now." He growled. Kagome ran to Ah-Un and grabbed her bow and arrows off of it's back, turning around to see a giant, knarled, clawed hand lift itself from the remains of the splintered shrine. The creature was similar to that of the one that Sesshoumaru had been controlling the second time he had attacked Inu Yasha when Kagome was there. It was undoubtedly a black ogre. And a huge, very threatening one at that. Not to mention...
So..this is the creature that has been killing the humans and taking over my land. It will pay for its supidity. None have toyed with Sesshoumaru and lived to tell the tale. It will die.
"It has two jewel shards!" Kagome called. "I can sense them!"
Sesshoumaru raised a clawed hand and charged the demon with incredible speed, cutting easily through the right arm of the creature. It roared, swiping at him with its other arm. Sesshoumaru easily dodged the attack landing next to kagome. The creature roared again, it's right arm gushing black torrents of blood. But the creature glowed brightly and the arm melded back to its body in less than a minute.
"The jewel shards help it regenerate, or piece itself back together." Kagome told Sesshoumaru. "We have to remove the shards!"
"You can see them."
"Well, not at this moment, he's moving too much. I think they're hidden in him." Kagome replied hastily.
"Ready your bow." With that, Sesshoumaru went in for a second attack, this time drawing toukijin. The ogre swung at him with his a contorted, claw yet again. Kagome strung an arrow, pulling it taunt. Sesshoumaru dodged to the left and sliced through the center of its stomach, coming out on the other side. But the creature regenerated faster than the first time and swung at Sesshoumaru as he was turning in the air.
"Sesshoumaru! Watch out!" Kagome let fire an arrow, sending it streaking at the arm that was flying toward Sesshoumaru. It hit just as Sesshoumaru sliced at the arm. There was a blinding light and a howl from the giant demon. It's arm had completely disintegrated. Hmph! I'd like to see him grow that one back! Kagome scanned the ogre while it was motionless.
"Sesshoumaru! The shards! There's one in it's neck and one in its other shoulder!" Kagome shouted to him above the demon's roaring cry.
Sesshoumaru nodded curtly, holding the toukijin in front of him. Kagome readied another arrow. Sesshoumaru charged, this time appearing from behind the beast, slashing down its spine. Without thinking, Kagome too the opportunity and shot an arrow at its shoulder, just above where the shard was. Sesshoumaru landed again in front of the ogre as it howled in pain, its right shoulder gashed out by the purification. A shard dropped to the ground. One more.. Kagome thought.
Again, Sesshoumaru attacked the thing, this time from the side, distracting it. Kagome readied another arrow, but the ogre turned to her.
"Move human!" Sesshoumaru growled at her as he ran through the demon with his claws, not a second to soon. Kagome fell to the ground, nearly missing a deadly shot. The ogre recovered from Sesshoumaru's attack, but more slowly this time. Sesshoumaru redrew toukijin and went in for the final attack. Kagome stood up, grabbing her bow and an arrow, knowing what to do. At the same time, Sesshoumaru performed an amazing attack with the sword, bringing it down upon the ogre with incredible speed and precision and Kagome released the final arrow, as the creature howled, sending it dead-on to its mark. It bored into the ogre's neck with perfect accuracy. Another blinding light enveloped them, a great roar shook the ground, and the ogre slowly parished before their eyes. Kagome stumbled over to Sesshoumaru who was staring at the two shards on the ground. It was over.
"All those humans killed by that. Hmph." He snorted. "Weak. These are what you want." Sesshoumaru looked at the two fragments with boredom.
"Yeah..." Kagome stooped down and picked up the shards which were, immediately, purified. Sesshoumaru turned away and began walking.
"Sesshoumaru...wait..." Kagome said, timidly. She caughed, only now realizing the the burning huts had almost been turned to ashes, and the smoke in the air was heavy and dangerous. Sesshoumaru stopped and turned to her, an odd, rare look on his face. Was it disgust? No. Something much different. "Can we at least give them....a little more respect....please.." Kagome looked at the wreckage which had been the shrine. It just wasn't right.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They set the shrine on fire, Kagome reasoning with Sesshoumaru that even if they were just humans, their bodies did not deserve to just sit and rot together in a crushed shrine. Of course, Sesshoumaru had said nothing. Kagome found herself thinking about her friends again, wishing that she had Miroku with her to see the souls off properly.
The two started off again, a different way from that of which they had come, but in the same direction.
"Those poor people...We're going home now, aren't we?" Kagome asked, walking beside Sesshoumaru, and carrying that ridiculous pack with her. Not as big as the yellow one she usually had, but still...
"Perhaps."
Kagome was lucky to even get that out of him, so she didn't press any further. Home...since when have I called that place home!!!! Kagome screamed at herself. What are you thinking!! That's not home! Home is with the people you love!! With your friends! Home is.....with the people you love.. But she did love the people there. She loved Shippou and Rin. And she had her friends Maki and Kaji there. And there was Sesshoumaru....
"Did you notice anything strange."
"Huh? What?" Kagome snapped out of her trance. "Oh, you mean besides the burning village, shrine full of the dead villagers, and a humongous black ogre? No..nothing. Why do you ask?"
Nerves. She could touch his nerves like no one else.
"It is too complicated for a human to notice. But, I do believe that there is a cold stream near by, and I do believe that you could use another bath." There was something in his eyes. Kagome examined them from the side. Yep. Definitely a bit of humor. Maybe he wasn't so hopeless after all.
But yes....Kagome thought..I did notice something... Kagome frowned to herself. The ogre had bore two shards..but she had sensed at least four...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yay!! Done!! I hope the fight scene was ok! This chapter was pretty long and pretty hard to write...so I would really appreciate reviews and suggestions! Thank you to those that sent in suggestions last chapter! Hey, is the name of Sesshy's dragon thing right? What about his and Inu's dad? Well, I would like to get..I know this is a lot, But I would like twenty reviews before I post the next chapter. Let me know you guys still like the story. Well, hope you like it! See you next chapter! BTW, I know I changed the spelling of Shippou's name about half way through, but I was tired of the American version. ^^ Well, next time, maybe some more fights...or maybe..something else...Oo..dramatic pause...Bwahahahaha! Ahem. Bye.