{Disclaimer: See chapter one, b/c it ain't here.}
DemonLady1, Badgerwolf, Hinoke, Lord Sesshoumaru, Artemis the Goddess, Toxic Tears1, AlyaaNesia, and Shina-Schatten: Thanks and I'm coming with more as soon as I possibly can…if a box doesn't fall on me first!
Chapter Ten:
Fluffy Tells All
Sesshoumaru woke in the middle of the night, cursing under his breath. 'I have tried for days, but all I get is Rin,' he grumbled to himself as he banked the fire. He studied the others around them. Sango and Miroku were sleeping in the same positions as they had been when he first joined them, Shorin and Keni'Chi were asleep on opposite sides of the same tree and Shippou was asleep in Sesshoumaru's tail. Sesshoumaru sighed. 'Why did I allow this kit to become so attached to me?' he asked himself as his tail twitched around Shippou. Shippou giggled in his sleep.
"Stop, Kagome! That tickles!" he whispered sleepily, falling back into whatever dream he was having soon after. Sesshoumaru shook his head, amused. 'That is why. Where is Inuyasha?' He gazed into a nearby tree at the folds of red. Inuyasha sat in the tree quietly, watching the stars. Sesshoumaru leaped into the tree beside him, startling him.
"Why don't you stick your hand through my chest, it's more effective than scaring the hell out of me," Inuyasha grumbled, his hand clasped over his heart.
"What is it?" Sesshoumaru asked, gazing at the stars. Shippou twitched a little, then grabbed a fistful of tail and sighed. Inuyasha fought back a giggle.
"How do you stand him?" he asked. Sesshoumaru shrugged. "There are worst things to tolerate. Why are you so distracted?"
"Don't tell me you care, Fluffy?"
"I do not but you are standing watch. I would rather you be more aware than you are. What is wrong?"
Inuyasha sighed, sitting down on the branch below Sesshoumaru. "Kikyou and I had a talk."
Sesshoumaru nodded. He heard their conversation, and though he agreed with the corpse she didn't have the best timing.
"I'm sure you heard what was said."
Sesshoumaru nodded again. Inuyasha turned to look at him. "When she said that, when she said 'forget me and live,' I honestly didn't think I could. But as today wore on, I realized that Kikyou released me. She didn't want me to feel guilty anymore, you know? As soon as I realized that, I saw Kagome's face. It was then that I knew. I saw every time Kikyou tried to take me to Hell, Kagome always was there to stop her. By the way Sesshoumaru, why are you so interested in her?"
Sesshoumaru returned Inuyasha's gaze, his golden eyes unfeeling. "She is powerful."
"So you're using her?"
"Are you not using her?" Sesshoumaru asked. "Do you not call her nothing more than a 'shard detector'? Did you not mate the corpse in front of her?"
Inuyasha winced. "Kagome saw that, huh?"
"Yes."
Inuyasha scratched his head. "Then I guess you won't believe me when I say I love her, will you?"
Sesshoumaru stiffened. "Why should I care?"
"You're right. I just wanted you to know that when we find her, I'm not going to let her out of my sight again."
"Why do you love her?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Inuyasha sighed. "She's the only part of Kikyou I can have."
"Then she will not return your affections."
"How do you know?"
Sesshoumaru glared at Inuyasha, ice in his tone. "Because I know her."
Inuyasha chuckled. "You know what I think? I think you're jealous. You know she loves me and you don't like it. For once in my life, I have something my brother doesn't."
Sesshoumaru ignored him, returning his gaze to the stars. Inuyasha sighed happily.
"Yup. You're jealous."
Sesshoumaru shoved him in an instant, sending Inuyasha to the ground with a thump! Inuyasha scowled, then grinned.
"I'm right, you know. And if you're jealous, then I know I gotta have her."
"You sound like Naraku."
Inuyasha winced, then blinked in surprise. "What do you mean by that? Don't tell me that you and Kagome have some sort of link or something?"
"We do."
"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!!!"
The others bolted up instantly, glaring around for what woke them up. When their eyes fell on a certain screaming hanyou, shoes of various sizes flew toward his head. Inuyasha scowled under the 'assault'.
"Hey, what are you hitting me for?" he yelled. "Sesshoumaru's the one we should be beating up!"
"Why?" Shippou grumbled, rubbing his eyes.
Miroku agreed. "He's not the one yelling in the middle of the night."
"True, but he's the one with a MIND LINK to Kagome!"
"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!!!"
Sesshoumaru winced as Shippou and the others repeated what Inuyasha said earlier.
"Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Sango demanded. Sesshoumaru glared down at her. "What I do is my business."
Inuyasha fumed, his face turning red. "You mean to tell us that you've had a direct way to talk to Kagome and YOU DIDN'T TELL US?"
"I did not see a purpose in relaying such information. You, Inuyasha, were preoccupied. Why do you care?"
"Does she know?" Miroku asked. Sesshoumaru nodded.
"Does she miss me?" Shippou whispered, patting Sesshoumaru's ear.
Sesshoumaru nodded. "She asks me about you often."
Shippou smiled. Inuyasha kicked the tree, nearly knocking Shippou from his taiyoukai perch. "You've been asleep tonight, right Fluffy?"
"Call me that again and you will not live to tell about it."
Inuyasha scowled, ignoring the comment. "Have you or not?"
"Yes."
"How is she?"
"I do not know."
The others stared at him in confusion.
"You lie," Inuyasha accused. "You just don't want to say."
"I do not know, damn it!" Sesshoumaru snarled. The others watched in horrified awe as he vented.
"Do you think it is easy to say that?" he thundered down the tree.
"I have tried for days to reach her, but she is too exhausted to think straight! The only thing she is feeling is fear. She is running, she is scared and she is tired! Is that enough for you, Inuyasha?! Or do you need to hear how you're half-assed way of protecting her put her directly into Naraku's hands?! That he tortures her nightly and is trying to mate her? Or maybe it would make you feel better to know that when I get my hands on that hanyou, I will personally rip him apart! Well, Inuyasha? Which do you want to know first?"
Inuyasha blinked, stunned. This was the most emotion he'd seen Sesshoumaru express since they were children, and even then he wasn't as angry as he was right now. Inuyasha and the others sat back down, digesting this new information. Shippou patted Sesshoumaru's ear again, gaining the cooling taiyoukai's attention.
"What happens if she stops running?" he whispered.
"She will die."
------
SF: I was recently flipping through the chapters to 'Chosen' and guess what?
Inu-cast: What?
SF: We only have-{flips through 'Chosen'::} five more chapters to go.
Inu-chan: Yes! I'm tired of being in this hell hole
Sesshou: There's another story after this, correct?
SF: Sure is! It's 'Trial of the Century' and it'll start two weeks after 'Chosen' ends! The reviews, the preview and the recommendation (with the story id, ::thanks Steff:: ) are below.
Chapter Eleven: Sanctuary
"Did you tell her what I said?"
"Hai."
Inuyasha beamed. "What'd she say?"
Sesshoumaru regarded him behind his mask of boredom with mischief. 'I suppose I should tell him the truth, even though the little minx didn't tell me who the other man was.' He remembered the last time they raced motorcycles in her dreamscape, and what she said when he told her she was going to lose. Sesshoumaru smiled and rested his hand on Inuyasha's shoulder.
RECOMMENDATION: ForgetMeNot by Youkai Yume
I wish I could leave the story id but I don't know it. It's a good story anyway, in spite of my air headedness. The Inu-tachi find Sesshoumaru after a fight with a vicious bear youkai, bleeding profusely and in need of help. Inuyasha moves to kill him when Kagome stops him and nurses Sesshou back to health. Soon the taiyoukai can't seem to stop thinking about our favorite miko, and here is where the story begins. You know I can't tell you the story in full b/c it's not finished and that would rob you of a great story. Go read it and review. If you need the story id, holler back and I'll find it and send it to you.
Responses:
Fanfiction:
Banana Flavored Eskimo: Oh noooooo I like Johnny Depp just fine thank you very much. {::glomps CJS::} I'm coming with another chapter soon, I hope.
Kay Kylo: Thanks for the favs list! I'm so honored! I'm glad you like this fic so much!
Kouga: Now now. Watch what you call me or else you won't get a fic of your own. ^.^
Sukuri: Yeah, I thought it was weird too but my muse said to do it. She's always right, you know. (Or at least she thinks she is) I thought about the note thing too. I'm not too sure about it though. I like responding to reviews. It makes me feel special. I know what you mean about drilling teachers. Mine are trying to drill the idea of why its a good idea to have at least nine people in the kitchen of an average style restaurant. I've never read 'Shared Blood.' I'm going to have to get on that. Thanks!
AkxTp: I'm glad you like the nickname. The fourth sword is the Tosusaiga itself. The third sword, the museum curator was talking about, has to be named by the owner of the sword when its awakened. Since no one owns the sword yet, it doesn't have a name. I can't let you use you're stereo...I'll just use my brother's. {::grinning madly as she holds up a stereo speaker::} Oh Naraku, come here...oh well. When I find him, I'll get him. Ooooooooo! Chocolate! {::pounces on chocolate bar::} Thanks!
Aria^o^: Because I would have said the same thing. Kikyou has her reasons for helping Kagome and they have more to do with the jewel than Kagome herself. If we find him we'll send him to you via Fed-Ex.
Disturbed-Demon-Gurl: Awwww, isn't he the cutest thing?! {::hugs Sesshoumaru doll::} I just love him! Thank you! I'll give him a loving home, won't I Sesshou-cutie? {::Sesshoumaru doll nods::}
Fire Phoenix: Thanks for the goodies! I'm coming sooner or later, I hope.
The Hitokiri Battousai Himura: If you do I can't continue, then we'll both be out of luck. ; - ) I'm coming as soon as possible. Holler back anytime!
Aphiopsyduck: It is isn't it? I'm not going to let him near the keyboard again. Yup, the castle was empty. I hope Kikyou explained it well enough in the above chapter. If she didn't, because she is rather hard to deal with, holler back and I'll gladly explain.
Dark Neko-Chan: Sesshou, you be nice and don't let DN-C hurt herself! I saw the picture of you! I nearly died laughing! Sesshou looks so tortured! I loved it! I nearly fell off my perch laughing so Moms thinks I'm nuts again. Per usual. I agree with DN-C, you are cute! {::hugs Sesshou::}
Say-Chan the Pyro: There are a few people, so I can't truly say. You'll just have to stay with me and find out. I'm so evil! Muhahaha- Whap! Naraku: {::standing over SF with her mallet::} That's for all the lumps on the head over the past couple of days. Now where's that keyboard? Inu-chan: What happened to SF? Naraku, you die! {::Naraku and Inu-chan fight while Sesshou and the other Inu cast look on::}
AnimeKittyCat: I'll tell Naraku that you like his little chapter, even though I'm sure you'll only encourage him. Thanks so much for the love! So many people like this story, and it always amazes me. I'll try to write longer chapters, but I don't think they'll get longer until 'Sanctuary' which is chapter eleven, I think. Oh yeah, welcome to the nuthouse. If you see Naraku run past you with a golden keyboard, with Inu-chan and Sesshou on his tail, just step to the side and go about your day.
Jazzylady: Sorry about that. Someday I'll catch that little perv. {::watches with JL as Kikyou walks by, then burst out laughing::} THAT was good! I never thought I'd see the day! As for Kikyou having a heart, she doesn't. She only did what she did to keep the jewel protected. She doesn't give two flips about Kagome. Plus she's still pissed about Naraku calling her a slut and all. I would be too. Thanks for bashing her, I can't take much more of that. Entertainment coming up as soon as possible.
Eddie4: You're really going to be pissed at me this week.
CleoClaudia: Sesshou stands Inu-chan because- Sesshou: Because it would be beneath me to respond to such childish ribbing. I do not care what the half breed calls me, just so long as he doesn't get his hanyou smell on me. SF: Sesshou! That wasn't nice. Sesshou: Since when have I been nice? SF: Oh yeah, good point. Well, there's your answer, even though Sesshou didn't have to be rude and butt in.
Hoshi-chan1: Yeah, he likes that kind of thing. Don't let Inu-chan fool you, he likes it too. Kagome, could you prove my point please. Kagome: Sure. Inuyasha? Inu-chan: What? Kagome: Sit. Thump! SF: {::looking at Inu-chan sized crater in stage::} Perfect. That's just perfect. Kagome: Sorry SF. SF: No problem, but I meant to scratch his ears or something. {::smacks Sesshou away::} Move, pervert! Miroku: {::looking up from fridge::} Huh? I haven't done anything!
Niamha: There will be more Sess/Kag fluff, but not until at least Chapter Ten. Sorry about that. Sesshou pissed me off and this is the only way I know of to get him back.
Youkai Yume: Naraku calling her a slut. I'm sure you've heard the phrase 'Hell hath no fury' yadda yadda. Well, there you go. The hassle is necessary to introduce someone, or something. You'll see what I mean soon.
Steff: Hee hee {::looks around sheepishly::} I knew I forgot something. Sorry about that! From now own, I'm putting the id. My muse fries my brain cells and makes them into a funny hat.
Kinky Usagi: Thanks for agreeing with me. I don't really care if Kikyou lives or dies in the anime, but she was of some use here.
INUGIRL: Thanks so much for what you said for the 'What to Do' review! {::bows::}
Inu Yokai: Ooooo...a magic box of pocky! I think I can whip up a little something for that!
Inuyashafan13: Great to see you back! I was starting to wonder about you.
Mistress Fluffy: I'll have to pick it up then. Kagome won't get kidnapped again, but things will get just a tad strange around here. I can see Inu-chan as a pimp too with the bright red suit with red gators to match. lol God that would be great!
Mystical Angel4: Naraku...in a pink tutu? {::shudders violently::} No sleep tonight. {::adds another lump to MA's head::} Don't do that again! Send the picture anyway! It can't look any worse than mine. Mine look like warped versions of the Mario brothers, that's why I don't post them. {::bops Sesshou too::} And you stop telling her she can't draw!
Nymph Demon: Yes, Naraku did, didn't he? {::grins evilly::} Kikyou, could you please explain why you helped Kagome? Kikyou: I guess. See, I didn't like Naraku's comment about me being tainted in one of the earlier chapters. So to get back at him- Naraku: You let my miko loose? You hateful, ungrateful- Whap! SF: {::holding mallet and grinning::} Jerk. That was very rude Naraku-san. Next time you'll wait your turn.
Del_Kaidin: You know what...I never thought of that as a reason for Kikyou to help. Could that be true Kikyou? Kikyou: {::shrugs::} Could be. SF: I never get a straight answer from these people. Thanks for the recommendation again.
Shortcake: Sesshoumaru's mark is how. She can't mask that, which is why she chose to hide it from Naraku. I think its always a different castle in the anime but in this story it's the same one.
Clow Angel: I know. ^.^ I guess it just goes to show you can't change a book by its cover.
Spork or Foon: I checked out your bio page today and found a great story by Youkai Yume. I forgot about her. So that's your other name...I was wondering about that. I'm going to have to check you out
Tessa3: I missed you! It's good to see you back!
Vegito044: I'm glad that I'm the first to do that. I like the unexpected and I'm glad that you do too. On another subject: Do you write DBZ stories?
DogDemon1: Thanks so much! I'm so not worthy!
Dark Neko-chan: I totally appreciate the drawing, per usual and the hard work you obviously did. I can't wait for MM to stop acting up so I can post it. Thanks so much!
Mediaminer:
