Chapter Two: Bloodstained on the Last perfect day.
"Sesshoumaru! Don't you have something to do!? " Inuyasha barked. If it was their father's sword he was after he'd walk away empty-handed.
"Inuyasha..." Sesshoumaru purred softly. He brushed some of his hair behind his ears and flashed a smile.
"He smiles?" Kagome sneered. "Would have never guessed." She positioned an arrow on her bow. Miroku and Sango positioned themselves as well not to far behind them.
"What do you think you're doing wench?" The hanyou snapped.
"What does it look like, I'm helping!" Kagome answered.
"Oh...no, get back! I don't need you in the way! And besides, who do you think you are? Little Mrs. Perfect? You couldn't hit anything to save your life." Kagome's face fell a little, that hurt. Sesshoumaru watched with interest, sensing her hidden feelings. She'd be perfect for his plan... "Face it, you'll never be as good as Kikiyo anytime soon so what's the use of wasting arrows? All of you stay out of this!" he directed his gaze towards Miroku and Sango who backed down.
Kagome on the other hand didn't move. She had the right mind to hit him with her arrow. He was so inconsiderate some times. Another reason to hate him. "Kagome, please! Let's go!" Shippo pleaded, his eyes wide. Sighing with defeat she left Inuyasha to his business and went to comfort the neverous kitsune. She'd get him later.
"Having woman troubles brother?" Sesshoumaru cooed. He loved toying with his idiot brother; it brought so much joy to his life.
"Shut up!" came the reply followed by Inuayasha swinging the Tetsusaiga. He didn't care where it hit as long as it hit. Maybe he'd chop his other arm off...yeah that sounded good. "Die!"
"Inuyasha's fighting blindly..." Miroku commented as he watched. All the blows Inuyasha delivered were dodged expertly, much to his annoyance and only severed in pissing him off more.
"Something's wrong here..." Kagome looked around, she knew she could sense something but what? "A jewel shard! Sesshoumaru has a jewel shard!" He never needed them before? What made this any different? It was strange... She head snapped in the direction of the battle just as Inuyasha's cry echoed through the air. "Inuyasha!" Her eyes widened. Sesshoumaru had him pinned to the ground, his poison claws drenched with blood. Suddenly those yellow eyes turned on her and she felt a cold shiver go down her spine. She didn't like that look. He got up, leaving Inuyasha were he lay and walked to her. Miroku went around to aid Inuyasha while Sango went after Sesshoumaru. Kagome felt helpless and she hated it more than anything. She backed up then turned breaking into an all out run. What did she do? Sango's effort to help her had bee in vain, for she too was no match for the demon. He swatted her away effortlessly, her back connecting with a nearby tree with a sickening thud.
"Stay away!" Kagome screeched. Closing her eyes she fired an arrow at him hoping it would hit. A growl escaped his lips and Kagome let out a silent cheer and opened her eyes, ready to run for it. Her arrow penetrated his shoulder! Yes! Her legs finally working she turned and ran for her life. The last thing she remembered before she backed out was Inuyasha's enraged cry and the searing pain as Sesshoumaru's claws ripped through her flesh.
*~*~*~*~*~
"Kagome! Kagome!" Tiny hands patted her face and she groaned trying to swat them away. Her head hurt like hell and there was a dull pain in her now bandaged side.
"Uh...Shippo?" She sat up, the pain slapping her in the face full force. "Ow." The Kistune latched onto her, draping his arms around her neck and started to sob. She smiled softly, stroking the back of his head and whispering comforting words in his ear.
"She up yet?" Kagome's head snapped up and her eyes narrowed as a familiar dog demon stalked towards her. "You! I thought I told you to stay back! You could have been killed!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Well, excuse me dog boy but I didn't exactly ask for the brother from hell to come after me!" Kagome protested. How dare he make this seem like it was all her fault. "I shot him didn't I? Isn't that good enough? I'm not Kikiyo!" Shippo clung to Kagome's chest looking up at Inuyasha with large eyes. Inuyasha seemed to always fight with Kagome, ever since that day in the forest...
"You're damn right you're not....she was prettier anyway. What would you do if I wasn't here to protect you?" He sneered. He turned to leave falling suddenly on his knees. "Damn it!" His hand raised up to clutch his chest and his breathing became short. Suddenly he regretted yelling at her. He never meant, it's just that he was so relieved to know she was all right, not that he'd let her know that.
Miroku's form could be seen rushing towards them and he quickly knelt besides the angry demon to check for a fever. "Inuyasha....I told you to stay put." He scolded. "You have to rest until that poison wears off, too much movement could cause it to get worse." Miroku helped him get to his feet, grumbling about how irresponsible Inuyasha could be.
But before they disappeared her turned to Kagome, his yellow eyes seemed to search her for a while. "Stay put. It's bad enough Sesshoumaru stole the jewel shards... Don't do anything else stupid. " he hissed. With a small sigh and a shake of his head Miroku lead him away, the idiot.
"Poison? My shards..." Kagome let the word linger for a while. He was poisoned. She felt sorrow for him for some reason. Despite the fact that ever since the incident in the woods he's been finding ever reason to anger her, she actually felt sorry for him. She looked around her for the first time; she was perched up against a small tree. Her bow and arrow lay neatly next to her. Sango lay not to far from her, her back had been bandaged and she was now sleeping soundly.
"Kagome?" Shippo asked cautiously tugging at her shirt.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Are you feeling ok?"
"Fine Shippo, I can take care of myself and I'll prove it to him, to them all." Kagome looked down at her bow and arrows. For as long as she could remember Inuyasha had been there to protect her. She never really had to worry about danger and she was extremely grateful for that, but lately he treated her like a burden and she didn't like that.
"What are you going to do Kagome?" Shippo in truth was afraid to ask, but whatever she decided, he would be there by her side.
"Right now...I'm going to sleep." Was the reply. The little fox nodded and snuggled into Kagome's warm arms.
*~*~*~*~
Kagome awoke later that night; the sky was pitch black with only the stars to guide her and a small fire. Sango was still sleeping next to her. To her left she could see Miroku sleeping peacefully, his staff lay across his shoulder. Inuyasha lay sleeping next to him, the Tetsusaiga at his side. Setting Shippo down she silently crept towards them. The fire crackled cheerfully as she neared it, it's warmth reaching out for her. She just wanted to make sure they were sleeping.
She neared Inuyasha first, waving her hands in front of his face first. No response. Next she tried touching his hand and to her relief the most movement she received was a flinch. She turned to leave, not even bothering to check the Monk. Through his mumbling every now and then the name Sango was heard. But there was something else among the quiet noise, a different name coming from the direction of Inuyasha. Had he heard her? Slowly she crept back to where he lay and knelt besides him, a hand on his shoulder.
No, he was still sleep but then what was that noise she had heard? Her heart sank with realization as the sound was heard again. She backed away from him, her heart filling with anger. He wasn't calling her, but that bitch Kikiyo! That's all he talked about. And it pissed her off to no end. Maybe once she left he'd finally be happy and he could have his Kikiyo. She got up to leave, stopping when her eyes fell on something. The Tetsusaiga. Quietly Kagome picks it up and leaves, that ought to hurt his pride a little. She stops at her tree and picks up her bow and arrows and turns to leave.
"I'm coming too Kagome!"
She turns, fastening the Tetsusaiga to her waist with some rope. "Shippo, are you sure?"
"Yeah...where you going?" he asked wiping sleep from his eyes.
"To get my jewel shards back." She replied grinning when he jumped willingly into her arms. He'd follow his Kagome anywhere. Turning back once more she left silently into the night.
*~*~*~*~
Shippo clung to Kagome's back as she sped through the forests as if she knew them. Since when was she this fast? In the past Inuyasha always ended up carrying her, but at the speed she was going she might be able to match him in speed. Shippo wondered where her sudden burst of energy came from but decided to remain quiet and enjoy the ride.
A demon would stop them in their tracts every now and then, but Kagome would take care of it with her arrows of Shippo with one of his clever tricks. Sometimes fighting wasn't even necessary and they were able to run on by. Kagome seemed really upset by something and she could tell it had everything to do with Inuyasha. He had really done it this time.
Finally after four days their destination was reached. The Western Lands. She'd finally be able to get her jewel shards back and then she'd go back to Inuyasha and rub it in his face. She could hardly wait! But then again the more rational side of her was begging her to turn back and forget everything. "This is it Shippo.... If you're going to follow make sure you're not to close." She warned.
The kistune hugged her tightly. "Be careful Kagome!" he whispered softly as he watched her go. She hesitated a little before continuing, stopping to hold her side for a little bit. After that he couldn't help but worry, after all, this was Sesshoumaru!
Kagome readied her bow and arrow as she stepped out into the tall grass. Fireflies buzzed through the evening air evening the scene a peaceful look. In the distance she heard giggling, a small girl! Perhaps she had gotten lost and ended up on Sesshoumaru's land. It wasn't safe for her to be here.
As she got closer the laughter grew louder and soon the shape of a small girl came into view. Her plain blue Kimono was full of dirt, as well as her cheerful face. Her eyes big she let out another series of giggles as she chased the little fireflies around in the tall grass. "Look Sesshoumaru- sama! Look!"
Kagome tensed and froze on the spot, standing behind the girl like a silent statute was the lord of the Western Lands. "You...you're my pathetic Brother's wench." He said calmly, to calm for comfort. "You do realize that you're trespassing on my lands." He narrowed his eyes at her.
That gaze.she hated that look he gave her, so...creepy, haunting. Finally gather up some courage she readies and arrow on her bow, a determined look on her face. "Sesshoumaru! I believe you have something of mines..."
Topaiza: dun, dun, dun.! Suspense! How the hell does Kagome move so fast? Why did her side decide to start bothering her? What will Fluffy do to her?
"Sesshoumaru! Don't you have something to do!? " Inuyasha barked. If it was their father's sword he was after he'd walk away empty-handed.
"Inuyasha..." Sesshoumaru purred softly. He brushed some of his hair behind his ears and flashed a smile.
"He smiles?" Kagome sneered. "Would have never guessed." She positioned an arrow on her bow. Miroku and Sango positioned themselves as well not to far behind them.
"What do you think you're doing wench?" The hanyou snapped.
"What does it look like, I'm helping!" Kagome answered.
"Oh...no, get back! I don't need you in the way! And besides, who do you think you are? Little Mrs. Perfect? You couldn't hit anything to save your life." Kagome's face fell a little, that hurt. Sesshoumaru watched with interest, sensing her hidden feelings. She'd be perfect for his plan... "Face it, you'll never be as good as Kikiyo anytime soon so what's the use of wasting arrows? All of you stay out of this!" he directed his gaze towards Miroku and Sango who backed down.
Kagome on the other hand didn't move. She had the right mind to hit him with her arrow. He was so inconsiderate some times. Another reason to hate him. "Kagome, please! Let's go!" Shippo pleaded, his eyes wide. Sighing with defeat she left Inuyasha to his business and went to comfort the neverous kitsune. She'd get him later.
"Having woman troubles brother?" Sesshoumaru cooed. He loved toying with his idiot brother; it brought so much joy to his life.
"Shut up!" came the reply followed by Inuayasha swinging the Tetsusaiga. He didn't care where it hit as long as it hit. Maybe he'd chop his other arm off...yeah that sounded good. "Die!"
"Inuyasha's fighting blindly..." Miroku commented as he watched. All the blows Inuyasha delivered were dodged expertly, much to his annoyance and only severed in pissing him off more.
"Something's wrong here..." Kagome looked around, she knew she could sense something but what? "A jewel shard! Sesshoumaru has a jewel shard!" He never needed them before? What made this any different? It was strange... She head snapped in the direction of the battle just as Inuyasha's cry echoed through the air. "Inuyasha!" Her eyes widened. Sesshoumaru had him pinned to the ground, his poison claws drenched with blood. Suddenly those yellow eyes turned on her and she felt a cold shiver go down her spine. She didn't like that look. He got up, leaving Inuyasha were he lay and walked to her. Miroku went around to aid Inuyasha while Sango went after Sesshoumaru. Kagome felt helpless and she hated it more than anything. She backed up then turned breaking into an all out run. What did she do? Sango's effort to help her had bee in vain, for she too was no match for the demon. He swatted her away effortlessly, her back connecting with a nearby tree with a sickening thud.
"Stay away!" Kagome screeched. Closing her eyes she fired an arrow at him hoping it would hit. A growl escaped his lips and Kagome let out a silent cheer and opened her eyes, ready to run for it. Her arrow penetrated his shoulder! Yes! Her legs finally working she turned and ran for her life. The last thing she remembered before she backed out was Inuyasha's enraged cry and the searing pain as Sesshoumaru's claws ripped through her flesh.
*~*~*~*~*~
"Kagome! Kagome!" Tiny hands patted her face and she groaned trying to swat them away. Her head hurt like hell and there was a dull pain in her now bandaged side.
"Uh...Shippo?" She sat up, the pain slapping her in the face full force. "Ow." The Kistune latched onto her, draping his arms around her neck and started to sob. She smiled softly, stroking the back of his head and whispering comforting words in his ear.
"She up yet?" Kagome's head snapped up and her eyes narrowed as a familiar dog demon stalked towards her. "You! I thought I told you to stay back! You could have been killed!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Well, excuse me dog boy but I didn't exactly ask for the brother from hell to come after me!" Kagome protested. How dare he make this seem like it was all her fault. "I shot him didn't I? Isn't that good enough? I'm not Kikiyo!" Shippo clung to Kagome's chest looking up at Inuyasha with large eyes. Inuyasha seemed to always fight with Kagome, ever since that day in the forest...
"You're damn right you're not....she was prettier anyway. What would you do if I wasn't here to protect you?" He sneered. He turned to leave falling suddenly on his knees. "Damn it!" His hand raised up to clutch his chest and his breathing became short. Suddenly he regretted yelling at her. He never meant, it's just that he was so relieved to know she was all right, not that he'd let her know that.
Miroku's form could be seen rushing towards them and he quickly knelt besides the angry demon to check for a fever. "Inuyasha....I told you to stay put." He scolded. "You have to rest until that poison wears off, too much movement could cause it to get worse." Miroku helped him get to his feet, grumbling about how irresponsible Inuyasha could be.
But before they disappeared her turned to Kagome, his yellow eyes seemed to search her for a while. "Stay put. It's bad enough Sesshoumaru stole the jewel shards... Don't do anything else stupid. " he hissed. With a small sigh and a shake of his head Miroku lead him away, the idiot.
"Poison? My shards..." Kagome let the word linger for a while. He was poisoned. She felt sorrow for him for some reason. Despite the fact that ever since the incident in the woods he's been finding ever reason to anger her, she actually felt sorry for him. She looked around her for the first time; she was perched up against a small tree. Her bow and arrow lay neatly next to her. Sango lay not to far from her, her back had been bandaged and she was now sleeping soundly.
"Kagome?" Shippo asked cautiously tugging at her shirt.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Are you feeling ok?"
"Fine Shippo, I can take care of myself and I'll prove it to him, to them all." Kagome looked down at her bow and arrows. For as long as she could remember Inuyasha had been there to protect her. She never really had to worry about danger and she was extremely grateful for that, but lately he treated her like a burden and she didn't like that.
"What are you going to do Kagome?" Shippo in truth was afraid to ask, but whatever she decided, he would be there by her side.
"Right now...I'm going to sleep." Was the reply. The little fox nodded and snuggled into Kagome's warm arms.
*~*~*~*~
Kagome awoke later that night; the sky was pitch black with only the stars to guide her and a small fire. Sango was still sleeping next to her. To her left she could see Miroku sleeping peacefully, his staff lay across his shoulder. Inuyasha lay sleeping next to him, the Tetsusaiga at his side. Setting Shippo down she silently crept towards them. The fire crackled cheerfully as she neared it, it's warmth reaching out for her. She just wanted to make sure they were sleeping.
She neared Inuyasha first, waving her hands in front of his face first. No response. Next she tried touching his hand and to her relief the most movement she received was a flinch. She turned to leave, not even bothering to check the Monk. Through his mumbling every now and then the name Sango was heard. But there was something else among the quiet noise, a different name coming from the direction of Inuyasha. Had he heard her? Slowly she crept back to where he lay and knelt besides him, a hand on his shoulder.
No, he was still sleep but then what was that noise she had heard? Her heart sank with realization as the sound was heard again. She backed away from him, her heart filling with anger. He wasn't calling her, but that bitch Kikiyo! That's all he talked about. And it pissed her off to no end. Maybe once she left he'd finally be happy and he could have his Kikiyo. She got up to leave, stopping when her eyes fell on something. The Tetsusaiga. Quietly Kagome picks it up and leaves, that ought to hurt his pride a little. She stops at her tree and picks up her bow and arrows and turns to leave.
"I'm coming too Kagome!"
She turns, fastening the Tetsusaiga to her waist with some rope. "Shippo, are you sure?"
"Yeah...where you going?" he asked wiping sleep from his eyes.
"To get my jewel shards back." She replied grinning when he jumped willingly into her arms. He'd follow his Kagome anywhere. Turning back once more she left silently into the night.
*~*~*~*~
Shippo clung to Kagome's back as she sped through the forests as if she knew them. Since when was she this fast? In the past Inuyasha always ended up carrying her, but at the speed she was going she might be able to match him in speed. Shippo wondered where her sudden burst of energy came from but decided to remain quiet and enjoy the ride.
A demon would stop them in their tracts every now and then, but Kagome would take care of it with her arrows of Shippo with one of his clever tricks. Sometimes fighting wasn't even necessary and they were able to run on by. Kagome seemed really upset by something and she could tell it had everything to do with Inuyasha. He had really done it this time.
Finally after four days their destination was reached. The Western Lands. She'd finally be able to get her jewel shards back and then she'd go back to Inuyasha and rub it in his face. She could hardly wait! But then again the more rational side of her was begging her to turn back and forget everything. "This is it Shippo.... If you're going to follow make sure you're not to close." She warned.
The kistune hugged her tightly. "Be careful Kagome!" he whispered softly as he watched her go. She hesitated a little before continuing, stopping to hold her side for a little bit. After that he couldn't help but worry, after all, this was Sesshoumaru!
Kagome readied her bow and arrow as she stepped out into the tall grass. Fireflies buzzed through the evening air evening the scene a peaceful look. In the distance she heard giggling, a small girl! Perhaps she had gotten lost and ended up on Sesshoumaru's land. It wasn't safe for her to be here.
As she got closer the laughter grew louder and soon the shape of a small girl came into view. Her plain blue Kimono was full of dirt, as well as her cheerful face. Her eyes big she let out another series of giggles as she chased the little fireflies around in the tall grass. "Look Sesshoumaru- sama! Look!"
Kagome tensed and froze on the spot, standing behind the girl like a silent statute was the lord of the Western Lands. "You...you're my pathetic Brother's wench." He said calmly, to calm for comfort. "You do realize that you're trespassing on my lands." He narrowed his eyes at her.
That gaze.she hated that look he gave her, so...creepy, haunting. Finally gather up some courage she readies and arrow on her bow, a determined look on her face. "Sesshoumaru! I believe you have something of mines..."
Topaiza: dun, dun, dun.! Suspense! How the hell does Kagome move so fast? Why did her side decide to start bothering her? What will Fluffy do to her?