Long story short: School busses, ff.net acting up, faulty computers, gum and soda, and annoying cousins.
See? It was short!!
Review Responses!
Sailor Neptune: ...........you've already read this chapter, hopefully. There aren't many changes here except for the review responses and Trunks and Rose's parts.
Me!: Aren't I evil, leaving you all with cliffhangers?
Inugirl: *evil laugh* Next chapter, NEXT chapter!
Anima Mouse: Sadly, this chapter has very little humor. I was prodded by several people to keep a tighter grip on my plot, and this is what came of it.....But next chapter will be hilarious to make up for this one!! Oh yeah, and Kai-chan got the message.
AoiTsuki: Read!! Now!! REVIEW!!
demented-squirrel: ......Don't worry, he isn't allowed to kill anymore squirrels.
Sapphire Lotus: She still has it.
Crystal Jewel: *sparkly eyes* People like me, they really like me!!
littleblueblob: Eep! ....Chipmunks?! *Daemon laughs maniacally and starts to slaughter the creatures* DAEMON!! NO!! BAD!!
Loselen Snowstar: Good, that you likes it, my preciousss story! *gollumness, lol*
Yukidoe: NO INFLUENCING HIM!! And when I have time, I'll check out your stories. But...it is a really powerful cheering charm?
Sakura-chan: I'll just draw you a picture of him. One question, chibi or full form?
Daemon: *eye twitches* No crying! And yes, it was only your brother that I hated. ^_^ Actually, I liked you. You're a better author than her.
Me: *twitch* *warning voice* Daaaaaeeeeeemonnnnn......
Daemon: *innocent look*
Me: *sigh* And I'll pass the message along to Brat for ya.
ssjinpan: *sweatdrop* *hides* I didn't purposely torture Daemon and several other characters, no I didn't! Nope, no torture in the chapter, in fact, you just skip it and review and say you liked it okay? *innocent look*
esteebee: ......no comment. *innocent look once again*
Augury: Yeah yeah, I know Sessh is WAY OOC. *snicker* That's what's so funny about it!!
Riku the Evil: YAY!! *glomps Inu plushie* Do ya have a plushie of Ashitaka hiding around there somewhere too? *hopeful look*
WARNING!! DRAMA IN THIS CHAP!! AND FLUFFY THOUGHTS!! .....ew.
Kitten Caboodle
Chapter 20: The Stirrings of Something Greater
Inuyasha, being the stubborn half-demon he is, could not accept the fact that another demon had defeated his brother. Only HE was allowed to beat up Sesshoumaru. It was a fact of life. Brothers had to beat up brothers. NOBODY ELSE!! Growling, he stalked his way over to the small group that had gathered. Miroku, being the lecherous pervert that he was, had already tried several moves on Sango. This, resulting in several bruises and bumps to the head, creating a myriad of colors matching the violent red of a hand print. The monk was still currently 'resting' on the ground, swirly eyes occupying half of his face and a silly smile stretching across his features.
"Mmmmm, it was worth the pain," he heard the monk mutter, already coming to.
He sighed, and shook his head in exasperation. People never really changed. But....he had his suspicions about Miroku. Even though people said he was totally clueless, he really wasn't. He had noticed things about the monk lately, wistful sighs and sad looks, and it made him wonder. Was it all just an act?
He saw Sango conversing with Kagome, making wild, angry gestures while repeatedly beating Hachi over the head and shooting glares in Miroku's direction. Her ponytail bobbed up and down in pace with the erratic shakes of her head, and she kept fingering the bone boomerang strapped across her back, as though wanting to use it once more on someone. Someone named Miroku, perhaps. Already decked out in her battle suit, she looked ready to take on Naraku, such was the fury evident.
Miroku must have really pissed her off this time.
He slowed his pace to lean against a tree a little ways away from the group, unnoticed by them. With a small smile, he watched as Kagome tried to calm Sango down, murmuring soothing words and trying to rescue Hachi from Sango's death grip. Kirara rested on her shoulder, mewling every once in a while, looking upon the scene in no little amusement as Sango stomped around in a small circle, dragging Kagome, who was clutching at her arm in an attempt to slow her down. It wasn't working very well and only made Sango walk faster.
He snorted. She always was trying to help people. His Kagome, sweet and kind and naive. And that was why he loved her. The way she walked, the way she talked, her smile, her grace, her attitude and spirit, all caught his attention, and he couldn't stop thinking about it. Before, he'd tried to ignore it, to no success. Before, he'd been worrying about Kikyo, hardly giving a thought to Kagome's feelings. He winced. He'd hurt her so much, and put her through so much pain. And yet....she forgave him.
There would never be another like her in the world, nobody like his Kagome. And that made him smile.
He walked over to the group, smirking a little at their antics. Reaching one hand down, he pulled Miroku to his feet, shaking the monk slightly.
"Come on you lazy bum, get up! We have places to be, people to save! No time for your perverted antics!" he taunted light-heartedly.
Whoa....what a change.
"Inuyasha, help me!!" pleaded Kagome, still being dragged around in a circle by Sango. "She won't stop!"
Sighing, he quickly jumped in front of the demon slayer. Glaring at her, he growled, "Are we, or are we not going? Or should we just sit here all day and listen to you rant?"
That stopped her in her place, her mouth forming a little 'o' and opening and closing repeatedly, much like a fish's. It snapped closed once more, and she returned the glare.
"I am NOT sitting near that monk," she stated, glancing furiously at the prone form of said monk.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and snorted, "You're gonna have to."
She sighed in defeat, huffing angrily and hunching her shoulders. "Fine, but no moves, ya hear?!"
Man. She really IS pissed!!
Kirara, with a squeak, jumped down from Kagome's shoulder and transformed into her much larger form, seeming to share the same exasperated look that Inuyasha had. Sango quickly jumped on, and Inuyasha threw Miroku onto Kirara's back, giving a satisfied smirk as he heard the monk groan and say, "Okay, maybe it wasn't worth the pain...."
And he was still in the dark as to what the monk did to upset Sango so.....
"Are we ready to go, Inu-chan?" asked Kagome, giving him a questioning glance. He nodded, once, and said, "We'll meet Shippo at the house. It's not too far from here."
After she had been settled comfortably on his back, they took off through the forest, avoiding trees, and conversing while he ran.
"Do you think that Naraku might be involved?" she asked.
"As always," was the reply.
"I still have that bad feeling....."
"Why?"
"Well, when I was trapped in the caverns, Mitsukai gave me a message he had gotten from the dragon that attacked us. He said that four of my friends were in danger. At first, I thought that meant you, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo....but you're all safe."
Inuyasha furrowed his brow, scowling. "Who else could it be?"
"....I really don't know...."
"Tell me, what was this dragon like?"
"Well, his name was Asiva-"
"ASIVA?!" yelled a tiny, old voice from Inuyasha's shoulder. They both jumped slightly, and turned to look.
"Aw man, and just when I thought I got rid of you," Inuyasha muttered.
"My
lord, I know of Asiva!" came the tiny voice belonging to Myoga. "Do
you, or do you not want to hear my information?"
"Of course he does,"
Kagome cut in, "Please Myoga, tell us." She gestured to Sango, and the
demon slayer moved Kirara closer to the bounding half-demon to hear.
With a cough to clear the throat, Myoga stood up straight, nodding his head sagely, "Asiva was the lord of the Eastern Lands before Tanaki the Wise came into rule. He was known for being able to see into the future, and helped his lands to prosper. He was terribly strong, nearly rivaling your father, the Taiyoukai, in power. But then, one day, he just disappeared, and his lands fell into chaos. Many demons fought each other for rule of the Eastern Lands, and in the end, Tanaki, the tiger-youkai, prevailed. He managed to bring the lands under control once again, and has fought off many raids and attacks from other territories."
"So you mean that the dragon that attacked me was once lord of the Eastern Lands?!" yelped Kagome.
"Aye, that he was, and you say that this boy --Mitsukai, you said?-- defeated him?"
"Yes, he did....." her eyes widened in realization. "No way."
Inuyasha, confused, looked at her, "What do you mean? What's wrong?"
"Inu-chan, Asiva rivaled your father in power, and Mitsukai BEAT him."
"So.....?"
"Think of how strong he would have to be in order to defeat the former lord of the Eastern Lands!"
Realization struck him in that instant. He choked, and nearly tripped, losing his balance. Falling back into even strides, he glanced at his companions in shock. They seemed to be thinking the same thing he was.
"Who exactly is Mitsukai to be able to defeat a Taiyoukai?!" he yelled, making Kagome wince.
"I really don't know anymore...." she murmured. There was more to this than met the eye.
"Inuyasha, let us just concentrate on the matter at hand," said Miroku, a wise look on his face once again. "Just leave those matters till another time."
"For once, the monk's right," conceded Sango, still angry and fuming.
Kirara roared in agreement, tossing her head and wagging her tails.
"How much further?" asked Kagome.
"About a mile," replied Inuyasha, thoughtfully. "If that cat's anywhere around here, it'll be able to smell us about now."
And how right his words were........
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"Daemooooooooon!! Mitsuuuuuuuuukkkaaaaaaiiiii!!" called the young voice of a fox kit, quickly hopping along on short legs as he raced along the edge of the forest. "Where are yoooooouuu?"
He paused, sniffing the ground. He could have sworn he'd left them right at the clearing near the edge of the forest. So where could they have gone?
He went back to running along, waddling slightly on his stumpy legs. He'd reached the clearing, and yet there was no sign of them. He checked everywhere for the two; under rocks, behind trees, in the rabbit warren. They were nowhere to be found.
With a sigh, he plopped down on a mossy rock, staring despondently at the ground, tracing little figures with his finger. Maybe they'd just gone out for a walk and would be back.....?
He shook his head. That didn't make sense, Kagome had made them PROMISE to stay in the clearing. But then why weren't they here?!
He sniffed as a sudden thought struck him. What if they'd lied? What if they got away as soon as the chance came to them? What if they really didn't want to be with him and the group? He liked them, they were funny. Did they hate him?
No. They didn't. Why am I even thinking this? Of course they don't hate me! Something must have happened, he decided. But what?
Something bright and shiny caught his eye, lying on the ground a few feet away. Curiosity roused, he went over to investigate. Picking up the object, he looked at it happily. It was Kagome's yoyo! She'd lent it to Mitsukai for a little while. He knew Mitsukai just wouldn't leave something this cool lying on the ground, goodness knows that he, Shippo, would never do that!
"Something terrible must have happened to make him drop the yoyo," he said aloud.
But where were they now?
A sudden, coppery smell came to his senses, one he had been ignoring for a while now. His nose twitched as he silently berated himself. Why didn't he follow the smell before?! It's obviously blood!!!
His eyes widened in horror as he realized his thought. Blood?! He ran to the source, and found a patch of the semi-dried red substance on the ground. He sniffed, and wrinkled his nose in disgust, looking at all the other patches that scattered the ground right outside the clearing. It was Daemon and Mitsukai's alright.
"I've got to go tell Kagome!" he yelled, already turning to run, but he was stopped by a hand grabbing the scruff of his neck.
"HEY!! Let me go!!" he yelped, twisting frantically in the tight grip he was under.
"Oh, I think not little fox kit. I do not want any interfering miko or hanyou to ruin my plans," the voice said coldly, the words tipped with a lethal poison. "Now, what you really should be worrying about is whether or not I'm going to kill you," it chuckled, gripping his neck tighter.
Shippo squeaked as he fought to breathe, spots dancing in front of his eyes.
Suddenly, the iron-hard grip was relaxed, and he gasped as air flooded into his depraved lungs.
"No, I don't think I'll kill you just yet," the voice said yet again, amusement in its tone, "I do need another sacrifice, and you'd be perfect."
Shippo's eyes bulged, and he struggled even more frantically to free himself.
"Uh-uh, little kit, no escaping for you, my small trickster."
Suddenly, his world went black as he was knocked unconscious, his eyes rolled up into his head and he slumped forward to his knees. The figure grabbed him, and threw him over its shoulder.
"Back to the castle we go, my little friend," it laughed, striding along. "Where Lord Naraku awaits my arrival. I'm sure your friends will be happy to see you as well. But enjoy your happiness, for it is short lived."
"Because, my little kit, you will all die tonight."
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"Sesshoumaru-sama, what's wrong?" asked Rin, gazing up at Sesshoumaru with worried eyes. "Rin wants to know."
Sesshoumaru gazed down at the human child, a distracted light in his eyes. "I can smell the coming of my half-brother."
"Really? Inu-onii-chan is coming here?" Rin bubbled happily.
Sesshoumaru nodded.
"There's something else though, isn't there?" asked Neko, leaning against the wall next to him, her elbow slightly rubbing his. "Tell me."
He just stared at the wall with a slightly concerned look on his normally calm face, "Tsuki has gone to meet him. I believe that he and his companions will be slaughtered."
She faltered, startled, and stood upright and rigid, "They can't! They're my friends! They can't die! I won't let them!"
He just kept staring at the wall, silent. Rin hugged his knee, rubbing her face into the soft fabric of his pants. "Rin is scared for Inu-onii-chan. Will Sesshoumaru-sama help Inu-onii-chan? Please? Even though Rin knows Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't like Inu-onii-chan.....please?"
"I can't Rin. I'm....sorry."
A dangerous tone entered Rin's voice, one he'd never heard before, "If Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't help Inu-onii-chan, Rin is going to show this picture to everyone Rin meets. Understood?" She growled.
His eyes widened. She'd definitely been hanging out too much with him, that's for sure!!!
He looked at the picture she held up, a small smirk on her face. The picture was of him with a pink and yellow kimono dress on, wearing make-up and with his hair dyed pink. He was tied next to Kouga, who looked just as disgruntled, wearing a short purple mini-skirt and a short-sleeved pink shirt with little red hearts all over it. His hair, along with Sesshoumaru's, had been braided and dyed; only Kouga's was colored purple. That lipstick definitely complimented his features though......
Sesshoumaru mentally shook himself. I don't even want to go there, he thought. These girls must really be getting to me!
Kouga looked up at him from the ground, wide-eyed.
"Hmmm....death or total humiliation, choices, choices," the wolf muttered. "Trapped between a rock and a hard place, is what we are."
With a sigh, Sesshoumaru nodded.
Utsushineko cheerfully held up her hand, "All those in favor of dying to save our friends, say 'aye'!"
The two boys muttered the 'aye' in a monotonous voice, while the young girl nearly screeched it.
"Alrighty then! Let's get goin'! Time's a-wastin'!"
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Warning: Next part, very, very dark. Absolutely no humor here. Angst. Much of it. *smiles* I shouldn't have read that story before writing this.....It's also very....weird. Just to tell you, it's a dream.
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The images he saw were dark, and blurry, not very clear.
But they were horrible.
Screams and shrieks assaulted him at every side, the wails of pain attacking his emotions, tearing at his tormented mind. They stretched around him, their ghostly bodies, a shadowy, dark substance that was everything and nothing at once. They reached for him, claws forming from the air, scratching at his clothes and pulling and tugging and why wouldn't they go away?! Please, someone, make them go away!!
He clasped his hands over his ears, squeezing his eyes shut, and yet he still saw them. Their gazes that could freeze the bravest warrior in fear, their tormented, pain-filled, horrible gazes. They saw right through to his soul, piercing it with knives and basking in the light of it.
They weren't right. This wasn't right. What were they? Why was he here? Please, someone, help me! I...I want to go home! I don't wanna be here! Why won't anyone help me?
They seemed to laugh then, those horrible faces twisting into gruesome smiles, showing sharp, glittering, blood-soaked fangs. Their eyes, deep, dark pits that could trap someone and make them fall forever, leered at him, taunting and tearing at him.
They stretched tall, looming over him, and the only thing that kept them at bay was the weak shield of light that formed a sphere around him.
But it was cracking.
Their glee-filled shrieks told him that, as he watched them dance and move faster and faster, in anticipation.
He saw the shadows rip at each other, fighting in such frenzy that it seemed only a massacre, and yet there was never a lack of the dark beings, which seemed to thrive on pain and fear.
He moaned. God, where was he?! What was this place?!
Their forms rippled around his little shield as he crouched into a tight little ball, willing it all to go away.
The shield was cracking even more, and they jumped around him in bloodthirsty lust. He didn't know what they would do to him, but it wouldn't be anything good. It was never anything good. Never.
Suddenly, one of the long nailed claws drove through the shield, scratching across his cheek, and he accidentally opened his eyes in surprise, staring straight into the face of the grinning ghoul whose nail had some of his blood on it. He couldn't breathe, couldn't think.
Sudden realization hit him as he saw the thing pull its finger back out, and pried the hole open further. Now, it could stick its whole hand in, and he froze as it gently caressed his cheek, drawing blood with its sharp nails. Its touch was cold, colder than ice, and he involuntarily shivered, whether from fear or from the cold, he did not know. Its grin widened, and he could see the blood dripping from its fangs, the hunger in its eyes.
And yet he could not move, but only gaze on in fear.
Someone, anyone, pleasepleaseplease, helpme, god, help me! I'll do anything, just please get it away, I want to get away, I don't want to be here, it'll kill me, it'll hurt me, it's so cold, so very cold, why isn't anyone here?!
His thoughts rambled on crazily, degenerating into mad, incoherent pleas for help as the thing continued to stroke his cheek and hair, moving to his neck. Suddenly, he felt it pierce his neck, and he watch the blood trickle down to his knees. His breath now came in short gasps, as he felt it reach down to his chest and seem to pull on something inside of him. He felt the tug, inside, and watched in horror as a glowing white ball was forcefully drawn out of him.
That's....me....he thought, my soul, what's it going to do with my soul?
But his thoughts were slowing down, and his eyelids drifted lower.
No, nonono, you can't have it! It's mine! Leave it alone! Give it BACK!! Suddenly, he reached his hand up and grabbed a hold of the soul, pulling it back.
Mineminemine!!
The thing hissed and snarled, reaching its hand for the soul again. Finding a sudden freedom of movement, he batted the offending limb away, glaring now.
"Mine..." he whispered, "You...can't....have....it..."
The soul that he gripped, his soul, gave off a bright white light, driving the creature away and out of his sphere.
He watched in wonder as the dark surroundings slowly faded away, as the creatures disappeared with disappointed cries, and looked at his soul.
"I didn't know that one of darkness could have a light soul," he murmured, as it drifted back into him.
And then, he knew no more, as the peacefulness of a deep sleep settled upon him.
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Naraku snarled as he watched the boy fight off his images.
"So, plan A didn't work?" Kagura asked sarcastically. "You're going to have to try harder, my lord."
He just turned and glared upon her, and then stalked away, muttering under his breath. "Demons like that aren't supposed to have pure souls! What is with this boy?!"
She watched, silent, as he left, then turned to look at the now peacefully sleeping Daemon.
What is with this boy indeed? Next, Naraku will probably try this boy's twin. I have a feeling he will not succeed, either. Of course, these two might have preferred their souls being taken away with so little pain. The alternative was much, much worse.......
"Deep in thought, eh, Kagura?" came the jovial voice from behind her, and she whirled around and glowered at the smiling demon.
"Kuro! What is with you?! Don't you know not to sneak up on people?!" she snarled.
Kuro just smiled disarmingly at her, and motioned to the form slumped over his shoulder. "Special delivery for a Miss Kagura. To be brought to the dungeons."
She looked at the fox kit that lay on his shoulder.
"Bring him there. Also, I need one other thing for you to do."
He mockingly bowed, and smirked. "Anything for my lady!"
She rolled her eyes, "I need you to get a certain pendant from that miko--"
"Say no more, Kuro is on the case!"
"Just don't mess it up, okay?"
"Why, do you not trust me?"
"No, no I don't."
"Ahh, the pain!!! You don't trust me!!"
"Just get to work."
He hopped past her, winking, "Of course! I'm on it!"
She watched as he skipped down to the dungeons, and rolled her eyes once again.
"Men....."
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Trunks and Rose watched as the five companions bounded off, headed for their friend's house. Earlier on that day, it had been decided that they would part ways, and that the two lovers would travel in search of more jewel shards, while the others went on a rescue mission for their friends.
Rose strode along in content, listening to the birds chirping and the various sounds of nature, sighing happily. Trunks walked along beside her, matching her steady pace, and wore a similar look.
"It's wonderful, isn't it, to be out of that dreadful prison?" she asked, cocking her head to the side and looking at him. He nodded silently, still deep in thought.
"Trunks.....do you know how to find these 'jewel shards'?"
He shook his head.
Facefault.
"WHAT?!"
He stopped, and stared at her prone form on the ground. "The best we can hope to do is find a demon that has one."
"And what are the odds of that, one in a million?!"
"Actually....yes."
"Urk, I've fallen and cannot get up!"
He sighed and rolled his eyes, picking her up and carrying her in his arms bridal style.
"Oh, how nice! My own slave!!"
And then he dropped her and walked on.
She pouted, glaring at his back.
"FINE THEN!! Leave me here to die!"
He kept walking.
She sweatdropped, and quickly got up and ran after him, but not before slapping him in the back of the head.
"Jerk....." she muttered, and he grinned.
"You know you love me."
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*hides* Don't hurt me!! We're getting down to the thick of the plot, and so there isn't as much humor! Gomen!! Anyways, review and tell me what you think, onegai? Also, if any of you encounter words in here you don't understand, like some of the Japanese ones, feel free to tell me and I'll list what they mean, okay?