Chapter III: Sesshoumaru
Kagome looked up at the hanyou in the tree, while shielding her eyes from the unwelcoming sun. "Come on! I said I was sorry! If you didn't try to kill me, maybe I wouldn't have said that stupid subduing spell! NARAKU!!"
Her reply was silence. "Okay, if you don't wanna come down like a man, I'll bring you down my self!" In a flash, the tall hanyou was infront of her, towering over her by two feet (or at least to her opinion). Naraku glared down at the human, noticing off handedly that she was still wearing that miko outfit. "What is it that you want? You have been ranting up at me for the last few minutes. Now that I am here, tell me what's so important."
Kagome smiled cheerfully. "When you blacked out, I went back to my time."
Naraku intensified his glare. Nope. Not working. "Very interesting."
"I just wanted to stay here for a little while, to get away from my world... So I brought some stuff with me," Kagome pointed at her bicycle filled with who knows what.
"What does all this have anything to do with me?" Naraku asked irritably.
"Me, Kaede, and Kiochi are going to have a picnic by the river, and I would really like it if you could come. Maybe we could get to know each other. We sort of got off on the wrong foot yesterday," Kagome looked down sheepishly. "I want us to be friends."
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"No."
"I met that Kikyou you were talking about yesterday. She seemed pretty nice so I invited her, too. Are you sure you don't want to come along?"
"Positive."
"Fine..." Kagome sighed, but smiled a half-a-second after. "Okay, if you really don't want to. See you around, I guess." And she walked away, whistling.
Naraku scoffed. Stupid girl. He leapt back up to his secret tree limb. "Wonderful. How am I supposed to get that damned jewel now, with this stupid necklace around my head?" he said to himself. He had attempted to take the necklace off, and failed miserably, only after watching him try to pull off the choke collar more than a dozen times, Kiochi said that only Kagome may take it off, and he didn't think she was going to do that anytime soon. "Great. Just great. Humans are starting to toy with me, and I can't even get near the Shikon no Tama. If I can't have it.... no one can..."
An unfamiliar aura nagged at Naraku.
It was a youkai, none the less. Yet this one seemed powerful... He shrugged off the feeling and decided to spy on the women and their so called 'picnic.' He sprang down from limb to limb. When his feet touched the ground, he felt that unfamiliar aura again. It wasn't very nearby, yet he could still sense it. A realization hit him. What if that youkai was after the Shikon Jewel? No way he's going to let anyone else have it. As before, if he can't have it, that youkai can't either. He dashed swiftly, quietly to where the females were picnicking.
~
The sun shone brightly, the birds were singing, the skies were the bluest Kagome has ever seen. 'Yep, the perfect day for a picnic with some newfound friends!' Kagome thought with pleasure. 'I knew eating here by the well is the perfect place! I doubt any youkai will attack us, because the Shikon Jewel is under a protecting spell. Yes, today's perfect, except for one flaw... I wish that man Naraku could join us... he seems like a nice guy.' She paused looking from the sky and started to take things out of her backpack.
When she finished laying out each dish, Kiochi, Kaede, and Kikyou appeared. "What is all this?" Kikyou asked. "Food from your time, I suppose," she said thoughtfully. Kiochi walked over and picked up the Instant Ramen. Kaede just stared.
Kagome smiled at the bewildered looks on everyone's faces. Kiochi twirled the plastic Ramen bowl around in her hands with curiosity. "What is this?"
"That, my friend, is Instant Ramen Noodles!" Kagome replied with a perky smile. She took out a pot and some matches. "Here, I'll show you guys how to make it. Kaede, would you please set up the firewood? I was going to use my portable stove, but I totally forgot the gas..."
Kaede nodded, still silent. She placed the firewood in a neat pile. Kagome lit a match, attracting everyone's attention. "Oh this? This is a match. It can make fire." Kagome couldn't think of a better explanation. She threw the match into the pile of firewood, and a small bonfire started. Then she filled the pot up with some water from a 2-liter container.
Kikyou looked uncertainly at some strange pastries. It looked like rice wrapped up in some kind of long green plant, and there were some red and white things on it. Kagome noticed Kikyou staring at the food. "Um, that's called sushi. It's rice, seaweed, crab and lobster mixed together. Go ahead, try it! Oh yeah. It tastes really good with soy sauce and wasabi." Kagome dug into her backpack, looking for the soy sauce. She found the small container and threw it to Kikyou, who clumsily caught it.
The water in the pot started to boil, and Kagome carefully poured the ramen into it. Suddenly, all four of the female's heads shot up, their miko senses kicking in. Kaede was the first one to relax.
"Do not worry, it is only Onigumo-chan."
Naraku boredly walked towards them. "I'll pretend I didn't hear you call me that, girl."
"So, you decided to join us after all, did you?" Kagome grinned. "Come on, take a seat."
He cautiously sat down with them. 'This is a good front for protecting Kago.... the Shikon jewel from the demons. I'll play along with their little antics.'
Naraku joined Kaede, Kiochi, and Kikyou in watching Kagome preparing the food. Kagome laughed nervously. "Ahh, why is everyone staring?! I feel like I'm one of those T.V cooks or something!"
"...T.V?" Naraku questioned.
"Never mind."
Later, when Kagome was finished preparing everything, (and explaining what kind of food everything was) she passed everyone a bowl of Ramen. "What are you waiting for? Dig in!"
Kiochi was first to taste the strange noodles. She was closing her eyes, as if anticipating the taste. Everyone stared at her expectantly, waiting for her reply. Kagome had her fingers crossed behind her back. Kiochi chewed agonizingly slow, and finally, swallowed. She opened her eyes at a snail's pace.
"Well?" Kikyou asked impatiently.
"This 'Ramen'... tastes pretty good!" Kiochi smiled. Soon everyone dug in, all smiling. (except for Naraku, of course.) ~ Naraku ate slowly, eyeing each miko. His eyes, however, were mostly on that girl.
That Kagome.
He admitted, she has a charming personality, but she didn't mean anything to him. A smile almost graced his features when he saw Kaede curiously reach for a small red bottle that said, 'Tabasco' on it, and took a few sips. Then she turned beet red, gasping for water. Kikyou was trying her hardest to stifle her laughter, Kiochi was fanning the poor girl, and Kagome handed Kaede a bottle full of water. He also listened to their very 'sophisticated' conversation.
"GOMEN NASAI, KAEDE-CHAN! I forgot to tell you what Tabasco is! It's a really hot sauce and- I'm so sorry," Kagome gushed as she gave Kaede some more water.
"It's all right," Kaede said weakly. Naraku settled for a half smile. He sipped some tea and stood up. "Arigatou, Kagome," he muttered and walked away. 'The youkai presence I sensed seems to be fading... probably chickened out.'
Kagome stared at his retreating back, a startled look on her face.
"Did Naraku actually say thank you?" Kaede queried openly with shock. "I believe he's quite fond of you."
Kagome calmed. "That's nice... maybe we can grow to be friends. But actually, I was more interested in how suspicious he was acting."
"What?" Kiochi asked.
"Naraku seemed to have an objective when he chose to eat with us... I'm not entirely sure," Kagome explained, staring at the spot Naraku sat before. "I'm sure it's no big deal. Come on, let's eat before it gets cold."
Everyone finished his or her lunch anything but silently. Soon, the food has been eaten, and everyone was nice and full. Kiochi spoke up. "Kagome-san, I believe we are finished eating. Would you like some help in cleaning up?"
"No, I'll be fine. Thank you for the offer, though," Kagome smiled.
"The meal was delicious. Thank you," Kiochi stood up and faced Kaede. "Come, Kaede. You have archery practice."
"Hai, Lady Kiochi!" Kaede rushed on her way back to the village.
Kiochi turned back to Kagome. "I've noticed that you have the powers of a miko... If you wish to learn more background concerning that subject do not hesitate to ask me."
"I don't think I'll need miko training, since there are no youkai or danger in the future," Kagome shook her head and replied with another 'thanks anyway'.
"Alright. I have a present for you," Kiochi said, suddenly remembering something. "You've been very kind. I believe you deserve this, " she took a necklace out of her pocket. "It is another subduing spell necklace. It might come in handy for you in the future," Kiochi winked. "I trust that you will use it responsibly?"
Kagome giggled and accepted the gift. She pictured herself doing an incantation spell on someone from her school. She laughed at the thought. "Arigatou, Kiochi-san. Maybe it will come in handy someday."
Kiochi bowed and left to find Kaede. Kikyou and Kagome remained. "I guess I will be on my way also," Kikyou said slowly.
"Goodbye, then." Kikyou left without a goodbye, but that went unnoticed by Kagome. She started to put away the empty containers into her bag. 'The Sengoku Jidai seems like an okay place. It's so peaceful and everywhere you look, you see nature. Aside from the youkai, everything is great around here. The air, the exotic plants, the people... I feel like this is where I belong.'
Kagome was in the midst of folding the picnic blanket when her eyes suddenly narrowed. She could sense great power from somewhere, but... being the inexperienced miko she was, she did not know which direction. She shrugged it off. 'It's probably just a small youkai, right? It can't harm me... right?'
~
Sesshoumaru rushed past the trees and brushes. He was close... he could feel the aura of a miko. Probably the Kikyou woman. He smelled a strong scent, it smelled sweet and enticing. Could it be that Kikyou? Perhaps she had altered her scent somewhat. Is it even possible to alter one's scent? No... that can't be.
It was probably some kind of flower.
The aristocratic demon launched himself onto a tree limb and decided to leap instead of run. His silver hair whipped behind him, as well as his tail that wound around over his shoulder. Thoughts suddenly dwelled onto how Inuyasha's reactions. He pictured Inuyasha turning cold and becoming more determined instead of a spoiled brat, like Sesshoumaru himself.
Yes, that's right. 'I will mold and shape my brother into an honorable youkai. Then he wouldn't soil the family name any longer.'
The sweet smell grew stronger and stronger with each step he took. Yet he ignored it. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened a fraction when he felt the Miko's aura tensing up. Is it possible that Kikyou had sensed him?
He slowed his pace a bit, and put more effort into concealing himself. Finally, he reached his destination. It was in a forest clearing, and there was a girl with her back turned to him.
'That must be Kikyou,' he mused. 'I should let her know of my presence before I end her life,' he thought sadistically. "Kikyou," he announced clearly. The girl turned around.
Sesshoumaru felt his breath catch in his throat, but kept his cold demeanor. Kikyou's eyes were a deep shade of blue. And a bit larger, which seemed to add innocence. If he remembered correctly, the last time he saw her, her eyes were a muddy brown. 'Whatever, I do not give a damn about her altered scent and looks. She will still die.'
He approached her soundlessly, waiting for her to ask a 'why are you here' question. It never came. Instead...
"Who are you?"
Sesshoumaru was taken aback by the question. She did not remember him, her foolish lover's brother. He felt anger welling up inside him.
~
"Kikyou."
Kagome turned around to see a graceful youkai. He had long silver white hair and golden eyes. A long boa constrictor like fluffy object was wrapped around his left arm. He looked taller than six feet, as tall as Naraku. He seemed to be looking down at her and started to walk towards her slowly. She brought up the courage to speak.
"W-Who are you?" The surreal man tensed when she asked that question.
"You do not remember me?"
"I don't know you," Kagome replied unsurely. Quickly, Kagome found herself half sitting half lying down next to a tree, the graceful demon hovering above her. He had his claws pressed to her face.
"You do not remember me?" it sounded like a statement more than a question, and he said it more dangerously this time. Kagome winced under his intense gaze. "Whoever you are," she said bravely, "I will not allow you to have the Shikon no Tama!"
~
"Shikon...." Sesshoumaru repeated, barely hearing what she was saying. Her scent laced with fear and foolish bravery was engulfing his brain. He glared at her questioningly.
Caught off-guard, a youkai tackled him off her. He hit the dirt, although not at all painfully.
The 'youkai' that tackled him, had long wavy black hair and amber eyes. The youkai was not youkai at all, but half. Sesshoumaru felt a great deal of his pride get taken away as he stood up. He was tackled down by a halfbreed?
~
Naraku wordlessly gathered the stunned miko in his arms and leapt up onto the tree. He gently set her down on a limb. 'She should be safe up here, for now...'
"Girl," he ordered. "Stay up here."
Kagome nodded mutely and watched Naraku leap down to battle with the offending demon.
~
"You are related to that Inuyasha, are you not?" Naraku asked heatedly. He went into battle stance. "Sesshoumaru, I believe. I knew you wouldn't trust Kikyou enough to not assassinate her."
"Correct," Sesshoumaru answered lowly. "I do not have much time on my hands. I will eliminate that wretch, and nothing will stand in my way." Sesshoumaru positioned himself for battle. His eyes flashed momentarily at Kagome who gasped when her eyes made contact with his. He smiled evilly.
Naraku scoffed, getting Sesshoumaru's attention. "Kikyou? That was not Kikyou. I thought you would be able to tell them apart by first glance."
Sesshoumaru ignored Naraku's insult and raised an eyebrow. "I had my doubts about that. No matter. She will die, anyway, for her incompetence," Sesshoumaru announced quietly. "And so will you."
Naraku glared icily in return and slashed at Sesshoumaru, only to miss. Sesshoumaru appeared behind him. "Now was that aimed at me? Hanyou?"
He dug his claws into Naraku's shoulder and flung him at the tree that Kagome was on.
Naraku felt pain shooting through his right shoulder; grasping it with his left hand he felt something wet. He looked at his hand. Blood. Lots of it.
Sesshoumaru dashed forward and pinned the hanyou to the tree using one hand only. "You bore me."
Naraku grunted as Sesshoumaru's claws dug into his chest. Using his other hand, Sesshoumaru flexed his fingers and felt the poison course through his claws. "If you hadn't interfered, maybe I would've spared your worthless life," he whispered venomously.
~
Kagome watched in horror as Sesshoumaru prepared to dig his poisonous claws into Naraku. 'What am I going to do?!' Her mind seemingly froze when she suddenly remembered something.
~Flashback to a few minutes ago~
"Alright. I have a present for you," Kiochi said, suddenly remembering something. She took a necklace out of her pocket. "It is another subduing spell necklace. It might come in handy for you in the future," Kiochi winked.
~End flashback~
Kagome reached into her pocket and grasped the prayer bead necklace. "Thank you, Kiochi!" she thought. She looked down at the youkai and half youkai. 'If I could just jump down there and put this necklace around that man's head... but what if I miss? No, no time to have any doubts, Kagome! Just do it already!'
Kagome jumped off the tree limb, the necklace in her hand.
~
Sesshoumaru was about to melt the hanyou's head off his shoulders when he sensed something falling from above. His head shot up and saw the girl in the Miko clothes falling down on him at full speed. A look of confusion crossed his face. The girl fell on him hard, and caused him to tumble backwards into smoke and dust.
Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and realized he was lying flat on his back with the girl on top of him.
Irritated, he pushed her off him a couple of feet. "Wench-!" he felt his blood boiling. No human has ever made physical contact with him before, except for the end of his sword or his claws.
The girl picked herself up off the grass and stood up. She raised her head to look him straight in the eye. Sesshoumaru blinked in obvious irritation and rushed at her with godly speed, pinning her to the tree. "You anger me...." he growled.
He raised his other hand, just like before, and green poison leaked out. The girl did the thing he'd least expect her to do. She smiled.
Sesshoumaru only tightened his grip on her neck, wanting her to scream in pain. One thing came out of her mouth, sounding hoarse and restricted. "Down."
Sesshoumaru felt something tug at his neck. He looked down and saw a strange necklace, now glowing white. Then it pulled him backwards, and he fell forcefully on his back. Just as he was about to pick himself up off the floor...
"DOWN, DOWN, DOWN!!"
Sesshoumaru fell backwards once again, and this time, it hurt. He looked up at the girl who brought him down with a single word.
~
Naraku wanted to laugh out loud. ' I am not the only one who will be under an incantation spell.' "I suggest you not try to take the prayer beads off. Only the girl may do that. Heh, heh."
"Take this ludicrous thing off me," Sesshoumaru hissed at Kagome, one hand supporting him upwards, and the other fisted around the necklace.
Kagome stared down bravely at him. "Sorry, I can't do that. But... if you stop attacking me, Naraku or anyone else here, I won't say those subduing spells anymore... you're lucky I'm letting you go at all. If you try anything funny, I'll subdue you until you fall off the face of the Earth."
Sesshoumaru looked grim."Fine."
"You promise to keep your word?" Naraku asked suspiciously. He could not bring himself to trust that easily, like Kagome.
"I wouldn't lie," came a bitter reply. "I never turn on my word."
"Okay," Kagome said unsurely. Sesshoumaru gracefully stood up and was gone in a blink of an eye. Naraku turned to Kagome. "Sesshoumaru had come here to kill Kikyou."
"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen. I wonder why he wants to kill Kikyou though..." Kagome was suddenly deep in her thoughts. Naraku, however, knew the reason. It probably had something to do with his sibling, Inuyasha. Perhaps Sesshoumaru does not trust Kikyou and thought it better that Kikyou was destroyed, so there were no objects in his brother's way. One thing's for sure, this will not be the last time they would
see him.
End Chapter 3