RPG_girl: Wahoo! I finally broke a cursed writer's block! I had some
difficulties writing this chapter, but like I always say, oh well! I'll try
to get the next chapter in soon, I've already finished half of it.
~ Chapter VI: The Beginning of the Search for Shikon Shards
Sesshoumaru's head tilted up when he sensed an all-too-familiar aura. 'Hmm. I thought he would come, sooner or later...'
"Are you listening, Sesshoumaru?!"
"No."
"Arrogant bastard," Inuyasha muttered. "I ain't repeatin' what I just said."
"Fine," Sesshoumaru replied off-handedly and stood up from his sitting position on the windowsill. "Now if you would excuse me, I have other business to attend." The elder of the two bowed lowly and leapt out the window.
~
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "That guy is really full of himself," he grumbled. 'Well, at least he didn't hear me say I want to make Kikyou Mistress of the Western lands.'
Inuyasha drank down the last of his sake and stood up, straightening out his red kimono. 'Now to go check out those two 'mortal girls' Sesshoumaru is 'harboring.''
He walked out the large doors and smelled the air carefully. It was then he smelled two unfamiliar scents, one smelled sweet, the other smelled like flowers. 'What kind of people are these?' he wondered. He cautiously followed the scents and found himself in one of the castle gardens, one particularly he alone went into. 'So the humans decide to invade my private territory, eh?'
It was then when he heard giggling and soft chuckles. Being the curious hanyou he was, he sought out where the sounds of merriment were coming from. He hid himself behind a few rose bushes and watched a little girl and another girl, about ten years older, picking flowers. His golden eyes narrowed. 'The humans decide to vandalize my territory, too?!' "Hey, you two!" he hollered, jumping out from behind the rose bush. "DON'T TOUCH THE FLOWERS!"
"Ehh?" the older girl looked up at him. "Oh, sorry, I didn't know these were property."
Inuyasha's eyes bulged the size of dinner plates. 'Kikyou?'
~
"Come on, Rin-chan! I bet there are other flower gardens here." Kagome stood up and held Rin's hand in hers. "I'm really sorry! Umm..." The young miko suddenly felt uncomfortable with the guy's staring. "We'll go now."
"Wait!"
"Hmm?"
"Do you..." the stranger asked unsurely. "Know someone by the name of Kikyou?"
"Kikyou?" 'So this guy knows Kikyou? Then that must mean...' "You're Inuyasha?!"
"The one and only," Inuyasha replied gruffly. "Do you know Kikyou or not?" he asked impatiently.
"Yeah, I do! I kinda resemble her, don't I?" Kagome smiled, sweatdropping. "But please don't get us mixed up with one another. So, Inuyasha, was it? You're going to be the new ruler of the Western Lands, aren't you? You look kinda too young to be a ruler to me."
"Feh! Not like I had a choice," Inuyasha shot back, crossing his arms.
"Okay. Sorry if I poked my nose into your business or something,"
"-You sure did."
"I said I was sorry. My name's Kagome. It was nice meeting you, Inuyasha- sama." Kagome and Rin cheerfully walked away from the stubborn hanyou. Inuyasha had a blank face and half-lidded eyes. "Yep. Sesshoumaru was right. They ARE different."
~
Kagome felt Rin huddle closer to her as they walked through a cold empty hallway. "Rin-chan, what's the matter?"
"It's s-so cold here, Kagome-chan," Rin stuttered, shivering. Kagome stopped walking and picked up Rin, carrying her piggyback style. "Maybe you will be warmer that way, ne? Let's go to your room and help you sort out those flowers."
Rin nodded, still shivering.
Kagome smiled and strolled down the freezing hallways to Rin's room. She slid open the door and walked in, taking in the brightness and color of the room. "Sesshoumaru sure gave us comfy rooms, huh?"
"Ahuh," Rin grinned back. "Sesshoumaru-sama found Rin in the woods and now Sesshoumaru-sama is Rin's new daddy. Kagome-chan, will YOU be Rin's new MOMMY?"
"Ahh," Kagome laughed nervously. 'I'll just play along with her.' "Absolutely!"
Rin's face brightened. "Really?!"
"Yes," Kagome patted the girl on the head. Her expression hardened when she sensed something. It felt like there was something wrong. Like... something bad was going to happen.
She looked down at Rin. "Rin, I'm sorry, but I must go, okay?"
"Okay!"
Kagome nodded and left, making her way towards the entrance of the castle. 'What is this bad feeling I am sensing?' her blue eyes sparked with worry as she felt herself starting to sprint to her destination. 'Why am I worrying so much?'
~
Sesshoumaru stood infront of the gates to his castle, waiting patiently for the awaited guest to arrive. Finally, in a flash of black, the Hanyou, or should he say, Naraku, appeared, with an expression of inner silent anger. Sesshoumaru stood perfectly still. "I knew you would come, sooner or later," he commented lowly. "Although, I had high expectations of you dying from that poison I had injected into your system."
"Well, my lord, I believe you underestimated me. Now enough with this senseless conversing and hand her over," Naraku snarled coldly. "Or shall I force you to?"
"I do not wish to spill any dirty blood on the western territories, half- breed. And besides," Sesshoumaru's boa constrictor slowly unraveled around his arm. "You were no match for me then, what makes you believe..." Sesshoumaru flexed his poisonous hand, smirking. "...that you are any different today? I wish not play your games, but it cannot be helped."
"Silence," Naraku drew his long katana. "I will get Kagome back," he said in the same deadpan tone Sesshoumaru uses. "Nothing will stand in my way."
They charged at each other, both ready to slice and dice each other to billions of fancy pieces. Naraku swung his sword skillfully at Sesshoumaru, who seemed to be dodging each attack with ease. Sesshoumaru half-smirked. "Still as inadequate as before, I see."
"Shut up."
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed in alarm when Naraku suddenly disappeared from front view. He spun around and dodged the surprise attack with barely any time.
"Never let your guard down, foolish dog prince. You really should not let your ego get the better of you," Naraku chuckled coldly as he jumped backwards after the barely blocked attack.
"Enough," Sesshoumaru whispered icily. In a blur of black and white, the two dogs rushed charged at each other.
Sesshoumaru's claws were aimed at Naraku's stomach, and Naraku's katana was aimed at Sesshoumaru's chest. Just as they were about to pull each other to oblivion...
"SIT DOWN, BOYS!"
The two dogs felt the prayer beads around their necks pulling them backwards, away from each other, and hurled them towards opposite directions. Sesshoumaru skidded on the hard flat ground, but his tail broke most of his fall. Naraku, however, was not so fortunate. He was pulled backwards at tremendous force, crash/falling into a tree. Wincing, he picked himself up.
"What do you two think you're doing?!" Kagome yelled. "Both of you could've been killed, pulling a stunt like that," Kagome panted from exhaustion of the long run, as well as the yelling of the subduing spell. "Both... of you... could've been... killed. Look, whatever your problems are, can't you settle them over a long talk? Otherwise I would be forced to do those subduing spells again." Kagome collapsed to her knees of fatigue. 'Phew,' she mused. 'Looks like I got here in time.'
Sesshoumaru and Naraku just stared at her, dumbstruck. Sesshoumaru soon regained composure. "Fine. But if that hanyou brews any more difficulties for me, I will not hesitate to take his life."
"Hn. I'd like to see you try, Lord Sesshoumaru," Naraku retorted hotly, narrowing his amber eyes.
"Don't provoke me, half breed."
"Ehh, could you guys stop threatening each other all ready?" Kagome asked nervously, walking in between the two. "You guys need to discuss this over tea, whatever your problem is. But right now, I'm going to take a walk. Don't kill each other while I'm gone, okay?"
They remained silent, but Kagome assumed that was a yes. She bowed and made her way to Rin's room.
~
Kagome wrapped her arms around herself from the cold hallways. 'It looks like those two don't really like each other.. and they have so many things in common, too. Their attitudes, cold demeanors, even appearances... I don't see why people who have a lot in common do not get along,' Kagome started to dwell on something else. 'What am I going to do? I still have to collect the Shikon shards and tell Kiochi-san. Kiochi-san.. Kaede-chan, Souta, Mom, and Grandpa. I miss them all so much.'
'Perhaps.. perhaps I should leave here. How could I be lounging around when there are so many important things I should be doing? How could I forget my duty to be the bearer and protector of the Shikon no Tama?'
The young teen paused from her walk as she was about to pass her room. Her blue eyes slowly traveled to her room's door, and thoughts and contemplations rushed through her head. 'I'll leave. Hopefully they wouldn't notice my absence.'
Her mind made up, Kagome walked into her room and changed into her washed and cleaned turquoise miko outfit. The young miko saw a bow and a basketful arrows in the far corner. She hooked the bow onto her arm and latched the container full of arrows onto her back. Her eyes wandered up to look out the large windows and pushed them open. "I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru, Naraku, for leaving without consent. I have to do this."
With that sincere apology, Kagome jumped out the window and carefully climbed down the shoji walls. In a few seconds she was on the ground and was heading east, content on returning to the shrine.
~
Nirvana, the maid, witnessed Kagome jumping out of the window. 'Sesshoumaru- sama will not be pleased. Gomen, Kagome, but I must tell him.' She rushed out of the room, planning to tell Sesshoumaru about her escape.
~
Kagome ran through a strange radiant forest with red-orange leaved trees, making the forest seem like it was on fire. Kagome did not take much heed to the strange surroundings; she was too bent up on arriving at the shrine. Her eyes slightly narrowed in determination.
'A youkai!' Kagome gasped when she sensed it. 'It's a strong one, too! I could feel many shards on it.. about four or five!! Oh shoot!'
She stopped abruptly and looked around, grasping her bow with white knuckles. She looked around her surroundings like a lost deer. 'Oh no, where have I gotten myself into?! I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't realize what direction I was going.'
She fell to her knees, feeling helpless. Kagome's head tilted up slightly and gasped at the sight. Hair was covering many parts of the forest! And they seemed to be crawling!
A cold feminine chuckle echoed through the forest.
Kagome's eyes widened in fear. "W-Who is there?! Show yourself!!"
"Such pretty hair... Kagome, isn't it?"
~
Sesshoumaru and Naraku sat in an empty room with a low elevation table setting them apart. For a few minutes, the two have been glaring at each other coldly. Getting tired of glaring, the dark haired dog demon picked up the now cold tea and began to drink it down.
Naraku sipped his tea, his suspicious amber eyes on Sesshoumaru.
"It is not poisoned, you simple-minded fool," Sesshoumaru shot coldly. He had not touched his teacup, which was empty.
"Who says I am thinking about the tea?" the dark haired hanyou retorted just as icily. Sparks flew from amber eyes to golden ones.
"I would very much appreciate it if you would leave."
"I would, also."
"Then go, by all means," Sesshoumaru countered, holding an empty teacup in a death grip. His voice concealed much of his irritation.
"Not without the girl." Naraku too had his teacup in a death grip. The glaring continued, until the shoji doors slid open in a loud, fast manner. The teacups in their grips shattered almost noiselessly.
"SESSHOUMARU-SAMA!"
Sesshoumaru turned amber eyes towards the maid. Naraku turned his eyes to her as well.
"It is Kagome-cha... I mean Kagome-sama! She left!"
"What?!" The two of them hissed at the same time.
~
Rin finished sorting out her flowers. She had put them in color order, red with red, blue with blue, violet with violet, and so on. She smiled at her masterpiece bouquet. "Sesshoumaru-sama will love the flowers Rin made him!'
She ran out of the room and down the hallways, smiling cheerfully despite the cold, the flowers in her hand.
When she reached Sesshoumaru's door, she heard Sesshoumaru, a maid, and another man talking. Quietly she listened.
~
"How recently?" Sesshoumaru questioned heatedly, his now amber eyes seeming to radiate aggravation all over the place. The maid gulped. "A few minutes ago."
'She could have not gotten far,' Sesshoumaru mused, forgetting about Naraku. 'I must find her. Does she not know many powerful youkai wander these forests? Foolish idiot.'
"Leave," he dismissed the maid. Nirvana nodded and rushed out of the room, and bumped into Rin. She glanced at the little girl, muttered apologies, bowed and rushed off. Rin poked her head inside the room and saw Sesshoumaru pushing open a large window. She also saw another man with dark wavy hair. They seemed not to be aware of her presence. She watched them curiously.
~
"That foolish girl," Naraku muttered. "She always gets herself into some sort of danger."
Sesshoumaru jumped out the large windows and noticed Naraku was following him, but did not care. He soundlessly followed Kagome's strong sweet scent, and felt agitation spread over him. 'She went through THESE parts... Where all the strongest kinds of youkai lurk. The human does not know of the danger she puts herself into.'
Sesshoumaru leapt into the air and sprang from one tree to another, following the girl's scent. Naraku, however, was dashing through the forest, also following Kagome's scent.
~
Rin's eyes widened. "Kagome-chan is in danger?! Sesshoumaru-sama will save her, Rin knows he will!" her eyes filled with doubt and worry. "Kagome- chan... please be safe."
~
"Who are you and why do you have so many Shikon shards...? And how do you know my name? If you're here to steal my shards, I am not letting you!"
The sky suddenly darkened, and strong winds coursed through the air.
"Shikon Shards? Dear priestess, that is not all I am after." A young woman, (at least that's what it looked like) with short hair and black clothing stepped out of the darkness of the orange-leaved trees.
"W-What?"
"Your hair is so pretty," the young woman addressed simply. "It is different from the others. I would love to add it to my small collection," she slowly drew a short length sword. "I am Yura of the Hair. I'll just decapitate that little head of yours, but don't struggle, I'll only end up in getting that pretty hair stained in icky blood!"
Kagome drew an arrow nervously and aimed it clumsily at the youkai. "Don't come any closer!!"
"Or you'll what? Go ahead, shoot me, it wouldn't matter," Yura drawled.
Kagome grunted and let the arrow sail towards the youkai, who dodged it with little luck. The arrow whisked past Yura and hit a boulder, which evaporated into dust. Yura turned her head back to Kagome's direction and glared at her. "How... how do you possess such power?!"
"Practice! Don't underestimate me, sister!" Kagome felt confidence inside her building.
"You..!" Yura frowned. "I'm not very fond of you, human. Perhaps I shall make you suffer before I make off with your jewel shards.. and that pretty hair of course."
"No way I'm letting you have either!" Kagome aimed another bow and let it fly, grazing the youkai's cheek.
Blood dripped out slowly and was gradually blown away by the strong winds. "Oh me, oh my! Such bloodlust from such a little girl!" Yura pulled out a red comb. "I shall enjoy this."
Kagome's eyes widened as the strange black hair that covered up the small part of the forest move at frightening speed, mainly at her. She let out a small yelp when something, which she finds out as the long black hair, yanked at the basketful of arrows on her back, tearing them from her. Then her bow was pulled from her hand by the hair.
Yura stood with her hands on her hips, standing on a single strand of black hair. "Now you are unarmed. This is just too easy!"
Kagome flinched when Yura suddenly appeared before her. "You scared, little girl? Let me put you out of your misery!" her dagger appeared out of nowhere. Sneering, Yura grasped the dagger and prepared to bring it down upon Kagome when a clawed hand snaked around her wrist.
"None of that," a deep male voice stated in a deadpan voice.
~
Sesshoumaru looked down menacingly at the lowly female youkai, his hair whipping gracefully behind him from the wind.
He mutely sliced Yura cleanly in half before she could say anything. Kagome shut her eyes tightly as he did this deed and opened them once again to see Yura's body evaporating into dust. Five shards slowly descended onto the grass.
Sesshoumaru turned his attention to the foolish miko, who was still tied in midair with the black strong strands of hair. "Why did you escape without my authority?"
"I did what I had to do. And what I have to do is to find the shards," Kagome answered tentatively, feeling like a little girl being scolded. She bit her lip and looked down, unable to lock her gaze with Sesshoumaru's.
"Perhaps you are more foolish than brave," Naraku's voice reached her ears. She turned her eyes to Naraku, who was kneeling down, picking up the fallen jewel shards. "You could have gotten your weak self killed."
Kagome felt the hair around her wrists and ankles loosened and fell onto the grass. She pushed herself up so she was sprawling on the floor. "..."
"Do you really believe that you are capable of finding those jewels by yourself?" Sesshoumaru reprimanded coldly. "Surely you do not."
"I know, but... I've got to do something!!" Kagome retorted, her head bowed low. Her hands clenched onto the grass. "It's all my fault that the jewel broke."
She stood up and looked up at both of them. "I don't want to be a burden." Then she stiffly walked over to her bow and arrows and picked them up. "Although, if it's not too much trouble," Kagome looked down at her feet shyly. She abruptively turned big hopeful eyes onto them. "Iwouldreallyappreciateitifyouhelpedme." She muttered extra fast. "Of course, you don't have to, I mean, you probably have more important business to do-"
"Fine," the two inu replied flatly.
"Thank you so much!!! ...Why, though? Why are you guys gonna help me?"
"That is confidential," Sesshoumaru replied indifferently.
"The same goes for me," was Naraku's reply.
"You state that you must get back to that human village of yours, correct?" Sesshoumaru announced, "Let us not waste any time then. You go ahead, I must retrieve Rin. I am not fond of the idea of Rin being in the castle alone."
"What about your brother?" Kagome piped in.
"I do not trust him."
"Tch. Fine."
Sesshoumaru nodded and left with the wind to the castle. Leaving Naraku and Kagome. Kagome turned to Naraku. "Naraku? I had completely forgotten about your wound!!!! And I sat you, too. I'm so sorry!"
"I assumed that you would have found out by now," Naraku carefully undid his gi, showing a woundless shoulder. "That I have fast mending abilities." His eyes traveled to her face, which was scarlet colored. He smirked and pulled his gi back on. Then he walked over to Kagome and carried her on his back. She held onto his shoulders for support as Naraku leapt into the air.
"I am amused at the effect I have on you."
"What are you talking about?!" Kagome asked, flustered. Naraku turned his head slightly to see her face, which had slight pink tints on her cheeks.
"Nothing at all."
Kagome gasped. And felt her cheek with her right hand. It was slightly warm. 'OH NO!! AM I BLUSHING?!'
~
I'm sorry I haven't updated soon. I'm telling you, it's all the radioactive monkeys' fault!! -_-.. *sigh* who am I kidding? About Kouga, ...I'm still thinking about it.
Review responses
Jenny- Here's the update! Hope you enjoyed it!
Justareviewr- I was thinking about making Naraku and Sesshoumaru do more fighting than what was written on this chapter, but, I don't want too much blood and violence in this fic, now. I'm glad you had fun reading this!
Animegirl- Of course Naraku is NOT wearing that hideous baboon suit! Why would I want to block his handsomeness with a stupid baboon pelt?! *rants on about ridiculous baboon suits* oh yeah, thank you for reviewing!
Taishomaru- Wow, you really think it's good? I'm flattered! Thank you! Oh, and as you noticed, the two dogs didn't kill each other. If one of them dies, I'll die.
Anonymous- Another unknown reviewer.. *shrugs* thanks for reviewing! Here is the not-so-soon update!
KK- Thank you!
Mar- here it is, more! I'm happy you love it.
Fawnsess- *melts from puppy dog eyes* AGH! I hate puppy-dog eyes! My friends always do that to me and it WORKS. I'm sorry I couldn't update any sooner, but like I said before, it was all the radioactive monkeys' fault!
Mala Valvah- Thank you for reviewing once more, Mala Valvah-sama! I am grateful! ^_^ It's an honor having a great authoress review my first story.
Yuko- Thanks for reviewing yet again! I'm glad that you're glad that I like to write long chapters. Here's more!
Evil Bunny- ^^; You're the second person who said that! I appreciate your affection deeply. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Evil Bunny-san!
Faith- Ditto, Sess/kag fore-err... I mean... never mind! Here's the update.
L O K I: T.Y.F.R.! (thank you for reviewing) I think your review just boosted my ego up a notch. (if I even have any) Don't worry, I won't tell Sesshoumaru-sama anything. He might slice me to pieces. ARIGATOU!!!!
Dark Sapphire Angel: Well here's the sixth chapter! Stay tuned for the next one!
~
RPG_girl-
I haven't updated for many moons, but don't blame me, blame the monkeys.
Sayonara!
~ Chapter VI: The Beginning of the Search for Shikon Shards
Sesshoumaru's head tilted up when he sensed an all-too-familiar aura. 'Hmm. I thought he would come, sooner or later...'
"Are you listening, Sesshoumaru?!"
"No."
"Arrogant bastard," Inuyasha muttered. "I ain't repeatin' what I just said."
"Fine," Sesshoumaru replied off-handedly and stood up from his sitting position on the windowsill. "Now if you would excuse me, I have other business to attend." The elder of the two bowed lowly and leapt out the window.
~
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "That guy is really full of himself," he grumbled. 'Well, at least he didn't hear me say I want to make Kikyou Mistress of the Western lands.'
Inuyasha drank down the last of his sake and stood up, straightening out his red kimono. 'Now to go check out those two 'mortal girls' Sesshoumaru is 'harboring.''
He walked out the large doors and smelled the air carefully. It was then he smelled two unfamiliar scents, one smelled sweet, the other smelled like flowers. 'What kind of people are these?' he wondered. He cautiously followed the scents and found himself in one of the castle gardens, one particularly he alone went into. 'So the humans decide to invade my private territory, eh?'
It was then when he heard giggling and soft chuckles. Being the curious hanyou he was, he sought out where the sounds of merriment were coming from. He hid himself behind a few rose bushes and watched a little girl and another girl, about ten years older, picking flowers. His golden eyes narrowed. 'The humans decide to vandalize my territory, too?!' "Hey, you two!" he hollered, jumping out from behind the rose bush. "DON'T TOUCH THE FLOWERS!"
"Ehh?" the older girl looked up at him. "Oh, sorry, I didn't know these were property."
Inuyasha's eyes bulged the size of dinner plates. 'Kikyou?'
~
"Come on, Rin-chan! I bet there are other flower gardens here." Kagome stood up and held Rin's hand in hers. "I'm really sorry! Umm..." The young miko suddenly felt uncomfortable with the guy's staring. "We'll go now."
"Wait!"
"Hmm?"
"Do you..." the stranger asked unsurely. "Know someone by the name of Kikyou?"
"Kikyou?" 'So this guy knows Kikyou? Then that must mean...' "You're Inuyasha?!"
"The one and only," Inuyasha replied gruffly. "Do you know Kikyou or not?" he asked impatiently.
"Yeah, I do! I kinda resemble her, don't I?" Kagome smiled, sweatdropping. "But please don't get us mixed up with one another. So, Inuyasha, was it? You're going to be the new ruler of the Western Lands, aren't you? You look kinda too young to be a ruler to me."
"Feh! Not like I had a choice," Inuyasha shot back, crossing his arms.
"Okay. Sorry if I poked my nose into your business or something,"
"-You sure did."
"I said I was sorry. My name's Kagome. It was nice meeting you, Inuyasha- sama." Kagome and Rin cheerfully walked away from the stubborn hanyou. Inuyasha had a blank face and half-lidded eyes. "Yep. Sesshoumaru was right. They ARE different."
~
Kagome felt Rin huddle closer to her as they walked through a cold empty hallway. "Rin-chan, what's the matter?"
"It's s-so cold here, Kagome-chan," Rin stuttered, shivering. Kagome stopped walking and picked up Rin, carrying her piggyback style. "Maybe you will be warmer that way, ne? Let's go to your room and help you sort out those flowers."
Rin nodded, still shivering.
Kagome smiled and strolled down the freezing hallways to Rin's room. She slid open the door and walked in, taking in the brightness and color of the room. "Sesshoumaru sure gave us comfy rooms, huh?"
"Ahuh," Rin grinned back. "Sesshoumaru-sama found Rin in the woods and now Sesshoumaru-sama is Rin's new daddy. Kagome-chan, will YOU be Rin's new MOMMY?"
"Ahh," Kagome laughed nervously. 'I'll just play along with her.' "Absolutely!"
Rin's face brightened. "Really?!"
"Yes," Kagome patted the girl on the head. Her expression hardened when she sensed something. It felt like there was something wrong. Like... something bad was going to happen.
She looked down at Rin. "Rin, I'm sorry, but I must go, okay?"
"Okay!"
Kagome nodded and left, making her way towards the entrance of the castle. 'What is this bad feeling I am sensing?' her blue eyes sparked with worry as she felt herself starting to sprint to her destination. 'Why am I worrying so much?'
~
Sesshoumaru stood infront of the gates to his castle, waiting patiently for the awaited guest to arrive. Finally, in a flash of black, the Hanyou, or should he say, Naraku, appeared, with an expression of inner silent anger. Sesshoumaru stood perfectly still. "I knew you would come, sooner or later," he commented lowly. "Although, I had high expectations of you dying from that poison I had injected into your system."
"Well, my lord, I believe you underestimated me. Now enough with this senseless conversing and hand her over," Naraku snarled coldly. "Or shall I force you to?"
"I do not wish to spill any dirty blood on the western territories, half- breed. And besides," Sesshoumaru's boa constrictor slowly unraveled around his arm. "You were no match for me then, what makes you believe..." Sesshoumaru flexed his poisonous hand, smirking. "...that you are any different today? I wish not play your games, but it cannot be helped."
"Silence," Naraku drew his long katana. "I will get Kagome back," he said in the same deadpan tone Sesshoumaru uses. "Nothing will stand in my way."
They charged at each other, both ready to slice and dice each other to billions of fancy pieces. Naraku swung his sword skillfully at Sesshoumaru, who seemed to be dodging each attack with ease. Sesshoumaru half-smirked. "Still as inadequate as before, I see."
"Shut up."
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed in alarm when Naraku suddenly disappeared from front view. He spun around and dodged the surprise attack with barely any time.
"Never let your guard down, foolish dog prince. You really should not let your ego get the better of you," Naraku chuckled coldly as he jumped backwards after the barely blocked attack.
"Enough," Sesshoumaru whispered icily. In a blur of black and white, the two dogs rushed charged at each other.
Sesshoumaru's claws were aimed at Naraku's stomach, and Naraku's katana was aimed at Sesshoumaru's chest. Just as they were about to pull each other to oblivion...
"SIT DOWN, BOYS!"
The two dogs felt the prayer beads around their necks pulling them backwards, away from each other, and hurled them towards opposite directions. Sesshoumaru skidded on the hard flat ground, but his tail broke most of his fall. Naraku, however, was not so fortunate. He was pulled backwards at tremendous force, crash/falling into a tree. Wincing, he picked himself up.
"What do you two think you're doing?!" Kagome yelled. "Both of you could've been killed, pulling a stunt like that," Kagome panted from exhaustion of the long run, as well as the yelling of the subduing spell. "Both... of you... could've been... killed. Look, whatever your problems are, can't you settle them over a long talk? Otherwise I would be forced to do those subduing spells again." Kagome collapsed to her knees of fatigue. 'Phew,' she mused. 'Looks like I got here in time.'
Sesshoumaru and Naraku just stared at her, dumbstruck. Sesshoumaru soon regained composure. "Fine. But if that hanyou brews any more difficulties for me, I will not hesitate to take his life."
"Hn. I'd like to see you try, Lord Sesshoumaru," Naraku retorted hotly, narrowing his amber eyes.
"Don't provoke me, half breed."
"Ehh, could you guys stop threatening each other all ready?" Kagome asked nervously, walking in between the two. "You guys need to discuss this over tea, whatever your problem is. But right now, I'm going to take a walk. Don't kill each other while I'm gone, okay?"
They remained silent, but Kagome assumed that was a yes. She bowed and made her way to Rin's room.
~
Kagome wrapped her arms around herself from the cold hallways. 'It looks like those two don't really like each other.. and they have so many things in common, too. Their attitudes, cold demeanors, even appearances... I don't see why people who have a lot in common do not get along,' Kagome started to dwell on something else. 'What am I going to do? I still have to collect the Shikon shards and tell Kiochi-san. Kiochi-san.. Kaede-chan, Souta, Mom, and Grandpa. I miss them all so much.'
'Perhaps.. perhaps I should leave here. How could I be lounging around when there are so many important things I should be doing? How could I forget my duty to be the bearer and protector of the Shikon no Tama?'
The young teen paused from her walk as she was about to pass her room. Her blue eyes slowly traveled to her room's door, and thoughts and contemplations rushed through her head. 'I'll leave. Hopefully they wouldn't notice my absence.'
Her mind made up, Kagome walked into her room and changed into her washed and cleaned turquoise miko outfit. The young miko saw a bow and a basketful arrows in the far corner. She hooked the bow onto her arm and latched the container full of arrows onto her back. Her eyes wandered up to look out the large windows and pushed them open. "I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru, Naraku, for leaving without consent. I have to do this."
With that sincere apology, Kagome jumped out the window and carefully climbed down the shoji walls. In a few seconds she was on the ground and was heading east, content on returning to the shrine.
~
Nirvana, the maid, witnessed Kagome jumping out of the window. 'Sesshoumaru- sama will not be pleased. Gomen, Kagome, but I must tell him.' She rushed out of the room, planning to tell Sesshoumaru about her escape.
~
Kagome ran through a strange radiant forest with red-orange leaved trees, making the forest seem like it was on fire. Kagome did not take much heed to the strange surroundings; she was too bent up on arriving at the shrine. Her eyes slightly narrowed in determination.
'A youkai!' Kagome gasped when she sensed it. 'It's a strong one, too! I could feel many shards on it.. about four or five!! Oh shoot!'
She stopped abruptly and looked around, grasping her bow with white knuckles. She looked around her surroundings like a lost deer. 'Oh no, where have I gotten myself into?! I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't realize what direction I was going.'
She fell to her knees, feeling helpless. Kagome's head tilted up slightly and gasped at the sight. Hair was covering many parts of the forest! And they seemed to be crawling!
A cold feminine chuckle echoed through the forest.
Kagome's eyes widened in fear. "W-Who is there?! Show yourself!!"
"Such pretty hair... Kagome, isn't it?"
~
Sesshoumaru and Naraku sat in an empty room with a low elevation table setting them apart. For a few minutes, the two have been glaring at each other coldly. Getting tired of glaring, the dark haired dog demon picked up the now cold tea and began to drink it down.
Naraku sipped his tea, his suspicious amber eyes on Sesshoumaru.
"It is not poisoned, you simple-minded fool," Sesshoumaru shot coldly. He had not touched his teacup, which was empty.
"Who says I am thinking about the tea?" the dark haired hanyou retorted just as icily. Sparks flew from amber eyes to golden ones.
"I would very much appreciate it if you would leave."
"I would, also."
"Then go, by all means," Sesshoumaru countered, holding an empty teacup in a death grip. His voice concealed much of his irritation.
"Not without the girl." Naraku too had his teacup in a death grip. The glaring continued, until the shoji doors slid open in a loud, fast manner. The teacups in their grips shattered almost noiselessly.
"SESSHOUMARU-SAMA!"
Sesshoumaru turned amber eyes towards the maid. Naraku turned his eyes to her as well.
"It is Kagome-cha... I mean Kagome-sama! She left!"
"What?!" The two of them hissed at the same time.
~
Rin finished sorting out her flowers. She had put them in color order, red with red, blue with blue, violet with violet, and so on. She smiled at her masterpiece bouquet. "Sesshoumaru-sama will love the flowers Rin made him!'
She ran out of the room and down the hallways, smiling cheerfully despite the cold, the flowers in her hand.
When she reached Sesshoumaru's door, she heard Sesshoumaru, a maid, and another man talking. Quietly she listened.
~
"How recently?" Sesshoumaru questioned heatedly, his now amber eyes seeming to radiate aggravation all over the place. The maid gulped. "A few minutes ago."
'She could have not gotten far,' Sesshoumaru mused, forgetting about Naraku. 'I must find her. Does she not know many powerful youkai wander these forests? Foolish idiot.'
"Leave," he dismissed the maid. Nirvana nodded and rushed out of the room, and bumped into Rin. She glanced at the little girl, muttered apologies, bowed and rushed off. Rin poked her head inside the room and saw Sesshoumaru pushing open a large window. She also saw another man with dark wavy hair. They seemed not to be aware of her presence. She watched them curiously.
~
"That foolish girl," Naraku muttered. "She always gets herself into some sort of danger."
Sesshoumaru jumped out the large windows and noticed Naraku was following him, but did not care. He soundlessly followed Kagome's strong sweet scent, and felt agitation spread over him. 'She went through THESE parts... Where all the strongest kinds of youkai lurk. The human does not know of the danger she puts herself into.'
Sesshoumaru leapt into the air and sprang from one tree to another, following the girl's scent. Naraku, however, was dashing through the forest, also following Kagome's scent.
~
Rin's eyes widened. "Kagome-chan is in danger?! Sesshoumaru-sama will save her, Rin knows he will!" her eyes filled with doubt and worry. "Kagome- chan... please be safe."
~
"Who are you and why do you have so many Shikon shards...? And how do you know my name? If you're here to steal my shards, I am not letting you!"
The sky suddenly darkened, and strong winds coursed through the air.
"Shikon Shards? Dear priestess, that is not all I am after." A young woman, (at least that's what it looked like) with short hair and black clothing stepped out of the darkness of the orange-leaved trees.
"W-What?"
"Your hair is so pretty," the young woman addressed simply. "It is different from the others. I would love to add it to my small collection," she slowly drew a short length sword. "I am Yura of the Hair. I'll just decapitate that little head of yours, but don't struggle, I'll only end up in getting that pretty hair stained in icky blood!"
Kagome drew an arrow nervously and aimed it clumsily at the youkai. "Don't come any closer!!"
"Or you'll what? Go ahead, shoot me, it wouldn't matter," Yura drawled.
Kagome grunted and let the arrow sail towards the youkai, who dodged it with little luck. The arrow whisked past Yura and hit a boulder, which evaporated into dust. Yura turned her head back to Kagome's direction and glared at her. "How... how do you possess such power?!"
"Practice! Don't underestimate me, sister!" Kagome felt confidence inside her building.
"You..!" Yura frowned. "I'm not very fond of you, human. Perhaps I shall make you suffer before I make off with your jewel shards.. and that pretty hair of course."
"No way I'm letting you have either!" Kagome aimed another bow and let it fly, grazing the youkai's cheek.
Blood dripped out slowly and was gradually blown away by the strong winds. "Oh me, oh my! Such bloodlust from such a little girl!" Yura pulled out a red comb. "I shall enjoy this."
Kagome's eyes widened as the strange black hair that covered up the small part of the forest move at frightening speed, mainly at her. She let out a small yelp when something, which she finds out as the long black hair, yanked at the basketful of arrows on her back, tearing them from her. Then her bow was pulled from her hand by the hair.
Yura stood with her hands on her hips, standing on a single strand of black hair. "Now you are unarmed. This is just too easy!"
Kagome flinched when Yura suddenly appeared before her. "You scared, little girl? Let me put you out of your misery!" her dagger appeared out of nowhere. Sneering, Yura grasped the dagger and prepared to bring it down upon Kagome when a clawed hand snaked around her wrist.
"None of that," a deep male voice stated in a deadpan voice.
~
Sesshoumaru looked down menacingly at the lowly female youkai, his hair whipping gracefully behind him from the wind.
He mutely sliced Yura cleanly in half before she could say anything. Kagome shut her eyes tightly as he did this deed and opened them once again to see Yura's body evaporating into dust. Five shards slowly descended onto the grass.
Sesshoumaru turned his attention to the foolish miko, who was still tied in midair with the black strong strands of hair. "Why did you escape without my authority?"
"I did what I had to do. And what I have to do is to find the shards," Kagome answered tentatively, feeling like a little girl being scolded. She bit her lip and looked down, unable to lock her gaze with Sesshoumaru's.
"Perhaps you are more foolish than brave," Naraku's voice reached her ears. She turned her eyes to Naraku, who was kneeling down, picking up the fallen jewel shards. "You could have gotten your weak self killed."
Kagome felt the hair around her wrists and ankles loosened and fell onto the grass. She pushed herself up so she was sprawling on the floor. "..."
"Do you really believe that you are capable of finding those jewels by yourself?" Sesshoumaru reprimanded coldly. "Surely you do not."
"I know, but... I've got to do something!!" Kagome retorted, her head bowed low. Her hands clenched onto the grass. "It's all my fault that the jewel broke."
She stood up and looked up at both of them. "I don't want to be a burden." Then she stiffly walked over to her bow and arrows and picked them up. "Although, if it's not too much trouble," Kagome looked down at her feet shyly. She abruptively turned big hopeful eyes onto them. "Iwouldreallyappreciateitifyouhelpedme." She muttered extra fast. "Of course, you don't have to, I mean, you probably have more important business to do-"
"Fine," the two inu replied flatly.
"Thank you so much!!! ...Why, though? Why are you guys gonna help me?"
"That is confidential," Sesshoumaru replied indifferently.
"The same goes for me," was Naraku's reply.
"You state that you must get back to that human village of yours, correct?" Sesshoumaru announced, "Let us not waste any time then. You go ahead, I must retrieve Rin. I am not fond of the idea of Rin being in the castle alone."
"What about your brother?" Kagome piped in.
"I do not trust him."
"Tch. Fine."
Sesshoumaru nodded and left with the wind to the castle. Leaving Naraku and Kagome. Kagome turned to Naraku. "Naraku? I had completely forgotten about your wound!!!! And I sat you, too. I'm so sorry!"
"I assumed that you would have found out by now," Naraku carefully undid his gi, showing a woundless shoulder. "That I have fast mending abilities." His eyes traveled to her face, which was scarlet colored. He smirked and pulled his gi back on. Then he walked over to Kagome and carried her on his back. She held onto his shoulders for support as Naraku leapt into the air.
"I am amused at the effect I have on you."
"What are you talking about?!" Kagome asked, flustered. Naraku turned his head slightly to see her face, which had slight pink tints on her cheeks.
"Nothing at all."
Kagome gasped. And felt her cheek with her right hand. It was slightly warm. 'OH NO!! AM I BLUSHING?!'
~
I'm sorry I haven't updated soon. I'm telling you, it's all the radioactive monkeys' fault!! -_-.. *sigh* who am I kidding? About Kouga, ...I'm still thinking about it.
Review responses
Jenny- Here's the update! Hope you enjoyed it!
Justareviewr- I was thinking about making Naraku and Sesshoumaru do more fighting than what was written on this chapter, but, I don't want too much blood and violence in this fic, now. I'm glad you had fun reading this!
Animegirl- Of course Naraku is NOT wearing that hideous baboon suit! Why would I want to block his handsomeness with a stupid baboon pelt?! *rants on about ridiculous baboon suits* oh yeah, thank you for reviewing!
Taishomaru- Wow, you really think it's good? I'm flattered! Thank you! Oh, and as you noticed, the two dogs didn't kill each other. If one of them dies, I'll die.
Anonymous- Another unknown reviewer.. *shrugs* thanks for reviewing! Here is the not-so-soon update!
KK- Thank you!
Mar- here it is, more! I'm happy you love it.
Fawnsess- *melts from puppy dog eyes* AGH! I hate puppy-dog eyes! My friends always do that to me and it WORKS. I'm sorry I couldn't update any sooner, but like I said before, it was all the radioactive monkeys' fault!
Mala Valvah- Thank you for reviewing once more, Mala Valvah-sama! I am grateful! ^_^ It's an honor having a great authoress review my first story.
Yuko- Thanks for reviewing yet again! I'm glad that you're glad that I like to write long chapters. Here's more!
Evil Bunny- ^^; You're the second person who said that! I appreciate your affection deeply. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Evil Bunny-san!
Faith- Ditto, Sess/kag fore-err... I mean... never mind! Here's the update.
L O K I: T.Y.F.R.! (thank you for reviewing) I think your review just boosted my ego up a notch. (if I even have any) Don't worry, I won't tell Sesshoumaru-sama anything. He might slice me to pieces. ARIGATOU!!!!
Dark Sapphire Angel: Well here's the sixth chapter! Stay tuned for the next one!
~
RPG_girl-
I haven't updated for many moons, but don't blame me, blame the monkeys.
Sayonara!