Chapter VIII:
Will You Bear My Child?
Kagome was sitting down nervously, her hands clenched in fists under the table as she told her grandfather and mother her story. "...And now I have to collect all of the shards and everything."
"Kagome... I'll let you go over there and get those 'shards.' If only you would visit at least once a month, dear?" Mrs. Higurashi said sadly.
Tension filled the room, and it was driving Kagome crazy.
"I'll try, Mom. I'm so sorry," Kagome bit her lip. Her eyes traveled back and forth from her mother, to her grandfather. They had the expression Kagome hated most to see; worry. She sighed and averted her gaze down to her cooling tea. "I wish I could stay, but I really have no choice. The Shikon no Tama is my responsibility, and I have to be looking for the shards at all times."
"Poor child," her Grandfather sighed forlornly. "Seems like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders." With closed eyes, the old priest drank his tea.
"I really don't mind having to look for the shards, actually. I have two companions to help me out," Kagome pointed out, trying to enlighten them. Then, hesitantly, she added, "It's not being able to see you guys much is what I do mind, though."
"These two 'companions' of yours. Are they those two young men you told me about? The way you describe them makes them sound handsome," her mother said, obviously trying to change the 'worry' subject after noticing Kagome's discomfort with it.
"Yes, they are," Kagome admitted, a small blush on her cheek. "But they are only... I'm not really sure, but I think they are my friends."
More uncomfortable silence filled the room.
"Well, it's been an hour already. You should prepare for this adventure of yours," Mrs. Higurashi smiled uneasily. Then she went into ultra-mother mode. "I want you to pack clean clothes, soap, towels, I guess some ramen also, three pairs of shoes, a first aid kit, some bug spray, blankets, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, some more soap, some toothpaste, a toothbrush, floss-"
"Mom! I get it," Kagome grinned. "I'll go pack now."
"Good!"
~
Naraku sat down on the steps of the shrine and watched Kaede sweeping. "So she went back to her own time?" Naraku asked stiffly. "For how long?"
"She said two hours or so," Kaede replied, pausing from her sweeping. "It's been an hour since she left."
"Alright, then," Naraku leaned back lazily. Kaede continued to do her chore with a small smile on her face. "So where did you find Kagome-chan?"
"In a castle."
"What?! A castle, you say?"
"Yes. Relatively the castle that the dog prince resides in."
"She was in Sesshoumaru's fortress?! Did he put her into any danger?" Kaede exclaimed, obviously worried.
"No."
Kaede tapped her foot impatiently. "Why do you keep on giving me such short answers?"
"Why do you continue to ask questions?" Naraku shot back indolently, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Sometimes you are truly irritating, ONIGUMO-CHAN."
"Thank you for the compliment," Naraku obviously enjoyed teasing the young miko. Kaede let out an exasperated sigh.
"So, did you hear?" Kaede asked quietly. "Some of the village men has been disappearing for some reason, you know. Some say it is Murasaki the demoness's doing."
"I know no 'Murasaki.' Nor do I care who this 'Murasaki' is," Naraku replied calmly. "But you say this demoness has been abducting village men?"
"Village male teens, also," Kaede added.
Naraku nodded. "Hmm?" his eyes darted to a patch of bushes.
Amber eyes narrowed as the hanyou smelled an slightly familiar human child getting closer. A little girl, the one that follows around Sesshoumaru, ran out of a couple of bushes towards them. "Are you the man that went with Sesshoumaru-sama to go save Okaa-san?"
'Could this girl be talking about Kagome?' Naraku questioned in his mind. "Are you talking about a someone named Kagome?"
"Hai!"
"You know Kagome-chan?" Kaede interrupted somewhat tentatively. Rin looked up at the teen. "Hai!"
"My name is Kaede. From the looks of it, you don't know who that man is. His name is Onigumo-chan," Kaede grinned. Noticing the glare that shot from amber eyes to hers, the young miko chuckled. "But you can call him Naraku."
"Okay, Kaede-chan. Rin's name is Rin," Rin replied cheerily. She stared at Naraku for a few moments, then giggled.
"What is it?" Naraku asked irritably.
"Naraku-sama has long pretty hair, just like Sesshoumaru-sama," the bubbly child replied.
The little girl indeed had taken Naraku and Kaede aback. What with the sudden addressing and compliments about Naraku's hair..
Naraku uncomfortably grunted. "Where is Sesshoumaru?"
"Last time Rin left him, Rin saw Sesshoumaru-sama and Okaa-san talking in the forest," Rin answered off-handedly and looked up at the shrine. "Rin wants to see what's inside the big building. Can Rin come in?"
Kaede gently set her broom aside and looked down at the little girl. "Okay. Why don't you go on ahead, and I'll catch up with you?"
The little girl nodded and curiously ran into the shrine. Kaede, with amusement, turned to Naraku. "So Kagome-chan has a daughter? I wonder who the father is."
Naraku scoffed. "It's obvious that girl is not Kagome's biological daughter. Their scents are too far apart."
"Maybe she adopted her," Kaede smiled. "Rin seems to know this Sesshoumaru. Perhaps Sesshoumaru is her adoptive father?"
"That is not a pleasant thought," Naraku retorted, his eyes turning into slits. 'Undeniably not a pleasant thought.'
Kaede smirked. 'Onigumo-chan,' she mused in a singsong voice. 'I sense envy in your voice.'
"And just what are you so happy about?" Naraku asked suspiciously.
"When Kagome left, she told me not to worry about it if Sesshoumaru comes here. Care to explain why?"
"It is a long story, best explained if Kagome was here," Naraku replied curtly.
Kaede heaved out a sigh. "I never COULD get a decent answer from you, now could I?"
"No."
"I see," Kaede walked up the steps of the shrine. "Why aren't you with Kikyou?"
"She is practicing her archery," he answered. "I do not want to be a distraction."
Kaede nodded and continued to go on her way.
~
Sesshoumaru casually walked through the forest, following Rin's flowery scent. Her aroma led him to the place he least wanted to see. It was the shrine of the village he destroyed ten years ago. To top it all off, there was Naraku, sitting on the steps. He coolly walked up to the dark haired half-breed and leveled his gaze with Naraku's amber eyes. "If you are looking for the human child," Naraku stated concisely, "She is inside this shrine."
"I believe I already knew that. That is not my problem, however," Sesshoumaru stated, a hint of discomfort in his eyes. "Regrettably, I am not able to enter this place."
"Oh? And why not?"
Sesshoumaru's expression hardened as he recalled the memories. They were faint, for he recalled himself being taken over by his rage and youkai blood. But he could still remember. Killing all those pathetic humans from the village and slaughtering Hitomi, Inuyasha's mother with immense bloodlust.
How ironic it was that he happened to meet two humans that interest him at the same village. And the shrine.. oh, yes the shrine. It seemed to ward him off for some reason. When he had tried to enter it, a strange, yet recognizable force blew him away. He never did find out why that force felt so familiar. "I had tried to enter here before."
"And?"
A cold look. Sesshoumaru walked past the hanyou to demonstrate. Stopping right infront of the door, Sesshoumaru reached out a hand, which was met with a strange blue static barrier. He drew his hand away from the barrier. "This Shrine wards me off."
"Interesting. Do you have an idea why?"
"Yes."
"Hn," Naraku smirked. "So you have been not only here, but in the village also. Destroyed it, I heard. You seem to have a mighty grudge against humanity."
"Humans are such pests. No matter how many times you try to destroy them, they grow right back up in numbers," Sesshoumaru's golden irises appeared to have amber tints in them. "But the humans I abhor most are the foolish mother of Inuyasha, as well as your woman, Kikyou. My half brother's mother had, after all, killed Father."
Naraku kept the smirk in place. "Your brother is rather hard headed and naïve. In my assumption, I believe you have not told him that it was you who had killed his human mother, and it is you who is planning to kill his so called 'lover.' And he still has no clue whatsoever that it was his very own mother who killed his father? Or that he is an assassination target?"
"I deem he is too young and stubborn to take the truth," came a low reply. "Even if I did tell him, do you actually suppose he would believe my words?"
"Obviously not."
"He already has too many problems on his hands. He is about to become a ruler at eighteen, yet he is still as I see it, an unruly teenager," Sesshoumaru stated with repulsion.
~
Kagome embraced her mother, Souta, and her grandfather one last time before she leaves. With somewhat teary eyes, she grasped her big yellow backpack and prepared to dive into the well. "I'll miss you guys so much," she said quietly. "I promise I'll visit as much as I can!"
"Be careful out there, Kagome. Promise to take pictures there to show us?" Mrs. Higurashi wiped a tear off her cheek with a handkerchief.
"Hai!"
"Sis, take a picture of those two cool guys you were talking about, okay?" Souta said, grinning. Kagome nodded and patted Souta on the head. "Mom, Souta, Grandpa, take care," Kagome turned to jump into the well.
"Goodbye, Kagome."
~
After the goodbyes, Kagome jumped into the well, big yellow backpack and all. She felt the usual sensation of falling through water again, then her feet touched the floor. 'Well, I'm here. Hope nothing bad happened while I was gone.'
With difficulty, the modern miko climbed the vines and reached the top of the well. She pushed her heavy large backpack out and it hit the ground with a disturbing crash. Then Kagome pushed herself out of the well and plopped down on the grass. "Why do mothers have to be so darn maternal?! Jeez!"
Sucking in a breath, the teen heaved up the heavy bag onto her back and started to walk towards the shrine.
~
"I don't see why you are all teary about not being able to see Kagome again," Grandfather Higurashi boasted with self-importance. "I could always bring her back if I give an offering to the Spirit of the Well."
"Otou-san," Mrs. Higurashi said to the egotistical old fool, "Maybe if we do something else, like a human sacrifice, then maybe the well will let Kagome get back to us permanently. In fact, why don't we try that theory out right now?"
Mrs. Higurashi carelessly shoved Grandpa into the well, and put her hands on her hips. "Maybe the fall deflated that ego of yours!" with that, Mrs. Higurashi sauntered off with Souta. Souta looked up at his mother. "Mom, do you think he's okay?"
"Oh, don't worry about HIM, the only thing he bruised is his ego."
"HEY!!" Grandfather Higurashi hollered from the well. "You can't do this to me! I'm your father!!"
"Come on, Souta," Mrs. Higurashi smiled. "You should get ready for that birthday party you have to attend."
~
At the village, a miko and a snake youkai stood face to face.
"At last I've found you!" Kiochi looked up at the youkai, which happened to be a large, white snake with something on its forehead. Kiochi soon finds it out as a piece of the Shikon Jewel. 'Don't tell me... the jewel had broken?!'
She casually fired an arrow straight at the youkai's forehead, thus ending its life in a snap. 'This demon that has been attacking the village has a piece of the Shikon jewel embedded in its forehead. Kagome-san has a lot of explaining to do.' She turned to the villagers. "The extermination is done. If you see any other youkai come here and attack, do not hesitate to come to the shrine for assistance."
"Thank you, Lady Kiochi for destroying this monster. We are eternally grateful," a villager said, bowing. Kiochi nodded and turned to return to the shrine.
Sighing, the graceful miko placed the shard into her pocket. She paused when she felt a familiar aura. Sesshoumaru's aura, to be exact.
"He is here! The one who had injured Naraku! I must hurry back to the shrine!"
~
Sesshoumaru growled impatiently. What's taking Rin so long in there? "Just what is there to see in this ridiculous shrine? I've waited long enough."
"And what are you going to do about it?" came a lazy question from the hanyou.
Sesshoumaru glared icily at the lounging Naraku. "Hanyou, my patience grows thin of being in your presence. Go get Rin."
"Sesshoumaru!" A feminine voice yelled from behind. Sesshoumaru paid no attention to the owner of the voice. Naraku stared past the ignoring demon and saw Kiochi, aiming an arrow straight at the white haired inu. "Leave these lands, right now!"
Her light brown eyes narrowed. "I remember clearly what you've done ten years ago!"
Sesshoumaru turned malevolent golden eyes to the opposing miko. "You lived through the hell I put on your village?" he asked discourteously.
"Silence! I was in this very shrine when you destroyed my village!"
"So that's how many of you lived," Sesshoumaru replied thoughtfully, completely disregarding the fact that an arrow was pointed at him. "I do not wish to cause any disturbance, Shrine Maiden."
"Then leave, by all means, perpetrator," Kiochi snarled and let the arrow fly at Sesshoumaru, who didn't wince or move an inch. Her arrow was stopped midway when another arrow collided with it from the side. Kiochi, evidently baffled, turned her head to see Kagome, with her bow. "Kagome-san? What is going on here?"
"Kiochi-san, I'm very sorry," Kagome rushed. "A lot has happened." 'It's a good thing I got here in time. Otherwise there'd be much chaos here at the shrine.'
Just then, Rin and Kaede walked out of the shrine and looked around at everyone. All eyes fell on the two girls. Kaede's cheerful expression turned worried. "...Why is everyone so quiet?"
Rin ran down the stairs and hurried behind her beloved Sesshoumaru-sama. Kiochi looked very baffled, indeed. 'This child.. why does she seem fond of him?'
"Kiochi-san, why don't we go inside? I'll tell you everything," Kagome promised. "Like I said before, a LOT has happened when I was gone." Kiochi nodded, dumbstruck. 'When did life become so complicated?' Kiochi mused, feeling a headache brewing from all this confusion.
~
Kagome told Kiochi everything, from the snake youkai, to Yura of the Hair. She also told of the broken Shikon no tama, of course.
"I see," Kiochi finally recovered from her shock. "Why do you ask Sesshoumaru for help to gather the Shikon Shards? And why do you trust that man so much? Do you forget he had nearly destroyed our village at one point?"
"Something just tells me he could be trusted," Kagome answered. "Although his deed was kinda crazy, he was only doing it for revenge of his father's death. I admit, I probably would've done the same thing if I were in his position," Kagome said sheepishly, looking down.
"Fine. But Kagome-san," Kiochi said in her usual soft voice. "I'm afraid I will not be able to bring myself to forgive him. But I will promise I will not be hostile with him."
"Thanks, Kiochi-san. He did after, all, save me from that snake Youkai," Kagome added. "And he tended to my wounds. He's a little bit nice, at least."
"Perhaps some of his father's interest for humans was passed down to him."
The two miko females fell silent for a while.
"So you are going to be staying here often?" Kiochi started. "I see you had brought some luggage." She motioned to the big yellow back pack in the corner. Kagome laughed nervously, "Hai... If it's alright, do you mind if I can rent a small room here?"
"I suppose so," Kiochi smiled. "Things will be more interesting with you around."
"Thank you." Kagome smiled. "I think I should go outside now, to go see Sesshoumaru and the others. I'm glad I had the whole situation explained to you."
"Me too. One more question, please."
"Ask away!"
"That child who calls Sesshoumaru Sesshoumaru-sama. Did Sesshoumaru ever tell you how he met her?"
"I guess not," Kagome said thoughtfully. "But I'm going to attempt to find out. Her name is Rin, by the way. She's very cute, and she always surprises people by suddenly calling them 'chan' or 'sama.' She got me into being her mother."
"She did, did she?" Kiochi laughed. "Sounds like she's a very cunning character."
"No, just too innocent for her own good," Kagome said flatly. Kiochi laughed once more.
"Let me guess, this 'innocence' is what caught Sesshoumaru?" Kiochi theorized, a playful smile on her face.
"Yeah, but he keeps on saying that it's because of her aura and scent," Kagome smiled. "That guy is still sort of a mystery to me..."
"It was nice talking to you, Kagome-san," Kiochi handed back the bottle full of Shikon shards she had been currently observing back to Kagome. "You've found eleven so far. Here," Kiochi deposited a shard into Kagome's hand. "I found it when I exterminated a demon."
"Thanks. Um, could you go outside with me? It's sort of a favor my family asked of me."
"What is it?" Kiochi stood up and followed Kagome out of the Shrine. 'Her family asked for a favor? I wonder what it is..'
"You'll see."
They both walked out of the Shrine to see Naraku, Sesshoumaru, Kaede, and Rin waiting for them. Kagome bit her lip. 'I wish Kikyou could be here. Where could she be...? oh well, I'll just take a picture of her later.'
Kagome took an instant photo-printing camera out of her pocket. "If it's okay, can I take a few pictures of you guys?" she asked casually, holding the camera in both of her hands. She strode down the steps and smiled toothily at everyone. "My family wants to see who I've met here."
"Pik-churs?" Rin said, trying to sound out the word. "What's that?"
"It's sort of a device that captures an image..." Kagome searched through her mind for a good explanation. "I know! Come here, Rin-chan."
~
Sesshoumaru watched with interest as Rin sat down on the Shrine's steps. Kagome walked infront of the little girl and straightened out her yellow- checkered kimono a bit, then backed up about five feet. "Perfect! Now look straight at the camera... good!"
"Okay Rin! Smile and say.." Kagome thought for a while. Her gaze traveled all over the place, as if looking for something. Then her eyes suddenly landed on Sesshoumaru's tail, to Sesshoumaru's suspicion. Smiling slyly, she said, "Smile and say Fluffy!"
At the mention of 'fluffy,' Sesshoumaru almost twitched.
Rin smiled cutely. "...Fluffy!"
Kagome clicked something on the 'camera' and something flashed. Sesshoumaru, taken aback by the sudden flash, almost flinched like everyone else. His eyes landed on Rin and saw her looking VERY dizzy. "Wow! Rin can see many colors, Sesshoumaru-sama!"
Kagome giggled as a piece of paper came out of the 'camera.' "Oh! It turned out wonderfully!"
Naraku was the first one to see the picture. His eyes widened slightly. "Impossible," he muttered. Sesshoumaru felt his curiosity get the better of him and looked. It was a very realistic painting of Rin. Very detailed, also. Kagome 'printed' another copy and gave it to Sesshoumaru. "Now you have an ever-lasting picture of your daughter!"
Sesshoumaru glared at Kagome, though not intensely.
Rin looked at a picture of herself, bewildered. "Wow, Okaa-san, will this picture really last forever?"
"Of course! Only if you take good care of it, though." Kagome suddenly burst into a grin.
"I have an idea," the eager teen ran back into the shrine into the room where her backpack was. Then, keenly, she dug into it and found a picture frame. Running back outside, Kagome politely took the picture from Rin and inserted it into the picture frame. "There! Now it won't get any stains or anything!"
"Arigatou, Okaa-san!"
"You're welcome," Kagome nodded. "Who's next?" she then added excitedly, "Kaede-chan, my good friend!"
Kaede looked up shyly and nodded.
"Okay, sit down right there on the steps, smile and say 'Fluffy,'" Kaede did as she was told.
After Kaede and Kiochi took their pictures, Kagome set sights onto Naraku. "Oh, Naraku," she said in a melodious voice.
Sesshoumaru saw Naraku visibly tense and chuckled.
"No, thanks," Naraku said quietly and folded his arms. Kagome frowned. "Why not?! You don't have anything to worry about, you look fine," she chirped cheerily. "Come on, PLEASE?!"
"No."
"Fine, fine," Kagome said, looking away, yet a small smile was plastered on her childish face. 'Souta'll feel down if I don't take a picture of the two 'cool guys' for him... I'll just take a picture of you when you aren't looking, then, Naraku,' she included. "How about you Sesshoumaru?"
"Perhaps later," Sesshoumaru said curtly.
Kagome was about to protest when she sensed it. A Shikon Shard. Maybe Kaede and Kiochi sensed it, also, for they both tensed at the same time. This shard was a big one.
"A shard...!" Kagome said. "It's not too far from here!" Kagome closed her eyes to get a better focus on the shard.
"Which direction?" Sesshoumaru questioned.
"East! It's pretty far, about two miles away," Kagome replied carefully. "I'm not that sure, though, it's too far away to tell if it's moving or no- ahh!"
In a blink of an eye, Kagome was on Sesshoumaru's back. "It is only one shard, correct?"
"Well, yeah."
"Then we will not need much assistance. Hanyou, you can stay here," Sesshoumaru said in a low voice and leapt into the air. He kept his golden eyes on the trail.
Sesshoumaru grunted. 'That smell.. a human. Could this human possibly possess a shard?' he inhaled the air more carefully.
"What is it?" Kagome asked.
"I smell a human."
"Well, DUH! There's one riding on your back!"
"Fool, the being that has the shard is human," Sesshoumaru retorted, almost wanting to roll his eyes.
"Oh!"
~
A young man named Miroku rode swiftly on his horse as he felt himself drawing closer.
Miroku sighed. 'How lonely to be traveling alone, with no woman to comfort me. Won't Kami-sama answer my prayers and give me a female companion? On the positive side, I had finally caught trail of 'her.'
'I shall kill her and remove the curse of the Wind tunnel from myself once and for all,' he mused stoically. He abruptively stopped when he felt another presence nearby.
'It looks like someone is after me again,' he thought. "Or should I say, after you, my dear Shikon Kakera?" he said to a piece of the Shikon Jewel. 'Heh. I'm starting to talk to myself. Perhaps I am starting to lose it.'
He jumped off his horse and waited for the offender to come.
~
"Sesshoumaru! I see him," Kagome whispered. "He IS a human!"
The 'human' was a guy who looked in his late teens or early twenties, and dressed in monk clothing and had black hair tied back into a low ponytail. Sesshoumaru landed on the grass gently and observed the anonymous monk. He was standing perfectly still with his back faced to them, as if he has been awaiting their arrival.
Suspiciously, the dog demon set Kagome down onto the ground and decided to let her deal with this, since he is, after all, only a human. Deciding to sit back and watch, Sesshoumaru leapt up on a tree and sat himself into a comfortable position, completely concealing his presence in the shade. Kagome looked up tentatively at Sesshoumaru. He made no reply whatsoever.
Kagome sighed, walked towards the man and stopped a few feet away. Biting back the slight uncertainty that she felt, she called out to the monk. "Excuse me?"
~
Miroku felt heaven on ears when a beautiful maiden's melodious voice called out to him. 'Kami-sama has answered my prayers.' Truly believing this, he turned around to see, just as he expected, a beautiful maiden. She wore a green-blue miko outfit and had raven hair that rivaled flowing silk. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue so dark it appeared almost ebony. Beautiful, no doubt. She had creamy luscious skin and rosy cheeks. Or at least that's how Miroku described her in his mind.
His thoughts went from adoring her beauty to slightly lecherous thoughts about her figure. 'Kami-sama, I thank you greatly!'
He just gaped at her continuously, not noticing her uneasiness with his staring.
~
Kagome unconsciously grasped her right arm out of a sign of discomfort yet kept eye contact. "Excuse me, I noticed you have a Shiko-"
The man suddenly ran forward and took her hands in his, his dark eyes filled with compassion boring into hers. "Beautiful maiden, tell me your name."
Kagome slightly flushed at his closeness and pulled away hastily. "Aah, it's Kagome."
"Kagome... it suits you very well," the man stepped forward took her right hand in his, and brought it up to his lips. "Just saying it sends shivers down my spine."
Kagome felt her face grow beat red. 'Okay, this guy's hitting on me! Maybe he's just a creep who happened to find a sacred jewel shard!'
~
Sesshoumaru frowned as he saw the human dare touch Kagome with his lips. 'Girl, you better know what you are doing.' He felt annoyance burning inside him. 'Just say the word and I'll come down there, slice him in half so you can take the damn shard and be over with it.'
~
Kagome pulled her hand away, laughing nervously. "Ah, you didn't tell me your name yet."
"It is Miroku. I see that you have a couple of shards with you?"
"What? How did you-"
"I can feel its presence."
"You can see the Shikon shards also?!"
"Not from a log distance, but yes. I assume I have no chance of getting those shards from you, I suppose?"
"Sorry, no........ Huh?" Kagome felt a strong wind pulling from nowhere. "What was that breeze I just felt?"
Miroku raised his right hand. "I do not know why I am telling you this.. but I have been cursed."
"Cursed? That's terrible! What is it?"
"I have a hole in my right hand. It's not just any hole, either. It's called a wind tunnel."
"A wind tunnel?"
"Yes. This wind tunnel happens to suck up everything like a black hole. And the worst part of it all is; the hole gets stronger and stronger. Eventually, it will absorb me, too."
"How did you get this?" Kagome asked, feeling sympathy for the poor monk.
"That, I will tell you in a second. But first, may I ask you a question?"
Kagome eyed the monk suspiciously. "Okay."
Miroku suddenly was on his knees, grasping her hands. "Kagome... Kagome- sama, will you give me the honors and bear my child?"
Kagome flushed a deeper shade of red. "Ahh, I-I. don't.."
"No, she will not."
Kagome looked up to see Sesshoumaru glaring down at both of them, obviously annoyed. "Give her the shard and I might spare your life."
~
Miroku sighed. So it WAS just another demon after his lovely shard. "I'm afraid I cannot."
A hand snaked around the humble monk's neck. "It is not that hard. Just reach into your pocket and hand it over."
"Sesshoumaru," Kagome protested. "Let him go. You don't have to use force all the time to get what you want. Oh, you know what, never mind. Just put him down before I say the 'word.'"
Hesitantly, Sesshoumaru opened his hand, causing Miroku to stumble backwards.
"Can't you see he's under a traumatic curse? Don't you feel any sympathy at all?" she then turned back to Miroku. "I'm sorry about that! Miroku, this is Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru, Miroku."
When she wasn't looking, Miroku inched to Kagome's side, (much to Sesshoumaru's irritation) and patted her on the back. "Dear Kagome," he said dramatically, "are you troubled for my misfortune?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Kagome suddenly twitched when she felt a hand gently slide down slowly against her back. Kagome squealed and blushed furiously as it reached its 'destination.' "AAAH! Get your hands off me!" Kagome cried and on reflex, slapped the monk square across the face.
Sesshoumaru got in between them, Kagome safely behind him. He growled down at the human. "That was your last chance." He flexed his claws as Miroku defensively held up his staff. "Wait! Let me explain my story first!"
Sesshoumaru looked back to Kagome for confirmation, who nodded reluctantly.
With an impassive voice, Sesshoumaru lowered his claws and crossed his arms into his kimono. "Fine. But let me make this clear: I will personally amputate those repulsive hands of yours if they lay upon her again. Understand?"
Miroku smiled and bowed courteously. "Forgive me for my earlier actions. I cannot help it when there is a beautiful woman nearby." He tried to walk past Sesshoumaru to get closer to Kagome but was stopped when a fluffy...tail blocked his path. It twitched suspiciously. "You will not get past here, monk," Sesshoumaru informed. "So say what you have to say where you stand."
Miroku blinked and nodded. "Okay.. where to start..."
A long time ago, my grandfather, a humble monk, had come around some unknown parts after assisting a village in need. It was then when he had heard a melodious voice from deep into the forest.
He followed the voice and wound up in a strange cave- inside that cave happened to be an extremely beautiful maiden. This maiden turns out to be a demoness who lure males, both youkai and human alike, and toys with them for a little while.
Then afterwards turns them into her servants. Some say she devours some of them.
However, for some reason she didn't attract my grandfather, and was furious. Grandfather finds out she's a demoness and tries to escape her, but... in an attempt to escape, he must pass through a horde of zombie men. Amazingly, he was able to escape her clutches and said horde of zombie men.
But just as he was about to fully escape from her, she transformed into some sort of octopus like being, and pierced Grandfather's hand with one of her tentacles.
He managed to slice the tentacle off and ran for his life, but the next day he noticed a strange draft coming from his wound. His wound turns completely black and starts to drain everything.
That very same day, a strange voice said to him; 'the hole in your hand is no ordinary hole. It will get stronger and larger, until it is strong enough to devour YOU. The only way to get rid of this curse is to pass it down to a descendant, or if I die. Also, as a part of the curse, each of your children will be male.'
My grandfather returned to the cave in attempt to kill her, but found that she has changed her location. Ever since then, Murasaki the demoness has been moving to different places. As you can see, ever since then it has always been a family mission; to track down Murasaki and kill her. Sources lead me to this place, telling me that she resides here," Miroku ended.
"How do you know?" Kagome questioned curiously.
"I've heard that male villagers have gone missing," Miroku stated.
"Why do you need that shard?" the miko pressed on.
"Murasaki has heard of the breaking of the Shikon no Tama, and also has been collecting some shards of her own by making village men forage for them."
"That's horrible," Kagome frowned. With a determined look Kagome pushed past Sesshoumaru's tail. "You know what?! That demoness gives the female gender a bad name!" her serious face turned soft. "We'll help you defeat this demoness!"
"Actually, that is not the only way you can help me."
"Hmm? Then what can I do for you?"
"Will you bear me a child?"
Before Kagome could even say anything, Sesshoumaru's tail constricted around her middle and she was in the air. Glaring at Sesshoumaru, Kagome began to struggle against Sesshoumaru's hold to no avail. The feathery boa constrictor only tightened. "Oww! Sesshoumaru, put me down," she huffed. Sesshoumaru stared up at her coolly. "This lecherous character is not worth talking to."
"Oh, I see," Miroku interrupted their small quarrel. "Please forgive me. I did not know she was your woman, or mate as you dog demons like to call it. Who knows, perhaps you already HAVE mated."
Sesshoumaru didn't budge an inch and felt heat radiating from Kagome. His eyes wandered up to see Kagome with a blush creeping up her cheeks. He bit back a chuckle.
"Listen, MIROKU, we have never mated nor are we mates nor am I his woman!!!" Kagome raged, her cheeks growing rosier with each interesting word.
"Then you WILL bear my child?" Miroku said hopefully.
"No, she will NOT," Sesshoumaru snarled somewhat possessively, unconsciously tightening his grip on Kagome.
"I don't get you people," Miroku muttered, throwing his arms in the air out of frustration.
~
RPG-girl: Threw in a little bit of humor in there. Poor Kagome's in a fluffy boa constrictor's death grip... although I wouldn't mind taking her place. ^_____^
Oi, this has GOT to be the longest chapter ever. By that I mean five thousand, eight hundred, something words. And it took me two days to type it. TWO DAYS. To tell you the truth, I had much fun typing this chapter.
Yay! I got MORE than ten reviews. Thank you, everyone, for coping with my selfish needs for reviews! If I didn't respond to a review I swear to Kami- sama I'll respond next chapter!
Review Responses:
Cherry-wolf-blossom: Thank you, here's some more!
Suki- I found your review flattering! And yes, you already DID review, not that I mind. Thank you very much, Suki-san!
Sith- Here's the update, I glad you love it!
Kimusume kaoru- I think your review got me some more readers! Arigatou, kimusume kaoru-dono! Your review made me think a little bit higher of myself!
Anim8teen- I hope you found this chapter interesting. Thank you!
Strawberrycream16- Thank you!
Jenifa- Looks like I DID get ten reviews, even more. ^_^
Yuma- I'm glad you didn't think that last chapter was weird.
dragonruler212- A's are something we agree on. *nods* Yes, B's are evil! :D Anyway, thank you for reviewing!
mar- Here's more! Thank you.
Hinoke- Another flattering review! (actually all reviews flatter me) Thank you, Hinoke-san.
Faith- I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Thank you for reviewing again!
~
RPG-girl: Well, I guess I'll see you whenever. I'll update as soon as I get the next chapter done. Please review after you read the sayonara sign or I'll sick my pet radioactive monkeys on you.
Sayonara!
Kagome was sitting down nervously, her hands clenched in fists under the table as she told her grandfather and mother her story. "...And now I have to collect all of the shards and everything."
"Kagome... I'll let you go over there and get those 'shards.' If only you would visit at least once a month, dear?" Mrs. Higurashi said sadly.
Tension filled the room, and it was driving Kagome crazy.
"I'll try, Mom. I'm so sorry," Kagome bit her lip. Her eyes traveled back and forth from her mother, to her grandfather. They had the expression Kagome hated most to see; worry. She sighed and averted her gaze down to her cooling tea. "I wish I could stay, but I really have no choice. The Shikon no Tama is my responsibility, and I have to be looking for the shards at all times."
"Poor child," her Grandfather sighed forlornly. "Seems like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders." With closed eyes, the old priest drank his tea.
"I really don't mind having to look for the shards, actually. I have two companions to help me out," Kagome pointed out, trying to enlighten them. Then, hesitantly, she added, "It's not being able to see you guys much is what I do mind, though."
"These two 'companions' of yours. Are they those two young men you told me about? The way you describe them makes them sound handsome," her mother said, obviously trying to change the 'worry' subject after noticing Kagome's discomfort with it.
"Yes, they are," Kagome admitted, a small blush on her cheek. "But they are only... I'm not really sure, but I think they are my friends."
More uncomfortable silence filled the room.
"Well, it's been an hour already. You should prepare for this adventure of yours," Mrs. Higurashi smiled uneasily. Then she went into ultra-mother mode. "I want you to pack clean clothes, soap, towels, I guess some ramen also, three pairs of shoes, a first aid kit, some bug spray, blankets, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, some more soap, some toothpaste, a toothbrush, floss-"
"Mom! I get it," Kagome grinned. "I'll go pack now."
"Good!"
~
Naraku sat down on the steps of the shrine and watched Kaede sweeping. "So she went back to her own time?" Naraku asked stiffly. "For how long?"
"She said two hours or so," Kaede replied, pausing from her sweeping. "It's been an hour since she left."
"Alright, then," Naraku leaned back lazily. Kaede continued to do her chore with a small smile on her face. "So where did you find Kagome-chan?"
"In a castle."
"What?! A castle, you say?"
"Yes. Relatively the castle that the dog prince resides in."
"She was in Sesshoumaru's fortress?! Did he put her into any danger?" Kaede exclaimed, obviously worried.
"No."
Kaede tapped her foot impatiently. "Why do you keep on giving me such short answers?"
"Why do you continue to ask questions?" Naraku shot back indolently, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Sometimes you are truly irritating, ONIGUMO-CHAN."
"Thank you for the compliment," Naraku obviously enjoyed teasing the young miko. Kaede let out an exasperated sigh.
"So, did you hear?" Kaede asked quietly. "Some of the village men has been disappearing for some reason, you know. Some say it is Murasaki the demoness's doing."
"I know no 'Murasaki.' Nor do I care who this 'Murasaki' is," Naraku replied calmly. "But you say this demoness has been abducting village men?"
"Village male teens, also," Kaede added.
Naraku nodded. "Hmm?" his eyes darted to a patch of bushes.
Amber eyes narrowed as the hanyou smelled an slightly familiar human child getting closer. A little girl, the one that follows around Sesshoumaru, ran out of a couple of bushes towards them. "Are you the man that went with Sesshoumaru-sama to go save Okaa-san?"
'Could this girl be talking about Kagome?' Naraku questioned in his mind. "Are you talking about a someone named Kagome?"
"Hai!"
"You know Kagome-chan?" Kaede interrupted somewhat tentatively. Rin looked up at the teen. "Hai!"
"My name is Kaede. From the looks of it, you don't know who that man is. His name is Onigumo-chan," Kaede grinned. Noticing the glare that shot from amber eyes to hers, the young miko chuckled. "But you can call him Naraku."
"Okay, Kaede-chan. Rin's name is Rin," Rin replied cheerily. She stared at Naraku for a few moments, then giggled.
"What is it?" Naraku asked irritably.
"Naraku-sama has long pretty hair, just like Sesshoumaru-sama," the bubbly child replied.
The little girl indeed had taken Naraku and Kaede aback. What with the sudden addressing and compliments about Naraku's hair..
Naraku uncomfortably grunted. "Where is Sesshoumaru?"
"Last time Rin left him, Rin saw Sesshoumaru-sama and Okaa-san talking in the forest," Rin answered off-handedly and looked up at the shrine. "Rin wants to see what's inside the big building. Can Rin come in?"
Kaede gently set her broom aside and looked down at the little girl. "Okay. Why don't you go on ahead, and I'll catch up with you?"
The little girl nodded and curiously ran into the shrine. Kaede, with amusement, turned to Naraku. "So Kagome-chan has a daughter? I wonder who the father is."
Naraku scoffed. "It's obvious that girl is not Kagome's biological daughter. Their scents are too far apart."
"Maybe she adopted her," Kaede smiled. "Rin seems to know this Sesshoumaru. Perhaps Sesshoumaru is her adoptive father?"
"That is not a pleasant thought," Naraku retorted, his eyes turning into slits. 'Undeniably not a pleasant thought.'
Kaede smirked. 'Onigumo-chan,' she mused in a singsong voice. 'I sense envy in your voice.'
"And just what are you so happy about?" Naraku asked suspiciously.
"When Kagome left, she told me not to worry about it if Sesshoumaru comes here. Care to explain why?"
"It is a long story, best explained if Kagome was here," Naraku replied curtly.
Kaede heaved out a sigh. "I never COULD get a decent answer from you, now could I?"
"No."
"I see," Kaede walked up the steps of the shrine. "Why aren't you with Kikyou?"
"She is practicing her archery," he answered. "I do not want to be a distraction."
Kaede nodded and continued to go on her way.
~
Sesshoumaru casually walked through the forest, following Rin's flowery scent. Her aroma led him to the place he least wanted to see. It was the shrine of the village he destroyed ten years ago. To top it all off, there was Naraku, sitting on the steps. He coolly walked up to the dark haired half-breed and leveled his gaze with Naraku's amber eyes. "If you are looking for the human child," Naraku stated concisely, "She is inside this shrine."
"I believe I already knew that. That is not my problem, however," Sesshoumaru stated, a hint of discomfort in his eyes. "Regrettably, I am not able to enter this place."
"Oh? And why not?"
Sesshoumaru's expression hardened as he recalled the memories. They were faint, for he recalled himself being taken over by his rage and youkai blood. But he could still remember. Killing all those pathetic humans from the village and slaughtering Hitomi, Inuyasha's mother with immense bloodlust.
How ironic it was that he happened to meet two humans that interest him at the same village. And the shrine.. oh, yes the shrine. It seemed to ward him off for some reason. When he had tried to enter it, a strange, yet recognizable force blew him away. He never did find out why that force felt so familiar. "I had tried to enter here before."
"And?"
A cold look. Sesshoumaru walked past the hanyou to demonstrate. Stopping right infront of the door, Sesshoumaru reached out a hand, which was met with a strange blue static barrier. He drew his hand away from the barrier. "This Shrine wards me off."
"Interesting. Do you have an idea why?"
"Yes."
"Hn," Naraku smirked. "So you have been not only here, but in the village also. Destroyed it, I heard. You seem to have a mighty grudge against humanity."
"Humans are such pests. No matter how many times you try to destroy them, they grow right back up in numbers," Sesshoumaru's golden irises appeared to have amber tints in them. "But the humans I abhor most are the foolish mother of Inuyasha, as well as your woman, Kikyou. My half brother's mother had, after all, killed Father."
Naraku kept the smirk in place. "Your brother is rather hard headed and naïve. In my assumption, I believe you have not told him that it was you who had killed his human mother, and it is you who is planning to kill his so called 'lover.' And he still has no clue whatsoever that it was his very own mother who killed his father? Or that he is an assassination target?"
"I deem he is too young and stubborn to take the truth," came a low reply. "Even if I did tell him, do you actually suppose he would believe my words?"
"Obviously not."
"He already has too many problems on his hands. He is about to become a ruler at eighteen, yet he is still as I see it, an unruly teenager," Sesshoumaru stated with repulsion.
~
Kagome embraced her mother, Souta, and her grandfather one last time before she leaves. With somewhat teary eyes, she grasped her big yellow backpack and prepared to dive into the well. "I'll miss you guys so much," she said quietly. "I promise I'll visit as much as I can!"
"Be careful out there, Kagome. Promise to take pictures there to show us?" Mrs. Higurashi wiped a tear off her cheek with a handkerchief.
"Hai!"
"Sis, take a picture of those two cool guys you were talking about, okay?" Souta said, grinning. Kagome nodded and patted Souta on the head. "Mom, Souta, Grandpa, take care," Kagome turned to jump into the well.
"Goodbye, Kagome."
~
After the goodbyes, Kagome jumped into the well, big yellow backpack and all. She felt the usual sensation of falling through water again, then her feet touched the floor. 'Well, I'm here. Hope nothing bad happened while I was gone.'
With difficulty, the modern miko climbed the vines and reached the top of the well. She pushed her heavy large backpack out and it hit the ground with a disturbing crash. Then Kagome pushed herself out of the well and plopped down on the grass. "Why do mothers have to be so darn maternal?! Jeez!"
Sucking in a breath, the teen heaved up the heavy bag onto her back and started to walk towards the shrine.
~
"I don't see why you are all teary about not being able to see Kagome again," Grandfather Higurashi boasted with self-importance. "I could always bring her back if I give an offering to the Spirit of the Well."
"Otou-san," Mrs. Higurashi said to the egotistical old fool, "Maybe if we do something else, like a human sacrifice, then maybe the well will let Kagome get back to us permanently. In fact, why don't we try that theory out right now?"
Mrs. Higurashi carelessly shoved Grandpa into the well, and put her hands on her hips. "Maybe the fall deflated that ego of yours!" with that, Mrs. Higurashi sauntered off with Souta. Souta looked up at his mother. "Mom, do you think he's okay?"
"Oh, don't worry about HIM, the only thing he bruised is his ego."
"HEY!!" Grandfather Higurashi hollered from the well. "You can't do this to me! I'm your father!!"
"Come on, Souta," Mrs. Higurashi smiled. "You should get ready for that birthday party you have to attend."
~
At the village, a miko and a snake youkai stood face to face.
"At last I've found you!" Kiochi looked up at the youkai, which happened to be a large, white snake with something on its forehead. Kiochi soon finds it out as a piece of the Shikon Jewel. 'Don't tell me... the jewel had broken?!'
She casually fired an arrow straight at the youkai's forehead, thus ending its life in a snap. 'This demon that has been attacking the village has a piece of the Shikon jewel embedded in its forehead. Kagome-san has a lot of explaining to do.' She turned to the villagers. "The extermination is done. If you see any other youkai come here and attack, do not hesitate to come to the shrine for assistance."
"Thank you, Lady Kiochi for destroying this monster. We are eternally grateful," a villager said, bowing. Kiochi nodded and turned to return to the shrine.
Sighing, the graceful miko placed the shard into her pocket. She paused when she felt a familiar aura. Sesshoumaru's aura, to be exact.
"He is here! The one who had injured Naraku! I must hurry back to the shrine!"
~
Sesshoumaru growled impatiently. What's taking Rin so long in there? "Just what is there to see in this ridiculous shrine? I've waited long enough."
"And what are you going to do about it?" came a lazy question from the hanyou.
Sesshoumaru glared icily at the lounging Naraku. "Hanyou, my patience grows thin of being in your presence. Go get Rin."
"Sesshoumaru!" A feminine voice yelled from behind. Sesshoumaru paid no attention to the owner of the voice. Naraku stared past the ignoring demon and saw Kiochi, aiming an arrow straight at the white haired inu. "Leave these lands, right now!"
Her light brown eyes narrowed. "I remember clearly what you've done ten years ago!"
Sesshoumaru turned malevolent golden eyes to the opposing miko. "You lived through the hell I put on your village?" he asked discourteously.
"Silence! I was in this very shrine when you destroyed my village!"
"So that's how many of you lived," Sesshoumaru replied thoughtfully, completely disregarding the fact that an arrow was pointed at him. "I do not wish to cause any disturbance, Shrine Maiden."
"Then leave, by all means, perpetrator," Kiochi snarled and let the arrow fly at Sesshoumaru, who didn't wince or move an inch. Her arrow was stopped midway when another arrow collided with it from the side. Kiochi, evidently baffled, turned her head to see Kagome, with her bow. "Kagome-san? What is going on here?"
"Kiochi-san, I'm very sorry," Kagome rushed. "A lot has happened." 'It's a good thing I got here in time. Otherwise there'd be much chaos here at the shrine.'
Just then, Rin and Kaede walked out of the shrine and looked around at everyone. All eyes fell on the two girls. Kaede's cheerful expression turned worried. "...Why is everyone so quiet?"
Rin ran down the stairs and hurried behind her beloved Sesshoumaru-sama. Kiochi looked very baffled, indeed. 'This child.. why does she seem fond of him?'
"Kiochi-san, why don't we go inside? I'll tell you everything," Kagome promised. "Like I said before, a LOT has happened when I was gone." Kiochi nodded, dumbstruck. 'When did life become so complicated?' Kiochi mused, feeling a headache brewing from all this confusion.
~
Kagome told Kiochi everything, from the snake youkai, to Yura of the Hair. She also told of the broken Shikon no tama, of course.
"I see," Kiochi finally recovered from her shock. "Why do you ask Sesshoumaru for help to gather the Shikon Shards? And why do you trust that man so much? Do you forget he had nearly destroyed our village at one point?"
"Something just tells me he could be trusted," Kagome answered. "Although his deed was kinda crazy, he was only doing it for revenge of his father's death. I admit, I probably would've done the same thing if I were in his position," Kagome said sheepishly, looking down.
"Fine. But Kagome-san," Kiochi said in her usual soft voice. "I'm afraid I will not be able to bring myself to forgive him. But I will promise I will not be hostile with him."
"Thanks, Kiochi-san. He did after, all, save me from that snake Youkai," Kagome added. "And he tended to my wounds. He's a little bit nice, at least."
"Perhaps some of his father's interest for humans was passed down to him."
The two miko females fell silent for a while.
"So you are going to be staying here often?" Kiochi started. "I see you had brought some luggage." She motioned to the big yellow back pack in the corner. Kagome laughed nervously, "Hai... If it's alright, do you mind if I can rent a small room here?"
"I suppose so," Kiochi smiled. "Things will be more interesting with you around."
"Thank you." Kagome smiled. "I think I should go outside now, to go see Sesshoumaru and the others. I'm glad I had the whole situation explained to you."
"Me too. One more question, please."
"Ask away!"
"That child who calls Sesshoumaru Sesshoumaru-sama. Did Sesshoumaru ever tell you how he met her?"
"I guess not," Kagome said thoughtfully. "But I'm going to attempt to find out. Her name is Rin, by the way. She's very cute, and she always surprises people by suddenly calling them 'chan' or 'sama.' She got me into being her mother."
"She did, did she?" Kiochi laughed. "Sounds like she's a very cunning character."
"No, just too innocent for her own good," Kagome said flatly. Kiochi laughed once more.
"Let me guess, this 'innocence' is what caught Sesshoumaru?" Kiochi theorized, a playful smile on her face.
"Yeah, but he keeps on saying that it's because of her aura and scent," Kagome smiled. "That guy is still sort of a mystery to me..."
"It was nice talking to you, Kagome-san," Kiochi handed back the bottle full of Shikon shards she had been currently observing back to Kagome. "You've found eleven so far. Here," Kiochi deposited a shard into Kagome's hand. "I found it when I exterminated a demon."
"Thanks. Um, could you go outside with me? It's sort of a favor my family asked of me."
"What is it?" Kiochi stood up and followed Kagome out of the Shrine. 'Her family asked for a favor? I wonder what it is..'
"You'll see."
They both walked out of the Shrine to see Naraku, Sesshoumaru, Kaede, and Rin waiting for them. Kagome bit her lip. 'I wish Kikyou could be here. Where could she be...? oh well, I'll just take a picture of her later.'
Kagome took an instant photo-printing camera out of her pocket. "If it's okay, can I take a few pictures of you guys?" she asked casually, holding the camera in both of her hands. She strode down the steps and smiled toothily at everyone. "My family wants to see who I've met here."
"Pik-churs?" Rin said, trying to sound out the word. "What's that?"
"It's sort of a device that captures an image..." Kagome searched through her mind for a good explanation. "I know! Come here, Rin-chan."
~
Sesshoumaru watched with interest as Rin sat down on the Shrine's steps. Kagome walked infront of the little girl and straightened out her yellow- checkered kimono a bit, then backed up about five feet. "Perfect! Now look straight at the camera... good!"
"Okay Rin! Smile and say.." Kagome thought for a while. Her gaze traveled all over the place, as if looking for something. Then her eyes suddenly landed on Sesshoumaru's tail, to Sesshoumaru's suspicion. Smiling slyly, she said, "Smile and say Fluffy!"
At the mention of 'fluffy,' Sesshoumaru almost twitched.
Rin smiled cutely. "...Fluffy!"
Kagome clicked something on the 'camera' and something flashed. Sesshoumaru, taken aback by the sudden flash, almost flinched like everyone else. His eyes landed on Rin and saw her looking VERY dizzy. "Wow! Rin can see many colors, Sesshoumaru-sama!"
Kagome giggled as a piece of paper came out of the 'camera.' "Oh! It turned out wonderfully!"
Naraku was the first one to see the picture. His eyes widened slightly. "Impossible," he muttered. Sesshoumaru felt his curiosity get the better of him and looked. It was a very realistic painting of Rin. Very detailed, also. Kagome 'printed' another copy and gave it to Sesshoumaru. "Now you have an ever-lasting picture of your daughter!"
Sesshoumaru glared at Kagome, though not intensely.
Rin looked at a picture of herself, bewildered. "Wow, Okaa-san, will this picture really last forever?"
"Of course! Only if you take good care of it, though." Kagome suddenly burst into a grin.
"I have an idea," the eager teen ran back into the shrine into the room where her backpack was. Then, keenly, she dug into it and found a picture frame. Running back outside, Kagome politely took the picture from Rin and inserted it into the picture frame. "There! Now it won't get any stains or anything!"
"Arigatou, Okaa-san!"
"You're welcome," Kagome nodded. "Who's next?" she then added excitedly, "Kaede-chan, my good friend!"
Kaede looked up shyly and nodded.
"Okay, sit down right there on the steps, smile and say 'Fluffy,'" Kaede did as she was told.
After Kaede and Kiochi took their pictures, Kagome set sights onto Naraku. "Oh, Naraku," she said in a melodious voice.
Sesshoumaru saw Naraku visibly tense and chuckled.
"No, thanks," Naraku said quietly and folded his arms. Kagome frowned. "Why not?! You don't have anything to worry about, you look fine," she chirped cheerily. "Come on, PLEASE?!"
"No."
"Fine, fine," Kagome said, looking away, yet a small smile was plastered on her childish face. 'Souta'll feel down if I don't take a picture of the two 'cool guys' for him... I'll just take a picture of you when you aren't looking, then, Naraku,' she included. "How about you Sesshoumaru?"
"Perhaps later," Sesshoumaru said curtly.
Kagome was about to protest when she sensed it. A Shikon Shard. Maybe Kaede and Kiochi sensed it, also, for they both tensed at the same time. This shard was a big one.
"A shard...!" Kagome said. "It's not too far from here!" Kagome closed her eyes to get a better focus on the shard.
"Which direction?" Sesshoumaru questioned.
"East! It's pretty far, about two miles away," Kagome replied carefully. "I'm not that sure, though, it's too far away to tell if it's moving or no- ahh!"
In a blink of an eye, Kagome was on Sesshoumaru's back. "It is only one shard, correct?"
"Well, yeah."
"Then we will not need much assistance. Hanyou, you can stay here," Sesshoumaru said in a low voice and leapt into the air. He kept his golden eyes on the trail.
Sesshoumaru grunted. 'That smell.. a human. Could this human possibly possess a shard?' he inhaled the air more carefully.
"What is it?" Kagome asked.
"I smell a human."
"Well, DUH! There's one riding on your back!"
"Fool, the being that has the shard is human," Sesshoumaru retorted, almost wanting to roll his eyes.
"Oh!"
~
A young man named Miroku rode swiftly on his horse as he felt himself drawing closer.
Miroku sighed. 'How lonely to be traveling alone, with no woman to comfort me. Won't Kami-sama answer my prayers and give me a female companion? On the positive side, I had finally caught trail of 'her.'
'I shall kill her and remove the curse of the Wind tunnel from myself once and for all,' he mused stoically. He abruptively stopped when he felt another presence nearby.
'It looks like someone is after me again,' he thought. "Or should I say, after you, my dear Shikon Kakera?" he said to a piece of the Shikon Jewel. 'Heh. I'm starting to talk to myself. Perhaps I am starting to lose it.'
He jumped off his horse and waited for the offender to come.
~
"Sesshoumaru! I see him," Kagome whispered. "He IS a human!"
The 'human' was a guy who looked in his late teens or early twenties, and dressed in monk clothing and had black hair tied back into a low ponytail. Sesshoumaru landed on the grass gently and observed the anonymous monk. He was standing perfectly still with his back faced to them, as if he has been awaiting their arrival.
Suspiciously, the dog demon set Kagome down onto the ground and decided to let her deal with this, since he is, after all, only a human. Deciding to sit back and watch, Sesshoumaru leapt up on a tree and sat himself into a comfortable position, completely concealing his presence in the shade. Kagome looked up tentatively at Sesshoumaru. He made no reply whatsoever.
Kagome sighed, walked towards the man and stopped a few feet away. Biting back the slight uncertainty that she felt, she called out to the monk. "Excuse me?"
~
Miroku felt heaven on ears when a beautiful maiden's melodious voice called out to him. 'Kami-sama has answered my prayers.' Truly believing this, he turned around to see, just as he expected, a beautiful maiden. She wore a green-blue miko outfit and had raven hair that rivaled flowing silk. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue so dark it appeared almost ebony. Beautiful, no doubt. She had creamy luscious skin and rosy cheeks. Or at least that's how Miroku described her in his mind.
His thoughts went from adoring her beauty to slightly lecherous thoughts about her figure. 'Kami-sama, I thank you greatly!'
He just gaped at her continuously, not noticing her uneasiness with his staring.
~
Kagome unconsciously grasped her right arm out of a sign of discomfort yet kept eye contact. "Excuse me, I noticed you have a Shiko-"
The man suddenly ran forward and took her hands in his, his dark eyes filled with compassion boring into hers. "Beautiful maiden, tell me your name."
Kagome slightly flushed at his closeness and pulled away hastily. "Aah, it's Kagome."
"Kagome... it suits you very well," the man stepped forward took her right hand in his, and brought it up to his lips. "Just saying it sends shivers down my spine."
Kagome felt her face grow beat red. 'Okay, this guy's hitting on me! Maybe he's just a creep who happened to find a sacred jewel shard!'
~
Sesshoumaru frowned as he saw the human dare touch Kagome with his lips. 'Girl, you better know what you are doing.' He felt annoyance burning inside him. 'Just say the word and I'll come down there, slice him in half so you can take the damn shard and be over with it.'
~
Kagome pulled her hand away, laughing nervously. "Ah, you didn't tell me your name yet."
"It is Miroku. I see that you have a couple of shards with you?"
"What? How did you-"
"I can feel its presence."
"You can see the Shikon shards also?!"
"Not from a log distance, but yes. I assume I have no chance of getting those shards from you, I suppose?"
"Sorry, no........ Huh?" Kagome felt a strong wind pulling from nowhere. "What was that breeze I just felt?"
Miroku raised his right hand. "I do not know why I am telling you this.. but I have been cursed."
"Cursed? That's terrible! What is it?"
"I have a hole in my right hand. It's not just any hole, either. It's called a wind tunnel."
"A wind tunnel?"
"Yes. This wind tunnel happens to suck up everything like a black hole. And the worst part of it all is; the hole gets stronger and stronger. Eventually, it will absorb me, too."
"How did you get this?" Kagome asked, feeling sympathy for the poor monk.
"That, I will tell you in a second. But first, may I ask you a question?"
Kagome eyed the monk suspiciously. "Okay."
Miroku suddenly was on his knees, grasping her hands. "Kagome... Kagome- sama, will you give me the honors and bear my child?"
Kagome flushed a deeper shade of red. "Ahh, I-I. don't.."
"No, she will not."
Kagome looked up to see Sesshoumaru glaring down at both of them, obviously annoyed. "Give her the shard and I might spare your life."
~
Miroku sighed. So it WAS just another demon after his lovely shard. "I'm afraid I cannot."
A hand snaked around the humble monk's neck. "It is not that hard. Just reach into your pocket and hand it over."
"Sesshoumaru," Kagome protested. "Let him go. You don't have to use force all the time to get what you want. Oh, you know what, never mind. Just put him down before I say the 'word.'"
Hesitantly, Sesshoumaru opened his hand, causing Miroku to stumble backwards.
"Can't you see he's under a traumatic curse? Don't you feel any sympathy at all?" she then turned back to Miroku. "I'm sorry about that! Miroku, this is Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru, Miroku."
When she wasn't looking, Miroku inched to Kagome's side, (much to Sesshoumaru's irritation) and patted her on the back. "Dear Kagome," he said dramatically, "are you troubled for my misfortune?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Kagome suddenly twitched when she felt a hand gently slide down slowly against her back. Kagome squealed and blushed furiously as it reached its 'destination.' "AAAH! Get your hands off me!" Kagome cried and on reflex, slapped the monk square across the face.
Sesshoumaru got in between them, Kagome safely behind him. He growled down at the human. "That was your last chance." He flexed his claws as Miroku defensively held up his staff. "Wait! Let me explain my story first!"
Sesshoumaru looked back to Kagome for confirmation, who nodded reluctantly.
With an impassive voice, Sesshoumaru lowered his claws and crossed his arms into his kimono. "Fine. But let me make this clear: I will personally amputate those repulsive hands of yours if they lay upon her again. Understand?"
Miroku smiled and bowed courteously. "Forgive me for my earlier actions. I cannot help it when there is a beautiful woman nearby." He tried to walk past Sesshoumaru to get closer to Kagome but was stopped when a fluffy...tail blocked his path. It twitched suspiciously. "You will not get past here, monk," Sesshoumaru informed. "So say what you have to say where you stand."
Miroku blinked and nodded. "Okay.. where to start..."
A long time ago, my grandfather, a humble monk, had come around some unknown parts after assisting a village in need. It was then when he had heard a melodious voice from deep into the forest.
He followed the voice and wound up in a strange cave- inside that cave happened to be an extremely beautiful maiden. This maiden turns out to be a demoness who lure males, both youkai and human alike, and toys with them for a little while.
Then afterwards turns them into her servants. Some say she devours some of them.
However, for some reason she didn't attract my grandfather, and was furious. Grandfather finds out she's a demoness and tries to escape her, but... in an attempt to escape, he must pass through a horde of zombie men. Amazingly, he was able to escape her clutches and said horde of zombie men.
But just as he was about to fully escape from her, she transformed into some sort of octopus like being, and pierced Grandfather's hand with one of her tentacles.
He managed to slice the tentacle off and ran for his life, but the next day he noticed a strange draft coming from his wound. His wound turns completely black and starts to drain everything.
That very same day, a strange voice said to him; 'the hole in your hand is no ordinary hole. It will get stronger and larger, until it is strong enough to devour YOU. The only way to get rid of this curse is to pass it down to a descendant, or if I die. Also, as a part of the curse, each of your children will be male.'
My grandfather returned to the cave in attempt to kill her, but found that she has changed her location. Ever since then, Murasaki the demoness has been moving to different places. As you can see, ever since then it has always been a family mission; to track down Murasaki and kill her. Sources lead me to this place, telling me that she resides here," Miroku ended.
"How do you know?" Kagome questioned curiously.
"I've heard that male villagers have gone missing," Miroku stated.
"Why do you need that shard?" the miko pressed on.
"Murasaki has heard of the breaking of the Shikon no Tama, and also has been collecting some shards of her own by making village men forage for them."
"That's horrible," Kagome frowned. With a determined look Kagome pushed past Sesshoumaru's tail. "You know what?! That demoness gives the female gender a bad name!" her serious face turned soft. "We'll help you defeat this demoness!"
"Actually, that is not the only way you can help me."
"Hmm? Then what can I do for you?"
"Will you bear me a child?"
Before Kagome could even say anything, Sesshoumaru's tail constricted around her middle and she was in the air. Glaring at Sesshoumaru, Kagome began to struggle against Sesshoumaru's hold to no avail. The feathery boa constrictor only tightened. "Oww! Sesshoumaru, put me down," she huffed. Sesshoumaru stared up at her coolly. "This lecherous character is not worth talking to."
"Oh, I see," Miroku interrupted their small quarrel. "Please forgive me. I did not know she was your woman, or mate as you dog demons like to call it. Who knows, perhaps you already HAVE mated."
Sesshoumaru didn't budge an inch and felt heat radiating from Kagome. His eyes wandered up to see Kagome with a blush creeping up her cheeks. He bit back a chuckle.
"Listen, MIROKU, we have never mated nor are we mates nor am I his woman!!!" Kagome raged, her cheeks growing rosier with each interesting word.
"Then you WILL bear my child?" Miroku said hopefully.
"No, she will NOT," Sesshoumaru snarled somewhat possessively, unconsciously tightening his grip on Kagome.
"I don't get you people," Miroku muttered, throwing his arms in the air out of frustration.
~
RPG-girl: Threw in a little bit of humor in there. Poor Kagome's in a fluffy boa constrictor's death grip... although I wouldn't mind taking her place. ^_____^
Oi, this has GOT to be the longest chapter ever. By that I mean five thousand, eight hundred, something words. And it took me two days to type it. TWO DAYS. To tell you the truth, I had much fun typing this chapter.
Yay! I got MORE than ten reviews. Thank you, everyone, for coping with my selfish needs for reviews! If I didn't respond to a review I swear to Kami- sama I'll respond next chapter!
Review Responses:
Cherry-wolf-blossom: Thank you, here's some more!
Suki- I found your review flattering! And yes, you already DID review, not that I mind. Thank you very much, Suki-san!
Sith- Here's the update, I glad you love it!
Kimusume kaoru- I think your review got me some more readers! Arigatou, kimusume kaoru-dono! Your review made me think a little bit higher of myself!
Anim8teen- I hope you found this chapter interesting. Thank you!
Strawberrycream16- Thank you!
Jenifa- Looks like I DID get ten reviews, even more. ^_^
Yuma- I'm glad you didn't think that last chapter was weird.
dragonruler212- A's are something we agree on. *nods* Yes, B's are evil! :D Anyway, thank you for reviewing!
mar- Here's more! Thank you.
Hinoke- Another flattering review! (actually all reviews flatter me) Thank you, Hinoke-san.
Faith- I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Thank you for reviewing again!
~
RPG-girl: Well, I guess I'll see you whenever. I'll update as soon as I get the next chapter done. Please review after you read the sayonara sign or I'll sick my pet radioactive monkeys on you.
Sayonara!