RPG-girl:
I'M SORRY, EVERYONE!!! I HAVEN'T UPDATED FOR SUCH A LONG TIME, I KNOW! But I was moving to a new house, and I didn't have a single access to the computer or the Internet because it was all packed away in a box.. a freaking box!! Then afterwards, I got so caught up in building my website, making Inuyasha amvs, downloading Inuyasha amvs, the works. In other words, I was real busy.
~~~~~About the Mystery Man...
I'd like to congratulate anyone who guessed who the mysteryman from the last chapter was. Actually, the only way you'd know who that mysteryman is, is if you've played Final Fantasy VII or Kingdom Hearts. ;p
Most of you are probably wondering 'WHY THE HECK SEPHIROTH, OF ALL PEOPLE?!' I'll tell you why! I like Sephiroth and I plan to make this story as strange as I can, whether it's strange in a good way, or strange in a bad way. Two, I couldn't find any one more evil than Naraku himself.. and good looking at the same time... and had long hair... Well, there was Kuja from Final Fantasy Nine, but he's just a feminine narcissist who's afraid of death. Why does the bad guy have to have long hair and good looks? Because I said so.
I felt like maybe I should just make up the bad guy, and make him EXTREMELY EVIL, but I might overdo it a little, seeing as I always overdo things too much. And then I saw my cousin playing FF7. She was in the middle of watching that one FMV when Aeris gets stabbed by Sephy.. ('YEAH! DIE, AERIS! TIFA RULEZ!'- quotes my cousin) And I asked her what kind of characteristics Sephiroth had (because I haven't played ff7 for a long time and I forgot) And my cousin said that Sephiroth was a crazed-deluded- homicidal-psychotic-maniac who thought his mother was an alien. I thought, 'This guy's a perfect bad guy!'
And so ends my quest for a good evil bad dude. ^_____^
~
Warning for Sess/Kag fans: Some more mild Naraku/Kagome interaction, but read it anyway because it gets some of the plot done. (runs away like heck from raging Sess/Kag fans while smiling like an idiot)
[don't take this personally, Sesshoumaru and Kagome are my first favorite couple too, but since I take a liking to odd couples and I am a complete weirdo, Naraku and Kagome are my third, next to Inuyasha and Kagome. Don't tell Sesshoumaru!)
If you guys don't know or remember, 'Kagewaki' was that guy who took in Sango when her whole village was slaughtered and junk.
Oh, and also if some of you didn't notice, '~' means switching points of views. Some parts of this chapter might confuse you.
ONE LAST BIG NOTE!!!!!
PEOPLE. Some of you are asking me 'when's Miroku and Sango gonna come? When's Kirara gonna come?' I would kindly ask you to please read the story over again, and do NOT skim through it. You will NOT understand the story if you SKIM through it. For your information, people, Sango and Miroku made appearances in chapters 9 or ten... I don't remember.
But they DID make an appearance. I understand there are some parts of the story that you find disinteresting and say, 'Hm, this paragraph is boring, I think I'll skip it!' But you shouldn't, because every little paragraph is an important part of the plot.
SO READ THE WHOLE FRICKIN STORY AND DO _NOT_ EVER SKIP ANY SINGLE PARAGRAPH, OR YOU'LL REGRET IT, SAYING 'I DON'T GET IT!'
Enough of my ranting.. ^_^;
WARNINGS FOR THIS CHAPTER: Major Naraku OOCness Nar/Kag interactions
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------------Chapter XVI: More secrets and Feelings revealed----------------- --
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Kagome's eyes fluttered open, to see Rin, Kaede, and Kiochi all chatting amiably in the room. They ceased talking once they took notice of her wake. She groaned a bit from drowsiness and fanned her eyes around the room, surprised Naraku or Sesshoumaru were no longer there.
'Sesshoumaru.. my head's so fogged up I can't remember what happened. He probably went back to his brother's crowning or something..'
Kiochi smiled caringly at her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm... alright now, I guess," Kagome said unsurely. "What time is it?"
"About five hours past midnight, Okaa-san," Rin answered in her energetic voice. "It's almost morning!"
Kagome nodded discreetly and sat up in her futon, massaging her temples, as if attempting to stop the dizziness. "When did you get here? Rin-chan, don't tell me you didn't sleep at all.."
"We got here about an hour ago. Rin didn't want to go to sleep yet, Okaa- san! Rin wanted to make sure Okaa-san is okay!"
Kagome patted the bubbly child on the head.
They all were, Kagome noticed, still wearing their kimonos for the festival. Rin's hair was slightly tousled, probably from playing and running around. 'Rin forgot to pick me flowers,' Kagome thought nonchalantly, not really caring. She decided to keep this to herself since Rin might feel unnecessarily guilty. Kaede was quiet, as usual, timidly looking down at her hands. Kiochi was also quiet, as if waiting for her to say something.
"So I've been pretty much sleeping the whole day, then?" Kagome said tentatively. "Where's Naraku?"
"He's disappeared again," Kaede said emptily. "We've never questioned his strange actions, for it is his own private business. Once a month he would disappear for one night and reappear the next morning, acting as if nothing happened."
"We're not sure of it, but we think it has something to do with his race," Kiochi added.
"Race?"
"Hanyou blood," she stated, making things more clear. "We don't know where he disappears to.."
Kagome bit her lip, feeling curiosity poke at her. She suddenly remembered the crater in her room. "Oh, Kiochi-san, have you seen the.."
"Yes, I saw my wall," said Kiochi pensively. "And I was shocked to see it was broken down."
"Ano... gomen.."
"It's quite all right," Kiochi grinned. "But I am curious to know how that crater was formed."
"Sesshoumaru came back to check on me," Kagome started. "He and Naraku got into an argument, which led them to fighting, which...led me to subduing them."
"Those two can never get along, can they?" Kaede giggled. "I wonder what it is that they fight over," she added somewhat teasingly, but Kagome didn't have a clue what she was talking about.
Kagome looked down to see Rin sleeping on her futon. Gently, she pulled herself out of bed, careful not to rouse the sleeping child. "I'm going out."
"At this time? Why?"
"Just wanna go for a walk," Kagome answered shortly as she went to go change into her gi and red hakama. 'Actually, I want to find out what Naraku is up to..'
"Be careful, okay, Kagome-chan?" Kaede called after her. "And bring a bow and arrow with you, just in case."
"Hai, I will."
~
Sesshoumaru stood like a statue, the Tenseiga raised well over his head, fully prepared to swing down. His vision suddenly hued, and everything around him seemed to blend in blue. One thing stood out, though. The little demons scampering on top of Inuyasha.
'They are demons of the underworld,' he thought to himself. 'Perhaps if I..'
He swung down carefully, making sure the aim was right.
Tenseiga eliminated each little demon from the underworld. The room began to take color again, losing the blue dim glow. Kikyou opened her eyes and immediately ran to Inuyasha's side.
The taiyoukai just stared, his eyes widening slightly when Inuyasha's heartbeat gradually started to reach his well-tuned ears. He turned around and headed for the door, knowing his business was done.
"-Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru paused. 'Hn.' "What?" he asked coldly.
"Your nobility is futile," Kikyou said bitterly. "Inuyasha's death is inevitable. If I don't kill him.. he will. Both of us, in fact."
"Who is this 'he' you are talking about?"
"His name is Sephiroth."
"I've never heard of him."
"..." Kikyou was silenced as she embraced Inuyasha's human unconscious self to her, her eyes lowered.
"Death is not always inevitable."
Kikyou looked up at Inuyasha's elder brother, an expression of confusion showing blankly on her face.
"This Sephiroth you talk about," Sesshoumaru continued, his back turned to her. "How are you so sure that he will be able to kill you and Inuyasha?"
"You don't know him like I do," said Kikyou in a dead calm voice. "He's a powerful one. More powerful, I dare say, than you."
"Believe what you want to believe," Sesshoumaru shot back icily, "The only one who will die will be him. I already have enough problems on my hands as it is, and I will not tolerate a madman who wishes to kill the future ruler of the Western Lands."
~
Kagome walked into the forest, her bow and arrow at her side in case of any ambushes. She has been trying to locate Naraku's aura for quite some time now, yet couldn't feel it. Somewhere in the forest, she felt tired of walking and decided to take a break.
'Why am I sticking my nose into his business, anyway?' she asked herself as she walked towards a tree and leaned on it. 'I should leave him alone... wherever he is..'
Kagome sighed and slid down on her rear. 'All of the stars are out..'
She heard faint rustling from somewhere on the tall tree. 'Hmm? Who's that?' alert, Kagome jumped up from her sitting position and aimed an arrow at where the suspicious sounds came from. 'It better not be a stalker!'
A figure sat on a tree limb. Kagome squinted her eyes to get better vision of who it was. Long dark slightly wavy hair and just as dark clothing...'Is that NARAKU?!' "Naraku!!" she exclaimed, to get his attention.
~
Kagewaki sat on the tree limb, admiring the stars. 'All of the stars are out..' his auburn-brown colored eyes fanned the night sky, taking all of the stars in. A small smile played on his lips. 'How would Kagome react if I showed her such a beautiful sight.'
"NARAKU!!" someone yelled up at him.
Kagewaki, startled, lost his balance on the tree limb and fell backwards. "ahh!!"
~
Kagome covered her mouth. 'Oops..' she thought as Naraku picked himself up off the floor and dusted his clothes. Tentatively, she walked towards Naraku and cast an apologetic look towards him. "Sorry Naraku, I thought you'd be aware of my presence by now."
"It's alright," Naraku replied courteously, straightening out his slightly ruffled gi. He turned his head up to look her in the eye. "!!! Kagome- san..!" He exclaimed as if he just realized she was here.
"Naraku? Why are you acting so weird?"
~
'If I do not act my way out of here she will surely find out my secret.' "None of your business."
Kagome smiled up at him. Kagewaki was relieved. 'As long as she does not take notice any of my changes, I will be fine.'
"It's alrigh.. What on earth?!" she exclaimed, suddenly giving him a startled look. "Na...Naraku, you're eyes!" she stuttered. "It's brown! Is that supposed to be a new look?"
"..Hai."
"But wait a minute," she stopped and looked down, deliberating. "You guys don't HAVE contact lenses in this era! Baka Kagome!!"
Kagewaki coughed nervously. "It is quite late, should you not be asleep?" he asked politely.
Kagome leaned forward, standing on her toes to meet eye contact with him. Her blue eyes studied his face, determined looking. "I knew it," she stated firmly, casually.
"You're not Naraku," said Kagome decisively. "And if you are, you sure act different and look different. I mean, for one thing, you called me Kagome- 'san.' And the only time I ever heard you call me that was a loooong time ago. And the way you talk, it sounds so different.." Kagome noted severely, leaning in more, as if to get a better look at him, causing him great discomfort. "The jig's up! Tell me what you're up to!" she said brusquely.
Kagewaki looked deep in thought, contemplating about something.
~
Kagome abruptively gasped, realizing what she was being and withdrew herself about two meters away from him. "Oh, I.. GOMEN! I didn't mean to pry into your business! I'm just the drop-dead curious type, and I can't help it when I'm suddenly so forward with things, and don't worry, you don't HAVE to tell me if you don't want to! And I'm so sorry if I had just violated your personal space, I didn't mean to get that close, it's just that--"
"Calm down," Naraku interrupted, "I presume it is all right... to tell you. But it's quite a long story. Would you care to sit up there in this tree with me?"
"Uhh... sure!" Kagome answered unsurely. "Why?"
"I'm more comfortable over there, than down here."
"Oh. Okay."
Kagome watched as, quite easily, Naraku leapt gracefully from limb to limb, and sat down at a high tree branch. Kagome gulped, having remembering suddenly her fear of heights. Timidly, she started to climb the tree with difficulty. She grabbed a small branch and tried to pull herself up on it, only to have her foot, (which was rested on a weak, wobbly branch) slip off its place and cause her to tumble backwards onto her bottom. Naraku looked down at her, watching in mild interest and amusement.
Kagome put a determined firm look on her face and tried again, only to slip down the second time. "Agh!! What the heck is up with this tree?!?!" she said loudly, kicking the tree with her right foot. Wrong choice action.. no sooner did she kick the tree, pain shot into her foot in an instant. Kagome let out a frustrated cry.
"You do not know how to climb?" she heard Naraku say calmly from above on his little tree limb.
"Yes, I do!! Well... okay, I don't," Kagome replied heavily, sighing. "I've never climbed anything in my life. You see, I'm sort of afraid of heights. And besides, I don't see YOU climbing! All you're doing is jumping from limb to limb. You actually make it look so easy."
"It is," he said back to her, his head tilted somewhat to the side, as if confused at why she couldn't muster jumping onto the tree branch. "Just try it."
"Oh no," Kagome said sharply, glaring up at the innocent looking Naraku. Wait. Innocent? "You see, unlike YOU, I'm only human."
Naraku let out a small laugh and jumped down DIRECTLY from his tree branch and infront of her. "Well, there's no need to waste time trying to climb a tree," he said serenely and abruptively swept her off her feet. Kagome almost felt her breath catch in her throat from the suddenness as Naraku started leaping easily up the tree, making it feel as if they were both lighter than feathers.
When they reached a good height, Naraku set Kagome down and frowned after having seen her turn quite pale. "You are not still sick, are you?"
"Of course not," Kagome replied shakily, "I told you, I don't like heights much."
"Bad experience?"
"You can say that," Kagome admitted. "When I was ten, I rode a rollercoaster and the rollercoaster suddenly malfunctioned and stopped directly at the part when you hang upside down.."
Naraku just stared at her, confused. "A rollercoaster?"
"It's a human thrill ride. Well, I fell off it, but I managed to grab onto the railing and was hanging about 100 feet in the air..," Kagome paused, "Whoops. You have no idea what I'm talking about, right?"
"..right," he rejoined shortly.
"Well, then, enough about my pathetic childhood days. What about you, Naraku? You said you were going to tell me about some sort of secret of yours."
"Alright," Naraku started pensively. "Do you pledge not to tell anyone?"
"Yes! I swear it!"
"First off... I am human."
"Yeah, if you mean 'half human.."
"No, I mean full human. Every night of the new moon," Naraku corrected, "I lose all my powers and become a mortal."
"So.." Kagome frowned, deep in thought, "You can turn into a human."
"Are you upset that I didn't tell you before?"
"No.. does that mean you can still climb hecka good even if you're a human?!?! It's not fair!!"
Naraku just stared at her again, a blank startled look written all over his face. 'Unpredictable..'
"So did you have practice or what?"
"Evidently. I've been climbing trees almost all of my life," Naraku shrugged. "Also, I have something else to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I am not the Naraku you know."
"Yeah, I could see that," Kagome jibed jokingly.
"No.. my name is Kagewaki," he said firmly. "My whole persona goes on a quick sharp turn whenever it is the night of the new moon. You see, whenever he turns into a human, Naraku loses all contact with his demon side. I represent his human, more controlled side. Once the sun rises, Naraku will resurface with no memory of the previous night."
"Why?" Kagome asked with immense interest.
"As to that, I am not sure. I know what is going on with Naraku, but he doesn't seem to know what happens when he turns human."
"Ah."
Kagome joined Kagewaki in looking up at the stars. "Oh, hey, Kagewaki-san," she started, not sure if she should call him that. But when his eyes left the stars and landed on her own with a look of approval, she relaxed. "Is that why Naraku always hides from everyone on the night of the new Moon?"
"Yes, I think that is the reason."
"Who's his demon side, then?"
"Demon side... that would be Onigumo," answered Kagewaki in a low manner. "Even I do not know what goes on when Naraku is Onigumo... that is the danger of it all. Naraku remembers that he'd transformed into a full youkai once, but does not remember what he'd done afterwards. But, on the positive side, the occasions of him transforming into a full demon are rare, almost impossible. It had only occurred once."
"Is Naraku afraid of showing either side of him?"
"Yes. He is afraid to he shows anyone his strange transformations," Kagewaki said in an extremely quiet voice, but not sounding like a whisper at all. "He's afraid......of how 'you' would react."
"Me...? But why?" Kagome asked with naïveté. 'He's afraid of how I would react?'
"You actually were never aware?"
"Aware of what?"
"Naraku," he said firmly, "Feels strange emotions towards you."
Kagome gasped and drew a hand to her mouth, completely dumbfounded and shocked to no ends. "Y-You must be mistaken.. he likes Kikyou.."
"Then explain this," he almost whispered, suddenly grabbing her hand and placing it over his heart, which was beating rapidly. Kagome blushed and averted her gaze from his eyes to her hand, which was rested on his chest.
"Even now, Naraku's feelings burn strongly inside me, his half.. so tell me... what is the meaning of this?" he asked, drawing closer, his hands still holding hers.
'How did I get myself into this?' Kagome thought, her face a bright shade of red. "-I..."
Kagome averted her eyes once more, this time to the ground, and suddenly remembered her fear of heights. Her hand, (which was supporting her up on the tree limb) slipped, out of clumsiness, off the limb, causing her to tumble backwards. "W-Whoaaa!!!!"
Kagewaki was leaning forward, so Kagome's other hand reached up out of reflex and clung onto his gi to prevent herself from falling, but failing in vain. Instead, it caused him to go down with her, sending them both hurling down towards the ground.
Kagewaki instantly pulled Kagome atop him to prevent her from hitting the ground. Kagome closed her eyes and opened them when she realized that they had already hit ground.
She slightly pushed herself up to see Kagewaki with a bewildered expression, breathing heavily while lying flat on his back. His brunette eyes downcasted, towards her face. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah... I really have to work on gracefulness.. you and Sesshoumaru make it look so easy.."
"'Gracefulness?'" Kagewaki asked. "Is that what you call it? People with Youkai powers are very light on their feet, and think faster than regular humans... we are more keen on our surroundings, so the chances of us falling off a tree are pretty impossible," Kagewaki continued, "don't take that as an insult, though."
"It's okay, I don't. I'm the clumsiest thing in the world. I wouldn't see a thing if it hit me in the eye!" Kagome grinned. Silence loomed over them like a curtain, with her not realizing she was lying on TOP of Kagewaki. A flustered look passed her face as she pried herself off him, her face scarlet once more. "-Sorry."
"......" Kagewaki stood up, his eyes anywhere but on Kagome.
'Oi. I hate moments like this!! Uncomfortable tension..' Kagome shifted from one foot to another, daring her sheepish eyes to fall upon Kagewaki. "Ah, are there more you wanted to tell me?"
Kagewaki's eyes snapped wider open in surprise, "What..?"
"I mean, about the transformation thing.."
"Heh..." Kagewaki took a few steps towards Kagome, his head slightly bowed low so she couldn't see his eyes. "Kagome.." his steps became faster, Kagome backed up, a confused look on her face. Kagewaki proceeded on, until he had her backed up to the tree they fell off. He planted his hands on either side of her to pin her to the tree. "You... what effect do you have on Naraku..? you've changed him..."
"Naraku... he changed himself. You don't need other people to change," Kagome said quietly, her eyes wandering off. "Could you.. please get off..?"
"My time is almost up, the sun will rise any minute now," Kagewaki dismissed her plea, looking at the brightening sky. "Just one little thing before I revert back.."
Kagome looked up, waiting. 'What's he going to do..?'
He drew closer, and pulled her into a warm hug similar to Sesshoumaru's. He buried his face into her hair, just as Sesshoumaru had once done, and inhaled deeply.
Kagewaki withdrew suddenly, satisfied to see Kagome blushing out of many different emotions he could not identify. "Sesshoumaru was right," he smirked, "You do smell good. Although I don't think that fact needed to be proved.."
Kagome shivered, but she didn't know why.. Did Naraku just DO that? No, that was Kagewaki, but still... 'Maybe I'm still sick.. maybe I'm imagining this.. first Sesshoumaru, now Naraku?'
"Naraku is too confused to tell you what goes on inside him, and so, he puts on a mask of indifference."
"Why are you telling me all of this?"
"He would never tell you himself. If he ever did get the courage, I fear that it might be too late."
"...?" Kagome was more confused than ever now. "Too late?"
"Sesshoumaru. Do not tell me you don't know about his emotions towards you, also?" Kagewaki asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sesshoumaru- doesn't have emotions. Not that I'm saying anything bad about him... he despises emotions, and thinks they are for the weak."
"Ah. So both Naraku AND Sesshoumaru are slow when it comes to their feelings. Perhaps I've overestimated both of them.."
~
Sesshoumaru held himself from sighing. "I told you before, Inuyasha is not feeling well, and therefore, there shall be no crowning."
"What do you mean, no crowning?!" hissed one youkai.
"Do you know how long it took for me to get here from almost halfway around the world?!" another one hollered.
"Damn it all, I came here for the food!!" another one quipped.
Oh boy, was this giving Sesshoumaru a migraine.
A large unruly female youkai noble snorted. Her hair was tied in a complicated bun, and her cheeks were big and pouchy. Jewelry hung all over her, making her look like a hog covered in sparkly rocks. "Hah! You mean I came all the way here from the northern lands just to see that his majesty's insolent older brother tell me that the crowning has been 'canceled?!' I shall not tolerate this!!"
Sesshoumaru was immediately lifted off his feet as the large unruly female noble grasped his white and red kimono and raised him a foot in the air. The crowd of nobles and lords gasped and gaped at the sight of a fat hippo youkai lifting Sesshoumaru into the air, who calmly looked the noble in the eye.
"Uh, dear, we should be going," said the female youkai's rather... skinny mate. "You're going to anger Lord Sesshoumaru.."
"Hah! You expect me to believe that this mongrel is worthy of my respect?"
"Please forgive my wife, she is nothing but a lowly wench," the noble apologized deeply to Sesshoumaru. "You see, she is temperamental.."
"Lowly wench?! Temperamental?! How DARE you?"
Sesshoumaru finally let a disgusted sigh escape his lips. He did _not_ want to be in the middle of a lovers' quarrel at the moment. "Woman," he commanded. "Get your filthy hands off this Sesshoumaru. I do not normally harm females, but if you do not let me go you shall be an exception."
The fat youkai 'hmphed' and instantly dropped him, hoping to see him fall on his bottom. Her face shriveled with disdain when Sesshoumaru swiftly and gracefully landed on his two feet. "And now, you are not to set foot in the western lands again, or you shall be killed on site. Understand?"
She glared down at the handsome young prince who dared to threaten her. "I'd like to see you try. I'll break your girly face before you can even think about killing me."
Sesshoumaru now fought the urge to roll his eyes. No one said he had to deal with a fat short-fused youkai... "I am asking you to kindly leave now."
"Make. Me."
"Gladly," Sesshoumaru said in an even voice. "Dokkaisou."
Green poison leaked out of his claws. Sesshoumaru drew his hand back, preparing to strike. "This is your last chance. Leave now."
The fat youkai made a sound somewhere between a growl and a whimper, and grabbed her husband by the arm. "Let's go." She commanded the skinny youkai.
Sesshoumaru turned to all the other nobles and royalties, his eyes slightly tainted crimson. "Anyone else need convincing?"
The group of youkai murmured a bit, all bidding no. Sesshoumaru smirked in satisfaction as his eyes returned to their normal golden color. "Well now. It is almost daytime. Once again, I am very sorry for the further delays, but as I've said before, Inuyasha is not feeling well. I will notify you if anything happens," Sesshoumaru stated with courtesy. "Have a good day."
Sesshoumaru watched as the guests grudgingly left in his or her own majestic way. When the last youkai had disappeared from site, Sesshoumaru turned around and headed out towards the forest, planning on hunting something down to relieve him of his stress. 'When I was with Kagome I had momentarily forgotten about my duty.. as well as my worries,' he admitted. 'Now it is all coming back to me..'
As he sped threw the fire-red leaved forest, he wondered just what was happening back at the shrine. He'd felt the strange bad feeling he felt before, like something he didn't want to see was happening..
~
Sesshoumaru shrugged off the feeling, thinking that maybe a good hunt would free his mind, if not, fleetingly. His ears picked up a faint rustling, but so faint he almost missed it. He slowed to a stop and focused to see where the rustling came from.
"Very clever, Sesshoumaru. You actually caught my presence," leered a calm voice that for some reason rivaled his own deadpan voice. Sesshoumaru noticed that the words were spoken from a few meters behind him, and mentally reprimanded himself for not noticing.
"And you are?" Sesshoumaru asked discourteously, wheeling around to see a hooded figure.
"I am Sephiroth.. the one who killed your father, and also the one who tried to kill Inuyasha. Of course, it's not literally I, I had let human women do my dirty work for me," he chuckled, standing still as a statue.
"Kusoyaro," Sesshoumaru said distastefully. (kusoyaro-bastard) "Having women do your bidding.. is dishonorable. Human females, nonetheless."
"Ah, you are just like your father. Prideful, self-confident, and also a human lover," the man named Sephiroth said with devious amusement. "Ah, Sesshoumaru-sama, you look angered. Did that last statement get a rise out of you?"
Sesshoumaru couldn't hide the fact that his irises were now blood red. "You... dare call me a human lover?"
"Oh yes.." Sephiroth laughed. "Just like your foolish father.. you all seem to be so interested in humans."
"Shut up," Sesshoumaru said quietly, forming a long claw whip and lashing it out on the man who'd insulted him one too many times. Sephiroth did not see this coming; he barely dodged the whip. In the process, the black cloak that had concealed the antagonist's features was disintegrated.
Sephiroth kneeled on one knee, his features now revealed. Sesshoumaru was surprised at Sephiroth's eye color, which seemed to be reverting from bright green to blue. Long flashy white-silver hair draped over him like a curtain.
"So that is what the mysterious Sephiroth looks like," Sesshoumaru stated with indifference, getting into a battle stance. Sephiroth no longer held the look of a conniving adversary, instead his eyes were sharp and bright green, and held the look of a serious opponent.
Sesshoumaru noticed the drastic change in Sephiroth and smirked emptily. "You are not amused?"
Sephiroth stood up, his electric green gaze locked with Sesshoumaru's cold golden eyes. "Very clever indeed.." he drew a long thin katana from its sheath. "Your cleverness stops here."
Sesshoumaru immediately felt himself weaken for some reason. It is that sword.. that sword is weakening him..
"Masamune likes you very much.. she is calling for your blood, Sesshoumaru.."
Sesshoumaru dropped to a knee as Sephiroth drew closer, the Masamune held at his side. "It'll be Inuyasha after you, Sesshoumaru. Then.. perhaps I shall kill that pretty girl... that Kagome."
"No.. don't.. don't bring her into this," Sesshoumaru growled.
"Farewell, Sesshoumaru."
Something pulsed at Sesshoumaru's side. Was it the Tenseiga..?
~
YES!! I FINALLY UPDATED THE STORY!
^__^ Instead of trying to kill me for not updating soon enough, why don't we just celebrate the update?
Oh, what's going to happen to dear Sesshoumaru? Will he die and leave Kagome like putty in Naraku's hands? Or will he kick Sephiroth's behind and further this little love triangle between Kagome?
I'll try not to delay the next chapter, like I did with this chapter.
Review Responses:
I'm sorry, once again. But I don't know how to reply your reviews.. so I'm just going to list the reviewers' names.. but before I list them, SPECIAL THANKS TO SUKERA, HINOKE, DUKE-OF-SPADES, BRADSBRAT, FAITH, AIRA, and KIMUSUME KAORU!! I remember all of you because of the many times you've reviewed this story!! Thanks very much! I'm sorry if I left anyone out!
Duke-of-Spades- Oh, hilarious mini story! What could be happening to Naraku- kun?! ^_^
Also thanks:::
Nightkid::Icewolf::Inu- girl::KinkyUsagi(cutename!)::LunarMirror::ClowAngel::Kayrin::Say- chanthePyro::Panther17::Macross VF1:: Jeremy::Aki no Yume1::Darkened Skyes::lilyflower::Divine-Heart::Striking Falcon:: Kousagi- chan::demonswty:: Samarah-chan::CelestialStar6::
I'd like to thank all of you for every death threat, praise, criticism you've given me.. as well as all the puppy dog faces. Although I melt at the site of one, and melting is painful, I appreciate all of you who tortured me with puppy-dog faces. Thank you! Now a gift from me! Well... I don't know what else I could give all of you except this chapter.. how about some of Sesshoumaru-sama's cooking? You'll love it, especially if you like charcoal burned eggs, or burned stew, or burned icecream..
Sesshoumaru: ...
Well, Sayonara!
I'M SORRY, EVERYONE!!! I HAVEN'T UPDATED FOR SUCH A LONG TIME, I KNOW! But I was moving to a new house, and I didn't have a single access to the computer or the Internet because it was all packed away in a box.. a freaking box!! Then afterwards, I got so caught up in building my website, making Inuyasha amvs, downloading Inuyasha amvs, the works. In other words, I was real busy.
~~~~~About the Mystery Man...
I'd like to congratulate anyone who guessed who the mysteryman from the last chapter was. Actually, the only way you'd know who that mysteryman is, is if you've played Final Fantasy VII or Kingdom Hearts. ;p
Most of you are probably wondering 'WHY THE HECK SEPHIROTH, OF ALL PEOPLE?!' I'll tell you why! I like Sephiroth and I plan to make this story as strange as I can, whether it's strange in a good way, or strange in a bad way. Two, I couldn't find any one more evil than Naraku himself.. and good looking at the same time... and had long hair... Well, there was Kuja from Final Fantasy Nine, but he's just a feminine narcissist who's afraid of death. Why does the bad guy have to have long hair and good looks? Because I said so.
I felt like maybe I should just make up the bad guy, and make him EXTREMELY EVIL, but I might overdo it a little, seeing as I always overdo things too much. And then I saw my cousin playing FF7. She was in the middle of watching that one FMV when Aeris gets stabbed by Sephy.. ('YEAH! DIE, AERIS! TIFA RULEZ!'- quotes my cousin) And I asked her what kind of characteristics Sephiroth had (because I haven't played ff7 for a long time and I forgot) And my cousin said that Sephiroth was a crazed-deluded- homicidal-psychotic-maniac who thought his mother was an alien. I thought, 'This guy's a perfect bad guy!'
And so ends my quest for a good evil bad dude. ^_____^
~
Warning for Sess/Kag fans: Some more mild Naraku/Kagome interaction, but read it anyway because it gets some of the plot done. (runs away like heck from raging Sess/Kag fans while smiling like an idiot)
[don't take this personally, Sesshoumaru and Kagome are my first favorite couple too, but since I take a liking to odd couples and I am a complete weirdo, Naraku and Kagome are my third, next to Inuyasha and Kagome. Don't tell Sesshoumaru!)
If you guys don't know or remember, 'Kagewaki' was that guy who took in Sango when her whole village was slaughtered and junk.
Oh, and also if some of you didn't notice, '~' means switching points of views. Some parts of this chapter might confuse you.
ONE LAST BIG NOTE!!!!!
PEOPLE. Some of you are asking me 'when's Miroku and Sango gonna come? When's Kirara gonna come?' I would kindly ask you to please read the story over again, and do NOT skim through it. You will NOT understand the story if you SKIM through it. For your information, people, Sango and Miroku made appearances in chapters 9 or ten... I don't remember.
But they DID make an appearance. I understand there are some parts of the story that you find disinteresting and say, 'Hm, this paragraph is boring, I think I'll skip it!' But you shouldn't, because every little paragraph is an important part of the plot.
SO READ THE WHOLE FRICKIN STORY AND DO _NOT_ EVER SKIP ANY SINGLE PARAGRAPH, OR YOU'LL REGRET IT, SAYING 'I DON'T GET IT!'
Enough of my ranting.. ^_^;
WARNINGS FOR THIS CHAPTER: Major Naraku OOCness Nar/Kag interactions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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------------Chapter XVI: More secrets and Feelings revealed----------------- --
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Kagome's eyes fluttered open, to see Rin, Kaede, and Kiochi all chatting amiably in the room. They ceased talking once they took notice of her wake. She groaned a bit from drowsiness and fanned her eyes around the room, surprised Naraku or Sesshoumaru were no longer there.
'Sesshoumaru.. my head's so fogged up I can't remember what happened. He probably went back to his brother's crowning or something..'
Kiochi smiled caringly at her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm... alright now, I guess," Kagome said unsurely. "What time is it?"
"About five hours past midnight, Okaa-san," Rin answered in her energetic voice. "It's almost morning!"
Kagome nodded discreetly and sat up in her futon, massaging her temples, as if attempting to stop the dizziness. "When did you get here? Rin-chan, don't tell me you didn't sleep at all.."
"We got here about an hour ago. Rin didn't want to go to sleep yet, Okaa- san! Rin wanted to make sure Okaa-san is okay!"
Kagome patted the bubbly child on the head.
They all were, Kagome noticed, still wearing their kimonos for the festival. Rin's hair was slightly tousled, probably from playing and running around. 'Rin forgot to pick me flowers,' Kagome thought nonchalantly, not really caring. She decided to keep this to herself since Rin might feel unnecessarily guilty. Kaede was quiet, as usual, timidly looking down at her hands. Kiochi was also quiet, as if waiting for her to say something.
"So I've been pretty much sleeping the whole day, then?" Kagome said tentatively. "Where's Naraku?"
"He's disappeared again," Kaede said emptily. "We've never questioned his strange actions, for it is his own private business. Once a month he would disappear for one night and reappear the next morning, acting as if nothing happened."
"We're not sure of it, but we think it has something to do with his race," Kiochi added.
"Race?"
"Hanyou blood," she stated, making things more clear. "We don't know where he disappears to.."
Kagome bit her lip, feeling curiosity poke at her. She suddenly remembered the crater in her room. "Oh, Kiochi-san, have you seen the.."
"Yes, I saw my wall," said Kiochi pensively. "And I was shocked to see it was broken down."
"Ano... gomen.."
"It's quite all right," Kiochi grinned. "But I am curious to know how that crater was formed."
"Sesshoumaru came back to check on me," Kagome started. "He and Naraku got into an argument, which led them to fighting, which...led me to subduing them."
"Those two can never get along, can they?" Kaede giggled. "I wonder what it is that they fight over," she added somewhat teasingly, but Kagome didn't have a clue what she was talking about.
Kagome looked down to see Rin sleeping on her futon. Gently, she pulled herself out of bed, careful not to rouse the sleeping child. "I'm going out."
"At this time? Why?"
"Just wanna go for a walk," Kagome answered shortly as she went to go change into her gi and red hakama. 'Actually, I want to find out what Naraku is up to..'
"Be careful, okay, Kagome-chan?" Kaede called after her. "And bring a bow and arrow with you, just in case."
"Hai, I will."
~
Sesshoumaru stood like a statue, the Tenseiga raised well over his head, fully prepared to swing down. His vision suddenly hued, and everything around him seemed to blend in blue. One thing stood out, though. The little demons scampering on top of Inuyasha.
'They are demons of the underworld,' he thought to himself. 'Perhaps if I..'
He swung down carefully, making sure the aim was right.
Tenseiga eliminated each little demon from the underworld. The room began to take color again, losing the blue dim glow. Kikyou opened her eyes and immediately ran to Inuyasha's side.
The taiyoukai just stared, his eyes widening slightly when Inuyasha's heartbeat gradually started to reach his well-tuned ears. He turned around and headed for the door, knowing his business was done.
"-Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru paused. 'Hn.' "What?" he asked coldly.
"Your nobility is futile," Kikyou said bitterly. "Inuyasha's death is inevitable. If I don't kill him.. he will. Both of us, in fact."
"Who is this 'he' you are talking about?"
"His name is Sephiroth."
"I've never heard of him."
"..." Kikyou was silenced as she embraced Inuyasha's human unconscious self to her, her eyes lowered.
"Death is not always inevitable."
Kikyou looked up at Inuyasha's elder brother, an expression of confusion showing blankly on her face.
"This Sephiroth you talk about," Sesshoumaru continued, his back turned to her. "How are you so sure that he will be able to kill you and Inuyasha?"
"You don't know him like I do," said Kikyou in a dead calm voice. "He's a powerful one. More powerful, I dare say, than you."
"Believe what you want to believe," Sesshoumaru shot back icily, "The only one who will die will be him. I already have enough problems on my hands as it is, and I will not tolerate a madman who wishes to kill the future ruler of the Western Lands."
~
Kagome walked into the forest, her bow and arrow at her side in case of any ambushes. She has been trying to locate Naraku's aura for quite some time now, yet couldn't feel it. Somewhere in the forest, she felt tired of walking and decided to take a break.
'Why am I sticking my nose into his business, anyway?' she asked herself as she walked towards a tree and leaned on it. 'I should leave him alone... wherever he is..'
Kagome sighed and slid down on her rear. 'All of the stars are out..'
She heard faint rustling from somewhere on the tall tree. 'Hmm? Who's that?' alert, Kagome jumped up from her sitting position and aimed an arrow at where the suspicious sounds came from. 'It better not be a stalker!'
A figure sat on a tree limb. Kagome squinted her eyes to get better vision of who it was. Long dark slightly wavy hair and just as dark clothing...'Is that NARAKU?!' "Naraku!!" she exclaimed, to get his attention.
~
Kagewaki sat on the tree limb, admiring the stars. 'All of the stars are out..' his auburn-brown colored eyes fanned the night sky, taking all of the stars in. A small smile played on his lips. 'How would Kagome react if I showed her such a beautiful sight.'
"NARAKU!!" someone yelled up at him.
Kagewaki, startled, lost his balance on the tree limb and fell backwards. "ahh!!"
~
Kagome covered her mouth. 'Oops..' she thought as Naraku picked himself up off the floor and dusted his clothes. Tentatively, she walked towards Naraku and cast an apologetic look towards him. "Sorry Naraku, I thought you'd be aware of my presence by now."
"It's alright," Naraku replied courteously, straightening out his slightly ruffled gi. He turned his head up to look her in the eye. "!!! Kagome- san..!" He exclaimed as if he just realized she was here.
"Naraku? Why are you acting so weird?"
~
'If I do not act my way out of here she will surely find out my secret.' "None of your business."
Kagome smiled up at him. Kagewaki was relieved. 'As long as she does not take notice any of my changes, I will be fine.'
"It's alrigh.. What on earth?!" she exclaimed, suddenly giving him a startled look. "Na...Naraku, you're eyes!" she stuttered. "It's brown! Is that supposed to be a new look?"
"..Hai."
"But wait a minute," she stopped and looked down, deliberating. "You guys don't HAVE contact lenses in this era! Baka Kagome!!"
Kagewaki coughed nervously. "It is quite late, should you not be asleep?" he asked politely.
Kagome leaned forward, standing on her toes to meet eye contact with him. Her blue eyes studied his face, determined looking. "I knew it," she stated firmly, casually.
"You're not Naraku," said Kagome decisively. "And if you are, you sure act different and look different. I mean, for one thing, you called me Kagome- 'san.' And the only time I ever heard you call me that was a loooong time ago. And the way you talk, it sounds so different.." Kagome noted severely, leaning in more, as if to get a better look at him, causing him great discomfort. "The jig's up! Tell me what you're up to!" she said brusquely.
Kagewaki looked deep in thought, contemplating about something.
~
Kagome abruptively gasped, realizing what she was being and withdrew herself about two meters away from him. "Oh, I.. GOMEN! I didn't mean to pry into your business! I'm just the drop-dead curious type, and I can't help it when I'm suddenly so forward with things, and don't worry, you don't HAVE to tell me if you don't want to! And I'm so sorry if I had just violated your personal space, I didn't mean to get that close, it's just that--"
"Calm down," Naraku interrupted, "I presume it is all right... to tell you. But it's quite a long story. Would you care to sit up there in this tree with me?"
"Uhh... sure!" Kagome answered unsurely. "Why?"
"I'm more comfortable over there, than down here."
"Oh. Okay."
Kagome watched as, quite easily, Naraku leapt gracefully from limb to limb, and sat down at a high tree branch. Kagome gulped, having remembering suddenly her fear of heights. Timidly, she started to climb the tree with difficulty. She grabbed a small branch and tried to pull herself up on it, only to have her foot, (which was rested on a weak, wobbly branch) slip off its place and cause her to tumble backwards onto her bottom. Naraku looked down at her, watching in mild interest and amusement.
Kagome put a determined firm look on her face and tried again, only to slip down the second time. "Agh!! What the heck is up with this tree?!?!" she said loudly, kicking the tree with her right foot. Wrong choice action.. no sooner did she kick the tree, pain shot into her foot in an instant. Kagome let out a frustrated cry.
"You do not know how to climb?" she heard Naraku say calmly from above on his little tree limb.
"Yes, I do!! Well... okay, I don't," Kagome replied heavily, sighing. "I've never climbed anything in my life. You see, I'm sort of afraid of heights. And besides, I don't see YOU climbing! All you're doing is jumping from limb to limb. You actually make it look so easy."
"It is," he said back to her, his head tilted somewhat to the side, as if confused at why she couldn't muster jumping onto the tree branch. "Just try it."
"Oh no," Kagome said sharply, glaring up at the innocent looking Naraku. Wait. Innocent? "You see, unlike YOU, I'm only human."
Naraku let out a small laugh and jumped down DIRECTLY from his tree branch and infront of her. "Well, there's no need to waste time trying to climb a tree," he said serenely and abruptively swept her off her feet. Kagome almost felt her breath catch in her throat from the suddenness as Naraku started leaping easily up the tree, making it feel as if they were both lighter than feathers.
When they reached a good height, Naraku set Kagome down and frowned after having seen her turn quite pale. "You are not still sick, are you?"
"Of course not," Kagome replied shakily, "I told you, I don't like heights much."
"Bad experience?"
"You can say that," Kagome admitted. "When I was ten, I rode a rollercoaster and the rollercoaster suddenly malfunctioned and stopped directly at the part when you hang upside down.."
Naraku just stared at her, confused. "A rollercoaster?"
"It's a human thrill ride. Well, I fell off it, but I managed to grab onto the railing and was hanging about 100 feet in the air..," Kagome paused, "Whoops. You have no idea what I'm talking about, right?"
"..right," he rejoined shortly.
"Well, then, enough about my pathetic childhood days. What about you, Naraku? You said you were going to tell me about some sort of secret of yours."
"Alright," Naraku started pensively. "Do you pledge not to tell anyone?"
"Yes! I swear it!"
"First off... I am human."
"Yeah, if you mean 'half human.."
"No, I mean full human. Every night of the new moon," Naraku corrected, "I lose all my powers and become a mortal."
"So.." Kagome frowned, deep in thought, "You can turn into a human."
"Are you upset that I didn't tell you before?"
"No.. does that mean you can still climb hecka good even if you're a human?!?! It's not fair!!"
Naraku just stared at her again, a blank startled look written all over his face. 'Unpredictable..'
"So did you have practice or what?"
"Evidently. I've been climbing trees almost all of my life," Naraku shrugged. "Also, I have something else to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I am not the Naraku you know."
"Yeah, I could see that," Kagome jibed jokingly.
"No.. my name is Kagewaki," he said firmly. "My whole persona goes on a quick sharp turn whenever it is the night of the new moon. You see, whenever he turns into a human, Naraku loses all contact with his demon side. I represent his human, more controlled side. Once the sun rises, Naraku will resurface with no memory of the previous night."
"Why?" Kagome asked with immense interest.
"As to that, I am not sure. I know what is going on with Naraku, but he doesn't seem to know what happens when he turns human."
"Ah."
Kagome joined Kagewaki in looking up at the stars. "Oh, hey, Kagewaki-san," she started, not sure if she should call him that. But when his eyes left the stars and landed on her own with a look of approval, she relaxed. "Is that why Naraku always hides from everyone on the night of the new Moon?"
"Yes, I think that is the reason."
"Who's his demon side, then?"
"Demon side... that would be Onigumo," answered Kagewaki in a low manner. "Even I do not know what goes on when Naraku is Onigumo... that is the danger of it all. Naraku remembers that he'd transformed into a full youkai once, but does not remember what he'd done afterwards. But, on the positive side, the occasions of him transforming into a full demon are rare, almost impossible. It had only occurred once."
"Is Naraku afraid of showing either side of him?"
"Yes. He is afraid to he shows anyone his strange transformations," Kagewaki said in an extremely quiet voice, but not sounding like a whisper at all. "He's afraid......of how 'you' would react."
"Me...? But why?" Kagome asked with naïveté. 'He's afraid of how I would react?'
"You actually were never aware?"
"Aware of what?"
"Naraku," he said firmly, "Feels strange emotions towards you."
Kagome gasped and drew a hand to her mouth, completely dumbfounded and shocked to no ends. "Y-You must be mistaken.. he likes Kikyou.."
"Then explain this," he almost whispered, suddenly grabbing her hand and placing it over his heart, which was beating rapidly. Kagome blushed and averted her gaze from his eyes to her hand, which was rested on his chest.
"Even now, Naraku's feelings burn strongly inside me, his half.. so tell me... what is the meaning of this?" he asked, drawing closer, his hands still holding hers.
'How did I get myself into this?' Kagome thought, her face a bright shade of red. "-I..."
Kagome averted her eyes once more, this time to the ground, and suddenly remembered her fear of heights. Her hand, (which was supporting her up on the tree limb) slipped, out of clumsiness, off the limb, causing her to tumble backwards. "W-Whoaaa!!!!"
Kagewaki was leaning forward, so Kagome's other hand reached up out of reflex and clung onto his gi to prevent herself from falling, but failing in vain. Instead, it caused him to go down with her, sending them both hurling down towards the ground.
Kagewaki instantly pulled Kagome atop him to prevent her from hitting the ground. Kagome closed her eyes and opened them when she realized that they had already hit ground.
She slightly pushed herself up to see Kagewaki with a bewildered expression, breathing heavily while lying flat on his back. His brunette eyes downcasted, towards her face. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah... I really have to work on gracefulness.. you and Sesshoumaru make it look so easy.."
"'Gracefulness?'" Kagewaki asked. "Is that what you call it? People with Youkai powers are very light on their feet, and think faster than regular humans... we are more keen on our surroundings, so the chances of us falling off a tree are pretty impossible," Kagewaki continued, "don't take that as an insult, though."
"It's okay, I don't. I'm the clumsiest thing in the world. I wouldn't see a thing if it hit me in the eye!" Kagome grinned. Silence loomed over them like a curtain, with her not realizing she was lying on TOP of Kagewaki. A flustered look passed her face as she pried herself off him, her face scarlet once more. "-Sorry."
"......" Kagewaki stood up, his eyes anywhere but on Kagome.
'Oi. I hate moments like this!! Uncomfortable tension..' Kagome shifted from one foot to another, daring her sheepish eyes to fall upon Kagewaki. "Ah, are there more you wanted to tell me?"
Kagewaki's eyes snapped wider open in surprise, "What..?"
"I mean, about the transformation thing.."
"Heh..." Kagewaki took a few steps towards Kagome, his head slightly bowed low so she couldn't see his eyes. "Kagome.." his steps became faster, Kagome backed up, a confused look on her face. Kagewaki proceeded on, until he had her backed up to the tree they fell off. He planted his hands on either side of her to pin her to the tree. "You... what effect do you have on Naraku..? you've changed him..."
"Naraku... he changed himself. You don't need other people to change," Kagome said quietly, her eyes wandering off. "Could you.. please get off..?"
"My time is almost up, the sun will rise any minute now," Kagewaki dismissed her plea, looking at the brightening sky. "Just one little thing before I revert back.."
Kagome looked up, waiting. 'What's he going to do..?'
He drew closer, and pulled her into a warm hug similar to Sesshoumaru's. He buried his face into her hair, just as Sesshoumaru had once done, and inhaled deeply.
Kagewaki withdrew suddenly, satisfied to see Kagome blushing out of many different emotions he could not identify. "Sesshoumaru was right," he smirked, "You do smell good. Although I don't think that fact needed to be proved.."
Kagome shivered, but she didn't know why.. Did Naraku just DO that? No, that was Kagewaki, but still... 'Maybe I'm still sick.. maybe I'm imagining this.. first Sesshoumaru, now Naraku?'
"Naraku is too confused to tell you what goes on inside him, and so, he puts on a mask of indifference."
"Why are you telling me all of this?"
"He would never tell you himself. If he ever did get the courage, I fear that it might be too late."
"...?" Kagome was more confused than ever now. "Too late?"
"Sesshoumaru. Do not tell me you don't know about his emotions towards you, also?" Kagewaki asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sesshoumaru- doesn't have emotions. Not that I'm saying anything bad about him... he despises emotions, and thinks they are for the weak."
"Ah. So both Naraku AND Sesshoumaru are slow when it comes to their feelings. Perhaps I've overestimated both of them.."
~
Sesshoumaru held himself from sighing. "I told you before, Inuyasha is not feeling well, and therefore, there shall be no crowning."
"What do you mean, no crowning?!" hissed one youkai.
"Do you know how long it took for me to get here from almost halfway around the world?!" another one hollered.
"Damn it all, I came here for the food!!" another one quipped.
Oh boy, was this giving Sesshoumaru a migraine.
A large unruly female youkai noble snorted. Her hair was tied in a complicated bun, and her cheeks were big and pouchy. Jewelry hung all over her, making her look like a hog covered in sparkly rocks. "Hah! You mean I came all the way here from the northern lands just to see that his majesty's insolent older brother tell me that the crowning has been 'canceled?!' I shall not tolerate this!!"
Sesshoumaru was immediately lifted off his feet as the large unruly female noble grasped his white and red kimono and raised him a foot in the air. The crowd of nobles and lords gasped and gaped at the sight of a fat hippo youkai lifting Sesshoumaru into the air, who calmly looked the noble in the eye.
"Uh, dear, we should be going," said the female youkai's rather... skinny mate. "You're going to anger Lord Sesshoumaru.."
"Hah! You expect me to believe that this mongrel is worthy of my respect?"
"Please forgive my wife, she is nothing but a lowly wench," the noble apologized deeply to Sesshoumaru. "You see, she is temperamental.."
"Lowly wench?! Temperamental?! How DARE you?"
Sesshoumaru finally let a disgusted sigh escape his lips. He did _not_ want to be in the middle of a lovers' quarrel at the moment. "Woman," he commanded. "Get your filthy hands off this Sesshoumaru. I do not normally harm females, but if you do not let me go you shall be an exception."
The fat youkai 'hmphed' and instantly dropped him, hoping to see him fall on his bottom. Her face shriveled with disdain when Sesshoumaru swiftly and gracefully landed on his two feet. "And now, you are not to set foot in the western lands again, or you shall be killed on site. Understand?"
She glared down at the handsome young prince who dared to threaten her. "I'd like to see you try. I'll break your girly face before you can even think about killing me."
Sesshoumaru now fought the urge to roll his eyes. No one said he had to deal with a fat short-fused youkai... "I am asking you to kindly leave now."
"Make. Me."
"Gladly," Sesshoumaru said in an even voice. "Dokkaisou."
Green poison leaked out of his claws. Sesshoumaru drew his hand back, preparing to strike. "This is your last chance. Leave now."
The fat youkai made a sound somewhere between a growl and a whimper, and grabbed her husband by the arm. "Let's go." She commanded the skinny youkai.
Sesshoumaru turned to all the other nobles and royalties, his eyes slightly tainted crimson. "Anyone else need convincing?"
The group of youkai murmured a bit, all bidding no. Sesshoumaru smirked in satisfaction as his eyes returned to their normal golden color. "Well now. It is almost daytime. Once again, I am very sorry for the further delays, but as I've said before, Inuyasha is not feeling well. I will notify you if anything happens," Sesshoumaru stated with courtesy. "Have a good day."
Sesshoumaru watched as the guests grudgingly left in his or her own majestic way. When the last youkai had disappeared from site, Sesshoumaru turned around and headed out towards the forest, planning on hunting something down to relieve him of his stress. 'When I was with Kagome I had momentarily forgotten about my duty.. as well as my worries,' he admitted. 'Now it is all coming back to me..'
As he sped threw the fire-red leaved forest, he wondered just what was happening back at the shrine. He'd felt the strange bad feeling he felt before, like something he didn't want to see was happening..
~
Sesshoumaru shrugged off the feeling, thinking that maybe a good hunt would free his mind, if not, fleetingly. His ears picked up a faint rustling, but so faint he almost missed it. He slowed to a stop and focused to see where the rustling came from.
"Very clever, Sesshoumaru. You actually caught my presence," leered a calm voice that for some reason rivaled his own deadpan voice. Sesshoumaru noticed that the words were spoken from a few meters behind him, and mentally reprimanded himself for not noticing.
"And you are?" Sesshoumaru asked discourteously, wheeling around to see a hooded figure.
"I am Sephiroth.. the one who killed your father, and also the one who tried to kill Inuyasha. Of course, it's not literally I, I had let human women do my dirty work for me," he chuckled, standing still as a statue.
"Kusoyaro," Sesshoumaru said distastefully. (kusoyaro-bastard) "Having women do your bidding.. is dishonorable. Human females, nonetheless."
"Ah, you are just like your father. Prideful, self-confident, and also a human lover," the man named Sephiroth said with devious amusement. "Ah, Sesshoumaru-sama, you look angered. Did that last statement get a rise out of you?"
Sesshoumaru couldn't hide the fact that his irises were now blood red. "You... dare call me a human lover?"
"Oh yes.." Sephiroth laughed. "Just like your foolish father.. you all seem to be so interested in humans."
"Shut up," Sesshoumaru said quietly, forming a long claw whip and lashing it out on the man who'd insulted him one too many times. Sephiroth did not see this coming; he barely dodged the whip. In the process, the black cloak that had concealed the antagonist's features was disintegrated.
Sephiroth kneeled on one knee, his features now revealed. Sesshoumaru was surprised at Sephiroth's eye color, which seemed to be reverting from bright green to blue. Long flashy white-silver hair draped over him like a curtain.
"So that is what the mysterious Sephiroth looks like," Sesshoumaru stated with indifference, getting into a battle stance. Sephiroth no longer held the look of a conniving adversary, instead his eyes were sharp and bright green, and held the look of a serious opponent.
Sesshoumaru noticed the drastic change in Sephiroth and smirked emptily. "You are not amused?"
Sephiroth stood up, his electric green gaze locked with Sesshoumaru's cold golden eyes. "Very clever indeed.." he drew a long thin katana from its sheath. "Your cleverness stops here."
Sesshoumaru immediately felt himself weaken for some reason. It is that sword.. that sword is weakening him..
"Masamune likes you very much.. she is calling for your blood, Sesshoumaru.."
Sesshoumaru dropped to a knee as Sephiroth drew closer, the Masamune held at his side. "It'll be Inuyasha after you, Sesshoumaru. Then.. perhaps I shall kill that pretty girl... that Kagome."
"No.. don't.. don't bring her into this," Sesshoumaru growled.
"Farewell, Sesshoumaru."
Something pulsed at Sesshoumaru's side. Was it the Tenseiga..?
~
YES!! I FINALLY UPDATED THE STORY!
^__^ Instead of trying to kill me for not updating soon enough, why don't we just celebrate the update?
Oh, what's going to happen to dear Sesshoumaru? Will he die and leave Kagome like putty in Naraku's hands? Or will he kick Sephiroth's behind and further this little love triangle between Kagome?
I'll try not to delay the next chapter, like I did with this chapter.
Review Responses:
I'm sorry, once again. But I don't know how to reply your reviews.. so I'm just going to list the reviewers' names.. but before I list them, SPECIAL THANKS TO SUKERA, HINOKE, DUKE-OF-SPADES, BRADSBRAT, FAITH, AIRA, and KIMUSUME KAORU!! I remember all of you because of the many times you've reviewed this story!! Thanks very much! I'm sorry if I left anyone out!
Duke-of-Spades- Oh, hilarious mini story! What could be happening to Naraku- kun?! ^_^
Also thanks:::
Nightkid::Icewolf::Inu- girl::KinkyUsagi(cutename!)::LunarMirror::ClowAngel::Kayrin::Say- chanthePyro::Panther17::Macross VF1:: Jeremy::Aki no Yume1::Darkened Skyes::lilyflower::Divine-Heart::Striking Falcon:: Kousagi- chan::demonswty:: Samarah-chan::CelestialStar6::
I'd like to thank all of you for every death threat, praise, criticism you've given me.. as well as all the puppy dog faces. Although I melt at the site of one, and melting is painful, I appreciate all of you who tortured me with puppy-dog faces. Thank you! Now a gift from me! Well... I don't know what else I could give all of you except this chapter.. how about some of Sesshoumaru-sama's cooking? You'll love it, especially if you like charcoal burned eggs, or burned stew, or burned icecream..
Sesshoumaru: ...
Well, Sayonara!