Spellcaster
Another Curse Naughty habits get you nowhere.
Kagome and Inuyasha were just about to walk into the house when three people came running towards them. One was a young boy with short black hair tied into a small ponytail; another was a young woman with long black hair and covered in some odd substance. The last person was a man slightly taller than the girl.
"Kagome!" Huffed Sango. She stopped in front of Kagome and rested her hands on her knees.
"Sango! Are you all right?" Kagome placed her hand on Sango's shoulder and quickly removed it. She looked at the sticky substance that was now on her hand. "What in the…?"
"Don't ask, I'll tell you later." Sango said as she stood up straight.
"My, my." Miroku started. "You must be Kagome," he took Kagome's hands in his; a faint growl could be heard from beside Kagome. "I am Miroku, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Kagome laughed nervously and shot a sideways glance at Inuyasha, almost pleading for help.
"Remember him?" Inuyasha asked Kagome. "He was the one who had the truck stuck in the tree."
"Oh!" Kagome said forgetting that only she could hear Inuyasha.
"What?" Sango said.
"She is obviously thrilled to meet me." Miroku said.
Sango rolled her eyes.
"Excuse me." Kohaku said. "Hate to break this up and all but, could you possibly unlock the door?"
Kagome pulled her hands away from Miroku and smiled pleasantly to Kohaku. "It's unlocked, go right on in. I think Sota is in his room playing video games."
Kohaku nodded and walked inside. Kagome turned back to Sango and frowned.
"Miroku step away from me at least three feet." Sango said. Miroku smiled and took a giant step away from her. Kagome shook her head and gestured for them both to follow her inside.
"Sango you can run up stairs and take a shower, you know where it is, and I'll put some of my clothes outside the door for you to use." Kagome stepped in the door and removed Inuyasha's leash.
"Thank you," Sango bowed and plowed through the door and up the stairs. Inuyasha ran into the kitchen where he could smell Kagome's mom making him his dinner.
Kagome turned to Miroku and smiled, "If you want you can wait for Sango." She said politely.
Miroku wanted to wait. He stood just outside the door and looked up the stairs. "I better not." He said. "Yeah. Thank you anyways." He turned around and started to walk away, "see you later Kagome, and tell Sango I said bye and Kohaku too."
"He's smarter than I thought." Inuyasha walked from the kitchen licking his dog lips. Kagome turned to him and bent down to be level with him.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, he knew that if he wanted to be with Sango he needs to give her some time to herself and not jump on her all the time, give her some time to figure out her feelings. Or he could have just been hungry."
Kagome chuckled and shook her head. She stood up and made her way into the kitchen.
"Hello there dear." Mother said as she picked up Inuyasha's empty bowl from the ground.
"Hi, mom. Sango's taking a shower up stairs, and when she's done I'm sure she'll have a very fascinating story to tell us." Kagome sat in one of the chairs at the table. Inuyasha laid down by her feet under the table.
"Why dear, what happened?" Mother said as she started to make lunch.
Kagome shrugged her shoulders and rested her hand on her cheek. She moved her legs to cross them and accidentally kicked something.
"Ouch, hey watch it. Just cause I'm a dog doesn't give you the right to beat me." Inuyasha said. Kagome pushed her chair back and crawled underneath the table beside him.
She spoke softly, "Sorry Inuyasha, I didn't mean to. Are you al right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Hey, you never answered me earlier." Kagome asked.
"Answer what?" Inuyasha said.
"How old you are."
"Oh, well it doesn't really matter cause I can't die."
Kagome paused for a moment, "What do you mean you can't die."
"It's part of my curse."
"So, you could get ran over and live."
"That's the theory." Inuyasha said. He was becoming slightly skeptical about this conversation and where it was leading.
"So if I were to hit you it wouldn't hurt?"
"Whoa, I never said I couldn't be hurt. I just can't DIE." Inuyasha stood up underneath the table.
"Oh." Kagome said.
"Kagome sweetheart, please get out from under the table, it's terribly dirty under there. Beside lunch is ready." Mother said and Kagome could here something being placed on the table.
Kagome climbed out from under the table and sat back in her chair. There was a sandwich with some chips in front of her. "I almost forgot!" Kagome jumped up and ran from the kitchen. "Sango's clothes!" she said as she ran up the stairs.
Kagome burst into her room and opened the bottom draw of her dresser. She dug through it and finally pulled out a pair an old swimsuit, sweat shorts, and a sleeveless shirt. She ran to the bathroom and knocked on it. "Sango?"
"Yeah!" She heard the muffled reply through all the pouring water.
"Here are the clothes!"
"Thanks." Sango said.
"I have one of my swimsuits here that you can use for underwear if you want."
"Thanks a lot Kagome, you're so nice."
"Do you want something to eat?"
There was laughter from inside. "No that's okay," Sango finally added.
"Okay." Kagome said and placed the clothes in front of the closed door. She walked away and trotted down the stairs. Inuyasha sat at the foot of them.
"He's coming." Inuyasha said.
"Who? Miroku?" Kagome said.
"No, worse, much, much worse." Inuyasha's voice was full of warning.
****
"Fate?" Sesshomaru said as he once again searched the library. He was now in the part few ventured. The books were covered with dust and the smell of mold floated through the air.
Behind him a young girl sat in one of the dusty chairs reading a dusty book. Her expression while she read was that of anger. Sesshomaru wasn't sure if that was the way she read or if she was actually angry.
"Are you upset?" he asked as he pulled one of the old books from the shelves and covered his nose to shield if from the dust.
"Oh no!" she said, half laughing. "This is just the way I read, I'm concentrating."
Sesshomaru didn't give any indication that he had heard her. He opened the book to the first page.
'Powerful Demon Families of the Feudal Era and Where They Are Today.'
Sesshomaru looked at the books date, "1980. That's not so old." He said as he flipped the pages of the book all the way to the last page. He skimmed his eyes through the index and his own name jumped out at him. "Page 37." He said and flipped to it quickly.
There was a large picture that took up half the page. The picture almost matched his demon form to a T. He sat in the chair next to Rin never taking his eyes off the picture, then he started to read.
'Son of one of the most powerful demons ever to roam the feudal era, Sesshomaru took two forms. The first form was that of a human with long white hair and yellow eyes. The next form was that of a giant dog beast that towered over many but only compared to his fathers massive size as a flea. He ruled the western land for some time until all record and report of him vanished.
'The name of his father and mother are unknown. But it is said that he had a younger half-demon brother, who shared the same father. His name was Inuyasha. (Page 197)
'Some time in the 1800's a woman reported seeing someone fitting the description of his human form. All accounts were later dropped.'
Sesshomaru stopped reading and flipped to page 197. The picture took up more than half the page. There was a picture of Inuyasha wearing his red kimono. And standing next to him was a white dog.
"Excuse me." Rin said. Sesshomaru looked at her and glared. His harsh look did not faze her. She smiled pleasantly back at him. "What are you reading?"
"History." He said.
"Do you mind reading it out loud?" Rin asked so nicely it was hard for Sesshomaru to answer rudely.
"No." he paused. "Fine."
"Thank you."
'Why does she want me to read out loud?' Sesshomaru thought as he started to read, "Son of one of the most powerful demons to roam the feudal era. He only takes one from normally. His mother was human and died from heartbreak after his father died. He fell in love with a Spellcaster who turned him into a dog."
"The story is actually rather comical." Sesshomaru continued to read. "He went to her while she was bathing and took her by surprise, then he was amazingly rude to her and as a punishment, the Spellcaster cursed him to be a dog." Sesshomaru chuckled.
"Inuyasha could have been turned back not more than an hour later if he had not continued to insult the Spellcaster, she cursed him to be a dog forever, to complete two hundred good deeds, and the spell will not be broken until his true love kisses him."
Sesshomaru stopped reading and stared sternly at the book. 'So that's what happened. He didn't vanished.'
Rin took the book from him and began to read where he left off. "Inuyasha's brother is Sesshomaru, page 37," Rin paused a moment before continuing, "and his mother and father are unknown. The Spellcaster whom he fell in love with was named Kikyo, page two. I am sure that today Inuyasha roams around Tokyo doing good deeds for people and looking for that special someone." Rin turned the pages slowly until she stopped and started to read again, "The record of her birth is unknown. Kikyo the only priestess and Spellcaster was among the most powerful of the demons."
Rin stopped talking and Sesshomaru could see her eyes skimming down the page, she flipped the page and continued skimming. "Kikyo most likely now lives in the mountains near Tokyo where she can keep a close eye on her minion, Inuyasha." Rin finished and she slammed the book shut.
Sesshomaru looked up at her.
"Well," Rin said. "Do you want to find your brother?" she handed him the book and stood up.
Sesshomaru took it. "What?"
"This is the book you were looking for wasn't it?" Rin asked.
"Yes. But I do not wish to find him, I just wanted to verify my hunch."
Rin frowned. "Very well." Rin turned from him and started to walk away.
"Wait." Sesshomaru said. 'Why had I said that?'
Rin turned and looked at him, only Sesshomaru had no clue what to say.
"There's this nice restaurant down town called The Jazz. Do you know it?"
"Yeah." Sesshomaru said.
"Pick me up here at seven, please don't be late." She smiled and walked away leaving the flabbergasted Sesshomaru sitting there.
When she thought she was out of earshot, "Why do you always fall for the shy ones, Rin?" she asked herself.
A smile curled around Sesshomaru's face.
****
"Kikyo." Naraku said.
"What?" she was wearing what looked like a school uniform.
"Do you think this plan will work?" Naraku also wore a school uniform.
"If we gain her trust, we can take her power and then we can be the ones who judge all the Spellcasters." Kikyo said. She was walking down the street away from the high school where her and Naraku had just enrolled.
"Yes, Kikyo but don't you think this is a bit-"
"Then send one of your minions to do it for you." Kikyo said, annoyed.
Naraku glared straight ahead as they walked, "Fine." He said and disappeared.
Kikyo shrugged. Then she felt someone pat her ass. She turned around quickly and grabbed the guy's wrist.
The man stared at her surprised. "Come with me." Kikyo said and they vanished.
They both reappeared at a mansion standing in front of a grand door. There were strange symbols burnt into the door. She knocked on it, almost wincing as if touching the door caused her pain. She made sure to keep a firm hold on the man's wrist.
"What's your name?" she asked as she waited for someone to answer the door.
"Miroku." He said utterly confused.
"Well Miroku, perhaps this will teach you not to touch things that don't belong to you." Kikyo said.
The door opened and a beautiful woman stood before Kikyo. She wore an old fashion kimono.
"Naraku please."
"In the study." The woman said and let them enter. She pointed to two double doors and Kikyo started to walk over there, dragging Miroku along with her.
"Naraku," Kikyo said as she entered the large room. It was more like a library than a study. There was a giant fireplace on one of the walls. And a huge couch in front of it, there was a large table behind the couch with three chairs around it. Naraku stood up from one of these chairs.
"What is it Kikyo, I told you never to disturb me at home." He was very angry yet intrigued that she was there.
"Yes I am slightly sorry, but here." She threw Miroku in front of her and towards Naraku. Miroku stumbled and looked quizzically at Naraku.
"I do not understand." Naraku said.
Kikyo stared at Naraku, she seemed to be contemplating what to say. She finally spoke, "Naraku, I am admitting that you are more powerful than I when it comes to curses. That is why you have an empire and I do not. I am asking you a favor." Kikyo bowed her head slightly, but did not move her body.
Naraku did not say anything.
"Hold on." Miroku said. "Just what is going on here?"
Kikyo and Naraku continued to stare at one another.
"Very well." Naraku finally said as he turned away from Kikyo. "What is it?"
"He slapped my ass. It was so…disgusting. I can tell that he does it to other women all the time." Kikyo raised her head and glared at Miroku.
"I see." Naraku said.
"I wish to curse him to teach him a lesson he will never forget." Kikyo crossed her arms.
"Any requests?" Naraku took a step towards Miroku. Miroku braced himself.
"Curse?" Miroku turned to Kikyo. "I'm awfully sorry ma'am. I meant no harm in my actions. You should really take it as a compliment."
"Enough." Kikyo said. "What a pathetic attempt to get out of the unavoidable."
"He is familiar to me." Naraku said. "I think he is the descendent of a great line of Monks."
"This is all very interesting." Kikyo said sarcastically. "But I think I have the perfect curse. His hands are very touchy so perhaps he won't be so keen to grab asses if…" Kikyo paused almost as if for effect. "There were a black hole in his right hand." She pointed.
Miroku was slow to believe.
"It shall be. Hold his right hand out Kikyo." Naraku said.
"With pleasure," Kikyo walked over to Miroku, who found for some odd reason his feet seemed to be plastered to the floor. Panic started to course through his veins. "It is a simple spell that any Spellcaster can perform." Kikyo said as she snatched his hand and held it in the air, level with his head.
Miroku tried to struggle away but for some reason his strength was failing him. Miroku looked at Kikyo his eyes pleading with her to not do this. She only smiled.
"Now don't move." Naraku said. And suddenly a bright light shot from Naraku through Miroku's hand. Kikyo released the hand immediately and stepped away. The expression on her face changed to surprise.
Miroku grabbed his wrist and screamed out in pain.
"The only way to end the curse." Naraku said, since he knew Kikyo loved loopholes. "Is for me to die." And with that he walked out the grand doors.
"Come on 'Monk'" Kikyo said. Miroku only stared at the large hole that was now in his hand. Blood was trickling from the corners and onto the floor. He could feel air slowly started to be sucked into it. "Let's get you some prayer beads before that sucks this whole room up."
Miroku looked up at her, fear, pain and sadness covered his face. Kikyo frowned and looked away quickly. "Sorry." She said and she pulled out some bandage and blue prayer beads from nowhere. She walked over to him and started to wrap his hand. Miroku did not protest. But his other hand clenched the wrist of his injured one.
"The curse will not last long." Kikyo said in a much softer and kinder voice. "Just never remove these beads and no wind will be drawn into it, and nothing else either."
Miroku looked at her. Sweat poured down his face from the pain. "Will I get sucked in?"
"If the beads ever do come off, hold it away from your body, but yes, if Naraku does not die, it will eventually suck you in too." She finished as she wrapped the blue beads around his hand.
"I see." Miroku said sadly. 'I won't be able to do anything…Sango…' he thought.
"Do not look so sad, think of this as a weapon. Now you, a mere mortal can fight demons with this new gift. And no mess to clean up." Kikyo said. She put her hand on his shoulder. "Now just think of your house and I'll take you there…"
"Okay." Miroku did not seem to hear the first part of what she had said.
And they vanished.
***************************
Shoot me, please, shoot me…you know you want to.
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