"Promises Promises"

By Pixie

Disclaimer: New episodes of Inu-Yasha. I don't own them.

Author's Commentary: GOMEN NASAI!!!!! I have an excuse! I was skimming through some stuff for school when I came across a letter from one of my AP teachers. Turns out I was supposed to have read 4 novels for school. So I locked myself in my room, buckled down and read until I collapsed. I finished up the day before school started. This year, I am taking two AP courses (college level courses you take in high school), two Advanced Courses (just plain hard courses) Chemistry (Which my teacher likes to brag that its as hard as an AP course) and Spanish (Mucho Gusto. That's all I know.) You know I love you guys, but this schedule is murder. I have 5 to 6 hours of homework on light nights. I'm going to die. Expect updates…maybe weekly? On the bright side though, I'm now a junior! Isn't that awesome?!

Chapter 15:

The world behind the shrine had always been her sanctuary. And out of respect for the gods, no fighting took place near the shrine. However, it was positioned so one could have an excellent view of the fight. And this is where the priestess known as Kikyo sat to watch the battle, curled up safely in her love's arms.

Well, perhaps its inaccurate to call him her love. For you see, Kikyo never really loved the person. She loved the power they held, the material wealth they could bring her, and occasionally she loved the way they looked. But she never really loved the person. But you mustn't call Kikyo a bad person. She was very lonely, her life in the shrine demanded her to be, and she longed to be free and happy like the many young maidens who ran around batting their eyelashes in hopes of winning fair Prince's heart….or at the very least, one of the handsome guards that were always hanging around the castle. Lonely people often turn into desperate people. They crave love and attention so bad, they will do strange and sometimes horrible things to get it. Kikyo craved love and attention, but she craved power as well, and this is why she sat behind the shrine, curled up in Naraku's arms, watching Inu-Yasha brave and prince-like, fight off a horde of demons.

Kikyo felt his strong arms tighten around her midsection, and watched the bloody scene around her as they sat there, lovers watching the sun set on a romantic evening. She smiled, almost mischievously to herself.

"There's more than one way to get power Inu-Yasha…."

* * * * * *

Sango hurled her boomerang expertly watching as it sliced two demons in half at once. She reached out to grab it when she felt something behind her. She turned, reaching for a short sword, but saw it was only Miroku, who had taken out a demon sneaking up on Sango from behind. She smiled at him, and felt her boomerang land perfectly in her hand.

"Thanks."

"Don't worry Sango, I got your back." The monk smiled and moved up so he was back to back with Sango and the two of them fought together, a double force fighting as one and the battle raged on. Sango felt her body grow tired as the day and the fighting seemed to drag on. The sun was hot over head, and beginning to make Sango feel a bit dizzy. The smell of blood emanated through the air, creating a nauseating feeling through everyone. Only the demons seemed unfazed by the smells and sights around them, as a matter of fact, the smell and feel of the blood seemed to excite them and encourage them to fight even more, even harder.

The sun continued to beat down upon Sango, and the heat made her dizzy. Suddenly, for a brief moment, she stumbled, dizzy by the heat. She quickly regained her composure, only to find out she had gained it a half-second to late.

A nameless demon had noticed Sango's brief lapse and taken advantage of the moment. She glanced up just in time to see the unavoidable spear coming towards her head and its crash into Miroku.

"Come on Rin! I'm wearing at least 100 more layers than you, and I'm still moving faster!" Kagome said hurriedly as she half-dragged the poor girl outside. The twosome glanced around one more time to make sure no one was watching before they ducked into the shrine. The two glanced over at each other and giggled, one of the only bits of happiness for miles. They had snuck out of the castle into the shrine to watch the battle. Rin wanted to go to make sure Sesshoumaru was ok. And Kagome said she was going to keep Rin company, but the second the two reached the windows, her eyes darted around looking for a familiar set of fluffy ears. The two of them glanced through every hole, every window, every crack and eventually Rin spotted Sesshoumaru easily taking out any demon that went his way.

Kagome glanced around and spotted another small hole in the wall. She did not recognize it as the hole she glanced through to see Kikyo and Inu-Yasha together before. She bent down and peered through it now.

Outside, it was peaceful and Kagome nearly walked away when suddenly she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She adjusted her angle and looked a little closer. It was Kikyo! And…someone else whom Kagome didn't recognize.

"Hey, Rin, look at this." Rin glanced over to Kagome, a slight annoyance over being distracted from Sesshoumaru. Kagome pointed out the little hole. "Who's that with the shrine maiden?"

Rin walked over, dragging her feet slightly and glanced out. "No idea. Probably some guard. What a scandal though, aren't those maidens supposed to avoid love and junk?" Kagome nodded and continued to watch the two. Rin wandered back to the other window.

"Ooh, Kagome, there's Innnuuuu-Yasshhhhaaaa…." Rin made small kissing noises at Kagome, taunting in a sing-song sorta voice and pointed out the window. Kagome hurried over, ignoring Rin's mocking and glanced out just to see Inu-Yasha heroically slice about 10 demons in two with one swing. Rin gave a low whistle as he did so. "That's good…"

Watching Inu-Yasha, Kagome felt strangely sad. And she felt sorry for him. She knew he probably loved Kikyo, and yet she was off with another man as he was out risking his life for the place she lived.

"I wouldn't treat you so bad Inu-Yasha. I would stand by your side forever…"

"And I will." Kagome added outloud, and ignoring Rin's strange expression, she walked off back towards the castle.

Author's Commentary: So? What do you think? And while I'm at it, anyone know what a "bop tip" is? My friend got a flame from someone who claimed she was a "bop tip". We're mystified.