Miroku woke up to a dark hut, night having already settled over the village. He stood up and stretched his tired limbs, getting all the kinks out. He looked around room; a dim color of reds, oranges, and yellows dancing on the walls as the remaining firelight began to fade. He spotted Kagome asleep on the futon towards the wall—still dressed in her uniform. She was covered in a warm blanket and had her back facing him-- a small, curled up Shippo near her chest. She had her arms wrapped around his small form like a surrogate mother would do. Next he looked to see Sango lying on a futon horizontal to Kagome's. She was dressed in her kimono and was near Kagome's head—turned to be facing him--Kirara laying in between both their heads, nestled in comfort. He stared at Sango as she slept; her face glowing from the firelight to make her features more noticeable that before. She had a serene expression on her face and was nestled comfortably under her blankets. He turned his head away from his beloved Sango and picked his staff up quietly--making sure that the rings didn't jingle. As stealthy as possible he walked over to the mat doorway and through it. It made a small noise in the still night but nothing to wake up the sleeping four.
~
Miroku walked down the path way towards the forest, his golden staff's rings jingling as the pole hit the ground continuously. His robes blew in the soft, warm, night wind; his black hair shining in the small amount of light. He would find Inu-Yasha and straiten out what had happened earlier today. He knew he was suppose to do it earlier but didn't know when he had fallen asleep. The moon only shown enough light to light the path he was taking; the stars blinking in the sky. He turned his dark blue eyes towards the vast black blanket that covered the earth, taking time to look carefully at the moon. I was almost gone so the new moon would be soon. That did not bode well with him, but he looked back to the path and continued to walk. Soon he reached the edge of the forest. He would not have to search for long because he soon saw Inu-Yasha in a young tree, his hair glowing a ghastly white and his eyes, his eyes pierced through the night and were two golden orbs staring off into nothingness. He could barely make out his red haori but he knew it was him.
Inu-Yasha's ears flickered back and forth on top of his head. He had heard Miroku coming for a while and soon smelt his scent not soon after. He did not move from his spot to flee from the interrogation he knew he was about to get, but just stayed there staring at nothing in particular. He really didn't feel up to talking with the monk, but if he didn't now then he would just come back later to torture him into telling him all the things going on in his mind. Soon he felt the monks' presence below him. Even in the night he could feel his blue gaze upon him, watching him and his every move. Even though he was planning to ignore him for another couple of minutes, he decided to just acknowledge the monk and get this over with.
"Oi monk, what do you want?"
"You know perfectly well what I want Inu-Yasha. I want to know why you were being so cold to Kagome-sama earlier this day. We all know that you were the most worried for her safe return and now that she is back, all you do is interrogate her and make her feel worse for not remembering what happened to her. I wish to know why."
Miroku sat down at the base of the tree, making himself comfortable. I was going to be a long night for the both of them.
Inu-Yasha turned his head away from him and into the forest, crossing his arms at the same time. He gave a huff and answered in a gruff tone.
"And why should I tell you monk. It's not like it's any of you damn business."
Miroku sighed. This was going to be tougher than he though. Might as well get ready to stay up the rest of the night.
"Inu-Yasha, all I wish to know is why you are making Kagome-sama feel miserable. It was quite obvious that when you left she was upset with your departure and before Sango and I appeared, we do not know what happened. All we know is what transpired in there after we tried to get some answers out of her. You have to tell me sooner or later Inu-Yasha or your guilt and suffering will eat you alive."
Inu-Yasha still had his head turned to the side yet his eyes were shut closed. His two ears were pressed lightly against his head. He was suffering on the inside yet he would not show it to Miroku.
'I don't know why I acted that way to Kagome. I was glad to have her back in my arms, glad to have her sweet scent wrap my senses again but something was off; yet I don't know what. There was a change in her scent that my demon did not like and it protected itself by being an arrogant asshole. It was…I don't know what it was but its something that's to powerful to handle…I can sense it.'
They sat there in complete silence as Inu-Yasha pondered over this. He would not tell the monk any of it so long as he lived unless he really needed to. He continued to sit there but opened his eyes so he could look into the forest. After minutes of silence from the hanyou, Miroku picked up his staff and got up. He started heading back to the village at a slow pace stopping a ways from the hanyou to tell him one last thing.
"If you ever feel like talking about it Inu-Yasha I will listen and not judge your intentions. I will listen and that's all even if I do not agree with you. Besides I know you are thinking of Kagome-sama my friend and women always seem to mess with our heads"
He grinned and then continued to walk down the path to the hut. Inu-Yasha turned his head back around--a grin on his face, and watched as his form disappeared. Miroku always was the one to get a smile out of you, no matter how serious a conversation was. He turned back to the sky and noticed the moon. Frowning at this he closed his eyes and went into a dreamless sleep.
~
Not again. Please no… not again. She was watching the scene as it slowly revealed itself. This one was more terrifying than her pervious dreams. It was pitch black all around her yet there was a small amount of light where the scene was unfolding. She watched as the poor creature was thrashed and beaten. She had cuts all over her body that were bleeding into her ishou, combining with the color of it perfectly. The red kimono was torn with slashes all around it. How it was staying up to cover her was still astounding but what she saw that really frightened her was the color of her eyes. They turned from there mesmerizing color to a blood red, just as Inu-Yasha's when he turned into a full youkai. She stared at the person who was trying to break her spirit. Kagome just happened to be behind that person and took in the full force of the glare. It was one of hatred, one of vengeance, one so full of spite that if looks could kill, she and the person in front of her would be dead. The creature crouched down ready to pounce. Its prey raised up its arm ready to defend itself--a small flicker of white light shining on her middle and index fingers. She had been told not to kill her, just to weaken her and if she could, break her so she was a shell of her former self. The creature got lower to the floor and with lightening fast moves was upon her. She never stood a chance as the creature's claws pierced her skin.
Kagome bolted upright in a cold sweat. She clung her hand to her chest and tried to even out her breaths. The Taikou no Tama pulsed at her side, going unnoticed by the girl. She had been having more dreams like that one lately and it was starting to scare her. She would never see who the creature was but was drawn to her. Thankfully she hadn't woke up Shippo with her antics and found him curled up beside her pillow. He had moved out of her grasp and next to her head. She tried to look around her surroundings but found it to be pitch black. Figuring out it was night she carefully got out of the blankets and walked to the door. She slid it open a notch and went outside to breath in the cool night air.
'Why does this keep happening to me?'
She closed her eyes as a gentle breeze blew over her. She loved it and it calmed her down more. Smiling to herself she reopened her eyes and looked around. She could see the evergreen grass blow in the wind as it pasted over it, the trees black silhouettes on the horizon. The path that led to it was lined in the little moonlight there was while the stars lined to sky. She looked up at those stars for a long time, letting the wind play with her hair and uniform. Suddenly she heard a noise, it sounded like bushes being moved. Breaking her serene thoughts, she rushed over to behind one of the huts to hide from what ever was coming. Soon she saw Miroku's lean form walking back to Kaeda's hut. He looked fatigued and worried. She wondered what could be wrong with him as she watched him enter the hut and be swallowed by the darkness. She let out the breath she hadn't known she had been holding and came from behind the hut. She needed to find Inu-Yasha. She already knew he wouldn't be in the hut, for she hadn't sensed his youkai. Following the path Miroku had taken not to long ago, she walked to the place she thought Inu-Yasha was. She was soon upon the young oak tree and stood underneath it, looking up. She saw Inu-Yasha's sleeping form resting comfortably on the limb. She really didn't want to wake him for he always looked so calm and at ease when he slept. She smiled a small smile in the dark and went to the base of the oak, laying down in grass while her head rested on one of the roots for a pillow. She made herself comfortable and went back to sleep.
~
She opened her eyes to see the sky lined with light pinks, lavenders and blues, the horizon a gorgeous yellowish-orange color. She blinked her brown eyes till they were finally able to adjust to the light. She felt something around her shoulders and looked there. She had been covered with a red haori top and had been moved to sit up against the tree instead of lying down. She smiled at the thought of Inu-Yasha covering and moving her, and was touched by his care. She stood up and stretched as the haori top feel to her feet in a red pool. Satisfied with her stretch, she bent down to retrieve the top and started to head back to the village. All that time, Inu-Yasha had been watching her wake up. He sat on his perch hidden behind the leaves, his eyes focusing on nothing but her. He watched her as she left and when she was no longer in sight, he jumped down to the ground and headed back to the village himself.
~
When she got to the hut and removed the mat, she was greeted with a sight. Miroku had moved to lie beside Sango and had one arm around her waist, the other tangled in her hair. Sango had turned so she was nestled against Miroku; her hands fisted in the front of his robes. There legs were tangled together and they were barely covered by the blanket, which had been kicked off and rested at the end of the futon. Kagome laughed a silent laugh and went to go wake the monk before he got pummeled to death by an angry Sango. They really did make a cute couple lying together like that though. She carefully maneuvered her way around the sleeping forms of Kirara and Shippo till she was at Miroku's back. She knelt down on her legs and placing the top in her lap, she took one hand and started to wake up the houshi.
"Miroku, Miroku wake up."
He grumbled something incoherent and continued to sleep. She shook him harder but not hard enough to wake Sango. Finally he opened one eye to look up at her, still tangled together with Sango.
"What do you want this early Kagome-sama"
His voice was a deep tone from just waking up from sleep and he still had not realized he had been sleeping with Sango. She put a hand to her mouth to stifle the giggle that was about to come. She could just picture his reaction to what she told him.
"Miroku, you're sleeping with Sango and unless you want to get killed, I suggest you might want to move before she wakes."
Now both his eyes were wide awake. He slowly turned his head to look at what she meant and his eyes got wider than humanly possible. He slowly managed to untangle himself from her all the while chanting in his head that she wouldn't wake up and kill him. When he was free he moved slowly away from her and to the other side of the hut, releasing the breath he had been holding.
'How in the world did I move over to Sango? I was on the other side of the hut last night.'
Kagome got up and went to sit beside him, trying to the best of her ability to calm him. She had to try really hard not to laugh at the sight of the poor monk. She patted his back all the while he was trying to calm his breathing. By the time that had been accomplished, Inu-Yasha walked into the hut, glanced at the two with one raised eyebrow, and then went to the corner to sit and wait for the others. Kagome rose from her spot beside the monk and went over to wake the remaining three, now that Miroku was out of danger. She went over to Shippo first and shook him gently. He rolled over to face her and slowly sat up so he was looking at her. His eyes were closing and opening a few times, and then he suddenly yawned showing his baby canines. He blinked his eyes a couple more times and looked at her-- green ones swimming around with mischief for the day.
"Mo-ningu Kagome"
"Mo-ningu Shippo. Did you have a nice sleep?"
"Hai"
"Yoshi"
She patted his head and went to wake Sango. She was difficult to wake up—having to literally get yelled at in the ear, but eventually she was up and looking around the hut at everyone.
"Mo-ningu Kagome but what time is it?"
"Mo-ningu to you to but it is…"
She stiffened suddenly, all her senses on high alert. She closed her eyes and focused on the aura she was sensing. Her eyes opened into two slits, as she went to the corner to retrieve her bow and quivers—everyone's eyes' focused on her, and headed to the door.
"Kagome what is the matter?"
She turned back to Sango and said two words
"Jewel shards"
~
Kagome tightened her fingers on the bow string, forcing her power to draw into the arrow. She focused on the giant kuma youkai. It looked to be made of the wood of the forest yet in its forehead was a jewel shard. Feeling the power course through the arrow she released the string as the arrow soared threw the air in a pink light. She had been aiming for the shard. Her sacred arrow hit its mark doing two things. One, it weakened the kuma so that it could be destroyed easily and more importantly it managed to knock the jewel shard away from it.
As the tiny fragment descended to the ground in a pink bubble; the rest of the gang took care of the beast. Sango threw her Hiraikotsu at it, slicing its arm off as it returned to its master who was riding Kirara. As Kirara landed on the ground near Kagome, Miroku leapt up into the air chanting with a sutra in his hands. It glowed a bright blue and the symbols lit up the same color. He flung it at the youkai—more precisely the place where the shard had been. It attached, glowed its color and caused him to be immobilized. The youkai looked like an animal on the attack. Its wooden fangs were exposed as it growled and its paw was in the air ready to strike down on the pests. The only part of him that could move was his red eyes as he watched what would happen. Miroku landed beside the fire cat and Shippo bounced up on his shoulder from his hiding place in the shrubs. It was up to Inu-Yasha now. He walked over to stand in front of the kuma with the transformed fang on his shoulder. He lifted it off with both of his hands and was posed for attack. He leapt up into the air and with one giant thrust downward, aimed for the youkai. The kuma's red eyes opened in fear but there was nothing he could do as he was cut in half and died instantly. Inu-Yasha landed behind him and turned around to watch the youkai remains disappear in purple smoke. He went over to where he saw the jewel sparkling among the mess and took it over to Kagome. He handed it to her and she attached it to the fragment around her neck. She suddenly felt a small pulse of power coming from the jewel and from something at her side; but in order not to draw attention to herself, she decided she would deal with it later. She looked around at everyone and smiled despite what had just happen. It was time to head back to the village and gather her things then they would be off.
~
Still surrounded in the thick, dark, miasma the lord watched the battle from the small mirror. He smirked in amusement.
'It seems they have been getting stronger'
The girl who was holding the mirror turned it to the side in her small, pale hands. The picture disappearing in a flash that would be similar to if the sun had hit it. Now in its place was an entirely new scene. Instead of the girl with the hanyou and the others, this one was of the dead priestess who was lounging in a tree—her shinidamachuu floating around her form to protect her. She was in a dark part of the forest and looked to be asleep but soon her eyes opened in two narrowed slits as she talked into the forest.
"I suggest you stop watching me. I'm of no use to you right now so do not bother me with your games."
He smirked again. She was clever and could sense him no matter what he did. The girl turned it once more and Sesshomaru was now in the mirror. He was walking through a part of the forest that was lit up in the morning sunlight, his charge Rin riding on Aun-- Jaken walking a few paces behind. Sesshoumaru was ignoring the toads ranting about being tired and needing rest. He was walking in graceful strides with Aun's reins in his hand; the girl Rin having fallen asleep and resting peacefully on the dragon. The wind blew his kimono as he continued to walk to a place suitable to make camp for the child. The pale girl continued to turn the mirror till Kouga shown. He was resting at a cave with Ginta & Hakkaku, getting ready for the day of tracking the minion who had killed his pack. She flicked the mirror once more and sat it down in her lap. Her blank, black eyes looked up to the person in front of her. He was looking at her with a frown on his face and anger evident in his eyes.
"Where is the other person we need to see?"
She continued to stare with her blank eyes, her voice holding no emotion or tone to it.
"I could not bring it up. She has magic around it that I cannot break. I will try again if you wish but it will be impossible. The magic is just too strong."
He huffed. Now he would have to find another way to get what he wanted.
"Continue to try and get the picture up. Use the jewel if you must in order for me to find her."
She bowed her head in acknowledgement and stood up. She went to the sliding doors, her white hair and kimono swaying as she walked. When she was gone the lord looked back at the scroll beside him.
'Soon the chaos will begin. All the players have been found except one. We shall see what they all do when I turn all their world's upside down; now that I have deciphered the prophecy.'
~TBC
A/N: I HAVE RESPONSE TO MY NEW REVIEWERS AFTER THE IMPORTANT A/N!
hey everyone *is hiding*. Plz don't be angry with me. I have a good reason for such a long absents. My computer went insane on me. It literally ate my three floppys with my stories and essays on it. I lost the beginning prologues for Good Came before Kagome (explained on bio) and now that I'm calmed down from over the loss, I remember them so I have to rewrite them when I get the chance. Also The Perfect Present got destroyed yet thankfully I managed to save like 1/3 of it so be happy. It will be posted as soon as I go over it for those who care. I'm still upset though *sniffs* but now that my scanner is finally fixed, I'll be making pictures of some of my characters. I will be placing them on MediaMiner when I get the chance and once I actually register to put them on tomorrow. Not many people go there I see but they support NC-17 and I might have to move TPP if ffnet doesn't like it or takes down my stories. Anywayz seems the blackmail worked a little. I got my 6 new reviews so lets see if I can get 10 new reviews this time or else I wont put up the next chappy. That should be it. ~
Responses to the reviews:
Nm3- I emailed u with a response already but hey I'll tell u here to. I really appreciate the reviews and hope u contin. to review my story also. I'm working on the grammar thing to so don't worry, it will eventually get better. Ciao for now~
Paws34125- I'm glad u like it. Been working very hard on this one since it was my first baby so to speak. Hope to hear from u again!
SailorDestiny2- haaaaaaa, man when I saw all ure reviews in my mailbox, I was shocked. But I loved every single one of them esp. since I hadn't got any in awhile and I was starting to worry. I hope I get some more from u when I post up the next chappy. Thanks for the love!
ZoidsProfessorZP-Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm glad u like it to and I hope I get to here from u again in the near future.
Kilala Freak-Thanks for the complement. Umm…I'm seriously debating the lemon….if enough people want me to have one I'll do it. I mean I already have one planned for the story yet I don't want ffnet to take it down. I've spent too much time with it. But if/when I do put the lemon in it will definitely be on MediaMiner once I registered. They except NC-17 and that's good for both my stories. Hope that answers it
Demongirl6381- I was wondering where u were at. Now that I think about it Where are the rest of my beginning reviewers I miss u all so much *cries* ok I'm done. Thanks for coming back to review and I hope to hear from u again soon~
As for Tokia, SweetT1, and Inu-Yasha Jr. I email u guys a lot so u already now what I would say to u guys. When I get the time I'll email u all to. So look for it kay.
New words
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Mo-ningu – morning
Hai – also means yes
Yoshi - good
Kuma - bear
--------------------------------------------
Shout outs: I would like to thank Tiger of the Wind1 for letting me use Rubi-Yue and Kitsu and all of you for Reviewing!
""-talking
''-thinking
~-scene change
Italics- dream
DISCLAIMER: I unfortunately have to say this. I don't own inu-yasha and co. but I do own my loveable unique characters that I have all for myself ^-^
OH A COUPLE MORE THINGS! No music for this chapter since all I listened to was Fushigi Yuugi's Sad Gales over and over again. Hey what can I say I love the song.
IF U THINK U HAVE A TALENT FOR DRAWING AND WANT TO SEND IN A PICTURE OF ONE OF MY CHARACTERS GO AHEAD. I WISH TO SEE WHAT U ALL CAN DO AND I WILL PICK THE BEST ONES TO PUT UP. SEND THEM TO THE ADDRESS IN THE BIO. KITSU AND RUBI-YUE I'LL HAVE TO ASK TIGER OF THE WIND ABOUT THOUGH. Also if I remember anything important I'll have it in my bio~
Goodbye Goodbye my faithful readers and reviewers! I will miss u all so much till I return with the next chapter. Ja Ne~
Don't forget to review. It makes my day! ^_^
