A/N: Happy V-day people. Don't expect a fluffy chapter just because of Feb
14 though. That was the past two chapters. If anyone was wondering (like
sunshine), the vows Yuki and Sess took were mostly written by me, but parts
were strongly influenced by traditional Apache wedding vows.
Golden Fire
Chapter 11: The Demon City
I never thought I'd see Inuyasha as a human in the sunlight. Yet there he was, with black hair, brown eyes and human ears. Miroku held a walking stick while Sango and Kikyo had backpacks, instead of the their usual staff, boomerang and bow. All three were dressed in brown ragged peasant clothing. I had a plain blue yukata on, signaling that I was a handmaid. Yuki really had done wonders with her illusionist skills for our disguises. I could actually feel the rough cotton against my arms and legs. My wonderment almost made me forget that today we were going into the Demon City.
Inuyasha looked down and saw that Tetsusaiga was still tucked in by his side. "Can't you change Tetsusaiga too? Not many slaves carry around a powerful sword."
"I know, that is why I must hold onto it during our stay with Lord Yama." Yuki held out her hand.
"What? No way!" he hissed. "You'll just give it to your new mate."
"Really, Inuyasha. That annoying mistrust must cease. Neither Sesshoumaru nor I can even use Tetsusaiga. I will not even allow him to come near the sword. You may have it back tonight, but I cannot disguise its magical elements and therefore, it must be in my care." She flashed an evil smile at him. "Or I could give it into Kouga's keeping."
Inuyasha growled but handed over his precious Fang. Yuki tucked it into her obi and turned to Shippou. "Well, little kitsune. Have you been practicing?"
"Of course, Yuki!" he answered. "I can hold my new appearance for as long as I want." We had previously decided he should pose as Yuki's child, since she couldn't trust herself to disguise his youkai smell well enough. It was going to be hard enough to disguise a hanyou scent, she explained.
"Good," she said, giving him one of her rare, genuine smiles. "Let me see what you came up with."
Shippou immediately transformed into a shockingly accurate interpretation of what Yuki's child would look like. He was taller and had her blue hair and pale skin, but had green eyes and green stripes down his cheekbones.
Yuki nodded her satisfaction and patted his head, which now came up to her waist. "We are prepared to go then."
We walked for five hours to the base of the mountain. Every once in awhile, we'd see a youkai, but they would avoid us. I looked at Sesshoumaru and saw his hand on the hilt of Tokijin. Hmm, I would avoid us too if I were a lesser demon.
We reached a small cave on the side of the mountain. Sesshoumaru walked in without hesitation. Yuki looked behind her at the 'slaves'. "Be prepared. You will be food if you draw attention to yourself. So behave." Her voice was cold and harsh. I knew that she was speaking like this in case stranger youkai were nearby, but my heart still felt a pang of sadness. She was speaking to me like Inuyasha did sometimes. Like I was a worthless human and just in the way. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of that thought. What was I? Three years old? I knew the critical nature of our position. If anyone heard a youkai lady talking to human slaves with kindness, we'd be done before we started.
The cave turned out to be a tunnel through the mountain, although I would never have known that if Sesshoumaru wasn't leading the way. It went on for a long time with many twists and turns. I imagined bloodthirsty youkai around every corner and succeeded in scaring myself to death. Finally, I felt a cool breeze race past and we stumbled out into the light again.
Sango and I gripped each other's arms. My first thought was 'Wow'. The second was 'How do they hide this place?' From what Yuki said, the Demon City still existed in my time, but I couldn't see how that was possible.
We were in a sizeable basin between at least five mountains. An enormous black marble wall stretched across the entire length with a large gate directly in front of us. As tall as the barrier was, I could see the tops of buildings behind it. Sesshoumaru and Yuki were already walking towards the entrance.
Two youkai guards stepped forward to meet them. They were in their demonic forms: a bear and a tiger. Yuki placed a hand on Shippou's shoulder, holding him back. Kouga stood on the kitsune's other side. Sesshoumaru growled when the tiger youkai sniffed at Yuki and Shippou. "Let us pass."
"You dare to bring humans into Lord Yama's city?" snarled the bear youkai as he shifted his eyes to the other humans and me.
"They are my slaves," Sesshoumaru responded. "Although this Sesshoumaru should not have to answer to you."
"Sess – Sesshoumaru? You are the Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands?" The bear youkai trembled slightly.
The youkai lord gave him a piercing glare and said nothing. The guards moved aside and the tiger let out a soft roar. The gates slowly swung open and we followed our 'master' in.
The city was a series of palaces surrounded by beautiful wrought iron fences, probably housing lesser lords or generals. Smaller dwellings were barely visible behind the castles. Servants' quarters obviously. So it was an entire city of royals. Great. Hundreds or thousands of Sesshoumarus. This was going to be so not fun.
I walked behind some of the wolf clan. The rest of them were behind the 'slaves'. Kouga himself kept glancing over his shoulder. I realized with a jolt that Yuki had been dead serious. The demons of this city really were going to look at us as food. The wolves were protecting us.
As we entered the city proper, I saw confirmation of my fears. We began to pass the city's youkai and they all stopped to stare. First their eyes would slide over Sesshoumaru, Kouga and Yuki, then they would immediately flash to us. The humans. Why were humans in their city? I could hear the question flying around, although they had fallen silent the second they noticed us.
I felt so grateful when the largest palace of the city loomed above us. It was obviously Lord Yama's home and he clearly had heard of our presence because the guards opened the gate without question. I had to restrain myself from running in and escaping the youkai in the city.
A beautiful, classic Japanese garden covered the courtyard. I looked around and saw several female youkai walking along the winding paths. They stopped to stare like the demons in the city had done. But none of them so much as glanced at us 'slaves'. Their eyes were fixed on Yuki and Yuki alone. I felt a tremble of fear. What if the ceremony wouldn't dissuade Yama? The females were sizing her up, looking at her with critical eyes and whispering to each other.
I didn't have anymore time to dwell on this however, as we entered the palace. A servant bowed low and led us to a large room near the center of the complex. A male youkai sat in an ornate chair at the opposite end of the hall. He was majestic. He was tall and lithe with long black hair that had a shimmer of green. His eyes were black, making him look deep and soulful. I heard Sango's small intake of breath next to me.
"My lord Sesshoumaru!" he called, standing up. "How good to see you once again." His voice dripped with honey and the good impression his looks made was wiped away. This guy obviously had hidden motives.
"Lord Yama," responded Sesshoumaru stiffly. He bowed almost imperceptibly. I remembered what he had told us about Yama the night before, while we were all fighting and losing to insomnia. Yama had attained his throne suspiciously, after his elder brother had disappeared without a trace and he was constantly leering at the surrounding lords' territories. In other words, he wasn't well liked or trusted by anyone.
"You must be Prince Kouga." Yama turned to the wolf leader. Kouga bowed low in return. He finally turned his attention to Yuki. "And who is this lovely creature?" He reached out, took her hand and kissed it. She didn't smile or bow in return.
Sesshoumaru took a step towards Lord Yama. "She is Lady Yuki. She is my mate."
"You took a mate, my friend? How surprising." He laughed lightly and began to walk back to his throne, beckoning for us to follow. "I thought you would be a bachelor forever. When did this happen?"
"I recently decided that I had obligations other than warfare."
"Ah yes," purred Yama. "You decided you needed an heir." He looked towards Shippou for the first time. "He's a bit old to be yours, isn't he? Doesn't even look like you, my friend. Surely you aren't taking some other lord's rejects? Not that any male in his right mind would reject her." He winked at Yuki.
Sesshoumaru growled softly. Yuki kept perfectly composed, however. "Shippou is the child of my first mate, Lord Sheng. He died in battle years ago." Her hand hadn't left Shippou's shoulder since we entered the city's gates and now gripped him tighter.
"Ah, Chinese. You are a long way from home, then." He smiled at Shippou. "Do you miss your father? Is my friend a good replacement?"
I frowned at his words. Shippou really had lost his father in battle and I was afraid he would begin to cry and lose his concentration. I was so proud when he kept a calm face and looked Yama straight in the eye. "My father died when I was a baby. I don't remember him. Lord Sesshoumaru is a good mate to my mother and an even better father to me." I silently cheered him on for his acting skills.
Yama barked out a laugh. "He is already taking after you, Sesshoumaru! Do you intend to make him the heir to the Western Lands?"
"That is no business of yours, Yama. However, I can assure you that my lands will never be yours."
He laughed again. "Ah, my friend. Always the suspicious sort, weren't you?"
"When I have cause to be."
Yama finally turned his attention to those of us behind the youkai lords. He swept his eyes over Sango and me. I could sense Kouga and Inuyasha's agitation. "These are quite attractive slaves you have here." He got up and took a lock of my hair in his fingers. I kept my eyes down as he twisted it tightly between his index finger and thumb. "Where did you get them?"
"They were a gift to my mate," responded Sesshoumaru. "I captured them near a human village." His eyes flashed towards Inuyasha, who was still fighting his urge to yell at Yama. "They are still new to their position. They have yet to be trained properly."
Yama was still looking at me with lecherous eyes. I found myself wishing for Miroku. Did Yama really only take youkai women into his harem? "I like the females," he said, shifting his attention to Sango and Kikyo. "What will you take for them?"
"They belong to my mate. Discuss it with her."
"Well?" Yama looked at Yuki expectantly. "I'm sure you would like something in return for untrained human slaves." His eyes slid up and down her figure.
Yuki kept a level gaze. "I will not sell them. They were a gift from my Lord Sesshoumaru and I would certainly not dishonor such a generous present by getting rid of them."
Yama's face fell for a fraction of a second, but his smile came back before it was really noticeable. "Well, I can hardly be blamed for asking." He beckoned to one of his servants. "My servant will show you and Kouga to your rooms, Sesshoumaru. I imagine you would be tired after your journey. The wolf clan can have the rooms in the east wing and the slaves can sleep in the servants' quarters. I shall see you at breakfast tomorrow, then." He waved us off and we turned to follow the servant.
After five minutes of walking, the servant opened a door. "Your room, Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Yuki. If the rest of the ladies and gentlemen will follow-"
"That will not be necessary. They can find their own way after I have given them additional instruction." Sesshoumaru dismissed him and went into the room, followed by the rest of us. When we had packed ourselves in and closed the door, he turned to Kikyo. "Miko, put up a barrier around the room. No one must hear us."
Kikyo closed her eyes and a pink sheen covered the walls. "It's done," she said simply, opening her eyes.
Sesshoumaru nodded. "I do not like this. Yama deliberately is putting us in separate parts of the castle. He wants us to be split up." He looked toward the large bed against the wall and then at Yuki. "I suppose he forgets that female youkai can be strong and willful too."
"I'm touched by the sentiment, my Lord Sesshoumaru," responded Yuki dryly. "But we have a larger problem. If the servants' quarters are too far, it will be more difficult for me to maintain Inuyasha and the others' disguises."
"But you can do it, right?" asked Inuyasha.
She hesitated. "Yes, but I will have to go into a meditative state. I will be completely concentrated on projecting the images. It will require almost a telepathic link, but I can do it as long as you behave." She looked pointedly at Inuyasha.
"Hey, what're you looking at? I can behave," Inuyasha argued. I rolled my eyes at the hanyou. He sounded like he actually believed himself.
Twenty minutes later, Yuki was meditating on the floor and the rest of us began to sneak out. It was the strangest sensation. I felt Yuki in my mind, sitting quietly and watching through my eyes. She was like a mother protecting and comforting her child. I felt safe for the first time in weeks.
I hugged Shippou, since he would be staying with Sesshoumaru and Yuki to keep up appearances. "Be good, Shippou." I turned to Sesshoumaru. "You be good too. Treat him as if he really was your child."
Sesshoumaru glared at me. "The day I injure a child is the day I have gone down to Naraku's level, and that will never happen. You do not need to fear for his safety."
"And her?" I motioned to Yuki. "She's vulnerable right now and I know she's nervous about that."
"I will protect her with my life. Both of them."
My eyes were probably big as dinner plates at that moment. "Rather warm and cuddly for you, Sesshoumaru."
He frowned. "Do not mistake me, human. I care nothing for them, but I made a promise to you and your allies. I shall see this through to the end, until I or Naraku lies dead."
I nodded my approval and walked out with the others.
///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///
I shifted on the floor. I couldn't believe Yama's servants called this place 'home' and had to sleep here every night. It was freezing. I wrapped the ragged blanket as well as I could without waking the other women. Well, at least Sango and I didn't end up as dinner for the youkai servants.
I froze. I heard something that wasn't the wind howling. After a minute, I realized what it was.
Someone was in the room. And they weren't supposed to be there.
Golden Fire
Chapter 11: The Demon City
I never thought I'd see Inuyasha as a human in the sunlight. Yet there he was, with black hair, brown eyes and human ears. Miroku held a walking stick while Sango and Kikyo had backpacks, instead of the their usual staff, boomerang and bow. All three were dressed in brown ragged peasant clothing. I had a plain blue yukata on, signaling that I was a handmaid. Yuki really had done wonders with her illusionist skills for our disguises. I could actually feel the rough cotton against my arms and legs. My wonderment almost made me forget that today we were going into the Demon City.
Inuyasha looked down and saw that Tetsusaiga was still tucked in by his side. "Can't you change Tetsusaiga too? Not many slaves carry around a powerful sword."
"I know, that is why I must hold onto it during our stay with Lord Yama." Yuki held out her hand.
"What? No way!" he hissed. "You'll just give it to your new mate."
"Really, Inuyasha. That annoying mistrust must cease. Neither Sesshoumaru nor I can even use Tetsusaiga. I will not even allow him to come near the sword. You may have it back tonight, but I cannot disguise its magical elements and therefore, it must be in my care." She flashed an evil smile at him. "Or I could give it into Kouga's keeping."
Inuyasha growled but handed over his precious Fang. Yuki tucked it into her obi and turned to Shippou. "Well, little kitsune. Have you been practicing?"
"Of course, Yuki!" he answered. "I can hold my new appearance for as long as I want." We had previously decided he should pose as Yuki's child, since she couldn't trust herself to disguise his youkai smell well enough. It was going to be hard enough to disguise a hanyou scent, she explained.
"Good," she said, giving him one of her rare, genuine smiles. "Let me see what you came up with."
Shippou immediately transformed into a shockingly accurate interpretation of what Yuki's child would look like. He was taller and had her blue hair and pale skin, but had green eyes and green stripes down his cheekbones.
Yuki nodded her satisfaction and patted his head, which now came up to her waist. "We are prepared to go then."
We walked for five hours to the base of the mountain. Every once in awhile, we'd see a youkai, but they would avoid us. I looked at Sesshoumaru and saw his hand on the hilt of Tokijin. Hmm, I would avoid us too if I were a lesser demon.
We reached a small cave on the side of the mountain. Sesshoumaru walked in without hesitation. Yuki looked behind her at the 'slaves'. "Be prepared. You will be food if you draw attention to yourself. So behave." Her voice was cold and harsh. I knew that she was speaking like this in case stranger youkai were nearby, but my heart still felt a pang of sadness. She was speaking to me like Inuyasha did sometimes. Like I was a worthless human and just in the way. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of that thought. What was I? Three years old? I knew the critical nature of our position. If anyone heard a youkai lady talking to human slaves with kindness, we'd be done before we started.
The cave turned out to be a tunnel through the mountain, although I would never have known that if Sesshoumaru wasn't leading the way. It went on for a long time with many twists and turns. I imagined bloodthirsty youkai around every corner and succeeded in scaring myself to death. Finally, I felt a cool breeze race past and we stumbled out into the light again.
Sango and I gripped each other's arms. My first thought was 'Wow'. The second was 'How do they hide this place?' From what Yuki said, the Demon City still existed in my time, but I couldn't see how that was possible.
We were in a sizeable basin between at least five mountains. An enormous black marble wall stretched across the entire length with a large gate directly in front of us. As tall as the barrier was, I could see the tops of buildings behind it. Sesshoumaru and Yuki were already walking towards the entrance.
Two youkai guards stepped forward to meet them. They were in their demonic forms: a bear and a tiger. Yuki placed a hand on Shippou's shoulder, holding him back. Kouga stood on the kitsune's other side. Sesshoumaru growled when the tiger youkai sniffed at Yuki and Shippou. "Let us pass."
"You dare to bring humans into Lord Yama's city?" snarled the bear youkai as he shifted his eyes to the other humans and me.
"They are my slaves," Sesshoumaru responded. "Although this Sesshoumaru should not have to answer to you."
"Sess – Sesshoumaru? You are the Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands?" The bear youkai trembled slightly.
The youkai lord gave him a piercing glare and said nothing. The guards moved aside and the tiger let out a soft roar. The gates slowly swung open and we followed our 'master' in.
The city was a series of palaces surrounded by beautiful wrought iron fences, probably housing lesser lords or generals. Smaller dwellings were barely visible behind the castles. Servants' quarters obviously. So it was an entire city of royals. Great. Hundreds or thousands of Sesshoumarus. This was going to be so not fun.
I walked behind some of the wolf clan. The rest of them were behind the 'slaves'. Kouga himself kept glancing over his shoulder. I realized with a jolt that Yuki had been dead serious. The demons of this city really were going to look at us as food. The wolves were protecting us.
As we entered the city proper, I saw confirmation of my fears. We began to pass the city's youkai and they all stopped to stare. First their eyes would slide over Sesshoumaru, Kouga and Yuki, then they would immediately flash to us. The humans. Why were humans in their city? I could hear the question flying around, although they had fallen silent the second they noticed us.
I felt so grateful when the largest palace of the city loomed above us. It was obviously Lord Yama's home and he clearly had heard of our presence because the guards opened the gate without question. I had to restrain myself from running in and escaping the youkai in the city.
A beautiful, classic Japanese garden covered the courtyard. I looked around and saw several female youkai walking along the winding paths. They stopped to stare like the demons in the city had done. But none of them so much as glanced at us 'slaves'. Their eyes were fixed on Yuki and Yuki alone. I felt a tremble of fear. What if the ceremony wouldn't dissuade Yama? The females were sizing her up, looking at her with critical eyes and whispering to each other.
I didn't have anymore time to dwell on this however, as we entered the palace. A servant bowed low and led us to a large room near the center of the complex. A male youkai sat in an ornate chair at the opposite end of the hall. He was majestic. He was tall and lithe with long black hair that had a shimmer of green. His eyes were black, making him look deep and soulful. I heard Sango's small intake of breath next to me.
"My lord Sesshoumaru!" he called, standing up. "How good to see you once again." His voice dripped with honey and the good impression his looks made was wiped away. This guy obviously had hidden motives.
"Lord Yama," responded Sesshoumaru stiffly. He bowed almost imperceptibly. I remembered what he had told us about Yama the night before, while we were all fighting and losing to insomnia. Yama had attained his throne suspiciously, after his elder brother had disappeared without a trace and he was constantly leering at the surrounding lords' territories. In other words, he wasn't well liked or trusted by anyone.
"You must be Prince Kouga." Yama turned to the wolf leader. Kouga bowed low in return. He finally turned his attention to Yuki. "And who is this lovely creature?" He reached out, took her hand and kissed it. She didn't smile or bow in return.
Sesshoumaru took a step towards Lord Yama. "She is Lady Yuki. She is my mate."
"You took a mate, my friend? How surprising." He laughed lightly and began to walk back to his throne, beckoning for us to follow. "I thought you would be a bachelor forever. When did this happen?"
"I recently decided that I had obligations other than warfare."
"Ah yes," purred Yama. "You decided you needed an heir." He looked towards Shippou for the first time. "He's a bit old to be yours, isn't he? Doesn't even look like you, my friend. Surely you aren't taking some other lord's rejects? Not that any male in his right mind would reject her." He winked at Yuki.
Sesshoumaru growled softly. Yuki kept perfectly composed, however. "Shippou is the child of my first mate, Lord Sheng. He died in battle years ago." Her hand hadn't left Shippou's shoulder since we entered the city's gates and now gripped him tighter.
"Ah, Chinese. You are a long way from home, then." He smiled at Shippou. "Do you miss your father? Is my friend a good replacement?"
I frowned at his words. Shippou really had lost his father in battle and I was afraid he would begin to cry and lose his concentration. I was so proud when he kept a calm face and looked Yama straight in the eye. "My father died when I was a baby. I don't remember him. Lord Sesshoumaru is a good mate to my mother and an even better father to me." I silently cheered him on for his acting skills.
Yama barked out a laugh. "He is already taking after you, Sesshoumaru! Do you intend to make him the heir to the Western Lands?"
"That is no business of yours, Yama. However, I can assure you that my lands will never be yours."
He laughed again. "Ah, my friend. Always the suspicious sort, weren't you?"
"When I have cause to be."
Yama finally turned his attention to those of us behind the youkai lords. He swept his eyes over Sango and me. I could sense Kouga and Inuyasha's agitation. "These are quite attractive slaves you have here." He got up and took a lock of my hair in his fingers. I kept my eyes down as he twisted it tightly between his index finger and thumb. "Where did you get them?"
"They were a gift to my mate," responded Sesshoumaru. "I captured them near a human village." His eyes flashed towards Inuyasha, who was still fighting his urge to yell at Yama. "They are still new to their position. They have yet to be trained properly."
Yama was still looking at me with lecherous eyes. I found myself wishing for Miroku. Did Yama really only take youkai women into his harem? "I like the females," he said, shifting his attention to Sango and Kikyo. "What will you take for them?"
"They belong to my mate. Discuss it with her."
"Well?" Yama looked at Yuki expectantly. "I'm sure you would like something in return for untrained human slaves." His eyes slid up and down her figure.
Yuki kept a level gaze. "I will not sell them. They were a gift from my Lord Sesshoumaru and I would certainly not dishonor such a generous present by getting rid of them."
Yama's face fell for a fraction of a second, but his smile came back before it was really noticeable. "Well, I can hardly be blamed for asking." He beckoned to one of his servants. "My servant will show you and Kouga to your rooms, Sesshoumaru. I imagine you would be tired after your journey. The wolf clan can have the rooms in the east wing and the slaves can sleep in the servants' quarters. I shall see you at breakfast tomorrow, then." He waved us off and we turned to follow the servant.
After five minutes of walking, the servant opened a door. "Your room, Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Yuki. If the rest of the ladies and gentlemen will follow-"
"That will not be necessary. They can find their own way after I have given them additional instruction." Sesshoumaru dismissed him and went into the room, followed by the rest of us. When we had packed ourselves in and closed the door, he turned to Kikyo. "Miko, put up a barrier around the room. No one must hear us."
Kikyo closed her eyes and a pink sheen covered the walls. "It's done," she said simply, opening her eyes.
Sesshoumaru nodded. "I do not like this. Yama deliberately is putting us in separate parts of the castle. He wants us to be split up." He looked toward the large bed against the wall and then at Yuki. "I suppose he forgets that female youkai can be strong and willful too."
"I'm touched by the sentiment, my Lord Sesshoumaru," responded Yuki dryly. "But we have a larger problem. If the servants' quarters are too far, it will be more difficult for me to maintain Inuyasha and the others' disguises."
"But you can do it, right?" asked Inuyasha.
She hesitated. "Yes, but I will have to go into a meditative state. I will be completely concentrated on projecting the images. It will require almost a telepathic link, but I can do it as long as you behave." She looked pointedly at Inuyasha.
"Hey, what're you looking at? I can behave," Inuyasha argued. I rolled my eyes at the hanyou. He sounded like he actually believed himself.
Twenty minutes later, Yuki was meditating on the floor and the rest of us began to sneak out. It was the strangest sensation. I felt Yuki in my mind, sitting quietly and watching through my eyes. She was like a mother protecting and comforting her child. I felt safe for the first time in weeks.
I hugged Shippou, since he would be staying with Sesshoumaru and Yuki to keep up appearances. "Be good, Shippou." I turned to Sesshoumaru. "You be good too. Treat him as if he really was your child."
Sesshoumaru glared at me. "The day I injure a child is the day I have gone down to Naraku's level, and that will never happen. You do not need to fear for his safety."
"And her?" I motioned to Yuki. "She's vulnerable right now and I know she's nervous about that."
"I will protect her with my life. Both of them."
My eyes were probably big as dinner plates at that moment. "Rather warm and cuddly for you, Sesshoumaru."
He frowned. "Do not mistake me, human. I care nothing for them, but I made a promise to you and your allies. I shall see this through to the end, until I or Naraku lies dead."
I nodded my approval and walked out with the others.
///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///*///
I shifted on the floor. I couldn't believe Yama's servants called this place 'home' and had to sleep here every night. It was freezing. I wrapped the ragged blanket as well as I could without waking the other women. Well, at least Sango and I didn't end up as dinner for the youkai servants.
I froze. I heard something that wasn't the wind howling. After a minute, I realized what it was.
Someone was in the room. And they weren't supposed to be there.
