Disclaimer: Nope, I sill don't own Inuyasha. But, don't worry, I'll be sure
to tell you as soon as it becomes otherwise.
AN: I don't have anything to say. I doubt you care, because, please, like you read this! Anyways, I think the only important thing that happened the weekend of the 25th, would be that I got three new manga: the 8th Chobits, the 3rd Love Hina, and the 1st Please Teacher. I read them all in one night, while waiting for Rurouni Kenshin. But it REALLY sucks, because they started over and they didn't even kiss! I was really upset, but I got over it. ^^;;
~*~ And now it's time to personally thank all of my reviewers. . . !
* Anoi: well, here you go! I worked as fast as I could; I tried to get it up fast. . . I don't know. (your screen name changes are confusing! I was about to write a review response for you twice!)
* aa: um, ok. ^^; well, whatever rocks your boat, I guess. Thanks for reviewing all the same, though!
* Psycolady101: Thanks! Yea, I'm all-better here, but I *did* have to get those allergy shots. The really sucky thing about that (besides getting all of those needles being poked in various places of my body) was that I turned out being allergic to EVERYTHING they tested me for! Now tell me that that's not the most. . . *sigh* never mind. Well, enjoy chapter six! ( it's really five, but. . . ok, just enjoy)
* HellzAznGrl: so true. . . I'm so glad you like this story enough to call it a 'favorite'! That makes me super-happy! (Disregard the last hyphenated word, I couldn't think of a very good alternative, perhaps ecstatic is the word I'm looking for. . .? Yeah, use that one instead of "super-happy". It sounds better. ^^)
* Bunni Chibbi: Lol! If only you told me that three months ago. . . Just Kidding! I'm glad you like the fifth chapter, and yes, I have the third Thrice cd. ^^ Don't be jealous, it only makes it harder on me. ^^; Enjoy the story!
* Goth with a Glave: -.-; Amber. . . I-I don't get you. First of all, how do you know they have a kid, hua?! Perhaps one of them dies before they can have a kid! Did you think of that?! And- and I don't bitch!! Your poem was good, by the way, and so far, all fingers are pointing to Inuyasha/Kikyou. I'm sorry. Hey! I don't like it either, but what can you say? Maybe Kikyou will get with him, but, I don't know, die or something. . . I'll have to think about it. I'm kinda making this up as I go along. I mean, I have the basic idea, but I hate the prewriting, drafting, editing crap I have to do at school. I just want to WRITE! As for the time warp thing, only in your dreams! ^^ Wait. . . maybe it *will* be a dream. . . thanks, Amber! I owe you one! ^-^
*Anonimo: ^^; thanks. My teacher says I need all the help I can get. She says, "You aren't working up to your potential. You did so good the year before." Honestly, I think it's her teaching method. My friend and I both agree. (but then again, my friend barely made it last year, so. . .) well, I think I can tell you with almost positive certainty that you will be getting an e-mail from me before we take the chapter test (whenever that is, I wasn't really paying attention) I would ask my dad, but I don't get it when he tells me, you know? He just goes off on these conjugation things that have no relevancy to what we're talking about! *sigh* but don't tell him I said that, I think he likes to "pass on his heritage". He gets all excited, or whatever. I guess it's a dad thing. ^^;;;
* Dragon Rae: Hee hee! If I told you, then what fun would it be?!
That's all for now. . . I really want 50 (that's my goal to get to before chapter 10, I don't know, I guess it's something to wish for. . . ) *^^*;;
So it Would Seem.
Try Honesty Part II
Sesshomaru followed Rin's shaking finger to the center of the cove. He looked he looked back at the girl he held in his arms.
"Rin, I see nothing." He told her.
"Sesshomaru-sama, she's not moving." The young girl bit her trembling lower lip, her eyes wide and skin pale. "Does that mean Sesshomaru-sama cannot save Rin's nee-chan? Rin whispered hoarsely, unshed tears brimming her innocent, chocolate eyes.
Sesshomaru's stoic façade remained the same, his eyes still on the spot Rin had pointed out. 'what can this mean? Why can Rin only see her?' he thought.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸ (( isn't that the coolest?! I, um. . . borrowed to from someone)
The air demon that was sealed in the cove was finally able to work his hellish deeds on others again. It had waited over two hundred years for someone foolish enough to wake him. All he had to do was suck in all of the oxygen, leaving only carbon dioxide in the small, cove-prison. He almost laughed, but was careful not to-for if he did, all of the oxygen would come pouring out. All he wanted was a body to possess, nothing more! Now, all that was left was the simple task of waiting for the human woman to die. True, he was hoping on a more powerful male, but she would have to do for the time being.
Once he found a more feral-looking male to possess, he would leave the pathetic human and gain control of the body more to his liking. For now, the girl's body would surly lure in a lusting male. At that moment of vulnerability, he would leave the human woman and go into the demon male. The plan was completely foolproof! It was then that he saw the small kitsune pup in her arms. He paid him no mind, noting that he was almost dead himself. In fact the air demon marveled in his good luck-should the woman's frail human body begin to rot, he could easily switch with the kitsune pup's. If he could, he would have sighed in content. The air demon *didn't* notice the kitsune stir-moving out of the young woman's grasp. . .
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Sesshomaru stared at the place Rin pointed at. Suddenly, Shippo appeared- out of nowhere. It was then that Sesshomaru realized what was happening. He set Rin down on the forest ground, careful not to set her near an animal's home.
"Rin, stay here. Do not move from this spot until I say so, got that?" he asked, looking into her eyes. Rin sniffed, nodding her head enthusiastically.
"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama. Rin will not move until Sesshomaru-sama says to move." She said, giving a small smile and a nod to confirm that she wasn't going anywhere until her surrogate father said so.
"Good." Was his reply. He quickly stood, turning to where the kitsune lay suffocating with his mother. Taking a slow, deep breath, he walked into the small cove, ever mindful of how long he could hold his own breath before he too would be in the same predicament as the others.
He could finally see the woman Kagome lying in the middle of the cove, just as Rin told him. He was aware of what was happening-it was a low- class air demon, nothing more. That would explain why he couldn't see the woman, she wasn't the same species as him. He was silently thankful that Rin couldn't see the kitsune. Sesshomaru didn't want to think of what she would do, only because he thought they were getting along so well, almost like friends. Maybe they were, he wasn't sure, but if she liked him like she liked Kagome, then he was certain Rin wouldn't have been able to keep those tears at bay any longer than she did.
The taiyoukai entering the cove was a big surprise to the air demon, such a surprise, that the air he was holding left him and oxygen returned to the closed cove once again.
"Y-you," gasped the air demon, "Look what you've done!" Sesshomaru never looked at the core of the air demon, but instead gazed at the woman who lay motionless on the ground. 'Why doesn't she move? Is she-?' Sesshomaru thought as he stared at her. Shippo coughed as he regained consciousness, looking at his mother lying on the ground.
"Okaa-san?" he called weakly. At this, Sesshomaru was next to the woman's side, gently lifting her from her fallen position. She lied limply in his arms.
"Kagome." Sesshomaru's voice commanded an answer, but got none. "Kagome, answer Me." he tried again, less feral this time, "Kagome, please answer Me." he looked down at her unmoving form, seeing the kitsune's eyes begin to water. He couldn't hear her heartbeat over the air demon's rants, which was not a very good thing. He slowly, almost hesitantly, lowered his head to her chest, searching for any sign of life.
The taiyoukai was graced with a small, faint heartbeat.
"Sesshomaru? Is she. . . you know-dead?" Shippo asked quietly. He had already lost his real parents, he most certainly didn't want to loose his *other* mother, the one who, at times, seemed better than his original. He looked over to the air demon, whose aura was directed at Sesshomaru. He stopped his little rant, and was silent. All in all, it was strange. Shippo had no idea what was going on inside that hell-demon's twisted mind. Frankly, he didn't care to. The only thing he could think about was getting his okaa-san to safety, and before he finished his hellish deeds.
Kagome bolted upright, coughing violently. It took a few seconds to realize whose lap she was in. She was so exhausted, she didn't care, in fact, plopped back into his lap.
"Sesshomaru," she groaned, "You said my name." Sesshomaru was, to say the least, surprised that he was the first one she spoke to. It was almost as though she was thinking about *him*. After heaving lung full after lung full of air, she gulped down a cry remembering what it felt like; trying to breath and not having anything come in. Kagome began to cry silently cry, clutching Sesshomaru's haori. He saved her-and she was forever in his debt.
"Oh, Kagome, I thought you were. . . gone." Shippo whispered, walking over to his mother. Sesshomaru stopped him from hugging her.
"She is weak, you should give her all of the air you can. Hugging her is not a good idea now." He told the teary-eyed kitsune. Shippo nodded slowly watching as Sesshomaru carefully picked up his mother. "Go to Rin, I do not think this is over yet," he said once he was standing upright. Shippo readily obeyed, noting that Sesshomaru seemed to be trustworthy.
"You seem to know your way 'round here," the air demon mused, "not to mention you have many strong and have many power." Sesshomaru ignored the air demon's lack of grammar and let him continue. It was quite obvious that he had been sealed in the cove for a long time. That was quite good news, considering you needed to constantly have a body to possess in order to maintain strength and power. Sesshomaru noted warily that fifty percent of that power came from the body it possessed. Sesshomaru was no fool, he knew well that the low demon wished to possess his body from the way it's aura seemed to swell around him, watching him.
"The answer is no." Sesshomaru said, not even waiting for the demon to go into more detail.
"Ahh, but I do not think you are in the position to tell me what to do. . ." the air demon cackled. It was doing something-but what?! Sesshomaru swore to himself, 'Hidden energy! This demon is much stronger than I originally anticipated. Dammit, how could I have let my guard down so easily?' It was then that he looked down at the body in his arms. 'Could it be her? Is she the one doing this to me?' he thought.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Kagome sensed a jewel shard-many, actually. Where were they all coming from? Naraku perhaps? She lifted her heavy eyelids to stare into fierce molten gold. At first she was startled, but remembered who she was with. Her eyes softened, giving a weak smile.
"Sesshomaru, jewel shards." She whispered quietly. Sesshomaru continued to stare at her, making her uneasy in his intense gaze.
"I do not know what you mean. You have the jewel shards, not I. Remember, we are in a sealed pla-" he stopped dead. Yet again, he underestimated this damned air demon! How many more times was he going to do this?
"Then, does that mean over half of the jewel went to a demon that we can't even see?" Kagome asked, her voice growing cold. 'This is all my fault! I should have been stronger, and then I wouldn't have fainted! If I was only more like Sesshomaru, or Inuyasha, or Sango, or Miroku. . .Inuyasha.'
Sesshomaru saw the change in Kagome's expression. 'She thinks this is her fault.' He thought, 'But it isn't. All it is, are the fates playing a cruel trick.' Sesshomaru was tempted to smooth out her hair and tell her. . . something comforting? All of these "air demon complications" *must* be getting to his head. Surly he didn't think what he did! The taiyoukai looked to what seemed the center of the aura flow he proceeded to question the demon. If he could get enough information, then perhaps they would be able get out with out any loss. True, he usually didn't give a damn about anyone threatening him, and kill them on the spot for daring to challenge the Great Lord of the Western Lands, but this time he had a small burden that was having trouble breathing lying in his arms. This demon would get off easy tonight, but Sesshomaru would be sure to come back and kill him in the near future.
"And what do you plan to do with us?" he enquired, playing the fools' hand, and acting like he knew nothing. The taiyoukai was quite aware of how arrogant some demons could be. Perhaps this would be one of them, and he would be able to get him while he was gloating. Then again, it looked as if this demon had more experience than he let on-playing the same game as him. . .?
"Like I would tell you. I am no fool, I have been locked in this prison for much too long. I, as anyone in my position, am craving to get out." The air demon told him. Big mistake. Now he had unintentionally told Sesshomaru where his core was. Now, all that was left was to walk to it, and thrust his sharp, deadly claws up into it.
"I am sorry, what was it you said?" Sesshomaru replied, his façade never faulting. While doing this, he was taking slow, steady steps to the core.
The air demon laughed; slow and menacing. "Do you take me for a fool again?" it boomed, its voice bouncing off the transparent spell-protected walls. "Do you think that I will not possess your body because you feign hard of hearing?"
"No." Sesshomaru said simply. It had let its guard down long enough for the taiyoukai to *walk* to the air demon's core. After rearranging the woman in his arms, he lifted a hand swiftly into the center of the core, with a twist of the wrist, (AN: look! I rhymed!) the hell-bound demon died. 'That was much easer that I originally anticipated.' Sesshomaru thought lightly. 'Wait. Didn't he obtain nearly half of the sacred jewel? Wouldn't that make him a more formidable opponent?' he quickly pulled out the "heart" of the demon with his hand.
Sesshomaru looked down at the heart of the demon. It was still beating!
"Do you think you can be rid of me so easily?" the demon choked. Sesshomaru could feel the air around him constricting. He was sucking out all of the oxygen again!
"Damn you." Sesshomaru growled, suddenly remembering the woman he held in his arms. He let his cold mask falter for only a moment to notice that she was, yet again, falling towards death.
"Kagome." He whispered, hoping that she had not lost consciousness.
There was no answer.
"You, demon!" Sesshomaru exclaimed, his eyes tinting red as he again progressed to the core of the air demon. "You will die before this night is though," all throughout his short speech, the air was growing more and more constricted. He knew the woman would not last much longer, but what was he supposed to do about it? He could no longer just walk out as he had instructed Shippo to do-for now he was using his ability. The only way would be for him do defeat the air demon was either to kill it himself, or to have someone walk in like he had earlier. Then again, now with all of the jewel shards, Sesshomaru doubted if that would even work.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Shippo watched all that had transpired while he was out of the cove. At first, it seemed as if Sesshomaru would be able to save his mother. He had pulled out the damned demon's demented heart and for the love of god- he should have died! But then, well, it didn't die. It must have been those Shikon shards. Those were being more of a bother than help these days.
Rin brought him out of his thoughts by asking, "Why is Sesshomaru-sama still fighting?" She looked up at the kitsune, her eyes full of tears. She had not moved from the spot Sesshomaru had instructed her to stay in. Rin was not going to move until Sesshomaru-sama told her himself it was okay to get up.
Shippo looked at the young girl, not knowing what to say. Really, though- why *was* he still fighting? He thought he was strong! Was he hurt? Did the air demon take all of the air yet again? That bastard! 'Cause if he did, he was going to have to take care of that nasty demon himself! He would save the day- Rin wouldn't cry anymore and Kagome okaa-san would be safe! "Don't worry, Rin, if Sesshomaru can't handle it, I'll be sure to jump right in! Okay?" he jumped up in the air, turning into an almost perfect image of Sesshomaru. Only Shippo's tail remained.
Rin giggled in delight, clapping her petite hands in joy. She stopped as she heard a rustle on the bushes ominously close to the demon's cove. Shippo seemed to notice it as well as he returned to his original form. "Shippo, Rin is scared. Did Shippo hear what Rin heard?" Rin asked. A trembling lip replaced the happy smile that she wore only moments before.
"Don't worry! The Great Shippo-chan will explore the untracked terrain of the *bushes*" he said, trying to entertain Rin so she wouldn't cry anymore. In reality, he was scared himself, but he wasn't about to tell the young Rin that. He was going to be brave-for her.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Sesshomaru gave a low growl. It was one of the rare growls he gave of pure disgust. It rumbled low in his chest, temporarily awakening the young woman in his arms. His head shot down as he heard her stir.
"Kagome?" he asked, forgetting about the demon momentarily. All of the oxygen was gone, only carbon dioxide remained in the small cove. 'Damn, I gave nearly a sixth of my oxygen to an unconscious woman. A *human* woman, at that.' It was then that he had a, well, ludicrous thought, 'If I were to give her half of my oxygen, then perhaps she would last a few moments longer. . .' he was appalled at the thought-was he suggesting that he put *his* mouth to hers, and give her *his* oxygen? *Never*. Never would he do something like that!
"Sesshomaru. . ." the woman rasped, weakly gabbing at his haori, "You need to go deeper into the core. I can see the Shikon jewel, it's in there- " with that she stopped breathing and went limp in his arms once again. This time, however, he was certain that she would not return. Not unless he did something, that is.
With that in mind, he leaned down. . .
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Shippo creped to the noise that resided in the bushes only moments ago. He prayed to Kami that it was nothing or it had already left. He didn't need to be surprised by another demon. Especially since he was all alone.
'Why am I doing this again?' Shippo asked himself. He stopped two steps short from the bush and turned to see Rin. She smiled lightly and cocked her head slightly to the side, silently asking what the hold-up was. Shippo smiled brightly and turned to the bush once again. 'Oh, yeah,' he thought, 'that's why.'
He took a deep breath and quickly shoved the protruding foliage out of his way. "B-baby?" he said out loud. He heard Rin's innocent laughter behind him as he went to pick the demoness infant up. 'Well, at least it wasn't a *bad* demon.' He thought as he walked back to Rin, chuckling himself.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
It was then that Sesshomaru felt the presence of that damned air demon coming closer. It was going to possess the human woman! Sesshomaru gave a demonic smile, 'This will be interesting. I did tell him he would die tonight after all. . .' he briefly looked at the heart lying on the ground, knowing once he retrieved the Shikon jewel from the hell-bound beast he would die for sure.
"Die," he said simply before thrusting a poison-filled claw into the core and grabbing hold of the Shikon-no-Tama from the power-hungry demon.
With a shudder, the air demon fell prey to Sesshomaru's claws, and the oxygen returned at full blast.
"Fool, did you truly think you could defeat this Sesshomaru with those cheep tricks?" Sesshomaru said looking away from the Shikon jewel to gaze at the woman still limp in his arms. He gave a bored sigh and laid her down in the thick forest blanket of grass. He leaned his head against her chest again, this time only hearing a faint heartbeat-she was dieing.
In a situation like this, it is necessary to do everything you can. So, he honest-to-God did the first thing he thought would help. He sat there. All he had to do was wait for her to die, use the Tensiaga, and finally, wait for her to heal. Then something came to him. His conscience told him: "We're in the Crossover Forest, Shit head! Many demons are probably waiting for her to die, then take her soul! Not thinking ahead again, I see. Do you want to turn out to be just like your pathetic brother? You are a demon lord! What do you think your fellow subjects would think if they could see you now? I know what they would think! It would be something like: 'Why the hell did we decide to be loyal to *him*?' Stupid. . . why don't you think of something helpful?"
Sesshomaru growled, but would not stoop as low as actually *answering* it. A taiyoukai did not speak to himself-it was quite degrading.
"Kagome, if you are going to die, than so be it. I will not have anything to it." He said to the woman lying in the grass, looking rather angelic and. . .vulnerable. Sesshomaru restated the urge to smack a hand on his forehead and sigh. He wouldn't voice an answer to his conscience, but he would talk to an unconscious human that was on her deathbed. He needed to get if priorities straight. But, if he didn't do anything, what would he do with that kitsune? Rin wouldn't be very happy, and that demoness-the daughter of the Southern Lands-what was he to do with her? He could leave her in the forest, then come back later for the bones. . . it would be a very nice present to give that bastard taiyoukai of the South.
Sesshomaru lightly shook his head. He would worry about the demoness later. He had more pressing matters on his hands now. (Priorities, Sesshomaru. Priorities.) There was only one thing that came to mind-the same thing that he thought of while all of the oxygen was gone from that cove-he would have to give her the air orally. Mouth to mouth.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Shippo sat Indian-style on the ground, his back to Sesshomaru and his momma, Rin giggling furiously in front of him.
"Are you sure that's how you play, Shippo-chan?" she asked.
"Yup! Are you ready?" he asked, silently wondering why she thought it was so funny. 'Well, then again, I thought it was funny at first, too.' He smiled, remembering the first time Kagome taught him the great game.
"Ready!" came Rin's joyful reply. At first, Shippo was only trying to help her forget about Sesshomaru, but now it was just fun being with her!
The demoness lay sleeping at Rin's side, as she had been for nearly eight minutes.
"Okay! Let's go!" he said, taking a deep breath, Rin doing the same.
"Patty-cake, patty-cake, baker's men. . ."
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
*
**
***
****
*****
******
*******
******
*****
****
***
**
* Well, that's all for tonight! I thought if I made it long, you all would forgive me for taking so damn long!( 7 pages, 4,556 words!) I know, I know, and I'm really sorry! You would think someone with no life, like myself, would be able to post quicker, but school must be taken into account and the fact that I have homework (even though I NEVER do it, but I thought that would make a nice excuse anyway. . . ) and I have to read fanfictions too, you know! *^^* Well, please review and let me know that all of my hard typing was not in vain. I love all of your reviews! I keep them all! I have my own e-mail folder that I keep them in! (I know. . . it only further proves that I have no life, but whatever.) Innyhoo, keep those reviews coming, and I'll keep those chapters coming!
Oh, for anyone who cares, I have a 'B' in Spanish now. (oh, yeah!!) But I regret to inform you that I now have a *whispers* 63 in social studies. And I'm already on M.I.L.E. probation in that class, too! Sucks, ass. KISS MY ASS, MS. CROSBY! FUCKIN' RETIRE ALREADY, YOU OLD BITCH!!! *sigh* Ok. . . thanks for letting me get that out in the open. Um. . . bye for now! ^.~ (^^;;;;;;;;;;)
AN: I don't have anything to say. I doubt you care, because, please, like you read this! Anyways, I think the only important thing that happened the weekend of the 25th, would be that I got three new manga: the 8th Chobits, the 3rd Love Hina, and the 1st Please Teacher. I read them all in one night, while waiting for Rurouni Kenshin. But it REALLY sucks, because they started over and they didn't even kiss! I was really upset, but I got over it. ^^;;
~*~ And now it's time to personally thank all of my reviewers. . . !
* Anoi: well, here you go! I worked as fast as I could; I tried to get it up fast. . . I don't know. (your screen name changes are confusing! I was about to write a review response for you twice!)
* aa: um, ok. ^^; well, whatever rocks your boat, I guess. Thanks for reviewing all the same, though!
* Psycolady101: Thanks! Yea, I'm all-better here, but I *did* have to get those allergy shots. The really sucky thing about that (besides getting all of those needles being poked in various places of my body) was that I turned out being allergic to EVERYTHING they tested me for! Now tell me that that's not the most. . . *sigh* never mind. Well, enjoy chapter six! ( it's really five, but. . . ok, just enjoy)
* HellzAznGrl: so true. . . I'm so glad you like this story enough to call it a 'favorite'! That makes me super-happy! (Disregard the last hyphenated word, I couldn't think of a very good alternative, perhaps ecstatic is the word I'm looking for. . .? Yeah, use that one instead of "super-happy". It sounds better. ^^)
* Bunni Chibbi: Lol! If only you told me that three months ago. . . Just Kidding! I'm glad you like the fifth chapter, and yes, I have the third Thrice cd. ^^ Don't be jealous, it only makes it harder on me. ^^; Enjoy the story!
* Goth with a Glave: -.-; Amber. . . I-I don't get you. First of all, how do you know they have a kid, hua?! Perhaps one of them dies before they can have a kid! Did you think of that?! And- and I don't bitch!! Your poem was good, by the way, and so far, all fingers are pointing to Inuyasha/Kikyou. I'm sorry. Hey! I don't like it either, but what can you say? Maybe Kikyou will get with him, but, I don't know, die or something. . . I'll have to think about it. I'm kinda making this up as I go along. I mean, I have the basic idea, but I hate the prewriting, drafting, editing crap I have to do at school. I just want to WRITE! As for the time warp thing, only in your dreams! ^^ Wait. . . maybe it *will* be a dream. . . thanks, Amber! I owe you one! ^-^
*Anonimo: ^^; thanks. My teacher says I need all the help I can get. She says, "You aren't working up to your potential. You did so good the year before." Honestly, I think it's her teaching method. My friend and I both agree. (but then again, my friend barely made it last year, so. . .) well, I think I can tell you with almost positive certainty that you will be getting an e-mail from me before we take the chapter test (whenever that is, I wasn't really paying attention) I would ask my dad, but I don't get it when he tells me, you know? He just goes off on these conjugation things that have no relevancy to what we're talking about! *sigh* but don't tell him I said that, I think he likes to "pass on his heritage". He gets all excited, or whatever. I guess it's a dad thing. ^^;;;
* Dragon Rae: Hee hee! If I told you, then what fun would it be?!
That's all for now. . . I really want 50 (that's my goal to get to before chapter 10, I don't know, I guess it's something to wish for. . . ) *^^*;;
So it Would Seem.
Try Honesty Part II
Sesshomaru followed Rin's shaking finger to the center of the cove. He looked he looked back at the girl he held in his arms.
"Rin, I see nothing." He told her.
"Sesshomaru-sama, she's not moving." The young girl bit her trembling lower lip, her eyes wide and skin pale. "Does that mean Sesshomaru-sama cannot save Rin's nee-chan? Rin whispered hoarsely, unshed tears brimming her innocent, chocolate eyes.
Sesshomaru's stoic façade remained the same, his eyes still on the spot Rin had pointed out. 'what can this mean? Why can Rin only see her?' he thought.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸ (( isn't that the coolest?! I, um. . . borrowed to from someone)
The air demon that was sealed in the cove was finally able to work his hellish deeds on others again. It had waited over two hundred years for someone foolish enough to wake him. All he had to do was suck in all of the oxygen, leaving only carbon dioxide in the small, cove-prison. He almost laughed, but was careful not to-for if he did, all of the oxygen would come pouring out. All he wanted was a body to possess, nothing more! Now, all that was left was the simple task of waiting for the human woman to die. True, he was hoping on a more powerful male, but she would have to do for the time being.
Once he found a more feral-looking male to possess, he would leave the pathetic human and gain control of the body more to his liking. For now, the girl's body would surly lure in a lusting male. At that moment of vulnerability, he would leave the human woman and go into the demon male. The plan was completely foolproof! It was then that he saw the small kitsune pup in her arms. He paid him no mind, noting that he was almost dead himself. In fact the air demon marveled in his good luck-should the woman's frail human body begin to rot, he could easily switch with the kitsune pup's. If he could, he would have sighed in content. The air demon *didn't* notice the kitsune stir-moving out of the young woman's grasp. . .
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Sesshomaru stared at the place Rin pointed at. Suddenly, Shippo appeared- out of nowhere. It was then that Sesshomaru realized what was happening. He set Rin down on the forest ground, careful not to set her near an animal's home.
"Rin, stay here. Do not move from this spot until I say so, got that?" he asked, looking into her eyes. Rin sniffed, nodding her head enthusiastically.
"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama. Rin will not move until Sesshomaru-sama says to move." She said, giving a small smile and a nod to confirm that she wasn't going anywhere until her surrogate father said so.
"Good." Was his reply. He quickly stood, turning to where the kitsune lay suffocating with his mother. Taking a slow, deep breath, he walked into the small cove, ever mindful of how long he could hold his own breath before he too would be in the same predicament as the others.
He could finally see the woman Kagome lying in the middle of the cove, just as Rin told him. He was aware of what was happening-it was a low- class air demon, nothing more. That would explain why he couldn't see the woman, she wasn't the same species as him. He was silently thankful that Rin couldn't see the kitsune. Sesshomaru didn't want to think of what she would do, only because he thought they were getting along so well, almost like friends. Maybe they were, he wasn't sure, but if she liked him like she liked Kagome, then he was certain Rin wouldn't have been able to keep those tears at bay any longer than she did.
The taiyoukai entering the cove was a big surprise to the air demon, such a surprise, that the air he was holding left him and oxygen returned to the closed cove once again.
"Y-you," gasped the air demon, "Look what you've done!" Sesshomaru never looked at the core of the air demon, but instead gazed at the woman who lay motionless on the ground. 'Why doesn't she move? Is she-?' Sesshomaru thought as he stared at her. Shippo coughed as he regained consciousness, looking at his mother lying on the ground.
"Okaa-san?" he called weakly. At this, Sesshomaru was next to the woman's side, gently lifting her from her fallen position. She lied limply in his arms.
"Kagome." Sesshomaru's voice commanded an answer, but got none. "Kagome, answer Me." he tried again, less feral this time, "Kagome, please answer Me." he looked down at her unmoving form, seeing the kitsune's eyes begin to water. He couldn't hear her heartbeat over the air demon's rants, which was not a very good thing. He slowly, almost hesitantly, lowered his head to her chest, searching for any sign of life.
The taiyoukai was graced with a small, faint heartbeat.
"Sesshomaru? Is she. . . you know-dead?" Shippo asked quietly. He had already lost his real parents, he most certainly didn't want to loose his *other* mother, the one who, at times, seemed better than his original. He looked over to the air demon, whose aura was directed at Sesshomaru. He stopped his little rant, and was silent. All in all, it was strange. Shippo had no idea what was going on inside that hell-demon's twisted mind. Frankly, he didn't care to. The only thing he could think about was getting his okaa-san to safety, and before he finished his hellish deeds.
Kagome bolted upright, coughing violently. It took a few seconds to realize whose lap she was in. She was so exhausted, she didn't care, in fact, plopped back into his lap.
"Sesshomaru," she groaned, "You said my name." Sesshomaru was, to say the least, surprised that he was the first one she spoke to. It was almost as though she was thinking about *him*. After heaving lung full after lung full of air, she gulped down a cry remembering what it felt like; trying to breath and not having anything come in. Kagome began to cry silently cry, clutching Sesshomaru's haori. He saved her-and she was forever in his debt.
"Oh, Kagome, I thought you were. . . gone." Shippo whispered, walking over to his mother. Sesshomaru stopped him from hugging her.
"She is weak, you should give her all of the air you can. Hugging her is not a good idea now." He told the teary-eyed kitsune. Shippo nodded slowly watching as Sesshomaru carefully picked up his mother. "Go to Rin, I do not think this is over yet," he said once he was standing upright. Shippo readily obeyed, noting that Sesshomaru seemed to be trustworthy.
"You seem to know your way 'round here," the air demon mused, "not to mention you have many strong and have many power." Sesshomaru ignored the air demon's lack of grammar and let him continue. It was quite obvious that he had been sealed in the cove for a long time. That was quite good news, considering you needed to constantly have a body to possess in order to maintain strength and power. Sesshomaru noted warily that fifty percent of that power came from the body it possessed. Sesshomaru was no fool, he knew well that the low demon wished to possess his body from the way it's aura seemed to swell around him, watching him.
"The answer is no." Sesshomaru said, not even waiting for the demon to go into more detail.
"Ahh, but I do not think you are in the position to tell me what to do. . ." the air demon cackled. It was doing something-but what?! Sesshomaru swore to himself, 'Hidden energy! This demon is much stronger than I originally anticipated. Dammit, how could I have let my guard down so easily?' It was then that he looked down at the body in his arms. 'Could it be her? Is she the one doing this to me?' he thought.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Kagome sensed a jewel shard-many, actually. Where were they all coming from? Naraku perhaps? She lifted her heavy eyelids to stare into fierce molten gold. At first she was startled, but remembered who she was with. Her eyes softened, giving a weak smile.
"Sesshomaru, jewel shards." She whispered quietly. Sesshomaru continued to stare at her, making her uneasy in his intense gaze.
"I do not know what you mean. You have the jewel shards, not I. Remember, we are in a sealed pla-" he stopped dead. Yet again, he underestimated this damned air demon! How many more times was he going to do this?
"Then, does that mean over half of the jewel went to a demon that we can't even see?" Kagome asked, her voice growing cold. 'This is all my fault! I should have been stronger, and then I wouldn't have fainted! If I was only more like Sesshomaru, or Inuyasha, or Sango, or Miroku. . .Inuyasha.'
Sesshomaru saw the change in Kagome's expression. 'She thinks this is her fault.' He thought, 'But it isn't. All it is, are the fates playing a cruel trick.' Sesshomaru was tempted to smooth out her hair and tell her. . . something comforting? All of these "air demon complications" *must* be getting to his head. Surly he didn't think what he did! The taiyoukai looked to what seemed the center of the aura flow he proceeded to question the demon. If he could get enough information, then perhaps they would be able get out with out any loss. True, he usually didn't give a damn about anyone threatening him, and kill them on the spot for daring to challenge the Great Lord of the Western Lands, but this time he had a small burden that was having trouble breathing lying in his arms. This demon would get off easy tonight, but Sesshomaru would be sure to come back and kill him in the near future.
"And what do you plan to do with us?" he enquired, playing the fools' hand, and acting like he knew nothing. The taiyoukai was quite aware of how arrogant some demons could be. Perhaps this would be one of them, and he would be able to get him while he was gloating. Then again, it looked as if this demon had more experience than he let on-playing the same game as him. . .?
"Like I would tell you. I am no fool, I have been locked in this prison for much too long. I, as anyone in my position, am craving to get out." The air demon told him. Big mistake. Now he had unintentionally told Sesshomaru where his core was. Now, all that was left was to walk to it, and thrust his sharp, deadly claws up into it.
"I am sorry, what was it you said?" Sesshomaru replied, his façade never faulting. While doing this, he was taking slow, steady steps to the core.
The air demon laughed; slow and menacing. "Do you take me for a fool again?" it boomed, its voice bouncing off the transparent spell-protected walls. "Do you think that I will not possess your body because you feign hard of hearing?"
"No." Sesshomaru said simply. It had let its guard down long enough for the taiyoukai to *walk* to the air demon's core. After rearranging the woman in his arms, he lifted a hand swiftly into the center of the core, with a twist of the wrist, (AN: look! I rhymed!) the hell-bound demon died. 'That was much easer that I originally anticipated.' Sesshomaru thought lightly. 'Wait. Didn't he obtain nearly half of the sacred jewel? Wouldn't that make him a more formidable opponent?' he quickly pulled out the "heart" of the demon with his hand.
Sesshomaru looked down at the heart of the demon. It was still beating!
"Do you think you can be rid of me so easily?" the demon choked. Sesshomaru could feel the air around him constricting. He was sucking out all of the oxygen again!
"Damn you." Sesshomaru growled, suddenly remembering the woman he held in his arms. He let his cold mask falter for only a moment to notice that she was, yet again, falling towards death.
"Kagome." He whispered, hoping that she had not lost consciousness.
There was no answer.
"You, demon!" Sesshomaru exclaimed, his eyes tinting red as he again progressed to the core of the air demon. "You will die before this night is though," all throughout his short speech, the air was growing more and more constricted. He knew the woman would not last much longer, but what was he supposed to do about it? He could no longer just walk out as he had instructed Shippo to do-for now he was using his ability. The only way would be for him do defeat the air demon was either to kill it himself, or to have someone walk in like he had earlier. Then again, now with all of the jewel shards, Sesshomaru doubted if that would even work.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Shippo watched all that had transpired while he was out of the cove. At first, it seemed as if Sesshomaru would be able to save his mother. He had pulled out the damned demon's demented heart and for the love of god- he should have died! But then, well, it didn't die. It must have been those Shikon shards. Those were being more of a bother than help these days.
Rin brought him out of his thoughts by asking, "Why is Sesshomaru-sama still fighting?" She looked up at the kitsune, her eyes full of tears. She had not moved from the spot Sesshomaru had instructed her to stay in. Rin was not going to move until Sesshomaru-sama told her himself it was okay to get up.
Shippo looked at the young girl, not knowing what to say. Really, though- why *was* he still fighting? He thought he was strong! Was he hurt? Did the air demon take all of the air yet again? That bastard! 'Cause if he did, he was going to have to take care of that nasty demon himself! He would save the day- Rin wouldn't cry anymore and Kagome okaa-san would be safe! "Don't worry, Rin, if Sesshomaru can't handle it, I'll be sure to jump right in! Okay?" he jumped up in the air, turning into an almost perfect image of Sesshomaru. Only Shippo's tail remained.
Rin giggled in delight, clapping her petite hands in joy. She stopped as she heard a rustle on the bushes ominously close to the demon's cove. Shippo seemed to notice it as well as he returned to his original form. "Shippo, Rin is scared. Did Shippo hear what Rin heard?" Rin asked. A trembling lip replaced the happy smile that she wore only moments before.
"Don't worry! The Great Shippo-chan will explore the untracked terrain of the *bushes*" he said, trying to entertain Rin so she wouldn't cry anymore. In reality, he was scared himself, but he wasn't about to tell the young Rin that. He was going to be brave-for her.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Sesshomaru gave a low growl. It was one of the rare growls he gave of pure disgust. It rumbled low in his chest, temporarily awakening the young woman in his arms. His head shot down as he heard her stir.
"Kagome?" he asked, forgetting about the demon momentarily. All of the oxygen was gone, only carbon dioxide remained in the small cove. 'Damn, I gave nearly a sixth of my oxygen to an unconscious woman. A *human* woman, at that.' It was then that he had a, well, ludicrous thought, 'If I were to give her half of my oxygen, then perhaps she would last a few moments longer. . .' he was appalled at the thought-was he suggesting that he put *his* mouth to hers, and give her *his* oxygen? *Never*. Never would he do something like that!
"Sesshomaru. . ." the woman rasped, weakly gabbing at his haori, "You need to go deeper into the core. I can see the Shikon jewel, it's in there- " with that she stopped breathing and went limp in his arms once again. This time, however, he was certain that she would not return. Not unless he did something, that is.
With that in mind, he leaned down. . .
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Shippo creped to the noise that resided in the bushes only moments ago. He prayed to Kami that it was nothing or it had already left. He didn't need to be surprised by another demon. Especially since he was all alone.
'Why am I doing this again?' Shippo asked himself. He stopped two steps short from the bush and turned to see Rin. She smiled lightly and cocked her head slightly to the side, silently asking what the hold-up was. Shippo smiled brightly and turned to the bush once again. 'Oh, yeah,' he thought, 'that's why.'
He took a deep breath and quickly shoved the protruding foliage out of his way. "B-baby?" he said out loud. He heard Rin's innocent laughter behind him as he went to pick the demoness infant up. 'Well, at least it wasn't a *bad* demon.' He thought as he walked back to Rin, chuckling himself.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
It was then that Sesshomaru felt the presence of that damned air demon coming closer. It was going to possess the human woman! Sesshomaru gave a demonic smile, 'This will be interesting. I did tell him he would die tonight after all. . .' he briefly looked at the heart lying on the ground, knowing once he retrieved the Shikon jewel from the hell-bound beast he would die for sure.
"Die," he said simply before thrusting a poison-filled claw into the core and grabbing hold of the Shikon-no-Tama from the power-hungry demon.
With a shudder, the air demon fell prey to Sesshomaru's claws, and the oxygen returned at full blast.
"Fool, did you truly think you could defeat this Sesshomaru with those cheep tricks?" Sesshomaru said looking away from the Shikon jewel to gaze at the woman still limp in his arms. He gave a bored sigh and laid her down in the thick forest blanket of grass. He leaned his head against her chest again, this time only hearing a faint heartbeat-she was dieing.
In a situation like this, it is necessary to do everything you can. So, he honest-to-God did the first thing he thought would help. He sat there. All he had to do was wait for her to die, use the Tensiaga, and finally, wait for her to heal. Then something came to him. His conscience told him: "We're in the Crossover Forest, Shit head! Many demons are probably waiting for her to die, then take her soul! Not thinking ahead again, I see. Do you want to turn out to be just like your pathetic brother? You are a demon lord! What do you think your fellow subjects would think if they could see you now? I know what they would think! It would be something like: 'Why the hell did we decide to be loyal to *him*?' Stupid. . . why don't you think of something helpful?"
Sesshomaru growled, but would not stoop as low as actually *answering* it. A taiyoukai did not speak to himself-it was quite degrading.
"Kagome, if you are going to die, than so be it. I will not have anything to it." He said to the woman lying in the grass, looking rather angelic and. . .vulnerable. Sesshomaru restated the urge to smack a hand on his forehead and sigh. He wouldn't voice an answer to his conscience, but he would talk to an unconscious human that was on her deathbed. He needed to get if priorities straight. But, if he didn't do anything, what would he do with that kitsune? Rin wouldn't be very happy, and that demoness-the daughter of the Southern Lands-what was he to do with her? He could leave her in the forest, then come back later for the bones. . . it would be a very nice present to give that bastard taiyoukai of the South.
Sesshomaru lightly shook his head. He would worry about the demoness later. He had more pressing matters on his hands now. (Priorities, Sesshomaru. Priorities.) There was only one thing that came to mind-the same thing that he thought of while all of the oxygen was gone from that cove-he would have to give her the air orally. Mouth to mouth.
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
Shippo sat Indian-style on the ground, his back to Sesshomaru and his momma, Rin giggling furiously in front of him.
"Are you sure that's how you play, Shippo-chan?" she asked.
"Yup! Are you ready?" he asked, silently wondering why she thought it was so funny. 'Well, then again, I thought it was funny at first, too.' He smiled, remembering the first time Kagome taught him the great game.
"Ready!" came Rin's joyful reply. At first, Shippo was only trying to help her forget about Sesshomaru, but now it was just fun being with her!
The demoness lay sleeping at Rin's side, as she had been for nearly eight minutes.
"Okay! Let's go!" he said, taking a deep breath, Rin doing the same.
"Patty-cake, patty-cake, baker's men. . ."
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸
*
**
***
****
*****
******
*******
******
*****
****
***
**
* Well, that's all for tonight! I thought if I made it long, you all would forgive me for taking so damn long!( 7 pages, 4,556 words!) I know, I know, and I'm really sorry! You would think someone with no life, like myself, would be able to post quicker, but school must be taken into account and the fact that I have homework (even though I NEVER do it, but I thought that would make a nice excuse anyway. . . ) and I have to read fanfictions too, you know! *^^* Well, please review and let me know that all of my hard typing was not in vain. I love all of your reviews! I keep them all! I have my own e-mail folder that I keep them in! (I know. . . it only further proves that I have no life, but whatever.) Innyhoo, keep those reviews coming, and I'll keep those chapters coming!
Oh, for anyone who cares, I have a 'B' in Spanish now. (oh, yeah!!) But I regret to inform you that I now have a *whispers* 63 in social studies. And I'm already on M.I.L.E. probation in that class, too! Sucks, ass. KISS MY ASS, MS. CROSBY! FUCKIN' RETIRE ALREADY, YOU OLD BITCH!!! *sigh* Ok. . . thanks for letting me get that out in the open. Um. . . bye for now! ^.~ (^^;;;;;;;;;;)
