Through the Rain
Chapter 3
Interrupted
By ShimmerSweet
"That's where it happened…"
Kagura stated as she pointed to the carriage and masking her voice in sympathy. The captain of the guard stopped dead in his tracks and so did the five soldiers he brought with him. The captain was absolutely disgusted at this horrific sight, but he had to get closer to investigate the attack, to ensure it was the Inu Youkai who were the attackers. He, Kagura, and his men went up closer to the scene. The captain dismounted his horse, and shut his eyes in disgust at how viciously the driver was attacked—he was sliced in two. The captain and his men set the carriage up straight so the captain could investigate it. He looked inside until his eye fell on a slight strand of silver hair that had great contrast with the black lining of the seat in the carriage. He held it up close to inspect it more carefully.
"Yup, it has to be the Inu Youkai who attacked this carriage. They're the only demons that I know of that have silver hair such as this."
The captain dropped the hair and stared toward his soldiers.
"Men, I want you two of you to inspect the carriage to see if you find any more clues as to where they could have gone or why they would have kidnapped the princess—a ransom note, or something of the sort. The other three I want to split up and investigate the surrounding forest for any evidence of where they might of gone, look for foot prints or tracks of some sort, they should show up well now that it has stopped raining and the mud is still wet... I shall look in the forest also. I want all of you men to report back here in a half hour's time to report of your findings, now go."
On his signal the soldiers left to do as they were told and so was the captain until he felt a slight tug on his sleeve. He looked down to see Kagura with an innocent smile plastered on her face.
"Excuse me captain…. um, captain… well, would you mind telling me your name? I don't seem to know it."
He smiled back at her with a genuine smile.
"Me lady, my name is Captain Dojan, and I would like to personally thank you of your service to the queen. And if I may ask the same of you, what is your name?"
Kagura smiled sweetly at him and batted her eyes.
"My name is Kagura… and I would really like it if you would take me into the forest with you because I think I may be able to show you what section of the forest they went running through…"
Captain Dojan smirked at her in a playful way.
"I would love for you to show me, it may just lead us down the right path to where they could have gone…"
Kagura and Captain Dojan both went into the forest, leaving Dojan's horse behind, for it would be too much of a task to bring a horse along while trying to scan the forest floor for clues. Kagura led Dojan into a dark secluded area of the forest far away from the other soldiers. Dojan became a little questionable of her leading him this deep into the forest, so he drew his sword in case any sort of wild animal or beast emerged from hiding..
"Kagura, don't you think this is kind of far into the forest….. and if it's this deep in the forest how would you know they came this way if you were supposedly on the outskirts of the forest collecting medical herbs?"
At this point Dojan started to catch on to her fake act for not everything in her story fit together. Was she part of the attack? What was she up to? So he tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword just in case, even though there was no doubt in his mind that he could easily take her down. After he had stated his question Kagura stopped dead in her tracks and quickly turned to face him.
"I wouldn't know, would I? But you're a smart man, and by now I know you figured out there was something peculiar about my alibi. Well, since I knew that you would catch on I decided to bring you here, so Naraku can make good use of your body…"
At this point Naraku emerged from the shadows of the forest. All of the color drained from Dojan's face as he positioned his sword for battle. He couldn't believe that he had fallen into a trap.
"Who the hell are you people and what are you trying to accomplish?"
Naraku took another step closer and gave his evil smirk.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
With those last words Naraku murdered Dojan in the same way he had done the horseman—he was slice in two. Kagura looked towards Naraku as if nothing had just happened, as if the murder of a man was not important, as if it were common. Her face was back to her usual stone expression.
"Okay, I've brought you the captain of the guard, I believe his name was Dojan. Now, what are you going to do with him since it was so important to bring him here."
Naraku kneeled down by the body of Dojan, and tutted.
"Poor fool…"
Naraku pressed his forefingers to Dojan's forehead and instantly Dojan's corpse disintegrated to ashes and blew away in a slight gust of wind. Naraku stood and faced Kagura.
"Now, Kagura, tell me of what Queen Higurashi said once she heard of your story of her daughter's capture…"
With an expressionless face Kagura responded.
"She said that if the attack was in deed true to come back and notify her of the attackers because she said that she would order the troops to get ready for an attack on them… which in this case is the Inu Youkai."
Naraku smirked in his usual malice way.
"Perfect, now all we have to do is go and tell her of the evidence we have found here, for I'm sure that Captain Dojan has already found the planted silver Inu Youkai hair in the carriage… he did find it, am I correct?"
Kagura rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth.
"When have you ever been wrong Naraku? Of course he found the hair."
"I just wanted to hear you say that I am never wrong."
Naraku answered with his continuing evil smirk that didn't seem to leave his face ever since everything was going his way in life as of now. Kagura rolled her eyes once again.
"But there's still one problem… Did you ever think of what the soldiers might think if I returned back to their meeting place with out Captain Dojan? Don't you think that would be a little suspicious?"
"Have you no faith in me Kagura? I also have that planned out, Captain Dojan will be returning back to the Sengoku Jidai Kingdom, it will seem as if he was never gone."
"And what shall I tell the men about their missing captain?"
"Not a thing Kagura, for you will be returning to the group of soldiers with you."
Kagura cocked and eyebrow in question.
"What are you playing at Naraku? Captain Dojan is dead."
"That's true, but I will be Captain Dojan for now, I have some personal favors to return to the King Inu Mamoru once the Sengoku Jidai Kingdom launches their attack on the Inu Youkai Kingdom. For if I'm the captain, I will have the privilege of leading the Jidai army into the destruction of the Inu Youkai Kingdom."
After that statement Naraku's baboon pelt melted away to unveil the face of the decease Captain Dojan. Naraku looked exactly like Dojan, he had the tiny scar above his left eye, his neatly shaved face, the captain's unifom and even his unruly short brown locks of hair. Kagura could see no difference between Naraku and the real Captain Dojan.
"Let's go Kagura, we don't want to keep the soldiers waiting, now do we? We do have to get a war started after all."
Naraku turned abruptly on his heel as Captain Dojan used to do, and he even walked and sounded like the former captain.
'Naraku did have everything planned to his liking, didn't he?'
After this slight thought Kagura quickly left her current spot so she could catch up to Naraku.
Hours later on their return Naraku got his way and persuaded Queen Higurashi into battle with the Inu Youkai Kingdom. The Sengoku Jidai troops were already marching towards the eastern lands of the Inu Youkai Kingdom.
~
After his parents left us in the room we talked for a bit and then he took me on a tour of the castle. It was so extravagant. My mother would have died of envy if she saw it. It looked exactly like Cinderella's castle. The out side walls were and inside floors were made of marble. Each room had its own personality and not one was found with out extravagant and expensive decorations. The guest bedrooms were the sizes of about four family huts, and the royal bedrooms were the size of about three of those guestrooms. The kitchens were just as big as any other room in the castle. The dining room was beautiful and consisted of gold and red decorations. We went in about 20 more rooms, but didn't dare go to the dungeons. I just didn't like them, they always creeped me out. But my favorite room of all was the room we went to next. When we had come to the doors I knew there had to be something special about this room. The doors were big and mad out of redwood that had impressively detailed engravings of rose vines on it, but the door had a big key lock across its handles. Inuyasha nodded to the two guards standing each end of the doors who proceeded in unlocking the doors. But Inuyasha had me close my eyes before the doors were opened because he wanted it to be a surprise. He took my hand and led me into what I thought was the center of the room, the only sound I heard was the clicking of my heels. He stopped me and rested his chin on my shoulder and whispered into my ear.
"You can open your eyes now."
I opened them and my eyes instantly widened. I gasped at what I saw, I just couldn't believe that a room such as this existed. The walls and cracks in the floor were trimmed in gold! I looked at Inuyasha with pleading eyes so I could inspect the rest of the room. He grinned at me and nodded his head. I went over to the wall to feel the wall. For some reason it was bumpy so I took a closer look to discover diamonds, emeralds, rubies, safires, and other iridescent gems were wedged into the wall. The windows were crystal clear and reached all the way to the ceiling and the long golden silk drapes were breathtaking. I looked up at the ceiling which was painted. The ceiling was painted with all sorts of flowers—from my favorite, roses to other flowers that were just as gorgeous such as lilies and jasmines. On the other wall adjacent to the one with the windows sat two golden thrones with red cushions, which of course belonged to the King Mamoru and Queen Eriko. Back over to the wall where the windows were there was a pair of glass doors that of course were trimmed in gold. I opened them and on the other side was a beautiful balcony. It had dainty white garden chairs and tables and the center edge of the balcony had tulips planted on the outer hanging edge. And the crescent moon just lit up the sky, complimenting the balcony. Inuyasha sat on the balcony wall and motioned for me to take a seat next to him. I happily obeyed and he took me into a light embrace.
"Do you like the ballroom?"
I looked up at him and nodded quickly which earned a light laugh from Inuyasha.
"This ballroom has to be the most beautiful room I have ever seen in my life. Just looking at this room as me gawking in awe, the way I reacted to seeing this room one would think that I wasn't royalty and had never had nice things before. This castle is so beautiful! It makes my castle look like a hut or something… This room almost makes me feel like a queen."
I giggled at my own statement and hugged Inuyasha tight. He pulled me to his chest and placed his chin on top of my head.
"You know, I can make you feel like my queen for the night."
I sat back and looked him in the eyes. His amber orbs were full of anticipation. I cocked an eyebrow at him.
"How, can you make me feel like a queen?"
A sly grin slid across his lips and he stood and took my hand in his.
"Come with me."
Inuyasha took me into the center of the room and we stood there for a while.
"What now?"
I asked and he just smirked at me.
"This…"
He clapped his hands and from the side doors where servants from the kitchen would exit, about 15 inu youkai dressed in fancy black robes emerged. Each one holding some type of instrument and they headed towards the corner of the room where the band would sit. They all took their seats and the conductor stood at the center stand and proceeded in orchestrating the band. Slow, soft, and mellow music filled the room and I was so full of glee that I giggled like a little girl. He laughed at my reaction and held out his hand to me.
"May I have this dance, Princess Kagome."
I smiled at him and placed my hand in his palm.
"Of course, Prince Inuyasha, I would be honored."
We danced for hours in each others' arms, just enjoying the time together that the gods had allowed us to have. My head was laid on his shoulder as we glided across the dance floor. As the music entered its poco ritardando Inuyasha whispered in my ear.
"Kagome, you know we've been in here dancing all night, the sun is rising..."
My head shot up from his shoulder and I looked at him in a questionable but gentle manner.
"Really? It hasn't seemed that long. I guess time just flies when you're with the one you love…"
I smiled gently and laid my head back on his shoulder. Inuyasha squeezed my shoulders gently. He separated our bodies, and took my left hand in his, and stared deeply into my eyes, whatever he was about to say was serious.
"It sure does fly… That's why we have to cease the moment and do what our hearts tell us to do, because Kagome, I love you, I'm head over heels in love with you, and I have never felt this way in my life before. That's why I've brought you here, to the ballroom with me, because Kagome, I've been given the chance to take this moment and make it the greatest it can be and I plan to do it…"
I stared back at him with an expression of question.
"What do you mean?"
His right hand left mine and he put his hand in his pocket to retrieve something—then he stopped his actions from withdrawing whatever it was he wanted form his pocket and took his hand out of his pocket, for someone had barged into the ballroom and ruined our moment. His gentle smile had quickly turned into a frown as he turned to look who had rudely interrupted us. It was a messenger—he came running up to us and stopped right in front of us and held his stomach as he took in ragged breaths of air.
"Prince Inuyasha, I have an urgent message from the King Inu Mamoru."
Inuyasha growled and then rolled his eyes.
"What is it that he wants now of all the times in the world?"
The messenger took another breath and proceeded with the message.
"King Inu Mamoru wants you to take Princess Kagome into hiding with Queen Eriko, then he wants you to retrieve your sword Tetsuaiga come help him gather up troops for battle. There are troops approaching us from western lands and they are coming in terms of battle. This was totally unexpected and we need you now."
"Do you know who our opponents are?"
"No, I do not, sir."
Inuyasha's face paled and worry filled his eyes.
"I'll be there immediately, now go and start spreading the word to the villagers, tell them all men that are capable of fighting to report to the castle, and the women are to come to the palace also. They will set up medical stands in the main entrance, and only the main entrance, I don't want pedestrians roaming around the castle at free will."
With those words the messenger ran out of the room to deliver the message. Inuyasha turned to the men in the band.
"Stop playing your music. I want you to report to the front of the castle, there you should find equipment and weapons for battle. I want every one of you suited for war. Our kingdom is being attacked, now go!"
At once, they all dropped their instruments and went running out of the ballroom to do as they were told. We were alone in the ballroom once more. Inuyasha turned back to face me, his eye were calm and soft once again, he pulled me into an embrace then held me at arm's length. He gently smiled at me.
"Looks like what I wanted to say will just have to wait again…"
I smirked at him drew in a deep breath.
"It sure does, but I'll be around, you'll eventually tell me…"
His eyes glazed over with worry and concern.
"But just in case I'm not around to tell you later, I want you to remember me by this…"
He pulled me into a tight embrace and passionately kissed me. His lips danced across mine, pressing hard with passion and desire, as if there were no tomorrow. It took me a while to get out of my shock from his actions but once I did I kissed him back with just as much enthusiasm. His hands roamed from my shoulders to my lower back, each touch was as gentle as the one before. My hands tightly grasped his shoulder blades and then proceeded to caress his lower back. Our clothes were getting ruffled but neither of us cared. We went a little further as I opened my mouth just enough to grant Inuyasha access to a deeper kiss. He gratefully took the offer and explored different regions of my mouth. I was starting to get dizzy from the lack of air but I didn't care, this moment was too beautiful to ruin. My hands roamed to his chest and I slowly started to untie his shirt at the collar, then slowly opened up his shirt so my hands could explore the unclaimed regions of his chest. His chest was firm and unbelievably toned. Let's just say I made sure that my hands slid across his six pack…. While I was busying myself with his masculine muscles his hands landed on the buttons at the back of my dress of which he slowly started to unfasten. They became loose one by one until my back was fully exposed and the sleeves drooped at my shoulder—but no lower. Then slowly the kiss lightened and we broke apart, both gasping for air. I smiled at him as I ran my fingers across the necklace he gave me.
"I don't think now is the time for this… You have a battle to win, and trust me I will always remember that kiss, but I know you're going to be fine. I just expect another one when this is all over."
He gave me a devilish grin.
"Now, that, would be my pleasure."
We both fastened up out clothes than he quickly took my hand and we ran towards the kitchen door on the other side of the ballroom. We entered the kitchen and Inuyasha kneeled down in front of the stove and knocked on a rather large floor tile 5 times. It popped open and exposed a dark entrance. It was a secret passageway entrance to somewhere unknown to me.
"Kagome, slide down this shaft and once you reach the bottom, go forward, which is the only way you can go, until the path splits into four different trails. Go to the one farthest to the right. Keep going until you see an open stairway leading down on your left. At the bottom of the stairs are there is a little room with everything you and my mother will need to survive until the battle is over. I want you to stay there, don't come out of hiding until I come and get you. I don't want anything happening to you. You go now, and I'll go get my mother, she'll be with you shortly."
He brought me over to the hole. I sat on the floor, my legs dangling over the edge. I looked at him and smiled.
"I love you Inuyasha, come back to me."
He smiled back at me.
"I'll try my hardest, love."
He put his hand on my back to comfort me, and then pushed me down the hatch.
A/N: See, that wasn't such a long wait after all. Finals are only a few days away, but I decided to take a day off from studying to write this chapter for the people out there who read this fic. Well, I hope you liked it, especially the ballroom, that was my favorite part to write. ^_^