Hi! It's me again. Sorry it took so long!
Wau. Chapter nine. Well, eight, but... Nine!
See previous chapters if you want a disclaimer.
AN: Sorry that the chapter is so short. I almost have no time to spare now, loads of hw and all... But like I promised in chapter one... I'll keep writing!
-Chapter 9-
"In Debt"
Sesshoumaru Inu Taisho was scared. The unearthly dread that made his spine paralyzed and his senses numb and turned the all feared and omniscient youkai back into the cowering, soft tuft of fur he was when the terrible loss of the one who loved him was burnt deep into his soul and mind.
Kagomes face looked into his, her brown eyes screaming with her as the fire licked at her delicate features, he saw her, he was next to her... But was so utterly... Useless.
Death squeezed his heart in her deadly clutches, her white jaw set with stubborn determination to claim the youkai lords life as her own. Sesshoumaru forced his eyes open to present the unwanted intruder with his best death glare. But... What could it do to Death? Sesshoumaru grit his teeth together, keeping his silence, no matter how much the vision and his tattered shoulder hurt.
Death smirked as she tightened her pale hands around his furiously beating heart, her curtain of black freed itself from the knot on the back of her head and cascaded down her shoulders, covering the panting youkai. She leaned forward, making Sesshoumaru squeeze his eyes shut at the throbbing pain in his chest. "Your life belongs to me..." She said quietly, her voice like the freezing air of a tomb that just had been opened after decades of long years, the rustling of her silk kimono like the squirming of worms inside a semi-empty skull... Images flashed through the dying youkais mind. Worms wriggling, eating their way through his body, making their way to his heart...
Kagome.
The white-hot pain searing through his left arm as the blade born of his fathers fang seared through his flesh and bone.
Kagome.
Dead staring eyes of a human child, with little toad-oni crawling over it, banding her with chains.
Kagome.
His mothers eyes, wide in pain and terror as she ushered him out of the window, the pale crescent on her brow shining as the one above her, watching her coolly.
Kagome. "Kagome." He gasped his eyes shot open, only to close them once again, taking deep breathes. How totally pathetic he had become; he'd dragged a woman after him, and she walked upon a cut bridge with a smile on her face, looking at his guilty back with trust in her big eyes... She practically stepped into Deaths Jaws with a smile on her face. And he couldn't save her. The pain in his shoulder throbbed painfully, pouring some more oil into his emotional fire. The image of the smiling miko floated in front of him. He is now condemned. Soft touch, the flicker of her eye, her innocent smile... They will haunt him for the rest of his miserable life....
"There, there..." Said a soft voice and something soft touched his brow. Gods. That felt good, soft and cool... He snapped his eyes open. "Kagome." She smiled. "Quite a cut you've got there, don't worry, Haoko will be right back with the treatments." "H-Haoko? Treatments?" Sesshoumaru winced. "You're alive." He said flatly. "Well, ofcourse I'm alive!" The black eyebrows came together, "Who else do you think would be sitting next to you, listening to your nightmares?"
"You're alive." He repeated, slipping off into unconsciousness once again. Kagome couldn't help but hear the slight undertone of disappointment in his weary voice. A small tear ran down her cheek, making a small, glistening path, that led to the deepest, darkest corners of her life. Kagome hung her head, her messy bangs covering her eyes. The tear stopped on the very end of her chin, trembling softly in the morning sun. Kagomes cheek was cold where the tear left its salty mark, so cold it hurt slightly, but the pain inside was drowning this little piece of discomfort in its bottomless darkness. Kagome swallowed, in vain trying to move the lump that formed in her softly scratching throat.
All she ever did was try and help all those around her, but it seemed that her efforts were not only fruitless, but everyone treated her as a nuisance, mocking her, ignoring her smiles and kind words, if not repaying her with wounds which left her soul scarred and ugly.
She had too many of those scars.
Times and times again, Kagome told herself to shut out the soft knocking of hopes beak on her window, forget the old, nice Kagome and show people what she had actually become. She had hoped to avoid both by returning to her era and forgetting everything, but it seemed that the world itself was against her.
Kagome lifted her eyes unto the slumbering Taiyoukais face, her vision blurry. His chest rose and fell slowly, his right hand lay on his stomach, the crimson stripes standing out on his pale skin, strangely resembling blood.
The door slid open and closed with a soft thud; Kagome could see Haoko with a bowl of warm water and a pile of bandages. "Kagome-sama?" 'Damn those youkai and their senses.' "Is everything alright?" Kagome sniffed and nodded, now, she even made the servant worried. "I'm fine, Haoko." She wiped her face with her hand. "Can I please do it?" She asked looking into the surprised, blue orbs of the fish youkai. "Why, yes, Kagome-sama. Sure. But," She set down all the accessories. "May I ask why?" Kagome frowned, showing that it was an unwanted conversation. "Because if a talk Sesshoumaru and I just shared." She said slightly bitterly. Haoko left, bowing silently.
Kagome turned to the unsuspecting youkai. She's going to stay by his side and tend him, and then, she might as well feel relieved of some feeling of guilt... She sighed, her little hand rising to her chest to feel the cursed Shikon. Then, she will take her bough and look for the last shard; no matter how much it hurt that she wouldn't see neither Shippou, or Sango... Or Miroku. A sad smile tilted her rosy lips at the tear provoking memories of the times of grief and joy she shared with her friends. They were through so much together.
But the quest for the last shard will have to lay on her shoulders, and hers alone. She undid his forbidding armor and slid his silken kimono off his ivory shoulders, one raw with a fresh wound, streaming with blood. She winced as the pang of burnt flesh and poison invaded her nose, making her nauseous. Kagome slowly watched as water soaked through the soft cloth she put in the bowl of warm water, making it slightly gray as it soaked it completely. She lifted it slowly, a twisting it so the extra water remained in the bowl, and as softly as her tired arms would allow stretched forward to wipe the blood around the wound. Her arm felt as if it was chained to the ground, with little toad oni clinging to them, like the time Sesshoumaru used a faceless oni, Muonna to deceive his little brother. Pearls of sweat broke on her forehead, her mouth dry and her eyes stung, as if she had spent an entire night in front of her computer.
Kagome sighed with desperation, and placed the wet cloth back into the bowl, getting up. "How can the poor women move around in this?" She mumbled, fiddling with the knots on the tiresome kimono. Finally having removed the offensive piece of clothing, she breathed in deeply, tossing the mass of heavy silk unto the floor with an accompanying loud thump.
She turned back to the sleeping youkai. "Now. Don't worry, Sesshoumaru-'sama'," She stood, finally towering above the sleeping dog demon. "I've read many vet books and will be able to handle it." She said proudly.
A clawed hand rose on his lean stomach and fell back down as be breathed out.
*
Jacken opened his eyes. His head throbbed madly, his arms and legs were stiff and sore. "This Jacken is in Hell." He observed grimly, looking at the red light around him, streaming in through the silk. It was hot and hard to breath for the old toad. A large tear ran down his green, wrinkled cheek. He had so much to experience... He sniffed, pulling the glob of something green back into the black depths of his nose. "Sesshoumaru-sama!" His eyes quivered. "We still had so much to go through together!" He wailed bitterly, giving himself to his grief completely. He closed his eyes, awaiting his doom quietly.
He heard breathing. Jacken opened his big, yellow eyes and frowned. "Who is that?" He asked in his bravest voice possible. He strained his old, semi- transparent ears to pick out the source of the noise. Surely it cant be...
He tugged and pulled at the hellish chains binding him, and managed to free both of his arms out of the soft prison of silk, and climbed out, panting slightly. "This Jacken is losing his shape..." He noticed grimly and looked around the room, widening his eyes in the process. His little beak opened and closed and beads of sweat rolled down his green skin.
This is Sesshoumaru-samas chamber... What is he doing here? How did he get here?!
So many questions ran through the little toads head.
Jacken adjusted his little hat and walked towards the door, determined to find out what has happened. His beak fell open.
His master was asleep, breathing softly, his head turned to one side slightly. Jackens eyes watered, after so many years of loyal service, this is the first time he is seeing his master sleeping... Jacken sighed softly, wiping his eye with his bordeaux sleeve and sniffing. 'Sesshoumaru-sama is as beautiful as the first time I saw him...' The toads eyes widened in outrage. What-is-that?...
The human females' head rested peacefully on Sesshoumarus muscled stomach, raising and falling softly, her hair fanned out across his exposed chest. A huge lump formed in the old youkais throat. This Jacken had always served Sesshoumaru-sama, and was never allowed to even touch him... He took a deep breath and took a step towards the futon on which his silver beauty rested; his palms were clammy with sweat, his heart thumped in his throat.
He took a strand of Sesshoumarus hair, rolling his eyes at the silky feeling slightly. He watched in awe as the silvery hair fell through his claws, and gulped slightly.
Now or never.
He sat down on the warm mattress behind his master and took his silver hair in his arms.
Jacken divided the silvery mass into three strands and breathed in his masters airy scent. "At least this Jacken will be able to do something for Sesshoumaru-sama." He mumbled, engrossed in weaving the heavy mass into a braid.
*
Haoko watched sadly as the youth with snow-white hair tossed in his bead, his lips twisted in pain, his hands gripping the material madly. She looked away. There was nothing she could do but watch the young youkai suffer; a lone tear ran down her pale cheek, but she wiped it angrily. 'Such foolish display of emotion.' She sniffed. 'Only humans should cry.' Yasunorus dry lips parted slightly. "K-Kagome?" He gripped her hand tightly, staring past her face with his eerie, light blue eyes. "Kagome! Where are you?" Haoko pushed a few strands out of his face, wincing at his grip on her wrist. "Yasunoru-sama," She started. "Please, Yasunoru-sama, don't strain yourself!"
"Kagome... Where are you?..." Yasunoru murmured, his voice choked and rasping, every word a struggle. "Where are you? I want to see you..." Tears welled up in Haokos eyes again. "Kagome will come soon." She sobbed. "Please don't try to talk anymore." But the cougar youkai paid her no attention. "Kagome, where..." he gasped. "Who is he?..." His right arm twitched, the scythe appeared in it, glinting with the ice covering it. "Must fight the mutt..." His voice was barely a whisper. "Where –are- you?..."
All at once, his back arched as if an electric charge had surged through his body. His fingers flexed, his eyes widened. The next moment it was over.
Yasunoru slumped back, his lifeless lips parted in an unfinished sentence.
Hajake, who was brought here by Rin wrapped his arm around Haokos shoulders, squeezing her tightly. Haoko looked up, surprised at the sudden intrusion; being accustomed to men touching her in bed only, she didn't understand what was going on. "H-Hajake-sama?" She asked, blinking her tears away. He closed his eyes and frowned. "I'm sorry, woman." he opened his red eyes, looking at the dead guard. "He must've been a good soldier." he said quietly, looking at the scythe still grasped in the guards pale hand.
"Yes." Came a voice from behind them. "He was the best." Hajake and Haoko spun around, to see Orito looking up at the ceiling sadly, his eyes almost the color they were before, twinkling in the evening light. "Orito!" Hajake rushed over to his son and smiled at him. "Chichiwe." He replied silently, his voice as low as his fathers, but deeper and softer, like a heavy mass of warm silk.
"Son, what happened, why did you leave? Why are you here?" His father began, but was cut off by Kiis soft palm on his shoulder. "Chichiwe. Onii- san is asleep." Hajake smiled, his son was breathing softly, his dark hair fanning out across the pillow. His absurdly long eyelashes he got from his mother forming two dark crescents on his still pale cheekbones.
Hajake felt a soft tug on his sleeve and looked down. "Hajake-sama, is Sesshoumaru-sama going to be all right?" Asked the dark haired ningen he'd come across earlier. "Yes little one." he said, patting her soft hair gingerly, scared he might accidentally harm the little butterfly. "Yes. He is going to be fine. It's a small scratch and your Sesshoumaru- sama is one of the best warriors I've ever come across."
Sango opened her eyes slowly, blinking to push the blurriness away. She widened them immediately at the sight in front of her; a scythe was directed at her face, hovering millimeters away from her face. "You're finally awake, human." A pair of light purple eyes looked into her own. "Hakudoshi!" She exclaimed loudly, tugging on the chains that attached her to a stone wall.
* * *
Miroku was long out of breath, when they finally reached the castle, the sun slowly setting down and throwing off long and curious shadows around the forest. Kikyou stopped, sending her shinidamachuu off on their way and turned to the gasping houshi, eyeing him wearily.
"Houshi-sama, what do you feel?" Miroku got up and dusted his robes, straining to pick out any auras. "Gomen, miko-sama. I don't feel anything." He knocked on the wooden gates gingerly, wondering why would someone like Sesshoumaru, who roamed the lands, need a palace like this. A weary looking, gray haired guard opened the gates with ease, eyeing Miroku and the miko with barely concealed contempt. "What do you want, humans?" Miroku cleared his throat, the rings on his staff jingling softly. "You see,"
"We are here on business with Inuyasha." The guard narrowed his eyes at the young miko, trying to identify what she was. "And Kagome-sama." Added Miroku. Hiroko raised an eyebrow and stepped aside. "Follow me, humans."
Miroku glanced at the undead priestess, checking what her reaction would bee, it was just as usual. Plain face, which shadowed Sesshoumarus slightly. He sighed and followed the guard, gaping at the beauty of the garden as it opened up in front of him.
* * *
Kagome opened her eyes slowly, frowning at the soft rumbling in her ear. She got up, rubbing her eyes groggily and yawning. She frowned and checked the bandages on the injured Taiyoukais shoulder; the skin beneath the crusty layer of old blood was almost healed, the soft, pink skin encircling the wound. Kagome smiled, the healing was going faster than she'd expected. She put her hand on his forehead, relieved to find it somewhat normal temperature. A long braid lay on his pillow, some strands had already escaped and framed his alabaster features. Kagome pursed her lips, frowning. Surely she didn't. "Ah, I probably did it before falling asleep." She muttered, getting up and rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms.
She looked at the sleeping demon and smiled slightly. He would be right as rain in a few days, and would probably run off to do his daily chores, aka battle the half-wit brother in order to get Tessaiga, which he couldn't use anyway. Kagome snorted and walked up to a huge mirror on the wall, looking at the girl in the mirror critically. The first thing to go if she wants to continue her quest as a boy, would be her hair. She ran her fingers through her shoulder long, ebony black mane. It would be hard to part with it, but she has to. She took a small knife, used for trimming nails from a small pot on the mirror and twisted her hair around her hand. She gulped and squeezed her eyes shut. 'Here goes.'
She breathed in deeply, her hand ready to strike at the unsuspecting hair. 'Inuyasha has long hair.' Said a voice in her head. Kagome ignored it. 'He's not normal.' The sharp, little blade glinted in the setting suns rays as neared her hair. 'Kouga has long hair! Miroku has long hair!' the voice cried desperately. "Fine." Kagome muttered, putting the knife back down with a soft 'clang'.
She looked at Sesshoumaru once again and opened the door slowly. "Bai-bai, Sesshoumaru."
Kagome walked down the numerous steps in twilight, her bare feet tapping softly against the polished wood. Numerous guards followed the unlikely vision of a human woman with their eyes and noses, wondering why would Sesshoumaru ever allow a human in his palace.
Kagome slipped out into the garden, shivering slightly at the cold air around her; her throat remembering its soreness immediately.
She walked up to the closed gates and pushed them slightly.
They didn't move an inch.
"Kagome-sama, where are you going?" Came a soft voice from behind her. Kagome spun around guiltily, to find herself staring into a pair of warm, red eyes. "Orito-kun!" She cried, and flung her arms around the surprised dragon. "Kagome-sama?" He asked hesitantly, looking at the top of her head, wondering what he'd done this time. Kagome looked back at him, her eyes shining with tears. "Orito-kun, I was so worried that..." The dragon smiled, his crimson eyes twinkling with amusement. It was long since someone had paid him so much intimate attention, and it was slightly intimidating. "Don't worry, Kagome-sama, I'm fine now." Orito frowned slightly. "But what are you doing here?" Kagome looked down, stepping away from the dragon, slightly blushing at the feeling she had after coming in close contact with the dragon youkai.
It was pure warmth streaming through him, and as she touched him, her body felt warm all over, sending small shivers up her back and even making her frozen toes feel better. "Orito-kun," She looked up at him. "Can you open these gates for me?" Orito arched an eyebrow. "Please?" He smiled softly, sending his eyes twinkling again. "Of course, Kagome-sama." Kagome beamed at him, almost jumping up and down. It was enough for the dragon youkai to understand that the small human felt like in cage in this palace, he snorted. Just like him. "Bye, Orito-kun, take care!" Kagome chirped, pulling the dragon into another hug. "Good luck, Kagome-sama." He replied and watched her stumble away, hoping that the human made it to wherever she was going to. She did have a strong spirit, but her body was not fit enough for her spirit, which was soaring free away from the imprisonment of the shadowy palace. Just like him...
Orito sighed and limped back to the castle slowly; how much he detested it and wanted to brake free from its gray walls.
His father stood on the balcony, watching his sons and the mikos interaction, wondering why humans were so appealing. Youkai women were far more beautiful and 'long-lasting', but seemingly the creatures that were created to love, were humans...
*
Soft jingling of the metal rings on Mirokus staff echoed slightly as they passed through a vast hall. "Houshi-sama." Miroku looked at his silent companion. "Hai, Kikyou-sama?" "I sense a very evil aura." Miroku strained his own senses, which were far worse than the mikos, if even there were enough to even compare them to hers. "Yes... What do you think it could be?" Kikyou looked at the guard in front of her, whose hairs were bristling slightly from being close to a powerful miko and strong dislike towards her. "Is it Sesshoumaru?" Asked Miroku, Hiroko spun around angrily. "Humans. First of all, you are to call the lord 'Sesshoumaru-sama', and I doubt that he would approve of your 'evil aura' rambling!" He turned away and hurried on. Miroku exchanged glances with Kikyou.
To be honest, Hiroko himself had felt the aura for days and couldn't even sleep properly with it, and he knew it was somehow connected to the attack on Orito-sama... What could've been powerful enough to injure the dragon- youkai?
He was brought out of his thoughts abruptly as he heard loud tapping in front of him, and the next moment his vision was obscured by orange fluff. 'What the?..'
"Miroku!!!" Shippou jumped off the startled guards face and unto Mirokus head, ignoring Kikyou. "Miroku, where is Sango-chan?" Shippou asked, tugging on Mirokus bangs. Inuyasha appeared from behind a corner, frowning, Kikyou looked at him questioningly. Miroku gulped. "Inuyasha. So Sango is not with you?"
*
As evening approached, Kagome settled down between two large tree-roots and hugged herself tightly. The screech of a wood fowl sliced through the air. Kagomes heart began to race. She looked around her wildly. There were eyes in the shadows. Yellow eyes. Green eyes. Red eyes. And all of them staring at her. "Oh no..." She moaned. "Not now..." 'I'm too tired and cold for this! And I don't even have my bow!'
All at once, she heard something; a sound that silenced her voice and froze her to the spot. It was the wheezing pant of some enormous creature behind her.
What could she do? Where could she go? Kagome has never been this far from her friends, at night and in a forest. She started this way, stopped, ran the other way, and stopped again. "That was close!" Kagome said, and sighed with relief. She wiped the sweat from her brow. "Too close!" The moon had turned milky, and the shadows had deepened. As Kagome wandered miserably on, the gloom clung to her like a damp sheet. The youkai must have gone, but that was the least of her worries. The fact remained that she was alone in a forest.
Now, she was lost.
Often Kagome stumbled, sometimes she fell. Her hair became wet with sweat, though her bones were chilled to the marrow. She didn't know where she was going, she didn't know where she'd been; she hope she wasn't simply going round in circles. She was also tired, yet each time she paused to rest a growl or snarl would set her off trotting again. At last, unable to go any further, Kagome stopped. She sunk to her knees and lifted her head to the sky. Suddenly, she heard something behind her again. The sound of the horrible creature wheezing seemed to be all around her. She darted into the shadows of some dark undergrowth and crouched down behind the trunk of a tall and lumpy tree. The youkai came closer. Its rasping breath grew louder.
Kagomes palms were wet and her mouth was dry; she couldn't swallow. Her own heartbeat thumped in her ears, her eyes wide with horror and unblinking. The little possums and other night creatures fell silent, and in the awful silence Kagomes heart beat like a drum. Surely the youkai must be able to hear it. Perhaps it has gone.
Kagome peered cautiously round the trunk of the tree.
MISTAKE! Her brain screamed, as she found herself staring into four slit- eyes glinting back at her from the darkness. A long forked tongue flicked tasting the air.
* * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * AN: Yes, there is one. For those suffering from short-term memory loss, or those who haven't seen him, Hakudoshi is one of Narakus detachments, by far the coolest one.
Vocabulary: Chichiwe: Father. Ningen: Human.
Alex: Mou, don't take all so seriously! I got everything bout the herbal tea, m' not stupid. I was just kidding! I'm not a hentai, thankyouverymuch, I was just wondering! Really, how IS a heaven a heaven without women?! And I wasn't really interested in all that zodiac stuff, so I guess I made a mistake. -_- I went and checked over, and turned into a toru-youkai. Sigh. I'm a tiger. I'll correct my bio when I get down to it... Growl. And I found the info on my character, here: People born in the year of the Tiger are sensitive, stubborn, short-tempered, courageous, selfish and slightly mean ... yet they are deep thinkers and are capable of great love. (No idea what 'great love' is supposed to be though...) (And yes, there WAS an ellipse after 'mean'!)
And yes, older siblings ARE the best! And cut it out with drying me out with your desert looks! I'll end up as a mummy soon...
Bout siblings. Now lets see... Sess is cool. Inu is baka, Naga is cool- Amelia is annoying, Urd is cool- Beldandy is stupid, Boromir –was- cool...- Faramir is stupid. And I can go on FOREVER, but I don't want to embarrass myself by telling you what other stuff I've seen... ^_^
My little sister can't even draw stick-men. Mine are perfect! ...
Well... I... Uh... Thanks for the review...
Oh, languages. I know three languages fully and am learning four more. ^_~ (Unless you include, I'm studying old English...Its so weird you can count it as a language...)
Jaa!
* * *
RÑthдwen__Anger's Maiden: ........ Lotsa men you've got there. I've only seen Ruroni kenshin episode one... And 'X' eight. Guess there's no place for me. Glad you like the chapter. Well, you're not bad hentai! That was the image you were SUPPOSED to get when he said that... It would've been considered normal at that time, because group rapes were thought to be ordinary & NORMAL amongst Samurai... About giving Sesshoumaru a break. Ha. Dream on, big puppy. If I'm not allowed to lead a peaceful life, I wont let anyone! Thanks for the review!
* * *
WinterBlossom/Yuki*Sakura very good? Good. Here, I updated. Though you cant really call it soon...
* * *
Black-Fire Eclipse: Yikes, the someone with the kool name thinks my storys kool. Here, Miroku and Kikyou got to the castle, ne? ^_~ What fun would it be if I tell you what happened? Well, Rin is fine, Sess is fine........ Bout updating soon. I'm in g11 and really have to study A LOT, but I'll try to update as soon as possible anyway. And the horrible exams are looming over me, lurking by in the shadows, waiting to consume meee... Sigh... I keep telling myself that I still don't know all the formulas and crap I have to know, tell myself to start studying and find myself writing this. Sigh. Thank you!
* * *
Mourning-kun: Sigh. Blushes. Don't point out. Please. I know I'm failing English, and... Ah, well. Glad you don't mind my stupid mistakes. Yes, I was thinking about the guys surrounding Kagome too. I wanted to have some oc girls, but 'for some reason' they are not popular, so I had the cat guy instead. Ah, glad he's over. Poor guy. I hope the chapter is to your liking, I noticed you're good at the language, since you dared to request the update, I'll ask you for some constructive criticism! Not necessary, but will be useful, then, when I pass the exams, to the teachers great surprise, I'll have you to thank!
thanks for the nice and long review, anyways...
Jaa!
* * *
SkyBlueSunShine: Yep. A glossary. 'Ano' is like 'Um...' In English. Bakayarou: Is a harsher form of baka, a rather bad one, mostly used by 'cool' men in calling their 'uncool' enemies. Its so bad that even Inu-baka doesn't use it... Gomen, no idea what baka mono is. It's not a weird sense of humor, just... Usually goes unshared by others, especially by those involved in these situations... Ah, well. If you have any 'language probs', don't hesitate to ask! Thanks for the review!
* * *
Spork or Foon: My. It just kicks me, just writing your name. Hey, give my plushie a rest, will you? Its gonna go all gray and sticky soon. ^_~ Glad you like Oritos dad, although I'm trying to stick to the original characters, seems I failed... Well, arigotou! jaa.
* * *
Shadaphilaro: Well, thanks. get better too! I don't miss school either. Horrible pl4c3 of d00m... You don't have much vocab, do you? I have some nice words that will describe my story perfectly. 'Awesome.' 'Great.' 'Wooonderful.' Yeah, dream on, Taihen. Well, thanks for the review en tout cas. Jaa matte!
* * *
mello-jello: Arigoto! he-he, hooked you say? Don't worry. I'll become lazy soon and dump this story. Its ok about the words, it my d00ty... In case you wondered... Ah, never mind. Sayonara!
* * *
ra: Ok!
Wau. Chapter nine. Well, eight, but... Nine!
See previous chapters if you want a disclaimer.
AN: Sorry that the chapter is so short. I almost have no time to spare now, loads of hw and all... But like I promised in chapter one... I'll keep writing!
-Chapter 9-
"In Debt"
Sesshoumaru Inu Taisho was scared. The unearthly dread that made his spine paralyzed and his senses numb and turned the all feared and omniscient youkai back into the cowering, soft tuft of fur he was when the terrible loss of the one who loved him was burnt deep into his soul and mind.
Kagomes face looked into his, her brown eyes screaming with her as the fire licked at her delicate features, he saw her, he was next to her... But was so utterly... Useless.
Death squeezed his heart in her deadly clutches, her white jaw set with stubborn determination to claim the youkai lords life as her own. Sesshoumaru forced his eyes open to present the unwanted intruder with his best death glare. But... What could it do to Death? Sesshoumaru grit his teeth together, keeping his silence, no matter how much the vision and his tattered shoulder hurt.
Death smirked as she tightened her pale hands around his furiously beating heart, her curtain of black freed itself from the knot on the back of her head and cascaded down her shoulders, covering the panting youkai. She leaned forward, making Sesshoumaru squeeze his eyes shut at the throbbing pain in his chest. "Your life belongs to me..." She said quietly, her voice like the freezing air of a tomb that just had been opened after decades of long years, the rustling of her silk kimono like the squirming of worms inside a semi-empty skull... Images flashed through the dying youkais mind. Worms wriggling, eating their way through his body, making their way to his heart...
Kagome.
The white-hot pain searing through his left arm as the blade born of his fathers fang seared through his flesh and bone.
Kagome.
Dead staring eyes of a human child, with little toad-oni crawling over it, banding her with chains.
Kagome.
His mothers eyes, wide in pain and terror as she ushered him out of the window, the pale crescent on her brow shining as the one above her, watching her coolly.
Kagome. "Kagome." He gasped his eyes shot open, only to close them once again, taking deep breathes. How totally pathetic he had become; he'd dragged a woman after him, and she walked upon a cut bridge with a smile on her face, looking at his guilty back with trust in her big eyes... She practically stepped into Deaths Jaws with a smile on her face. And he couldn't save her. The pain in his shoulder throbbed painfully, pouring some more oil into his emotional fire. The image of the smiling miko floated in front of him. He is now condemned. Soft touch, the flicker of her eye, her innocent smile... They will haunt him for the rest of his miserable life....
"There, there..." Said a soft voice and something soft touched his brow. Gods. That felt good, soft and cool... He snapped his eyes open. "Kagome." She smiled. "Quite a cut you've got there, don't worry, Haoko will be right back with the treatments." "H-Haoko? Treatments?" Sesshoumaru winced. "You're alive." He said flatly. "Well, ofcourse I'm alive!" The black eyebrows came together, "Who else do you think would be sitting next to you, listening to your nightmares?"
"You're alive." He repeated, slipping off into unconsciousness once again. Kagome couldn't help but hear the slight undertone of disappointment in his weary voice. A small tear ran down her cheek, making a small, glistening path, that led to the deepest, darkest corners of her life. Kagome hung her head, her messy bangs covering her eyes. The tear stopped on the very end of her chin, trembling softly in the morning sun. Kagomes cheek was cold where the tear left its salty mark, so cold it hurt slightly, but the pain inside was drowning this little piece of discomfort in its bottomless darkness. Kagome swallowed, in vain trying to move the lump that formed in her softly scratching throat.
All she ever did was try and help all those around her, but it seemed that her efforts were not only fruitless, but everyone treated her as a nuisance, mocking her, ignoring her smiles and kind words, if not repaying her with wounds which left her soul scarred and ugly.
She had too many of those scars.
Times and times again, Kagome told herself to shut out the soft knocking of hopes beak on her window, forget the old, nice Kagome and show people what she had actually become. She had hoped to avoid both by returning to her era and forgetting everything, but it seemed that the world itself was against her.
Kagome lifted her eyes unto the slumbering Taiyoukais face, her vision blurry. His chest rose and fell slowly, his right hand lay on his stomach, the crimson stripes standing out on his pale skin, strangely resembling blood.
The door slid open and closed with a soft thud; Kagome could see Haoko with a bowl of warm water and a pile of bandages. "Kagome-sama?" 'Damn those youkai and their senses.' "Is everything alright?" Kagome sniffed and nodded, now, she even made the servant worried. "I'm fine, Haoko." She wiped her face with her hand. "Can I please do it?" She asked looking into the surprised, blue orbs of the fish youkai. "Why, yes, Kagome-sama. Sure. But," She set down all the accessories. "May I ask why?" Kagome frowned, showing that it was an unwanted conversation. "Because if a talk Sesshoumaru and I just shared." She said slightly bitterly. Haoko left, bowing silently.
Kagome turned to the unsuspecting youkai. She's going to stay by his side and tend him, and then, she might as well feel relieved of some feeling of guilt... She sighed, her little hand rising to her chest to feel the cursed Shikon. Then, she will take her bough and look for the last shard; no matter how much it hurt that she wouldn't see neither Shippou, or Sango... Or Miroku. A sad smile tilted her rosy lips at the tear provoking memories of the times of grief and joy she shared with her friends. They were through so much together.
But the quest for the last shard will have to lay on her shoulders, and hers alone. She undid his forbidding armor and slid his silken kimono off his ivory shoulders, one raw with a fresh wound, streaming with blood. She winced as the pang of burnt flesh and poison invaded her nose, making her nauseous. Kagome slowly watched as water soaked through the soft cloth she put in the bowl of warm water, making it slightly gray as it soaked it completely. She lifted it slowly, a twisting it so the extra water remained in the bowl, and as softly as her tired arms would allow stretched forward to wipe the blood around the wound. Her arm felt as if it was chained to the ground, with little toad oni clinging to them, like the time Sesshoumaru used a faceless oni, Muonna to deceive his little brother. Pearls of sweat broke on her forehead, her mouth dry and her eyes stung, as if she had spent an entire night in front of her computer.
Kagome sighed with desperation, and placed the wet cloth back into the bowl, getting up. "How can the poor women move around in this?" She mumbled, fiddling with the knots on the tiresome kimono. Finally having removed the offensive piece of clothing, she breathed in deeply, tossing the mass of heavy silk unto the floor with an accompanying loud thump.
She turned back to the sleeping youkai. "Now. Don't worry, Sesshoumaru-'sama'," She stood, finally towering above the sleeping dog demon. "I've read many vet books and will be able to handle it." She said proudly.
A clawed hand rose on his lean stomach and fell back down as be breathed out.
*
Jacken opened his eyes. His head throbbed madly, his arms and legs were stiff and sore. "This Jacken is in Hell." He observed grimly, looking at the red light around him, streaming in through the silk. It was hot and hard to breath for the old toad. A large tear ran down his green, wrinkled cheek. He had so much to experience... He sniffed, pulling the glob of something green back into the black depths of his nose. "Sesshoumaru-sama!" His eyes quivered. "We still had so much to go through together!" He wailed bitterly, giving himself to his grief completely. He closed his eyes, awaiting his doom quietly.
He heard breathing. Jacken opened his big, yellow eyes and frowned. "Who is that?" He asked in his bravest voice possible. He strained his old, semi- transparent ears to pick out the source of the noise. Surely it cant be...
He tugged and pulled at the hellish chains binding him, and managed to free both of his arms out of the soft prison of silk, and climbed out, panting slightly. "This Jacken is losing his shape..." He noticed grimly and looked around the room, widening his eyes in the process. His little beak opened and closed and beads of sweat rolled down his green skin.
This is Sesshoumaru-samas chamber... What is he doing here? How did he get here?!
So many questions ran through the little toads head.
Jacken adjusted his little hat and walked towards the door, determined to find out what has happened. His beak fell open.
His master was asleep, breathing softly, his head turned to one side slightly. Jackens eyes watered, after so many years of loyal service, this is the first time he is seeing his master sleeping... Jacken sighed softly, wiping his eye with his bordeaux sleeve and sniffing. 'Sesshoumaru-sama is as beautiful as the first time I saw him...' The toads eyes widened in outrage. What-is-that?...
The human females' head rested peacefully on Sesshoumarus muscled stomach, raising and falling softly, her hair fanned out across his exposed chest. A huge lump formed in the old youkais throat. This Jacken had always served Sesshoumaru-sama, and was never allowed to even touch him... He took a deep breath and took a step towards the futon on which his silver beauty rested; his palms were clammy with sweat, his heart thumped in his throat.
He took a strand of Sesshoumarus hair, rolling his eyes at the silky feeling slightly. He watched in awe as the silvery hair fell through his claws, and gulped slightly.
Now or never.
He sat down on the warm mattress behind his master and took his silver hair in his arms.
Jacken divided the silvery mass into three strands and breathed in his masters airy scent. "At least this Jacken will be able to do something for Sesshoumaru-sama." He mumbled, engrossed in weaving the heavy mass into a braid.
*
Haoko watched sadly as the youth with snow-white hair tossed in his bead, his lips twisted in pain, his hands gripping the material madly. She looked away. There was nothing she could do but watch the young youkai suffer; a lone tear ran down her pale cheek, but she wiped it angrily. 'Such foolish display of emotion.' She sniffed. 'Only humans should cry.' Yasunorus dry lips parted slightly. "K-Kagome?" He gripped her hand tightly, staring past her face with his eerie, light blue eyes. "Kagome! Where are you?" Haoko pushed a few strands out of his face, wincing at his grip on her wrist. "Yasunoru-sama," She started. "Please, Yasunoru-sama, don't strain yourself!"
"Kagome... Where are you?..." Yasunoru murmured, his voice choked and rasping, every word a struggle. "Where are you? I want to see you..." Tears welled up in Haokos eyes again. "Kagome will come soon." She sobbed. "Please don't try to talk anymore." But the cougar youkai paid her no attention. "Kagome, where..." he gasped. "Who is he?..." His right arm twitched, the scythe appeared in it, glinting with the ice covering it. "Must fight the mutt..." His voice was barely a whisper. "Where –are- you?..."
All at once, his back arched as if an electric charge had surged through his body. His fingers flexed, his eyes widened. The next moment it was over.
Yasunoru slumped back, his lifeless lips parted in an unfinished sentence.
Hajake, who was brought here by Rin wrapped his arm around Haokos shoulders, squeezing her tightly. Haoko looked up, surprised at the sudden intrusion; being accustomed to men touching her in bed only, she didn't understand what was going on. "H-Hajake-sama?" She asked, blinking her tears away. He closed his eyes and frowned. "I'm sorry, woman." he opened his red eyes, looking at the dead guard. "He must've been a good soldier." he said quietly, looking at the scythe still grasped in the guards pale hand.
"Yes." Came a voice from behind them. "He was the best." Hajake and Haoko spun around, to see Orito looking up at the ceiling sadly, his eyes almost the color they were before, twinkling in the evening light. "Orito!" Hajake rushed over to his son and smiled at him. "Chichiwe." He replied silently, his voice as low as his fathers, but deeper and softer, like a heavy mass of warm silk.
"Son, what happened, why did you leave? Why are you here?" His father began, but was cut off by Kiis soft palm on his shoulder. "Chichiwe. Onii- san is asleep." Hajake smiled, his son was breathing softly, his dark hair fanning out across the pillow. His absurdly long eyelashes he got from his mother forming two dark crescents on his still pale cheekbones.
Hajake felt a soft tug on his sleeve and looked down. "Hajake-sama, is Sesshoumaru-sama going to be all right?" Asked the dark haired ningen he'd come across earlier. "Yes little one." he said, patting her soft hair gingerly, scared he might accidentally harm the little butterfly. "Yes. He is going to be fine. It's a small scratch and your Sesshoumaru- sama is one of the best warriors I've ever come across."
Sango opened her eyes slowly, blinking to push the blurriness away. She widened them immediately at the sight in front of her; a scythe was directed at her face, hovering millimeters away from her face. "You're finally awake, human." A pair of light purple eyes looked into her own. "Hakudoshi!" She exclaimed loudly, tugging on the chains that attached her to a stone wall.
* * *
Miroku was long out of breath, when they finally reached the castle, the sun slowly setting down and throwing off long and curious shadows around the forest. Kikyou stopped, sending her shinidamachuu off on their way and turned to the gasping houshi, eyeing him wearily.
"Houshi-sama, what do you feel?" Miroku got up and dusted his robes, straining to pick out any auras. "Gomen, miko-sama. I don't feel anything." He knocked on the wooden gates gingerly, wondering why would someone like Sesshoumaru, who roamed the lands, need a palace like this. A weary looking, gray haired guard opened the gates with ease, eyeing Miroku and the miko with barely concealed contempt. "What do you want, humans?" Miroku cleared his throat, the rings on his staff jingling softly. "You see,"
"We are here on business with Inuyasha." The guard narrowed his eyes at the young miko, trying to identify what she was. "And Kagome-sama." Added Miroku. Hiroko raised an eyebrow and stepped aside. "Follow me, humans."
Miroku glanced at the undead priestess, checking what her reaction would bee, it was just as usual. Plain face, which shadowed Sesshoumarus slightly. He sighed and followed the guard, gaping at the beauty of the garden as it opened up in front of him.
* * *
Kagome opened her eyes slowly, frowning at the soft rumbling in her ear. She got up, rubbing her eyes groggily and yawning. She frowned and checked the bandages on the injured Taiyoukais shoulder; the skin beneath the crusty layer of old blood was almost healed, the soft, pink skin encircling the wound. Kagome smiled, the healing was going faster than she'd expected. She put her hand on his forehead, relieved to find it somewhat normal temperature. A long braid lay on his pillow, some strands had already escaped and framed his alabaster features. Kagome pursed her lips, frowning. Surely she didn't. "Ah, I probably did it before falling asleep." She muttered, getting up and rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms.
She looked at the sleeping demon and smiled slightly. He would be right as rain in a few days, and would probably run off to do his daily chores, aka battle the half-wit brother in order to get Tessaiga, which he couldn't use anyway. Kagome snorted and walked up to a huge mirror on the wall, looking at the girl in the mirror critically. The first thing to go if she wants to continue her quest as a boy, would be her hair. She ran her fingers through her shoulder long, ebony black mane. It would be hard to part with it, but she has to. She took a small knife, used for trimming nails from a small pot on the mirror and twisted her hair around her hand. She gulped and squeezed her eyes shut. 'Here goes.'
She breathed in deeply, her hand ready to strike at the unsuspecting hair. 'Inuyasha has long hair.' Said a voice in her head. Kagome ignored it. 'He's not normal.' The sharp, little blade glinted in the setting suns rays as neared her hair. 'Kouga has long hair! Miroku has long hair!' the voice cried desperately. "Fine." Kagome muttered, putting the knife back down with a soft 'clang'.
She looked at Sesshoumaru once again and opened the door slowly. "Bai-bai, Sesshoumaru."
Kagome walked down the numerous steps in twilight, her bare feet tapping softly against the polished wood. Numerous guards followed the unlikely vision of a human woman with their eyes and noses, wondering why would Sesshoumaru ever allow a human in his palace.
Kagome slipped out into the garden, shivering slightly at the cold air around her; her throat remembering its soreness immediately.
She walked up to the closed gates and pushed them slightly.
They didn't move an inch.
"Kagome-sama, where are you going?" Came a soft voice from behind her. Kagome spun around guiltily, to find herself staring into a pair of warm, red eyes. "Orito-kun!" She cried, and flung her arms around the surprised dragon. "Kagome-sama?" He asked hesitantly, looking at the top of her head, wondering what he'd done this time. Kagome looked back at him, her eyes shining with tears. "Orito-kun, I was so worried that..." The dragon smiled, his crimson eyes twinkling with amusement. It was long since someone had paid him so much intimate attention, and it was slightly intimidating. "Don't worry, Kagome-sama, I'm fine now." Orito frowned slightly. "But what are you doing here?" Kagome looked down, stepping away from the dragon, slightly blushing at the feeling she had after coming in close contact with the dragon youkai.
It was pure warmth streaming through him, and as she touched him, her body felt warm all over, sending small shivers up her back and even making her frozen toes feel better. "Orito-kun," She looked up at him. "Can you open these gates for me?" Orito arched an eyebrow. "Please?" He smiled softly, sending his eyes twinkling again. "Of course, Kagome-sama." Kagome beamed at him, almost jumping up and down. It was enough for the dragon youkai to understand that the small human felt like in cage in this palace, he snorted. Just like him. "Bye, Orito-kun, take care!" Kagome chirped, pulling the dragon into another hug. "Good luck, Kagome-sama." He replied and watched her stumble away, hoping that the human made it to wherever she was going to. She did have a strong spirit, but her body was not fit enough for her spirit, which was soaring free away from the imprisonment of the shadowy palace. Just like him...
Orito sighed and limped back to the castle slowly; how much he detested it and wanted to brake free from its gray walls.
His father stood on the balcony, watching his sons and the mikos interaction, wondering why humans were so appealing. Youkai women were far more beautiful and 'long-lasting', but seemingly the creatures that were created to love, were humans...
*
Soft jingling of the metal rings on Mirokus staff echoed slightly as they passed through a vast hall. "Houshi-sama." Miroku looked at his silent companion. "Hai, Kikyou-sama?" "I sense a very evil aura." Miroku strained his own senses, which were far worse than the mikos, if even there were enough to even compare them to hers. "Yes... What do you think it could be?" Kikyou looked at the guard in front of her, whose hairs were bristling slightly from being close to a powerful miko and strong dislike towards her. "Is it Sesshoumaru?" Asked Miroku, Hiroko spun around angrily. "Humans. First of all, you are to call the lord 'Sesshoumaru-sama', and I doubt that he would approve of your 'evil aura' rambling!" He turned away and hurried on. Miroku exchanged glances with Kikyou.
To be honest, Hiroko himself had felt the aura for days and couldn't even sleep properly with it, and he knew it was somehow connected to the attack on Orito-sama... What could've been powerful enough to injure the dragon- youkai?
He was brought out of his thoughts abruptly as he heard loud tapping in front of him, and the next moment his vision was obscured by orange fluff. 'What the?..'
"Miroku!!!" Shippou jumped off the startled guards face and unto Mirokus head, ignoring Kikyou. "Miroku, where is Sango-chan?" Shippou asked, tugging on Mirokus bangs. Inuyasha appeared from behind a corner, frowning, Kikyou looked at him questioningly. Miroku gulped. "Inuyasha. So Sango is not with you?"
*
As evening approached, Kagome settled down between two large tree-roots and hugged herself tightly. The screech of a wood fowl sliced through the air. Kagomes heart began to race. She looked around her wildly. There were eyes in the shadows. Yellow eyes. Green eyes. Red eyes. And all of them staring at her. "Oh no..." She moaned. "Not now..." 'I'm too tired and cold for this! And I don't even have my bow!'
All at once, she heard something; a sound that silenced her voice and froze her to the spot. It was the wheezing pant of some enormous creature behind her.
What could she do? Where could she go? Kagome has never been this far from her friends, at night and in a forest. She started this way, stopped, ran the other way, and stopped again. "That was close!" Kagome said, and sighed with relief. She wiped the sweat from her brow. "Too close!" The moon had turned milky, and the shadows had deepened. As Kagome wandered miserably on, the gloom clung to her like a damp sheet. The youkai must have gone, but that was the least of her worries. The fact remained that she was alone in a forest.
Now, she was lost.
Often Kagome stumbled, sometimes she fell. Her hair became wet with sweat, though her bones were chilled to the marrow. She didn't know where she was going, she didn't know where she'd been; she hope she wasn't simply going round in circles. She was also tired, yet each time she paused to rest a growl or snarl would set her off trotting again. At last, unable to go any further, Kagome stopped. She sunk to her knees and lifted her head to the sky. Suddenly, she heard something behind her again. The sound of the horrible creature wheezing seemed to be all around her. She darted into the shadows of some dark undergrowth and crouched down behind the trunk of a tall and lumpy tree. The youkai came closer. Its rasping breath grew louder.
Kagomes palms were wet and her mouth was dry; she couldn't swallow. Her own heartbeat thumped in her ears, her eyes wide with horror and unblinking. The little possums and other night creatures fell silent, and in the awful silence Kagomes heart beat like a drum. Surely the youkai must be able to hear it. Perhaps it has gone.
Kagome peered cautiously round the trunk of the tree.
MISTAKE! Her brain screamed, as she found herself staring into four slit- eyes glinting back at her from the darkness. A long forked tongue flicked tasting the air.
* * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * AN: Yes, there is one. For those suffering from short-term memory loss, or those who haven't seen him, Hakudoshi is one of Narakus detachments, by far the coolest one.
Vocabulary: Chichiwe: Father. Ningen: Human.
Alex: Mou, don't take all so seriously! I got everything bout the herbal tea, m' not stupid. I was just kidding! I'm not a hentai, thankyouverymuch, I was just wondering! Really, how IS a heaven a heaven without women?! And I wasn't really interested in all that zodiac stuff, so I guess I made a mistake. -_- I went and checked over, and turned into a toru-youkai. Sigh. I'm a tiger. I'll correct my bio when I get down to it... Growl. And I found the info on my character, here: People born in the year of the Tiger are sensitive, stubborn, short-tempered, courageous, selfish and slightly mean ... yet they are deep thinkers and are capable of great love. (No idea what 'great love' is supposed to be though...) (And yes, there WAS an ellipse after 'mean'!)
And yes, older siblings ARE the best! And cut it out with drying me out with your desert looks! I'll end up as a mummy soon...
Bout siblings. Now lets see... Sess is cool. Inu is baka, Naga is cool- Amelia is annoying, Urd is cool- Beldandy is stupid, Boromir –was- cool...- Faramir is stupid. And I can go on FOREVER, but I don't want to embarrass myself by telling you what other stuff I've seen... ^_^
My little sister can't even draw stick-men. Mine are perfect! ...
Well... I... Uh... Thanks for the review...
Oh, languages. I know three languages fully and am learning four more. ^_~ (Unless you include, I'm studying old English...Its so weird you can count it as a language...)
Jaa!
* * *
RÑthдwen__Anger's Maiden: ........ Lotsa men you've got there. I've only seen Ruroni kenshin episode one... And 'X' eight. Guess there's no place for me. Glad you like the chapter. Well, you're not bad hentai! That was the image you were SUPPOSED to get when he said that... It would've been considered normal at that time, because group rapes were thought to be ordinary & NORMAL amongst Samurai... About giving Sesshoumaru a break. Ha. Dream on, big puppy. If I'm not allowed to lead a peaceful life, I wont let anyone! Thanks for the review!
* * *
WinterBlossom/Yuki*Sakura very good? Good. Here, I updated. Though you cant really call it soon...
* * *
Black-Fire Eclipse: Yikes, the someone with the kool name thinks my storys kool. Here, Miroku and Kikyou got to the castle, ne? ^_~ What fun would it be if I tell you what happened? Well, Rin is fine, Sess is fine........ Bout updating soon. I'm in g11 and really have to study A LOT, but I'll try to update as soon as possible anyway. And the horrible exams are looming over me, lurking by in the shadows, waiting to consume meee... Sigh... I keep telling myself that I still don't know all the formulas and crap I have to know, tell myself to start studying and find myself writing this. Sigh. Thank you!
* * *
Mourning-kun: Sigh. Blushes. Don't point out. Please. I know I'm failing English, and... Ah, well. Glad you don't mind my stupid mistakes. Yes, I was thinking about the guys surrounding Kagome too. I wanted to have some oc girls, but 'for some reason' they are not popular, so I had the cat guy instead. Ah, glad he's over. Poor guy. I hope the chapter is to your liking, I noticed you're good at the language, since you dared to request the update, I'll ask you for some constructive criticism! Not necessary, but will be useful, then, when I pass the exams, to the teachers great surprise, I'll have you to thank!
thanks for the nice and long review, anyways...
Jaa!
* * *
SkyBlueSunShine: Yep. A glossary. 'Ano' is like 'Um...' In English. Bakayarou: Is a harsher form of baka, a rather bad one, mostly used by 'cool' men in calling their 'uncool' enemies. Its so bad that even Inu-baka doesn't use it... Gomen, no idea what baka mono is. It's not a weird sense of humor, just... Usually goes unshared by others, especially by those involved in these situations... Ah, well. If you have any 'language probs', don't hesitate to ask! Thanks for the review!
* * *
Spork or Foon: My. It just kicks me, just writing your name. Hey, give my plushie a rest, will you? Its gonna go all gray and sticky soon. ^_~ Glad you like Oritos dad, although I'm trying to stick to the original characters, seems I failed... Well, arigotou! jaa.
* * *
Shadaphilaro: Well, thanks. get better too! I don't miss school either. Horrible pl4c3 of d00m... You don't have much vocab, do you? I have some nice words that will describe my story perfectly. 'Awesome.' 'Great.' 'Wooonderful.' Yeah, dream on, Taihen. Well, thanks for the review en tout cas. Jaa matte!
* * *
mello-jello: Arigoto! he-he, hooked you say? Don't worry. I'll become lazy soon and dump this story. Its ok about the words, it my d00ty... In case you wondered... Ah, never mind. Sayonara!
* * *
ra: Ok!