Allies
Disclaimer: some equations that remain constant: e=mc^2; a^2+b^2=c^2; e^(i*pi)+1=0; Schwarze Weisse Katze Baer does not = owning Inuyasha.
AN: I am so, so sorry about the wait for this update; I was visiting my mom for most of this last week. Once again, thank you to everyone who reviewed. I have 21 reviews now! 21! *does lil happy dance* I didnÕt get as far this chapter as I thought I would. This chapter was also harder to get started than the previous ones; IÕ donÕt know why. IÕm not sure of the exact suffixes used by everyone toward one another, so if I messed up on a few IÕm very sorry.
I hope you guys like this chapter. Please review.
to Lissette247: I could give you some long-winded explanation for why Kagome was explaining to Hojo so soon, probably involving the after effects of large magical overdoses on her mind, mild shock, and relief from the guilt of lying to her friend for so long, but truthfully, it was 3 in the morning when I wrote that part, and I just didnÕt think about it. Claiming that everything was fine and that Hojo had hit his head would have been funny, though. Oh, but that just gave me an idea... maybe IÕll use it this chapter...
to Draconic Ban-sidhea: Very good, though not quite that specific. ÒIf I FellÓ was from the ÒHard DayÕs NightÓ album, I think. IÕm glad you recognized ÒHey Bulldog,Ó I love that song, but none of my friends have even heard of it.
***
Chapter III: Fixing a Hole
There are moments in life when a person feels totally calm and serene, completely in charge of their own fate and happy with life. Sitting in the bottom of an old well with two family members and a slightly clueless friend, 500 years before she was even born, with a companionÕs murdering half-brother, who happened to be a demon, at the top of said well, Kagome was not even close to having one of these moments.
ÒKagome, stop swearing. Who is that?Ó prodded her brother. His voice seemed to clear the very last of the magical residue from her mind.
ÒThat is Sesshoumaru-sama, Lord of the Western Lands, and InuyashaÕs half brother.Ó
ÒWell, if heÕs InuyashaÕs brother, then he must be an okay guy, right Kagome?Ó Sota replied cheerfully.
ÒHalf brother, Sota. HeÕs a full demon, and he and Inuyasha donÕt get along at all.Ó
ÒWell, we fight sometimes. ItÕs probably just a sibling thing.Ó
ÒI donÕt think so,Ó Kagome said with a sigh, ÒHeÕs tried to kill me several times.Ó Her brother lost his cheery look.
Hojo watched the conversation between brother and sister with growing worry. He had thought what Kagome had been telling him a moment before to be strange, but this cinched it. Talk of magic, demons, and people trying to kill her? Her paranoid depression must have relapsed.
Not wanting his friend to embarrass herself while she was ill, Hojo decided to explain to the man Kagome accused of being a demon about her condition.
*
Inuyasha, after the other shard hunters had climbed from the well and helped disentangle him from the bicycle, stormed off to KagomeÕs house, bound and determined to find the young miko.
ÒIÕll make this stupid trip worth something,Ó he muttered to himself.
The others trailed after him, marveling at what had become of the area they had only known as a small clearing. Catching sight of KagomeÕs house and some buildings in the distant city, Miroku commented to the other two, ÒKagome-samaÕs time is certainly an era of wonders.Ó
Sango and Shippo just nodded their heads in agreement.
ÒExcuse me, young man,Ó they turned to see a pair of shrine visitors. ÒCould you direct me to the gift shop, please.Ó
Miroku stared at the lady who had addressed him. Sango quickly answered for the monk, before he could pose his usual question to this woman of KagomeÕs time. ÒOver there,Ó the demon hunter vaguely gestured where she guessed a Ògift shopÓ might be.
ÒWhy thank you, dear,Ó the pair of tourists turned and left in the direction Sango had indicated. ÒWhat authentic clothing the people at these shrines wear!Ó the lady remarked to her companion.
*
Kagome watched in silent horror as Hojo started to climb his way out of the well.
ÒBut, Hojo, didnÕt you just hear me? There is a very real, very powerful demon up there!Ó
Hojo turned his head and looked down at KagomeÕs Grandpa, ÒWas she like this the entire time, or is this a newly developed symptom?Ó
KagomeÕs Grandpa was too busy frantically searching through his pockets for anything to ward off a demon to hear, so Sota answered for him, ÒNo, Hojo-san, KagomeÕs telling the truth. That really is a demon standing at the top of the well.Ó
I guess paranoid depression runs in families, the teenage boy thought to himself.
Sesshoumaru stared at the young human male who had came out of the well and was now heading towards him without fear. He must either be very brave or very, very stupid, the demon thought.
ÒExcuse me, sir,Ó Hojo started as he walked up to Sesshoumaru, completely ignoring the fact that he had climbed out of a well outside in a clearing in the forest, when he had fallen into a well that was inside a building on the edge of the city. ÒI wanted to speak with you before you met my friend. You see, she has been very ill recently, and seems to be under the impression that you are a demon.Ó If Hojo noticed that the person he was talking to had odd markings on his face, a large fluffy thing over his shoulder, very old fashioned clothing and armor on, and only one arm, he didnÕt comment, probably putting it down to the possibility of paranoid depression being contagious.
Inside the well, Kagome listened as her friend started talking to one of the most dangerous demons she had ever met. ÒWeÕve got to help him,Ó she said as she started to climb. Her grandpa and brother followed suit.
When they got to the top, Kagome just stared at the sight in front of her. Hojo stood there, still explaining her ÒconditionÓ at length to the demon lord, and Sesshoumaru hadnÕt tried to kill him yet. Kagome knew it couldnÕt last.
ÒUm, Hojo-kun?Ó she began, but was ignored.
ÒSo then she came down with neuritis,Ó her friend continued explaining to the demon.
ÒEarth to Hojo.Ó There was no response; Kagome gave up getting her friendÕs attention.
Sesshoumaru just stood still, letting the impertinent human ramble on in morbid fascination. Had his half brotherÕs wench truly had all of these illnesses? He was vaguely aware of the other humans emerging from the well. Had the demon lord been from a time when trains had been invented he might have likened his continued listening to the boy to the inability to look away from a train wreck. Unfortunately for him, locomotives were a long way from being built, so he was left without an appropriate metaphor.
Standing with the two male members of her family a few yards away in the clearing, Kagome bit her lip as the beginnings of a plan formed in her mind. It was a stupid plan in some parts, but a plan nonetheless. She glanced at the dog demon. Sesshoumaru still seemed engrossed enough in HojoÕs ramblings to not overhear her idea.
Kagome looked at her Grandpa, ÒIf SesshoumaruÕs here then everybody in the area, us included, is in danger. I donÕt think itÕs safe for Sota-Ó
ÒHey!Ó her brother complained.
Ò-so IÕm going to take him back to our time. But in the mean time the village will still be in jeopardy. I need you to go to the village and get Inuyasha. I donÕt know why heÕs not here already; normally he comes running at the first scent of his brother. Anyway, if anyone can keep Sesshoumaru from killing anybody, he can. The village is just down that path on the other side of the clearing. Take Hojo; he doesnÕt seem willing to listen to me, and I donÕt have time to convince him to jump through a well right now. Okay, Grandpa?Ó
The old man stared at his granddaughter for a moment, marveling at how mature she had become, then nodded his head, ÒOkay, Kagome.Ó
With that KagomeÕs grandfather trotted over, grabbed Hojo by the wrist, and made for the village. Sesshoumaru blinked as he came out of the daze the boyÕs nonstop talking had put him into.
ÒWhew,Ó Kagome sighed, taking her brotherÕs hand. ÒAll right Sota, weÕre going to jump in the well now. Be ready, and donÕt let go of my hand. WeÕll disappear from this era and poof! reappear in our own.Ó
ÒI get it Kagome, you donÕt have to baby it up for me.Ó
ÒSorry, Sota,Ó the girl smiled at her brother. They turned to go back to the well, only to find a slightly annoyed looking demon lord blocking their path.
ÒUh, Sesshoumaru-sama, hi,Ó Kagome said with a panicked grin. ÒDid you have a nice chat with Hojo?Ó
Sesshoumaru gave only a small growl in response.
ÒOh, boy,Ó whispered Kagome. ÒAt my signal,Ó the teenager murmured to her brother. He squeezed her had twice in response.
With her free hand, Kagome pointed dramatically behind SesshoumaruÕs left shoulder. ÒLook! Seagull!Ó
The dog demon just raised an eyebrow.
With her yell, however, the two siblings had split apart and ran on either side of the demon lord who blocked their path, joining hands again at the last moment as they jumped in to the well.
As stupid plans went, it had worked fairly well up to that point. It was unfortunate for Kagome, then, that this one vital aspect of her plan was the one not to function properly. As Kagome and Sota fell thought the air, no net of time-traveling magic came to catch them. They landed with a thud at the bottom of the bone eaterÕs well, still 500 years in the past.
*
ÒWhat do you mean, `Kagome already leftÕ!?Ó the irate half demon yelled at KagomeÕs Mother.
ÒYou just missed her,Ó the woman said as she walked into the kitchen. ÒSota!Ó she called, seeing the abandoned homework on the table. ÒNow where could he have got off to...Ó
Inuyasha stood in the hallway sputtering for a moment, then turn on his heal and marched back out the door.
Passing the other shard hunters he gestured sharply toward the well house. ÒCome on, weÕre going.Ó
ÒBut what about Kagome-chan?Ó Sango asked as she, Miroku, and Shippo followed the half demon.
ÒShe already left!Ó Inuyasha snapped as he slammed open the well house door.
ÒI would have liked to see a bit more of Kagome-samaÕs time,Ó Miroku said half wistfully.
ÒWell, too bad!Ó Inuyasha kicked KagomeÕs bike out of the way and jumped on the rim of the well. ÒNow come on!Ó
The others watched as he pushed off into the darkness, then winced as they heard him slam into the dirt at the bottom. Walking to the the edge of the well, the three looked down over the short wooden wall at the half demon twitching in pain below them.
ÒPerhaps youÕll get to see more of Kagome-chanÕs time after all,Ó Sango said to the monk.
*
Sota looked at his sister. ÒWasnÕt that supposed to make us disappear?Ó the boy asked.
ÒYes,Ó Kagome replied, staring at the vine covered walls in disbelief, ÒWhy didnÕt it?Ó
ÒI believe I may be able to answer that,Ó a voice said out of the darkness.
ÒMyoga!Ó the girl exclaimed as the flea demon hopped onto her arm.
ÒBefore I tell you, however, I suggest we all retire to village. A strong wave of magic like that is bound to attract other demons besides Sesshoumaru-sama.Ó
Kagome let her eyes drift up to the demon lord, who was standing at the top of the well watching them. How are we going to get past him this time, she wondered to herself.
***
Well, there you go. I got even less advanced plot wise than I had thought I would, but I took almost 70% longer to do it in. Ah, the mysteries of writing... Anyway, reviews make my world go round (gods, that sounds clichŽ). Once again, IÕm sorry for the long wait for this chapter.
Disclaimer: some equations that remain constant: e=mc^2; a^2+b^2=c^2; e^(i*pi)+1=0; Schwarze Weisse Katze Baer does not = owning Inuyasha.
AN: I am so, so sorry about the wait for this update; I was visiting my mom for most of this last week. Once again, thank you to everyone who reviewed. I have 21 reviews now! 21! *does lil happy dance* I didnÕt get as far this chapter as I thought I would. This chapter was also harder to get started than the previous ones; IÕ donÕt know why. IÕm not sure of the exact suffixes used by everyone toward one another, so if I messed up on a few IÕm very sorry.
I hope you guys like this chapter. Please review.
to Lissette247: I could give you some long-winded explanation for why Kagome was explaining to Hojo so soon, probably involving the after effects of large magical overdoses on her mind, mild shock, and relief from the guilt of lying to her friend for so long, but truthfully, it was 3 in the morning when I wrote that part, and I just didnÕt think about it. Claiming that everything was fine and that Hojo had hit his head would have been funny, though. Oh, but that just gave me an idea... maybe IÕll use it this chapter...
to Draconic Ban-sidhea: Very good, though not quite that specific. ÒIf I FellÓ was from the ÒHard DayÕs NightÓ album, I think. IÕm glad you recognized ÒHey Bulldog,Ó I love that song, but none of my friends have even heard of it.
***
Chapter III: Fixing a Hole
There are moments in life when a person feels totally calm and serene, completely in charge of their own fate and happy with life. Sitting in the bottom of an old well with two family members and a slightly clueless friend, 500 years before she was even born, with a companionÕs murdering half-brother, who happened to be a demon, at the top of said well, Kagome was not even close to having one of these moments.
ÒKagome, stop swearing. Who is that?Ó prodded her brother. His voice seemed to clear the very last of the magical residue from her mind.
ÒThat is Sesshoumaru-sama, Lord of the Western Lands, and InuyashaÕs half brother.Ó
ÒWell, if heÕs InuyashaÕs brother, then he must be an okay guy, right Kagome?Ó Sota replied cheerfully.
ÒHalf brother, Sota. HeÕs a full demon, and he and Inuyasha donÕt get along at all.Ó
ÒWell, we fight sometimes. ItÕs probably just a sibling thing.Ó
ÒI donÕt think so,Ó Kagome said with a sigh, ÒHeÕs tried to kill me several times.Ó Her brother lost his cheery look.
Hojo watched the conversation between brother and sister with growing worry. He had thought what Kagome had been telling him a moment before to be strange, but this cinched it. Talk of magic, demons, and people trying to kill her? Her paranoid depression must have relapsed.
Not wanting his friend to embarrass herself while she was ill, Hojo decided to explain to the man Kagome accused of being a demon about her condition.
*
Inuyasha, after the other shard hunters had climbed from the well and helped disentangle him from the bicycle, stormed off to KagomeÕs house, bound and determined to find the young miko.
ÒIÕll make this stupid trip worth something,Ó he muttered to himself.
The others trailed after him, marveling at what had become of the area they had only known as a small clearing. Catching sight of KagomeÕs house and some buildings in the distant city, Miroku commented to the other two, ÒKagome-samaÕs time is certainly an era of wonders.Ó
Sango and Shippo just nodded their heads in agreement.
ÒExcuse me, young man,Ó they turned to see a pair of shrine visitors. ÒCould you direct me to the gift shop, please.Ó
Miroku stared at the lady who had addressed him. Sango quickly answered for the monk, before he could pose his usual question to this woman of KagomeÕs time. ÒOver there,Ó the demon hunter vaguely gestured where she guessed a Ògift shopÓ might be.
ÒWhy thank you, dear,Ó the pair of tourists turned and left in the direction Sango had indicated. ÒWhat authentic clothing the people at these shrines wear!Ó the lady remarked to her companion.
*
Kagome watched in silent horror as Hojo started to climb his way out of the well.
ÒBut, Hojo, didnÕt you just hear me? There is a very real, very powerful demon up there!Ó
Hojo turned his head and looked down at KagomeÕs Grandpa, ÒWas she like this the entire time, or is this a newly developed symptom?Ó
KagomeÕs Grandpa was too busy frantically searching through his pockets for anything to ward off a demon to hear, so Sota answered for him, ÒNo, Hojo-san, KagomeÕs telling the truth. That really is a demon standing at the top of the well.Ó
I guess paranoid depression runs in families, the teenage boy thought to himself.
Sesshoumaru stared at the young human male who had came out of the well and was now heading towards him without fear. He must either be very brave or very, very stupid, the demon thought.
ÒExcuse me, sir,Ó Hojo started as he walked up to Sesshoumaru, completely ignoring the fact that he had climbed out of a well outside in a clearing in the forest, when he had fallen into a well that was inside a building on the edge of the city. ÒI wanted to speak with you before you met my friend. You see, she has been very ill recently, and seems to be under the impression that you are a demon.Ó If Hojo noticed that the person he was talking to had odd markings on his face, a large fluffy thing over his shoulder, very old fashioned clothing and armor on, and only one arm, he didnÕt comment, probably putting it down to the possibility of paranoid depression being contagious.
Inside the well, Kagome listened as her friend started talking to one of the most dangerous demons she had ever met. ÒWeÕve got to help him,Ó she said as she started to climb. Her grandpa and brother followed suit.
When they got to the top, Kagome just stared at the sight in front of her. Hojo stood there, still explaining her ÒconditionÓ at length to the demon lord, and Sesshoumaru hadnÕt tried to kill him yet. Kagome knew it couldnÕt last.
ÒUm, Hojo-kun?Ó she began, but was ignored.
ÒSo then she came down with neuritis,Ó her friend continued explaining to the demon.
ÒEarth to Hojo.Ó There was no response; Kagome gave up getting her friendÕs attention.
Sesshoumaru just stood still, letting the impertinent human ramble on in morbid fascination. Had his half brotherÕs wench truly had all of these illnesses? He was vaguely aware of the other humans emerging from the well. Had the demon lord been from a time when trains had been invented he might have likened his continued listening to the boy to the inability to look away from a train wreck. Unfortunately for him, locomotives were a long way from being built, so he was left without an appropriate metaphor.
Standing with the two male members of her family a few yards away in the clearing, Kagome bit her lip as the beginnings of a plan formed in her mind. It was a stupid plan in some parts, but a plan nonetheless. She glanced at the dog demon. Sesshoumaru still seemed engrossed enough in HojoÕs ramblings to not overhear her idea.
Kagome looked at her Grandpa, ÒIf SesshoumaruÕs here then everybody in the area, us included, is in danger. I donÕt think itÕs safe for Sota-Ó
ÒHey!Ó her brother complained.
Ò-so IÕm going to take him back to our time. But in the mean time the village will still be in jeopardy. I need you to go to the village and get Inuyasha. I donÕt know why heÕs not here already; normally he comes running at the first scent of his brother. Anyway, if anyone can keep Sesshoumaru from killing anybody, he can. The village is just down that path on the other side of the clearing. Take Hojo; he doesnÕt seem willing to listen to me, and I donÕt have time to convince him to jump through a well right now. Okay, Grandpa?Ó
The old man stared at his granddaughter for a moment, marveling at how mature she had become, then nodded his head, ÒOkay, Kagome.Ó
With that KagomeÕs grandfather trotted over, grabbed Hojo by the wrist, and made for the village. Sesshoumaru blinked as he came out of the daze the boyÕs nonstop talking had put him into.
ÒWhew,Ó Kagome sighed, taking her brotherÕs hand. ÒAll right Sota, weÕre going to jump in the well now. Be ready, and donÕt let go of my hand. WeÕll disappear from this era and poof! reappear in our own.Ó
ÒI get it Kagome, you donÕt have to baby it up for me.Ó
ÒSorry, Sota,Ó the girl smiled at her brother. They turned to go back to the well, only to find a slightly annoyed looking demon lord blocking their path.
ÒUh, Sesshoumaru-sama, hi,Ó Kagome said with a panicked grin. ÒDid you have a nice chat with Hojo?Ó
Sesshoumaru gave only a small growl in response.
ÒOh, boy,Ó whispered Kagome. ÒAt my signal,Ó the teenager murmured to her brother. He squeezed her had twice in response.
With her free hand, Kagome pointed dramatically behind SesshoumaruÕs left shoulder. ÒLook! Seagull!Ó
The dog demon just raised an eyebrow.
With her yell, however, the two siblings had split apart and ran on either side of the demon lord who blocked their path, joining hands again at the last moment as they jumped in to the well.
As stupid plans went, it had worked fairly well up to that point. It was unfortunate for Kagome, then, that this one vital aspect of her plan was the one not to function properly. As Kagome and Sota fell thought the air, no net of time-traveling magic came to catch them. They landed with a thud at the bottom of the bone eaterÕs well, still 500 years in the past.
*
ÒWhat do you mean, `Kagome already leftÕ!?Ó the irate half demon yelled at KagomeÕs Mother.
ÒYou just missed her,Ó the woman said as she walked into the kitchen. ÒSota!Ó she called, seeing the abandoned homework on the table. ÒNow where could he have got off to...Ó
Inuyasha stood in the hallway sputtering for a moment, then turn on his heal and marched back out the door.
Passing the other shard hunters he gestured sharply toward the well house. ÒCome on, weÕre going.Ó
ÒBut what about Kagome-chan?Ó Sango asked as she, Miroku, and Shippo followed the half demon.
ÒShe already left!Ó Inuyasha snapped as he slammed open the well house door.
ÒI would have liked to see a bit more of Kagome-samaÕs time,Ó Miroku said half wistfully.
ÒWell, too bad!Ó Inuyasha kicked KagomeÕs bike out of the way and jumped on the rim of the well. ÒNow come on!Ó
The others watched as he pushed off into the darkness, then winced as they heard him slam into the dirt at the bottom. Walking to the the edge of the well, the three looked down over the short wooden wall at the half demon twitching in pain below them.
ÒPerhaps youÕll get to see more of Kagome-chanÕs time after all,Ó Sango said to the monk.
*
Sota looked at his sister. ÒWasnÕt that supposed to make us disappear?Ó the boy asked.
ÒYes,Ó Kagome replied, staring at the vine covered walls in disbelief, ÒWhy didnÕt it?Ó
ÒI believe I may be able to answer that,Ó a voice said out of the darkness.
ÒMyoga!Ó the girl exclaimed as the flea demon hopped onto her arm.
ÒBefore I tell you, however, I suggest we all retire to village. A strong wave of magic like that is bound to attract other demons besides Sesshoumaru-sama.Ó
Kagome let her eyes drift up to the demon lord, who was standing at the top of the well watching them. How are we going to get past him this time, she wondered to herself.
***
Well, there you go. I got even less advanced plot wise than I had thought I would, but I took almost 70% longer to do it in. Ah, the mysteries of writing... Anyway, reviews make my world go round (gods, that sounds clichŽ). Once again, IÕm sorry for the long wait for this chapter.