More reviews! Yippe!!!
Sake-is-Yummy (Here's my update!)
dragonleaf (Why would I be annoyed? I ADORE all reviewers!!! Thank you! A lot of people seem confused. Especially about Ganko and stuff. I'll try to clear that up more.)
Luscious (Thanks! A lot of people are. I wasn't really planning it out that way, but I'll consider it. *grins* I show those to everyone and they all love them My brothers insist on reading them before I put my chapters up. They especially liked the frying pan. ^-^;)
star's dreams (*laughs* She was, wasn't she? Yep! That's life for ya! Makes me glad to be a girl. Thanks!)
foxygrl (Here's my update! I wanna get Naraku out of the way first, but don't worry! It's coming!)
fluffy sama 13 (Gracias!)
empress of the shadow (Yeah, I'm an x-over addict myself. HELL YA! I'd KILL for any one of 'em! ^-^; Yeah, the InuYasha series wouldn't be complete without the controversy Kouga brings! He's in this chapter.)
dragon_game (Thanks!)
anonymousey226273 (ICE CREAM!!! YAY!!! *Starts eating ice cream as everyone else groans and curses over the upcoming sugar-high*)
Flame Fox Enchantress (Thanks! About the power thing, Kag's had 4 years of life-or-death training as a miko and trained her kitsune powers until she lost her memories. I guess I might be taking it a little fast, but this IS Kagome we're talking about. The girl smacked Kouga, yelled at Sessy, nearly killed Naraku and argues with Inu on a daily basis. I think she's stubborn enough to take her training to an extreme! ^-^; Thanks again!)
AzalynAngel (Thanks! *laughs* I'm reeally getting into the shadow kitsune stuff!)
Silver-Kitsune (Thank you!)
Raven Moonshadow (Yep! ^-^ *laughs* Here's chapter ten!)
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InuYasha- *smirking* a frying pan...
Yusuke- Shut up.
Inu- Why should I? *fight about to break out, but quickly stopped by Kagome and Keiko.*
Kagome- InuYasha, SIT!!!! *Dog boy meets dirt yet again.*
Keiko- *slaps Yusuke across the head* You creep! Quit getting into fights!
Kuwabara- Whahahahahahaha!!!!!!!! Oh, man, you two are getting slapped around by GIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Botan, Keiko, Kagome, Sango and DreamVixen turn to him.*
Sango- What was that? *reaches for Hirakotsu*
Kuwabara- Uhhh......... *sweat drop*
Botan- Well?
Kagome- We're waiting. *Kuwabara takes off, yelling something about the bathroom.*
Hiei- Coward.
Yukina- Well, here's the tenth chapter. Thank you for staying loyal to this story for so long, and remember InuYasha is owned by Rumiko Takahshi and YuYu Hakusho by Yoshiro Togashi.
\\...\\ Youko\Kurama talk -...- beast talk *...* telepathy '...' thoughts
***************************Prebattle Preparations***************************
Kagome stared at the demon slayer mouth agape.
"WHAT?!?!?!"
"Naraku's been terrorizing a village in the west, no doubt a trap for us." Sango answered. "Apparently, he stole Tokijin and Tenseiga from Sessho- maru, so now he's willing to work with us to get his blades back."
"Yeah," InuYasha snorted, "Then he'll use those blades to run us into the dirt while we're too tired to defend ourselves ." Then he glared at Kagome, "Speakn' of which, did you have to sit me in front of Sessho- maru?!" the vixen ignored that last comment.
"I don't think so," she murmured, "That's Naraku's style, but not Sessho-maru."
"Hello? Why does it matter so much?" Yusuke demanded, polite as ever. "If he's fighting the guy too, won't he be just as tired as us?!"
"Well," A calm voice behind us said, "Normally that would be the case, but Sessho-maru has the Tenseiga." We turned to see Miroku had rejoined us at last. An angry handprint across his left cheek. Yakuso scowled when she saw him, and inched away slightly.
"So?" Yusuke was starting to get impatient.
"Tenseiga is the sword of healing. He can use it to help himself after the fight, the in turn, use Tokijin, a killing sword, to destroy us." That certainly didn't sound pleasant...
"Two birds with one stone," InuYasha snorted.
"Look, guys, I don't think he would do anything like that!" Kagome snapped.
"Why the hell not?!?!"
"Because of Rin." She said, frowning, "I think the girl's changed him, and he won't kill us without reason after we help him."
"He'll HAVE a reason!" InuYasha snapped back. "Tetsuaiga!" Kagome shook her head.
"I don't think he's really that interested in Tetsuaiga any more. Not since Tokijin was made."
"Tetsuaiga?" I inquired.
"InuYasha's katana." Kagome explained.
"I see..." Suddenly, Yari's ears perked.
"What's that?" she asked curiously. I was puzzled at first, then I heard it, too. It sounded almost like a tornado...
"SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" InuYasha yelled, jumping down from the tree and taking off in the direction of the sound. Shippo woke up and glared crankily after the hanyou.
"What was that about?" Yakuso said, looking to Kagome with a puzzled look on her face.
"He's just upset because Kouga's back again." Shippo said, curling up. Kagome blinked.
"WHAAAAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She yelled, jumping up and running after the hanyou.
"Mind explaining that?" Yari asked the little kitsune.
"Kagome's just gonna make sure InuYasha doesn't try to kill Kouga again."
"Perhaps I should look into this?" I said, standing up.
"We'll go with you." Yari said, dragging Yakuso to her feet. The others, besides Hiei, Miroku, Sango, Kirara and Shippo decided to come along as well. We didn't have to go far to see an interesting scene.
InuYasha was standing in a clearing, Kagome not too far behind him. At the other side of the clearing was a wolf youkai, gaping at Kagome open mouthed.
"Is that really you, Kagome?" He said in shock. That soon wore off, though, and was replaced by appreciation. "What happened?" the response from Youko was near instant.
\\KILL HIM!!!\\ He bellowed, adding threats that almost made me wince.
\\Sorry, you know I can't do that,\\ Youko had taken a keen interest in this girl since she had turned kitsune. She was gorgeous as a human, but down right goddess like as a kitsune. Her royalty meant she was more powerful than any other shadow kitsune, if properly trained, and her miko powers added to that, making her all the more attractive to the youkai. His main goal as of now was to get this girl, at least for a night, possibly more.
\\And your not attracted to her?!\\
\\I'm not trying to bed her!\\
\\That's because your too soft, kill him!!!!!!!!\\
"It's kind of a long story, Kouga," Kagome said, slightly uncomfortable. Yari noticed this, and started to smirk. "Besides, We're kind of busy tonight, so I'll have to tell you later," Then the wolf noticed us.
"Who're they?" He asked, frowning slightly.
"Friends." Kouga gave her a questioning look, "they're going to help us fight Naraku," the wolf stiffened.
"Naraku is nearby? Where?" then InuYasha got into his face.
"None of your Goddamn business, wolf!" he snapped, "Now get the hell out of here,"
"Why the hell should I listen to you? I came here to see my Kagome," HIS KAGOME?!?! I looked at Kagome after he said this. Her face was beet red and she looked ready to curl up and die. Yusuke and Kuwabara were choking back laughs. InuYasha and Kouga were locked in a glare down. Kagome sighed. Then her ears perked and face brightened. Another wolf youkai came into the clearing, this one a female.
"Ayame!" Kagome said, sounding a lot more cheerful than she had in a while. "Nice to see you again. Are you here for Kouga?" said wolf youkai flinched, yelled something about having to check on his pack, and took off, the female wolf youkai hot on his heels. We stared at Kagome, who had a blank look on her face. "Don't. Ask." She said, starting back for camp. The warrior kitsune burst out laughing.
"A wolf youkai wants you as he's mate." She said, grinning.
"I SAID DON'T ASK!!!!"
"I'm not. I'm stating the fact from what I saw. The girl was an admirer of your would-be suitor." Kagome glared at her then sighed.
"I'm going to the hot springs." She said, starting back towards camp.
"Hot springs?" Botan said, a glow on her face. The girls all raced off after her.
"So, why did you get so pissed off when that wolf guy came around?" Yusuke asked InuYasha. We were back at camp, and all the girls, Shippo, Kirara and Hogosha had gone to the hot springs. I sat down next to the sleeping kitsune boy. I tried not to appear interested, but was waiting intently for the hanyou's response.
"Because Kagome's one of the few humans that I can trust, and she can do way better than a wimpy wolf who runs from battle with his tail between his legs." InuYasha answered, shortly.
"So, no romantic interest involved?"
"No." InuYasha looked thoughtful. "None whatsoever," His face softened, "all of my companions have become more like a pack. Even the kit and the monk." Then I noticed something.
"Speaking of the monk," I said, looking around, "Where is he?" then the other's noticed his absence. InuYasha swore.
"KKKKKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!" SLAP!
"MIROKU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" BAM!
"HENTAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" CRASH!
"HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!" SLAP!
"PERVERT!!!!!!!!!!!!" WHAM!
A beaten monk made his way back to a disgusted camp.
"How could you do that!" Kuwabara yelled, "Spying on bathing girls..."
"I was simply looking for more wood and lost my way," Miroku said in his defense. "Might I add that none of those girls need any extra training. Botan has an incredible right hook..." WHAM! Yusuke choked back a laugh as the girls came back into the camp, disgruntled. Each made sure to aim a nasty glare at the unconscious Miroku. Even Yukina frowned at him.
"Speaking of training," Kagome said, sitting next to me and Souta, "When do we start mine?" I stared at her, mildly surprised.
"You still want to train with me, even though your friends would be better suited to teach you?" Kagome smirked slightly, and Yakuso and Yari suddenly became very interested in the ground.
"Well, I suppose that depends on your definition of better suited." Kagome said, "Yari would be very helpful at teaching me anything about physical combat, and Yakuso could teach me about herbs and poisons, but they won't be much help in training my powers." What?
"You two never learned any magic?" I said in surprise. Yari scowled.
"We know how to heal." She said defensively, "sorta'"
"Our interests didn't call for much use of magic," Midori explained, "So we never saw any need to learn any."
"you don't mind teaching me, do you?" Kagome asked, slightly put out. Great. Now I felt guilty.
"Of coarse I don't mind," I said quickly. "It just caught me by surprise. I thought your friends would have some knowledge of kitsune magic, and you would want them to teach you in my stead."
"Sorry to tell you they don't," Kagome said smiling slightly as the two of them gave her dirty looks. Then her smile grew, "Besides, you're a friend now, too, aren't you?" I smiled slightly at that.
"I suppose that's true, yes." I though about her original question for a while. "We could probably start training after the upcoming fight..."
"If you live through it, you mean." I looked around, startled by a new voice. Oddly enough, no one was nearby. The rest of my friend joined me in my puzzled search. "Down here!" the voice said, now disgruntled. I looked down to see a small flea youkai jumping up and down on a rock. InuYasha leapt down from his tree and crouched by the rock, scowling at the small demon.
"Were the hell have you been!"
"I'm sorry, Master InuYasha," the flea said smoothly, "I was simply locating more information about Naraku and his offsprings."
"And?!"
"None of it's very good, I'm afraid." The flea jumped to InuYasha's shoulder and sat down, all four arms crossed. "Naraku has gathered a large amount of the jewel."
"In case you haven't noticed, so have we!" the hanyou interrupted. "We probably have half the jewel!"
"And Naraku has the other half." The flea said, startling InuYasha into silence, "He attacked that village to draw you attention. He wants the rest of the jewel. He and his offspring wait to strike the moment you get there. I fear there might be a trap I know nothing about."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, THERE MIGHT BE A TRAP BUT YOU DON'T KNOW, YA' WORTHLESS COWARD?!?!?!?!?!?!?!" The flea jumped off the hanyou's shoulder, in a futile attempt to get away. InuYasha grabbed him in mid-air.
"INUYASHA!" Kagome glared at the hanyou, then smiled at the flea he'd let go of upon her yell. "It was a nice try, Myoga. Thank you for telling us what you were able to find out."
"It was my pleasure, Lady Kagome," Myoga said in relief. "Err...If you don't mind me asking, why has your appearance changed to that of a demon, and who are your odd new friends?" this last comment upset Yusuke.
"He's a talking flea and he's calling us odd?!" Kagome ignored him, briefly told the flea her story and gave him our names. After that, Shippo reminded us of how late it had gotten by falling asleep in Kagome's lap. We called it a night, deciding to continue discussions on the road first thing in the morning.
"Myoga," Sango said, watching the road ahead of her.
"Yes, Lady Sango?"
"Will Kohaku be there?"
"... well, unfortunately, yes." Sango's face remained carefully emotionless.
"I see..." Kagome gave her a worried look. Miroku, on the other hand, seemed to have his mind on other details.
"HENTAI!!!!!!!!!!!!" SLAP! Everyone turned to see the monk had been up to his tricks again, this time with Yari. Furious, she glared at him. "Grope me again and you'll lose that hand. Among other things." Every male winced at that last one, while the girls grumbled slightly to themselves. We walked for another hour when we came upon a village.
"Botan, Yukina, Keiko, Souta and Shippo should stay here until the battle's done." Kagome said, frowning. Souta and Shippo started to protest, but the girl glared at them. "You guys are not coming into battle. It's too dangerous."
"She's right," Miroku said grimly, "Naraku will quickly see any of you as the most vulnerable to attack, and go after you first."
"Please," Kagome said, wearily, "just stay here." The boys sighed in defeat. "Thank you. Keiko, come with me for a second," Kagome and Keiko hurried a little way into the forest.
When they came back, Kagome was wearing a dark blue haori with black hakamas, traditional garb for a miko youkai, and Keiko was wearing a white haori and black hakamas, the garb of a miko in training. "You guys should probably walk behind us." Kagome said as she headed for the village.
When we got there, Kagome was like a totally different person. Regal, focused and determined. She ignored the gaping mouths and turned to one for the villagers. "Excuse me, sir," she said, authority in her voice, "Is there a miko in this village?" The villager paled at being addressed by the girl, and bowed his head nervously.
"Y-y-yes lady miko," he stammered, she lives in the hut in the middle of the village."
"Could you be kind enough to give me her name?"
"Lady Sempai, my lady,"
"Thank you." And with that, we headed on our way. When we got to the hut the man spoke of, the miko was already standing outside, mouth agape. She seemed to remember herself, though, and gave her head a slight shake, then smiled.
"Welcome," she said kindly, "I am the miko, Sempai. Protector of this village. Forgive my rudeness, and any you encountered on your way here. I have never seen a miko youkai before, and half believed they were only a legend."
"It's alright." Kagome said smiling back, "I apologies for coming unannounced, Lady Sempai, but I'm afraid my business is too serious to go about the usual niceties." Sempai's eyebrows rose.
"I see," she said slowly, then stepped aside, opening the flap of her hut, "In that case, perhaps it would be better discussed away from the rest of the village. Come in, your companions are welcomes as well."
"Thank you." We went inside. Kagome wasted not time getting to the point, "Lady Sempai, have you heard the rumors of the carnage in your neighboring village." Sempai frowned.
"Yes. It sounds awful. I wish to offer aide, but I'm the only miko in this village, and if I leave to help others, my village will be vulnerable to attack,"
"I understand. My friends and I have been chasing the youkai responsible for this attack for quite some time. That is what draws us here." Kagome stared at her, seriously, "I'm afraid some of my friends will not be able to protect themselves in battle, so if it's not too much to ask, we would like for you to watch over them." Sempai looked thoughtful.
"Which ones will be staying?"
"The Koorime, Yukina, both young kitsunes, Shippo and Souta, the living spirit, Botan and my student, Keiko." The miko smiled.
"That wouldn't be any trouble. I'd be glad to help." Kagome smiled in relief.
"Thank you." Sempai laughed.
"Anything to help a fellow miko." She smiled, "Your life must get harder than mine." Kagome laughed at that. "Will you be needing horses?"
"No. we don't want to inconvenience you any more than we already have."
"Nonsense. If you and your friends are this determined to get this youkai, his death will probably be worth a few steeds." With that she left, ignoring Kagome's cries of protest. I looked to her, concerned.
"You do realize none of us know how to ride horses, don't you?"
"Whatever," Yusuke scoffed, "how hard can it be?"
Two hours later we were on the road again. InuYasha, Yusuke, Hiei and Kuwabara were all walking. InuYasha and Hiei because they refused to ride 'some stinkin' beast' as InuYasha put it.
Yusuke and Kuwabara because after several failed attempts to get on the horses, they decided walking was better for their health. I was on a horse by myself as was Miroku, but Kagome and Sango and Yari and Yakuso were all riding doubled up on two horses. Kirara sat on the rump of Kagome and Sango's horse, and Hogosha on Yari's and Yakuso's. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight I was greeted with when we got to they village we had been traveling to.
The place was covered in a foul black mist. Charred remains of huts were everywhere. Blackened remains that were obviously human bodies, but beyond that were unrecognizable, were splayed here and there.
In the few huts that remained, I could see that fearful faces of the villagers. One was a child of three years, clutching a straw doll and staring. Sessho-maru was there already, looking around emotionlessly. The little girl and toad where nowhere in sight.
\\this isn't right,\\ Youko growled, \\what kind of youkai attacks women and children.\\
\\One with no mercy.\\
A wind blew past us as I, Miroku and the girls got off our horses InuYasha turned around, scowling.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" we turned to see Kouga glaring around in determination.
"I'm here to fight Naraku," he said, stubbornly. "he slaughtered my men, and I want revenge." Before anything else could be said, a loud chuckle was heard. Out of the mist came a man in a baboon pelt, and hundreds of demons.
Most were weak, but the ones closest to him were incredibly powerful. Next to him was a woman, smirking coldly and a boy in demon slayer's uniform, eyes completely blank. I heard Sango draw a sharp breath when she saw him.
"Naraku!" InuYasha yelled, drawing his katana, "This ends now. I won't leave till your dead!"
"He won't be the one dying, InuYasha." A calm voice from the side said. We turned to see a woman who looked like Kagome, only with colder eyes and paler skin. And smelling like bones, ashes and mud.
"Kikyou," InuYasha said softly.
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"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE IS?!" Ganko yelled at the poor healer in front of him.
"She left to find some herbs yesterday and never returned. We've been looking, but we can't find her. We fear she might have been attacked, or accidentally stumbled into one of the traps around the castle."
Or been kidnapped by people who supported the queen's actions. People who had thought the king a weak coward for being willing to give his own kin to save himself from losing face. Well over three fourths the shadow kitsune populace. Then, Ganko thought of something.
"Keep looking," he ordered the man, "I need to check something out." And with that, Ganko left, heading for the kitsune guard training grounds.
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Sango- Well...?
Kuwabara-Girls can be just as powerful as boys
Kagome-And...?
Kuwabara-And some can be even more powerful.
DreamVixen- Good.
Kuwabara-Now will you guys untie me?
Keiko-Sure.
DreamVixen- Now please review! Oh! And can someone tell me how to spell Tenseiga? I've got the manga where Inu gets Tetsuaiga, so I know how that's spelled, but the healing sword has me stumped.
Sake-is-Yummy (Here's my update!)
dragonleaf (Why would I be annoyed? I ADORE all reviewers!!! Thank you! A lot of people seem confused. Especially about Ganko and stuff. I'll try to clear that up more.)
Luscious (Thanks! A lot of people are. I wasn't really planning it out that way, but I'll consider it. *grins* I show those to everyone and they all love them My brothers insist on reading them before I put my chapters up. They especially liked the frying pan. ^-^;)
star's dreams (*laughs* She was, wasn't she? Yep! That's life for ya! Makes me glad to be a girl. Thanks!)
foxygrl (Here's my update! I wanna get Naraku out of the way first, but don't worry! It's coming!)
fluffy sama 13 (Gracias!)
empress of the shadow (Yeah, I'm an x-over addict myself. HELL YA! I'd KILL for any one of 'em! ^-^; Yeah, the InuYasha series wouldn't be complete without the controversy Kouga brings! He's in this chapter.)
dragon_game (Thanks!)
anonymousey226273 (ICE CREAM!!! YAY!!! *Starts eating ice cream as everyone else groans and curses over the upcoming sugar-high*)
Flame Fox Enchantress (Thanks! About the power thing, Kag's had 4 years of life-or-death training as a miko and trained her kitsune powers until she lost her memories. I guess I might be taking it a little fast, but this IS Kagome we're talking about. The girl smacked Kouga, yelled at Sessy, nearly killed Naraku and argues with Inu on a daily basis. I think she's stubborn enough to take her training to an extreme! ^-^; Thanks again!)
AzalynAngel (Thanks! *laughs* I'm reeally getting into the shadow kitsune stuff!)
Silver-Kitsune (Thank you!)
Raven Moonshadow (Yep! ^-^ *laughs* Here's chapter ten!)
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InuYasha- *smirking* a frying pan...
Yusuke- Shut up.
Inu- Why should I? *fight about to break out, but quickly stopped by Kagome and Keiko.*
Kagome- InuYasha, SIT!!!! *Dog boy meets dirt yet again.*
Keiko- *slaps Yusuke across the head* You creep! Quit getting into fights!
Kuwabara- Whahahahahahaha!!!!!!!! Oh, man, you two are getting slapped around by GIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Botan, Keiko, Kagome, Sango and DreamVixen turn to him.*
Sango- What was that? *reaches for Hirakotsu*
Kuwabara- Uhhh......... *sweat drop*
Botan- Well?
Kagome- We're waiting. *Kuwabara takes off, yelling something about the bathroom.*
Hiei- Coward.
Yukina- Well, here's the tenth chapter. Thank you for staying loyal to this story for so long, and remember InuYasha is owned by Rumiko Takahshi and YuYu Hakusho by Yoshiro Togashi.
\\...\\ Youko\Kurama talk -...- beast talk *...* telepathy '...' thoughts
***************************Prebattle Preparations***************************
Kagome stared at the demon slayer mouth agape.
"WHAT?!?!?!"
"Naraku's been terrorizing a village in the west, no doubt a trap for us." Sango answered. "Apparently, he stole Tokijin and Tenseiga from Sessho- maru, so now he's willing to work with us to get his blades back."
"Yeah," InuYasha snorted, "Then he'll use those blades to run us into the dirt while we're too tired to defend ourselves ." Then he glared at Kagome, "Speakn' of which, did you have to sit me in front of Sessho- maru?!" the vixen ignored that last comment.
"I don't think so," she murmured, "That's Naraku's style, but not Sessho-maru."
"Hello? Why does it matter so much?" Yusuke demanded, polite as ever. "If he's fighting the guy too, won't he be just as tired as us?!"
"Well," A calm voice behind us said, "Normally that would be the case, but Sessho-maru has the Tenseiga." We turned to see Miroku had rejoined us at last. An angry handprint across his left cheek. Yakuso scowled when she saw him, and inched away slightly.
"So?" Yusuke was starting to get impatient.
"Tenseiga is the sword of healing. He can use it to help himself after the fight, the in turn, use Tokijin, a killing sword, to destroy us." That certainly didn't sound pleasant...
"Two birds with one stone," InuYasha snorted.
"Look, guys, I don't think he would do anything like that!" Kagome snapped.
"Why the hell not?!?!"
"Because of Rin." She said, frowning, "I think the girl's changed him, and he won't kill us without reason after we help him."
"He'll HAVE a reason!" InuYasha snapped back. "Tetsuaiga!" Kagome shook her head.
"I don't think he's really that interested in Tetsuaiga any more. Not since Tokijin was made."
"Tetsuaiga?" I inquired.
"InuYasha's katana." Kagome explained.
"I see..." Suddenly, Yari's ears perked.
"What's that?" she asked curiously. I was puzzled at first, then I heard it, too. It sounded almost like a tornado...
"SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" InuYasha yelled, jumping down from the tree and taking off in the direction of the sound. Shippo woke up and glared crankily after the hanyou.
"What was that about?" Yakuso said, looking to Kagome with a puzzled look on her face.
"He's just upset because Kouga's back again." Shippo said, curling up. Kagome blinked.
"WHAAAAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She yelled, jumping up and running after the hanyou.
"Mind explaining that?" Yari asked the little kitsune.
"Kagome's just gonna make sure InuYasha doesn't try to kill Kouga again."
"Perhaps I should look into this?" I said, standing up.
"We'll go with you." Yari said, dragging Yakuso to her feet. The others, besides Hiei, Miroku, Sango, Kirara and Shippo decided to come along as well. We didn't have to go far to see an interesting scene.
InuYasha was standing in a clearing, Kagome not too far behind him. At the other side of the clearing was a wolf youkai, gaping at Kagome open mouthed.
"Is that really you, Kagome?" He said in shock. That soon wore off, though, and was replaced by appreciation. "What happened?" the response from Youko was near instant.
\\KILL HIM!!!\\ He bellowed, adding threats that almost made me wince.
\\Sorry, you know I can't do that,\\ Youko had taken a keen interest in this girl since she had turned kitsune. She was gorgeous as a human, but down right goddess like as a kitsune. Her royalty meant she was more powerful than any other shadow kitsune, if properly trained, and her miko powers added to that, making her all the more attractive to the youkai. His main goal as of now was to get this girl, at least for a night, possibly more.
\\And your not attracted to her?!\\
\\I'm not trying to bed her!\\
\\That's because your too soft, kill him!!!!!!!!\\
"It's kind of a long story, Kouga," Kagome said, slightly uncomfortable. Yari noticed this, and started to smirk. "Besides, We're kind of busy tonight, so I'll have to tell you later," Then the wolf noticed us.
"Who're they?" He asked, frowning slightly.
"Friends." Kouga gave her a questioning look, "they're going to help us fight Naraku," the wolf stiffened.
"Naraku is nearby? Where?" then InuYasha got into his face.
"None of your Goddamn business, wolf!" he snapped, "Now get the hell out of here,"
"Why the hell should I listen to you? I came here to see my Kagome," HIS KAGOME?!?! I looked at Kagome after he said this. Her face was beet red and she looked ready to curl up and die. Yusuke and Kuwabara were choking back laughs. InuYasha and Kouga were locked in a glare down. Kagome sighed. Then her ears perked and face brightened. Another wolf youkai came into the clearing, this one a female.
"Ayame!" Kagome said, sounding a lot more cheerful than she had in a while. "Nice to see you again. Are you here for Kouga?" said wolf youkai flinched, yelled something about having to check on his pack, and took off, the female wolf youkai hot on his heels. We stared at Kagome, who had a blank look on her face. "Don't. Ask." She said, starting back for camp. The warrior kitsune burst out laughing.
"A wolf youkai wants you as he's mate." She said, grinning.
"I SAID DON'T ASK!!!!"
"I'm not. I'm stating the fact from what I saw. The girl was an admirer of your would-be suitor." Kagome glared at her then sighed.
"I'm going to the hot springs." She said, starting back towards camp.
"Hot springs?" Botan said, a glow on her face. The girls all raced off after her.
"So, why did you get so pissed off when that wolf guy came around?" Yusuke asked InuYasha. We were back at camp, and all the girls, Shippo, Kirara and Hogosha had gone to the hot springs. I sat down next to the sleeping kitsune boy. I tried not to appear interested, but was waiting intently for the hanyou's response.
"Because Kagome's one of the few humans that I can trust, and she can do way better than a wimpy wolf who runs from battle with his tail between his legs." InuYasha answered, shortly.
"So, no romantic interest involved?"
"No." InuYasha looked thoughtful. "None whatsoever," His face softened, "all of my companions have become more like a pack. Even the kit and the monk." Then I noticed something.
"Speaking of the monk," I said, looking around, "Where is he?" then the other's noticed his absence. InuYasha swore.
"KKKKKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!" SLAP!
"MIROKU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" BAM!
"HENTAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" CRASH!
"HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!" SLAP!
"PERVERT!!!!!!!!!!!!" WHAM!
A beaten monk made his way back to a disgusted camp.
"How could you do that!" Kuwabara yelled, "Spying on bathing girls..."
"I was simply looking for more wood and lost my way," Miroku said in his defense. "Might I add that none of those girls need any extra training. Botan has an incredible right hook..." WHAM! Yusuke choked back a laugh as the girls came back into the camp, disgruntled. Each made sure to aim a nasty glare at the unconscious Miroku. Even Yukina frowned at him.
"Speaking of training," Kagome said, sitting next to me and Souta, "When do we start mine?" I stared at her, mildly surprised.
"You still want to train with me, even though your friends would be better suited to teach you?" Kagome smirked slightly, and Yakuso and Yari suddenly became very interested in the ground.
"Well, I suppose that depends on your definition of better suited." Kagome said, "Yari would be very helpful at teaching me anything about physical combat, and Yakuso could teach me about herbs and poisons, but they won't be much help in training my powers." What?
"You two never learned any magic?" I said in surprise. Yari scowled.
"We know how to heal." She said defensively, "sorta'"
"Our interests didn't call for much use of magic," Midori explained, "So we never saw any need to learn any."
"you don't mind teaching me, do you?" Kagome asked, slightly put out. Great. Now I felt guilty.
"Of coarse I don't mind," I said quickly. "It just caught me by surprise. I thought your friends would have some knowledge of kitsune magic, and you would want them to teach you in my stead."
"Sorry to tell you they don't," Kagome said smiling slightly as the two of them gave her dirty looks. Then her smile grew, "Besides, you're a friend now, too, aren't you?" I smiled slightly at that.
"I suppose that's true, yes." I though about her original question for a while. "We could probably start training after the upcoming fight..."
"If you live through it, you mean." I looked around, startled by a new voice. Oddly enough, no one was nearby. The rest of my friend joined me in my puzzled search. "Down here!" the voice said, now disgruntled. I looked down to see a small flea youkai jumping up and down on a rock. InuYasha leapt down from his tree and crouched by the rock, scowling at the small demon.
"Were the hell have you been!"
"I'm sorry, Master InuYasha," the flea said smoothly, "I was simply locating more information about Naraku and his offsprings."
"And?!"
"None of it's very good, I'm afraid." The flea jumped to InuYasha's shoulder and sat down, all four arms crossed. "Naraku has gathered a large amount of the jewel."
"In case you haven't noticed, so have we!" the hanyou interrupted. "We probably have half the jewel!"
"And Naraku has the other half." The flea said, startling InuYasha into silence, "He attacked that village to draw you attention. He wants the rest of the jewel. He and his offspring wait to strike the moment you get there. I fear there might be a trap I know nothing about."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, THERE MIGHT BE A TRAP BUT YOU DON'T KNOW, YA' WORTHLESS COWARD?!?!?!?!?!?!?!" The flea jumped off the hanyou's shoulder, in a futile attempt to get away. InuYasha grabbed him in mid-air.
"INUYASHA!" Kagome glared at the hanyou, then smiled at the flea he'd let go of upon her yell. "It was a nice try, Myoga. Thank you for telling us what you were able to find out."
"It was my pleasure, Lady Kagome," Myoga said in relief. "Err...If you don't mind me asking, why has your appearance changed to that of a demon, and who are your odd new friends?" this last comment upset Yusuke.
"He's a talking flea and he's calling us odd?!" Kagome ignored him, briefly told the flea her story and gave him our names. After that, Shippo reminded us of how late it had gotten by falling asleep in Kagome's lap. We called it a night, deciding to continue discussions on the road first thing in the morning.
"Myoga," Sango said, watching the road ahead of her.
"Yes, Lady Sango?"
"Will Kohaku be there?"
"... well, unfortunately, yes." Sango's face remained carefully emotionless.
"I see..." Kagome gave her a worried look. Miroku, on the other hand, seemed to have his mind on other details.
"HENTAI!!!!!!!!!!!!" SLAP! Everyone turned to see the monk had been up to his tricks again, this time with Yari. Furious, she glared at him. "Grope me again and you'll lose that hand. Among other things." Every male winced at that last one, while the girls grumbled slightly to themselves. We walked for another hour when we came upon a village.
"Botan, Yukina, Keiko, Souta and Shippo should stay here until the battle's done." Kagome said, frowning. Souta and Shippo started to protest, but the girl glared at them. "You guys are not coming into battle. It's too dangerous."
"She's right," Miroku said grimly, "Naraku will quickly see any of you as the most vulnerable to attack, and go after you first."
"Please," Kagome said, wearily, "just stay here." The boys sighed in defeat. "Thank you. Keiko, come with me for a second," Kagome and Keiko hurried a little way into the forest.
When they came back, Kagome was wearing a dark blue haori with black hakamas, traditional garb for a miko youkai, and Keiko was wearing a white haori and black hakamas, the garb of a miko in training. "You guys should probably walk behind us." Kagome said as she headed for the village.
When we got there, Kagome was like a totally different person. Regal, focused and determined. She ignored the gaping mouths and turned to one for the villagers. "Excuse me, sir," she said, authority in her voice, "Is there a miko in this village?" The villager paled at being addressed by the girl, and bowed his head nervously.
"Y-y-yes lady miko," he stammered, she lives in the hut in the middle of the village."
"Could you be kind enough to give me her name?"
"Lady Sempai, my lady,"
"Thank you." And with that, we headed on our way. When we got to the hut the man spoke of, the miko was already standing outside, mouth agape. She seemed to remember herself, though, and gave her head a slight shake, then smiled.
"Welcome," she said kindly, "I am the miko, Sempai. Protector of this village. Forgive my rudeness, and any you encountered on your way here. I have never seen a miko youkai before, and half believed they were only a legend."
"It's alright." Kagome said smiling back, "I apologies for coming unannounced, Lady Sempai, but I'm afraid my business is too serious to go about the usual niceties." Sempai's eyebrows rose.
"I see," she said slowly, then stepped aside, opening the flap of her hut, "In that case, perhaps it would be better discussed away from the rest of the village. Come in, your companions are welcomes as well."
"Thank you." We went inside. Kagome wasted not time getting to the point, "Lady Sempai, have you heard the rumors of the carnage in your neighboring village." Sempai frowned.
"Yes. It sounds awful. I wish to offer aide, but I'm the only miko in this village, and if I leave to help others, my village will be vulnerable to attack,"
"I understand. My friends and I have been chasing the youkai responsible for this attack for quite some time. That is what draws us here." Kagome stared at her, seriously, "I'm afraid some of my friends will not be able to protect themselves in battle, so if it's not too much to ask, we would like for you to watch over them." Sempai looked thoughtful.
"Which ones will be staying?"
"The Koorime, Yukina, both young kitsunes, Shippo and Souta, the living spirit, Botan and my student, Keiko." The miko smiled.
"That wouldn't be any trouble. I'd be glad to help." Kagome smiled in relief.
"Thank you." Sempai laughed.
"Anything to help a fellow miko." She smiled, "Your life must get harder than mine." Kagome laughed at that. "Will you be needing horses?"
"No. we don't want to inconvenience you any more than we already have."
"Nonsense. If you and your friends are this determined to get this youkai, his death will probably be worth a few steeds." With that she left, ignoring Kagome's cries of protest. I looked to her, concerned.
"You do realize none of us know how to ride horses, don't you?"
"Whatever," Yusuke scoffed, "how hard can it be?"
Two hours later we were on the road again. InuYasha, Yusuke, Hiei and Kuwabara were all walking. InuYasha and Hiei because they refused to ride 'some stinkin' beast' as InuYasha put it.
Yusuke and Kuwabara because after several failed attempts to get on the horses, they decided walking was better for their health. I was on a horse by myself as was Miroku, but Kagome and Sango and Yari and Yakuso were all riding doubled up on two horses. Kirara sat on the rump of Kagome and Sango's horse, and Hogosha on Yari's and Yakuso's. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight I was greeted with when we got to they village we had been traveling to.
The place was covered in a foul black mist. Charred remains of huts were everywhere. Blackened remains that were obviously human bodies, but beyond that were unrecognizable, were splayed here and there.
In the few huts that remained, I could see that fearful faces of the villagers. One was a child of three years, clutching a straw doll and staring. Sessho-maru was there already, looking around emotionlessly. The little girl and toad where nowhere in sight.
\\this isn't right,\\ Youko growled, \\what kind of youkai attacks women and children.\\
\\One with no mercy.\\
A wind blew past us as I, Miroku and the girls got off our horses InuYasha turned around, scowling.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" we turned to see Kouga glaring around in determination.
"I'm here to fight Naraku," he said, stubbornly. "he slaughtered my men, and I want revenge." Before anything else could be said, a loud chuckle was heard. Out of the mist came a man in a baboon pelt, and hundreds of demons.
Most were weak, but the ones closest to him were incredibly powerful. Next to him was a woman, smirking coldly and a boy in demon slayer's uniform, eyes completely blank. I heard Sango draw a sharp breath when she saw him.
"Naraku!" InuYasha yelled, drawing his katana, "This ends now. I won't leave till your dead!"
"He won't be the one dying, InuYasha." A calm voice from the side said. We turned to see a woman who looked like Kagome, only with colder eyes and paler skin. And smelling like bones, ashes and mud.
"Kikyou," InuYasha said softly.
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"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE IS?!" Ganko yelled at the poor healer in front of him.
"She left to find some herbs yesterday and never returned. We've been looking, but we can't find her. We fear she might have been attacked, or accidentally stumbled into one of the traps around the castle."
Or been kidnapped by people who supported the queen's actions. People who had thought the king a weak coward for being willing to give his own kin to save himself from losing face. Well over three fourths the shadow kitsune populace. Then, Ganko thought of something.
"Keep looking," he ordered the man, "I need to check something out." And with that, Ganko left, heading for the kitsune guard training grounds.
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Sango- Well...?
Kuwabara-Girls can be just as powerful as boys
Kagome-And...?
Kuwabara-And some can be even more powerful.
DreamVixen- Good.
Kuwabara-Now will you guys untie me?
Keiko-Sure.
DreamVixen- Now please review! Oh! And can someone tell me how to spell Tenseiga? I've got the manga where Inu gets Tetsuaiga, so I know how that's spelled, but the healing sword has me stumped.