Disclaimer: As usual I don't happen to own that totally kawaii hanyou Inuyasha. Wish I did though.
A/N: Hope Yalls have happy Halloween anyways I know this cahppies like way overdue sorry I do write a lil slow some times and I had to write a ghost story for my creative writing class so I had to work oin both at the same time. Anyways Here it goes...
Twisted Love
Chapter Four
Forgotten Memories
Lady Kaede started as she saw Kagome's face cringe as Inuyasha's hands rubbed across her back. Strange, very strange. She had never seen her react so negative to one of Inuyasha's hugs. As he let his hands drop slowly to hold her arms she saw the girl relax and lean into him. After they'd said their hellos they dropped their arms and skipped hand in hand to Kaede's side.
"You know that fence isn't going to fix itself young laddie. You better get to it." Kaede smiled inwardly an angry mask covering her face as she played with the poor boy sending him running over to the fence to finish his tedious task.
Kagome smiled at him sweetly before turning to Kaede. She wanted her advice about her little Sesshoumaru problem, little to say the least, but she didn't want to tell her about being his servant. Slave was such a cruel word. She decided that making it Sango's story she could avoid any pressing questions. "Lady Kaede?" She ventured cautiously.
"Yes child what is it?" She was interested in what the young girl had to say. Maybe she would learn why she'd been so sickened when Inuyasha had held her.
"Well, it's just this problem my friend Sango has. And I was looking for advice so I could help her. I thought that since you seem to know so much that you could help me help her. If that makes any sense." She was overly worried about exposing her true life to these people. It would be too hard to explain and even harder to keep them out of it. And at the moment letting them in would only make her problems worse.
"Go ahead child." She hardly believed she would trouble her with Sango's questions. As usual this was her own problem craftily disguised as someone else's.
"Well Sango's in love with this guy, but then there's this other guy that likes her. The guy that likes her is a Lor-, I mean a loner but he's always around her and stuff trying to kiss her and stuff. She doesn't treat him like she likes him and she usually ignores him completely but all of a sudden he likes her and doesn't want to leave her alone. She can't tell her hany-, handsome boyfriend because she's afraid that he'll hurt the other guy or the other guy will hurt him. I, I mean she needs a way to make this guy leave her alone. Do you think you know of anything she can do?" Kagome hit herself mentally. God could she have slipped up anymore. Kaede probably knew it was her by now.
She'd guessed right. Kaede had a very good idea about who she was talking about. She knew it had something to do with her and Inuyasha but she couldn't fathom who the third party was. She thought about the circumstances and answered carefully. "Well child, if your friend so hates the one who is competing for her she should tell him to his face or else he will continue to trouble her so. If I were Sango I would tell the first boy the truth about the other but only after she had made sure to discontinue the other one's interest in her." She trusted the Kagome would do the right thing whether or not she took the advice, she had great faith in the girl. She looked over to see her ponder the suggestion.
"Thank you Lady Kaede you've been most helpful. I will be sure to tell her. She should be most apt to follow your advice." Kagome decided to change the subject while she still had control of the conversation just in case Kaede got any funny ideas. "How long has he been out there?" She gestured to Inuyasha who was bent over the framework of the fence hammering something else into place.
"Well…" She seemed to consider, figuring the time in her head." Since the sun rose I believe. He's been working like a dog." She closed her mouth quickly realizing what she just said. Kagome stared at her mildly surprised. Inuyasha absolutely hated it when people referred to him as a dog implying that his name was correct, and she had never known Kaede to speak of him like that. Luckily Inuyasha had been concentrating on moving the fence back into place and his usually sensitive dog ears hadn't picked up what she'd said."It's okay Lady only a slip of the tongue I don't believe he heard any of it." Knowing Kaede she'd be feeling bad about saying that one for a while well at least until she got into another argument with his royal pain in the ass. But she'd still feel bad and Kagome almost chuckled thinking of how she would berate herself for the comment.
Lady Kaede shuffled her feat noisely coughing vuluptiously to conceal he flushed cheeks. She looked at Kagome as soon as she'd managed to control herself. The girl was staring dreamy eyed at the young hanyou as he labored away at the fence. There was something special between the two and it wasn't just their fondness for one another. She got the feeling that they would change each other's lives, but for better or worse she didn't know. "You two look so lovely together. You just seem to fit one another perfectly. Don't fret child all problems can be fixed and all wounds are healed in time."
Kagome turned to her red flooding her cheeks as she blushed away those first comments. She suspected that Kaede did know something about her problem with the two inu youkis. She trusted her though and didn't worry over it. She only smiled at the old Lady and nodded happily.
Inuyasha finished a few minutes later his white wispy bangs now matted to his forehead by his sweat. The sun was sinking lower and lower in the sky but the weather was still hot and humid the flies buzzing around the meadow the only sound as he walked over to where the two women stood. Again he embraced Kagome entangling her in a warm embrace. Closing her eyes she inhaled his familiar scent concentrating as hard as she could on his glowing eyes so as not to feel the pain in her back.
He released her slowly as he felt something brush against his leg. He turned to see a jet black dog with it's jaws clasped around what looked like a brown leather bag. He was running away from them heading to the immediate direction of the forest.
"Stop him. Please stop him. He's stolen my purse." Lady Kaede was yelling to Kagome urging her to run after the dog and catch him. Just as the girl had headed out at a heavy sprint she turned on him. "Inuyasha you baka go help her. I would like my purse if you please." He gave her a dry smirk as he headed out after both Kagome and the dog, gaining on them both after only a few seconds of running.
He passes up a chagrined Kagome still sprinting at high speed while he barely makes an effort to fly across the fields. Closer and closer he gets to the dog. Just before it reached the edge of the trees he dived for it, catching it's back legs. He pulled the dog over to him wrenching the purse from his mouth. He gave it a light tap on it's behind, enough to make it squeal in pain, fleeing back to the trees.
Inuyasha studied the bag. It was just an old brown bag not even something he would have referred to as a purse, but perhaps it was what was in it that was important. He flipped it over trying to find the opening. It took him a while to find it because it was only a small minuscule hole sewed shut loosely with string. For a few minutes he wrestled with the knots at the end of the strings so he could unthread it. Finally after several futile attempts he managed to untie the knots, he began threading the strings out backwards through the holes they had previously come through. Just as he was pulling through the last string Lady Kaede snatched the purse from him. She'd only just got there from walking the whole distance of the field. She clutched the purse to her giving him a hostile look as if to say "stay out of there". Her look changed dramatically as Kagome entered the scene. She smiled patting them both on the back. "Thank you so much for retrieving my purse you two, I would have never been able to catch him. That wretched dog, shouldn't be hanging around here anyway."
"Who's is it?" Kagome ventured unsure of why Kaede was so happy about a purse. She'd seen people take things of more value to her and she hadn't even batted an eyelash saying they would get theirs, her eyed wandering up towards the sky. But she seemed to be very grateful and she had been even more distressed when she'd notice that her bag had been taken.
"It belongs a rather queer gentleman that lives on the other side of the forest. Wears some strange ape mask and gray coat or something like that. Never got close enough to find out. I don't know why his dog would be this far away from home I've never seen him and his master that far apart." She shuffled her feat looking at the bag that she still held tightly her grasp never failing to crumple excess leather in her fists.
Kagome felt something stir within her memory. That man sounded so familiar. She knew him from somewhere she just couldn't place why.
"Would you two like to stay for dinner?" The Lady inquired politely but a little unexpected.
"I'm sorry Lady Keade but I'm already scheduled to have dinner with someone else." Looking up at the sun she knew she needed to get home soon. Too long of an absence on her part would make Sesshoumaru wonder. "Actually I think I should be going."
Inuyasha declined as well. He needed to start some repairs on his own house. Must be spending too much time fixing other people's.
Kaede hugged them both, careful not to touch Kagome's back, waving as they walked towards the forest hand in hand. She continued watching fingering the small pink bead she'd removed from her purse. The Shikon no Tama. She was sure he'd sent that dog to get it. Now that he knew she had it she couldn't let him get that close to taking it again. He was a strong shaman although not the best but in his own point of view he was the image of perfection. It was too powerful for him, just too dangerous for him to get a hold of it's magic. She needed to conceal it as best she could. The fate of many people lay in her hands. If he were to obtain the jewel he'd either kill himself probably the best outcome, but if he found a way to control it's power everyone else was in a hell of a lot of trouble.
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Kagome gave Inuyasha a warm hug wincing lightly at the pressure on her back. they'd walked together all the way to the clearing but by now it was time to go their separate ways. They hadn't had very much time alone that afternoon and even though it hurt Kagome leaned closer to Inuyasha fighting through the pain as his arms tightened slightly about her. Backing a way she couldn't help but look into his eyes. She hated those eyes as much as she loved them. They made her feel so weak and fragile under their gaze. They only needed to beckon and she would adhere to their call. She had to get home but she couldn't pull her eyes away from his. She didn't want to either. He leaned down to her pressing his lips lightly against hers. Pulling away before she could even react.
"That all you've got?" She tried to imitate his questioning look her head tilted slightly.
He gave her a strange look mirroring her own. And of course it was nothing like his normal one. "Excuse me little missy but I believe the emotionlessness of that kiss would be your fault. Staring into my eyes like you were blind. Didn't even have the decency to return my kiss." He looked at her in mock anger arms crossed face sharp and glaring.
She jumped forward to reach him grabbed his shoulders and pulled him close. She leaned up kissing him sharply and pulling away just as fast. "And whose fault would that be then?" She questioned sarcastically.
"No one's." He replied pulling her in for a full two sided kiss. She returned it with just as much fervor and passion as he did wishing she didn't have to leave, wishing her life was her's to control. She wanted him to hold her forever. Anything that would keep her with him and away from that twisted Sesshoumaru. But she had no choice in the matter. She pulled away slowly, giving Inuyasha one last tight embrace flinching in the pain.
"Good bye my love." She called after him as he blew her a kiss. She turned walking off in a different direction back her Lord's estate. She felt awful about having to hold back the pain she felt when she hugged Inuyasha and she knew that Lady Kaede had seen it on her face. She could still remember a time when she didn't need to feel that kind of pain and she was even naive enough to think that she would never feel it. That was back when she'd lived with her family, before she'd been taken away from them by Sesshoumaru. That day still burned in her memory...
At one time her family had been the caretakers of the Shikon no Toma, highly sought after for its legendary power. Several people had attempted to steal it but her grandfather had hidden in a box and covered it with protective scrolls. Her mother often wore it around her neck to know where it was at all times. Kagome had asked to wear it her self numerous times but each time her mother had refused implying that it was too dangerous for her to want to show off as jewelry. Kagome had been furious with her mother and without any further thoughts had planned to steel it. She succeed in taking it but it was only a short time before her mother had noticed its absence. Kagome began to wear high collared shirts to hide the jewel. She wanted to wear and would not give in to her mother by confessing to stealing it and having to return it. Back then she'd been selfish thinking that her family was important because of their undertaking as if it were something that made them above everyone else.
Even though her mother continued to tell intruders that she no longer had the Shikon the flow of thieves did not lull. She began to worry about a more intelligent person that would come along and defeat her. Not having the jewel could mean her death. She was unsure of what to do and when he came she was all the less prepared.
He pushed through the double doors of their shrine his long white hair ruffled by a light wind blowing into the room. His face was soft creamy white the tattoos on his forehead and cheeks marking him as an inu-youki, a very strong breed of demons who's blood ran cold through their stony hearts as some people said. Kagome had been frightened of him and yet enthroalled by his aura and even his beauty. She'd ran to get her mother who hurried to meet him.
"The Lord Sesshoumaru has come calling. The Shikon no Tama, if you will." He held out his hand wanting it, grasping only at air when her mother refused saying she had lost it. He didn't seam to believe this as he turned to talk to the man at his right. The man was a tall shadowy figure, but even the light would not have told you who he was for he hid in an ape mask a long gray pelt wrapped about him like a cloak. You could see his hands and only a small glimpse of his jutting chin, but that was all. Kagome was even more scared of him. After conferring with the ape-man he turned to Kagome's mother to announce his verdict. "I will return in twenty-four hours time and by that time I want the Shikon no Tama to be resting within my own hand or..." There was a quick flash and like bolt of lightning he rushed towards them and back without them even knowing it. Kagome's mother stared at him horrified as he held her only daughter in his tight grasp. "Or else I will take your daughter instead."He laughed running his talons lightly across her throat oblivious to the jewel that hung at the end of her necklace barely hidden by the collar of her dress. Kagome couldn't help but be scared stiff as hepulled her closer to him his talons sharp and meaningful as they traced her jaw line. "A pity to destroy her whole face like that. I don't think she'd be at all beautiful anymore."
Kagome looked to her mother her eyes pleading. Her mother was distraught not knowing what to do. For her daughters's life she would gladly give him the Shikon. But she did not have it and that was all that would save her now. "Please oh gracious sir we do not have your jewel. I swear to you that I myself misplaced it months ago and have not been able to find it since then. Please let my daughter go she is young and innocent. Do not let the Shikon spill her blood in addition to the poor souls it has demolished before her." She implored him almost on her hands and knees.
If only what she said had been true, then there would have been hope for finding it. But now Kagome had it and she had most likely sealed her own fate in taking it all because she wasn't allowed to wear it. She had kept it a secret for so long she couldn't bring herself to say that she had it, not now when she barely breathed for fear that Sesshoumaru's sharp nails would pierce her flesh and slice open her throat.
When the family still could not produce the Shikon he left dragging the rigid girl along with him. He took her to a clearing in the forest where she noticed he had made a small camp sight, apparently he did not live around here. He placed her in the center of the clearing leaving her there knowing he could catch her in a split second if she attempted to escape. He looked at her scornfully waiting for her to whimper in fear and was rewarded by the squeal of terror that emanated from her lips. He left her there knowing he would have no need to catch her; fear would keep her still.
Kagome was terrified of him an that dark ape-man, but she had gotten herself into this fine mess and she was the one that would have to get herself out of it. She knew she could not let him, a demon with power enough already, get a hold of the jewel. She had to keep it away from him. Looking to make sure the coast is clear she sees that Sesshoumaru's back is turned. Ripping the Shikon from her necklace she tosses it a fair distance into the foliage. Checking to be sure she noted that neither Sesshoumaru nor the ape man had even moved an inch.
She did not sleep the entire night for fear that Sesshoumaru or the ape-man would murder her in her sleep. She stared up through the space in the trees looking at the stars twinkling softly. They blinked in and out of being as though dying to be replaced again and again, one life eclipsing into the next in a millisecond. Life was like that taken in short breaths and glimpses passing quickly before your eyes gone before you even realized it started. Most people seemed to flow in that pattern lives going by swiftly only denting the surface of the world cycle barely noticed. But then there were those who went beyond the average pushing through the surface leaving craters in their wake rather. Those were the people who really affected others. She only wished that she could be one of those people. But now she would probably be of the other type her life only a flash before her.
She turned her face down looking across the clearing to where Sesshoumaru sat looking back at her, his face emotionless in the cool midnight air. She loathed his very existence by now wishing he had never come and separated her from her family. She knew in her heart that it was her own fault for taking that jewel with it's power her grandfather might have been able to fight off the demon or at least keep him at bay long enough for them to seek the help of a Miko. But in her own selfishness she had doomed herself and punished her family in doing so.
As the sun rose slowly casting long rays of light through the trees into the clearing Sesshoumaru rose quickly. Kagome had been surprised that he'd been so lively he hadn't slept a wink all night even she felt the pangs of fatigue. He hauled her back to her house asking her family again for the Shikon no Tama. They of course could not produce it. Sesshoumaru had bared his teeth furious with them. "Then your daughter will remain in my custody as my servant until you can give it to me."
They'd left Sesshoumaru dragging her away from her family. Her last sight of them tears rushing down their cheeks her mother angry at herself for losing her oldest and only daughter. Kagome longed to call out after her to tell her mother the truth but she couldn't bring herself to say it and she couldn't endanger them more by letting Sesshoumaru hear it, her lasting defeat
It was hard for her to remember those things. She missed her family so much now realizing that she'd probably been the cause of all their problems. Her father had deserted her mother when he found out that she was not his child, her brother Souta had almost frozen to death when she'd locked him outside through blistering cold thinking he was a theiving criminal, then she'd hidden the Shikon no Tama from them and put them through that whole Sesshoumaru incident.
She hurried quickly to the mansion pushing back the tears that threatened to spill unrequited down her cheeks. She'd promised herself a long time ago that she would no longer cry in self pitty, to give satisfaction to her persecutors. She lifted her head back upwards to see that she was only a few feet away from the front double doors of the house. Walking in she could immediately find no one and began to call for Sango and Miroku thinking that they should be around somewhere. It was Shippou's day off and usually everyone had house work to do on those days to make up for his absence. She couldn't find any of the other's not even Sesshoumaru himself could be found. It was getting dark and she was worried about them. In truth she was more worried about Sango and Miroku than she was worried about Seshoumaru but she still worried for him. It surprised her that she even cared about him in her own mind she could see that it would be right for her to hate him after all he'd done. She pushed away her worry for him wandering around the house looking for her friends.
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Sesshoumaru meandered across the lawns towards a tree that was situated near the front of his mansion. As he approached it he listened to the sounds of Sango cleaning the dishes, clanking them together as she always did as if to the rythm of a silent tune running through her head. He sat down leaning his back against the tree. He definitely needed to think.
He didn't understand how Kagome made him feel so low so disgusting so evil and useless. He thought of his outburst the night he had discovered Kikyo's betrayal.
He walked behind Niraku tracing his footsteps as he was led to the bar he'd never been to in his life. Niroku had assured him that there was something worth seeing in there or else there was no way he would have trecked all the way out here.
They entered a small bar ordering drinks for the two of them. They'd been sitting at the counter for half an hour discussing random topics and commenting on obscure things when Niraku had raised his hands in front of Sesshoumaru who immediately fell silent. He moved his hands away from the Lord's face pointing to a table hidden way in the back for those who weren't to keen on being a main spectical. Sesshoumaru stared wide eyed at his little brother and...and his Kikyo sucking the life out of one another with their lips. He couldn't believe it Kikyo his Kikyo was kissing that half-breed bastard of a brother. How could she do this to him. He jumped out of his chair as it clashed to the ground, blood boiling eyes red with anger. The beauty of his face distorted by his demonic presence as his fury rose. Niraku ushered people out the doors in order to help them live through what happened next.
"You." Shesshoumaru pointed an accusing finger at Kikyo. "You filthy bitch how could you."
He ignored her garbled apologies throwing her to the floor. He turned then to his brother. His own flesh and blood, did he have no respect for his family. "You filthy bastard not even a full blooded inu youki and you think your good enough to compete with me. I trusted you and you turned out to be just as much of a traitor as the next jack ass."
"I must not be that inferior if I got Kikyo." he smirked cruelly at his older brother.
"I can't believe this." Sesshoumaru raised his arms above his head . In a furious burst of energy he threw his hands down power escaping from him like ripples in a pond. The entire bar was wiped out in the explosion and half the city was turned to ruins. The only people in the near vacinity that survived were Inuyasha, Kikyo, Niraku, and a steaming red faced Seshoumaru. He'd stormed out of the city angrily. It had been about then that he had started looking for the Shikon no Tama, anything that could keep his mind off Kikyo was a good distraction and this required all his attention and fulfilled his needs.
It hadn't been easy to hold in his anger with her but with Kagome it hadn't been as easy to blow up like that for some reason he couldn't bring him self to do it to her. He'd been angry at Kikyo when she was so insolent but now it didn't even phase him, the most damage it delt was to himself. He had gotten considerably angry at himself for being rude to her in the first place and only taken it out on her as a mere cover up. It was too much now.
He couldn't handle his emotions any more, that foolish girl had gone and confused him like that. He was pulled between a feeling of love for her and feelings of despise. A soft breeze ruffled through the leaves above him. He could still remember the day she'd been forced into serving him. She'd been strong and defiant and all the more he'd tried to change that the more she fought back twisting things to fit her own wants and needs. He felt the grass sway as another puff of wind wafted past him. He caught a whiff of her scent soft and sweet. Following it he turns to catch a peek of her slinking off into the trees at the edge of the forest. She snuck off a lot these days. It puzzled him what could be so wonderful to sneak off to so often. He had to know where she was going, what was so wonderful and precious to her to keep a secret. He feared it would be no good to follow after her himself she would be wary of him tailing her and even though he was a master of stealth he didn't want to be the one to follow he. It was too risky to put himself in such a position. Sango, Miroku and definitely Shippou would notice his absences for sure and of course the good friends that they are would tell Kagome of the change.
He rose slowly walking towards the trees. Reaching the edge he surveyed the path he'd seen Kagome walking along earlier. He couldn't help but ponder where it led. He wanted to find out, and soon. He turned threading his along the path through the fronds of several ferns that overshadowed the dusty course heading in the opposite direction Kagome had taken.
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Sango watched as Sesshoumaru stood and walked off towards the woods, waiting as he disappeared into the woods. He didn't come out after a few minutes and she realized he'd be gone for a lot longer at this rate. Placing the dish in her hand back onto the counter top she dropped the towel and leaned back against the wall. It felt good to rest, all day she'd been on her feet and with Sesshoumaru watching her everything had to be perfect, unless she wanted a beating. She heard the kitchen door creak open and Miroku stepped inside, obviously he had also figured out that Sesshoumaru had left.
He walked over to her purposely bumping her aside as her washed his hands on the cloth in front of her. "Excuse me madam." As if that made up for it. He'd knocked her off balance and she'd almost fallen.
"I'll give you an excuse." She pushed him into the counter scurrying to the side as he tried swinging his arms at her wanting her to get away. He chased her across the room catching her as he blocked of all exits and forced her into a corner. He moved in on her slowly feeling the tension between them.
Sango waited with baited breath as he pinned her to the wall and continued to lean closer and closer closing the gap between them. She yearned for the feel of his warmth on her skin, the touch of his lips on hers. She missed that. It wasn't very often that she got to be close to him. She leaned in spanning the distance between their lips. She felt at complete as she eased herself into his arms. She felt him tighten his grip around her slim figure. He was so loving and caring but only when they were alone. When others were around he was shy or indifferent towards her. If only he could be this way all the time. She thought as they ended the kiss. "Got you." Miroku smirked at her.
"Oh yeah." She challenged back. Giving him a swift peck on the lips as she pushed him out of the way and fled out of the room. Miroku followed her out the door and down the hall. He ran quickly skidding to a halt as he reached her to avoid slamming into her. She turned just in time flinging her hands up to block him. At impact he was far to heavy for her to support they fell to the ground quivering with laughter playfully kissing one another in turn until they heard, "Sango, Miroku, anyone here." It was Kagome back to spoil their fun. They scrambled off each other and left the scene of the crime in opposite directions giving each other quickly fleeting smiles.
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Lady Kaede sat down in at her table serving herself some of the soup she had just made. It was too bad Inuyasha and Kagome had declined her offer of dinner she would end up with leftovers for days but then again Inuyasha would have eaten her out of house and home. She stared at the tiny black bag that lay in front of her at the center of the small table. Inside the Shikon no Tama rested. She took small sips of the soup wondering what to do if her neighbor truly knew she had it. She had hears that he fashioned himself to have great power and that he was searching for a precious jewel that would only enhance his already awing might. It might be true then again maybe not. She took the jewel out of the bag an d looked at it, its pink sheen glaring in the candlelight. She'd had it for four years not at all long in its lifetime of millenniums. She felt its energy only holding it, but with that she could feel it's hatred burning through its core. The cause of so many wars and so much bloodshed and now in her old hands lined with age it only looked like an innocent bead a thing of beauty and nothing more...
A/N: I wanted this chappie to be a lil longer but o well. hope you liked it.
Thanks to HeartlessEnchantress I'm accepting anonymous review (thanks again) and btw Sess is about to find out kag's secret pretty soon idk if next chap or chap 6 but soon. then all hell's gonna break loose jk n e ways get outta here and go review. more u review the faster i write for reals so get to it.
A/N: Hope Yalls have happy Halloween anyways I know this cahppies like way overdue sorry I do write a lil slow some times and I had to write a ghost story for my creative writing class so I had to work oin both at the same time. Anyways Here it goes...
Twisted Love
Chapter Four
Forgotten Memories
Lady Kaede started as she saw Kagome's face cringe as Inuyasha's hands rubbed across her back. Strange, very strange. She had never seen her react so negative to one of Inuyasha's hugs. As he let his hands drop slowly to hold her arms she saw the girl relax and lean into him. After they'd said their hellos they dropped their arms and skipped hand in hand to Kaede's side.
"You know that fence isn't going to fix itself young laddie. You better get to it." Kaede smiled inwardly an angry mask covering her face as she played with the poor boy sending him running over to the fence to finish his tedious task.
Kagome smiled at him sweetly before turning to Kaede. She wanted her advice about her little Sesshoumaru problem, little to say the least, but she didn't want to tell her about being his servant. Slave was such a cruel word. She decided that making it Sango's story she could avoid any pressing questions. "Lady Kaede?" She ventured cautiously.
"Yes child what is it?" She was interested in what the young girl had to say. Maybe she would learn why she'd been so sickened when Inuyasha had held her.
"Well, it's just this problem my friend Sango has. And I was looking for advice so I could help her. I thought that since you seem to know so much that you could help me help her. If that makes any sense." She was overly worried about exposing her true life to these people. It would be too hard to explain and even harder to keep them out of it. And at the moment letting them in would only make her problems worse.
"Go ahead child." She hardly believed she would trouble her with Sango's questions. As usual this was her own problem craftily disguised as someone else's.
"Well Sango's in love with this guy, but then there's this other guy that likes her. The guy that likes her is a Lor-, I mean a loner but he's always around her and stuff trying to kiss her and stuff. She doesn't treat him like she likes him and she usually ignores him completely but all of a sudden he likes her and doesn't want to leave her alone. She can't tell her hany-, handsome boyfriend because she's afraid that he'll hurt the other guy or the other guy will hurt him. I, I mean she needs a way to make this guy leave her alone. Do you think you know of anything she can do?" Kagome hit herself mentally. God could she have slipped up anymore. Kaede probably knew it was her by now.
She'd guessed right. Kaede had a very good idea about who she was talking about. She knew it had something to do with her and Inuyasha but she couldn't fathom who the third party was. She thought about the circumstances and answered carefully. "Well child, if your friend so hates the one who is competing for her she should tell him to his face or else he will continue to trouble her so. If I were Sango I would tell the first boy the truth about the other but only after she had made sure to discontinue the other one's interest in her." She trusted the Kagome would do the right thing whether or not she took the advice, she had great faith in the girl. She looked over to see her ponder the suggestion.
"Thank you Lady Kaede you've been most helpful. I will be sure to tell her. She should be most apt to follow your advice." Kagome decided to change the subject while she still had control of the conversation just in case Kaede got any funny ideas. "How long has he been out there?" She gestured to Inuyasha who was bent over the framework of the fence hammering something else into place.
"Well…" She seemed to consider, figuring the time in her head." Since the sun rose I believe. He's been working like a dog." She closed her mouth quickly realizing what she just said. Kagome stared at her mildly surprised. Inuyasha absolutely hated it when people referred to him as a dog implying that his name was correct, and she had never known Kaede to speak of him like that. Luckily Inuyasha had been concentrating on moving the fence back into place and his usually sensitive dog ears hadn't picked up what she'd said."It's okay Lady only a slip of the tongue I don't believe he heard any of it." Knowing Kaede she'd be feeling bad about saying that one for a while well at least until she got into another argument with his royal pain in the ass. But she'd still feel bad and Kagome almost chuckled thinking of how she would berate herself for the comment.
Lady Kaede shuffled her feat noisely coughing vuluptiously to conceal he flushed cheeks. She looked at Kagome as soon as she'd managed to control herself. The girl was staring dreamy eyed at the young hanyou as he labored away at the fence. There was something special between the two and it wasn't just their fondness for one another. She got the feeling that they would change each other's lives, but for better or worse she didn't know. "You two look so lovely together. You just seem to fit one another perfectly. Don't fret child all problems can be fixed and all wounds are healed in time."
Kagome turned to her red flooding her cheeks as she blushed away those first comments. She suspected that Kaede did know something about her problem with the two inu youkis. She trusted her though and didn't worry over it. She only smiled at the old Lady and nodded happily.
Inuyasha finished a few minutes later his white wispy bangs now matted to his forehead by his sweat. The sun was sinking lower and lower in the sky but the weather was still hot and humid the flies buzzing around the meadow the only sound as he walked over to where the two women stood. Again he embraced Kagome entangling her in a warm embrace. Closing her eyes she inhaled his familiar scent concentrating as hard as she could on his glowing eyes so as not to feel the pain in her back.
He released her slowly as he felt something brush against his leg. He turned to see a jet black dog with it's jaws clasped around what looked like a brown leather bag. He was running away from them heading to the immediate direction of the forest.
"Stop him. Please stop him. He's stolen my purse." Lady Kaede was yelling to Kagome urging her to run after the dog and catch him. Just as the girl had headed out at a heavy sprint she turned on him. "Inuyasha you baka go help her. I would like my purse if you please." He gave her a dry smirk as he headed out after both Kagome and the dog, gaining on them both after only a few seconds of running.
He passes up a chagrined Kagome still sprinting at high speed while he barely makes an effort to fly across the fields. Closer and closer he gets to the dog. Just before it reached the edge of the trees he dived for it, catching it's back legs. He pulled the dog over to him wrenching the purse from his mouth. He gave it a light tap on it's behind, enough to make it squeal in pain, fleeing back to the trees.
Inuyasha studied the bag. It was just an old brown bag not even something he would have referred to as a purse, but perhaps it was what was in it that was important. He flipped it over trying to find the opening. It took him a while to find it because it was only a small minuscule hole sewed shut loosely with string. For a few minutes he wrestled with the knots at the end of the strings so he could unthread it. Finally after several futile attempts he managed to untie the knots, he began threading the strings out backwards through the holes they had previously come through. Just as he was pulling through the last string Lady Kaede snatched the purse from him. She'd only just got there from walking the whole distance of the field. She clutched the purse to her giving him a hostile look as if to say "stay out of there". Her look changed dramatically as Kagome entered the scene. She smiled patting them both on the back. "Thank you so much for retrieving my purse you two, I would have never been able to catch him. That wretched dog, shouldn't be hanging around here anyway."
"Who's is it?" Kagome ventured unsure of why Kaede was so happy about a purse. She'd seen people take things of more value to her and she hadn't even batted an eyelash saying they would get theirs, her eyed wandering up towards the sky. But she seemed to be very grateful and she had been even more distressed when she'd notice that her bag had been taken.
"It belongs a rather queer gentleman that lives on the other side of the forest. Wears some strange ape mask and gray coat or something like that. Never got close enough to find out. I don't know why his dog would be this far away from home I've never seen him and his master that far apart." She shuffled her feat looking at the bag that she still held tightly her grasp never failing to crumple excess leather in her fists.
Kagome felt something stir within her memory. That man sounded so familiar. She knew him from somewhere she just couldn't place why.
"Would you two like to stay for dinner?" The Lady inquired politely but a little unexpected.
"I'm sorry Lady Keade but I'm already scheduled to have dinner with someone else." Looking up at the sun she knew she needed to get home soon. Too long of an absence on her part would make Sesshoumaru wonder. "Actually I think I should be going."
Inuyasha declined as well. He needed to start some repairs on his own house. Must be spending too much time fixing other people's.
Kaede hugged them both, careful not to touch Kagome's back, waving as they walked towards the forest hand in hand. She continued watching fingering the small pink bead she'd removed from her purse. The Shikon no Tama. She was sure he'd sent that dog to get it. Now that he knew she had it she couldn't let him get that close to taking it again. He was a strong shaman although not the best but in his own point of view he was the image of perfection. It was too powerful for him, just too dangerous for him to get a hold of it's magic. She needed to conceal it as best she could. The fate of many people lay in her hands. If he were to obtain the jewel he'd either kill himself probably the best outcome, but if he found a way to control it's power everyone else was in a hell of a lot of trouble.
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Kagome gave Inuyasha a warm hug wincing lightly at the pressure on her back. they'd walked together all the way to the clearing but by now it was time to go their separate ways. They hadn't had very much time alone that afternoon and even though it hurt Kagome leaned closer to Inuyasha fighting through the pain as his arms tightened slightly about her. Backing a way she couldn't help but look into his eyes. She hated those eyes as much as she loved them. They made her feel so weak and fragile under their gaze. They only needed to beckon and she would adhere to their call. She had to get home but she couldn't pull her eyes away from his. She didn't want to either. He leaned down to her pressing his lips lightly against hers. Pulling away before she could even react.
"That all you've got?" She tried to imitate his questioning look her head tilted slightly.
He gave her a strange look mirroring her own. And of course it was nothing like his normal one. "Excuse me little missy but I believe the emotionlessness of that kiss would be your fault. Staring into my eyes like you were blind. Didn't even have the decency to return my kiss." He looked at her in mock anger arms crossed face sharp and glaring.
She jumped forward to reach him grabbed his shoulders and pulled him close. She leaned up kissing him sharply and pulling away just as fast. "And whose fault would that be then?" She questioned sarcastically.
"No one's." He replied pulling her in for a full two sided kiss. She returned it with just as much fervor and passion as he did wishing she didn't have to leave, wishing her life was her's to control. She wanted him to hold her forever. Anything that would keep her with him and away from that twisted Sesshoumaru. But she had no choice in the matter. She pulled away slowly, giving Inuyasha one last tight embrace flinching in the pain.
"Good bye my love." She called after him as he blew her a kiss. She turned walking off in a different direction back her Lord's estate. She felt awful about having to hold back the pain she felt when she hugged Inuyasha and she knew that Lady Kaede had seen it on her face. She could still remember a time when she didn't need to feel that kind of pain and she was even naive enough to think that she would never feel it. That was back when she'd lived with her family, before she'd been taken away from them by Sesshoumaru. That day still burned in her memory...
At one time her family had been the caretakers of the Shikon no Toma, highly sought after for its legendary power. Several people had attempted to steal it but her grandfather had hidden in a box and covered it with protective scrolls. Her mother often wore it around her neck to know where it was at all times. Kagome had asked to wear it her self numerous times but each time her mother had refused implying that it was too dangerous for her to want to show off as jewelry. Kagome had been furious with her mother and without any further thoughts had planned to steel it. She succeed in taking it but it was only a short time before her mother had noticed its absence. Kagome began to wear high collared shirts to hide the jewel. She wanted to wear and would not give in to her mother by confessing to stealing it and having to return it. Back then she'd been selfish thinking that her family was important because of their undertaking as if it were something that made them above everyone else.
Even though her mother continued to tell intruders that she no longer had the Shikon the flow of thieves did not lull. She began to worry about a more intelligent person that would come along and defeat her. Not having the jewel could mean her death. She was unsure of what to do and when he came she was all the less prepared.
He pushed through the double doors of their shrine his long white hair ruffled by a light wind blowing into the room. His face was soft creamy white the tattoos on his forehead and cheeks marking him as an inu-youki, a very strong breed of demons who's blood ran cold through their stony hearts as some people said. Kagome had been frightened of him and yet enthroalled by his aura and even his beauty. She'd ran to get her mother who hurried to meet him.
"The Lord Sesshoumaru has come calling. The Shikon no Tama, if you will." He held out his hand wanting it, grasping only at air when her mother refused saying she had lost it. He didn't seam to believe this as he turned to talk to the man at his right. The man was a tall shadowy figure, but even the light would not have told you who he was for he hid in an ape mask a long gray pelt wrapped about him like a cloak. You could see his hands and only a small glimpse of his jutting chin, but that was all. Kagome was even more scared of him. After conferring with the ape-man he turned to Kagome's mother to announce his verdict. "I will return in twenty-four hours time and by that time I want the Shikon no Tama to be resting within my own hand or..." There was a quick flash and like bolt of lightning he rushed towards them and back without them even knowing it. Kagome's mother stared at him horrified as he held her only daughter in his tight grasp. "Or else I will take your daughter instead."He laughed running his talons lightly across her throat oblivious to the jewel that hung at the end of her necklace barely hidden by the collar of her dress. Kagome couldn't help but be scared stiff as hepulled her closer to him his talons sharp and meaningful as they traced her jaw line. "A pity to destroy her whole face like that. I don't think she'd be at all beautiful anymore."
Kagome looked to her mother her eyes pleading. Her mother was distraught not knowing what to do. For her daughters's life she would gladly give him the Shikon. But she did not have it and that was all that would save her now. "Please oh gracious sir we do not have your jewel. I swear to you that I myself misplaced it months ago and have not been able to find it since then. Please let my daughter go she is young and innocent. Do not let the Shikon spill her blood in addition to the poor souls it has demolished before her." She implored him almost on her hands and knees.
If only what she said had been true, then there would have been hope for finding it. But now Kagome had it and she had most likely sealed her own fate in taking it all because she wasn't allowed to wear it. She had kept it a secret for so long she couldn't bring herself to say that she had it, not now when she barely breathed for fear that Sesshoumaru's sharp nails would pierce her flesh and slice open her throat.
When the family still could not produce the Shikon he left dragging the rigid girl along with him. He took her to a clearing in the forest where she noticed he had made a small camp sight, apparently he did not live around here. He placed her in the center of the clearing leaving her there knowing he could catch her in a split second if she attempted to escape. He looked at her scornfully waiting for her to whimper in fear and was rewarded by the squeal of terror that emanated from her lips. He left her there knowing he would have no need to catch her; fear would keep her still.
Kagome was terrified of him an that dark ape-man, but she had gotten herself into this fine mess and she was the one that would have to get herself out of it. She knew she could not let him, a demon with power enough already, get a hold of the jewel. She had to keep it away from him. Looking to make sure the coast is clear she sees that Sesshoumaru's back is turned. Ripping the Shikon from her necklace she tosses it a fair distance into the foliage. Checking to be sure she noted that neither Sesshoumaru nor the ape man had even moved an inch.
She did not sleep the entire night for fear that Sesshoumaru or the ape-man would murder her in her sleep. She stared up through the space in the trees looking at the stars twinkling softly. They blinked in and out of being as though dying to be replaced again and again, one life eclipsing into the next in a millisecond. Life was like that taken in short breaths and glimpses passing quickly before your eyes gone before you even realized it started. Most people seemed to flow in that pattern lives going by swiftly only denting the surface of the world cycle barely noticed. But then there were those who went beyond the average pushing through the surface leaving craters in their wake rather. Those were the people who really affected others. She only wished that she could be one of those people. But now she would probably be of the other type her life only a flash before her.
She turned her face down looking across the clearing to where Sesshoumaru sat looking back at her, his face emotionless in the cool midnight air. She loathed his very existence by now wishing he had never come and separated her from her family. She knew in her heart that it was her own fault for taking that jewel with it's power her grandfather might have been able to fight off the demon or at least keep him at bay long enough for them to seek the help of a Miko. But in her own selfishness she had doomed herself and punished her family in doing so.
As the sun rose slowly casting long rays of light through the trees into the clearing Sesshoumaru rose quickly. Kagome had been surprised that he'd been so lively he hadn't slept a wink all night even she felt the pangs of fatigue. He hauled her back to her house asking her family again for the Shikon no Tama. They of course could not produce it. Sesshoumaru had bared his teeth furious with them. "Then your daughter will remain in my custody as my servant until you can give it to me."
They'd left Sesshoumaru dragging her away from her family. Her last sight of them tears rushing down their cheeks her mother angry at herself for losing her oldest and only daughter. Kagome longed to call out after her to tell her mother the truth but she couldn't bring herself to say it and she couldn't endanger them more by letting Sesshoumaru hear it, her lasting defeat
It was hard for her to remember those things. She missed her family so much now realizing that she'd probably been the cause of all their problems. Her father had deserted her mother when he found out that she was not his child, her brother Souta had almost frozen to death when she'd locked him outside through blistering cold thinking he was a theiving criminal, then she'd hidden the Shikon no Tama from them and put them through that whole Sesshoumaru incident.
She hurried quickly to the mansion pushing back the tears that threatened to spill unrequited down her cheeks. She'd promised herself a long time ago that she would no longer cry in self pitty, to give satisfaction to her persecutors. She lifted her head back upwards to see that she was only a few feet away from the front double doors of the house. Walking in she could immediately find no one and began to call for Sango and Miroku thinking that they should be around somewhere. It was Shippou's day off and usually everyone had house work to do on those days to make up for his absence. She couldn't find any of the other's not even Sesshoumaru himself could be found. It was getting dark and she was worried about them. In truth she was more worried about Sango and Miroku than she was worried about Seshoumaru but she still worried for him. It surprised her that she even cared about him in her own mind she could see that it would be right for her to hate him after all he'd done. She pushed away her worry for him wandering around the house looking for her friends.
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Sesshoumaru meandered across the lawns towards a tree that was situated near the front of his mansion. As he approached it he listened to the sounds of Sango cleaning the dishes, clanking them together as she always did as if to the rythm of a silent tune running through her head. He sat down leaning his back against the tree. He definitely needed to think.
He didn't understand how Kagome made him feel so low so disgusting so evil and useless. He thought of his outburst the night he had discovered Kikyo's betrayal.
He walked behind Niraku tracing his footsteps as he was led to the bar he'd never been to in his life. Niroku had assured him that there was something worth seeing in there or else there was no way he would have trecked all the way out here.
They entered a small bar ordering drinks for the two of them. They'd been sitting at the counter for half an hour discussing random topics and commenting on obscure things when Niraku had raised his hands in front of Sesshoumaru who immediately fell silent. He moved his hands away from the Lord's face pointing to a table hidden way in the back for those who weren't to keen on being a main spectical. Sesshoumaru stared wide eyed at his little brother and...and his Kikyo sucking the life out of one another with their lips. He couldn't believe it Kikyo his Kikyo was kissing that half-breed bastard of a brother. How could she do this to him. He jumped out of his chair as it clashed to the ground, blood boiling eyes red with anger. The beauty of his face distorted by his demonic presence as his fury rose. Niraku ushered people out the doors in order to help them live through what happened next.
"You." Shesshoumaru pointed an accusing finger at Kikyo. "You filthy bitch how could you."
He ignored her garbled apologies throwing her to the floor. He turned then to his brother. His own flesh and blood, did he have no respect for his family. "You filthy bastard not even a full blooded inu youki and you think your good enough to compete with me. I trusted you and you turned out to be just as much of a traitor as the next jack ass."
"I must not be that inferior if I got Kikyo." he smirked cruelly at his older brother.
"I can't believe this." Sesshoumaru raised his arms above his head . In a furious burst of energy he threw his hands down power escaping from him like ripples in a pond. The entire bar was wiped out in the explosion and half the city was turned to ruins. The only people in the near vacinity that survived were Inuyasha, Kikyo, Niraku, and a steaming red faced Seshoumaru. He'd stormed out of the city angrily. It had been about then that he had started looking for the Shikon no Tama, anything that could keep his mind off Kikyo was a good distraction and this required all his attention and fulfilled his needs.
It hadn't been easy to hold in his anger with her but with Kagome it hadn't been as easy to blow up like that for some reason he couldn't bring him self to do it to her. He'd been angry at Kikyo when she was so insolent but now it didn't even phase him, the most damage it delt was to himself. He had gotten considerably angry at himself for being rude to her in the first place and only taken it out on her as a mere cover up. It was too much now.
He couldn't handle his emotions any more, that foolish girl had gone and confused him like that. He was pulled between a feeling of love for her and feelings of despise. A soft breeze ruffled through the leaves above him. He could still remember the day she'd been forced into serving him. She'd been strong and defiant and all the more he'd tried to change that the more she fought back twisting things to fit her own wants and needs. He felt the grass sway as another puff of wind wafted past him. He caught a whiff of her scent soft and sweet. Following it he turns to catch a peek of her slinking off into the trees at the edge of the forest. She snuck off a lot these days. It puzzled him what could be so wonderful to sneak off to so often. He had to know where she was going, what was so wonderful and precious to her to keep a secret. He feared it would be no good to follow after her himself she would be wary of him tailing her and even though he was a master of stealth he didn't want to be the one to follow he. It was too risky to put himself in such a position. Sango, Miroku and definitely Shippou would notice his absences for sure and of course the good friends that they are would tell Kagome of the change.
He rose slowly walking towards the trees. Reaching the edge he surveyed the path he'd seen Kagome walking along earlier. He couldn't help but ponder where it led. He wanted to find out, and soon. He turned threading his along the path through the fronds of several ferns that overshadowed the dusty course heading in the opposite direction Kagome had taken.
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Sango watched as Sesshoumaru stood and walked off towards the woods, waiting as he disappeared into the woods. He didn't come out after a few minutes and she realized he'd be gone for a lot longer at this rate. Placing the dish in her hand back onto the counter top she dropped the towel and leaned back against the wall. It felt good to rest, all day she'd been on her feet and with Sesshoumaru watching her everything had to be perfect, unless she wanted a beating. She heard the kitchen door creak open and Miroku stepped inside, obviously he had also figured out that Sesshoumaru had left.
He walked over to her purposely bumping her aside as her washed his hands on the cloth in front of her. "Excuse me madam." As if that made up for it. He'd knocked her off balance and she'd almost fallen.
"I'll give you an excuse." She pushed him into the counter scurrying to the side as he tried swinging his arms at her wanting her to get away. He chased her across the room catching her as he blocked of all exits and forced her into a corner. He moved in on her slowly feeling the tension between them.
Sango waited with baited breath as he pinned her to the wall and continued to lean closer and closer closing the gap between them. She yearned for the feel of his warmth on her skin, the touch of his lips on hers. She missed that. It wasn't very often that she got to be close to him. She leaned in spanning the distance between their lips. She felt at complete as she eased herself into his arms. She felt him tighten his grip around her slim figure. He was so loving and caring but only when they were alone. When others were around he was shy or indifferent towards her. If only he could be this way all the time. She thought as they ended the kiss. "Got you." Miroku smirked at her.
"Oh yeah." She challenged back. Giving him a swift peck on the lips as she pushed him out of the way and fled out of the room. Miroku followed her out the door and down the hall. He ran quickly skidding to a halt as he reached her to avoid slamming into her. She turned just in time flinging her hands up to block him. At impact he was far to heavy for her to support they fell to the ground quivering with laughter playfully kissing one another in turn until they heard, "Sango, Miroku, anyone here." It was Kagome back to spoil their fun. They scrambled off each other and left the scene of the crime in opposite directions giving each other quickly fleeting smiles.
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Lady Kaede sat down in at her table serving herself some of the soup she had just made. It was too bad Inuyasha and Kagome had declined her offer of dinner she would end up with leftovers for days but then again Inuyasha would have eaten her out of house and home. She stared at the tiny black bag that lay in front of her at the center of the small table. Inside the Shikon no Tama rested. She took small sips of the soup wondering what to do if her neighbor truly knew she had it. She had hears that he fashioned himself to have great power and that he was searching for a precious jewel that would only enhance his already awing might. It might be true then again maybe not. She took the jewel out of the bag an d looked at it, its pink sheen glaring in the candlelight. She'd had it for four years not at all long in its lifetime of millenniums. She felt its energy only holding it, but with that she could feel it's hatred burning through its core. The cause of so many wars and so much bloodshed and now in her old hands lined with age it only looked like an innocent bead a thing of beauty and nothing more...
A/N: I wanted this chappie to be a lil longer but o well. hope you liked it.
Thanks to HeartlessEnchantress I'm accepting anonymous review (thanks again) and btw Sess is about to find out kag's secret pretty soon idk if next chap or chap 6 but soon. then all hell's gonna break loose jk n e ways get outta here and go review. more u review the faster i write for reals so get to it.