Disclaimer: *looking again at empty chair throws mangled chains to the floor* you'd think that if little old me could capture Inuyasha then these idiots could at least keep him from escaping *glares at guards posted at the single doorway* not like he had that many escape routes. Oh you know how it goes 'if you want something done right you best do it yourself' *humpf* more work for me
A/N: fixed some of the spellin in my other chappies sorry bout th@ spell check on my comp is ghetto so it don't work and sorry bout some of the mix ups in my words. I'm so mad I rote the 1st 6 pgraphs of this chapppie and I saved it but of corse my comp said ther wer problems loding it from the disk and duh stupid me never saved it 2 the actual comp. I'm happy i finishd this chappie but it was an all niter sory it took so long i didn have alotta time l8ly to work on but yeah. it I was real mad and now i'm way tired but o well th@'s over and dun w/ so on w/ the chaos
Twisted Love
Chapter Seven
Useful Deceptions
Keade could feel him lurking around outside. He'd been there forever and it didn't look like he'd be leaving. She paced through her house so that she looked busy. She wouldn't do anything suspicious and she'd left the Shikon no Tama hidden in her room. No need for him to see it.
She was afraid to turn her back on him yet afraid to look at him. She only knew he was still there by the shivers that ran through her body every time she walked passed a window and the hairs that stood up on her neck every time she heard the wind outside. He has to leave sooner or later and she hoped that she did before it got dark or she'd be losing a lot of sleep.
Outside Naraku waited for a sign. So far all she'd done was walk back and forth adjusting things that had nothing wrong with them to begin with. He'd had the feeling that she knew he was there and was only playing him for the fool that he was but he hadn't seen her even look towards his direction and there hadn't been a lull in her activities as of yet that would tell him that she'd noticed. He still had hope that she had te Shikon no Tama as long as it meant Kikyo didn't. He continued to watch halfway hidden behind a fence praying for her to slip up.
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"Why didn't you give it to him?" A sharp hiss emanated for her as she glided closer her face a sea of swirling shadows under her dark hood. The alleyway had suddenly gotten darker the only light coming from small pinpricks coming from the woman's glowing eyes. She continued to advance upon them.
Sango shook with fear her face white with horror. Grasping Miroku's hand tightly she backed away from the terror that stood before her. How could she have forgotten about that letter? Kagome had been so adamant about finding it and she had just let it go as if it were nothing. She'd brought this one on herself but she couldn't understand how this strange woman had known.
"Answer me." The woman screamed and a startled Sango began spitting out her response as quickly as she the words could fly from her tongue hurriedly rushing to the woman's open ears. "I didn't give it to him because I lost it I swear. I didn't read it, it's just that it got misplaced for a while and I forgot about it." She knew this admission would do nothing for her. She waited her heart racing through the pregnant pause until the cloaked woman replied stonily. "It is your own fault for not giving it to your master. I understand that your counterpart was enthusiastic about finding it while you tossed it away like a spider in the wind to become lost among the giants of the world. I swear to you that if you do not find that letter and deliver it to your master you will surely suffer a life worse than death." The threat hung in the air above them as Sango squirmed in terror.
With that the woman turned as if to walk. Sango relaxed visibly in Miroku's arms letting out a faint sigh. As she herself was about to turn and walk away taking a few shaking steps out of his strong grip the woman turned, her cloak billowing out beside her flippantly. "Don't think you'll be getting away that easily." She quickened her pace heading directly towards the shocked Sango. She wanted to run to get out of the way but her legs were stuck as if they'd grown into the ground like tree roots. Instead she looked at the woman her eyes wide and timid as she delayed moving. Miroku moved towards her carefully, still eager to protect her.
"Not you again. Get out of the way." She said annoyed by his persistence. Both he and Sango watched amazed as she produced a small pink flame with in her hands. It waltzed across her palm in flickering patters weaving in and out of itself. Balling her fist around it she brought her hand up behind her head and hurled it at Miroku with all her strength.
Ducking He tried to escape the oncoming onslaught. The flame curled through the air growing as it reached him. It sent spasms of energy all around it that even Sango could feel from far away. It hit him roughly sending him sailing into a brick wall on the other end of the dark alley. Sango grimaced in pain for him the sight was awful to look upon as he lay unconscious at the base of the wall a gash in his head leaking a small trail of trickling blood. Attempting to run towards him she felt an unsuspected hand grip her arm tightly. She spun around to face the woman her body quivering.
The woman grabbed Sango by her neck lifting her completely off the ground. Her feet inches off the ground swung in circles as she hovered in the strong grasp. "Hold out your hand." the demand emerge from the darkness loudly cracking the silence with its sharpened edge.
Sango complied holding out her hand. What was she going to give her? Most likely something she didn't want to be touching. She saw the mysterious woman make twisting motions with her hand flicking it here and there intertwining it with the thin wispy smoke that grew from her finger tips and swirled it about methodically. She closed her fist around something that looked to Sango as if it were only air. Her movements halted abruptly. The hand shifted towards Sango. "Take it." It came again as a bodiless demand.
Pushing it into her hand she closed it around the object tightly. She replaced her to her feat and began to walk away leaving them to their own devices.
Her feat on the ground she Sango steadied herself and concentrated on the object within her fisted hands. To her it first felt as though it truly was air. But then she felt something warm and wet. It pulsated within her hands pushing against her palms as if straining to be free of them. She peered at through her fingers seeing nothing but fluctuating shadows. Opening her hands to get a better look she almost dropped it when she realized what it was. An ear piercing scream stemmed from her hollow mouth echoing off the walls infringing upon her. In the corner Miroku started to stir.
"That's right." The retreating woman said over her shoulder. "It's a human heart. Kagura's to be exact. Foolish bitch thinking she could out smart me, the most powerful Miko to be born to this desolate world. Take that back to your master. It is conceivable that even in his vainness it will be hard to forgive himself for sending a woman of great power, such as Kagura, to her imminent death." That said she turned on her heel and strode of into a thick cloud of furling mist and fog her cackling laughter resounding in Sango's perfect ears.
She wanted to gag as she extracting her fingers from around the horrid thing. It fell it's speed increasing as it headed toward the ground. Sango pulled her face away to the side in no way wanting to see the impact. She waited for a splat droplets of liquid to rush at her as it hit. But nothing came. Opening her eyes she stared astonished at the small bag that sat in front of her picking it up slowly she read an inscription on a small tag. "'Take this to him. If it is that the sight of it disturbs you, you no longer have to look upon it. But still I must request that you present it to your Lord Sesshoumaru.'" Nonplused she held the bag gingerly in her finger tips a slight distance from herself.
A soft moan reached her ears. Miroku! She rushed over to him setting the bag to her side as she strained to revive him. He stirred at her touch but his eyes remained closed. Persistently she pushed him back and forth calling his name over and over again. He had to wake up.
"Miroku, Miroku? Please wake up, Miroku." He could hear her sweet voice calling to him faintly muffled as if traveling a long distance to reach his ears. He tried moving closer to but only succeeded in increasing the pain throbbing through his skull. It only took him a few moments to comprehend what had happened as it all cam back to him. That woman had done this to him when he'd tried to protect Sango from her. Sango! Was she okey? "Sango?" He called out, his voice was fuzzy to his own ears and it made his head buzz. He opened his eyes slowly at first only seeing a brightness that made him close them sharply. As his eyes became accustomed to the light he could make out someone moving above him hovering close to his face.
Sango looked into his eyes as he blinked fastidiously. She found his hand where it lay next to him and gripped it tightly. "Come on. Wake up." She whispered insistently. When his eyes had apparently adjusted he turned toward her. Thank the gods he'd awakened; she'd been so afraid that the blow had killed him. She bushed a few stray hairs away from his forehead kissing him gently. "I'd thought I'd lost you." She lifted his head carefully into her lap to analyze his injury.
"Sango." He choked out. "You could never lose me." He smiled up at her with rapture until he felt a sharp pain flush through him. He winced in obvious discomfort. "How is it?" He inquired gesturing to his head limply after he'd recovered from the initial shock of his injury.
Sango studied the bloody gash spanning across his head. Looking at it this closely it didn't look as bad as she'd originally thought. It was deep yes but it would heel in a week and if she could remember what Kagome's friend Keade had told her about bandaging wounds perhaps she could keep it from scarring. She ran her fingers through his hair for a few minutes feeling as though it was all her fault that this had happened to him. If she hadn't gone and discouraged Kagome about finding that wretched letter they could have given it to Sesshoumaru by now and none of this would have happened. Her dear Miroku wouldn't have been hurt and Kagura the gods bless her soul would still be alive. She couldn't help but think it was her who'd done this to her friends endangering them and putting their lives at risk just because she was too lazy to find that damn letter.
"It's not your fault love. You had no idea what it was. And it was Sesshoumaru that sent Kagura on this business. Whoever that woman was he must have known about her. Don't blame it on yourself. And besides that I'm fine, so please let it go. It was just one of those things that couldn't be helped." He comforted her raising a hand to her face to wipe a lone tear that was trailing down her cheek slowly. He wished she would see that she wasn't he one responsible for what had happened. He hated to see her sad it only darkened his own thoughts and he knew how much this would hurt her. "We should be going now. Don't you think? Come on let's go and get the horses back from that shepherd. Please, Sango there is no need to stay here." He watched as she rose reluctantly lending him a hand to aid him in getting up.
He took it gratefully rising on his wavering legs. Putting a hand against the wall to steady himself he looked toward the ground noticing the small bag at Sango's feet. He pointed to it shakily and without giving Sango a chance to answer him he bent down precariously to pick it up. Reading the message inscribed on it's tag he turned to her questioningly.
Taking a deep breath she steadied herself to tell him. "It's Kagura's heart." She watched a look of alarm wash over his face. Resisting the urge to throw the disgusting thing away from him he offered. "I'll hold it for you if it troubles you." He stuffed it carefully into one of his cloak's pockets shoving it to the back of his mind as he did so. Poor Kagura that despicable piece of filth Sesshoumaru had sent her to her death and she'd had no idea what she was getting herself into but he had a good idea that Sesshoumaru had.
"Thanks." Sango said softly pushing her hand into his and intertwining their fingers. She smiled up at him as he felt everything else fade away. He enfolded her in a swift embrace and they continued to walk out of the alleyway hand in hand toward the shepherd and his hill to retrieve their horses and return to Sesshoumaru's estate where they would have to find the letter and tell the Lord what had happened. For now though they were content to be with each other no matter and the matter of informing Sesshoumaru about what had gone on was the last thing on either of their minds.
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Naraku left Keade's grounds her lack of activity almost driving him over the edge. In all the time he'd been there he could not confirm whether or not she had the jewel or not. He was both frustrated and worried. He hoped that she had seen him watching and that was the cause of her inactivity or else she truly did not have the Shikon and that meant that Kikyo did. He wasn't prepared yet to face the fact that Kikyo did have it and he continued to push away all his thoughts of apprehension concentrating on the small chance that Keade had it.
Stalking heavily off to Sesshoumaru's estate he angrily cursed his reoccurring misfortunes. Now he had to go tell Sesshoumaru about Kagome and Inuyasha. That would in no way be a pleasant experience. It wasn't going to be easy but he had to persuade Sesshoumaru to keep himself from blowing up on everyone. He needed to find a way to take the blame away from him for in no way was he eager to feel Inuyasha's wrath for a second time. When the hanyou had found out how he'd told Sesshoumaru about him and Kikyo he'd all but beat the shaman to death, his powers weakened almost to nothing. No way did he want that again. He slowed his pace apathetic about greeting the Lord with his news.
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Kagome stirred quietly opening her eyes. She was unsure of her surroundings as she looked up towards the ceiling with its dark jagged wood unusually jagged compared to that in her room. Wait. This wasn't her ceiling, this wasn't her room.
She felt a warmness next to her and an arm holding her close to it tightening slowly about her waist. Inuyasha. She was in Inuyasha's room, on Inuyasha's bed, in his very arms. Releasing a sigh of ecstacy she scooted closer to his warmth replacing her head back onto his chest.
Her hand rested on his stomach still clasping his hand firmly in her own. She could feel her head moving in unison with him as he breathed slowly and continuously evenly. He was asleep. Carefully she lifted her self up to look down at his face. He appeared so sweet and angelic in his dreams his face showing no signs of worry and his mouth curved in a slight smile. Balancing herself cautiously she took a hand and brought it slowly to one of his ears. Fingering it she held back a soft giggle instead allowing her mouth to curve in a scant smile. His ears were too kawaii. Brushing back a few strands of hair from his face with her fingers she couldn't help but love him. He was everything to her and in so many ways that was a bad thing. If that baka Sesshoumaru found out about her little escapades with her beloved they'd both be as good as dead.
Dismissing her morbid thoughts she bent down to kiss him. Even in sleep he was too alluring to ignore. She felt his lips open to hers and in her surprise she broke their touch her face whipping away from his so she could see him properly.
"But I, I thought you were asleep." She stammered as she noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes and the playful smile gliding over his lips. "Oh my god! Have you been awake this whole time?" She was flustered now embarrassed of her actions her cheeks flashing red. She bent her head looking downward hoping her hair would hide her flushed cheeks.
"Calm down." Inuyasha tried to console her. "Really it wasn't all that bad. It was really kind of cute only you don't know how hard it his to keep a straight face like that." He smiled reaching a hand out pull her hair away from her face. Placing a hand on her chin he lifted it up so he could look into her eyes. She had calmed and her face had faded into a lighter pink barely noticeable now. His beautiful angel. He bent down to kiss her lightly on the cheek laughing inwardly; she hadn't been awake to see what he'd done. His face would still be beaming if she had.
She grinned back before leaning up to meat him and placing her lips skillfully around his mouth curling her tongue around his playfully only pulling back when she'd felt she'd beaten him. Backing away slowly she turned away from him and hopped off the bed. He followed her with his eyes questioningly. Padding softly over to the window she looked out analyzing the darkening sky. Her brow furrowed momentarily but it was gone in an instant. She turned back to face him.
"You now it's getting late and I shall have to leave soon." She whispered to him. If only Sesshoumaru were not her master. But he was and if she stayed out too late the halfwit of a Lord would surely give her another flogging. If she left now she would have plenty of time to get back before her curfew. It struck her as strangely odd that there was a curfew on their days off and it hadn't bothered her until lately. Her thoughts troubled her as she regarded her precious little hanyou. It felt like she was continually punishing along with herself every time she had to leave like this unable to explain leaving him far too many questions unanswered. She sauntered over to him bringing him into a tight embrace. Locking her arms around his neck she looked up and kissed him passionately. He returned the kiss with just as much fervor.
When they parted Inuyasha felt a pang of sadness as always when she left him. She always left him with an emptiness that he could feel considerably heavy upon his heart. He took her hand leading her to the door slowly. Opening it her offered to walk her home but she politely refused; she could make it own her own it wasn't that far away. He kissed her good night another one of those lasting kisses that lingered long after they pulled away. He touched her cheek softly. "Goodnight beloved. Perhaps we will continue this some other time."
"Anytime." She breathed into his ear as she gave him a swift peck on the cheek and headed out into the trees and off into the soon to be impenetrable darkness of night.
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Shippou was in the kitchen washing the noon meal's dishes humming to himself in a reserved manner when he heard a hammering on the door. Rushing to open it he gasped when the ape-man stood before him his face hidden in the hideously terrifying mask and the grey pelt swirling about him moved by the nonexistent wind. He backed away from the door opening it to its full extent as the masked man strode in quickly.
"Where can I find the Lord?" He questioned impatiently looking around and fidgeting earnestly.
Shippou hesitated for a moment Sesshoumaru had asked not to be disturbed. He wasn't in the mood for a beating or a yelling match that he would forcibly lose. He stared at the man unsure of what to do. He knew this was one of the Lords usual informants and it was probably on some important business that he'd come.
"Will you hurry up and show me where he is you bumbling fool." He shouted evenly at Shippou as he prodded him non too gently. "Well, get on with it."
Angrily Shippou led him off to Sesshoumaru's chambers at the back of the mansion. He knocked softly, nervously. Nothing. He knocked again a little louder. Still nothing. Just as he was getting ready to slam his fist in the door with his own impatience the door swung open abruptly the Lord standing in the doorway looking foreboding.
"I thought I told you no visit-" He stopped upon seeing the ape-man angry at his outburst but who was Naraku to judge. "Get back to work Shippou." He said in a lighter tone.
Shippou hurried to comply trotting back down the corridors to the kitchen.
When he had left them Naraku turned and addressed the Lord. "Sesshoumaru I have news about your servant Kagome." Clearly by the fleeting look of interest in his eyes the Lord was curious to know where she had been. He ushered for Naraku to enter holding the door open for him and closing it softly behind them.
"Well what is it? Where did she go?"
Bracing himself for the eminent eruption he voiced the fuse. "She was with your half brother Inuyasha." He waited for the Lord to blow himself up in anger. But instead he was extremely perturbed at what he heard.
In a tired beaten voice Sesshoumaru was mumbling to himself. "Again my brother has bested me in charm. He has taken the lovely Kagome from me like he took Kikyo from me. How can it be that they always choose him above me? Am I not better off than he? Such a wretched little beast stealing everything from me even our father's greater sword. He shall pay for this insolence, shameful bastard that he is. Naraku." He turned to face the shaman his eyes glazed over eerily. "Naraku you must help me get her back and smite that distasteful Inuyasha."
This whole scene had frightened Naraku. Never before had he seen Sesshoumaru act like this. It was uncommon for him to be so calm. With his plead for help Naraku offered his plan. "We shall make them no longer want each other." He said simply.
"And how do you propose we accomplish that?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Naraku paced around the room voicing his thoughts in a string of ideas as he wove a plan to achieve a desired effect. As long as he wasn't blamed for any of this it would turn out just fine. "Well you see me being a shaman and all I can have a spirit possess Inuyasha when he is asleep and all I have to do is find a girl willing to be seen with him. And you," He looked toward Sesshoumaru who raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "All you have to do is get Kagome to see them together. I can take it from there. This way she won't have a reason to hate you she will only hate Inuyasha for his unfaithfulness."
The youkai stood silently his fingers brushing his chin as he considered the proposal. It seemed to him at first that there were no flaws in this ingenious plan, but as he studied it he realized something and vocalized his query. "She will not question Inuyasha about this afterwards? And how will this gain me her heart?"
"It is all to simple you Lordship. You see all women are weak-hearted and something like this is like stabbing them through the heart, imminent death. She will abandon him in her grief, too angry to lament her loss at first she will not approach him and he having no idea what is going on will be ambiguous about contacting her. Soon they pain will become too much for her and she will need someone to turn to." He finished simply looking smugly towards Sesshoumaru waiting for felicitations on a job well done. Instead he looked on as the Lord babbled in consternation. He grew antsy. "Well what's wrong with it now?"
"I still do not see how I am the one who will end up with her." He stated dismally at a loss for his confusion had led him into a blind alley and he was trying to find a way out unaware that he had only to turn around and retrace his steps. Naraku pitied him at times in his quest for love his was an eternal failure while he held a power force that was one of the strongest in the world only rivaled by a mere fifty people world wide at most and his cruelty surpassed even the most barbarous of torturers. Yet in this department he was lacking all his usual strategy and skill.
"Play her emotion, get her to turn to you. Send Miroku and Sango on errands or whatever but give her no one else to talk to. Eventually she will grow weary of bearing such a heavy burden on her own. She will beg you for help and if you consent to her then she will share her pain with you and therefore you will be linked. I trust that someone, even someone as blunderous as you can take it from there.
Sesshoumaru smiled to himself perhaps it could be done. He lips curled into a slight smile for a few moments as he contemplated what he could reap out of this superb scheme. Twisting around to face Naraku his face returned to its normal appearance grinless and cruel his eyes once again shining with his deep hatred. "Thank youyou're your assistance Naraku. I trust you can find your own way out from here." Naraku nodded and with a stiff bow exited with a sweep of his cloak, off to his own obligations.
Sesshoumaru was left in silence his thoughts slowly returning to his half brother. "You will pay Inuyasha, you will pay…"
A/N; hope you enjoyed. See you next week kids with another adventurous episode of Twisted Love next time…"Possessive Destruction" I wonder… lol always wanted to do that. sorry I got n2 trouble but I'll have another update soon to make up for it. See ya soon I hope
Oh yeah and I live in California for someone who asked.
Anyways review review review!!!
A/N: fixed some of the spellin in my other chappies sorry bout th@ spell check on my comp is ghetto so it don't work and sorry bout some of the mix ups in my words. I'm so mad I rote the 1st 6 pgraphs of this chapppie and I saved it but of corse my comp said ther wer problems loding it from the disk and duh stupid me never saved it 2 the actual comp. I'm happy i finishd this chappie but it was an all niter sory it took so long i didn have alotta time l8ly to work on but yeah. it I was real mad and now i'm way tired but o well th@'s over and dun w/ so on w/ the chaos
Twisted Love
Chapter Seven
Useful Deceptions
Keade could feel him lurking around outside. He'd been there forever and it didn't look like he'd be leaving. She paced through her house so that she looked busy. She wouldn't do anything suspicious and she'd left the Shikon no Tama hidden in her room. No need for him to see it.
She was afraid to turn her back on him yet afraid to look at him. She only knew he was still there by the shivers that ran through her body every time she walked passed a window and the hairs that stood up on her neck every time she heard the wind outside. He has to leave sooner or later and she hoped that she did before it got dark or she'd be losing a lot of sleep.
Outside Naraku waited for a sign. So far all she'd done was walk back and forth adjusting things that had nothing wrong with them to begin with. He'd had the feeling that she knew he was there and was only playing him for the fool that he was but he hadn't seen her even look towards his direction and there hadn't been a lull in her activities as of yet that would tell him that she'd noticed. He still had hope that she had te Shikon no Tama as long as it meant Kikyo didn't. He continued to watch halfway hidden behind a fence praying for her to slip up.
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"Why didn't you give it to him?" A sharp hiss emanated for her as she glided closer her face a sea of swirling shadows under her dark hood. The alleyway had suddenly gotten darker the only light coming from small pinpricks coming from the woman's glowing eyes. She continued to advance upon them.
Sango shook with fear her face white with horror. Grasping Miroku's hand tightly she backed away from the terror that stood before her. How could she have forgotten about that letter? Kagome had been so adamant about finding it and she had just let it go as if it were nothing. She'd brought this one on herself but she couldn't understand how this strange woman had known.
"Answer me." The woman screamed and a startled Sango began spitting out her response as quickly as she the words could fly from her tongue hurriedly rushing to the woman's open ears. "I didn't give it to him because I lost it I swear. I didn't read it, it's just that it got misplaced for a while and I forgot about it." She knew this admission would do nothing for her. She waited her heart racing through the pregnant pause until the cloaked woman replied stonily. "It is your own fault for not giving it to your master. I understand that your counterpart was enthusiastic about finding it while you tossed it away like a spider in the wind to become lost among the giants of the world. I swear to you that if you do not find that letter and deliver it to your master you will surely suffer a life worse than death." The threat hung in the air above them as Sango squirmed in terror.
With that the woman turned as if to walk. Sango relaxed visibly in Miroku's arms letting out a faint sigh. As she herself was about to turn and walk away taking a few shaking steps out of his strong grip the woman turned, her cloak billowing out beside her flippantly. "Don't think you'll be getting away that easily." She quickened her pace heading directly towards the shocked Sango. She wanted to run to get out of the way but her legs were stuck as if they'd grown into the ground like tree roots. Instead she looked at the woman her eyes wide and timid as she delayed moving. Miroku moved towards her carefully, still eager to protect her.
"Not you again. Get out of the way." She said annoyed by his persistence. Both he and Sango watched amazed as she produced a small pink flame with in her hands. It waltzed across her palm in flickering patters weaving in and out of itself. Balling her fist around it she brought her hand up behind her head and hurled it at Miroku with all her strength.
Ducking He tried to escape the oncoming onslaught. The flame curled through the air growing as it reached him. It sent spasms of energy all around it that even Sango could feel from far away. It hit him roughly sending him sailing into a brick wall on the other end of the dark alley. Sango grimaced in pain for him the sight was awful to look upon as he lay unconscious at the base of the wall a gash in his head leaking a small trail of trickling blood. Attempting to run towards him she felt an unsuspected hand grip her arm tightly. She spun around to face the woman her body quivering.
The woman grabbed Sango by her neck lifting her completely off the ground. Her feet inches off the ground swung in circles as she hovered in the strong grasp. "Hold out your hand." the demand emerge from the darkness loudly cracking the silence with its sharpened edge.
Sango complied holding out her hand. What was she going to give her? Most likely something she didn't want to be touching. She saw the mysterious woman make twisting motions with her hand flicking it here and there intertwining it with the thin wispy smoke that grew from her finger tips and swirled it about methodically. She closed her fist around something that looked to Sango as if it were only air. Her movements halted abruptly. The hand shifted towards Sango. "Take it." It came again as a bodiless demand.
Pushing it into her hand she closed it around the object tightly. She replaced her to her feat and began to walk away leaving them to their own devices.
Her feat on the ground she Sango steadied herself and concentrated on the object within her fisted hands. To her it first felt as though it truly was air. But then she felt something warm and wet. It pulsated within her hands pushing against her palms as if straining to be free of them. She peered at through her fingers seeing nothing but fluctuating shadows. Opening her hands to get a better look she almost dropped it when she realized what it was. An ear piercing scream stemmed from her hollow mouth echoing off the walls infringing upon her. In the corner Miroku started to stir.
"That's right." The retreating woman said over her shoulder. "It's a human heart. Kagura's to be exact. Foolish bitch thinking she could out smart me, the most powerful Miko to be born to this desolate world. Take that back to your master. It is conceivable that even in his vainness it will be hard to forgive himself for sending a woman of great power, such as Kagura, to her imminent death." That said she turned on her heel and strode of into a thick cloud of furling mist and fog her cackling laughter resounding in Sango's perfect ears.
She wanted to gag as she extracting her fingers from around the horrid thing. It fell it's speed increasing as it headed toward the ground. Sango pulled her face away to the side in no way wanting to see the impact. She waited for a splat droplets of liquid to rush at her as it hit. But nothing came. Opening her eyes she stared astonished at the small bag that sat in front of her picking it up slowly she read an inscription on a small tag. "'Take this to him. If it is that the sight of it disturbs you, you no longer have to look upon it. But still I must request that you present it to your Lord Sesshoumaru.'" Nonplused she held the bag gingerly in her finger tips a slight distance from herself.
A soft moan reached her ears. Miroku! She rushed over to him setting the bag to her side as she strained to revive him. He stirred at her touch but his eyes remained closed. Persistently she pushed him back and forth calling his name over and over again. He had to wake up.
"Miroku, Miroku? Please wake up, Miroku." He could hear her sweet voice calling to him faintly muffled as if traveling a long distance to reach his ears. He tried moving closer to but only succeeded in increasing the pain throbbing through his skull. It only took him a few moments to comprehend what had happened as it all cam back to him. That woman had done this to him when he'd tried to protect Sango from her. Sango! Was she okey? "Sango?" He called out, his voice was fuzzy to his own ears and it made his head buzz. He opened his eyes slowly at first only seeing a brightness that made him close them sharply. As his eyes became accustomed to the light he could make out someone moving above him hovering close to his face.
Sango looked into his eyes as he blinked fastidiously. She found his hand where it lay next to him and gripped it tightly. "Come on. Wake up." She whispered insistently. When his eyes had apparently adjusted he turned toward her. Thank the gods he'd awakened; she'd been so afraid that the blow had killed him. She bushed a few stray hairs away from his forehead kissing him gently. "I'd thought I'd lost you." She lifted his head carefully into her lap to analyze his injury.
"Sango." He choked out. "You could never lose me." He smiled up at her with rapture until he felt a sharp pain flush through him. He winced in obvious discomfort. "How is it?" He inquired gesturing to his head limply after he'd recovered from the initial shock of his injury.
Sango studied the bloody gash spanning across his head. Looking at it this closely it didn't look as bad as she'd originally thought. It was deep yes but it would heel in a week and if she could remember what Kagome's friend Keade had told her about bandaging wounds perhaps she could keep it from scarring. She ran her fingers through his hair for a few minutes feeling as though it was all her fault that this had happened to him. If she hadn't gone and discouraged Kagome about finding that wretched letter they could have given it to Sesshoumaru by now and none of this would have happened. Her dear Miroku wouldn't have been hurt and Kagura the gods bless her soul would still be alive. She couldn't help but think it was her who'd done this to her friends endangering them and putting their lives at risk just because she was too lazy to find that damn letter.
"It's not your fault love. You had no idea what it was. And it was Sesshoumaru that sent Kagura on this business. Whoever that woman was he must have known about her. Don't blame it on yourself. And besides that I'm fine, so please let it go. It was just one of those things that couldn't be helped." He comforted her raising a hand to her face to wipe a lone tear that was trailing down her cheek slowly. He wished she would see that she wasn't he one responsible for what had happened. He hated to see her sad it only darkened his own thoughts and he knew how much this would hurt her. "We should be going now. Don't you think? Come on let's go and get the horses back from that shepherd. Please, Sango there is no need to stay here." He watched as she rose reluctantly lending him a hand to aid him in getting up.
He took it gratefully rising on his wavering legs. Putting a hand against the wall to steady himself he looked toward the ground noticing the small bag at Sango's feet. He pointed to it shakily and without giving Sango a chance to answer him he bent down precariously to pick it up. Reading the message inscribed on it's tag he turned to her questioningly.
Taking a deep breath she steadied herself to tell him. "It's Kagura's heart." She watched a look of alarm wash over his face. Resisting the urge to throw the disgusting thing away from him he offered. "I'll hold it for you if it troubles you." He stuffed it carefully into one of his cloak's pockets shoving it to the back of his mind as he did so. Poor Kagura that despicable piece of filth Sesshoumaru had sent her to her death and she'd had no idea what she was getting herself into but he had a good idea that Sesshoumaru had.
"Thanks." Sango said softly pushing her hand into his and intertwining their fingers. She smiled up at him as he felt everything else fade away. He enfolded her in a swift embrace and they continued to walk out of the alleyway hand in hand toward the shepherd and his hill to retrieve their horses and return to Sesshoumaru's estate where they would have to find the letter and tell the Lord what had happened. For now though they were content to be with each other no matter and the matter of informing Sesshoumaru about what had gone on was the last thing on either of their minds.
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Naraku left Keade's grounds her lack of activity almost driving him over the edge. In all the time he'd been there he could not confirm whether or not she had the jewel or not. He was both frustrated and worried. He hoped that she had seen him watching and that was the cause of her inactivity or else she truly did not have the Shikon and that meant that Kikyo did. He wasn't prepared yet to face the fact that Kikyo did have it and he continued to push away all his thoughts of apprehension concentrating on the small chance that Keade had it.
Stalking heavily off to Sesshoumaru's estate he angrily cursed his reoccurring misfortunes. Now he had to go tell Sesshoumaru about Kagome and Inuyasha. That would in no way be a pleasant experience. It wasn't going to be easy but he had to persuade Sesshoumaru to keep himself from blowing up on everyone. He needed to find a way to take the blame away from him for in no way was he eager to feel Inuyasha's wrath for a second time. When the hanyou had found out how he'd told Sesshoumaru about him and Kikyo he'd all but beat the shaman to death, his powers weakened almost to nothing. No way did he want that again. He slowed his pace apathetic about greeting the Lord with his news.
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Kagome stirred quietly opening her eyes. She was unsure of her surroundings as she looked up towards the ceiling with its dark jagged wood unusually jagged compared to that in her room. Wait. This wasn't her ceiling, this wasn't her room.
She felt a warmness next to her and an arm holding her close to it tightening slowly about her waist. Inuyasha. She was in Inuyasha's room, on Inuyasha's bed, in his very arms. Releasing a sigh of ecstacy she scooted closer to his warmth replacing her head back onto his chest.
Her hand rested on his stomach still clasping his hand firmly in her own. She could feel her head moving in unison with him as he breathed slowly and continuously evenly. He was asleep. Carefully she lifted her self up to look down at his face. He appeared so sweet and angelic in his dreams his face showing no signs of worry and his mouth curved in a slight smile. Balancing herself cautiously she took a hand and brought it slowly to one of his ears. Fingering it she held back a soft giggle instead allowing her mouth to curve in a scant smile. His ears were too kawaii. Brushing back a few strands of hair from his face with her fingers she couldn't help but love him. He was everything to her and in so many ways that was a bad thing. If that baka Sesshoumaru found out about her little escapades with her beloved they'd both be as good as dead.
Dismissing her morbid thoughts she bent down to kiss him. Even in sleep he was too alluring to ignore. She felt his lips open to hers and in her surprise she broke their touch her face whipping away from his so she could see him properly.
"But I, I thought you were asleep." She stammered as she noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes and the playful smile gliding over his lips. "Oh my god! Have you been awake this whole time?" She was flustered now embarrassed of her actions her cheeks flashing red. She bent her head looking downward hoping her hair would hide her flushed cheeks.
"Calm down." Inuyasha tried to console her. "Really it wasn't all that bad. It was really kind of cute only you don't know how hard it his to keep a straight face like that." He smiled reaching a hand out pull her hair away from her face. Placing a hand on her chin he lifted it up so he could look into her eyes. She had calmed and her face had faded into a lighter pink barely noticeable now. His beautiful angel. He bent down to kiss her lightly on the cheek laughing inwardly; she hadn't been awake to see what he'd done. His face would still be beaming if she had.
She grinned back before leaning up to meat him and placing her lips skillfully around his mouth curling her tongue around his playfully only pulling back when she'd felt she'd beaten him. Backing away slowly she turned away from him and hopped off the bed. He followed her with his eyes questioningly. Padding softly over to the window she looked out analyzing the darkening sky. Her brow furrowed momentarily but it was gone in an instant. She turned back to face him.
"You now it's getting late and I shall have to leave soon." She whispered to him. If only Sesshoumaru were not her master. But he was and if she stayed out too late the halfwit of a Lord would surely give her another flogging. If she left now she would have plenty of time to get back before her curfew. It struck her as strangely odd that there was a curfew on their days off and it hadn't bothered her until lately. Her thoughts troubled her as she regarded her precious little hanyou. It felt like she was continually punishing along with herself every time she had to leave like this unable to explain leaving him far too many questions unanswered. She sauntered over to him bringing him into a tight embrace. Locking her arms around his neck she looked up and kissed him passionately. He returned the kiss with just as much fervor.
When they parted Inuyasha felt a pang of sadness as always when she left him. She always left him with an emptiness that he could feel considerably heavy upon his heart. He took her hand leading her to the door slowly. Opening it her offered to walk her home but she politely refused; she could make it own her own it wasn't that far away. He kissed her good night another one of those lasting kisses that lingered long after they pulled away. He touched her cheek softly. "Goodnight beloved. Perhaps we will continue this some other time."
"Anytime." She breathed into his ear as she gave him a swift peck on the cheek and headed out into the trees and off into the soon to be impenetrable darkness of night.
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Shippou was in the kitchen washing the noon meal's dishes humming to himself in a reserved manner when he heard a hammering on the door. Rushing to open it he gasped when the ape-man stood before him his face hidden in the hideously terrifying mask and the grey pelt swirling about him moved by the nonexistent wind. He backed away from the door opening it to its full extent as the masked man strode in quickly.
"Where can I find the Lord?" He questioned impatiently looking around and fidgeting earnestly.
Shippou hesitated for a moment Sesshoumaru had asked not to be disturbed. He wasn't in the mood for a beating or a yelling match that he would forcibly lose. He stared at the man unsure of what to do. He knew this was one of the Lords usual informants and it was probably on some important business that he'd come.
"Will you hurry up and show me where he is you bumbling fool." He shouted evenly at Shippou as he prodded him non too gently. "Well, get on with it."
Angrily Shippou led him off to Sesshoumaru's chambers at the back of the mansion. He knocked softly, nervously. Nothing. He knocked again a little louder. Still nothing. Just as he was getting ready to slam his fist in the door with his own impatience the door swung open abruptly the Lord standing in the doorway looking foreboding.
"I thought I told you no visit-" He stopped upon seeing the ape-man angry at his outburst but who was Naraku to judge. "Get back to work Shippou." He said in a lighter tone.
Shippou hurried to comply trotting back down the corridors to the kitchen.
When he had left them Naraku turned and addressed the Lord. "Sesshoumaru I have news about your servant Kagome." Clearly by the fleeting look of interest in his eyes the Lord was curious to know where she had been. He ushered for Naraku to enter holding the door open for him and closing it softly behind them.
"Well what is it? Where did she go?"
Bracing himself for the eminent eruption he voiced the fuse. "She was with your half brother Inuyasha." He waited for the Lord to blow himself up in anger. But instead he was extremely perturbed at what he heard.
In a tired beaten voice Sesshoumaru was mumbling to himself. "Again my brother has bested me in charm. He has taken the lovely Kagome from me like he took Kikyo from me. How can it be that they always choose him above me? Am I not better off than he? Such a wretched little beast stealing everything from me even our father's greater sword. He shall pay for this insolence, shameful bastard that he is. Naraku." He turned to face the shaman his eyes glazed over eerily. "Naraku you must help me get her back and smite that distasteful Inuyasha."
This whole scene had frightened Naraku. Never before had he seen Sesshoumaru act like this. It was uncommon for him to be so calm. With his plead for help Naraku offered his plan. "We shall make them no longer want each other." He said simply.
"And how do you propose we accomplish that?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Naraku paced around the room voicing his thoughts in a string of ideas as he wove a plan to achieve a desired effect. As long as he wasn't blamed for any of this it would turn out just fine. "Well you see me being a shaman and all I can have a spirit possess Inuyasha when he is asleep and all I have to do is find a girl willing to be seen with him. And you," He looked toward Sesshoumaru who raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "All you have to do is get Kagome to see them together. I can take it from there. This way she won't have a reason to hate you she will only hate Inuyasha for his unfaithfulness."
The youkai stood silently his fingers brushing his chin as he considered the proposal. It seemed to him at first that there were no flaws in this ingenious plan, but as he studied it he realized something and vocalized his query. "She will not question Inuyasha about this afterwards? And how will this gain me her heart?"
"It is all to simple you Lordship. You see all women are weak-hearted and something like this is like stabbing them through the heart, imminent death. She will abandon him in her grief, too angry to lament her loss at first she will not approach him and he having no idea what is going on will be ambiguous about contacting her. Soon they pain will become too much for her and she will need someone to turn to." He finished simply looking smugly towards Sesshoumaru waiting for felicitations on a job well done. Instead he looked on as the Lord babbled in consternation. He grew antsy. "Well what's wrong with it now?"
"I still do not see how I am the one who will end up with her." He stated dismally at a loss for his confusion had led him into a blind alley and he was trying to find a way out unaware that he had only to turn around and retrace his steps. Naraku pitied him at times in his quest for love his was an eternal failure while he held a power force that was one of the strongest in the world only rivaled by a mere fifty people world wide at most and his cruelty surpassed even the most barbarous of torturers. Yet in this department he was lacking all his usual strategy and skill.
"Play her emotion, get her to turn to you. Send Miroku and Sango on errands or whatever but give her no one else to talk to. Eventually she will grow weary of bearing such a heavy burden on her own. She will beg you for help and if you consent to her then she will share her pain with you and therefore you will be linked. I trust that someone, even someone as blunderous as you can take it from there.
Sesshoumaru smiled to himself perhaps it could be done. He lips curled into a slight smile for a few moments as he contemplated what he could reap out of this superb scheme. Twisting around to face Naraku his face returned to its normal appearance grinless and cruel his eyes once again shining with his deep hatred. "Thank youyou're your assistance Naraku. I trust you can find your own way out from here." Naraku nodded and with a stiff bow exited with a sweep of his cloak, off to his own obligations.
Sesshoumaru was left in silence his thoughts slowly returning to his half brother. "You will pay Inuyasha, you will pay…"
A/N; hope you enjoyed. See you next week kids with another adventurous episode of Twisted Love next time…"Possessive Destruction" I wonder… lol always wanted to do that. sorry I got n2 trouble but I'll have another update soon to make up for it. See ya soon I hope
Oh yeah and I live in California for someone who asked.
Anyways review review review!!!