A/N: SORRY! Really, really sorry! This took FOREVER I know! Well, 8 pages
to appease you and the action is just starting !
Enjoy and Reviews really will create quick updates this time!!
~Warrior of Forest
And now the awaited.....
Chapter 5: The Journey Begins
Inuyasha stalked out the door in a cloud of white rage, leaving the shocked silence behind him.
"Yasashiku-san," Kagome began, "what is he talking about?"
"I'll leave that for Inuyasha-sama to tell you, it is not my right."
"But, sir." Miroku said pleadingly, "We only want to help him!"
"Help him by going with him so he doesn't have to face that beast alone."
The four friends in the Inuyasha-gumi nodded their consent.
'We'll save you Inuyasha.' Kagome thought with conviction, 'we wont let you fall into despair again....'
*****
The next morning found the Inuyasha-gumi on the road north. Kagome had taken care of packing the bags while Inuyasha consulted with Yashashiku and the others handled the food and weapons. Yasashiku had insisted on carrying all the heavy cooking appliances and most of the backup weaponry as well. He had nearly fainted when Inuyasha took up a bag of his own, protesting Lords shouldn't have to carry bags. Inuyasha ended that argument by running up a tree and not coming down until Yasashiku agreed to let him carry it.
Walking in formation up the road, the travelers stared ahead to the uncertain future. The path that lay before them was different from the ones traveled in the past. There were the obvious differences, such as the presence of Yasashiku, and there were ones that ran far deeper, right into the heart of the problems. The question of destiny, of identity and truth. Trust. Betrayal. Fear. Love. Anger. Hurt. Secrecy. All were felt and all acknowledged, however, none voiced. The group walked in silence down the forest road, heading toward the village of Zen located high up in the foothills of Mt Fuji.
Night had begun to descend, coloring the landscape in a dark light. Inuyasha's air shone liquid silver in the encroaching moon, framing his ethereal features and bring a glow to his slender frame.
Inuyasha suddenly stopped, eyes transfixed on the forest to the right of the group.
"What's wrong Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, concern for the silver hanyou coloring her voice.
"Slave traders." Inuyasha muttered, rage and hatred tinging his growled tone.
"Slavers, my Lord!?" Yasashiku said, rushing up to Inuyasha's side.
"Where?" Sango asked, grasping Hiraikotsu with a vengance. 'Slavers are the most disgusting creatures on this earth!' She thought with vengeful memory.
"Slavers?" Miroku questioned, "dispicable, treating a lovely woman like that!"
"Aa." Inuyasha said tersely, hand clutching Tetsusaiga, "They'll not live to see tomorrow!" He yelled, dashing off into the woods in hots pursuit.
Glancing to each other quickly, the others reached mutual consensus and raced after the departing hanyou.
******
"Hey Nibori!" Kenta drawled, "what are we gonna do with these girls?" He said, waving a hand to indicate the two girls remaining to be sold.
"Eh." Nibori shrugged uncaringly, "If we can't sell 'em, kill 'em."
"Kill us?" Akari whispered in terror to the other girl, an older teen by the name of Kiyoshi. Both girls were beautiful, Akari with deep black hair that shone blue in the light and pale features. However, being only ten years old, many of the traders did not want such an obvious example of child slavery. Kiyoshi on the other hand, was a beauty beyond words. Tall and reed slender, with pale skin and graceful movements, her deep brown eyes never showing sway under jet black hair. The problem with her was that she was wanted by all, until they saw her eyes. Kiyoshi was a proud women of great strength, as well as power. Her eyes would flash red at any who came to buy her, threatening them off. She had sensed a presence coming and was hoping for a saviour.
"I doubt they will kill us." Kiyoshi said calmly, hand clasping Akari's wrist, "what they will do will be far worse."
"OI!" Kenta yelled from across the camp, "Shut up over there!"
"Why should we?" Kiyoshi countered, head raised in pride. 'He's coming.' She thought with excitement, 'We'll be free!'
Akari glanced up at Kiyoshi and clutched her robes tightly, clenching her little eyes shut. 'I trust Kiyoshi, but, I don't want to die!'
"Why you bitch!" Kenta roared, staggering to his feet. "You'll both pay."
"Stop." Nibori said softly, yet commandingly.
"Huh? Nibori?" Kenta asked, shock coloring his monkey like features. He gazed into the eyes of his friend and leader, black eyes boring into eyes of intense blue fire set on fine features beneath locks of silver grey.
"They're provoking you. I won't stand to see you lose to a woman." Niboshi stated calmly.
Kenta's face darkened in embarrassment. "Little witches. I'll be glad to get rid of them." He grumbled. "Ne, Niboshi-"
"Tomorrow."
"Huh?"
"You were about to ask when we would get rid of them. Tomorrow, after the market in the next town, Konohaga."
"How did you?" Kenta asked, astonished.
"You're predictable." Niboshi stated, and rolled over onto his side. "Go to sleep you fool. We move out soon."
Kenta blinked at Niboshi's back. I wish I knew how in all the hell's he does that.... He sighed, turning over away from the girls and lying to gaze at the stars.
"Girls! Keep quiet or I'll send you in black and blue!"
Akari clung to Kiyoshi's torn kimono, torn with days of walking through forest and brush. Kiyoshi's face softened, gazing down at the small child.
"Sleep now," Kiyoshi said softly, pulling Akari into her embrace and leaning against a boulder, "I'll watch over you."
Akari snuggled into Kiyoshi's embrace. "Good night, onee-san..."
Kiyoshi looked down, startled, 'sister?' She smiled, exhaling gently and held the small child to her chest. 'I'm waiting saviour.'
*******
Inuyasha ran through the forest like a demon possessed. Leaping from tree, to boulder to tree. Always moving, never ceasing his blind rush toward the scent of slavery.
'Slavery is the worst thing to plague this land! I won't have any more know what I have known!'
Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks on a large gray boulder in the middle of a small clearing. 'There!'
He crept up to the camp, eyes focused on the silver haired man. 'I sense jyaki from him, this man, he's dangerous!' He quickly glanced at the other. 'No danger with him. He seems just a grunt worker.'
Scanning the field he located the two slave girls, the elder holding the younger one with motherly care. Inuyasha's eyes focused on the elder girl, 'She has strong powers....why is she still here?' Inuyasha dismissed the thought. 'Unimportant. But, I must get them out of here!'
Inuyasha heard Kagome's voice resonating in his memory: "Don't keep charging in blindly! You'll get killed!"
Inuyasha charged in blindly. Pulling out Tetsuseiga, he roared, "Slavers! Wake up and meet my blade!"
"Wha?" Kenta grunted, surprised.
Nibori had already awoken, having sensed the hanyou from afar. Kiyoshi too was awake, gazing at the scene from beneath dark lashes. She waited.
Nibori leapt into the air in a tight spin and landed silently before Inuyasha, drawn blade singing in the moon's blue light. Gazes locked, blue meeting amber in a fatal dance.
"Koi." Nibori commanded, holding his blade with practiced ease. "I'm read for you....hanyou."
Inuyasha blinked. 'This man....' Inuyasha shook his head, dismissing the thoughts. Roaring out his rage, he flung himself at Nibori, swinging Tetsusaiga in a wide arc. Nibori dodged, landing on the broad blade and leaping over Inuyasha's shoulder. Quickly spinning, he brought the hilt of his sword slamming down at the junction between Inuyasha's head and back. The hanyou dropped to the ground, stunned.
Nibori spun the stunned hanyou around with his foot and kneeling quickly on his chest brought his sword in an arc meant to sever head from body. Inuyasha's eyes snapped open, blazing red.
"No!" Inuyasha cried, purple light resonating from his being and flinging Nibori off, a good ten feet.
Inuyasha leapt to his feet, holding Tetsusaiga out in front of him as he shook his head to clear the clouds from his brain.
Nibori stared at Inuyasha, stunned. "What are you?"
"I could ask you the same thing. Why does a human like you have jyaki!?"
Nibori snickered, a cruel sound that sent shivers down Kenta's spine. "Human? I am no mere human!"
"What!?" Inuyasha asked sharply. "You're a demon?"
"Exactly, young idiot." Nibori said smoothly, "I am a demon of ice. I serve the great mistress of flame and chaos!" His eyes gathered an insane tilt, "and now you will join her dominions in the pits of hell!"
Nibori's eyes went red, blazing forth their insane rage. Kenta stared at the man, nay, demon he had called his best friend that was promising chaos on the world. Akari awoke in Kiyoshi's embrace, small frame trembling with fear, feeling true jyaki for the first time.
Nibori flew at Inuyasha with blazing speed. "Die!"
"You just made this easier!" Inuyasha yelled, bringing the massive fang up above his head. "KAZE NO KIZU!"
Yellow light flew from the sword, rushing toward Nibori. The ice demon flew into the air, screaming in pain. Out of nowhere, a red light started in the center of Nibori's agony, pulling the lithe demon into the fiery embrace of his mistress.
"This isn't over!" Nibori cried out, "I'll taste you're blood before I'm through!" The red light vanished into the wind and kaze no kizu faded out, as if it were never there.
'Akake!' Inuyasha thought angrily, 'He was one of yours! DAMNIT!'
Kenta stared at the scene, stammering in shock. Inuyasha recovered from his rage and glanced at the monkeyesque man. Raising an eyebrow and a sword, he silently asked, 'you next?'
Kenta screamed and ran off into the depths of the forest, yelling about demon in human clothes. He found a town eventually and told them his story. They were very sympathetic and led him to a nice white room and provided him with new white clothes and a nice doctor to tell it all to.
Inuyasha looked after him, sweat beading on the back of his head. Turning to the woman, he asked gently, "Are you alright?"
"Yes." Kiyoshi said demurely, bowing her head, "we are fine, my Lord."
"You knew I was coming." Inuyasha stated. "Yes." She breathed, "I felt your noble power coming, I knew my Lord wouldn't let me down."
Akari peeked out at Inuyasha. "Ah...." She breathed, eyes transfixed on Inuyasha's white ears. "Sugoi...."
"Eh?" Inuyasha blinked, bending down to look Akari in the eye. She took this as an invitation and grasped hsi ears, pulling them to feel their softness.
"OI!" Inuyasha growled, leaping away, "Don't do that!"
Akari looked at him, wounded. Tears began to fill her large eyes. Inuyasha flinched away, stammering "N-n-no! D-don't cry!" HE moved in, seeking to dry her tears. Kiyoshi just smiled indulgently at the antics.
"Here, touch them if you like." Inuyasha said defeatedly, bending hsi head to offer out his ears. This time Akari reached out gently and massaged the white puppy ears. Inuyasha practically melted into her hands, contentment claiming his features.
Crashing came from the woods as Kagome, Yasashiku, Miroku, Sango, Kirara and Shippou all crashed onto the scene.
Kagome took in Inuyasha leaning toward beautiful girl and her eyes widened. "OSUWARI!"
Inuyasha had a meeting with the ground to discuss feminine emotion. It got a little intense. Akari blinked up at Kagome owlishly. Kagome colored, seeing the reason for the rather compromising position.
"Oops...."
Kiyoshi laughed gently behind her delicate hand. Miroku saw the beautiful Kiyoshi and nearly tripped over his long monk robes in an effort to appear before her. Kneeling on Inuyasha's head, he grasped her hand.
"Beautiful Lady, will you bare my child?"
"Ara?" Kiyoshi said dantily.
WHACK! Sango's Hiraikotsu had a follow meeting with Miroku's head on the topic Inuyasha and the ground were discussing.
"Eh, Miroku?" Inuyasha said, anger clearly restrained.
"Eh?" Miroku said, glancing below his knees. "Inuyasha?"
"Get. Off. Now."
Miroku got off, and quickly.
Yasashiku nearly fainted at the sight of his Lord being kneeled on. "My Lord!" He gasped, racing up to Inuyasha's side. "Are you hurt? Are you in pain? Would you liek some water? A bath? Dinner? Shall I carry you?" Yasashiku prattled on and on and on and ....
"SHUT UP!" Inuyasha roared, "I'm not made of glass and I don't want to be treated like a lord!"
Yasashiku's eyes might of taken over his whole face.
"Inuyasha....that was a little harsh." Shippou interjected, racing up his leg, "idiot."
"Yasashiku-san..." Kagome began, "He didn't mean it...."
"Yes I did."
Kagome shot him a glare that promised death for speaking.
Yasashiku raised his gaze from the ground. Eyes filled with admiration gazed up at Inuyasha. "Inuyasha-sama.....I admire you even more now!"
"Eh?" Kagome and Inuyasha replied in unison. Shippou fell off Inuyasha's shoulder.
Kiyoshi cleared her throat gently. "Excuse me my Lords and Ladies, might we leave this place? It upsets Akari."
The company looked sheepishly at her.
"Of course," Miroku said quickly, moving to lift her to her feet.
Kiyoshi rose on her own to a formidable height, towering over Miroku. "I am quite capable, thank you." Turning to Akari, she held out her hand, "Come child."
Kiyoshi began to walk from the clearing.
Inuyasha ran up to her, eyes shocked at the strength in her soul. "Lady," He began.
"Kiyoshi."
"Eh?"
"My name is Kiyoshi, and this" She gestured to the little beauty, "is Akari."
Inuyasha turned to the group. "Name's Inuyasha. The girl with the boomerang is Sango, the pervert is Miroku, the shrimp is Shippou, the obsessive one is Yasashiku, the cat is Kirara and the last one is my girl Kagome." 'My girl....' Kagome thought, warmth spreading across her body, 'He called my his...'
"It is our pleasure to meet you." Kiyoshi and Akari said, bowing.
The Inuyasha group returned the bow.
"Kiyoshi-sama?" Miroku asked. "Might I ask where you are from so we can escort you back?"
"I promise we'll get you back safely!" Kagome interjected, Sango's nod acclaimed her assent.
"Yea! I'll stop any demon that-" Shippou was cut off by Inuyasha's elbow plowing him into the ground.
"You'll stop what?" Inuyasha drawled.
"I'll stop you!" Shippou whined back.
"Will not!"
"Will too!"
"Will not!"
"Will too!"
"OSUWARI!" And the argument ended.
"Anyway..." Kagome started, after Inuyasha had pried himself off the ground, "Where are you from?"
"I am the head priestess of the village and in charge of making sure my Lord returns. I was captured while on that quest. It was the first time I've left the village, as well as the first time for the little priestess Akari. We've never existed the temple and haven't been seen."
"What village is that?" Inuyasha quieried, fearing the answer.
"I hail from the village of Zen at the base of Mt Fuji. And I have found my Lord, Inuyasha-sama."
TBC........ in Chapter 6: Zen Priestess
Enjoy and Reviews really will create quick updates this time!!
~Warrior of Forest
And now the awaited.....
Chapter 5: The Journey Begins
Inuyasha stalked out the door in a cloud of white rage, leaving the shocked silence behind him.
"Yasashiku-san," Kagome began, "what is he talking about?"
"I'll leave that for Inuyasha-sama to tell you, it is not my right."
"But, sir." Miroku said pleadingly, "We only want to help him!"
"Help him by going with him so he doesn't have to face that beast alone."
The four friends in the Inuyasha-gumi nodded their consent.
'We'll save you Inuyasha.' Kagome thought with conviction, 'we wont let you fall into despair again....'
*****
The next morning found the Inuyasha-gumi on the road north. Kagome had taken care of packing the bags while Inuyasha consulted with Yashashiku and the others handled the food and weapons. Yasashiku had insisted on carrying all the heavy cooking appliances and most of the backup weaponry as well. He had nearly fainted when Inuyasha took up a bag of his own, protesting Lords shouldn't have to carry bags. Inuyasha ended that argument by running up a tree and not coming down until Yasashiku agreed to let him carry it.
Walking in formation up the road, the travelers stared ahead to the uncertain future. The path that lay before them was different from the ones traveled in the past. There were the obvious differences, such as the presence of Yasashiku, and there were ones that ran far deeper, right into the heart of the problems. The question of destiny, of identity and truth. Trust. Betrayal. Fear. Love. Anger. Hurt. Secrecy. All were felt and all acknowledged, however, none voiced. The group walked in silence down the forest road, heading toward the village of Zen located high up in the foothills of Mt Fuji.
Night had begun to descend, coloring the landscape in a dark light. Inuyasha's air shone liquid silver in the encroaching moon, framing his ethereal features and bring a glow to his slender frame.
Inuyasha suddenly stopped, eyes transfixed on the forest to the right of the group.
"What's wrong Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, concern for the silver hanyou coloring her voice.
"Slave traders." Inuyasha muttered, rage and hatred tinging his growled tone.
"Slavers, my Lord!?" Yasashiku said, rushing up to Inuyasha's side.
"Where?" Sango asked, grasping Hiraikotsu with a vengance. 'Slavers are the most disgusting creatures on this earth!' She thought with vengeful memory.
"Slavers?" Miroku questioned, "dispicable, treating a lovely woman like that!"
"Aa." Inuyasha said tersely, hand clutching Tetsusaiga, "They'll not live to see tomorrow!" He yelled, dashing off into the woods in hots pursuit.
Glancing to each other quickly, the others reached mutual consensus and raced after the departing hanyou.
******
"Hey Nibori!" Kenta drawled, "what are we gonna do with these girls?" He said, waving a hand to indicate the two girls remaining to be sold.
"Eh." Nibori shrugged uncaringly, "If we can't sell 'em, kill 'em."
"Kill us?" Akari whispered in terror to the other girl, an older teen by the name of Kiyoshi. Both girls were beautiful, Akari with deep black hair that shone blue in the light and pale features. However, being only ten years old, many of the traders did not want such an obvious example of child slavery. Kiyoshi on the other hand, was a beauty beyond words. Tall and reed slender, with pale skin and graceful movements, her deep brown eyes never showing sway under jet black hair. The problem with her was that she was wanted by all, until they saw her eyes. Kiyoshi was a proud women of great strength, as well as power. Her eyes would flash red at any who came to buy her, threatening them off. She had sensed a presence coming and was hoping for a saviour.
"I doubt they will kill us." Kiyoshi said calmly, hand clasping Akari's wrist, "what they will do will be far worse."
"OI!" Kenta yelled from across the camp, "Shut up over there!"
"Why should we?" Kiyoshi countered, head raised in pride. 'He's coming.' She thought with excitement, 'We'll be free!'
Akari glanced up at Kiyoshi and clutched her robes tightly, clenching her little eyes shut. 'I trust Kiyoshi, but, I don't want to die!'
"Why you bitch!" Kenta roared, staggering to his feet. "You'll both pay."
"Stop." Nibori said softly, yet commandingly.
"Huh? Nibori?" Kenta asked, shock coloring his monkey like features. He gazed into the eyes of his friend and leader, black eyes boring into eyes of intense blue fire set on fine features beneath locks of silver grey.
"They're provoking you. I won't stand to see you lose to a woman." Niboshi stated calmly.
Kenta's face darkened in embarrassment. "Little witches. I'll be glad to get rid of them." He grumbled. "Ne, Niboshi-"
"Tomorrow."
"Huh?"
"You were about to ask when we would get rid of them. Tomorrow, after the market in the next town, Konohaga."
"How did you?" Kenta asked, astonished.
"You're predictable." Niboshi stated, and rolled over onto his side. "Go to sleep you fool. We move out soon."
Kenta blinked at Niboshi's back. I wish I knew how in all the hell's he does that.... He sighed, turning over away from the girls and lying to gaze at the stars.
"Girls! Keep quiet or I'll send you in black and blue!"
Akari clung to Kiyoshi's torn kimono, torn with days of walking through forest and brush. Kiyoshi's face softened, gazing down at the small child.
"Sleep now," Kiyoshi said softly, pulling Akari into her embrace and leaning against a boulder, "I'll watch over you."
Akari snuggled into Kiyoshi's embrace. "Good night, onee-san..."
Kiyoshi looked down, startled, 'sister?' She smiled, exhaling gently and held the small child to her chest. 'I'm waiting saviour.'
*******
Inuyasha ran through the forest like a demon possessed. Leaping from tree, to boulder to tree. Always moving, never ceasing his blind rush toward the scent of slavery.
'Slavery is the worst thing to plague this land! I won't have any more know what I have known!'
Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks on a large gray boulder in the middle of a small clearing. 'There!'
He crept up to the camp, eyes focused on the silver haired man. 'I sense jyaki from him, this man, he's dangerous!' He quickly glanced at the other. 'No danger with him. He seems just a grunt worker.'
Scanning the field he located the two slave girls, the elder holding the younger one with motherly care. Inuyasha's eyes focused on the elder girl, 'She has strong powers....why is she still here?' Inuyasha dismissed the thought. 'Unimportant. But, I must get them out of here!'
Inuyasha heard Kagome's voice resonating in his memory: "Don't keep charging in blindly! You'll get killed!"
Inuyasha charged in blindly. Pulling out Tetsuseiga, he roared, "Slavers! Wake up and meet my blade!"
"Wha?" Kenta grunted, surprised.
Nibori had already awoken, having sensed the hanyou from afar. Kiyoshi too was awake, gazing at the scene from beneath dark lashes. She waited.
Nibori leapt into the air in a tight spin and landed silently before Inuyasha, drawn blade singing in the moon's blue light. Gazes locked, blue meeting amber in a fatal dance.
"Koi." Nibori commanded, holding his blade with practiced ease. "I'm read for you....hanyou."
Inuyasha blinked. 'This man....' Inuyasha shook his head, dismissing the thoughts. Roaring out his rage, he flung himself at Nibori, swinging Tetsusaiga in a wide arc. Nibori dodged, landing on the broad blade and leaping over Inuyasha's shoulder. Quickly spinning, he brought the hilt of his sword slamming down at the junction between Inuyasha's head and back. The hanyou dropped to the ground, stunned.
Nibori spun the stunned hanyou around with his foot and kneeling quickly on his chest brought his sword in an arc meant to sever head from body. Inuyasha's eyes snapped open, blazing red.
"No!" Inuyasha cried, purple light resonating from his being and flinging Nibori off, a good ten feet.
Inuyasha leapt to his feet, holding Tetsusaiga out in front of him as he shook his head to clear the clouds from his brain.
Nibori stared at Inuyasha, stunned. "What are you?"
"I could ask you the same thing. Why does a human like you have jyaki!?"
Nibori snickered, a cruel sound that sent shivers down Kenta's spine. "Human? I am no mere human!"
"What!?" Inuyasha asked sharply. "You're a demon?"
"Exactly, young idiot." Nibori said smoothly, "I am a demon of ice. I serve the great mistress of flame and chaos!" His eyes gathered an insane tilt, "and now you will join her dominions in the pits of hell!"
Nibori's eyes went red, blazing forth their insane rage. Kenta stared at the man, nay, demon he had called his best friend that was promising chaos on the world. Akari awoke in Kiyoshi's embrace, small frame trembling with fear, feeling true jyaki for the first time.
Nibori flew at Inuyasha with blazing speed. "Die!"
"You just made this easier!" Inuyasha yelled, bringing the massive fang up above his head. "KAZE NO KIZU!"
Yellow light flew from the sword, rushing toward Nibori. The ice demon flew into the air, screaming in pain. Out of nowhere, a red light started in the center of Nibori's agony, pulling the lithe demon into the fiery embrace of his mistress.
"This isn't over!" Nibori cried out, "I'll taste you're blood before I'm through!" The red light vanished into the wind and kaze no kizu faded out, as if it were never there.
'Akake!' Inuyasha thought angrily, 'He was one of yours! DAMNIT!'
Kenta stared at the scene, stammering in shock. Inuyasha recovered from his rage and glanced at the monkeyesque man. Raising an eyebrow and a sword, he silently asked, 'you next?'
Kenta screamed and ran off into the depths of the forest, yelling about demon in human clothes. He found a town eventually and told them his story. They were very sympathetic and led him to a nice white room and provided him with new white clothes and a nice doctor to tell it all to.
Inuyasha looked after him, sweat beading on the back of his head. Turning to the woman, he asked gently, "Are you alright?"
"Yes." Kiyoshi said demurely, bowing her head, "we are fine, my Lord."
"You knew I was coming." Inuyasha stated. "Yes." She breathed, "I felt your noble power coming, I knew my Lord wouldn't let me down."
Akari peeked out at Inuyasha. "Ah...." She breathed, eyes transfixed on Inuyasha's white ears. "Sugoi...."
"Eh?" Inuyasha blinked, bending down to look Akari in the eye. She took this as an invitation and grasped hsi ears, pulling them to feel their softness.
"OI!" Inuyasha growled, leaping away, "Don't do that!"
Akari looked at him, wounded. Tears began to fill her large eyes. Inuyasha flinched away, stammering "N-n-no! D-don't cry!" HE moved in, seeking to dry her tears. Kiyoshi just smiled indulgently at the antics.
"Here, touch them if you like." Inuyasha said defeatedly, bending hsi head to offer out his ears. This time Akari reached out gently and massaged the white puppy ears. Inuyasha practically melted into her hands, contentment claiming his features.
Crashing came from the woods as Kagome, Yasashiku, Miroku, Sango, Kirara and Shippou all crashed onto the scene.
Kagome took in Inuyasha leaning toward beautiful girl and her eyes widened. "OSUWARI!"
Inuyasha had a meeting with the ground to discuss feminine emotion. It got a little intense. Akari blinked up at Kagome owlishly. Kagome colored, seeing the reason for the rather compromising position.
"Oops...."
Kiyoshi laughed gently behind her delicate hand. Miroku saw the beautiful Kiyoshi and nearly tripped over his long monk robes in an effort to appear before her. Kneeling on Inuyasha's head, he grasped her hand.
"Beautiful Lady, will you bare my child?"
"Ara?" Kiyoshi said dantily.
WHACK! Sango's Hiraikotsu had a follow meeting with Miroku's head on the topic Inuyasha and the ground were discussing.
"Eh, Miroku?" Inuyasha said, anger clearly restrained.
"Eh?" Miroku said, glancing below his knees. "Inuyasha?"
"Get. Off. Now."
Miroku got off, and quickly.
Yasashiku nearly fainted at the sight of his Lord being kneeled on. "My Lord!" He gasped, racing up to Inuyasha's side. "Are you hurt? Are you in pain? Would you liek some water? A bath? Dinner? Shall I carry you?" Yasashiku prattled on and on and on and ....
"SHUT UP!" Inuyasha roared, "I'm not made of glass and I don't want to be treated like a lord!"
Yasashiku's eyes might of taken over his whole face.
"Inuyasha....that was a little harsh." Shippou interjected, racing up his leg, "idiot."
"Yasashiku-san..." Kagome began, "He didn't mean it...."
"Yes I did."
Kagome shot him a glare that promised death for speaking.
Yasashiku raised his gaze from the ground. Eyes filled with admiration gazed up at Inuyasha. "Inuyasha-sama.....I admire you even more now!"
"Eh?" Kagome and Inuyasha replied in unison. Shippou fell off Inuyasha's shoulder.
Kiyoshi cleared her throat gently. "Excuse me my Lords and Ladies, might we leave this place? It upsets Akari."
The company looked sheepishly at her.
"Of course," Miroku said quickly, moving to lift her to her feet.
Kiyoshi rose on her own to a formidable height, towering over Miroku. "I am quite capable, thank you." Turning to Akari, she held out her hand, "Come child."
Kiyoshi began to walk from the clearing.
Inuyasha ran up to her, eyes shocked at the strength in her soul. "Lady," He began.
"Kiyoshi."
"Eh?"
"My name is Kiyoshi, and this" She gestured to the little beauty, "is Akari."
Inuyasha turned to the group. "Name's Inuyasha. The girl with the boomerang is Sango, the pervert is Miroku, the shrimp is Shippou, the obsessive one is Yasashiku, the cat is Kirara and the last one is my girl Kagome." 'My girl....' Kagome thought, warmth spreading across her body, 'He called my his...'
"It is our pleasure to meet you." Kiyoshi and Akari said, bowing.
The Inuyasha group returned the bow.
"Kiyoshi-sama?" Miroku asked. "Might I ask where you are from so we can escort you back?"
"I promise we'll get you back safely!" Kagome interjected, Sango's nod acclaimed her assent.
"Yea! I'll stop any demon that-" Shippou was cut off by Inuyasha's elbow plowing him into the ground.
"You'll stop what?" Inuyasha drawled.
"I'll stop you!" Shippou whined back.
"Will not!"
"Will too!"
"Will not!"
"Will too!"
"OSUWARI!" And the argument ended.
"Anyway..." Kagome started, after Inuyasha had pried himself off the ground, "Where are you from?"
"I am the head priestess of the village and in charge of making sure my Lord returns. I was captured while on that quest. It was the first time I've left the village, as well as the first time for the little priestess Akari. We've never existed the temple and haven't been seen."
"What village is that?" Inuyasha quieried, fearing the answer.
"I hail from the village of Zen at the base of Mt Fuji. And I have found my Lord, Inuyasha-sama."
TBC........ in Chapter 6: Zen Priestess