Search and Rescue
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The further south Youko traveled, the stronger the feeling to hurry on became. His confidence in his choice also grew as he quickly covered ground. In his agitated state, he felt his Youki flare and expand. A tingling behind him made him pause long enough to throw a disgusted look over his shoulder.
What a time to grow another tail, Youko's ears flattened to his head.
What does that mean? Shuuichi asked curiously.
"It means that I've grown stronger," Youko muttered aloud. "Three more tails and I'll have reached the limits of my strength." He picked up a rock and tossed it from hand to hand distracted by the voice in his head and the persistent sensation telling him that he was close. There was also something wrong about the surrounding forest. A hint of things just out of place...
So that's why you have more than one tail..it's a mark of your status.
"Not really. It's completely involuntary. It's more like a way to warn other creatures away...and to attract a female."
Kagome is human. Do you honestly think that she'll be impressed by a few tails? Shuuichi snorted.
"I said it was involuntary! It's not like I chose this moment to collect another tail! And yes, I do think that she'll be impressed." Youko shook his fist in the air, the stone momentarily forgotten in his palm.
Shuuichi's snort of laughter was ignored. How much further must we go?
Youko chucked the rock at the scenery.
THUNK!
A bluish glow fluctuated in ripples until it mirrored the forest again.
Youko smiled. "About twenty feet..."
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Kagura paced the doorway in agitation. The Miko was sleeping in her bonds now, a small sign of the trust that the two woman were beginning to establish in each other.
A hint of a smile pulled at the corners of her lips. The girl had a quick mind as well as a surprisingly strong devious streak the wind-user never would have guessed existed. They had concocted many plans and shuffled around various ideas on how to beat Naraku in his own game of deception. Now, with several ideas in mind, it was only necessary that the Miko was freed from her bonds and given the chance to rejuvenate her lost energy.
Setting her free was the challenge. Kagura couldn't do it without Naraku knowing. She was still linked to him in ways she couldn't begin to understand, and, he was always watching. The drone of the bees in the background made her scowl, though his lack of trust in her was justifiable.
"Kagura," a deep voice reverberated from the shadowed doorway.
Speak of the devil...
She glanced up sharply, keenly aware that he may have been standing there far longer then she knew. She kept her face impassive and waited to see what he had heard and what he would reveal.
"We have a silver haired visitor at the north wall of the barrier. Take care of him..."
Kagura alternately winced and sighed at the order. He couldn't have heard them plotting or he would surely have done something to her by now... "What about the Miko?"
"Leave her. She is too weak to be a threat now." Naraku sneered at the limp figure.
"Keep thinking that," she muttered and gave the wall a good long glare. If she was no longer in the castle, she couldn't assist Kagome in her escape. Things were falling apart again...and there was nothing she could do about it...except distract his attention away from the girl...
"Kagura! Now!"
"Yeah," she muttered and mounted her feather. "I'm going."
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Sesshoumaru rethought his position on having children of his own. He used to be mildly against the idea. Now, he was totally against it. Though it was hard to believe, the fox cub had more energy then Rin had ever possessed. That was tolerable, but his mouth!
The Kit never shut up! Now that he was comfortable with the Youkai Lord, his mouth never stopped moving...and he wasn't impressed with the youkai's presence like Rin was either, being Youkai himself.
"...And then," Shippo spouted, "Inuyasha made this gigantic whirlwind of Youki with his sword and-" the drone went on and on.
Sesshoumaru suffered through with a sigh. "If you must speak and tell stories, find a subject other then my brother."
Shippo was mercifully silent for all of two seconds. "One time," he started, "Inuyasha made Kagome so angry that-"
"Fox," Sesshoumaru interrupted without letting his mask slip. "Not about my brother."
"But this isn't! It's about Kagome! Well..." he scratched his head thoughtfully, "and Inuyasha, but I don't know any other stories. I haven't been anywhere else..."
Sesshoumaru sighed in defeat.
Shippo grinned at him and took a deep breath. "Any how, Kagome was SO mad, that-"
Sesshoumaru ignored the fox kit and continued to follow the trail that his brother and his friends had left for him. When he reached a twist in the trail, he found the faint scent of the silver fox leaving the group. The Dog Demon paused and stared hard at the trail.
The fox had clearly separated from the others. Why was not clear. Nor was his trail going to be easy to follow. Sesshoumaru automatically knew that he would follow the silver fox. It was obvious that he was the most experienced and the strongest member of the mismatched group. Besides that, Kagome was to be his mate...that meant that he would be able to sense her on a level that no other could. If the others didn't have the sense to know this, he wouldn't follow their poor example just to bail them out of the trouble they always seemed to get into.
Shippo stopped talking and sniffed the air. "Kurama was here!" he said excitedly. "I can smell him! I thought I had smelled his scent earlier, but Inuyasha's smell and the others were too strong so I wasn't sure. It's a little different then it was before, but I recognize it."
Sesshoumaru turned to glance sideways at the fox kit. The youngster's ability to pick up that faint trace of scent was impressive for one his age.
"I'm glad," he announced, surprising the Dog Demon. Sesshoumaru stared at the cub in silence. Shippo took the hint and began to explain. "Kurama will save Kagome and everything will be alright then."
"There are not always happy endings, child." Sesshoumaru felt the need to warn the fox, though he would have expected such youthful optimism to have been crushed under the heel of experience long ago.
"I know, but I trust Kurama...he can save her." Shippo spoke confidently.
"I hope you are right..." Sesshoumaru murmured under his breath. "She is needed yet. There are things yet to be done for her..."
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Kagome cracked her eyes open when Kagura left, her feigned sleep abandoned. An intruder with long silver hair? Has Inuyasha come for me? Surely someone has realized that I am missing by now...Kagome forgot that she was supposed to be unconscious and that Naraku was still present. "Inuyasha," she whispered to herself. Her hope of being found swelled to lift her spirits and her resolve to make it through this with out giving in to Naraku's attempts to eliminate her presence in his little game.
"Do you dare hope for rescue?"
Kagome cursed loudly at both herself and her captor. She snarled at he dark silhouette in the doorway. "You can't keep me here forever!" Her powers sparkled and dimmed in quick secession.
Naraku stood very still until he was certain that she could not reach him from where she was bound across the room. "Who would want to?" he mocked her. "You are just a pale imitation of your predecessor."
"Yeah, yeah. I've heard it before. Inuyasha may not have ever loved me like he did with Kikyo, but he is still my friend. He'd never abandon me! He'll free me and then we'll make you pay for all the-"
"Poor child. Inuyasha isn't here to save you. It is just some youkai unfortunate enough to have run across my barrier." He chuckled evilly. "It's no one of any consequence."
"No matter! Someone will come for me, and you will pay!"
"If you last that long, perhaps..."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"How long have you been here now?" he questioned absently. "I can feel you fading already. Human's are so weak."
"Like your condition is any better," Kagome snorted. "You're so damaged that you can't even hold the illusion that you are strong enough to face me, even bound and shackled as I am! I can see your burns and scars form here. What's the matter, Naraku? Is your human weakness showing?!" she mocked him back.
He slashed at her quickly with a thin tendril of his miasma. It sliced through the air and opened a burning slit across her cheek before she could put up a shield. Such a small attack should not have been able to reach her had she been any where near normal form... her natural energy would have disintegrated his attack in seconds, but she was no where near her best. She hissed in pain and berated herself for baiting him when she couldn't make a move to defend her self.
She glanced up and met Naraku's eyes. He was breathing harshly and gripping his shoulder where her arrow had wounded him before. She couldn't contain her ironic chuckle. "I don't think you could do that again if you tried."
Naraku's sour face was a pleasant change from his taunting and harassing. It confirmed her suspicions that he was as bad if not worse off then she was. Suddenly, he smiled slightly. "I do believe you are right. However, as a demon, I am certain to recover so much faster then you and I will not carry the scars as you will. I have marked you, Kagome," he smiled more. "And a few days rest will heal me completely. I wonder what your condition will be when I return?..." with that said, he swept from the room and headed for some hidden place to rejuvenate and reform.
Kagome cringed and sucked in a breath. Her cheek stung from the Miasma. Her blood loss and her weakened powers were trying hard to diffuse the poison, but it was slow and painful. And she knew that the bastard was right. He was going to take a short holiday and return as if nothing had happened, while she had a feeling that this hell was going to haunt her mind and body for a long time to come...if she lived that long.
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Youko tested the barrier in several ways before even approaching it.
So, this is where it pays to be a thief...Shuuichi sighed.
No. This is where it pays to be the BEST thief! Youko replied. He checked the barrier for several more minutes in silence.
Well? Can we get in? Shuuichi asked impatiently.
"It's not a question of CAN we get in, it is simply in our best interests to get thought in the best possible condition that we can. We do not know this enemies strengths, or what else we may face when we DO get in." Youko spoke loudly in response to the edgy feelings Shuuichi was radiating when he was trying to concentrate. He knew he sounded pissy, but the human was getting really annoying. He had a comment or a question for everything!
Kagura watched first in amusement and then in wary horror as the bright kitsune stood there prodding the barrier with a stick and talking to himself. She was very relieved that it was NOT Inuyasha, but then again, was a crazy kitsune any better? She blinked at his shining form and wondered what he did that made his aura so bright. The fox glowed and the sun glinted off from his gleaming fur.
"Shut-up, already!"
Kagura frowned and looked around just to be sure that there was not another youkai there hidden away from sight. She saw no one and shook her head. Obviously this poor creature was demented. She wouldn't feel so bad if she had to destroy it since it was so delusional, it might not even notice she was taking it's life. She smiled and wondered if Naraku realized that this was not dog demon she had been prepared to face. He probably did, which meant that he had sent her out just to get rid of her presence for a time. So, he was either torturing the girl some more, or hiding himself away to heal, since he didn't trust her like he did Kanna he would never let her know where he went. She smirked and decided to get this over with.
Kagura opened her mouth when she saw the Kitsune do something incredibly strange. Words temporarily failed her.
"Shut up! Shut up or I will KILL you and take myself with you!" The fox looked he was about to strangle himself with his own hands. A long silence followed that bellowed statement until he shouted out again, "It would be worth it!"
Finally, he relaxed and rolled his shoulders as if shaking off a heavy burden. She couldn't help but notice the rippled muscles under the loose white clothing. She sighed. I must really be desperate if I am considering the body of a demented fox. The silver ears twitched comically and the youkai stretched and sighed. Yup, I'm desperate...
"Finally, some peace and quite," Youko muttered. "To work!" he poked at the barrier again, sending shimmery blue ripples out in waves.
WHY must you continue to do that? Shuuichi asked quietly.
Youko scowled. He had told the human to be quiet so many times that he couldn't count them. Just when he thought that he had succeeded, it started again. It really didn't matter WHY, but try to tell the human that.... "It's pretty..." he answered just to annoy the boy.
Good God, Youko! Tell me that you are NOT just wasting time looking at a pretty light when Kagome NEEDS-
JUST SHUT UP ALREADY! Kurama screamed, losing his composure for the first time in many years. HE WAS OBVIOUSLY JOKING! HE IS WORKING AND YOU ARE THE ONE STOPPING HIM FROM FOCUSING!
There's no need to yell.
Youko heard a fake quiet sobbing and seriously considered forcing his soul out of this body and attempting to find a new one.
Kagura stepped back when she saw him poke at the barrier again and mutter to himself, "It's pretty." There really was something seriously wrong here. Though he acted and spoke like an insane animal, his aura was peaceful and the energy he gave off was purely rational.
"We don't know what we will face when we get through..." Youko repeated.
"You will face me, stranger," Kagura said calmly, allowing the cloaking part of the shield drop so he could see her. She was calm and unperturbed until the Kitsune's eyes rose to meet hers through the semi transparent barrier. What she saw in his eyes scared her more then the random babbling he was spouting earlier. His eyes are completely sane! ...and cold.
She saw there, death and amusement. A combination that only came with perfect confidence. She was confused, but hid it behind her confidence in her position.
"Indeed," he drawled.
Kagura looked him over slowly. "I'd hate to have to destroy you," she murmured.
Youko did not miss the appreciative look in her eyes, but somehow, he remained completely unaffected. Kagome had spoiled him for any other. No one else would ever capture him the way she had. If there had been any doubt in the fox's mind, this moment vanquished them. He was meant only for the woman that he had traveled across time itself to rescue.
"When I step through this barrier, you had best hope that I am in a forgiving mood, lady." Youko never took his golden eyes from hers.
Kagura burst out laughing. "You are just going to step through Naraku's barrier?!"
Youko took a measured step forwards, his cold eyes holding hers steady. She continued to smirk...until he took another step.
The smile left her face and she now eyed him distrustfully. "What are you doing?" she demanded sharply.
Youko narrowed his eyes. The breeze changed direction abruptly, whipping his long silver locks into his face. Any question about what kind of demon she was, was dispelled. Her emotions were effecting the wind with out her conscious thought. He moved again.
"Stop! The Miasma-" she closed her eyes and winced as the beautiful fox demon took that last step into the barrier wall. She didn't want to look, certain that there was a mess. "Fool," she whispered.
A strong hand wrapped firmly around her neck. Another gripped her wrists together before she could defend herself. Her eyes snapped open in surprise and fear to meet the steady blazing of the kitsune's stare. "Care to repeat that?"
"How did you-" her words were cut off as his hold tightened.
"I can see the barrier spell...and it's holes." he took in her scent with care, now that the barrier was gone. He finally found what he was looking for. Concrete proof that he was on the right course. Kagome's faint scent clung to this demon. He growled dangerously.
Kagura felt herself quake in fear. After all that work, planning, she was going to die now at the hands of some random youkai...never having tasted freedom. After all the things she had suffered, all the torment...Kagura was past the point of tears. She gave in to her anger instead. "Who are you?" she snarled back.
His fingers immediately tightened again. "Where," he demanded with at firm shake, "Is my mate?"
"What?" she coughed until he loosened his grip. "I don't know what you are talking about!"
"Lies! I can smell her on you!" he shook her again.
Kagura gasped and tried to pull her hands free from his grasp so that she could use her fan. Her struggles were useless. It appeared that all that muscle wasn't just for show..."I don't know what you are talking about!" she repeated hoarsely. "The only person I've been around is-" Kagura stopped struggling in sudden realization. "Kagome," she whispered.
Youko snapped her sagging form back up. "Yes! Kagome," he agreed. "Tell me."
She winced and met his eyes. "I can do better then that..." she whispered. "I can show you."
Youko considered this, wary of a trap.
"But you have to promise me something..."
Youko raised a haughty brow and snarled again. "You are in no position to be making demands."
Kagura ignored his clawed fingers at her throat. "If you really are her mate," she said, "on her very life, you have to promise me that you won't leave her alone again. You can't let Naraku destroy her..."
Youko blinked in surprise. The other demon met his eyes defiantly and...honestly.
"Why?"
"She is strong," she explained, "But not strong enough. She'll need you when the time comes..." Kagura hissed in a breath. "We have little time! Promise me!"
"I vow that I will not leave her to face these dangers alone," he said seriously. He released her neck and hands, removing her weapons in the process.
"Good enough," she backed away a few paces. "Follow me, and hurry."
Youko easily kept up with the woman, watching and remembering the path that they were taking, ensuring the return trail would be simple to follow. Almost there, he assured his companions.
Hurry, Kurama urged.
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"What is wrong with that thing!" Kouga shouted. "I thought you said that it would find Kagome!"
"Don't you ever shut up?" Hiei muttered. The wolf's brash and overconfident attitude was really annoying the fire demon.
"It can!" Boton insisted.
"South it is then," Sango said sharply and turned away from the frustrated group. They started to clean up their supplies from where they had stopped to rest and take some food.
"South..." Miroku repeated. "Isn't that the direction our other friend wandered?"
"Yeah," Sango sighed and rested her head on Miroku's shoulder. "I get the feeling that we probably should have followed him to begin with." Miroku rested a hand on her back and strangely enough, it didn't wander. She smiled tiredly and let him hold up her weight.
"Hn. You are correct, human," Hiei said from the tree top to their left before disappearing in a blur again.
"Why?" Miroku asked curiously.
"He loves her," Sango answered simply.
Miroku blinked and then smiled sheepishly. "The bond of love," the monk mused, "it drew them together across time and space.."
A snort of disgust reached their ears from another tree top.
"Not the romantic type, is he?" Miroku asked the slayer.
"And you are?" Sango asked drily.
"Ouch! You wound me, Lady Sango!"
"I'll wound you, you hentai houshi is you don't quit blabbering and start moving," Inuyasha yelled.
"Quit yelling. It's undignified," Boton scolded him.
"Yeah!" Kouga yelled. "Stupid dog!"
Boton calmly bashed him in the head with her oar.
"Ouch! Who do you think you are!?" he rubbed the rising bump in anger.
"I," Boton started into his electric blue eyes, "am Death..." She turned away and tugged lovingly on Inuyasha's ear.
Kouga's eyes widened. Then he scowled. "No need to be so dramatic," he whined.
"I don't think you understand, wimpy wolf," Inuyasha smirked. "She really is Death." He caught the other demon's eye. "Really."
Kouga stared and swallowed heavily. "Oh..."
"Well," Boton sighed, "let's go. We still have a lot of distance to cover."
Everyone prepared to leave once again, each thinking their own troubled thoughts.
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Kagoem fought to remain awake. Bitterly, she yelled at herself. Naraku was right, she was slowly dying. Now that he had said something to bring her attention to it, the pain, hunger and thirst she had been blocking had returned with full force to torture her.
She bit her lip bloody, trying not to scream in frustration. She focused her blurry vision on the mirror, still spiting power from its position on the floor. "If only," she sobbed angrily. If only...
Thinking about the regrets and turns in her life was useless, but she couldn't help reminiscing. The life flashing before her eyes was an exaggeration. It was more of a slow motion play where the loved ones in her life wandered in and out to whisper to her...She found herself thinking about Kurama and how much she missed his. She wondered if he would ever know that she hadn't meant to abandon him...She saw him smile in her mind. She longed to hold him again, run her fingers through his silky hair. Her vision swam. Strangely enough, thinking about him warmed her. She could almost feel his familiar aura surrounding her.
She smiled grandly. At least I'll die with a smile on my face, she thought. Figure that one out, Naraku! With that, Kagome sank back into the oblivion of sleep.
That is where Youko found her...
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I want to thank everyone who has made it this far and is still supporting my efforts! I have one more chapter up so keep reading!
( the tails thing is because I thought Youko had NINE tails as well, but at one point in the show, they show him with three...and I've read a few descriptions of him with five...the adding of tails was from an idea a reviewer encouraged me with. Thank you Hebi Youkia !!! : )
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