A/n: Hey! Here's chapter five. ...And the plot thickens... dum, dum, dum...

I was on my way to see if Kagome was packed. Inuyasha was in a big hurry and a very bad mood. I knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

I opened the door and saw Kagome rushing about.

"Almost done?" I asked looking at the size of her bag. It was a bright yellow and unlike any bag I had seen. Brushing it off as foreign, I tapped my foot at her.

"Yes........." She said as she stuffed one last thing into the bag, "Done."

"Good let's go. Inuyasha's in a hurry."

"Ok."

We raced up to Inuyasha's room.

"Wait here." I said as I opened the door.

"Gladly." She replied.

Inuyasha was sitting on his bed looking over tetsusaiga's blade.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Do you have to ask? I have been ready for an hour!"

"Right then, let's go."

"Sheesh, females..." He muttered as he passed. I reached out and swatted him upside the head in reply. He threw a mischievous smile over his shoulder and I glared back. Grabbing Kagome by the hand I tugged her after Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha... you forgetting someone?" I asked, pulling Kagome along, trying to catch up.

"What?" He asked stupidly, turning around, "Oh... sorry... what was your name again?"

"You two haven't met? How does that happen?" I inquired.

"We've never really talked. I've always too busy. Besides I'm not really supposed to talk to anyone besides other slaves... Anyway, my name's Kagome." She said, holding out her hand in a friendly gesture.

As Inuyasha shook it, their eyes locked and they seemed to go to a faraway place. Confused, I snapped my fingers in between their faces. Both seemed to be coming out of a daze. Kagome glanced away quickly and blushed.

"Oh, I see..." I mused out loud.

I gave Inuyasha an all-knowing look and brushed past him with a nudge, whispering, "Naughty, naughty boy.", in his ear.

He growled at me as he past and led us outside to a path.

I got a warm, tingly feeling when he shook my hand. He actually treated me like I was a real person! I looked into his eyes to read his emotions and got lost in the deep sea of gold. I couldn't believe how beautiful his eyes were. But there was a certain pain hidden deep within those eyes that tugged at my heartstrings. I just wanted to erase that pain and replace it with joy. He was... different from the rest of the nobles. Almost like... he didn't care about what the rest of the world cared of him. And those ears! I just wanted to... touch them. I refrained from doing so, of course, but that didn't stop me from wanting to.

'Ok, Kagome, get a hold of yourself. He's royalty and you were captured by a slave-trader. Stop acting like a schoolgirl with a crush. You have no chance with him, so give up while you're ahead.'

I was quickly snapped out of my daze by Laquisha. I looked away and... blushed! I can't believe that I blushed and acknowledged the fact that I had been thinking those thoughts.

Since the beginning of time, or at least as long as I was born, I was always considered a jinx child. I was a bit clumsy and had a tendency to cause accidents. And men... well... let's just say there are luckier girls in that area. I seemed to attract the bad boys. That got me in a lot of trouble all the time. So much trouble, in fact, that it got me into the mess I was in.

I had been walking in the forest, just wandering around and, as was my lucky nature, got lost. I must have wandered around for hours before I ran into anyone. He was rich looking and charming and knew his way around a young girl's guards. He told me he would take me back to my village. Unfortunately, he lied. Instead, he led me to his caravan and that is where my career of slavery started. That was four years ago.

Lord Sesshoumaru, however, was my second master. My first master was female. She was the daughter of one of the many daughters of the Alfa and Beta over all the wolf demon packs. My master's name was Tasiana. Now if that wasn't confusing enough, she had six younger sisters, one older brother, fifteen aunts, which, on average, had eight daughters each. Her mother was the only one of them to have a male child in about fifty years. It was all very confusing to learn in such a short time, but I managed. In a short time, Tasiana and I became good friends. I told her of my past and she took great pity on me. She offered to take me back to my village. I took up the offer, overjoyed. She snuck me out, telling only her brother and together we took off to find my village. We eventually found it, or rather, what was left of it.

The village had been burnt to the ground long ago. Only the skeletons of the huts remained. Devastated, I sat next to where my hut used to be. I sat there until I heard Tasiana scream. When I got to where she was, it was too late. Her pack obviously heard her scream and came to her rescue, only to find her dead. Her mother was so distraught, she practically dumped me on Sesshoumaru's doorstep, saying I was a gift. Right...

That had been two years ago and I had since made myself at home at Sesshoumaru's castle, slave or not. The rest of the staff was family and I had nowhere else to go. Now Laquisha was fast becoming a part of my family and she was the strangest girl I had met yet. She seemed fearless, but she had many things hidden beneath her eyes. She was tough yet friendly, mischievous, yet serious at the same time. She knew when she could tease and when to listen. She had a good balance, even if her very personality seemed to contradict itself. She was confusing at times, but was proving to be a good friend.

At the end of my musings, she looked back and gave me a teasing wink. I smiled and caught up to her, having to walk a bit faster to match her long stride. Yes, this was the beginning of a very strong friendship.

After checking to make sure Kagome was still following, I looked over a map to see what villages we had to pass through.

"Oh, god!" I muttered.

"What?" Inuyasha asked.

"Nothing... nothing. I thought I had forgotten something."

He gave me a look that said he didn't buy it, but said nothing in return.

The fact was that one of the villages we had to go through was mine. I just prayed that we wouldn't have to stay there at all.

And just my luck, we did. By the time we reached the village, it was past midnight. Oh, well. At least my brother was home for the night and, if we left early enough, I wouldn't have to see him at all.

We got two rooms in the Inn. One for me and Kagome, and one for Inuyasha. We fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow. The next morning, Inuyasha was not in his room. I assumed he went down to get something to eat. When I got down there, Kagome was there, but Inuyasha wasn't.

"Hey, where's Inuyasha?" I asked her.

"He went to get some supplies." She told me.

'Great, by this rate, my brother will hear I'm back in town and come looking for me.' I thought.

Unfortunately, I spoke too soon. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see my brother enter the Inn. I stood up quickly and left out the back door. Kagome must have assumed I went to look for Inuyasha and didn't follow. I looked behind me to see if my brother was following, but, when I looked around again, there he was.

"Speak of the devil." I muttered.

"Ha, I thought you were never coming back."

"That must've been a pleasant thought for you."

"As a matter of fact it was."

I drew my sword.

"Oooo, big bad Laquisha has a sword."

"Yah, and you better be scared. Believe it or not, I know how to use it."

"Well, it won't do ya any good, being that if you kill me, you'll be hunted down and you yourself will be killed."

"Yah, if they can find me, and if they can take me down."

But I knew the law. I wasn't fool enough to kill my brother. I changed the sword into a staff, just to be safe.

"Ha! You know the law, no magic inside city limits. I'm gonna have to take you in." My brother scoffed.

"Over my dead body." I replied coolly

"That can be arranged." He replied, pulling his sword out.

He swung at me; I dodged and cracked him over the head. Howling and holding his bloodied head, he fell to the ground. With a sigh, I knocked him down again as he tried to get back up. He pulled out a knife and threw it at me. I caught it without a second thought, but, to my misfortune, the blade buried itself deep into my hand. The scent of my blood and scorpion venom filled my nostrils......... He had doused the blade in venom. A searing pain like I've never known shot up my arm, and my vision got blurry. I didn't even see the next punch that came at me. Now that I had been disabled, he had no use for his sword. He took joy in giving me the most severe beating I had ever had in my life. Thankfully, with the venom flowing through my system, it didn't take long for me to pass out.
I was just returning to the Inn with supplies when I caught the scent of blood in the air.

'Shit, what did she do now?'

I dropped the supplies off with Kagome and ran to find Laquisha, though; I didn't really have to look. The scent of her blood was heavy in the air. I noticed her brother first, then who he was attacking.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" I asked.

"This is none of your business, stranger. This hanyou was breaking the law." The man replied.

"The hell it ain't my business! That hanyou just happens to be my friend!" I exclaimed, pulling tetsusaiga out.

"Whoa, back off, I'm chief of law enforcement. If you kill me, you'll be hunted down."

"I don't care if you're the ruler over all the humans, you have no right..."

Before I finished my sentence, there was a loud crack and smoke appeared out of nowhere. When it cleared, her brother was gone. Not caring to go after him, I knelt beside Laquisha. There were numerous gashes over her body and the scent of scorpion venom filled my nose. She was breathing, but barely. She had a heartbeat, but it was weak. I picked her up, being careful of her crushed arm, and carried her back into the inn. I set her on the bed, strapped the supplies and her bag onto my back, picked her back up, grabbed Kagome, and left. This village was halfway between the old hag's village and the palace. I decided to go to the Lady Kadae. She probably had a very good remedy for scorpion venom. We reached the village in record time; I had had Kagome trailing far behind many times, but she got there in one piece.

Kadae was very hospitable. It seemed that she was used to having to tend to injured people. She was a bit reluctant when she saw that we were both hanyou, but Kagome changed her mind quickly when she mentioned something about a gem. What gem? Was it a human code or something?

Kadae tended to Laquisha's expertly and quickly, but she said she could not give her any antidote until Laquisha awakened.

I sat next to Laquisha's mat staring at her for what seemed like hours. Finally, she woke up. She opened her eyes, looked around the room, saw me, gave a half smile, and closed her eyes again.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I've been waiting for you for an hour. You are not going back to sleep." I said.

"I feel like shit." She muttered, not opening her eyes

"Yah, I can imagine. That guy was wailing on you pretty good. What did you think you were doing, picking a fight with your brother?"

"Ok, I had nothing to do with it." She said, sitting up to look me straight in the eye. Being beaten within an inch of her life had still not gotten rid of her attitude.

"So... he just came up to, stabbed you with a knife drenched in scorpion venom, and started wailing on your ass?"

"Not exactly... you see, when I left to come and work for Sesshoumaru, he threatened to poison me with scorpion venom."

"So?"

"I'm deathly allergic to scorpion venom!"

"Oh, right, well, why did he threaten you in the first place?"

"Something to do with me runnin' my mouth again. And the part that he hates my very existence helps too."

"Feh, your mouth is writing checks that your body can't cash."

"Yah, I can feel that."

At that moment, Kadae came in and asked me to leave. Grumbling, I did as told. Even if I didn't like it, I was grateful for the hag's help.
I had just gotten done talking with Inuyasha as someone I assumed was Kadae came in to give me an antidote. My arm was broken, my eye felt a bit puffy, my ribs were bruised, every inch of me ached from the beating and the venom, and I had a headache the size of Japan. Nice, huh?

After I had taken the antidote, I remembered something I had to tell her.

"Thank you for the care, but there is something else." I said

"Yes?" she asked.

"Danger comes to those who seek the gem and have hearts filled with hatred and greed. Instead, I seek to protect it with a heart void of those." I replied.

She looked at me for a moment, shocked, and then replied,

"If to protect the gem you seek, then I can help. You need knowledge as much as you need strength. I have what information is needed."

"Thank you. First, I need to know about my mother's curse. Her name was Kagaia. Surely you knew her?"

"Ay, there wasn't a demon, demon slayer, or priestess that did not."

"Intriguing."

"Yes, she was very well known. There wasn't a demon slayer or bounty hunter that wasn't out for the price on her head. Every human feared her and every demon child worshiped her. She came from a very powerful family. Purebred wolf demon, to be exact. After she had run away from her father's tight grip, she began to make a name for herself. She killed mercilessly. Anyone who got in her way, had to go. That's how she got such a price on her head. And because of her strength and beauty, every male demon ever heard of, sought her as a mate. But she wanted no part of the mating business. Eventually, when she was about twenty years of age, she was befriended by a male dragon demon named Hernando. She was severely weakened one night after a particularly long and gory battle. She attempted to rest and mend herself, but the attacker's village sent another attack on her. Just when it looked like she was about to lose, Hernando came to the rescue. He befriended her and helped heal her wounds, though, of course, she didn't need too much help. After that, they were very close friends and probably would have become mates if it weren't for the curse placed on her."

Hernando? Why did that name sound familiar?

"That curse is performed by splashing a potion on the victim. That potion's main ingredient is scorpion venom. Explaining why you're deathly allergic to it's poison. After successfully doing so, the victim is paralyzed until swearing an unbreakable promise to protect a certain person, in your mother's case, Kikyo. Kikyo died, unfortunately, a year after the curse was performed. That left Kagaia a free woman. She married a strong human warrior and had you. And, of course, as you know, your mother was killed five years after your birth by demon slayers. Kagaia was weakened in the heart towards humans and the attack came as a surprise to her. If you hadn't been elsewhere at the time, they would have killed you too."

I growled. Just when my mother had stopped causing trouble, they killed her.

"Now, of course you have the curse, but Kikyo is dead." She started.

"But I've found Kikyo's reincarnation." I said.

"Yes, that girl you came with looked much like Kikyo. She tells me that you know where the gem is."

"How did she know? I didn't tell her about... oh well."

I pulled the gem out of the leather pouch around my neck. Kadae looked at me in horror.

"You have it with you?! Do you know what would happen if anyone found out that you had it?"

"Jack squat is going to happen while I have it. My mother told me to protect it with my life and I intend to do just that."

"There are many powerful demons out there that want that jewel."

"Yah, well, I'd like to see them get through me. Besides, if they did manage to kill or hurt me in any way, Inuyasha would hunt them down and gut them like a fish."

"Why? I've never heard of Inuyasha protecting someone like that."

"Well, we're old friends and he thinks of me as a little sister."

Kadae got a sad look in her eye. Though, It wasn't sorrow, it was pity.

"Why the sad look?"

"I told you your mother was killed by demon hunters, yes?"

"Yes."

"That is not entirely the truth."

"Then what is?!"

"It is true that demon hunters killed your mother and that is all anyone knows, but what is not known is a demon was behind the attack. His name was or is Naraku. He led the attack, though he did not fight. He stood by, in a safe area and watched. Your mother fought bravely, but eventually she lost."

I was almost at the breaking point of my anger. I could feel my eyes going red.

"How do you know all this?"

"I was visiting your mother when it happened. She taught me many things that have kept me alive these long years. She was my mentor and my friend. That day your father had taken you out hunting, though you really didn't need lessons, and you were not there. You can imagine Naraku was not happy about this."

"Why weren't you killed?"

"Your mother saved me."

I stayed silent. The best thing in a time like this was to not talk. I had no desire to completely snap and go on a killing spree. I needed to shut up and think...
I had been listening outside the door through the whole convesation and felt much sorrow for my friend's loss.

'So... Laquisha's mother was taken from her? No doubt she'll want revenge. Hell, I'd want revenge for my mother's death. But why does the name Naraku sound so familiar?'

Through my musing, I could smell Laquisha's rage through the door. She really needed to cool down and talking to Kadae was not helping. I decided to go in and try to calm her down.

As I entered, both turned to me.

"Do you have no patience at all?" Laquisha asked. It was more teasing than disrespectful.

Well, at least she had calmed down enough to tease. Quickly, she put something into a leather pouch. Brushing it off as unimportant, I noticed that she was doing better, but she still could not sit up strait. She looked down right exhausted.

"Are you two done talking? Laquisha looks very tired."

She looked up at me with gratitude.

"You're right, Inuyasha. We'll finish our discussion tomorrow. Get some rest, child." Kadae said, standing to leave.

She yawned, showing her sharp, white fangs, and laid back down. I sat next to her.

"Laquisha, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Yes?" she asked sleepily.

"About that sword, why do you feel so strongly about it?"

"When I got into the crypt, a memory of my mother, persevered for all these years, showed up and talked to me. She told me all about what powers this sword holds and stuff. It was the closest I've come to seeing my mother in a long time."

"Oh."

"Is that all?"

"No. I was kind of listening to your conversation and, well, about the curse thing."

"You were listening to my conversation?!"

"Yah."

She reached over and smacked me on the head.

"OW! What was that for?!"

"Don't I get any privacy at all?!"

I chose not to answer that.

She growled weakly. She was way too tired to be arguing with me.

"Listen. About your mom, I'm truly sorry. I lost mine when I was young too."

"I know, but was she stolen from you?"

There was bitterness in her voice.

"Yes and no, and I don't blame you for wanting revenge on that Naraku guy, but you've got to heal first. The venom in your blood is slowing your healing. Even with the antidote."

She growled softly and turned to face me.

"I can't beat Naraku alone. As much as I hate to admit it, I need training. This demon has caused trouble in my village before. Not much, but enough to show that he is powerful. But even without training, if no one helps me, Naraku WILL pay. I promise you that."

Even in the darkness, I could see the determination in her eyes.

"I wouldn't expect anything less. I will help you and I'll try to get Kadae to help you as well."

A smile spread across her lips.

"Thank you." She said, reached out and touched my hand, then in moments, her breathing got deeper and she fell asleep.
(An ugly creature entered its master's quarters, yet again.)

"Well? What have you found?" came a cold voice.

"My lord, we have found that the Shikon Jewel is under the protection of a hanyou."

"Where?"

"In the village where Lady Kadae lives."

"Who is this hanyou? How did she obtain the jewel?"

"We believe it is the daughter of Kagaia. We know not how she got the jewel."

sigh "I know how, but I thought Kagaia's daughter was killed."

"As did I, my lord, as did I, but I have more bad news."

"What is it?"

"They have found Kikyo's reincarnation."

"WHAT?"

(The creature sunk to its knees and covered its head.)

"How did this happen? After all the work I went through to get rid of that bitch!"

"We do not know, all we know is she's been a slave most of her life. And please don't kill me, but I have more bad news."

"Tell me."

"Inuyasha has a protective side for Kagaia's daughter."

"What?!"

"As unbelievable as it might seem, he does."

"Damn that bitch Kikyo, leaving the jewel under the protection of Kagaia. I hope she's burning painfully in hell! And even after Kagaia died, I STILL couldn't find that jewel."

(The creature was now quivering in fear of its master's rage.)

"M-my lord, have you forgotten that the jewel is no longer hidden? You can easily obtain it. It's only a hanyou after all."

"YOU FOOL! Have you forgotten this girl's bloodline?! Hanyou or not, she's still a threat. And, need I remind you; she has Inuyasha to protect her. Not that HE is any threat, but......... never mind. Get out of my sight so I can think of a plan."

"Yes, my lord."

The creature practically crawled out of the room.
I woke up to the sounds of birds. I groaned.

"I don't remember going to sleep in a tree." I mumbled stupidly.

I cracked one eye open and saw that there was a tree right outside the window. I growled at the incoming sunlight.

"Who asked it to be morning?" I muttered rubbing my eyes.

I growled as I got up and got dressed. As I was tying up my thigh high boots, something made my ears flick back. Inuyasha and Kagome were arguing about something, but I classified it as not important and went about my business. That is, until I heard the word bitch and other such, er, profanity, I decided to hurry down there.

When I got down there, Kadae was sitting cross-legged, looking as though she had no clue on what to do. I sat next to her and asked,

"What happened?"

She just shook her head and replied,

"They got in an argument; I'm not sure on what it was about. Nor am I sure on what to do."

"I'm sure that doesn't happen very often."

She gave me a look.

"Ok, ok, hmmmmm, do you have something with a subduing spell? Like, prayer beads, or something?"

"As a matter of fact I do, but I don't think it wise to use that on him."

"Oh, well, I'll take the chance. I'll take the blame. Besides, isn't it my duty to protect her?"

"Good point, child. Here, take these. You're probably a much better shot than I."

She handed me the prayer beads. I aimed, shot, and they landed perfectly around Inuyasha's neck.

"Child, call out any word in which to subdue him." Kadae said.

"But, I don't know any." Kagome replied.

"It matters not which, just pick a word."

"Um, sit!"

Inuyasha crashed about a foot into the floor. The thing was, I had suggested, "sit" about the same time she had said it. It caused the spell to go into double-time. He let out a muffled sort of ow and that was followed by cursing. I jumped up and helped him out of his crater.

"Are you ok?" I asked with concern.

He grumbled something I couldn't make out, so I took that as a no.

"What the hell is this?" Inuyasha asked, tugging at the beads.

"It's a subduing spell. That means every time Kagome or Laquisha says 'sit', you will be... subdued. It's only meant for one person, but since they said the word at the same time, they both can use it. And don't try to take it off. Nothing you can do will release you." Kadae replied.

"You HAG!" he yelled, lunging at her.

"SIT!" Kagome screamed.

Inuyasha landed, face down, just feet away from Kadae. I waited a moment before going to help him up.

"Chill, Inuyasha. It was my idea. It was in the best interest of Kagome. I can't protect her if you two are at each other's necks all the time. She needs SOME protection from you when I can't help."

"Yes, but you can use it too."

"What? You mean the sit thing?"

Inuyasha crashed to the floor.

"Oh, sorry!"

"What else would I be talking about?"

"I don't know, but when I said sit, it was only a suggestion."

Inuyasha crashed to the floor for a third time.

"I am sooooooo sorry! I just can't ever say the word sit again, can I?"

Inuyasha was kissing the floor, yet again.

"You're doing that on purpose!"

"No, I'm not. I swear! Come on, I'll take you upstairs and give you something for that headache I know you have GOT to have"

When we got halfway up the stairs, we heard the uncontrolled laughter of Kagome and Kadae shushing her. Inuyasha growled, but didn't make a move to do anything about it. When we got to the room, he lay on the futon and I got a cold, damp rag for his head. Then he finally noticed I wasn't supposed to be out of bed when I was limping.

"Hey, what are you doing out of bed anyway?"

"I refuse to be bed-ridden." Was my only reply.

He sighed.

I placed the rag on his head and hummed him a song my mother used to sing. When I was done, he was out like a light.

"Works like a charm." I said with a grin.

I went back downstairs.

"Where's Inuyasha?" Kadae asked.

"Sleeping. I kinda accidentally, on purpose, hummed him to sleep."

"Like your mother used to do to you when you were mad?"

"Yes, hey! How did you know about that?"

"I told you, I used to visit your mother. Don't you remember the priestess that came by and took your mother's attention away from you?"

"Ah, now that you mention it, I do. I can't believe that was you."

"Yes, you've grown nicely yourself. I remember you as a small child with a short temper, but you were well behaved."

"Ah, but good girls are bad girls who don't get caught."

"I couldn't agree more." Came a voice.
A/n: Dum, dum, dum... do you know who the voice is? Well, neither do I! Tune in next week to find out! And, Ha! I did put in some mushies! So there!