Hi guys! Sorry for taking so long... exams suck! That, and my computer needed to be fixed, so I had to dismantle it and take it to my mum to fix it (she's so wonderful!) Anyways, here's Part 2 of Chapter 12! Enjoy, and Read and Review, please!!
Also, all of chapter 12, both part A and B, are dedicated to a very beloved friend of mine, Amber N., who was the one to tell me once "Do not hope... decide." She will remain in my heart always, and my prayers, and she has become an inspiration for me in the time that I have known her! I pray she will be happy when she moves away this summer, and finds happiness as a journalist. Good luck, Ammy, and remember I love you!
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Chapter 12, Part 2: Meiki Itsu Sore Ame (Remember When It Rained)
Inuyasha stared fervently out, over the vast forest to the North, and in haled the sweet, fresh-smelling air. The breeze that blew by and ruffled his shining hair held the chill traces of the upcoming winter, and mingled it with the more putrid smell of mutton and fire and burning. His brilliant eyes cast down past the fine wooden trough edge of the palace roof, where he was perched. Below in the courtyard, he could see the royal guard bustling about busily like ants: dousing out small fires as soldiers finished their meal, master craftsmen tossing away and scraping steel against the grindstone. The sight made him want to choke!
All this, for what? He couldn't abide the idea that leaving would doom many of their kind to death or worse! Couldn't stand the thought that he would have to slaughter without a hint of regret! Couldn't BEAR the thought that they may fail, and precious Kagome-hime might be put in danger! So, instead, he kept insisting stubbornly that there was a morality to this war. Something more than "I want her back!" and "No, she's mine!"
Of course, those sayings, said so many times in his head as he contemplated, did not fail to remind him that there was more to Sesshoumaru's answer than just pride. There was love there.
Even if he wouldn't admit it, Inuyasha could see through Sesshoumaru here. His brother's eyes – usually like doll's eyes, dark and glassy – became lit the moment Kikyo approached, or her name ever mentioned, no matter what the context! She made him alive, and his eyes showed it luminously. It was the same look that Kagome invoked in him... She struck such a vibrant chord inside him that he felt like he would explode if he didn't say something, or touch her!
And he would have most likely succeeded in his hope... if he had found courage enough to tell her. But it was too late now.
He would be leaving today, at dawn – still an hour off.
His ears swivelled left then right as they drowned out the sound of the scraping and sawing and grinding below, in favour of the deafening sound of the blowing wind. He could tune them out, but he couldn't do the same for the tiny voice in the deepest recess of his mind. Over and over, it chided him and begged to find Kagome and tell her how he felt!
It had been doing so for the last half-hour. And he had been strong throughout. But now, he broke under its devastatingly persuasive pressure!
He stood, and balanced with ease on the peak of the curved shingled roof. Despite the powerful huffing of the air, he walked speedily along the apex beam, swaying with the wind slightly so that he would not fall.
Around the roof, halfway to his destination, he walked, before he was called to from below. He stared emptily down at the lean figure of his friend, and waited for her to speak. Something in his eyes made her uneasy, and Sango shifted her weight to her other foot.
She bowed her head to hide her shame, for she had been unable to look at him since they had last spoken four days ago... about her brother. She felt like her best friend had died and left her to breath hollow air, and she despised it, and she crumbled.
And so, she had come looking for her oji... to apologize.
When her shimmering eyes replaced their focus upon him, they were glistening with unshed tears. "Sumimasen"
Inuyasha blinked gently, and a small smile rose on his lips like the fluttering impression of a cherub in his weighted heart had spread outward. The slight nod of his head twisted his neck, and he lifted his arm to rub the back tenderly as he hissed in pain. His sparring sessions had not been easy, and for good reason! But, he was hurting because of it, from head to toe.
His lips opened into a single word, and she smiled in the knowing. She followed his movement as he continued his way along the rooftop.
'Kashaku.'
He sauntered casually over to the roof's edge just above a small wooden balcony overlooking the courtyard below. Throwing both his feet over the edge carelessly, he hauled himself down to the balcony using the strength of his arms. His feet collided with the wooden floor, and he threw open the light doors that led into the room from the balcony.
As he entered the said room, it was pitch black. This was new, seeing as Kagome never had a taste for the dark. Instead, she had always preferred to have a multitude of candles burning, at least, if the sunlight through the windows wasn't bright enough for her liking. Still, as his eyes affixed to the darkness, his golden irises scanned the room, leaving no corner virgin of his sweep. He was puzzled.
She wasn't there!
Inside, he felt a burning rage envelope him! His brother had told her to stay inside! Where the HELL was she?!! His fist balled and shook violently at his side until he whirled around and charged out the balcony doors again. He let out a frustrated growl and pushed off from the railing, landing soundly in the yard below.
Soldiers grunted and snarled as he pushed them aside hastily, but since it was their oji – or, rather, Sesshoumaru's brother – they let it slide... barely. After all, though Inuyasha was a very formidable demon, he was STILL a hanyou, which warranted a certain amount of resentment and dislike, no matter WHAT his status!
As he sped along, Inuyasha watched the gates to the courtyard go by in a flash, then he stopped, seeing his target. The figure standing there, at the top of the hill, remained motionless as the Inu-oji approached. His long, flowing hair swayed gently in the breeze, and he let the trace of a smile breech at the corners of his mouth.
"Well," he said as he quirked an eyebrow and held his hand before him, examining casually the sharp claws that shone in the bright sunlight, "what can I do for you, Inuyasha?"
"You can tell me where the hell Kagome is, Sesshoumaru!! You said she'd be inside!!" the younger brother screeched, sounding more like a brutish harpy than a noble prince.
Sesshoumaru turned and nodded acknowledgment. "Then... she is not there."
"Yeah," Inuyasha replied testily, like a temperamental child, as he folded his arms over his chest, "you could say that!"
Sesshoumaru nodded again, and narrowed his eyes as he pondered. He had promised Kikyo not to tell, but Inuyasha had a right to talk with her before they left. Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru awed silently at his brother's impatience, for the hanyou had started gritting his nails together menacingly.
"Perhaps try Toutousai," said the osama. "She met him a few days ago and has been seen talking with him at meals inside lately." 'And more...,' he added, unspoken. "He'll be in the field there, training, I suspect."
Grunting, Inuyasha took off in a split moment, dashing in the direction his elder brother had twitched his head towards absently. In mere moments, he was over the treeline, heading for the fields. Sesshoumaru sighed.
It was not his place to tell his brother what he knew, but he hoped Kagome-hime knew what she was doing. Through Kikyo, he had learned of Kagome's plan, and though he greatly resented the idea of a woman actually fighting, he was obliged just this once. After all, this was for love...
Sesshoumaru was no stranger to the need of certainty. Closure. For years, he, himself, had been plagued by a worry. Whether he was really meant to be an osama. Sure, he was perfect for the role, but he still needed the reassurance. Perhaps that was why he kept Inuyasha around. As crude and feral as his brother was, Inuyasha always had something idiotic to say to make him feel better about himself!
'Kagome,' he thought, still staring at the treeline, 'I hope you know what you're doing. For both Kikyo and Inuyasha's sakes. ... Don't get yourself killed out there,... Sister.'
The metal ringing was pulsating through her sore wrists, and she shook with the force of it! After a moment of painful vibrating, she had no choice but the drop the sword, and fall to her knees in defeat. Tears appeared in the corners of her eyes as she attempted to console herself.
"Why can't I do it...?" she wept, allowing her face to twist in despair.
"Mastering a weapon takes time, milady," Toutousai replied, lifting up his hammer and trudging a few paces forward before squatting at her side. "And that, we do not have. Our time is up."
"But," Kagome sobbed, looking up at him as the salty tears began draining from her sleep-deprived eyes, "I can still fight!" She hadn't rested since yesterday morning, and the grave lines on her face showed it deeply. Another sob escaped her lips, and she drowned in the knowledge that without Toutousai's approval of her skills, she would be found out and forbidden to go!
She had tried so very hard to get it right... the striking, the jabbing, the swinging! She really had tried! Of course, she could use her shuriken skill, but that wasn't good enough for combat! To depend on that alone was suicide! Still, if finding out the truth about her father's feelings meant suicide, then so be it!
Of course, that would mean leaving Inuyasha to grieve, once he found out what had happened... She couldn't do that to him, could she? He was rugged and wild, but deep down, something inside him struck her as gentle and sincere and loving. Something that made her shake with uncertainty and fear. Fear that if she allowed herself to fall in love, she would forever be subjugated to the man she loved. She would never be an equal – especially not in THIS realm, where fairness was second to instinct!
She couldn't allow that. Better to die in the worst possible way than to become a slave of ANY kind! She was herself! She was Kagome. And she had a right to know the truth about herself, and to fight for her freedom!
"Give up, Kagome-hime," Toutousai sighed, fingering the head of the hammer, "You just can't do it. Not in the time allowed."
Kagome raised her head, all the tears gone, and their existence confirmed only by the wet streaks over her dirt-smudged cheeks. She felt the tingling burning from her fire-heated face spread downward and out, through aching limbs and numb finger and toes! She couldn't do it, he had said! Kagome couldn't do it?!?! How dare he...!
With trembling hands, still quaking from the numbing ring of her sword blow earlier, she snatched up the sword! Her arm flung up and swooped back down in defiance to his faithlessness! The satisfying rush of adrenaline only increased the sound of the steel slicing through the air, before crashing down mightily on the handle of the hammer!
"Ah, much better!" Toutousai cooed appreciatively, as he pushed up with his hammer to avoid her strike. "But now, can you hold on?"
She felt the same ringing pierce from sword tip to fingers and up, spreading out the numbness again, though she forced the ache out of her mind. She wasn't going to lose it THIS time!! For what seemed an agonizing minute, she and the sword smith pushed hard against one another, forcing the trembling of the weapons to increase as they lost and gained ground repetitively.
Finally, Kagome gritted her teeth and surged forward in a wave of frustration! She pushed as though she were a mother and the offensive hammer barred her way to her child! She overtook him, and the old man tumbled backward, and was left to stare up at her panting figure as she let her grip of the ninja-to slide a little before she jammed its point into the ground.
"I did it...!" she heaved, and fell to her knees once more, gasping and puffing.
Toutousai was agape. So, her temper was the key. Very befitting, given her character. He smiled and stood. "Impressive, but get up. We've still got a little time before dawn. But, by heavens above, put your MASK on this time! It'll help protect you in case a swipe is taken at your face!"
"Yes, Toutousai-sama," she chuckled, and pulled the dark blue mask over her face before taking one of the offensive stances he had shown her. She still wasn't amazing at this kind of fighting, but she was adequate, when she had to be.
Just as Toutousai was about to command her to charge, a voice called out aggressively.
"Toutousai!! Where the HELL have you been?!!"
Both student and teacher turned to watch as the red blur that was Inuyasha flew toward them at immense speed before pulling back and spilling the earth around his feet as he pulled a sudden stop. Toutousai looked tired, and very uninterested. Kagome was anxious and very much glad that her sword master had told her to pull on her mask! Still, she was very frightened that her scent would give her away!
The hime's palms were sweaty beneath the soft, strong fabric of her suit, and she couldn't decide if her heart had stopped, or it was beating so fast that it seemed still! Her breath was held vigorously and she watched Inuyasha eye her up and down warily.
"Who are you?!" he growled, furrowing his eyes even further than they were.
Kagome's mouth was instantly dry as a bone, and she felt herself choking on the pulpy flesh of her tongue. Thankfully, before Inuyasha's barely-existant patience was tried, Toutousai stepped in.
"She's a new recruit for the ninjas. They may be insects, but she's got some talent, and she's flexible. She's had experience fighting before, and I've been training her to run with the other ninjas at dawn. I have your brother's permission, Inuyasha-oji." It was the truth, anyway. Toutousai had not lied to his prince. He was a traitor, but an honest one regardless.
Inuyasha, however, was not nearly as convinced as was hoped. He strode forward and began sniffing deeply, glaring at her, though she refused to meet his gaze with hers. If she did, she would be given away, for she could never lie to him face-to-face. His eyes would steal all her secrets...
"You smell," he sniffed, "very familiar to me. Have we met?"
His tone was aggravated because he couldn't get a clear whiff of the woman before him. The dirt covering her from her training was masking the scent. And the strong salty tang of sweat – both hers and the old man's – made it even worse!
She did her best to lower her voice and bring a sultry tone to it; a tone that she knew he would NEVER suspect Kagome to use! "I... don't think so, milord."
Inuyasha's ear twitched furiously, and he backed off a little. There was a sad look in his eye, though he did his best to hide it. "Strange... For a moment you smelled like her..."
"Who, milord?" she asked, the deepness of her voice making her a little uncomfortable from its forced nature.
He remained silent for a moment, before replying. "Someone I wanted to tell something to... To say goodbye to."
Kagome let out a silent sigh. Something inside her pounding bosom, that had now slowed to a crawl, told her he was talking about her. She melted inside, but forced herself to stand strong and will her legs to not wobble demurely.
Over the crest of the horizon, the first tip of the sun peeked up, its rays shooting out like streaks of flame in the still-deep sky. Inuyasha flinched, knowing that he hadn't found Kagome in time... to tell her. He let out a long sigh, and spun around.
"Well," he hissed, "hurry up, girl! Get to your group now! I don't like the thought of a woman fighting, but if Sesshoumaru says so...!"
Kagome, beneath her mask, smiled, and sped after Inuyasha as he flew forward, back toward the palace. Toutousai's old bones were not as vigorous, and he lingered behind, a graven look etched harshly to his ageless face.
"Kagome-hime, let's just hope you can do that swing again, otherwise you're dead..."
The grimness of his words were irrelevant as they fell on deaf ears, for no one was with him. He was alone and hobbling toward the palace, until he heard the roll of thunder not so far off, and the appearance of sudden dark clouds harried him to quicken his stride.
How had the day gone so wrong, Kagome wondered. The weather had been wonderful until dawn, and shortly after the sun had risen, it was just BLOTTED OUT by the storm clouds that now commanded the skies overhead and beyond! She was wet and angry! The rain was beating down heavily upon the ranks of the palace guard as they stood at attention just outside the palace gates, file upon file.
Sighing heavily, she glanced up at Sesshoumaru, who hovered on his steed, Ah-Uhn. He had told the men that the major mass of the forces were waiting in the wilderness for the palace guard to join them, and then they would be off to the Eastern capital. She was not relishing the long march in THIS weather!
She could at least be thankful for one thing: Sesshoumaru had not wasted time on a departure speech. That, she suspected, would be saved for the eve of the battle. And she was exceedingly happy that she would miss it, for the ninjas were to infiltrate the palace of the city itself, and gather information about the inner defenses before the major assault would be launched, and they would not be partaking in the real fighting. Ninjas were reconnaissance and spies and assassins, not warriors and knights.
She moaned as she felt her skin become clingy and dismally moist from the humidity and rainfall. Everywhere she looked it was soggy and drenched and cold and bleak! What a perfect way to start a war-march! Wasn't this kind of weather supposed to come at the end of the battle, when the glorious victors raised their swords and shrieked their fervid war cry?
She spotted Inuyasha behind Sesshoumaru as the guards and other forces began lining through the giant wooden gates; the maw she had been so frightened of when she first came here was regurgitating her back out into the middle of a war-torn cesspool! She caught the look on the oji's face and frowned sadly. His pretty silver hair was stringy, and his cute little ears were matted terribly, and he looked miserable!
From that one look, as they trudged through the slippery mud of the earth as the rain pounded down upon their shoulders, she knew that he would never forget this day. Indeed, every man and woman in this host – including herself – would remember this terrible, rainy day for the rest of their lives!
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Translations:
Sumimasen - sorry (a very formal, proper way of saying it, unlike the casual 'Gomennasai' or 'Gomen')
Kashaku - pardoned
Well, I hope you all enjoyed, and thanks a lot for the new reviews!!! I'm soo happy you like it!! However, I have one thing to say, to the reviewer, Sarah. I am really happy you enjoy my story, and this has been a larger chapter - over 3000 words - but I must protest to you saying I have too many spaces; the reason there are spaces is because my writing is (for the most part) grammatically and structurally correct, in proper paragraphs. I apologize if this sounds harsh, I'm just a big fan of grammar, and it's something I don't see much of on ff.net or other fanfic sites, sadly. I dislike the notion that my stories are "less full" than others because it is segregated according to proper English. Again, I apologize if this has offended you, Sarah, it's not meant to; I'm simply stating my defense. I really hope you'll continue to read regardless.
I will get on the next chappie as soon as I can, but my exams officially started today, and I'm still cramming, plus I'll probably be a little lazy for the first week or so of summer (I can do that once in a while; it's my writing right).
See you all in the next chapter: number 13!!!!!
Also, all of chapter 12, both part A and B, are dedicated to a very beloved friend of mine, Amber N., who was the one to tell me once "Do not hope... decide." She will remain in my heart always, and my prayers, and she has become an inspiration for me in the time that I have known her! I pray she will be happy when she moves away this summer, and finds happiness as a journalist. Good luck, Ammy, and remember I love you!
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Chapter 12, Part 2: Meiki Itsu Sore Ame (Remember When It Rained)
Inuyasha stared fervently out, over the vast forest to the North, and in haled the sweet, fresh-smelling air. The breeze that blew by and ruffled his shining hair held the chill traces of the upcoming winter, and mingled it with the more putrid smell of mutton and fire and burning. His brilliant eyes cast down past the fine wooden trough edge of the palace roof, where he was perched. Below in the courtyard, he could see the royal guard bustling about busily like ants: dousing out small fires as soldiers finished their meal, master craftsmen tossing away and scraping steel against the grindstone. The sight made him want to choke!
All this, for what? He couldn't abide the idea that leaving would doom many of their kind to death or worse! Couldn't stand the thought that he would have to slaughter without a hint of regret! Couldn't BEAR the thought that they may fail, and precious Kagome-hime might be put in danger! So, instead, he kept insisting stubbornly that there was a morality to this war. Something more than "I want her back!" and "No, she's mine!"
Of course, those sayings, said so many times in his head as he contemplated, did not fail to remind him that there was more to Sesshoumaru's answer than just pride. There was love there.
Even if he wouldn't admit it, Inuyasha could see through Sesshoumaru here. His brother's eyes – usually like doll's eyes, dark and glassy – became lit the moment Kikyo approached, or her name ever mentioned, no matter what the context! She made him alive, and his eyes showed it luminously. It was the same look that Kagome invoked in him... She struck such a vibrant chord inside him that he felt like he would explode if he didn't say something, or touch her!
And he would have most likely succeeded in his hope... if he had found courage enough to tell her. But it was too late now.
He would be leaving today, at dawn – still an hour off.
His ears swivelled left then right as they drowned out the sound of the scraping and sawing and grinding below, in favour of the deafening sound of the blowing wind. He could tune them out, but he couldn't do the same for the tiny voice in the deepest recess of his mind. Over and over, it chided him and begged to find Kagome and tell her how he felt!
It had been doing so for the last half-hour. And he had been strong throughout. But now, he broke under its devastatingly persuasive pressure!
He stood, and balanced with ease on the peak of the curved shingled roof. Despite the powerful huffing of the air, he walked speedily along the apex beam, swaying with the wind slightly so that he would not fall.
Around the roof, halfway to his destination, he walked, before he was called to from below. He stared emptily down at the lean figure of his friend, and waited for her to speak. Something in his eyes made her uneasy, and Sango shifted her weight to her other foot.
She bowed her head to hide her shame, for she had been unable to look at him since they had last spoken four days ago... about her brother. She felt like her best friend had died and left her to breath hollow air, and she despised it, and she crumbled.
And so, she had come looking for her oji... to apologize.
When her shimmering eyes replaced their focus upon him, they were glistening with unshed tears. "Sumimasen"
Inuyasha blinked gently, and a small smile rose on his lips like the fluttering impression of a cherub in his weighted heart had spread outward. The slight nod of his head twisted his neck, and he lifted his arm to rub the back tenderly as he hissed in pain. His sparring sessions had not been easy, and for good reason! But, he was hurting because of it, from head to toe.
His lips opened into a single word, and she smiled in the knowing. She followed his movement as he continued his way along the rooftop.
'Kashaku.'
He sauntered casually over to the roof's edge just above a small wooden balcony overlooking the courtyard below. Throwing both his feet over the edge carelessly, he hauled himself down to the balcony using the strength of his arms. His feet collided with the wooden floor, and he threw open the light doors that led into the room from the balcony.
As he entered the said room, it was pitch black. This was new, seeing as Kagome never had a taste for the dark. Instead, she had always preferred to have a multitude of candles burning, at least, if the sunlight through the windows wasn't bright enough for her liking. Still, as his eyes affixed to the darkness, his golden irises scanned the room, leaving no corner virgin of his sweep. He was puzzled.
She wasn't there!
Inside, he felt a burning rage envelope him! His brother had told her to stay inside! Where the HELL was she?!! His fist balled and shook violently at his side until he whirled around and charged out the balcony doors again. He let out a frustrated growl and pushed off from the railing, landing soundly in the yard below.
Soldiers grunted and snarled as he pushed them aside hastily, but since it was their oji – or, rather, Sesshoumaru's brother – they let it slide... barely. After all, though Inuyasha was a very formidable demon, he was STILL a hanyou, which warranted a certain amount of resentment and dislike, no matter WHAT his status!
As he sped along, Inuyasha watched the gates to the courtyard go by in a flash, then he stopped, seeing his target. The figure standing there, at the top of the hill, remained motionless as the Inu-oji approached. His long, flowing hair swayed gently in the breeze, and he let the trace of a smile breech at the corners of his mouth.
"Well," he said as he quirked an eyebrow and held his hand before him, examining casually the sharp claws that shone in the bright sunlight, "what can I do for you, Inuyasha?"
"You can tell me where the hell Kagome is, Sesshoumaru!! You said she'd be inside!!" the younger brother screeched, sounding more like a brutish harpy than a noble prince.
Sesshoumaru turned and nodded acknowledgment. "Then... she is not there."
"Yeah," Inuyasha replied testily, like a temperamental child, as he folded his arms over his chest, "you could say that!"
Sesshoumaru nodded again, and narrowed his eyes as he pondered. He had promised Kikyo not to tell, but Inuyasha had a right to talk with her before they left. Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru awed silently at his brother's impatience, for the hanyou had started gritting his nails together menacingly.
"Perhaps try Toutousai," said the osama. "She met him a few days ago and has been seen talking with him at meals inside lately." 'And more...,' he added, unspoken. "He'll be in the field there, training, I suspect."
Grunting, Inuyasha took off in a split moment, dashing in the direction his elder brother had twitched his head towards absently. In mere moments, he was over the treeline, heading for the fields. Sesshoumaru sighed.
It was not his place to tell his brother what he knew, but he hoped Kagome-hime knew what she was doing. Through Kikyo, he had learned of Kagome's plan, and though he greatly resented the idea of a woman actually fighting, he was obliged just this once. After all, this was for love...
Sesshoumaru was no stranger to the need of certainty. Closure. For years, he, himself, had been plagued by a worry. Whether he was really meant to be an osama. Sure, he was perfect for the role, but he still needed the reassurance. Perhaps that was why he kept Inuyasha around. As crude and feral as his brother was, Inuyasha always had something idiotic to say to make him feel better about himself!
'Kagome,' he thought, still staring at the treeline, 'I hope you know what you're doing. For both Kikyo and Inuyasha's sakes. ... Don't get yourself killed out there,... Sister.'
The metal ringing was pulsating through her sore wrists, and she shook with the force of it! After a moment of painful vibrating, she had no choice but the drop the sword, and fall to her knees in defeat. Tears appeared in the corners of her eyes as she attempted to console herself.
"Why can't I do it...?" she wept, allowing her face to twist in despair.
"Mastering a weapon takes time, milady," Toutousai replied, lifting up his hammer and trudging a few paces forward before squatting at her side. "And that, we do not have. Our time is up."
"But," Kagome sobbed, looking up at him as the salty tears began draining from her sleep-deprived eyes, "I can still fight!" She hadn't rested since yesterday morning, and the grave lines on her face showed it deeply. Another sob escaped her lips, and she drowned in the knowledge that without Toutousai's approval of her skills, she would be found out and forbidden to go!
She had tried so very hard to get it right... the striking, the jabbing, the swinging! She really had tried! Of course, she could use her shuriken skill, but that wasn't good enough for combat! To depend on that alone was suicide! Still, if finding out the truth about her father's feelings meant suicide, then so be it!
Of course, that would mean leaving Inuyasha to grieve, once he found out what had happened... She couldn't do that to him, could she? He was rugged and wild, but deep down, something inside him struck her as gentle and sincere and loving. Something that made her shake with uncertainty and fear. Fear that if she allowed herself to fall in love, she would forever be subjugated to the man she loved. She would never be an equal – especially not in THIS realm, where fairness was second to instinct!
She couldn't allow that. Better to die in the worst possible way than to become a slave of ANY kind! She was herself! She was Kagome. And she had a right to know the truth about herself, and to fight for her freedom!
"Give up, Kagome-hime," Toutousai sighed, fingering the head of the hammer, "You just can't do it. Not in the time allowed."
Kagome raised her head, all the tears gone, and their existence confirmed only by the wet streaks over her dirt-smudged cheeks. She felt the tingling burning from her fire-heated face spread downward and out, through aching limbs and numb finger and toes! She couldn't do it, he had said! Kagome couldn't do it?!?! How dare he...!
With trembling hands, still quaking from the numbing ring of her sword blow earlier, she snatched up the sword! Her arm flung up and swooped back down in defiance to his faithlessness! The satisfying rush of adrenaline only increased the sound of the steel slicing through the air, before crashing down mightily on the handle of the hammer!
"Ah, much better!" Toutousai cooed appreciatively, as he pushed up with his hammer to avoid her strike. "But now, can you hold on?"
She felt the same ringing pierce from sword tip to fingers and up, spreading out the numbness again, though she forced the ache out of her mind. She wasn't going to lose it THIS time!! For what seemed an agonizing minute, she and the sword smith pushed hard against one another, forcing the trembling of the weapons to increase as they lost and gained ground repetitively.
Finally, Kagome gritted her teeth and surged forward in a wave of frustration! She pushed as though she were a mother and the offensive hammer barred her way to her child! She overtook him, and the old man tumbled backward, and was left to stare up at her panting figure as she let her grip of the ninja-to slide a little before she jammed its point into the ground.
"I did it...!" she heaved, and fell to her knees once more, gasping and puffing.
Toutousai was agape. So, her temper was the key. Very befitting, given her character. He smiled and stood. "Impressive, but get up. We've still got a little time before dawn. But, by heavens above, put your MASK on this time! It'll help protect you in case a swipe is taken at your face!"
"Yes, Toutousai-sama," she chuckled, and pulled the dark blue mask over her face before taking one of the offensive stances he had shown her. She still wasn't amazing at this kind of fighting, but she was adequate, when she had to be.
Just as Toutousai was about to command her to charge, a voice called out aggressively.
"Toutousai!! Where the HELL have you been?!!"
Both student and teacher turned to watch as the red blur that was Inuyasha flew toward them at immense speed before pulling back and spilling the earth around his feet as he pulled a sudden stop. Toutousai looked tired, and very uninterested. Kagome was anxious and very much glad that her sword master had told her to pull on her mask! Still, she was very frightened that her scent would give her away!
The hime's palms were sweaty beneath the soft, strong fabric of her suit, and she couldn't decide if her heart had stopped, or it was beating so fast that it seemed still! Her breath was held vigorously and she watched Inuyasha eye her up and down warily.
"Who are you?!" he growled, furrowing his eyes even further than they were.
Kagome's mouth was instantly dry as a bone, and she felt herself choking on the pulpy flesh of her tongue. Thankfully, before Inuyasha's barely-existant patience was tried, Toutousai stepped in.
"She's a new recruit for the ninjas. They may be insects, but she's got some talent, and she's flexible. She's had experience fighting before, and I've been training her to run with the other ninjas at dawn. I have your brother's permission, Inuyasha-oji." It was the truth, anyway. Toutousai had not lied to his prince. He was a traitor, but an honest one regardless.
Inuyasha, however, was not nearly as convinced as was hoped. He strode forward and began sniffing deeply, glaring at her, though she refused to meet his gaze with hers. If she did, she would be given away, for she could never lie to him face-to-face. His eyes would steal all her secrets...
"You smell," he sniffed, "very familiar to me. Have we met?"
His tone was aggravated because he couldn't get a clear whiff of the woman before him. The dirt covering her from her training was masking the scent. And the strong salty tang of sweat – both hers and the old man's – made it even worse!
She did her best to lower her voice and bring a sultry tone to it; a tone that she knew he would NEVER suspect Kagome to use! "I... don't think so, milord."
Inuyasha's ear twitched furiously, and he backed off a little. There was a sad look in his eye, though he did his best to hide it. "Strange... For a moment you smelled like her..."
"Who, milord?" she asked, the deepness of her voice making her a little uncomfortable from its forced nature.
He remained silent for a moment, before replying. "Someone I wanted to tell something to... To say goodbye to."
Kagome let out a silent sigh. Something inside her pounding bosom, that had now slowed to a crawl, told her he was talking about her. She melted inside, but forced herself to stand strong and will her legs to not wobble demurely.
Over the crest of the horizon, the first tip of the sun peeked up, its rays shooting out like streaks of flame in the still-deep sky. Inuyasha flinched, knowing that he hadn't found Kagome in time... to tell her. He let out a long sigh, and spun around.
"Well," he hissed, "hurry up, girl! Get to your group now! I don't like the thought of a woman fighting, but if Sesshoumaru says so...!"
Kagome, beneath her mask, smiled, and sped after Inuyasha as he flew forward, back toward the palace. Toutousai's old bones were not as vigorous, and he lingered behind, a graven look etched harshly to his ageless face.
"Kagome-hime, let's just hope you can do that swing again, otherwise you're dead..."
The grimness of his words were irrelevant as they fell on deaf ears, for no one was with him. He was alone and hobbling toward the palace, until he heard the roll of thunder not so far off, and the appearance of sudden dark clouds harried him to quicken his stride.
How had the day gone so wrong, Kagome wondered. The weather had been wonderful until dawn, and shortly after the sun had risen, it was just BLOTTED OUT by the storm clouds that now commanded the skies overhead and beyond! She was wet and angry! The rain was beating down heavily upon the ranks of the palace guard as they stood at attention just outside the palace gates, file upon file.
Sighing heavily, she glanced up at Sesshoumaru, who hovered on his steed, Ah-Uhn. He had told the men that the major mass of the forces were waiting in the wilderness for the palace guard to join them, and then they would be off to the Eastern capital. She was not relishing the long march in THIS weather!
She could at least be thankful for one thing: Sesshoumaru had not wasted time on a departure speech. That, she suspected, would be saved for the eve of the battle. And she was exceedingly happy that she would miss it, for the ninjas were to infiltrate the palace of the city itself, and gather information about the inner defenses before the major assault would be launched, and they would not be partaking in the real fighting. Ninjas were reconnaissance and spies and assassins, not warriors and knights.
She moaned as she felt her skin become clingy and dismally moist from the humidity and rainfall. Everywhere she looked it was soggy and drenched and cold and bleak! What a perfect way to start a war-march! Wasn't this kind of weather supposed to come at the end of the battle, when the glorious victors raised their swords and shrieked their fervid war cry?
She spotted Inuyasha behind Sesshoumaru as the guards and other forces began lining through the giant wooden gates; the maw she had been so frightened of when she first came here was regurgitating her back out into the middle of a war-torn cesspool! She caught the look on the oji's face and frowned sadly. His pretty silver hair was stringy, and his cute little ears were matted terribly, and he looked miserable!
From that one look, as they trudged through the slippery mud of the earth as the rain pounded down upon their shoulders, she knew that he would never forget this day. Indeed, every man and woman in this host – including herself – would remember this terrible, rainy day for the rest of their lives!
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Translations:
Sumimasen - sorry (a very formal, proper way of saying it, unlike the casual 'Gomennasai' or 'Gomen')
Kashaku - pardoned
Well, I hope you all enjoyed, and thanks a lot for the new reviews!!! I'm soo happy you like it!! However, I have one thing to say, to the reviewer, Sarah. I am really happy you enjoy my story, and this has been a larger chapter - over 3000 words - but I must protest to you saying I have too many spaces; the reason there are spaces is because my writing is (for the most part) grammatically and structurally correct, in proper paragraphs. I apologize if this sounds harsh, I'm just a big fan of grammar, and it's something I don't see much of on ff.net or other fanfic sites, sadly. I dislike the notion that my stories are "less full" than others because it is segregated according to proper English. Again, I apologize if this has offended you, Sarah, it's not meant to; I'm simply stating my defense. I really hope you'll continue to read regardless.
I will get on the next chappie as soon as I can, but my exams officially started today, and I'm still cramming, plus I'll probably be a little lazy for the first week or so of summer (I can do that once in a while; it's my writing right).
See you all in the next chapter: number 13!!!!!