1Disclaimer: Inuyasha y sus amigos no pertenecen a mí. (They just don't, alright?)
A/N: Arigatou! Arigatou! Thank you for all those who reviewed! Gotta thank: Legatos-darkangel, Inu-babe666, Chiisana-Tori-chan, Guardian of the Hell Gate, and Diltzer83, and many others who revealed this story and liked it. Very glad and happy. takes a few bows Alright, for those of you are dying to find out what's gonna happen, chapter 3 is here! I know I was a little rough last chapter, but I can't help. just needed that cliffhanger! Lolz. Now, on with the continuation of this story: Chapter 3: The Test Part 2
=
=
=
Red to Your Heart
=
=
Chapter 3: The Test Part 2
=
'Oh.My.God!' Kagome pondered, almost fainting. 'He's...here? How can that be?' Kagome was scared. She wasn't suppose to see him here. And he was walking straight for her, smirking widely. Kagome took a step back. She held up her hands and yelled, "don't come near me! I'm warning you!" The figure acted like it didn't hear anything and continued walking out of the waters, towards her.
"Hey, Sango?" asked Rin, "what did that Higurashi girl see that's making her shaken up?" Rin was curious on what that girl saw at the lake. It must have been something really frightening or else she wouldn't be shaking like that.
"Hm...I don't know," answered Sango. "Let's see if she can pass this part of the test. Kagome was unaware that she had entered the Lake of Terror. Whoever encounters this lake will have to face their worse fears—and this lake will depict something that person is scared of. "Too bad we can't see what that Higurashi's great fear is because she looked like she's seen a ghost!" Sango couldn't help but give a few laughs.
"You're so mean, Sango," whined Rin. "You led her to the Lake of Terror!"
"Hey, look who's calling me 'mean'!"imitated Sango, "you're the one who implanted that pesky bow and arrow in that tree, which in this case if you haven't noticed is located near the Lake of Terror!"
"I did not!" Rin stomped her foot.. She didn't place the bow and arrow there, somebody else must have. It must have been Kaede!
"Shh!" hushed Sango to silent Rin's whining. She wanted to see what will happen to that Higurashi girl. She wanted to see whether or not Kagome's going to eaten by her worst fear.
Sango and Rin both waited with anxiety to find out whether this girl was the "one." They waited in silence and watched the action.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Kagome screamed with terror at the sight of the monster who killed her friend Yuki. Right at the moment, blinding red light blasted from Kagome's crescent. The light was infrared red, Sango and Rin had to shield themselves from this light.
"Such power," Rin whispered with awe. She had never seen such power in her life, not to mention coming from an inexperienced girl! It was great power effulgently coming from Kagome's crescent.
Sango, who was perched next to Rin, pondered to herself, "she must be the one. No doubt!" Sango was absolutely sure that this Higurashi was the true Higurashi they were long waiting for. Now Sango just wanted to see if Kagome could pull the bow and arrow out of the tree.
Back to the scene where Kagome is desperately trying to run for her life. Kagome looked at the red light that effulgently shined towards the creature. It had no effect. Now Kagome was both baffled and scared. Confound at being so powerless, Kagome suddenly threw her fist into a nearby tree, and to much of her surprise she felt something—her fist went through the tree bark. Inside the bark, Kagome felt something, something pointy like an arrow and a bow. Without thinking, Kagome tugged at the weapons and out pull a bow and arrow. Just what she needed! A bow and arrow to vanquish the creature. Kagome stared at the bow and arrow, perplexed because she had never used a bow before. Then she felt a surge of power, it was calling her to use the bow and arrow. It was repeatedly calling for her. Kagome felt as if someone had taken over her body and suddenly the arrow was notched, and she let the arrow fly. It went straight for Inuyasha and the arrow pierced Inuyasha's heart. With an explosion, the image of Inuyasha dissipated to reveal a placid and calm blue lake. The arrow landed softly back on the soft grassland. Kagome bent down and picked up the arrow.
"It...was an illusion?" Kagome questioned herself. She had to go through all that fear and trouble over an illusion that was never meant to be real. Now Kagome was angry. Very angry. You could see veins popping from Kagome's forehead. Then she unfortunately exploded.
"ALL RIGHT, PEOPLE! WHEN AM I GOING TO BE DONE WITH THIS STUPID TEST, HUH?" Kagome yelled through the hollering winds. "I CAN'T STAND THESE ILLUSIONS ANYMORE! YOU KNOW, I COULD HAVE HAD AN HEART ATTACK OVER THIS GAY ILLUSION YOU GUYS GAVE ME! YOU GUYS HAD TO GIVE ME AN ILLUSION OF A SILVER-HAIRED, DOG-EARED, BLUE-CRESCENTED, SMIRKING BLOOD-SUCKING MONSTER!?!? IS THIS YOUR WAY OF TESTING ME? WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON WHOEVER YOU PEOPLE ARE, YOU'RE GONNA BE SORRY! YOU HEAR?"
Kagome had never been so angry in her whole entire life. Well, maybe once or twice, but they were nothing. This time she was major angry. She had never heard of a test that was used to scare the crap out of people. Yes, the swinging and gyrating vines and logs were scary enough, but an illusion of her worst fear? No way! That was beyond her expectations.
"Wow," Rin whispered. "You've done it, Sango. Now look what you've done, you got her mad. Sango, what are you going to do about it when she comes out of that test?" Rin narrowed her eyes at her pitiless friend.
"Hey, Rin! You took part of it also," Sango whined continuously. "You can't throw all the burden on me! Who was the one who placed the bow and arrow inside the bark of a tree near the Lake of Terror? Answer to that, Rin!" Rin remained silent. She didn't say anything because they've already gone over that issue. It was useless to start it all over again.
"Alright, alright, we're both to blame for this," Rin breathed. "But first, let us watch the final and last task this girl has to surpass."
Sango suddenly remembered what the Higurashi girl said. "Hey, did she just say that Inuyasha was her worst fear?" Sango pondered. Rin nodded in return. "If that is what she said, then I wonder how this Higurashi is going to run the Bara Vampires..."
"Hey, who knows, maybe Kaede might find a way to ease Kagome's fears of Inuyasha. Kaede is very powerful despite the fact that she is on her deathbed," Rin sighed, softly.
Kagome continued walking and walking until she reached the end of a cliff. And across this cliff lies another edge. "Oh, great, just great, how am I suppose to cross this thing? This is the edge of a cliff," Kagome muttered bitterly to herself. Kagome looked hopeless across the cliff, wondering if she saw a thick, high and tall pointed tree bark. No it wasn't a tree. It just looked like a pointed log needle. It was long, tall, very tall, pointed at the top, and is made out of wood. Well, what would you call this?
"What in the world is that? Is that supposed to help me or something?" Kagome stared that the thing, with her mouth wide-open. "This is all a conundrum!" Frustrated, Kagome tugged at her hair and then she furiously notched the arrow and let it fly towards the log-needle thing. Much to her surprise, the arrow flew pretty high and hit right at the peak of the top. 'SPLIT!' the log-needle started to split.
Everyone looked at the scene with wide-opened orbs and gawking mouths. Sango stared at the splitting tree in shock. 'No way! No way is she the one! Kagome...Kagome...'
At the same time, Rin bemused into deep thought. "Kagome," Rin whispered, "Kagome, you're the one! You're the one we've all been waiting for!" Rin then jumped for joy. Sango owed her ten dollars for their bet. Rin had betted that Kagome was surely the one and she had won. Yippee!
"NOOOOO!" Sango cried. "The bet...the bet...I lost it." Sango slumped into her hands. "Now I owe that Rin ten bucks!" muttered Sango through clenched teeth, "there goes my beautiful allowance." Sango sighed in defeat.
"W-what was that?" Kagome stuttered. Never had she thought that the arrow she carried had the ability to do that. To split a bark in half. The log-like needle split in half, toppling towards the edge of the cliff, where now acts like sort of a bridge for Kagome. Now Kagome was able to cross. Kagome, happily skipped across the split log and awaited on the other side of the cliff.
Suddenly, as she turned around, she came face to face with Sango. Sango tried to smile at Kagome but instead gave her a frown. "Well," Sango said, "you've surpassed this test. Congrats!"
Kagome looked at Sango with a confused face. "I-I did it?" She couldn't believe it. She's made it!
"Hey, Sango! Don't be so gloomy, alright?" Rin appeared by her friend's side, then she smiled mirthfully at Kagome. "Kagome, you have passed our test. Now you can go see Kaede." Rin praised Kagome effusively for her good work.
"Whatever, Rin! You're not the one who lost the money!" Sango glared at Rin.
"Money?" Kagome pondered.
"Oh, it's just Sango lost the bet. She owes me ten dollars, that's all," Rin smiled triumphantly to herself.
"You need money? Is that all?" asked Kagome. Then she reached into her bra and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill, and shoved it into Sango's hand. Both Sango and Rin stared at it with confusion.
"Hey," Kagome smiled at the two, "you guys may have given me a hard and miserable task, but now I've made. I owe it all to you two. I'm so happy that I surpassed this test, I no longer need to hold a grudge on you guys. So if you need money, Sango, here's a twenty. Anyway, I think my mom shoved this bill into my shirt when she pushed me away from the burning roof," Kagome looked down at her feet, sadly, when all the memories came back. The girls saw the sad Kagome and decided to say something to soothe her misery.
"H-hey," Sango replied, "I don't need the money. Really." Sango felt very uncomfortable accepting this poor girl's money. It just didn't feel right. So she shoved the money back into Kagome's hands. "It's yours. Keep it. Your mother gave it to you. It's yours." Sango said sympathetically.
"Yea," Rin nodded. "You shouldn't give away something that your close someone gave you." Then Rin added, "anyway, I don't want Sango's ten dollars anyway. I've got enough."
Sango smiled mirthfully, "you see Rin doesn't want my money after all, so you should keep yours Kagome."
Then Kagome's smile came back. She was happy that these two girls who she never met were so comforting. Just then Rin patted Kagome on the back and urged her to hurry—to see Kaede before it's too late. "Hurry," Rin added, "Kaede-sama awaits for you in there."
"Eh? Where?" Kagome looked around her surroundings and squinted, trying to find a place where she would see Kaede. Then mist and fog quickly dissipated to reveal a beautiful rainforest. The forest Kagome entered had turned into a blooming, warm and vivacious forest. In front of Kagome's eyes, laid a beautiful castle. It was castle of flowers—the kind of castle she had never seen. Sango then gave Kagome a little push to urge her to go into the castle. "Welcome to the Rose Palace." So Kagome entered. As she entered this beautiful embellished castle, Sango and Rin closely followed behind. Suddenly a room appeared before Kagome. It was Kaede's room. Rin knocked softly at Kaede's door and Kaede coughed for entrance.
Kagome pushed open the door and there laid Kaede in her white lotus-adorned bed. Kaede was also dressed in white. Her gown was embellished with white roses. She looked sad. Kagome then walked slowly towards the sleepy Kaede. Kagome kneeled down before her and held Kaede's hands. "Kaede-sama? It's me, Kagome. My mother told me to find you for you have all the answers to my questions."
Then Kaede opened her eyes to reveal such blue crystalized orbs. Those orbs were staring deep into Kagome's eyes. "Kagome? Is that you, child? You've finally made it here. I hope the test my disciples gave you wasn't too harsh."
"Nah, it was ok." Kagome laughed. "Oh yes, my mother said that you have something important that you wanted to tell me. About this red crescent on my forehead and everything else." Kagome said desperately. She needed those answers.
Kaede nodded her head and reached out for Kagome. "Kagome," Kaede began, "you are destined to be the leader of the Bara Vampires after my death. I marked you with my blood when you were born. That is why you have that red crescent on your forehead—
"But, Kaede, what about the deaths of those other red-crescented girls. What was the deal with them?"
"Kagome, dear, let me explain everything. I guess your mother didn't explain anything to you on your seventeeth birthday?"
"Mother-Mother died before she could tell me anything," Kagome said with tears rolling down her face, "she was killed in a conflagration in our shrine started by this woman vampire who looked sort of like you."
Rin and Sango both gasped at the moment while Kaede remained calm. "Hmm...that must have been my sister, Kikyo."
"Your sister? You mean she's a vampire?" Kagome pondered frantically.
"Yes, we are vampires here. So are you, Kagome."
"Me? I can't be a vampire," Kagome fought back.
"Yes, Kagome. You are one. All vampires have a crescent on their body, it just depends on what color of your crescent. In the streets of Tokyo, there are many humans who carry a crescent on their body. But only on certain occasions will they discover a crescent. For instant, you got yours on your seventeeth birthday. A human will only become an official vampire when they are admitted to the group by a leader. And here in Tokyo, there are two types of vampires. There are the Aku Inu, the blue-crescented vampires, who lust for human blood. They are very dangerous and harmful. And the other type of vampires are our type, the Bara Vampires. We do not drink human blood but animal blood. We do not harm people. We, in this case, are red-crescented. We all have a red-crescent on our body. Sango has hers on her thigh, and Rin has hers on her shoulder. And I, have it on my calf. This is how it goes, Kagome. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Kaede. So the silver-haired, dog-eared, blood-sucking monster with a blue crescent on his forehead is an Aku Inu?" Kagome asked.
Kaede just laughed at Kagome's description of Inuyasha. "Yes, he is. In fact, he is the leader of the Aku Inu. A very violent and egoistic vampire."
"So Kaede-sama, can you please explain to me how I became in part of this?"
"Sure. Certainly, child." And Kaede began. Seventeen years ago, your mother stumbled upon this very forest and she herself got lost here. She was carrying you at the time. I don't know how she came here but I guess it was fate who brought her here. In time, your mother gave birth to you and I was the one who helped to deliver you. At that time, I knew I only had another seventeen years or so to live and I desperately needed an heir of some sort, so I marked you with my blood. The way I marked you was not very dirty and difficult. I only gave you a few drops of my blood, that's all. And I told your mother that on your seventeenth birthday, you will report to me and fulfill your duty. That is what I told your mother. But what I didn't know was that the Aku Inu vampires were after you. "
Kagome had learned the truth—about being a vampire. She was a vampire leader, how fun. Kagome was unsure of what to say to Kaede.
Suddenly, a loud, rasping cough was heard from Kaede. "Kaede," the three called in unison. Kaede looked at Kagome with imploring eyes. "Kagome," she said softly, "it is time for me to go soon. My time is up, I can feel it. So please, make me proud." Kaede's eyes looked droopy.
"NO! Kaede-sama!" Kagome yelled desperately. "You can't go yet, I still have some questi—
Kaede's last breath was drawn away and her hand left Kagome's. Then Kaede's white sheets enclosed her to pull her into a tight embrace.
Kagome suddenly jumped back in panic. "W-what is happening?" She was very worried at what was happening, while Sango and Rin looked at the scene calmly. They know exactly what was happening so no worries.
"It's alright, Kagome," said Rin. "The white sheets of Kaede-sama are going to wrap her up into a cocoon and bring her to the heavens." Suddenly a 'pop' was heard and Kaede was gone. "See? Kaede-sama is now in heaven, watching us in peace."
"Yea," Sango added, "no need to worry. When we die, it's the same thing. We are wrapped up by our sheets and brought to heaven."
Kagome stared, shocked at what the other girls were saying. She certainly had never heard of dying like that. Maybe that's how all Bara Vampires die. It's going to take a while for Kagome to get used to this. All of this.
Back in the cabin of the Aku Inus, Inuyasha was busy chatting with Miroku and Sesshoumaru. "Miroku!" Inuyasha yelled, "are you even listening to what the hell I'm saying?" Inuyasha was getting angry because all his explanations sounded like bluff to Miroku, who was picking at his nails and yawning.
"Yes. Yes. I heard you, Inuyasha. Sheesh!" Miroku sweatdropped. Man, did Inuyasha have a temper!
"Alright, then. If you're so smart, Miroku, what did exactly did I say?" Inuyasha challenged.
"Hmm...let me see...Inuyasha, I think you said that you saw a pretty young maiden with a red crescent on her forehead who ran into you. She was all ragged...then it was raining at that time...and a car didn't hit her, instead flew over her...Did I mention that you said that she was cute?" Miroku grinned.
"ARGH! Miroku, get to the point! I didn't ask you to repeat all the details that I told you."
"Well, you did ask me what you said to me and that's what I am telling you, ne?"
"Damn, Miroku. Just get to the point, ok?" Inuyasha sighed loudly.
"Ok. You want me to get to the point? Alright. You said...you said...YOU said that you
were falling for her." Miroku grinned. Sesshoumaru looked expressionless. And Inuyasha snapped out of his trance, mouth wide-open.
"YOU BASTARD! I SAID NO SUCH THING!" Inuyasha charged at Miroku with his claws. Luckily, Sesshoumaru was present, so Miroku hid behind Sesshoumaru.
"Hey—
"Get your ass over here, Miroku! I dare you to repeat what you just said!" Inuyasha demanded. He was furious, looked like he could tear the whole cabin down with just one swipe of his claws.
"IMBECILE!" Sesshoumaru yelled. Suddenly the room became quiet. You can only hear the breathing of the three vampires.
"Brother...SHUT UP!" Sesshoumaru hollered. "If you don't, this cabin is going to fall and then I'll make sure that you're dead meat!" Sesshoumaru flexed his beautiful sharp claws at Inuyasha to show him that he meant it. Then Inuyasha calmed down a bit. He inhaled and exhaled deep breaths until he calmed down. Then Inuyasha glared back at the retreating form of Miroku.
"Miroku," Inuyasha sighed. "Get out and explain yourself on what you said."
Miroku came out and coughed. "Well, you see, Inuyasha. You did mention that you were falling for her. Except, just not directly. But you were hinting that you were falling for this maiden."
Inuyasha's face cringed. "I refuse to fall for a Bara vampire and to mention that she is the future leader of the Baras."
"Hey! Inuyasha, you never mentioned that she was the Baras' leader. If she is as beautiful as you described then the other Bara Vampires are beautiful, too!" Miroku was once again in his fantasy land.
"Get a hold of yourself!" Inuyasha smacked Miroku on the head. "We are here to kill them. You hear?" Miroku shuffled uncomfortably at the thought. He wanted to get a girl, not kill her. Well, he'll find a way. He'll find one.
"Hey, Sessh? You heard what I said?" Sesshoumaru was too busy looking up the ceiling to bother with what his half-brother said. "Yes," he answered sternly. "I heard it. We're gonna kill some vamp tramps."
"Alright, then! Let's go!" Inuyasha stomped impatiently with his feet. "I want to get my hands on her! My vampire blood urges me to do so." Miroku made a face. "But—but I wanna—"
"Oh, stop being a baby, Miroku! You're a vampire. You can get yourself another bloody vampire after this task." Inuyasha argued at the whining Miroku. Finally, Miroku stopped his whining.
"So, Great Inuyasha, where in the seven hells are we headed towards?" Miroku bowed mockingly but with courtesy.
"We're going to their forest—the Hana no Forest and then into their Rose Palace." Inuyasha smirked complacently, "and we're gonna show them who's the boss of this city."
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
Inuyasha: Yo! XxAnimeGrlxX, why in the seven hells did you make me vampire?!
Kagome: Watch your mouth, Inuyasha!
Me: Well, look on the bright side...you're a powerful hanyou-vampire. Don't you like all the attention. I hardly make Sesshoumaru do anything. Sesshoumaru's like a stone here in this story. And besides, aren't you the leader of the Aku Inu?
Inuyasha: Yea, now that I think of it. I am powerful, aren't I?
Sesshoumaru: Powerful my ass! I bet you that XxAnimeGrlxX is gonna write me very powerful too in this story, ne?
Me: Hell yea, I am!
Inuyasha: Glares
Me: Gulps Oops! Save me, Sesshy!
Sesshoumaru: Leave her alone, you half-breed!
Inuyasha: Oh, I see. You're with the author, right? Wait til I tell Rin! Runs away
Sesshoumaru: Pain in the ass.
Me: sweatdrop
A/N: Well? Sorry for the short and boring chapter. I'll promise to make it very intriguing and exciting in the next chapter. All you guys have to do is review! Ok? Arigatou! I wanna see the Sakura Wars: The Movie. sigh Oogami is soooooooooooooooooooo cute! He and Sakura make a good couple. O, alright. Wrong saying at the wrong anime at the wrong story. REVIEW!