Disclaimers: I still don't own any of the characters from the Inu Yasha universe. ::sigh::
Thank you:
Shikome kido mi – Your reviews always help me to reflect on the chapter I've written and the ones that will follow. It's hard to edit your own work as you're always reading the same things over. But then, that's why it helps to get good feedback. Thanks for the reviews and the encouragement!
sesshyangel – Sorry for the wait. Although the story is several chapters ahead, I need time to edit it. I'm also writing another fic so that takes more time away. That's why I post long chapters of at least 4-6 pages, it gives readers a chance to get into the story. It is strictly Sess x Kag; and no, Sess is NOT warm and fuzzy personality-wise. Kag has to teach him and he's got to learn, but there will be some OOC moments though more for humour than anything else. Thanks for the review!
Toki Mirage – Thanks for the complimen! O.o, your name appears later [next chapter] in my fic! An original character to help Kag 'adjust' to life in Sess' time. I'm floored… If you don't want the name used, just let me know; I can easily change it. About editing one's work – it's a personal choice but I always feel that readers shouldn't struggle with a text unnecessarily. If the reading's easy, then the reader's more complimenting of it. A little time out to polish the story could make a very big difference between an 'okay' and a 'great!'.
Crash – Thanks! I was a little worried about Kag and Sess being in character sufficiently. Although it's AU, there are some things that I personally feel one shouldn't change too much. I'm glad you're still following the story, it's not easy getting good reviewers to comment on the overall presentation. Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!
And certainly not forgetting the others who took time out to leave a little something in the review box:
Me, lynnie, suki, Moonwind, Gatogirl, Keitorin, Yuko, KIKYO-HATER and ClawDieAH – Thanks for the compliments! I hope that you'll continue with the story.
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Chapter 2: Dealing with a Youkai Lord
Sengoku Jidai, Japan
Kagome stumbled after Sesshoumaru feeling increasingly put out by his continued silence. She had so many questions burning at the tip of her tongue but fear kept her silent. After witnessing his easy destruction of that snake monster and his barely restrained tolerance of her, she didn't feel up to the task of challenging him. Besides, her options were limited – be killed by him or follow him and hope he may be lenient on her.
'Talk about being caught between a rock and a very hard place,' she thought miserably staring at his back.
The silence actually allowed Kagome time to reflect on the person she was following. She recalled his unusual colouring and the strange red tattoo-like markings on his face, especially the dark blue crescent on his forehead. She wondered briefly of the its significance before her mind focused on the most incredible feature – his hair. The sleek, silky flows of moonlight silver hair almost as long as she was tall swayed gently in motion as he walked along the path. Despite her trepidation of him, Kagome couldn't help but be enchanted by its seemingly ethereal beauty. She could feel the itch in her fingers to run through those extraordinary locks but knew that she could end up losing those very fingers in the process, if not her life. She only wished that the startling cold amber gold of his eyes were instead as warm as golden honey.
But things were far from perfect and Kagome sighed inwardly at the cruel twist of fate that brought her to the mercy of this dangerous, if beautiful creature. They continued walking until the sun began to sink down behind the trees. The chill in the air started to creep in and Kagome involuntarily shivered. She felt sick, scared and was now very tired. Her hunger had diminished with her constant worry and thankfully did not bother her. She had given up crying, her cheeks now grubby from the dirt picked up along the way. Kagome just didn't want to care anymore.
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Sesshoumaru's senses kept track of the girl behind him as she pushed herself on to keep up with him. For the eighth time since meeting her, he went over his reasons for keeping her with him. It would certainly save him a lot of trouble if he simply killed her, but something within cautioned him against it. Sesshoumaru held little belief in fate, he believed in nothing save himself to ensure success. Sesshoumaru was the youngest lord in the history of the four lands, a position that was tenuous at best. He knew that the territory of the Western Lands under his control were a rich prize for any youkai power to claim for its self. And one foolish youkai had tried to do just that. Needless to say, Sesshoumaru held very fond memories of destroying that usurper.
So why was he keeping this human female by him?
The energy was now gone, most likely due to the girl's weariness. Sesshoumaru almost sneered at the typical weakness of humans before remembering her unique powers. This female held a secret that could change things for him. She needed to be brought back to the fortress so that he could begin the interrogation. Until then, he had to put up with her barely struggling form.
"Move faster, wench. I wish to return before nightfall," he demanded without turning around.
The sole response he got was a sudden gasp and the thump of her body as it hit the forest floor. He waited impatiently for her to pull herself up but she remained unmoving on the ground. He heard her faintly sobbing and inwardly sighed in annoyance. Ignoring her momentarily, he scanned the surrounding area to get a bearing on his location. Both Jaken and the pack animal were still a distance away and Sesshoumaru was tempted to leave the feeble girl behind. Hearing a soft shuffle, he turned back to look at her. As his eyes fell on her, the evening light streamed in through the branches overhead and caught her in an ethereal glow of light. He didn't realise it, but Sesshoumaru's breathe paused for a moment.
Looking up into the stern and impassive face, Kagome had little idea of the emotion that had flashed through him. All she felt was the grief within her soul that was flowing through her. Her face was shrouded in emotion and it spoke louder than words. The evening light made it a little difficult to see him clearly but she didn't care. All she wanted was to be comforted and told that it was a bad dream. She wasn't sitting in the middle of a darkening forest with a very dangerous inu youkai as the only companion in this godforsaken place. Kagome wanted to scream out loud at the injustice of it all but she could barely open her mouth to speak. And why was he staring at her with such intensity?
"Get up."
"I can't."
"Don't tempt me, human. My patience is fading."
"That's not my problem. I'm too exhausted to move. Can't you get it?"
Sesshoumaru couldn't believe his ears at the female's blatant response. None had ever questioned or told him off and here was this strange girl daring him to take her miserable life by challenging his authority. Narrowing his eyes in anger, he stepped up to her and reached to grab her arm. Kagome realised his intention and she instinctively swatted at his outstretched limb. His eyes widened at the insult and his patience vanished. Grabbing her by both shoulders, he slammed her body into the nearest tree. Crying out in pain and fear, Kagome struggled desperately to escape his clutches.
"Let me go! You're hurting me! Help! Anyone, please help me!"
"Silence, wench! No one can hear you so cease your pointless screeching before I do it for you!"
"Why are you bullying me?" Kagome sobbed out the question as she quietened down. "I never did anything to you but you treat me like dirt. Why?"
"Do not question my intentions unless you wish to die."
"You keep threatening to kill me, but why did you save me from that monster?"
Sesshoumaru tightened his grip on her shoulders unconsciously as he pondered her question. He wanted to know about her secret powers but something nagged at the back of his mind about the full reason for him to keep her around. Growling deep in his throat, he stepped back thereby releasing her. Slumping heavily against the tree, Kagome reached up to rub her aching shoulders and catch her breath back. She wasn't too sure as yet but there had to be a reason why this – what did that monster call him? – 'inu youkai' wanted her alive. The brief reprieve he gave her allowed her to start thinking seriously back to the moment she had come across the monster and the events that rapidly followed.
Sesshoumaru weighed his options of confronting her about her mystical powers now or dragging her back to his fortress for a more thorough interrogation at his leisure. Looking at the girl, he could see that she was now deep in thought. What in the four lands could she be thinking about? Focusing his senses, he did not detect any build-up in the energy so she couldn't be planning on attacking him. Her meditative silence was beginning to grate on his nerves.
"What are you thinking about, girl?" Sesshoumaru demanded and noted with some satisfaction as she was startled out of her thoughts. Peering at him, Kagome tried to find the words to explain her suspicions.
"I was wondering about how I got here and about the monster that followed me," she began. Seeing an interested glint in the stern amber gaze, she pushed on. It was hope against hope but maybe he could help her discover a way home.
"I don't live here. I live in Tokyo with my family. I was dropped into the well when that monster captured me and when I climbed out, I was in this place."
"You are missing out some details, wench. Think back and relate each action sequentially."
"Call me Kagome. Not 'wench', 'human' or 'girl'. If we are to have a civilised conversation, the least we can do is to introduce ourselves." Kagome couldn't believe the words that had popped out of her mouth. But it made sense as she was getting tired of being addressed in such a derogatory manner. And she was also curious to know the inu youkai's name.
Sesshoumaru almost growled at her brazen demand to call her by her name. But given the situation, he allowed it to pass. Sesshoumaru's curiosity was beginning to get the better of him and it excused his unusual acceptance of this girl. Somehow, he felt that this conversation was going to be rather intriguing. He wanted to know more about this place called 'Tokyo'.
"I am Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands. You will accord me the respect of my station. Now speak!"
Kagome stared at the person before her. Lord of the Western Lands? 'At least the Sesshoumaru part fits him,' she thought. 'He doesn't look older than 20 but then again who knows how youkai age. Either way, he's curious about me so that may be why I'm not lying in little pieces next to that monster.' Shuddering at the memory, Kagome forced herself to reflect back on her unusual journey. Tapping a finger against her lower lip, she began to narrate bit by bit the incident that led to her arrival.
"I was sweeping the leaves by the well shed and felt like I was being watched. I thought that it might be some pervert trying to be funny when I heard a thump from inside the shed. Grandpa had warned all of us to stay away from the well but I thought that maybe he was inside. Souta, my younger brother, came out from the house to call me in," Kagome said before pausing for a moment. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed slightly at the delay but she soon picked up her narration.
"By then, I discovered that it wasn't Grandpa inside. I couldn't see what it was but I saw enough to try to escape. I managed to get Souta out of the way but the monster caught me. I then saw that the well was glowing a strange blue colour and tried to escape. I then screamed at it to let me go when …," Kagome paused and frowned as she tried to recall what happened next. Somehow, things got rather blurry then and she had no idea how to explain it.
Sesshoumaru listened to her explanation but his interested only perked up when she mentioned the well's glow. He knew that the well had something to do with it but he also realised that the source of the power lay within the girl herself. He was merely waiting for her to confirm his suspicions. He observed the confusion cross her face as she tried to puzzle out her situation. After a minute or so, he noticed her eyes widen in realisation and she turned to look at him. Sesshoumaru could barely contain his smirk.
"My hand… Something came out of my hand and caused the monster to drop me into the well!" Kagome exclaimed in shock. "But what?" Staring at her hands, she could not believe that she had something to do with her being in this foreign world. As she pondered on the new revelation, she was struck by another thought. If the well brought her here, maybe it could take her back. Barely suppressing the excitement swelling within her heart, she looked to the youkai for help.
"No." His single response caused Kagome to choke in response.
"WHAT! Why not?"
"There is a reason for your being here. Why else would you have been brought over?"
"That's a flimsy excuse! You said yourself that you would sooner see me dead than put up with me. Why the sudden change of heart?" Kagome almost yelled at the infuriating youkai lord.
"Stop yelling or I'll rip your tongue out, wench. You insist in trying my patience," Sesshoumaru replied coldly and his eyes flashed a brief red. Kagome blinked in surprise at the sight before forcing herself to take deep breaths to calm herself. She kept forgetting that he was a very dangerous individual. But that did not mean that he could boss her around and persistently call her 'wench'. Was he that hard of hearing or just plain dumb? Kagome felt a vein twitch above her eye in annoyance.
"My name is Kagome. Ka-go-me. If you call me by my name, maybe I won't get as upset, Sesshoumaru-san."
Kagome barely resisted the opportunity to needle him back. The small logical part of her questioned her suicidal tendencies especially when she saw a sudden sharp glint in the amber eyes and a quick baring of his fangs. For a while, silence reigned as they both faced off in the shadowed forest. The moment was broken when a sudden high-pitched cry cut through the quiet. Jumping, Kagome turned to see what looked like a two-legged toad wobbling hurriedly to the inu youkai's side. She could hardly contain her laughter at the sight of such an oddity.
Sesshoumaru was annoyed at Jaken's sudden appearance but at the same time, slightly pleased. It would mean that the pack animal was nearby and they could head off for the fortress sooner. He raised an eyebrow at the girl's sudden laughter at the sight of his servant but let it past. The slight hoarseness of her voice added a husky quality that caused the finer hairs on him to tingle. It was strangely pleasant and a part of him wanted to hear more. However, he squashed the thought as she started coughing. Jaken was staring at her with his mouth open and Sesshoumaru could almost hear the words coming from his mouth before the servant actually voiced it.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, what is this filthy human wench doing with your lordship? Shall I remove her from your presence?" Jaken asked his lord, the whiny voice irritating both Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
"Hey! Don't call me wench! And the only reason I'm filthy is because your Sesshoumaru-sama decided to take me on a long, tiring walk without a single pit-stop!" Kagome spat back, her anger rising.
"How dare you insult his lordship, wench! Once Sesshoumaru-sama gives me the order, I will toast you with my Nintoujou. So watch your mouth, human filth!" Jaken shouted back at her. What happened next could only be described as traumatic for one and cathartic for the other.
Kagome's patience finally snapped and all she saw was a red haze as she charged the little toad. It squawked and tried to escape behind its master but was not quick enough. A sharp yank saw the staff go sailing into the brambles before a powerful kick in the rear saw the toad youkai follow it into the same prickly bush a moment later. Clenching her hands into tight fists of rage, Kagome did not realise that she was cutting into her palms with her fingernails. Sesshoumaru silently observed her violent response when the smell of her blood caused him to frown slightly.
He was intrigued at the depth of her anger. If she had used her power, Sesshoumaru would have had to find a new servant. As it was, he could feel the energy level suddenly increase and his senses perceived her ki swirling about her. This female was certainly an enigma to be studied further. As secure as he was in his abilities to look after himself, he had little wish to invite trouble. This girl carried within an untamed power that could easily destroy any youkai by touch once it was correctly channelled. Suddenly excited, Sesshoumaru called Jaken and ordered him to bring the pack animal round.
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Kagome hung her head as she fought for control. The strain of the past hours had worn her down to the point where her humour had disappeared. The last thing she needed was for some smart-ass to speak to her in a condescending voice and call her 'wench'. Kagome could feel something coursing through her that invigorated her while at the same time it scared her. Could this be the power that had saved her earlier from the snake monster before she fell into the well? If so, would she be able to control it before it got the better of her and caused harm to others or herself?
Sesshoumaru cautiously approached her, all the while reading the flow of ki around her. Thankfully, it settled and he stood before her once more. Kagome looked up into his face and Sesshoumaru saw a brief flash of realisation before it disappeared. Schooling her face, Kagome waited for the youkai lord to make his move.
"We will go to my fortress. The night is approaching and I have little desire to remain in the forest. If you wish to feed, bathe and seek shelter for the night, you will come with me. I will not ask twice."
Turning on his heel, Sesshoumaru walked towards the pack animal and Jaken. He could sense her indecision, pride warring with need. Inwardly, he couldn't help but be amused. 'The girl has spirit. So unlike the others that taint the land.' As he reached the two, he heard her follow him. Smirking at the small victory, he summoned his magic and lifted them upward into the sky toward the Fortress of the Western Lands.
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Author's Notes:
Is it just me or am I repeating myself in the Sess-Kag dialogue? After all, how many times can you tell someone you're losing patience before they actually lose theirs before you?
I've also realised that I'm incorporating Japanese terms into an English language fic. The Weiss Kreuz fic I'm also writing doesn't use Japanese words beyond the names of people and places. I suppose this is because there is an English equivalent that is perfectly capable of carrying the meaning across. Like the Japanese word 'katana' can be easily [and rather coolly] substituted with 'sword' or 'blade'. But that is a story set in a modern setting with half the cast being non-Japanese so there's no problem. *grins*
The point I'm finally making is this: While it's okay to use foreign language words in a fic [assuming English], I feel that it should only be used if really necessary. Sometimes, I come across fics that randomly insert foreign phrases when perfectly legit English words can be used makes me wince. This actually upsets the story's 'flow' and my mind gets a little jarred from the sudden language switch. Inuyasha fanfiction is somewhat different. There are terms and words that just 'have' to be used to carry the meaning across. If nothing else, it may even enhance the story. [Purists might not agree to this, but to each their own] I know it may seem hypocritical but on further reflection, there are some words that just don't carry the same 'oomph' as the original, like 'Shikon no Tama'.
I suppose the point should be consistency. Switching between languages or simply dropping it altogether could sometimes cause more harm than good. So that's why I take it upon myself to check my work for consistency and other grammatical errors. Nobody's perfect but you can always try to make your work 'better' by taking some time out to look through it. Reading unedited work is a pain and often I find myself skipping promising stories because their authors are either too lazy or ambivalent to give their readers due consideration. I'd find it rather embarrassing if someone were to point out major grammatical/spelling flaws that are easily avoidable. But hey, this is MY opinion so no nasty emails on this, okay? *smiles*
Right, enough whining. Sess is getting grumpy since it's past his bedtime so I'll leave it here. Please drop a note to let me know what you think or whether I'm cluttering cyberspace with this junk. Till the next chapter, ja ne!