Hey everyone!! I've got the site up!! The address can be found in my profile page here on Fanfiction.net. I've got up a drawing I did of Sorikata, and in the near future, say later in the week, there will be a response page to all of your reviews! So, if you want to feel special, review my chapters EVERY TIME and I'll have a response for you EVERY TIME!!! LOL. MUWHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!! Okay, now on to the next chapter!!
Chapter 7:
Sango stretched her arms high above her head and rolled her shoulders to loosen up the tight muscles in her arms. They would surely be facing off with Sorikata in just a few short days. She had been practicing for battle while Inu Yasha and Kirara were checking the area and Kagome was readying the camp. They would be bedding down for the night, and they didn't want a repeat of what happed two days ago.
Sango sighed inwardly as she caught Hiraikotsu before sitting Indian style on the ground. It seemed as though they would never catch up with Sorikata. Instead of getting closer, it seemed like they were getting farther and farther away with every step they took, but she knew they had to be coming close. They could all feel the evil getting stronger as they continued forward, especially Kagome. She had been saying just yesterday that she was seeing the lights get brighter over the lands in the South. Sango couldn't see the lights, nor could Inu Yasha, but they weren't reincarnated priestesses.
She let out a soft, low chuckle at the thought of Inu Yasha dressed in one of Kikyo's kimonos. 'That would definitely be a sight to see,' she thought to herself. She got back up and stretched her legs and lay her weapon aside. She was going to see if she was still an expert at tree climbing.
Sango took off at a run toward a tall tree with high branches. When she was one foot away from being directly beneath it she suddenly bent her knees and leapt for the lowest and closest branch. Gaining two firm holds on the branch with both of her hands, Sango pulled herself up onto it in a seemingly effortless, cat-like motion.
Smiling to herself at still being able to do something she hadn't done in at least a year, Sango began to pull herself higher and higher. She found a sturdy branch and stopped for a rest. Looking down on everything below her, she sighed at how beautiful it all looked. The flowers and the grass danced in the moonlight as they swayed in the calm winds.
Sango shut her eyes and took a deep breath, pulling her hair down from the ponytail she always practiced and fought in. She allowed the wind to comb through the long, black strands. If she were a smaller creature she would have allowed herself to be carried away in the wind. It was at that moment that Sango envied birds.
"SANGO!!! Are you going to stay up there all night??" Inu Yasha yelled up into the tree where her smell was coming from.
Sango's eyes shot open and she nearly lost her balance at Inu Yasha's shouts. She steadied herself then let out a breath of relief, "I'm coming! Did you and Kirara finish checking the area?" she called back.
"Well Yah! It's all clear…at the moment. We're going to divide up the night in shifts. Which watch do you want?" Inu Yasha called as he saw Sango begin to come into view, "How did you get so high?"
"I climbed," she smirked before reaching the last branch then jumping down and landing on her feet. "I'll take the second watch. I know you want the first."
He smirked in reply, "Let's get back."
Sango nodded in response. She picked up her weapons and walked with Inu Yasha and Kirara back the short distance to the camp.
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Sesshoumaru let out a low, contemplative growl as he watched the trio walk away. The day before yesterday he had been trying to get there before them, but he had thought of something while he journeyed. He could not face Sorikata by himself if he wished to be victorious.
Whatever the demon had done to him on their first meeting, it was still a weakness that he could not yet overcome. Only when distracted from the pain can he forget that there is any, but what would distract him if he fought him alone. It was obvious that Sorikata planned to use any weakness against him, and the one he had planted inside of Sesshoumaru would definitely come in handy to him.
After thinking it over several times, Sesshoumaru had come to the conclusion that he would travel closely with Inu Yasha. He took a low breath before continuing on. He has decided to stay close, but not visible and it was very vexing for him to do so. He did not approve of having to lurk in the shadows, as if he were to cowardice to show himself to his half-demon brother. He scowled at the thought. No. He would not stay out of sight. Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western lands was not one to 'lurk' or 'hide'.
~~~
"Listen, we can get there before Sesshoumaru if we push it," Inu Yasha glared at Sango.
Sango, in return, fired back, "I know we can get there before him, but I think we should time it so that we get there at the same time. We're going to need his help, Inu Yasha! Whether you'd admit it or not!"
"Feh!" he huffed, "I think you're forgetting something, Sango."
Sango's gaze turned to confusion, "What are you talking about?"
"Sorikata did something to him. If we don't get there before him, Sorikata will use whatever it is he has on Sesshoumaru to defeat him. He'll be killed."
Kagome and Sango looked at Inu Yasha with wide eyes. "You're concerned for him, aren't you Inu Yasha?" Kagome's soft spoken words inquired.
"No! I'm not!" he became defensive.
"Inu Yasha-"
"Save it, you two! I'm done talking about it!"
"Fine," both girls spoke in unison, deciding it was pointless.
Sango let out a breath and sat down in front the fire. Kirara climbed into her lap and curled up for the night. "You've got the right idea. I'd better get some sleep too, if I'm going to be taking up the next watch," Sango smiled down at her comrade.
She laid herself down near the closest tree, taking Kirara with her, placing the curled up figure beside her. It seemed like only a few minutes that she had slept before she felt Inu Yasha shaking her awake, "Get up. It's your watch now, Sango."
"Okay," she yawned as she got up, careful not to disturb Kirara. She walked over to the fire and sat with her back to the flames. She stared out into the forest, taking in the darkness of it all. The forest. It always looked so cold and so lonely at night. It was full of life, but at the same time, filled with death and shadow. It harbored such scary things; such evil things.
Yet, in a way, even in the darkness the forest held a certain beauty. The way the trees swayed in the night wind and created faint shadows inthe moonlight. How the animals were silent and the lightening bugs flew all around like little candles floating in the winds.
Sango fancied herself strange for thinking so vividly about such small things. It seemed she was always trying to find the meaning in everything. She mentally laughed at herself, 'What possible symbolism could a forest have in it for me?' She shook her head and continued her watch.
Sango had no idea how long she sat there before she saw it; a figure in the shadows. She gripped the hilt of her sword as she stood, readying herself for anything. When the figure emerged from the shadows, she lowered her blade, "Sesshoumaru."
"Exterminator," he returned, his eyes were as blank as his expression.
Sango let out a sigh, relieved that he wasn't acknowledging what had happened the last time they had encountered one another. Then again, why would he? "What brings you here. I thought you wanted to get to Sorikata before us."
"I did," he replied in a matter of fact tone.
"Did? You mean to say that you do not wish that any longer?" Sango questioned confused.
"It would seem," he glared.
"So you have come to travel with us?" she asked doubtingly.
"Not exactly," he looked toward the sky, "I have come to inform Inu Yasha that he needs not spy on me any longer. I shall be journeying at a very close proximity and pace."
"I see…" she took his meaning. He was going to coordinate their arrivals, "I'll tell him when he wakes up."
"Very well," he said as he turned and disappeared back into the mists of the forest.
Sango didn't have to wonder at his sudden change of plans. He must have considered the fact that he could not fight this alone…not in his current condition. Sango sat back down. The sun would be rising soon and then their journey would commence again.
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Hey, yah, I know that sucked. I'm sorry it took so long for me to finish this, but I've become so busy. I have managed to get up my new website where you can find responses to your reviews. The address is in my profile.
Pammi
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