How's everyone? *Chirp chirp… stifled cricket laughter… Chirp chirp. Die crickets die! A huge hammer appears from nowhere as I proceed to destroy, or at least scare away all the crickets. *Pant Pant* 'That takes care of that' I think happily. Thanks again to my few reviewers!
*** Back to Kagome's life threatening scene (not really) (same)
"Ayah!" Kagome cried throwing the rock at the advancing demon. "Oww!' it cried as it tumbled back into its bush. "Shippo?" Kagome asked creeping closer to the bush, "I'm so sorry Shippo. I didn't realize it was you!" Gently she began picking all the stick and leaves out of his hair. "It's okay mommy!" he replied enjoying her attentions to his abused head. She ran her fingers through his hair unsnarling it as she thought. "Oh Shippo, what am I going to do? I can't go back to Inuyasha, not with Kikyo hanging around. You know she'll just try to kill me. I can't go home, because then I'd have to leave you with Inuyasha and Kikyo." she sighed softly. "If only Sango and Miroku were her, I could trust them to watch you while I am gone."
Shippo listened to his surrogate mother with a heavy heart. He wished he could help her, but she was the only family he had. Without her, he was alone. Although part of him was overjoyed to know she wouldn't abandon him, it made his heart ache to realize she had no home or retreat, in the feudal era, where she could be safe. At least not anywhere she could be safe from Inuyasha and Kikyo. She had no place that was her own. Sighing again Kagome began picking at the grass and plants on the ground. She watched them slip slowly through her fingers back to the ground.
She was startled to see a plant she was unfamiliar with. It was a deep black with blood red edges. It was shaped like a star and seemed very beautiful. Kagome gently brushed one leaf, "Oww!" she cried pulling her finger away. She watched a thin red line appear on her hand and drip onto the flower. As the blood flowed to the center of the flower it was suddenly absorbed into its heart and Kagome recoiled.
'What is that!' she wondered in horrified fascination, 'I bet Jinenji and his mother would know…' "That's it!" she cried jumping up and tumbling poor Shippo off her lap. "We can go visit Jinenji for awhile and restock on herbs. We might even find the herbs Kaede was looking for! Shippo do you remember what Sango and Miroku were looking for?" Shippo, rubbing yet another bump on his head, replied, "Sure mommy! Kaede said something about a disturbance in the woods, and she need to do a spell to figure out the nature of it…"
"A disturbance in the woods?" she mumbled no longer listening. "Why didn't I feel anything?" Then she recalled that nagging sense of something wrong that she'd felt earlier. She'd been too busy crying then to pay attention, but now…. Kagome drew a deep breath and focused on her miko powers. She slowly focused her awareness out and scanned for the strange vibes she'd felt. 'There!' she thought and began to probe it. She felt a sense of unnaturalness to it. As if it didn't even belong on this world, much less to the feudal era. It was definitely the most powerful magic she had ever felt. Even so it felt vaguely familiar. A sense of timelessness and warmth emanated from it. Just as the answer began to surface in her conscious mind her concentration was shattered.
"Kagome!" cried Kouga, "What are you doing here? Don't you know there's a dangerous magical disturbance nearby!"? Kagome was pissed. Her day just kept getting worse and worse. She was late for her first day of school, late for training, Ame was hiding something from her, and she'd had to lie to Ame, then the whole thing with Inuyasha and Kikyo, and now Kouga. And what was it with guys assuming she was stupid, useless, and defenseless! "Of course I know Kouga! I'm a miko for Kami's sake. Or are you trying to say that I'm useless just like Inuyasha always does?" Kagome exploded. Kouga stared at Kagome in shock. She'd never talked to him like that before! "Men!" Kagome huffed. "Come on Shippo. There's a change of plans. We're going to see what this disturbance is." "Yes mommy!" Shippo cried and launched himself into her arms. As Kagome disappeared into the trees, Kouga came to his senses. "Kagome! Kagome wait! I didn't mean it like that!" He yelled as he rushed to catch Kagome before she could get hurt.
***Somewhere far from Kagome (same)
Naraku chuckled, "Ku ku ku… everything is going according to plan. And how are thing with Inuyasha, Kikyo?" Kikyo was kneeling before Naraku. "He bows to my wishes. He and my reincarnation are angry and have separated for the time being." Her cold emotionless voice penetrated through the black veil of her hair. "There are rumors of jewel shards to the East. We will travel to find them and bring them back to you, my Lord." "And what of the shards your reincarnation possessed?" "Unfortunately, my Lord, they are still in her possession, but not for long…" Both paused.
Naraku waited for the answer to see if his plans would fail. If she still had the shards, then they could lead her to the Orb. Kikyo was waiting for Naraku. Each second felt like an eternity as neither spoke nor moved. Finally Naraku could contain himself no longer. Naraku's hand shot out and grabbed Kikyo by the neck. Lifting her into the air he hissed, "and?!?" Kikyo laughed manically. The black veil of her hair finally parted showing her true face as her body shook with laughter. "Die Naraku!" she screamed. There was a flash of light, Naraku's scream echoed throughout the forest. Then there was absolute silence…
****Gate World Coliseum
'This must work.' a young girl thought to herself, 'If I fail, then they all died for nothing, and all the worlds will die.' She felt the portal wavering. 'I'm almost out of energy…. There's only one chance left.' Pushing aside all her pain she pooled her remaining strength. Slim black brows drew in concentration as she poured all her remaining strength into the portal. A strange red pendant around her neck flared violently. Her image wavered violently as she appeared on all four planets. Her soft brown skin became pale and drawn. She could feel her life energy draining. 'I haven't much time left. Please come on time….'
****Yusuke's Japan
Without warning the entire spirit team was sent flying. Crashing and cursing, the team was finally stopped by a strong old tree. "What was that?" Kuwabara asked. No one could answer. "Did anyone else feel that power? It was incredible!" "Shut-up Kuwabara! We all felt that power, you idiot!" Yusuke shouted. "Hn." Hiei glared turning away from Kuwabara. Kurama was silent once more.
'I know that energy!' Youko shouted in his mind. 'I felt it one time when I tried to steal a silver jewel!' 'What was it?' Kurama asked Youko. 'I don't know. The guardians of the Jewel were supposed to be the best in the history of the world. I never even went close enough to see the jewel…' Youko answered angrily. Kurama quickly withdrew from the conversation to avoid further damage to the thief kitsune's pride. "We must hurry. The distortions are becoming worse." Kurama stated snapping the others from their own thoughts. "Besides, it's the only way we'll discover the source of the power we felt." "Hn." Hiei agreed. 'I must discover the owner of that power. I've never felt anything like it. Not even Yusuke would stand a chance.' he thought never once admitting to himself that even he wouldn't stand a chance.
Swiftly the group ran through the forest once more to the portal Koenma had discovered. The forest was deathly silent except for the occasional blows traded by Kuwabara and Yusuke. Branches and leaves whipped before their faces as they neared their destination. Each could feel the ring of demons ahead. "Don't fight them. They are a waste of time. We must reach the portal." Hiei commanded. "What!" Yusuke exclaimed. "Hush, Yusuke. Hiei is right. If we are not quick, then everyone dies including Kieko!" Kurama added. Yusuke's jaw work furiously but no sound emerged. Finally he angrily snapped his jaw shut and focused on their destination. "But why are they standing in circle?" Kuwabara wondered aloud, "Shouldn't they be trying to get to the energy to?" Tense silence met his question. "We're almost there." Kurama replied instead.
Quickly they rushed past the ring of demons that were strangely still. They all appeared to be waiting for something. Just outside the demons was a ring of ash. Rushing beyond the demons the group felt a strange tingling sensation run through their body. "A shield!" Kurama exclaimed. "The reason the demons were waiting was because this place is shielded to keep intruders out!" The members skidded to a halt. "The ash was demons who tried to pass through!" Yusuke's rough voice added as a few things became clear. "But then why did we get through?" Kuwabara wondered. All three stared in surprise. Kuwabara had beaten them all to the most important question of all. 'Why did we get through…' four minds simultaneously thought.
***End
This is the last repeated chapter. After this they are all new. Wohoo!
BTW please review, it'd be nice to know if anyone actually reads what I write. Besides I could use an inflated ego, it would make me update sooner.
*** Back to Kagome's life threatening scene (not really) (same)
"Ayah!" Kagome cried throwing the rock at the advancing demon. "Oww!' it cried as it tumbled back into its bush. "Shippo?" Kagome asked creeping closer to the bush, "I'm so sorry Shippo. I didn't realize it was you!" Gently she began picking all the stick and leaves out of his hair. "It's okay mommy!" he replied enjoying her attentions to his abused head. She ran her fingers through his hair unsnarling it as she thought. "Oh Shippo, what am I going to do? I can't go back to Inuyasha, not with Kikyo hanging around. You know she'll just try to kill me. I can't go home, because then I'd have to leave you with Inuyasha and Kikyo." she sighed softly. "If only Sango and Miroku were her, I could trust them to watch you while I am gone."
Shippo listened to his surrogate mother with a heavy heart. He wished he could help her, but she was the only family he had. Without her, he was alone. Although part of him was overjoyed to know she wouldn't abandon him, it made his heart ache to realize she had no home or retreat, in the feudal era, where she could be safe. At least not anywhere she could be safe from Inuyasha and Kikyo. She had no place that was her own. Sighing again Kagome began picking at the grass and plants on the ground. She watched them slip slowly through her fingers back to the ground.
She was startled to see a plant she was unfamiliar with. It was a deep black with blood red edges. It was shaped like a star and seemed very beautiful. Kagome gently brushed one leaf, "Oww!" she cried pulling her finger away. She watched a thin red line appear on her hand and drip onto the flower. As the blood flowed to the center of the flower it was suddenly absorbed into its heart and Kagome recoiled.
'What is that!' she wondered in horrified fascination, 'I bet Jinenji and his mother would know…' "That's it!" she cried jumping up and tumbling poor Shippo off her lap. "We can go visit Jinenji for awhile and restock on herbs. We might even find the herbs Kaede was looking for! Shippo do you remember what Sango and Miroku were looking for?" Shippo, rubbing yet another bump on his head, replied, "Sure mommy! Kaede said something about a disturbance in the woods, and she need to do a spell to figure out the nature of it…"
"A disturbance in the woods?" she mumbled no longer listening. "Why didn't I feel anything?" Then she recalled that nagging sense of something wrong that she'd felt earlier. She'd been too busy crying then to pay attention, but now…. Kagome drew a deep breath and focused on her miko powers. She slowly focused her awareness out and scanned for the strange vibes she'd felt. 'There!' she thought and began to probe it. She felt a sense of unnaturalness to it. As if it didn't even belong on this world, much less to the feudal era. It was definitely the most powerful magic she had ever felt. Even so it felt vaguely familiar. A sense of timelessness and warmth emanated from it. Just as the answer began to surface in her conscious mind her concentration was shattered.
"Kagome!" cried Kouga, "What are you doing here? Don't you know there's a dangerous magical disturbance nearby!"? Kagome was pissed. Her day just kept getting worse and worse. She was late for her first day of school, late for training, Ame was hiding something from her, and she'd had to lie to Ame, then the whole thing with Inuyasha and Kikyo, and now Kouga. And what was it with guys assuming she was stupid, useless, and defenseless! "Of course I know Kouga! I'm a miko for Kami's sake. Or are you trying to say that I'm useless just like Inuyasha always does?" Kagome exploded. Kouga stared at Kagome in shock. She'd never talked to him like that before! "Men!" Kagome huffed. "Come on Shippo. There's a change of plans. We're going to see what this disturbance is." "Yes mommy!" Shippo cried and launched himself into her arms. As Kagome disappeared into the trees, Kouga came to his senses. "Kagome! Kagome wait! I didn't mean it like that!" He yelled as he rushed to catch Kagome before she could get hurt.
***Somewhere far from Kagome (same)
Naraku chuckled, "Ku ku ku… everything is going according to plan. And how are thing with Inuyasha, Kikyo?" Kikyo was kneeling before Naraku. "He bows to my wishes. He and my reincarnation are angry and have separated for the time being." Her cold emotionless voice penetrated through the black veil of her hair. "There are rumors of jewel shards to the East. We will travel to find them and bring them back to you, my Lord." "And what of the shards your reincarnation possessed?" "Unfortunately, my Lord, they are still in her possession, but not for long…" Both paused.
Naraku waited for the answer to see if his plans would fail. If she still had the shards, then they could lead her to the Orb. Kikyo was waiting for Naraku. Each second felt like an eternity as neither spoke nor moved. Finally Naraku could contain himself no longer. Naraku's hand shot out and grabbed Kikyo by the neck. Lifting her into the air he hissed, "and?!?" Kikyo laughed manically. The black veil of her hair finally parted showing her true face as her body shook with laughter. "Die Naraku!" she screamed. There was a flash of light, Naraku's scream echoed throughout the forest. Then there was absolute silence…
****Gate World Coliseum
'This must work.' a young girl thought to herself, 'If I fail, then they all died for nothing, and all the worlds will die.' She felt the portal wavering. 'I'm almost out of energy…. There's only one chance left.' Pushing aside all her pain she pooled her remaining strength. Slim black brows drew in concentration as she poured all her remaining strength into the portal. A strange red pendant around her neck flared violently. Her image wavered violently as she appeared on all four planets. Her soft brown skin became pale and drawn. She could feel her life energy draining. 'I haven't much time left. Please come on time….'
****Yusuke's Japan
Without warning the entire spirit team was sent flying. Crashing and cursing, the team was finally stopped by a strong old tree. "What was that?" Kuwabara asked. No one could answer. "Did anyone else feel that power? It was incredible!" "Shut-up Kuwabara! We all felt that power, you idiot!" Yusuke shouted. "Hn." Hiei glared turning away from Kuwabara. Kurama was silent once more.
'I know that energy!' Youko shouted in his mind. 'I felt it one time when I tried to steal a silver jewel!' 'What was it?' Kurama asked Youko. 'I don't know. The guardians of the Jewel were supposed to be the best in the history of the world. I never even went close enough to see the jewel…' Youko answered angrily. Kurama quickly withdrew from the conversation to avoid further damage to the thief kitsune's pride. "We must hurry. The distortions are becoming worse." Kurama stated snapping the others from their own thoughts. "Besides, it's the only way we'll discover the source of the power we felt." "Hn." Hiei agreed. 'I must discover the owner of that power. I've never felt anything like it. Not even Yusuke would stand a chance.' he thought never once admitting to himself that even he wouldn't stand a chance.
Swiftly the group ran through the forest once more to the portal Koenma had discovered. The forest was deathly silent except for the occasional blows traded by Kuwabara and Yusuke. Branches and leaves whipped before their faces as they neared their destination. Each could feel the ring of demons ahead. "Don't fight them. They are a waste of time. We must reach the portal." Hiei commanded. "What!" Yusuke exclaimed. "Hush, Yusuke. Hiei is right. If we are not quick, then everyone dies including Kieko!" Kurama added. Yusuke's jaw work furiously but no sound emerged. Finally he angrily snapped his jaw shut and focused on their destination. "But why are they standing in circle?" Kuwabara wondered aloud, "Shouldn't they be trying to get to the energy to?" Tense silence met his question. "We're almost there." Kurama replied instead.
Quickly they rushed past the ring of demons that were strangely still. They all appeared to be waiting for something. Just outside the demons was a ring of ash. Rushing beyond the demons the group felt a strange tingling sensation run through their body. "A shield!" Kurama exclaimed. "The reason the demons were waiting was because this place is shielded to keep intruders out!" The members skidded to a halt. "The ash was demons who tried to pass through!" Yusuke's rough voice added as a few things became clear. "But then why did we get through?" Kuwabara wondered. All three stared in surprise. Kuwabara had beaten them all to the most important question of all. 'Why did we get through…' four minds simultaneously thought.
***End
This is the last repeated chapter. After this they are all new. Wohoo!
BTW please review, it'd be nice to know if anyone actually reads what I write. Besides I could use an inflated ego, it would make me update sooner.