Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...blah...blah...blah.
Once again, thanks to Canna for helping me on this story. You go babe!
Chapter Eight: Her True Face is Revealed
A rustle in the bushes quickly brushed the smiles off of the monk and exterminator. Composing themselves, they turned to face their hanyou "friend" as he came strolling from the nearby forest (A/N: yes, I know, another forest. sigh)
"Where have you been?" Miroku asked.
"Feh, none of your damn business," Inuyasha scoffed.
"Inuyasha, have you seen Kikyo?" Sango asked.
"Wasn't she here with you?" Inuyasha asked.
"She went off by herself shortly after you left," Miroku said.
Inuyasha immediately came to attention. "Kikyo went off by herself? And you let her?" Inuyasha almost screamed.
"We couldn't have stopped her," Sango shot back.
"Well, what are you sitting on your asses for? We have to find her," Inuyasha said.
Sango and Miroku looked at each other but did as the impatient hanyou commanded. They took pleasure in knowing that the hanyou would be repaid for his "kindness" to Kagome soon.
"Let's split up and search," Inuyasha ordered.
Then without wasting a moment, Inuyasha took off into the forest again. Sango and Miroku took off in another direction, towards the mountains.
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Kagome and Sesshoumaru flew over the mountains and finally reached a lake hidden by the tall guardians. The blue water shimmered and it looked like millions of diamonds had been strewn across the surface. Kagome gasped.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
"So this is the place of the final Shikon shard?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Kagome nodded. "I never knew such a place existed," she gasped, still in awe.
"How are you sure this is the final shard?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Kagome stared at the Taiyoukai. "I know because the part of the Shikon no Tama that Inuyasha and I collected is over halfway done. I am guessing that since I left, Kikyo..." she paused a moment before going on. "has obtained some more shards. Plus, there's still Naraku to think about. He has some of the shards, definitely."
"After all that talking, you still have not told me how you know this is the last shard," Sesshoumaru asked, almost grinning at the miko's incessant babbling.
"I know this is the last shard because this is the only shard that I sense," Kagome answered.
"How far can you sense them?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Pretty far, I can sense them until the edge of Inuyasha's forest," Kagome said. "Besides, if this isn't the last shard, most likely than not, Naraku will have them."
"In order to complete the Shikon no Tama," Sesshoumaru said. "We must obtain the rest from your former allies and Naraku."
"Sango-chan and Miroku are still my allies," Kagome corrected.
Sesshoumaru growled. He did not like to be corrected under any circumstance. But he decided to let this one go, seeing how he had a soft spot for the miko. Damn! I knew a soft spot for her would be bad. He thought. Oh well, I guess I can tolerate it, if I am rewarded. Sesshoumaru smiled at this. (A/N: yes, Sesshou-kun is being a Hentai. giggles that is so cute!) Kagome noticed the winsome smile once again adorning Sesshoumaru's face.
"Sesshoumaru?" she called.
The Taiyoukai snapped back to reality. The smile vanished immediately.
"What is it?" he snapped, trying to dissolve any questions about what he was just thinking.
"What are you so happy about?" Kagome asked.
"It is none of your concern. I suggest you worry about yourself," Sesshoumaru said.
"Well, sorry," Kagome said sarcastically.
"Watch your tone," Sesshoumaru warned.
"Of course, your Majesty," Kagome mocked.
Instantly, Sesshoumaru grabbed Kagome by the waist and pulled her roughly to him. Kagome's eyes were full of questions.
"Do not push me too far," Sesshoumaru whispered.
Kagome was about to ask but her mouth was covered with Sesshoumaru's. Shock went through her body as she felt the Taiyoukai's lips claim hers in a hungry kiss. A familiar tingle went through her as a flashback to when they were in Sesshoumaru's castle and he had kissed her after Rin had been found in her room. Kagome's legs turned to water and clung desperately to Sesshoumaru's kimono. Finally, they broke apart, both breathing hard. Kagome looked up into Sesshoumaru's eyes and a flicker of emotion went through them. Was it compassion? Caring? Maybe even...love? Kagome shook her head and realized that she was still in his arms. Blushing furiously, she tried to pull away.
"Sesshoumaru, let me go," Kagome said, her voice not cooperating with what she felt.
"Know this, my dear Kagome, cross me again, and you will be punished," Sesshoumaru threatened.
Then he released her. Kagome stared at him in shock. He said my name. She thought. Kami it was beautiful when he said it.
"Are you coming or not?" Sesshoumaru demanded.
"Coming," she called.
Inside, Kagome's head still whirled from that soul-searing kiss she and Sesshoumaru shared as she went to join the Taiyoukai.
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Kikyo walked calmly through the swamp, feeling for the special aura she knew so well. Just in front of her, a barrier shimmered hazily in the poorly lit area. Smiling, Kikyo simply walked through it as if it wasn't there at all. A large castle loomed just ahead and Kikyo walked a little faster to reach the main gates. Two youkai were standing watch and immediately parted ways for her to pass into the castle. Another youkai led her to the large bedroom where she knew the owner of the castle was waiting for her.
"Kikyo," a soft menacing voice called.
A hand reached out and stroked her pale cheek.
"You're here again," the voice continued.
"I have a preposition for you, this time," Kikyo said.
The hand withdrew and the voice hissed, "Tell me what it is."
"I wish to have my reincarnation removed form this earth so that I will have sole ownership of the Shikon no Tama," Kikyo proclaimed.
"In return for?" the voice asked.
"You may kill Inuyasha's friends," Kikyo stated simply, no hint of emotion whatsoever.
"Done," the voice said. "But tell me Kikyo, why would I want to waste my time with them?"
"Inuyasha's friends know that my reincarnation is alive and I know that they dislike me because it was I that caused Inuyasha to turn his back on her," Kikyo said. "And I know that Inuyasha is starting to believe that my reincarnation is not dead. He must be mine."
The owner of the castle laughed. "Kikyo, my dear Kikyo, are you sure you are a miko? It seems you are becoming more and more like me," the owner said.
"I will never be like you... Naraku," Kikyo spat.
Naraku just laughed as Kikyo stood up and made her way back to Inuyasha.
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"Damn it!" Inuyasha cursed. "Where the hell are you Kikyo?"
He had been through the forest four times already with no sign of his dead lover.
"Shit," he said.
He sniffed the air once more searching for the scent of earth and bones. Kami he hated that smell but soon, his lover will be alive again. He picked up a faint trail and headed towards a clump of trees. The out of nowhere, Kikyo stumbled into Inuyasha.
"Kikyo," Inuyasha exclaimed, looking at the miko he held in his arms.
"Inuyasha?" Kikyo said. "What are you doing here?"
"Stupid question," Inuyasha growled. "Looking for you."
"I was just going for a walk," Kikyo said, innocently (A/N: rolls eyes)
"You should know better than to wander off by yourself," Inuyasha said.
"I can take care of myself," Kikyo said simply.
"I know, but I was worried," Inuyasha said.
Kikyo hugged Inuyasha. "There is nothing to be worried about. I'm fine," she said, her eyes narrowing a bit at this act of affection.
"Promise me you'll tell me where you're going from now on," Inuyasha whispered into her hair.
"I promise," Kikyo said.
They broke apart and both walked to find their comrades that had been searching for the missing miko also. Soon, Kikyo thought. Soon I will have the annoying pests out of the way and I will once again have everything. Kikyo would have laughed but Inuyasha would have been curious and Kikyo did not feel like making up another excuse. Slowly, they made their way out of the forest and went to look for the monk and exterminator.
A/N: Sorry for the wait guys! sweatdrops hopefully you aren't mad at me. Anyways, what did you think of this chapter? Isn't Kagome and Sesshou-kun so cute together.
Anyways, Read and Review. Arigatou.