Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters.
Ahhhhhhhh. Sorry guys. I haven't been able to update because I've had some stuff happen but thank you, thank you, thank you for being patient.
I have to say that Canna is now my muse because I wouldn't have been able to do this without her!
Now the story...
Chapter Nine: Water Fight
Kikyo and Inuyasha walked out of the forest to find Sango and Miroku talking to each other. Sensing that they had returned, Sango and Miroku turned around, clamping their mouths shut. Putting on fake smiles, they greeted the two lovers.
"Kikyo-sama, it is nice to know you are unhurt," Miroku said.
"Inuyasha was very worried about you," Sango said.
"As you can see, I am fine. We must find the last Shikon shard before..." Kikyo caught herself.
"Before what, Kikyo?" Inuyasha asked.
"Before Naraku finds it," Kikyo finished. Inuyasha must not find out my reincarnation is still alive. I must be more cautious when speaking. Kikyo thought.
Sango and Miroku exchanged a brief glance and a smirk flashed quickly and unnoticed to the hanyou. Looking quickly back to Kikyo, Sango and Miroku nodded.
"Kikyo-sama is right. Naraku must not be the one to gain the last shard," Miroku said. Neither should Kikyo-sama. Miroku thought.
"How do you know it's the last shard?" Sango asked.
"Look," Kikyo said.
She pulled out the completed piece of the Shikon no Tama. It had grown to half of it since Kikyo had joined their group. Kagome and Inuyasha had about a third completed but it had been less stressful with Kagome. Kikyo pushed everyone to the limit until they were practically begging to stop and rest.
"Naraku has the rest," Kikyo continued.
Both Sango and Miroku stared at Kikyo who glared back, as if daring them to tell Inuyasha about Kagome.
"So where is the last shard?" Inuyasha's voice broke through the staring contest the others were having. (A/N: Okay not really but I didn't know what else to call it.)
Kikyo closed her eyes for a second and searched for the last shard. She opened her eyes and said,
"A lake in the mountians,"
So the group started towards the lake that would yield the last shard and bring closure to the Shikon shard hunt. But it also signaled that the showdown with Naraku would also be taking place soon. Each one of them knew they had to brace themselves for the showdown and the consequences that would follow.
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"Okaa-san!" Rin called.
Kagome turned around from following Sesshoumaru.
"Rin-chan?" she said.
The little girl launched herself into the young woman's arms. Kagome held Rin in her arms and stroked her hair.
"What is it, Rin-chan?" Kagome asked gently.
"Rin wants okaa-san to stay with Rin," Rin begged.
Kagome gently pried the girl from her. "Rin-chan, I need to get the last shard so Sesshoumaru-sama can use the Shikon no Tama," Kagome explained.
"Sesshoumaru-sama use the Shikon no Tama?" Rin asked.
"Yes, so he can make sure you are the happiest little girl in the world," Kagome said.
"But, Rin is happy because Rin has everything she wants. She has Sesshoumaru-sama, Jaken-sama, Ah Un and now, Rin has okaa-san," Rin said.
Kagome almost cried when she heard the little girl's words. This unselfish girl was happy because she didn't care about material possessions or anything that most kids in her time cared about. All she ever wanted was a real family. Kagome hugged Rin to her.
"Rin, I know you're worried about me but Sesshoumaru-sama will protect me," Kagome said.
Sesshoumaru walked silently over to his adopted daughter and placed a hand (A/N: claws, hands, whatever) on her head.
"Rin," he called, his voice soft but commanding.
Rin raised her head and looked at her "father". "Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin said quietly.
"Go with Jaken back to Ah Un and stay there until we return," he commanded gently.
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin said.
She walked slowly back to Jaken, who had prostrated himself when Sesshoumaru had walked over. Pulling the unwillingly toad youkai along, Rin went to pick the many variety of flowers that grew near the lake.
"Let's go," Sesshoumaru said, cold voice returning.
Kagome stared at him. How could he go from caring to emotionless in the blink of an eye? Kagome sighed and shook her head. She would never figure him out.
"Is something wrong?" Sesshoumaru asked, not bothering to look back.
"No," Kagome said. I forgot he has superb hearing. Kagome thought.
Nearing the lake, Kagome sensed something that was obstructing their way. Sesshoumaru stopped just short of the edge of the lake.
"What is it, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked.
"A barrier," Sesshoumaru answered, boredom filled his voice.
He removed Toukijin from his side and sliced towards the invisible shield. Noting happened. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes and sliced again. Still nothing. Getting annoyed, Sesshoumaru sliced three times rapidly, but same result. Sensing Sesshoumaru was getting angrier, Kagome pulled out the sword he had given her and placed the tip of it against the barrier. Sesshoumaru stared at the young miko. Was she going to break a barrier even the great Sesshoumaru-sama could not. Closing her eyes, Kagome focused on channeling her power to her sword. Pink light snaked around the blade of the sword and sparked when it hit the barrier. The jewels on the hilt of the sword began to glow blue. Blue light issued forth and intertwined itself with the miko's power. The tip slid through the barrier and Kagome jerked the sword up. A gap opened where Kagome had slit the barrier and she opened her eyes.
"Go, Sesshoumaru," she said.
"Do not order me around," Sesshoumaru growled.
"Hurry," Kagome called. The gap was already beginning to close.
Sesshoumaru was about to retort but decided that they should handle the Shikon shard first. Kagome struggled against the barrier and managed to slip in before the gap was closed again.
"Are you alright?" Kagome asked Sesshoumaru.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Sesshoumaru asked, a hint of anger still laced his voice.
"You seem upset," Kagome stated.
"A human has never dared to order me around before," Sesshoumaru said.
"I'm not a normal human," Kagome pointed out.
"Regardless of your powers, you are still a human," Sesshoumaru said. "And as long as you are, you will learn to respect those that are higher than yourself."
"I may be a human, Sesshoumaru," Kagome said. "But I am not the sort that obeys every command, whether given by a youkai or not."
Sesshoumaru was pleasantly shocked by this statement. Other would have cowered when he let anger into his voice, but this miko not only brushed it aside, she challenged him. She certainly was strong but of course he would never admit that. Sesshoumaru stared at Kagome who, defiantly, stared back.
"We are wasting time," Sesshoumaru said. "The last shard is here and the sooner we find it, the sooner we shall confront that wretched hanyou."
Kagome nodded. Then turned towards the lake that held the last shard.
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Inuyasha and the rest of the group headed towards the lake where they would finally get the last shard.
Sango and Miroku were on Kirara's back and whispered to each other. They deliberately kept a little distance from Inuyasha and Kikyo.
"Houshi-sama," Sango whispered. "If this is truly the last shard that means Kagome-chan will need our help soon/"
"Yes," Miroku whispered back. "Kagome-sama is with Sesshoumaru and they should be either at or nearing the lake by now. If they get the last shard, we must take the rest of the Shikon shards to her as soon as possible."
"But Kikyo also said Naraku has some of the shards too," Sango whispered.
"We can't defeat Naraku by ourselves so we will have to wait until Kikyo-sama and Inuyasha destroys him before we take them," Miroku said softly.
"But, if we wait until then, Kagome-chan will probably come to us and try to get the Shikon shards herself. We can't let Inuyasha know she's still alive," Sango said so quietly Miroku had to lean in close to hear.
"So, what should we do?" Miroku asked.
"Hey Miroku, what're you whispering for?" Inuyasha called back.
Both Sango and Miroku both had heart attacks. "Uh.... n-n-nothing," Miroku stammered.
"We...uh...were discussing...what kind of youkai the last shard is in," Sango managed to say.
"It's in a lake," Inuyasha said.
"Right so we concluded that it is probably a fish youkai," Miroku said, continuing the charade.
Feh, whatever," Inuyasha said.
Both Sango and Miroku sighed a sigh of relief and tried to calm their still frantically beating hearts.
"No," Sango whispered, taking more caution. "We must get the shards to Kagome-chan sooner."
"You mean after we go to the lake?" Miroku asked.
Sango nodded.
"Alright. We get the Shikon shards to Kagome-sama and then go defeat Naraku," Miroku whispered. "Wait."
"What is it, Houshi-sama?" Sango asked.
"If we steal the Shikon shards now, we would have to steal them again when Naraku is defeated," Miroku said.
"We have no choice. We gave Kagome-chan our word," Sango said.
Miroku consented.
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Kagome walked to the edge of the lake and peered into the crystal clear water. Suddenly, a jet of water shot her way. Kagome barely managed to duck out of the way. The water managed to shear off a lock of Kagome's hair. Sesshoumaru was on instant alert and looked around to find the one responsible for trying to kill Kagome. There was nothing unusual he saw. He walked over to Kagome and helped her up, all the while scanning for any sign of movement.
Another jet of water shot towards Kagome but Sesshoumaru used Toukijin to block it.
"Why am I the only one being attacked?" Kagome asked.
"This barrier was created by a youkai. You are a miko. Pure. Youkai dislike mikos very much," Sesshoumaru said. "So much so, that we try and destroy them when we have a chance."
Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru, "Does that mean you will kill me too?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.
"No," Sesshoumaru said. "I have already proclaimed you as Rin's okaa- san. I will not deny that child a mother."
Kagome just stared at the Taiyoukai and blushed faintly. Kami! She thought. I blush so easily in front of Sesshoumaru. Could it be that I have... fallen in love with him? He is not as unkind as I thought he was. And when he's not being a jerk, he's not all that bad. Kagome gasped and blushed even more at the thought of her falling in love with Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru stared at the blushing miko and wondered what she was thinking about. In his own mind, he started to wonder. But both their thoughts were cut short when a blast of water came towards them.
(A/N: Another really bad battle scene! Kami I hate these because I'm so bad at them! Argh!)
Sesshoumaru grabbed Kagome and leapt into the air, the blast of water shot harmlessly below them. An explosion on the lake caught both their attentions and suddenly, there was the youkai that had created the barrier. It was dragon youkai. (A/N: Kinda like Ryukotsusei (sp?) but with blue and green scales.)
"A MIKO!" the dragon youkai's voice boomed. "A MIKO HAS DARED TO ENTER THE DOMAIN OF UMIKOTSU." (A/N: I know, I know, stupid name! But whatever)
"We have come to claim the Shikon shard you possess," Kagome shouted.
"I WILL NEVER GIVE UP MY SHIKON SHARD TO YOU!" Umikotsu roared.
"We will not ask twice," Sesshoumaru said.
"WHAT'S THIS? AN INU-YOUKAI TRAVELING WITH A MIKO?! UNHEARD OF," Umikotsu said.
"With whom I travel with is none of your concern," Sesshoumaru said, itching to kill this arrogant dragon youkai.
Umikotsu laughed and his voice shook the very earth. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes and gripped Toukijin tighter.
"THIS JUST PROVES THAT YOU ARE WEAK. A YOUKAI RELYING ON A MIKO!" Umikotsu scoffed.
Sesshoumaru had enough. Calling him weak was the straw that broke the camel's back. He leapt into air and flew towards Umikotsu. He slashed Toukijin at Umikotsu and managed to cut the dragon youkai. Umikotsu didn't even flinch.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! I KNEW YOU WERE WEAK. A TINY SCRATCH IS ALL YOU MANAGED TO DEAL? PATHETIC!" Umikotsu sneered.
"Where is the shard?" Sesshoumaru barked to Kagome.
Kagome concentrated and finally saw the location of their prize. "It's in its throat," she shouted back.
"YOU WILL NEVER GET IT!" Umikotsu said.
A huge ball of swirly blue and green light shot from Umikotsu's mouth directly towards Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru leapt out of the way and flew towards Umikotsu's throat. One of Umikotsu's claws brushed Sesshoumaru aside, as if brushing away a fly.
"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome called, her voice filled with worry.
Sesshoumaru dusted himself off and looked towards Umikotsu again. Umikotsu turned and stared at Kagome.
"NOW YOU, MIKO!" Umikotsu said. Another ball of blue-green light shot at Kagome.
Kagome squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the attack to hit her. It never came. Kagome slowly opened her eyes and found herself in Sesshoumaru's arms. He landed with her and she felt the heat of the attack to her left.
"Thank you, Sesshoumaru," Kagome whispered.
"This has gone on far too long," Sesshoumaru said.
Kagome raised her sword and sent a jet of blue and pink light towards Umikotsu. The attack sizzled on Umikotsu's scales. He hissed at the attack otherwise, he just stood there. Sesshoumaru suddenly thought of a plan.
"Our individual attacks do nothing against him," Sesshoumaru said. "Therefore, we must combine our attacks."
"But, I am a miko and you are a youkai. Our powers will not work together," Kagome said.
"I am well aware of that. Send your miko power straight at Umikotsu's throat," Sesshoumaru said.
"What are you planning," Kagome asked.
"Do as I command," Sesshoumaru said.
Kagome sighed but she held her sword tighter and willed another blast to come from it.
"HAVEN'T YOU LEARNED ANYTHING?" Umikotsu said.
He just stood there, waiting for the blast to hit him. He sighed as hi skin sizzled from the attack. But this time, something was different. Sesshoumaru was behind the miko's power and he drove Toukijin straight into Umikotsu's sword. Umikotsu's eyes widened in horror as he took his final breaths.
"HOW?" he asked. "HOW COULD A MIKO AND A YOUKAI WORK TOGETHER?"
"Not all youkai hate mikos like you do," Sesshoumaru said.
"THEN I SHALL HAVE TO DESTROY THEM WITH MY FINAL BREATH!" Umikotsu said.
His body started to glow an eerie gold. Light beams came fro his body and Kagome only had time to scream Sesshoumaru's name before Umikotsu exploded. A huge amount of water rose up from the explosion and drenched Kagome. She covered her face from the bright light of the explosion.
"Sesshoumaru!" she called.
When the light faded, Kagome turned her eyes to where Sesshoumaru had been before, but she saw nothing. Frantically, Kagome looked around, trying to find any trace of the Taiyoukai. Kagome got up and waded into the water.
"Sesshoumaru! Sesshoumaru!" Kagome called.
No answer. Kagome began to cry. She didn't want to lose someone else she held dear to her.
"Sesshoumaru!"
"Cease your shouting at once," Sesshoumaru's voice said.
Kagome turned around and saw Sesshoumaru floating above the water. Kagome's heart filled with relief that he was okay. She splashed over to him as he lowered himself into the water. Kagome threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
"I thought you..." Kagome sobbed.
"Might have been killed?" Sesshoumaru asked. "I am not so easily killed. Especially by one such as him."
"I was so worried that I might never have been able to see you again," Kagome said.
Sesshoumaru was slightly taken aback. She was worried about me? He thought. A strange warmth was filling him and he didn't hate it. He stared at the Kagome, still in his arms. Her wet kimono clung enticingly to her body. He shook his head. There were other matters far more important right now. He pried Kagome from him and started to walk to shore.
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome called.
"Rin and Jaken are waiting," Sesshoumaru said.
Kagome got out of the lake and wrung out her hair. Her kimono would dry in time. Kagome noticed a red streak on Sesshoumaru's arm and it looked like it was bleeding. Kagome reached out and touched it. Sesshoumaru stiffened but showed no sign of pain or discomfort.
"He only managed to scratch me when he forfeited his life," Sesshoumaru said, answering Kagome's unspoken question.
Without a word, Kagome ripped some material from her kimono and tightly wrapped Sesshoumaru's arm with it. She knew he would heal in no time but she wanted to show him that she cared.
Sesshoumaru just stood there, waiting patiently for her to finish wrapping his arm. As she finished, Sesshoumaru pulled her to him and kissed her gently.
"You have my gratitude," he whispered.
Kagome did a double take. Did Sesshoumaru just say "thank you"? She thought. She smiled and started walking towards Rin and Jaken. The final shard was theirs.
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Inuyasha, Kikyo, Sango and Miroku were closing in on the mountainous lake that housed the final shard. They came into the field where the entrance of the lake was. Inuyasha sniffed the air. He growled.
"Sesshoumaru's here," he spat.
Sango and Miroku's stomachs did flip-flops. If Sesshoumaru was here, then Kagome would be with him. They tried to act calm.
"Well go check it out," Sango said.
She grabbed Miroku and sped towards the direction of the lake. It was a good ten minutes of running when Sango saw Kagome and Sesshoumaru.
"Kagome-chan," Sango said.
"Sango-chan, Miroku," Kagome greeted.
"You must go another way," Miroku said.
"That wretched hanyou will be arriving shortly," Sesshoumaru said.
"Which way can we go?" Kagome asked.
Sesshoumaru shot into the sky. He scanned the area and found only small shrubs. He landed again and said.
"There is not adequate foliage for you to hide. I will send a signal to Jaken and we will depart," Sesshoumaru said.
"But, Inuyasha will see it too," Sango said.
"You will provide a cover for us," Sesshoumaru commanded.
"Sesshoumaru's right. Just tell Inuyasha that you found the lake and you used a signal," Kagome said.
Sango and Miroku nodded. They continued to walk in the direction that Sesshoumaru and Kagome had come from. Sesshoumaru sent up a jet of green light (A/N: much like his green poison whip thingy), grabbed a hold of Kagome and left the area. Kagome silently prayed that this deception would work. She knew she would have to face Inuyasha later and she needed all the time she could get to prepare.
A/N: How was that chapter? I once again apologize for not updating sooner.
Please Read and Review. Arigatou!