Author's Note: GOMEN NASAI MINA!!!!!!!! I am sooo sorry for not updating!!! You would think I would get more done during Summer break, but in reality I haven't gotten anything done!!! A mix of summer/fall laziness and writer's block prevented me from updating, and for that I am so very sorry!!!
On another note, thanks so much to all my reviewers as well as readers!!! Without all your support I wouldn't have any inspiration! I love you all! What is this? Chapter 6? (Mel totally lost track TT;;;;) Whatever it is I hope you enjoy! Happy reading!
Happy Turkey day mina!!!!
Disclaimer: It brings a smile to my lips and excitement to my life; for a brief half an hour erases my angst and my strife. Though it haunts many a dream, possessing many a thought, all I own is the stuff that I've bought........ --;;;; So sad!
The Will of the Heart
Ch. 6: When the Wind Picks Up
"Ooompf!!!!!!" Kagura let out as her horse, gently, stumbled across the ground. She was groggy, agitated, and her "ass" (as she so politely put it) hurt terribly from hours of endless riding. Despite it all, however, she refused to let an inch of it show on her sharp, indignant face. Above anything, she was determined to prove she was above the disgusting Ningens that traveled at her side.
Her body had almost healed from the beating she had received from Naraku, but the nauseating pain in her gut still lingered. They had been riding for what seemed like months, and though repeatedly urged to receive medical attention from the one they called a "doctor", Suikotsu, she continued to refuse. The last thing she wanted was the horrible spider shaped mark on her back to be found. Being the emblem of Naraku's kingdom, she would certainly be taken for a spy and be killed. With her powers still at a minimum, there would be no chance of fighting back.
She let out a quick sigh and relaxed a little. Straightening herself in her saddle, she silently noted the way the animals strong muscles tightened and relaxed as it started up a hill.
"Beast. . . ." she muttered, quietly under her breath. She hated horses! But, then again. . . . . there wasn't much she didn't hate. Hate was a part of her life. Taught to hate--made to hate. Naraku had certainly made sure of that. From the beatings she received, sometimes almost daily to the countless slaughters she held witness to; Naraku had wanted her to be pitiless, he had wanted her to be stone.
She was snapped out of her thoughts, as a gentle whinny sounded from the dark mare on which she rode.
"He knows were near home," Renkotsu said, as he casually brought his own horse up to Kagura's side.
She looked slowly down the steep mountain ledge, catching sight of a large village below. "Is that the castle," she asked nodding towards a large building, strangely aloof from the rest.
"Yes, we should arrive shortly."
'So . . . the Inutaisho kingdom,' she thought, 'I've made it.'
Her cerise eyes flashed up, catching sight of Sesshoumaru's distant form. He hadn't said a word to her since that day; he had hardly even acknowledged her existence. There wasn't an hour that went by that she didn't think about him though. Her fate rested in his hands and that was enough to make her skin crawl. She was back in the same situation she had been in with Naraku only now, the one that held her life was the frigid king of the Inutaisho kingdom. . . . . her sworn enemy.
The train of steeds slowed as they reached the descent of the mountain. 'One thing's for sure,' Kagura thought, 'if I don't come up with something, I may never leave this land alive!'
---------------
"Ughh!!!!! THAT. . .that . . . .HOUSHI!!!!!!!!!!!" Sango angrily paced across her room and through herself, forcefully, on her bed.
Sure, he had seemed respectable enough! A holy man, clad in traditional robe and garb, but then again, she should've known better than anyone that looks could truly be deceiving.
"Sango?"
The fuming Taijiya looked up just in time to see Kagome slide through the door into her room.
"Hey," Kagome said with a smile, "mind if I keep you company for awhile?"
"Of course not!"
Kagome smiled and climbed up onto Sango's bed. "I was so afraid you were dead," she said quietly. "I can finally breathe a little knowing that you're not."
"Kagome- -"
'It's funny. That day . . . no matter how hard I try, I can't forget it."
"You're not the only one. It was so sudden," Sango said, softly, losing herself in a far off stare, "we never knew it was coming. Out of nowhere . . . they just started invading, people started dying . . . . " She stopped, her eyes becoming a deep, voided brown.
"Sango—?"
"I saw it happening, but I couldn't help them . . . . It's my—"
"SANGO!" Kagome cried, thrusting her arms around the girl's neck. "You can't say it! I won't let you!"
"But– – I– "A violent image flashed through the girl's mind and she crumpled.
"It's not because of you! None of this happened because of you! You couldn't save them all, but think about the ones you did save. You saved me. You fought hard to protect us and for that I am eternally indebted. So, please! Please don't blame yourself!"
Sango sat there, arms at her side, unable to move, unable to speak. So many thoughts were rushing through here head, however she refused to listen to them.
For that brief moment she felt as if she had been possessed. The emotions, the pain she had felt all rushed back. The hate, the regret, it was all resurfacing. But she would not allow it to. No tear, no hate, no memory would pass that she did not allow.
'Push it back down . . .' she swallowed hard, 'push it back down and don't let it ever reach the light.'
"It's not your fault, Sango," Kagome said softly. "It's not your fault."
The Taijiya let her whole weight drop on to her best friend's comforting shoulders, but even as she did something shattered the barrier of her frozen mind.
'She's lying! Sango jumped, her eyes flashing open. 'You know it's your fault! You can't hide in the dark forever."
"IIE!!!!" Sango screamed hoarsely into Kagome's shoulder.
The princess winced and felt her chest tighten in pain for her friend. "Sssango, it's ok," her voice shook and she held onto Sango tighter, determined not to let go. "Sssshh . . . everything will be ok, you'll see."
Sango sat there, again, empty, cold, and unresponsive. Even as Kagome's words ran together and her voice shook with the force of her falling tears, she remained vacant.
Only one though resinated in her head.
'Push it back down. Push it back down and don't let it ever see the light. Push it back down. Push it back down and don't let it ever see the light'
Squeezing her eyes shut, she chanted the phrase over and over again. Her body began to tremble harder than ever before and with crushing force she bit down on her lip, praying that it would end.
'Push it back down! Push it back down!'
The world around them stopped for that time, the trees became still and the birds stopped their chirping; allowing only a weeping princess and a trembling Taijiya immunity from it's cold spell.
Red blood coursed down Sango's chin, but she was oblivious. Holding down on her bottom lip, she concentrated on the single thing that made any sense to her.
'Push it back down. Push it back down and don't let it ever see the light . . .'
------------------
"Pfff," Inuyasha exasperated, as he easily balanced his back against the branch of the Kaedae. He knew his mother must be going crazy trying to find him by now, but he didn't really care. In fact that was the same reason he was sitting there in the first place. She was constantly trying to make him spend time with that wench of a princess and he frankly didn't want to deal with it right now. Hidden among the thick branches and leaves, there was no way he could be found, and that was what he wanted most.
"BOO!!!"
He spoke to soon.
"Hiding out, eh?" Inuyasha looked down to see a grinning Miroku staring up at him.
"Feh! Go away monk!"
"Isn't your brother supposed to be arriving back today?" Miroku's smile grew wider awaiting the certain rise he was sure to get out of the disgruntled Hanyou.
"Damn you Miroku! Are you trying to piss me off?!!!"
"What? You're not happy that Sesshoumaru is coming back?"
Inuyasha flashed Miroku a glare that said it all.
"Geez! Whatever happened to brotherly love? "
"Hpff!"
"How long are you planning to stay up there, eh?"
"Isn't it obvious?!! Until Sesshoumaru dies or that Kagome woman leaves! Whichever comes first!"
"Geez Inuyasha, you're as boring as ever! Maybe I should go find Kagome-sama and Sango-san. Their sweet, soft, perfumed bodies. Their long, dark hair. Their thin, curved bodies. Why couldn't you have been more like them?"
"What? Do you want me to dress-up in a tutu? Pervert! You didn't you learn anything from your last encounter with them!"
"Ahhh!" Miroku replied with a dazed look on his face, "that Sango sure is something!"
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed and sweat-drop rolled down his face, "You'll never learn will you? Doesn't matter how many times you get slapped, beaten, or chased out of town, you'll never learn..."
His words fell on death ears however as the Houshi began dancing around the courtyard, "Two beautiful girls in a week! Lalalala! Arigato gozaimasu Kami-sama!!! Two beautiful girls!"
'Obviously I can't stay here anymore,' Inuyasha said with a growl. When the monk's back was turned, the Hanyou hoped down from the tree to find, yet another, hiding place.
He jumped across the roofs scouring the castle grounds for a place where he wouldn't be disturbed. A familiar scent tickled his nose and he looked up across the way to see Kagome standing out on the main terrace, her eyes glazed over in thought.
She was only one of the many that he had decided that he wanted nothing to do with, but somehow---- he was compelled to move closer. Climbing up on the ledge below her own, his canine nose crinkled up and he squinted at her slight figure.
She stood there, unmoving, unwavering, just still. He calm form, frozen against the dull wind, made her seem almost unreal.
Slowly, the breeze caught her raven hair sending it cascading across her shoulders. Her deep eyes flashed in the glistening sunlight and Inuyasha was pulled completely into the moment of lulled silence.
His breath caught awkwardly in his throat, and as he watched, even he had to admit . . . . she was beautiful.
Kagome looked across the vast demesne, not really concentrating on one single object. She was warn out and every few minutes a sickening feeling would rise in her stomach.
Through all that had happened, she had never really stopped to think how Sango must've felt, how distraught she must've been. It was obvious that the girl had seen twice as many acts of senseless horror than she had herself, but Sango had always been a strong, steadfast girl and Kagome had never really thought of how it must have affected her. Though she hadn't let a single tear fall, the princess guessed that she was more tortured than she was willing to admit.
Kagome sighed. Because of Sango's violent reaction, she hadn't really got to ask the questions she really yearned to ask. If her family was still alive? If her friends had survived? About Sango's own younger brother, Kohaku. She couldn't bring herself to ask before and she knew she wasn't able to ask now.
Kagome took a breath of the cool air and watched a fallen petal drift delicately on the breeze, soaring high above the treetops, before the wind let it go and it was sent spiraling back down to earth.
"The higher we go, the further we fall . . . . ." she murmured, as the leaf landed on the ground. Bringing her head up, her eyes landed on something. Hanging from the ledge below her was a conspicuous piece of red cloth gently waving in the air.
"I guess I should go inside now," she said, raising her voice, as well as her eyebrow, rather noticeably.
Inuyasha sat rigid on the ledge below. Upon hearing the click of Kagome's sandals tread across the stone, as to exit the overlook, he slowly poked his head out from his tight hold. 'Is she gone?' he thought, easing his body out of the hiding place. Upon noticing the absence of the girl's figure, as well as her silhouette, he slid over and with great agility leapt onto the railing above.
Her scent was everywhere. That sweet unidentifiable scent that continued to play with his mind. He stopped for a moment and breathed in deeply, letting his nose take in a much as it could.
"AH HA!!!" Popping up from seemingly nowhere, Kagome appeared next to him.
The startled Hanyou jumped into the air, nearly falling off the terrace. "Damn, wench! What the hell was that for?!!!!"
"I knew you were spying on me!!! You little eavesdropper." Kagome crossed her arms and flashed a sly smile Inuyasha's way.
"Ge?" the boy almost choked. "K kkeh! What reason would I have to spy on an ugly chick like you?"
"You tell me," Kagome said dryly, overlooking the last comment.
"Pfff! You're paranoid, wench!"
"Whatever you say Inuyasha," she said, deciding not to pursue the topic any further. She instead stepped up beside the Hanyou, laying her arms against the stone and peering over the side.
"I have to thank you again," Kagome said softly.
"For what?" he asked gruffly.
"For letting Sango stay here. She's all I have left of my old life, ya know. She's the reason I'm alive today."
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed and he peered over at the girl next to him. "What do you mean?"
"Well, when the kingdom was attacked, Sango was the one that protected me and helped me escape on Kirara with no regard to her own personal safety. You see, Sango, as well as her whole family, is a skilled Taijiya. The survivors of my kingdom owe there lives to her and so do I . . ."
For a moment the two just stood there, the wind washing over there bodies and nursing the cool silence. Inuyasha gently bit his gum, he was at a total lose as to what to say to the girl. It was obvious that she was sad, that went without saying, and somehow, no matter how much he hated her, he couldn't bring himself her hurt her any further.
"Gomen," he murmured finally.
"Eh?!" Kagome turned slowly, a little afraid that her ears had failed her. "What did you say?"
A sour look spread across the Hanyou's face offset by a red tint that lingered in his cheeks and above his nose. "I said, I'm sorry that had to happen to you."
The princess' eyes grew wide and narrowed again when she realized that she hadn't imagined what she had heard. A hot feeling ran across her face and she smiled softly. "It's ok. What hurts us makes us stronger, right?"
She looked up and for a split second . . . . their eyes caught and for a moment they truly saw each other.
"I— NU—YA—SH— A!!!!!!!!"
The moment was gone as soon as it had come.
From below there was a sudden explosion of voices, but one in particular rang above the others. "INUYASHA-SAMA! INUYASHA-SAMA!"
"Crap!!!" the boy cursed as he slowly tried to back himself into the castle.
"Oh?!" Kagome said slyly, "what do we have here? Does our little Inu-chan have an admirer?'
"Shut up girl. This has nothing to do with you!"
"So it's true, is it?" The princess' face lit up and she grabbed the retreating Hanyou by the collar to prevent him from leaving.
"Let me go!!!! Dammit, wench cut the crap!"
Kagome laughed and managed to drag the resisting half demon over to the balcony, once more. Swinging both Inuyasha's head as well as her own over the side, she looked down into the foreground. "Haha! What's wrong with saying hello to your little girlfriend, Inuyasha? Afraid I might embarrass---------- you-----------?"
Kagome was speechless. She had expected to look down and see a beaming girl smiling up at them, instead, she found herself staring into the face of not a girl, but a incredibly feminine looking man.
"Inuyasha!" the man squealed catching sight of the boy. "Did you miss me, you sexy thing, you?"
An eerie quiet crept into the land as the three stared at one another. Kagome slowly let go of the Hanyou and suddenly erupted with laughter.
Inuyasha growled loudly, "Fuck off Jakotsu! Everything you say is disgusting you frickin pervert!" With a scowl, he turned and hastily made his way back inside the palace.
Kagome, still laughing, quickly made her way after him. In the distance she could hear the man whining and calling for the boy to come back.
"Well that was unexpected," Kagome giggled, running to catch up with him.
"Not a word!"
"But, you two looked like the perfect match! Don't tell me there's trouble in the relationship!"
"You know, wench," Inuyasha said, with frustration evident in his tone, "I really hate you."
"Oh Inuyasha and just when I was getting to really like you."
"Be honest," she said, her face suddenly becoming serious, "you want him."
Inuyasha froze with a mix of surprise and embarrassment smeared across his face. "W–what?"
"Gotcha," Kagome smiled sticking her tongue out cutely.
The two stared at one another, one pissed and one beaming and each equipped with a comeback when the time came for it.
"There you two are!"
Inuyasha winced as something bit his shoulder. Slapping his hand down, he retracted it and looked down. "Oi! Myouga-jiji! What was that for?"
"Heh! Heh! Inuyasha-sama, your blood is delicious as usual!"
"Pfff. What's up, flea?"
"My Lady Inutaisho-sama has been looking for you two! Sesshoumaru-dono has returned from his journey!"
------------------
Kagura stood on shaky legs taking in the sight before her. She had arrived and for the first time in her life an air of freedom wrapped itself around her.
The Inutaisho kingdom was so different from the cold, desolate land Naraku had made his own. Everywhere she turned there was life. Flowers, animals, plants; things that lived and prospered, things that were free. It made her almost forget about the situation she herself was faced with.
All the way to the palace she had thought. She had scrapped the edges of her mind just trying to think of a way out of the mess she had caused for herself. With a great deal of trouble, she had finally thought of an idea that might work. It was a little desperate, a little farfetched, but if she could make Sesshoumaru believe it she could buy herself a little more time.
The key after that, if he believed her lie that was, was to carefully slip around the subject, using her craft of difficulty to give her a chance to come up with a real plan.
Around her everyone was in a frenzy, getting ready to enter the castle. Horses were being dismounted, baggage was being attended to, and all she could do was stand there in the midst of it all. Up ahead she noticed a rush of silver and watched as Sesshoumaru wordlessly stepped off the bridled beast he had been seated upon. His golden eyes flashed brilliantly across the crowd and she then felt them settle on her solitary form.
Her wrist slapped uncomfortably against her side as she stood under his gaze. Raising her head, she let a haughty, little grin slide onto her face, but upon looking back at him, she was a little disappointed to find his eyes no longer there and his noble back turned away from her.
"You are a cold one aren't you," she mumbled only halfway to herself.
"Kagura!" a voice yelled bitterly from below.
"What do you want toad?" she said, glancing at a green Jaken below her.
"Sesshoumaru-sama your sends word for you to stay with the Shichinintai for now."
"Fine," she said cooly, withdrawing her fan from the sleeve of her kimono.
The toad turned halfway readying himself to trot after his lord, but turned around at the last moment. "Let me warn you wench, a blindman could see through your act, so don't think you've fooled anyone! Once Sesshoumaru-sama gets to you, your little game will be over!" he glared at the woman with a fierce contempt that burned in his words. "I'll give you one more chance to leave this kingdom and never come back. I suggest you take it."
The kaze youkai cocked her eyebrow high on her forehead and smiled mockingly at Jaken. "I don't make deals with underlings, least of all toads. I have nothing to hide so it's best that you leave me alone."
The amphibian's temper flared and he screamed at the woman, "Heed my word you lying bitch! Once Sesshoumaru-sama gets through with you there won't be any turning back! You've dug your own grave!" With that Jaken turned and rushed into the crowd.
"Hmpff," Kagura scoffed, "what does he take me for, a coward?" She knew, inside however, that he spoke the truth. She would've been better off taking his deal and fleeing, but then again, where would she go? Would she even be able to survive in her temporary weakness? Beyond that, she knew better than anyone that her pride wouldn't allow her to turn back now; not after all she had gone through to get there. This was do or die and she wasn't prepared to die just yet, not until she had made the one that made her suffer, bleed.
----------------
Quietly . . . the breeze crept in. An untouched, unnoticed cool that stirred the smooth, silk curtains just enough to wake the silent girl laying motionless on the bed. Sango's tired, brown eyes slid open just enough to see the door to her private balcony wide open, inviting the outside in.
What was she doing here? For a moment she couldn't quite remember where she was or why she was there. This wasn't her bed and this wasn't her room. By now Kohaku would've already waken her up for sleeping so late, her father would've already been outside in the yard, hard at work on new weapons they could use for an up and coming battle. She searched the room silently for them, but found that no one was there. She was all alone.
With a sigh, gentle realization came flowing into her. She was in the Inutaisho kingdom, Kohaku was gone, her father was gone, she really was alone. She remembered faintly Kagome's presence not even an hour ago, she must've fallen asleep during their visit. Suddenly she felt very foolish, she had acted like such a child then, having a tantrum and falling asleep from exhaustion.
Sango shivered a little and pulled her covers closer to her body. 'I can't let another outburst like that happen again,' she thought quietly, 'how brainless of me.'
A knock on her door caused her to look up. "Yes–?" she asked, still a little unsure of her voice.
"Sango-san?" Miroku's voice rang out form behind the entree. "Are you alright?"
The girl rolled her eyes. "I'm fine."
An awkward silence drifted in between the two and lingered a few seconds. "Can you open the door?" the man asked finally.
Sango sighed and just lay there for a moment, willing the bothersome monk to go away on his own. When it appeared that he had no intention of leaving, she wearily pulled herself off the bed and walked to the closed door. Turning the knob, she let it open just enough so that her face could be seen through the crack.
"What can I do for you?" she asked with a hint of displeasure in her voice.
"Well . . . Inuyasha's brother, Sesshoumaru, has returned and Lady Inutaisho requested that I bring you down to greet him."
"I see," she said softly. "Is that all?"
Miroku nodded his head.
"Well then, thank you for informing me. I guess I will see you then." Pulling her head back she made a move to shut the door, but before it could click closed Miroku's hand had already stopped it.
"Not very trusting of me are you?"
Sango stared at the man as if he had just turned into a gorilla and started hoping around the hallway. "Goodbye."
"Sango-san? Aren't you coming?"
"I'm not feeling that well Houshi-sama so if you'll excuse me I'd like to rest." She pulled the door towards its frame, but, again, Miroku grabbed it.
"Are you ok? Is there anything I can do to help you?"
'Oh......I don't know? Go away?' she thought impatiently. "I'm fine," she said softly, "just go on without me."
"You sure you don't wanna come?" Miroku tried one last time. "I thought that since Sesshoumaru was coming from the Higuarashi kingdom and all that you might- -"
"Higuarashi kingdom!" she gasped.
"Didn't you know? Sesshoumaru went to your kingdom to research the recent attack."
Sango suddenly flung the door open, sending Miroku flying across the hall.
"Gomen Houshi-sama! We'll call it even, ok?" With that she sprinted down the hall and out of sight.
"Ouch," Miroku sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Even? What does she mean? And wasn't she sick?" He sighed again and stood up. "Ahh, Sango. I can stand the pain if only to see your beautiful face."
As he said this a painting, that had seemed to be hanging securely on the wall, slipped off hitting him sqaurely on the head.
---------------
Kagome stood rigidly in her place next to Inuyasha and watched as Lady Inutaisho rushed about, busily trying to prepare for their, soon to be, King's arrival. Apparently Sesshoumaru was already there, but was attending to some matters before he made his way back to the castle.
She yawned a little looking at the same wall she had been watching for nearly a half an hour. Turned her head slightly towards Inuyasha to see if he was as bored as herself, she found him staring at the same wall, but instead of the tired, glazed over look she had sported, he was clearly angry.
'Wonder what's up with him,' she thought, noting the pouty quality that small children often get on their faces on his own.
Deciding not to read to much into it, she turned back again, prepared for a new stage of boredom. Just then, Sango came bounding into the room.
"Kagome!" she exclaimed, reaching the princess. "Have the scouts coming from our kingdom arrived yet?!"
"Sango?!!" Kagome stared at her a little taken back. "Umm . . . we're waiting for them right now. Are you alright?"
Sango nodded her head and forced a fake smile onto her face. "Don't worry! I'm fine."
The princess raised her eyebrows silently, but, never the less, accepted the Taijiya's quick answer.
Inuyasha, who had been watching this strange exchange between the two women, blinked his eyes, feeling that he had missed something relatively important. "What was that about?" he turned and whispered in Kagome's ear.
"What?" she asked.
Before Inuyasha had a chance to ask again, Lady Inutaisho swept hastily into the middle of the great hall. "Ok everyone! Sesshoumaru-dono has arrived. Everyone get ready. We want to give him a warm welcome back to the castle!"
With a quick step she took her place back in line and smoothed her long, black hair.
For a minute or two every voice was hushed and the hall was seemingly motionless. Kagome stood there. Her legs ached from standing for such a long period of time. 'Really!' she thought. 'Why go to such great lengths just to welcome back a lord?' It seemed like the whole castle was breathlessly awaiting his arrival. Kagome searched her memory, but could not find a time when such a big deal was made out of her own father returning to their kingdom. How was Sesshoumaru, a novice leader, more important then the great, unifying Lord Higuarashi?
She looked around as she waited and found everyone was in their own little world. Miroku was making suggestive facial expressions and gestures to the more attractive women in the room, who in turn blushed and giggled like air-heads, Sango gazed quietly at her intertwined hands, and Inuyasha continued to glare at anything and everything that moved. 'What a bunch we are,' Kagome thought with a little sigh.
Just then, the doors flung open, revealing the little, green imp Jaken standing in the doorway. "Eh em," he cleared his throat and withdrew a long, rolled scroll, preparing to read. "Miserable, wretched creatures of the Inutaisho household," he began, ignoring the humorous looks he received from the "creatures". "Your lord, the great, mighty, powerful, Sesshoumaru-dono has returned from the broken kingdom of Higuarashi and will now grace your sorry lives with his presence. Bow down and know that you are all terribly unworthy of- -"
The toad was suddenly cut off as a large foot crashed down stepping on his head.
There, standing solemnly in the doorway, was Sesshoumaru.
Kagome watched him wordlessly, taking in the sight before her. She was surprised at how much he looked like Inuyasha. The long strands of silver hair, the clawed hands, the striking golden eyes that flashed in the light; it was easy to see that they were siblings. However, there was a difference between the two of them as well. In Sesshoumaru's face there was a coldness, an unmistakable look of apathy that didn't seem to disappear or even minimize. At least on Inuyasha's face there was an emotion, even if it was a scowl most of the time.
"Sesshoumaru!" Lady Inutaisho smiled, stepping forward. "Welcome home! How was your journey?"
The youkai lord ignored the queen's warm greeting, walking silently past the crowd and out of the room.
"Keh," Inuyasha scoffed, "that's Sesshoumaru for ya! What a waste of time!"
"You mean we went through all that just to have him walk right through like we're nothing!" Kagome asked, annoyance present in her voice.
"Pretty much. To him, we're only dirt under his boots."
Kagome looked up at the Hanyou. Catching sight of his face her eyes widened. She had expected to see his usual angry half-smirk, however it was replaced by something she had never seen on Inuyasha before. For a split second, his eyes lingered at his feet and his face was plagued by a mix of sorrow, regret, and pained anger. Quickly he turned away, letting his face return to it's usual state.
'Nani?' Kagome blinked. 'What was that look just now?'
As the confused princess stood there dumbfound, the room around her started to move and the slightly disgruntled welcome party began to disperse. Turning around, Inuyasha started to do the same.
Without thinking, Kagome quickly reached out, catching hold of the Hanyou's shoulder.
"Hmmm?" Inuyasha swung his head around, to see the person that had stopped his departure.
Suddenly Kagome woke up from her little dream world. Looking up, she was suddenly staring into a pair of deep, golden eyes.
"What?" Inuyasha asked when the girl didn't say anything.
Her static body, once again, regained its mobility and she shook her head quietly. "N–Nothing," she said. "It was just a spasm."
He blinked and then turning added, "Keh! Stupid humans. It's like they have no brains."
The princess rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. 'Whatever that was, it's gone now.'
"Well then." Lady Inutaisho clapped her hands, looking around the nearly deserted hall. "I guess we better get this cleaned up."
"Sesshoumaru-sama isn't coming back?" Sango chimed in softly, taking a step forward.
"Nah." Miroku smiled slightly. "He doesn't care about any of this. He isn't the kind of guy that stops to socialize or take any interest in what we do around here. I wouldn't expect that we see him for another day or so."
"Oh . . ." Sango lowered her head a bit and chewed her bottom lip.
"Don't worry," Lady Inutaisho smiled. "Even if we don't see him, Sesshoumaru doesn't slack on his duties. We should have a full report from him by tomorrow. Now! Let's get this mess cleaned up and try to put on a good face. Shall we?"
They slowly began to pack up the endless bunch of streamers and decorations that scattered the hall as a cool breeze started to blow, gently brushing the group's hair into the air. It blew unnoticed for a minute or so before it began to pick up only the slightest bit.
"Wind . . .?" Kagome asked quietly.
"No," Inuyasha whispered sensing something. "This isn't an ordinary breeze."
The quiet, lazy zephyr continued to blow before it suddenly began to intensify, turning rapidly into a massive, unstoppable wind. Everywhere, streamers flew, filling the air with a million different colors. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling shook like the tiniest twig trapped in a storm before braking all together from its hold and crashing into the wall.
Kagome and Sango held on to one another, trying to keep themselves from flying off, and Inuyasha rushed in front of his mother, shielding her protectively.
With one last mighty gust of wind, it died down into nothing. A shower of streamers rained down as one by one everyone began to look up.
"I- -is it over?" Kagome asked.
With a snarl, Inuyasha turned towards the direction that the wind had come. "You bastard!!! I know you're there, now come out!"
A shadow appeared from behind the, still falling, strips of material and to stepped forward. "I see I've been found out."
The last streamers slowly fell to the ground, clearing the air once again. Standing in the middle of the floor, her scarlet lips curled into a mocking smirk, Kagura lowered her fan.
"So, where's my room?"
/"/"/"/"/"/"/"/"/"/"/"/"/"/"/"
Author's Note: Hahahahaha! It's funny! I started this chappy in June and I'm finally finishing at the end of November. . . . weird. Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chappy. And yes, this is going to be one of those stories with romances that are painfully long to wait for. I know it's frustrating, (heck! I get frustrated to) but in the end don't you think it's more rewarding? I mean if the characters hooked up now there would be no place left for me to go unless I did one of those god awful Lemons. I like to think my writing is above having to go into "one of those". Anyways, I'm not gonna make my characters fall in love over night, REAL love doesn't work that way. There will, however, be lots of sweet, CLEAN fluff. It all starts next chappy! I swear! Well look forward to it and I hope to see you all next time!
Love, Mel-chan
Oh! And a little side note! I noticed after I wrote this that the general theme of this chappy was wind. In literally every scene there is a different form of wind. Kinda ironic. Well if anyone was wondering why this chappy is called what it's called . . . .anyone?
P.S.- PLEASE let me know your opinions on this story!!!! Good, bad, gad– it all contributes to making this story even better! The grammar I already know about! I haven't typed in a long time so I know I've gotten kinda rusty, but anything else is a great help! Thanx so much! -Mel-chan
My Super, Duper Reviewers-------
Chibi-Call- Hahaha! You never can be to careful! There are people out there that will take that kinda crap personally and with being all weird, I really don't wanna take any chances. Heh heh.
Anime-Devil-101- Thankies for the review. So much for the "update soon" part of it though.
WolfKeeper989- Arigato gozaimasu!!!! LALALALALA!
Kuro-Tanuki- Ohhh! You're the best Nan!!! Thanks for the review!!! It is very inspiring! Hee hee hee! Sora had a Taco Bell sign!
Whitetiger-isabella- Thank you!!!!!!!!!
AngelMiko69- Thank you! Yeah.... I know. That took a LONG time! Sorry bout that! The sad thing is, I was originally gonna make them meet up again like way later in the story. But, how can Kagome survive without her BFF?
Pinksakurablossom07- Yes! Miroku's life is pain! Hee! Well, let's see here . . . hmm. How long is this story? Well, I hope to make this a fairly long story. I would love to have AT LEAST 20 chappies! In about two chapters I'm gonna be getting into the main story, so I guess I'll see where it leads me when I get there.
inu-yasha and snago luver- Hi! Thanx for the review! I'll definitely check out your story when I get a chance!
MinaKane- Thank you! I try!
On that note----- There once was a fellow named Rocco and a pigeon who wanted his taco. Said Rocco these words, "we don't feed the birds. For we fear it will bring a whole flaco!" YAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
I wonder..... does anyone (besides me) know where that's from? I f you do . . . well then I'll be very surprised!
Nighty Night! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!! -Mel