Otherside....Chapter 2
Hey guys...ready for chapter 2? I'm back, and I promise this chapter will be better, the more I read 1, the more unhappy I am with it! So here I am, back to make sure you don't die from lack of quickness (as many of you me!)
Chapter 2 is called 'Deliberation'. It's a little more laid back that chap.1, and it goes into detail about this so called plan of Sesshy's, and Kagome's final decision. Here goes, I hope you like it...
Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha, or any of its characters or divisions.
"...I will find you in two days, then you may give me your decision..."
The words circled in Kagome's head like the rings of a planet, echoing, constantly distracting her from her history lesson. She had been called out for daydreaming four times already, and wasn't in the mood for a stern lecture and detention for not paying attention.
It had been almost two days, and she still was unsure of what to make of Sesshomaru's so-called 'proposition'.
'What is there to decide? Sesshomaru is bad news and you know it!' she scolded herself. It seemed she was always being drawn to him, by some unknown reason, almost as though looking for an excuse to say 'yes'.
Maybe he wasn't all bad. He hadn't lied to her when he claimed to have never attacked her, she was sure of that now. Could he be trusted? That would be the true question. Something inside told her that he wouldn't lie, that he was straightforward to a fault.
'Mysterious, dark, and incredibly gorgeous and...evil?' She asked herself. She wasn't so sure on that last one.
Any other time, there would have been no question as to where her decision lay. Kagome was a good person, almost pure, and had always found herself fighting on the side of good. Now the lines between good and evil, payback and do-gooding were so blurred, she couldn't tell up from down.
She hadn't forgotten the way InuYasha had dumped her the other day, declaring his undying love for Kikyou, thus breaking Kagome's heart. She was so angry; she wanted to prove herself better than Kikyou. It was rather odd, like competing with herself, but she had to find a way to show InuYasha how it felt to be left for someone so similar, yet so opposite. What better way than to help Sesshomaru in his quest?
'Have I really become that cynical?' she thought. Maybe she deserved to be with Sesshomaru.
Still, some negotiations would have to be made, she was sure of that. The number one thing would be that there would be absolutely no harm to InuYasha physically. She still cared for him after all... Number two would be that she would be able to leave to go home every once in a while... And finally, she would not participate in anything that would be considered 'evil', or harmful to others. It was the part about getting him to agree that would be difficult.
He had not gone into any detail about what they would be doing, except gathering some 'necessary materials'. Surely now that he had a powerful sword it wouldn't be for a weapon...jewel shards maybe? Kagome knew guessing would get her no where. He was so mysterious; there could be a hundred reasons. She would just have to meet him and see.
Upon deciding to at least hear Sesshomaru out, she suddenly felt a lot better. The mental clouds parted and she was able to concentrate on the remainder of her history lesson. Maybe things would work out after all...
After a quick dinner with the family and a shower, Kagome found herself putting on a little more mascara, and a touch more lip gloss than usual.
'Geez, it's not a date Kagome!' her conscience scolded.
Angry at herself for noticing, she gathered her essentials and marched out the back door, towards the well...
WARRING STATES ERA
After pulling herself carefully out of the well on the other side, climbed out and sat in front of it. As the sun started to get lower, nervousness turned to paranoia.
'What are you doing?'
'He probably just wants to use you to get InuYasha!'
'You shouldn't be here!'
'It could be a trap!'
These things screamed at her, trying to force her to run home, or worse, to InuYasha. But she stood her ground. Kagome knew that no matter how much she would always care for him, she would never rely on him again. Still, she stood bravely near the well, staring into the woods, waiting for him.
As the edge of the sun finally crept down below the hills, the first star in the sky appeared, and he was there. Like a moonbeam he shone, walking out through the trees towards her. His long silver hair trailing down his back, his chest out, shoulders back, and his eyes were literally a dazzling yellow, like a mirror for the sun. Kagome had to step back a moment to take it all in. 'Beautiful' wasn't quite the word. 'Stunning' would have done it more justice, but not by much. Had she never truly realized before how perfect his form was?
Where as InuYasha had a very rough handsomeness, Sesshomaru had a smooth beauty, though there was nothing feminine about this demon. Even his long silver hair had its own masculine texture. He truly was royal.
"Have you come to a decision?" he asked smoothly, snapping Kagome back to the decision at hand.
The young woman stepped forward and put on a brave face.
"I will give you my answer as soon as you tell me why you need me."
Sesshomaru's lips almost formed a grin.
"Very well, I admire a woman with determination," he said, "A few weeks ago, I ran into a demon of little power who was running around as though being chased by some unseen force. He ran up to me and begged for my protection from some 'guardian spirit'. Of course I said no, for I was tracking the demon Naraku and had more important things to tend to."
Suddenly Sesshomaru's face became very angry, frightening and surprising Kagome, whom had never seen him display a certain emotion, even when fighting InuYasha.
"When I declined, he grabbed Rin and held a sword to her throat. In an instant I was standing over his ravaged body."
His face returned to normal, but now Kagome was truly intrigued.
'So that little girl who travels with him is Rin? I was wrong about him being cold hearted, he obviously cares about her!' she realized.
"I was about to deal the final blow when he begged me to spare his life, and that, in return, he would tell me of a source of immense power. At first, I ignored him, thinking it was only a trick to save his miserable life. But he then pulled out a jewel shard, one that looked almost identical to the Shikon Jewel, save for one major difference...it was black."
Kagome gasped, obviously shocked at this new revelation.
"A black jewel shard? But how?" she wondered aloud.
"I was as curious as you. I sat him up and demanded an explanation. Apparently, though everyone knows of the Shikon Jewel, few know of its predecessor, the Kyosetsu Jewel. It was said to have been created by the first demon ever to walk the earth, my ancestor Kyosetsu. In a battle against the gods that lasted over 1000 years, he was finally slain. To make sure that he would never be reincarnated, his soul was trapped in the shards of the Kyosetsu Jewel."
"Is that where the shard came from?" Kagome asked eagerly.
"Patience, I will tell. If the shards are brought together, it is said to give he who possesses the Jewel of Kyosetsu's Soul the power of Kyosetsu himself. He would be strong enough to cut through the gods, if necessary, of course."
As he finished speaking, his glance aimed towards Kagome, who leaned carelessly against the well wall. She seemed to be much more at ease then before, and this pleased Sesshomaru. She may be easier to tame now.
Kagome caught the glance of his pale yellow eyes. Why was he looking at her so strangely?
"Surely other demons know of it now?" she asked aloud.
"Those who know of it would not pursue it because the legend says that no demon nor human could track it...but you're no ordinary human are you?" he asked derisively.
Kagome's blue eyes flashed gray in anger.
"Look, just because I am the reincarnation of Kikyou, does not make me a priestess, all right?!" she roared. She was so tired of being treated like a clone. 'I'm nothing like her!' she thought distastefully.
"No, you are not. You are much more. Someday you will understand. Even Kikyou cannot track jewel shards, correct?"
"I-I guess..."
"That is why I chose you. Obviously that brainless brother of mine is too blind to see it, or to see anything about you for that matter." His eyes slowly traced every inch and curve of her body, making her blush bright red.
Embarrassed and unused to such attentions, Kagome quickly changed the subject.
"So you think I will be able to help you find the Kyosetsu shards. Then I have one more question...what will you do with so much power?"
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.
"You are afraid I will go after InuYasha?"
Kagome nodded her head.
"Very well, if you assist me in tracking the shards, then I shall give you my word that no harm will befall him by my hands. You obviously still have feelings for him."
"I do not! I just don't want this to be all about him!" she protested.
Sesshomaru may have kept his face devoid of emotions on the outside, but inside he nearly laughed. He had to admit, he admired her bravery. No one had ever raised their voice to him, and most were too terrified to speak to him. Yet this woman seemed to show no trace of fear.
"I would not waste power on his miserable skin."
"Then what will you use it for?" The question burned in her.
"With this power, I will make myself ruler of these lands and keep civil order."
Kagome was shocked. Wasn't he supposed to be the bad guy?!
"Then what will happen to me when you get all the shards? Will you get rid of me?"
Now Sesshomaru truly had to use all his power to keep from laughing. Did she truly have such a bad opinion of him?
"No. We will decide this later. You will be free to leave once the Kyosetsu is complete, but of the rest I am unsure. I reward those who assist me well. Though I must warn you, many demons have by now heard of you and will come searching for you, as I'm sure word of your great abilities have traveled well. I will swear to protect you from harm."
Kagome gulped. Could she trust him? Something inside reminded her she had no choice. She would not run back to InuYasha. The way he looked at her made her dizzy. It wasn't a lustful look like she was used to, but more of a regal respect. She knew she couldn't say no to his offer if she wanted to.
"Fine. I accept your offer Sesshomaru. Let me warn you that I fully intend to visit my own time and friends when feel like it!" she demanded.
Sesshomaru did that slight eyebrow raising thing again and it became quite clear to him at that moment that this girl would be quite a handful.
"Very well. Let us make our leave now, there is much work to be done," he stated.
Before Kagome could protest he wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her into the air. She looked down to see they were on the back of his steed, and they were not alone...
"Hello Lady Kagome!" chirped a little girl who barely came up to Kagome's waist.
'This must be Rin, that little girl who always follows him.' Kagome smiled at Rin. She was really cute.
"Hi...Rin," she smiled. Rin's face instantly blushed. She was excited Lord Sesshomaru was bringing the pretty lady with them, Jakken could get boring after a while...
"Do not bother Lady Kagome, Rin! She and Lord Sesshomaru are conducting serious business!" shouted an irritated Jakken. Kagome recognized him as well; he had been Sesshomaru's cheerleader at many of his battles.
"Oh its okay Master Jakken, we aren't in the middle of anything now!" Kagome replied, not wanting to see little Rin get yelled at.
Jakken bowed his head in embarrassment at being spoken of in such a high manner. At first he wasn't too thrilled with Lord Sesshomaru's idea of bringing the Lady Kagome along, for after his experience with humans, he wasn't very fond of them. At least this one knew how to respect one of his position!
Kagome looked over to Sesshomaru who was at the front of the steed, staring straight ahead while his long silver hair whipped behind him.
"You may sit Lady Kagome, it will be a time before we land," he spoke, staring straight ahead still.
Kagome did as she was told and looked up at the sky.
'This should be a very interesting journey,' she thought before falling asleep.
END OF CHAPTER 2
OMG! So sorry it took a while to get that one out, mid-terms came up faster than Miroku's hand on a woman's butt. Seriously though, thank you so much for being patient with me and I really appreciate all the feed back I have been getting! (Thank you to Katgome, Sesshoumarugrl, hgchipmunk, Tigressmoon, etc!) I will try to keep getting these chapters out ASAP, okay peoples! Stay tuned for chapter 3!