Chp 11: Twin blades
Disclaimer: Don't own Mutt-face or Fluffy. You'll hand them over some day Takahashi!
Sesshoumaru had moodily flown back to the castle and marched to his room.
'That has got to be the strangest chase I have ever had. The thing annoys me until I chase it, I almost catch it when a pink bubble distracts me, and then it vanishes! I, Sesshoumaru, do not like to be confused.'
He sat on his windowsill staring across the expanse that was the western lands. He would have to go patrol his lands tomorrow. He looked forward to his patrolling. He was able to get away from the annoyances of his home. A loud snore that could be heard throughout the castle reached his ears. 'Well, all except that one.' He could leave the toad here but he always ended up bringing him with. Rin on the other hand.
He would only sometimes bring Rin, much to his retainer's dismay. He did not like the aspect of putting the girl through the dangers that lurked in the shadows of the forest. He knew that lower demons were stupid enough to attack him if they didn't know who he was, and he could not keep both eyes on Rin. But sometimes she just needed to get out, as did he. 'Maybe I should bring the wen-, Kagome, along on the patrol, she would prove useful. Hmmm. maybe I will.
He started thinking of other things. 'I have a meeting with the other lords and ladies on the night of the full moon regarding the hanyou Naraku. Maybe I should bring Kagome along for that as well. She certainly knows more about Naraku than others, and, she may be of help in discovering a tactic to kill him.' Certainly I am giving this wench too much credit, how could she be of any help in tactics? He would bring her for her knowledge of Naraku.
'I don't believe I will bring Jaken along, but I might take Rin. But if I am to take Rin and Kagome, then the kitsune, will no doubt, want to come also. Besides, Kagome would probably not want to leave her kit with only, Jaken, her mother, and the servants. I will have to be careful around the other lords and ladies with Rin.' He knew how some youkai would react to human children, and their reaction was anything but pure. 'If the other youkai, by chance, tried to hurt Rin, the miko would probably not think twice before her maternal instincts kicked in and she purified the other lords and ladies. That, would not be a good thing.'
He idly continued his thoughts as he slowly dozed off.
Kagome woke about an hour before dawn. She felt refreshed, even if she had run away from a blood lustful youkai just last night.
She had an hour to bathe before she had to start her training again.
It only took her about twenty minutes to bathe and dress. A lot less time than she expected. 'What the hell am I going to do for forty minutes? Hey! Mio always said that meditating was a good way to regain energy and relieve stress. I guess I could do that to pass time.'
She walked toward through the garden, and to the sakura tree that was heavily laden with blossoms. She sat down and closed her eyes.
'Okay, concentrate on your energy. Concentrate on your energy.' She thought that over and over like a mantra in her head.
After about five minutes, she noticed she was not sitting on the ground. 'Huh?' She cracked an eye open and squeaked. "Eeep!"
She had been levitating about three feet off the ground, had been. When she broke her concentration, she fell, hard.
"Owie. I think I'll go practice archery for the next twenty minutes. Now all I need to do is find a bow and arrows. Ah! The dojo!"
She hurried to the dojo, only getting remotely lost, and got a bow and arrows from a storage room she hadn't noticed was there. "Okay, now where are the targets?" She walked around the dojo until she got to the back. "Ah Ha! There they are!"
She walked about fifty feet away from the targets and strung her bow.
She closed her eyes and concentrated on the arrow. The arrow was soon glowing a soft yellow. (Remember, colors=mood/emotion.) She released the arrow without opening her eyes, knowing it would hit the target. The arrow resembled the sun while it streaked towards the target.
Thunk
"Ooops."
All that was left of the target was a pile of ashes.
"Maybe I should just shoot them, and exclude the concentrating. If Sesshoumaru comes out here, I could accidentally purify him.that would not be good."
And why not? He's keeping you here!
'No he's not! Well, maybe. But it's not against my will! And as soon as I'm done training I'll leave and go find the jewel shards. And, now he wont have to come with me.'
Still, is that the only reason you don't want to fry him?
'Yes now go away! Now!'
Fine, fine. But think about it.
"I hate my subconscious."
She knocked an arrow and aimed at the next target. She released and it hit center. She knocked another arrow and released, and this arrow split the other in half.
'Hmmm. maybe I could try using my telekinetic powers to shoot? That would be fun! But I have to make sure no one is watching.'
She spread her senses as far as she needed and didn't detect anyone. 'Good, now let's see if I can do this.'
She used her power to lift the bow and arrow. She had a little trouble getting the arrow in the right position, but not much. Now aiming, that was a thing alright. 'Okay close your eyes, the arrow will hit the bulls-eye. Now, pull back. release!'
She watched her arrow streak toward the target, but it didn't hit the bulls-eye. It hit around the middle of the target. 'Oh well, it was my first time doing archery with my mind.'
She spent the next twenty minutes trying to get a bulls-eye while using telekinesis. She was about to use her last arrow when she felt a familiar aura approaching.
'Right on time Icy.'
She walked toward the entrance to the dojo where he was waiting.
"Took ya long enough! I've been waiting out here for 40 minutes!"
He just gave her a bored look. "That was your choice. I did not say you had to be early."
Kagome just folded her arms and grumbled. "Pompous, *grumble* annoying, *grumble* dog-demon. *grumble*."
He looked at her and fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Are you going to stand there and grumble, or are you going to train?"
Kagome was about to snap at him when Tsume appeared from inside the dojo. "Come Kagome-sama. I will be training you in the daggers that Sesshoumaru-sama gave you yesterday."
Kagome smiled at Tsume and glared at Sesshoumaru. "Arigatou Tsume, I'll be right in."
Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome and said, "You will train with Tsume for two hours, and then you will join me on my patrol of the western lands."
Kagome's face lit up. "Really?"
Sesshoumaru thought, 'This girl gets excited at the strangest of things. But, then again, this girl is strange.' "Yes. But the children will have to stay here with Jaken."
Kagome wrinkled her nose. "Well, Jaken's not gonna be too happy about having to put up with the torture of Rin and Shippou, but that's his problem. And besides, Aiko's here, they won't be able to cause too much damage. I don't think Shippou will want me to leave but he'll be fine. How long are we going to be gone?"
Sesshoumaru idly studied the targets (Or what's left of one of them.) in the archery field. "Three days."
Kagome pondered this for a moment and shrugged. "Three days is good." She followed Sesshoumaru's gaze to the pile of ashes that used to be a target. She blushed. "Ahhh. heh heh, *sweat drop* sorry about that. I didn't think I would incinerate the target--" She trailed off and turned to the dojo entrance. "See ya in two hours!"
Sesshoumaru took one last glace at the pile of ashes, formerly target, and turned away. 'Hmmm. pity she didn't use Jaken as a target.'
"Okay Kagome-sama, these are twin athemaes. But, these ones you have aren't ordinary, you'll find a little switch on the back of the hilt, press it to the left."
Kagome unsheathed on of her daggers and pressed the switch. The blade of the dagger spread into a fan of about 15 blades, each one deadly sharp. Kagome's eyes were very wide. "Wow! You can't even tell that it does this from the outside! And you already know how to use these?"
Tsume gave her a grin. "Yup! Here, let me show you."
She took the dagger Kagome was holding, (It's a fan right now.) And tilted it horizontally to the left so it was flat. Then she threw the blade like a frizbee, but it acted like a boomerang and came right back to her. She caught it by the hilt and turned to Kagome and smiled. "See? You'll learn to do that with both of them, but for now we need to stick with the dagger form. How about I show you the proper way to throw a dagger like this?"
Kagome smiled back. "Sure. And please, just Kagome. I don't like being called Sama. It's not like I deserve that kind of respect."
Tsume just smiled at her and shook her head. "Okay now here is how you throw it."
Tsume continued training Kagome how to use the twin blades for the next two hours. She learned how to properly throw, twirl, and hold them. She also started to learn some of the one on one aspect of fighting with the daggers. That was what they were doing when Sesshoumaru came in.
Tsume had just thrown one of Kagome's daggers away from her as Sesshoumaru slid the screen to the dojo open. The dagger was heading point first for Sesshoumaru's head. Kagome gasped, but Kagome had no sooner done that, than Sesshoumaru caught the dagger by the hilt.
Kagome's face was pale. Sesshoumaru looked at her and raised an eyebrow. (He does that a lot doesn't he?) Kagome's face went from an unhealthy white, to an unnatural red. "Oooops."
Sesshoumaru just tossed the knife back to her and said. "We are leaving. Go change into your other training apparel. And take a sword from the wall. I will be waiting at the entrance."
Kagome just nodded and looked at Tsume. "Thanks Tsume-san. Should I bring these as well?" Kagome held up the dagger/fan. Tsume nodded and said. "Here, I'll pick a sword that you will be comfortable with." She walked to the wall and picked up a sword that was similar to the katana she had used while training with Sesshoumaru. Except this one was slightly longer, wider, heavier, and more curved than the other had been. Kagome unsheathed it and studied it before sheathing it again.
"Arigatou Tsume-san. I'll see you in three days!" She walked out of the dojo and to her room. She changed outfits and tied her sword to her left side and her daggers to her left side. She had grabbed a bow and a quiver of arrows on her way out of the dojo so she put them over her shoulder. She had her hair tied in a long braid down her back and to her calves, her bangs were on either side of her crescent moon, and she had her tail over her right shoulder. She was about to leave when she remembered the dragon pendant Aiko had given her. She went to her chest, opened it, and took out the pendant. She put around her neck so it was hanging next to the vile of Shikon shards that she didn't give to Inuyasha, and left to give the children a brief explanation.
It took her a total of 5 minutes to get the children to stop complaining. A long time considering Sesshoumaru was waiting on her.
When she got to the entrance, Sesshoumaru looked at her and said. "Let's go."
Kagome waved her hands at him in a wait gesture. "Hold on just a second there. Are we going on foot or flying?"
At the mention of flying Sesshoumaru raised a brow at Kagome.
Kagome glared at him. "Well excuse me if I learned how to use these things." She flapped her wings blowing dust at Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru just looked at her and said. "If you can, we will fly to the center of my lands and continue on foot from there."
Kagome glared at him again. "You don't think I can do it?"
Sesshoumaru just gave her the tiniest of a smirk and said, "No, but after what you showed me of your flying skills last night, I'm skeptical."
Kagome just growled at him and took of leaving him in a cloud of dust. Running away from a blood-crazed youkai in a form with wings can cause someone to learn a few things. Sesshoumaru took off after her. Kagome smirked at him when he was flying next to her. "Okay which direction is the center of the western lands?"
Sesshoumaru just kept going ahead and said, "North-east." They were already going northeast so She just flew along side him,
When they reached the heart of the western lands, it was about midday. They landed and Kagome stretched her wings. "Ooooh! I got a cramp in my right wing. Ouch!" She rubbed where her right wing met her back with her tail.
Sesshoumaru started walking and Kagome followed, still rubbing her wing. Kagome didn't quite like the silence so she decided to make light conversation.
"What exactly do you do on your patrols?"
"Look for intruders and trouble makers, make sure everything is in order, and collect some of the things that are owed to me."
Kagome just nodded. She was about to ask another question but stopped dead in her tracks when she felt a familiar presence.
Sesshoumaru had just turned around when she spoke. "Sesshoumaru, I sense a Shikon shard, maybe two. Coming from the north."
She sniffed the air and took off at a run in the direction of the scent and the Shikon's presence. Sesshoumaru easily caught up and was running beside her when they stopped in a clearing. In the middle of the clearing was a giant centipede/beetle youkai.
Kagome almost groaned. "I hate centipede youkai."
The youkai, just now noticing their presence, turned around and hissed at them. "Give me the jewel shardsssss!"
Kagome just smirked and said, "Not on your life ugly!"
At this the youkai leaped at them with an angry hiss. Both Sesshoumaru and Kagome dodged. Kagome looked at it and yelled to Sesshoumaru, "It has one shard in its forehead and one in its chest!"
Sesshoumaru nodded and attacked with his youki whip. Kagome knocked an arrow to her bow and aimed it at the youkai's chest, right above the jewel shard. She let it go and the youkai flew backwards from the force of the blow. The jewel shard that had been in its chest flew out. Sesshoumaru attacked with Toukjin and severed most of the limbs on its left side, but the jewel shard in its head regenerated them almost immediately. It let out a scream of rage and attacked Sesshoumaru with enhanced speed. But still, Sesshoumaru dodged.
The youkai was moving to fast in order for her to get a clear shot with her bow, so she drew her sword and purified it. She attacked the youkai with her sword, severing a few limbs while purifying them so they could not regenerate. This slowed it down some so she would be able to get at it with her claws. She attacked its head with her glowing pink claws. (I'm just going to use pink for when she doesn't have a specific emotion or mood K?) She made a deep score across the forehead causing the jewel shard to fall out. Now the thing shrunk to about half the size it was. Now it was about three feet taller than Kagome. She just jumped back and took out both her daggers and threw them at its head. The daggers glowed pink and hit it right in the face.
The youkai fell to the ground in a pile of dust and ashes. Kagome stared at what she did. "Yikes. why is it everything I hit with my miko powers turns to dust? It never used to do that before!" She looked at her claws and wrinkled her nose. "Ewwww." She walked over to the pile of dust and fished out the Shikon shard. Then she walked about 15 feet away and picked up the Shikon shard that had flown out of its chest. She picked up her daggers and sheathed them. Looking at her claws with distaste, she called to Sesshoumaru. "Hey! Let's go find a stream or something! I wanna get this crap off my claws!"
Sesshoumaru just looked at her and nodded, then turned around in a gesture that clearly said 'follow me'.
Sesshoumaru led them to a small creek in the forest a ways. Kagome cleaned off her claws and the rest of the spots that had been dirtied by the fight with the youkai, and Sesshoumaru cleaned off Toukjin.
Kagome sighed and shook her head. "I swear there's something in those shards that makes all those youkai so reckless. The shards might amplify their strength or speed, but it sure as hell doesn't do anything for their intelligence! Okay, where to now?"
Sesshoumaru was surprised at how quickly she could change subjects. "We will be traveling to the south where a village has a debt owed.
Kagome nodded and got up. "Run, walk or fly?"
Sesshoumaru did not want to go slow but remembered Kagome complaining about a cramp in her wing so he decided to run. "We will run."
Kagome nodded and said. "Aye, aye! Cap-i-tan! Lead the way!"
Sesshoumaru had not the slightest clue what she was talking about but started running in a Southern direction with Kagome only slightly behind him.
~!~!~!~Meanwhile with Inuyasha and the rest~!~!~!~
"Inuyasha, are you sure it is safe this far into the western lands? Your brother will surely notice us." Asked Miroku.
"If Kikyou sensed a shard in this direction, I'm not leaving until I get it! If Sesshoumaru comes then I'll have to kick his ass!" Said Inuyasha who was in front of the group.
"He seems to have gotten cockier since Kagome left." Whispered Sango to Miroku.
"Without Kagome here to 'sit' him for all the things he does, I'm not surprised. But he's also gotten moodier." Said Miroku to Sango who was walking beside him.
"What did you say!?!?" Yelled Inuyasha.
"Nothing Inuyasha. Are we any closer to the shard?" said Sango before Miroku could say anything that would get him knocked unconscious. Again.
"Feh!"
"The shard is just ahead." Said Kikyou.
The winds shifted and Inuyasha caught a scent. "Grrrr. Sesshoumaru is just ahead too!"
"Inuyasha, I do not think it is wise to go barging into a situation that involves a shard and Sesshoumaru. It would be a good idea to check it out instead of the usual, 'Kill first, ask questions later.' or in this case. 'Get killed first, ask questions later.'" Said Miroku.
"Quiet monk! That's what I was gonna do, especially since there is another scent with him." Said Inuyasha while sniffing the air.
Kikyou stopped walking "Inuyasha, I can sense many more shards now. Probably nine."
Miroku looked at Inuyasha. "What do you mean there's another scent with Sesshoumaru?"
Inuyasha stopped and got Kikyou on his back while Miroku and Sango got on Kirara. "I mean, there's a scent besides that toads and his, stupid!"
Sango looked at Miroku while they were riding towards the shards. "Could it be his human ward?"
Inuyasha sniffed the air again while running. "No, but it is female, *Sniffsniff* and youkai." Inuyasha was confused as to why his brother would have a female youkai with him. 'Maybe it's the demon that has the shard?' *sniff* 'No, there's another lesser demon up there. Who could it be?'
When the sounds of battle reached his ears he stopped and proceeded to close in on the place of the sounds quietly. 'Huh?' Was all he could think of when he saw what was happening.
There was a strange female demon and Sesshoumaru fighting a rather large centipede demon. (This takes place after Kagome tells Sesshy where the shards are located on the demon.) The female youkai attacked with her bow and hit it in the chest.
"Inuyasha! She just knocked out a shard!" whispered Kikiyou to him.
Sesshoumaru cut off most of the limbs on the right side but they regenerated. The female youkai attacked with her sword and severed a few limbs but they didn't regenerate.
'Why didn't the limbs regenerate this time?' Thought Inuyasha.
The female youkai attacked with her claws and scored deep on its forehead.
"She just knocked out the other shard!" Kikiyou whispered.
'It's like she can see the shards, but how? And why does she seem so familiar?' Thought Inuyasha
The demon shrunk and then the female demon took out two long athemaes and threw them at its head. The glowed pink before they hit the head and then the youkai turned to dust.
'Huh?' was Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha's only thought after this.
Kikyou looked at the youkai before she turned to Inuyasha. "It seems this youkai also has miko powers. She can see the shards as I can."
"Why is it everything I hit with my miko powers turns to dust? It never used to do that before." The female youkai looked at her claws and made a face. Then she picked up the shards and her athemaes. "Hey! Let's go find a stream or something! I wanna get his crap off my claws!"
They walked off. Inuyasha was just getting up but Miroku put a hand on his shoulder. "Inuyasha. If you go after the shards they picked up, not only will you get yourself and us killed, we will lose the shards we have and you will lose the Tetsusaiga. It will not be in your best interest to go after them."
Inuyasha growled and said "Feh!"
Sango rolled her eyes and then narrowed them at Inuyasha. "Come on, we either need to get the shards in the western lands as soon as possible, or get the hell out of the western lands before your brother finds us and kills us. Now lets go!" Sango looked normal on the outside but she was torn on the inside. 'We're so close to Kagome! But we can't visit her because of Inuyasha. Gods I hate that bastard! Almost as much as I hate the corpse! Kagome, hold on, we'll get you back soon.' (she doesn't know the female youkai is Kagome. She's saying, they're in the western lands, and they're closer to Kagome than normal.
After they had gotten what was owed to Sesshoumaru from the village they headed towards the outskirts of the western lands, bordering Inuyasha's forest.
Once they reached the outskirts, it was nighttime. Kagome was not really tired, but a little fatigued by all the running and flying they had done. Not to mention the four or five youkai they had come across. But strangely enough, none other than the centipede youkai had jewel shards. But she could have sworn she sensed a faint glimmer of the Shikon shards while they were traveling. 'It must be my imagination. Or maybe it was just an energy pulse from another youkai or a miko.'
Sesshoumaru was starting to feel a little fatigued by the traveling and fighting they had done, and as he could tell, so was Kagome. He could have gone on walking, but he did not want to take a rest stop during the day so he decided to stop. "We will rest here for the night and continue at dawn." Kagome looked at the rest spot he had chosen and decided it was good enough.
It was a break in the thickness of the trees that had a large oak in the middle. 'This is a nice spot.' Kagome looked at herself and sniffed. 'Ack! I stink! I think I saw some hot springs over there a ways. I wonder if ice man 'll let me take a bath'
"Sesshoumaru, do you think it would be alright if I went to the hot springs over there and took a bath? I smell really bad."
Sesshoumaru looked at her. "I agree. You do smell bad."
Kagome glared at him. "I'll take that as an indirect yes." She got up and started walking towards the hot springs.
Sesshoumaru thought for a moment. 'Hmmm. On second thought, I could use a bath as well. I can guarantee I don't smell like a bunch of roses.' He got an evil smirk on his face when he thought of how the wench would react to his bathing with her.
He got up and started walking after Kagome.
Kagome turned to him and said, "What are you doing?" She asked, half not wanting to hear the answer.
Sesshoumaru kept his eyes ahead and said, "Joining you. I could use a bath myself."
Kagome almost fell over when he said this. "Y-your what?"
Sesshoumaru decided he would repeat himself this time. "Joining you."
By this time they had reached the hot springs. Kagome looked a shade of unhealthy white. Sesshoumaru un-strapped his armor and set it at the base of a tree. Kagome turned around. Her arms seemed to be working of their own accord. She took off her top and set it aside. Having her back turned, all anyone behind her could see was her wings She took her hair out of braid it was in and it went down to her calves. Her hair covered her backside so she didn't have to worry about that. She left her panties and bra on because she never took them off. (Not never, but not when she's bathing in the hot springs.) She turned slightly to see if Sesshoumaru was in the spring yet, he was just getting to the ties of his hakama (Pants) *eeep* 'Damn! How long does it take him to get his freakin clothes off?' She wrapped her tail around her bottom and covered her breasts with her hands and arms. She wrapped her tail around her face too. She did NOT want to see a nude Sesshoumaru. She stepped into the spring with only slight trouble. Do to her lack of sight.
She submerged herself until only her neck and head were showing. She kept her tail wrapped securely around her head. She heard a small splash indicating that Sesshoumaru had entered the hot spring. But she still kept her tail wrapped around he head.
Sesshoumaru gave her an amused glare she couldn't see. 'This girl and her modesty, she possesses nothing I have not seen before. If she does not take her tail from around her face she will fall.' "Remove your tail from your head."
Kagome shook her head and made a muffled "Mmm mm!"
Sesshoumaru gave a mental sigh. "Remove your tail or I will remove it for you." He growled.
Kagome mentally shrieked because if she did out loud it would have hurt not only Sesshoumaru's ears, but hers as well. She hesitantly took her tail from her face, letting it float in the water. But kept her eyes closed. A growl from Sesshoumaru caused her to snap her eyes open.
Sesshoumaru stood in front of her with his top half above the water. If she hadn't of caught herself, her jaw might have dropped. He had the sexiest chest she had EVER seen. He had well defined muscles (biceps and all that included) that weren't too bulky but not too skinny. There wasn't a single scar to mar his perfectly creamy skin. In other words, he was HOT! Her gaze went lower to his perfectly shaped stomach. Not much to see there. Anything lower.was left to the imagination.
Kagome blushed when she started thinking naughty thoughts. 'Okay. Where did THOSE come from? Is there like a certain part of the brain that controls hentai thoughts? Because if there is, Miroku's developed way too early, as did MINE!!! I should not be thinking those kinds of things about.about.SESSHOUMARU!!! Okay head out of the gutter Kagome.' She gave herself a few mental slaps and turned her back to Sesshoumaru and started washing herself.
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her turned back and smirked. 'Was she checking me out?' Sesshoumaru studied her from the back while washing herself.
She had perfect curves on her waist, but he was only allowed a limited view do to her long black and green hair that floated in the water like wisps of silk. She an undeniably feminine body, but it was slightly muscled as well. Her tail floated nearer and nearer to him, and he didn't notice it until it brushed against his side.
Kagome didn't notice her tail touching Sesshoumaru. She was too deep in thought. 'Did he notice me checking him out? If he did. Oh how did I get into this situation?!?! I am in a hot spring, basically naked, with a totally naked Sesshoumaru! Things can not get any worse!?!' She was cut out of her thoughts by an 'ahem' from Sesshoumaru.
Kagome turned her head and half her upper body saying "Huh?" Then she noticed her tail that was halfway around Sesshoumaru. Kagome's eyes got so wide they probably could have been knocked from their sockets by a tap to the back of the head. Her jaw dropped and she stared at her rebellious tail. 'I spoke too soon. Things can get much, much, worse.'
Kagome immediately pulled her tail away as if she had touched fire. She stared at it like it was an alien appendage.
Kagome looked into Sesshoumaru's eyes and gave him a sheepish smile. "G- gomen nasai, Sesshoumaru-sama. My tail was being rebellious." Kagome looked away and continued cleaning herself.
Sesshoumaru slightly missed the warm fuzzy feeling that the tail had while halfway around his waist.
'Chikuso! I wish I had some shampoo. That would really help right about now. Oh well, I guess wetting and scrubbing it will have to do for now.' She dunked her head under the water and brought it back up and started scrubbing it.
Sesshoumaru smirked evilly and decided to have his tail be rebellious also. He left his tail drift toward Kagome's and when they touched Kagome didn't seem to notice. He slowly weaved his tail around Kagome's, she still didn't notice!
Kagome knew that Sesshoumaru's tail was around hers, but she wanted to see what he was willing to do to get her attention. 'Hmmm. Damn, this feels good. His tail is fluffier than mine.'
Sesshoumaru was beginning to wonder what he would have to do to get her attention. He slowly started snaking his tail down hers. 'My kami! She still hasn't noticed. I know what will make her notice.' Sesshoumaru got an evil smirk and snaked his tail all the way down Kagome's until it was at the part where tail met skin. He slowly started rubbing his tail in that spot. He was rewarded by Kagome stiffening.
Kagome did not know what he was doing when he started moving his tail further down hers. Then he started rubbing his tail, ummm, THERE. It felt soooo good. She didn't want him to stop, but if she did something embarrassing like purring, she would never live it down. She got an evil smirk of her own and decided to give him, a taste of his own medicine.
She snaked her tail down his and mirrored what he was doing to her. Now it was his turn to stiffen.
'Damn it, she wasn't supposed to do that! Damn, it does feel good though.'
Kagome almost snickered when she felt him relax, and through her tail she could feel the quiet vibrations. 'Ah ha! So Ice boy has a weak spot? Oh shit I need to get out of here! I'm pruning!'
Kagome quickly withdrew her tail and wrapped it around herself. "Damn it! Now my fingers are all wrinkly! Grrrr. I knew I shouldn't have stayed in the water so long."
Sesshoumaru was almost miffed at the sudden loss of contact. But started getting out too.
As soon as Kagome noticed Sesshoumaru getting out she made a quiet 'eep' and turned around. She walked until she was just behind the first trees in the forest. She removed her tail from her body and shook it until it was a big poofy black and green mass. She shook her body in much the same manner as a dog, but at least it got her somewhat dry. She covered herself back up and walked back to get her clothes. She came back to see Sesshoumaru putting on his haori. (His pants are already on. Hentais'!) She walked over to her clothes and put on her hakama. She started putting on her shirt but it got messed up around her wings. "Aw shit! Not again!"
Sesshoumaru turned around to see what she was cursing about. He saw her struggling to get top half of her clothing on. He smirked and walked over to her. He came up behind her and slipped the part that had been stuck, over what it had been stuck on.
Kagome mumbled and then said, "Thanks."
When Kagome finally got dressed, they went back to the campsite. Kagome cleared away a spot in their camp.
"I don't know about you, but I'm still a little bit wet. I'm going to make a fire so I can dry off."
After Kagome had collected wood, Sesshoumaru went off to go hunt. Kagome thought, 'Good thing he's gone or I wouldn't be able to light the fire the fun way.' She took her palm and held it upwards. After a moment, a small fireball appeared in her hand. She used her elemental powers to make it float down to the pile of wood she had made. It burst into flames and it was a crackling fire within seconds. 'Cool.'
Sesshoumaru came back with a deer. They cooked it and ate before they settled themselves in their sleeping positions. Kagome and Sesshoumaru both leaned against the oak tree that was in the center of the campsite. Kagome took out her cd player and speaker. She played track #2 on the cd quietly.
".How can see into my eyes, Like open doors, Leading you down into my core Where I've become so numb, Without a soul, My spirits' sleeping somewhere cold, Until you find it there and lead it back home.
(wake me up) Wake me up inside, (I can't wake up) Wake me up inside, (save me) Call my name and save me from the dark, (wake me up) Bid my blood to run, (I can't wake up) Before I come undone (save me) Save me from the nothing I've become.
Now that I know what I'm without, You can t just leave me, Breathe into me and make me real, Bring me to life,
(wake me up) Wake me up inside, (I can't wake up) Wake me up inside, (save me) Call my name and save me from the dark, (wake me up) Bid my blood to run, (I can't wake up) Before I come undone (save me) Save me from the nothing I've become. Bring me to life (I've been livin a lie, there's nothing inside) Bring me to life,
Frozen inside without your touch without your love, Darling only you are the life among the dead, (All of this time I can't believe I couldn't see, Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me)
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems, Got to open my eyes to everything, Bring me to life,
(wake me up) Wake me up inside, (I can't wake up) Wake me up inside, (save me) Call my name and save me from the dark, (wake me up) Bid my blood to run, (I can't wake up) Before I come undone (save me) Save me from the nothing I've become.
Bring me to life, Bring me to life, Bring me to life."
Sesshoumaru listened to the song, and when it was over. He thought, 'What was that song?'
Kagome switched to track #9
".Playground school bell rings again, Rain clouds come to play again, Has no one told you she's not breathing? Hello, I'm your mind giving you someone to talk to, Hello.
If I smile and don't believe, Soon I know I'll wake from this dream, Don't try to fix me I'm not broken, Hello, I'm the lie living for you so you can hide, Don't cry,
Suddenly I know I'm not sleeping, Hello, I'm still here, All that's left of yesterday."
By the end of this song, Kagome had fallen asleep. Sesshoumaru fell asleep soon after the next few tracks were over.
Crappy ending, but I warned ya! I put songs in when the mood takes me or the characters so get used to it! Now read and review or no more chapters! I feel really hyper so in the next few chapters don't be surprised if there's a few songs like, "The remedy" K!
Amreld: I was listening to "Hello" So that's why I put in that one.
Ja ne!
Amreld the sky elf
Disclaimer: Don't own Mutt-face or Fluffy. You'll hand them over some day Takahashi!
Sesshoumaru had moodily flown back to the castle and marched to his room.
'That has got to be the strangest chase I have ever had. The thing annoys me until I chase it, I almost catch it when a pink bubble distracts me, and then it vanishes! I, Sesshoumaru, do not like to be confused.'
He sat on his windowsill staring across the expanse that was the western lands. He would have to go patrol his lands tomorrow. He looked forward to his patrolling. He was able to get away from the annoyances of his home. A loud snore that could be heard throughout the castle reached his ears. 'Well, all except that one.' He could leave the toad here but he always ended up bringing him with. Rin on the other hand.
He would only sometimes bring Rin, much to his retainer's dismay. He did not like the aspect of putting the girl through the dangers that lurked in the shadows of the forest. He knew that lower demons were stupid enough to attack him if they didn't know who he was, and he could not keep both eyes on Rin. But sometimes she just needed to get out, as did he. 'Maybe I should bring the wen-, Kagome, along on the patrol, she would prove useful. Hmmm. maybe I will.
He started thinking of other things. 'I have a meeting with the other lords and ladies on the night of the full moon regarding the hanyou Naraku. Maybe I should bring Kagome along for that as well. She certainly knows more about Naraku than others, and, she may be of help in discovering a tactic to kill him.' Certainly I am giving this wench too much credit, how could she be of any help in tactics? He would bring her for her knowledge of Naraku.
'I don't believe I will bring Jaken along, but I might take Rin. But if I am to take Rin and Kagome, then the kitsune, will no doubt, want to come also. Besides, Kagome would probably not want to leave her kit with only, Jaken, her mother, and the servants. I will have to be careful around the other lords and ladies with Rin.' He knew how some youkai would react to human children, and their reaction was anything but pure. 'If the other youkai, by chance, tried to hurt Rin, the miko would probably not think twice before her maternal instincts kicked in and she purified the other lords and ladies. That, would not be a good thing.'
He idly continued his thoughts as he slowly dozed off.
Kagome woke about an hour before dawn. She felt refreshed, even if she had run away from a blood lustful youkai just last night.
She had an hour to bathe before she had to start her training again.
It only took her about twenty minutes to bathe and dress. A lot less time than she expected. 'What the hell am I going to do for forty minutes? Hey! Mio always said that meditating was a good way to regain energy and relieve stress. I guess I could do that to pass time.'
She walked toward through the garden, and to the sakura tree that was heavily laden with blossoms. She sat down and closed her eyes.
'Okay, concentrate on your energy. Concentrate on your energy.' She thought that over and over like a mantra in her head.
After about five minutes, she noticed she was not sitting on the ground. 'Huh?' She cracked an eye open and squeaked. "Eeep!"
She had been levitating about three feet off the ground, had been. When she broke her concentration, she fell, hard.
"Owie. I think I'll go practice archery for the next twenty minutes. Now all I need to do is find a bow and arrows. Ah! The dojo!"
She hurried to the dojo, only getting remotely lost, and got a bow and arrows from a storage room she hadn't noticed was there. "Okay, now where are the targets?" She walked around the dojo until she got to the back. "Ah Ha! There they are!"
She walked about fifty feet away from the targets and strung her bow.
She closed her eyes and concentrated on the arrow. The arrow was soon glowing a soft yellow. (Remember, colors=mood/emotion.) She released the arrow without opening her eyes, knowing it would hit the target. The arrow resembled the sun while it streaked towards the target.
Thunk
"Ooops."
All that was left of the target was a pile of ashes.
"Maybe I should just shoot them, and exclude the concentrating. If Sesshoumaru comes out here, I could accidentally purify him.that would not be good."
And why not? He's keeping you here!
'No he's not! Well, maybe. But it's not against my will! And as soon as I'm done training I'll leave and go find the jewel shards. And, now he wont have to come with me.'
Still, is that the only reason you don't want to fry him?
'Yes now go away! Now!'
Fine, fine. But think about it.
"I hate my subconscious."
She knocked an arrow and aimed at the next target. She released and it hit center. She knocked another arrow and released, and this arrow split the other in half.
'Hmmm. maybe I could try using my telekinetic powers to shoot? That would be fun! But I have to make sure no one is watching.'
She spread her senses as far as she needed and didn't detect anyone. 'Good, now let's see if I can do this.'
She used her power to lift the bow and arrow. She had a little trouble getting the arrow in the right position, but not much. Now aiming, that was a thing alright. 'Okay close your eyes, the arrow will hit the bulls-eye. Now, pull back. release!'
She watched her arrow streak toward the target, but it didn't hit the bulls-eye. It hit around the middle of the target. 'Oh well, it was my first time doing archery with my mind.'
She spent the next twenty minutes trying to get a bulls-eye while using telekinesis. She was about to use her last arrow when she felt a familiar aura approaching.
'Right on time Icy.'
She walked toward the entrance to the dojo where he was waiting.
"Took ya long enough! I've been waiting out here for 40 minutes!"
He just gave her a bored look. "That was your choice. I did not say you had to be early."
Kagome just folded her arms and grumbled. "Pompous, *grumble* annoying, *grumble* dog-demon. *grumble*."
He looked at her and fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Are you going to stand there and grumble, or are you going to train?"
Kagome was about to snap at him when Tsume appeared from inside the dojo. "Come Kagome-sama. I will be training you in the daggers that Sesshoumaru-sama gave you yesterday."
Kagome smiled at Tsume and glared at Sesshoumaru. "Arigatou Tsume, I'll be right in."
Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome and said, "You will train with Tsume for two hours, and then you will join me on my patrol of the western lands."
Kagome's face lit up. "Really?"
Sesshoumaru thought, 'This girl gets excited at the strangest of things. But, then again, this girl is strange.' "Yes. But the children will have to stay here with Jaken."
Kagome wrinkled her nose. "Well, Jaken's not gonna be too happy about having to put up with the torture of Rin and Shippou, but that's his problem. And besides, Aiko's here, they won't be able to cause too much damage. I don't think Shippou will want me to leave but he'll be fine. How long are we going to be gone?"
Sesshoumaru idly studied the targets (Or what's left of one of them.) in the archery field. "Three days."
Kagome pondered this for a moment and shrugged. "Three days is good." She followed Sesshoumaru's gaze to the pile of ashes that used to be a target. She blushed. "Ahhh. heh heh, *sweat drop* sorry about that. I didn't think I would incinerate the target--" She trailed off and turned to the dojo entrance. "See ya in two hours!"
Sesshoumaru took one last glace at the pile of ashes, formerly target, and turned away. 'Hmmm. pity she didn't use Jaken as a target.'
"Okay Kagome-sama, these are twin athemaes. But, these ones you have aren't ordinary, you'll find a little switch on the back of the hilt, press it to the left."
Kagome unsheathed on of her daggers and pressed the switch. The blade of the dagger spread into a fan of about 15 blades, each one deadly sharp. Kagome's eyes were very wide. "Wow! You can't even tell that it does this from the outside! And you already know how to use these?"
Tsume gave her a grin. "Yup! Here, let me show you."
She took the dagger Kagome was holding, (It's a fan right now.) And tilted it horizontally to the left so it was flat. Then she threw the blade like a frizbee, but it acted like a boomerang and came right back to her. She caught it by the hilt and turned to Kagome and smiled. "See? You'll learn to do that with both of them, but for now we need to stick with the dagger form. How about I show you the proper way to throw a dagger like this?"
Kagome smiled back. "Sure. And please, just Kagome. I don't like being called Sama. It's not like I deserve that kind of respect."
Tsume just smiled at her and shook her head. "Okay now here is how you throw it."
Tsume continued training Kagome how to use the twin blades for the next two hours. She learned how to properly throw, twirl, and hold them. She also started to learn some of the one on one aspect of fighting with the daggers. That was what they were doing when Sesshoumaru came in.
Tsume had just thrown one of Kagome's daggers away from her as Sesshoumaru slid the screen to the dojo open. The dagger was heading point first for Sesshoumaru's head. Kagome gasped, but Kagome had no sooner done that, than Sesshoumaru caught the dagger by the hilt.
Kagome's face was pale. Sesshoumaru looked at her and raised an eyebrow. (He does that a lot doesn't he?) Kagome's face went from an unhealthy white, to an unnatural red. "Oooops."
Sesshoumaru just tossed the knife back to her and said. "We are leaving. Go change into your other training apparel. And take a sword from the wall. I will be waiting at the entrance."
Kagome just nodded and looked at Tsume. "Thanks Tsume-san. Should I bring these as well?" Kagome held up the dagger/fan. Tsume nodded and said. "Here, I'll pick a sword that you will be comfortable with." She walked to the wall and picked up a sword that was similar to the katana she had used while training with Sesshoumaru. Except this one was slightly longer, wider, heavier, and more curved than the other had been. Kagome unsheathed it and studied it before sheathing it again.
"Arigatou Tsume-san. I'll see you in three days!" She walked out of the dojo and to her room. She changed outfits and tied her sword to her left side and her daggers to her left side. She had grabbed a bow and a quiver of arrows on her way out of the dojo so she put them over her shoulder. She had her hair tied in a long braid down her back and to her calves, her bangs were on either side of her crescent moon, and she had her tail over her right shoulder. She was about to leave when she remembered the dragon pendant Aiko had given her. She went to her chest, opened it, and took out the pendant. She put around her neck so it was hanging next to the vile of Shikon shards that she didn't give to Inuyasha, and left to give the children a brief explanation.
It took her a total of 5 minutes to get the children to stop complaining. A long time considering Sesshoumaru was waiting on her.
When she got to the entrance, Sesshoumaru looked at her and said. "Let's go."
Kagome waved her hands at him in a wait gesture. "Hold on just a second there. Are we going on foot or flying?"
At the mention of flying Sesshoumaru raised a brow at Kagome.
Kagome glared at him. "Well excuse me if I learned how to use these things." She flapped her wings blowing dust at Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru just looked at her and said. "If you can, we will fly to the center of my lands and continue on foot from there."
Kagome glared at him again. "You don't think I can do it?"
Sesshoumaru just gave her the tiniest of a smirk and said, "No, but after what you showed me of your flying skills last night, I'm skeptical."
Kagome just growled at him and took of leaving him in a cloud of dust. Running away from a blood-crazed youkai in a form with wings can cause someone to learn a few things. Sesshoumaru took off after her. Kagome smirked at him when he was flying next to her. "Okay which direction is the center of the western lands?"
Sesshoumaru just kept going ahead and said, "North-east." They were already going northeast so She just flew along side him,
When they reached the heart of the western lands, it was about midday. They landed and Kagome stretched her wings. "Ooooh! I got a cramp in my right wing. Ouch!" She rubbed where her right wing met her back with her tail.
Sesshoumaru started walking and Kagome followed, still rubbing her wing. Kagome didn't quite like the silence so she decided to make light conversation.
"What exactly do you do on your patrols?"
"Look for intruders and trouble makers, make sure everything is in order, and collect some of the things that are owed to me."
Kagome just nodded. She was about to ask another question but stopped dead in her tracks when she felt a familiar presence.
Sesshoumaru had just turned around when she spoke. "Sesshoumaru, I sense a Shikon shard, maybe two. Coming from the north."
She sniffed the air and took off at a run in the direction of the scent and the Shikon's presence. Sesshoumaru easily caught up and was running beside her when they stopped in a clearing. In the middle of the clearing was a giant centipede/beetle youkai.
Kagome almost groaned. "I hate centipede youkai."
The youkai, just now noticing their presence, turned around and hissed at them. "Give me the jewel shardsssss!"
Kagome just smirked and said, "Not on your life ugly!"
At this the youkai leaped at them with an angry hiss. Both Sesshoumaru and Kagome dodged. Kagome looked at it and yelled to Sesshoumaru, "It has one shard in its forehead and one in its chest!"
Sesshoumaru nodded and attacked with his youki whip. Kagome knocked an arrow to her bow and aimed it at the youkai's chest, right above the jewel shard. She let it go and the youkai flew backwards from the force of the blow. The jewel shard that had been in its chest flew out. Sesshoumaru attacked with Toukjin and severed most of the limbs on its left side, but the jewel shard in its head regenerated them almost immediately. It let out a scream of rage and attacked Sesshoumaru with enhanced speed. But still, Sesshoumaru dodged.
The youkai was moving to fast in order for her to get a clear shot with her bow, so she drew her sword and purified it. She attacked the youkai with her sword, severing a few limbs while purifying them so they could not regenerate. This slowed it down some so she would be able to get at it with her claws. She attacked its head with her glowing pink claws. (I'm just going to use pink for when she doesn't have a specific emotion or mood K?) She made a deep score across the forehead causing the jewel shard to fall out. Now the thing shrunk to about half the size it was. Now it was about three feet taller than Kagome. She just jumped back and took out both her daggers and threw them at its head. The daggers glowed pink and hit it right in the face.
The youkai fell to the ground in a pile of dust and ashes. Kagome stared at what she did. "Yikes. why is it everything I hit with my miko powers turns to dust? It never used to do that before!" She looked at her claws and wrinkled her nose. "Ewwww." She walked over to the pile of dust and fished out the Shikon shard. Then she walked about 15 feet away and picked up the Shikon shard that had flown out of its chest. She picked up her daggers and sheathed them. Looking at her claws with distaste, she called to Sesshoumaru. "Hey! Let's go find a stream or something! I wanna get this crap off my claws!"
Sesshoumaru just looked at her and nodded, then turned around in a gesture that clearly said 'follow me'.
Sesshoumaru led them to a small creek in the forest a ways. Kagome cleaned off her claws and the rest of the spots that had been dirtied by the fight with the youkai, and Sesshoumaru cleaned off Toukjin.
Kagome sighed and shook her head. "I swear there's something in those shards that makes all those youkai so reckless. The shards might amplify their strength or speed, but it sure as hell doesn't do anything for their intelligence! Okay, where to now?"
Sesshoumaru was surprised at how quickly she could change subjects. "We will be traveling to the south where a village has a debt owed.
Kagome nodded and got up. "Run, walk or fly?"
Sesshoumaru did not want to go slow but remembered Kagome complaining about a cramp in her wing so he decided to run. "We will run."
Kagome nodded and said. "Aye, aye! Cap-i-tan! Lead the way!"
Sesshoumaru had not the slightest clue what she was talking about but started running in a Southern direction with Kagome only slightly behind him.
~!~!~!~Meanwhile with Inuyasha and the rest~!~!~!~
"Inuyasha, are you sure it is safe this far into the western lands? Your brother will surely notice us." Asked Miroku.
"If Kikyou sensed a shard in this direction, I'm not leaving until I get it! If Sesshoumaru comes then I'll have to kick his ass!" Said Inuyasha who was in front of the group.
"He seems to have gotten cockier since Kagome left." Whispered Sango to Miroku.
"Without Kagome here to 'sit' him for all the things he does, I'm not surprised. But he's also gotten moodier." Said Miroku to Sango who was walking beside him.
"What did you say!?!?" Yelled Inuyasha.
"Nothing Inuyasha. Are we any closer to the shard?" said Sango before Miroku could say anything that would get him knocked unconscious. Again.
"Feh!"
"The shard is just ahead." Said Kikyou.
The winds shifted and Inuyasha caught a scent. "Grrrr. Sesshoumaru is just ahead too!"
"Inuyasha, I do not think it is wise to go barging into a situation that involves a shard and Sesshoumaru. It would be a good idea to check it out instead of the usual, 'Kill first, ask questions later.' or in this case. 'Get killed first, ask questions later.'" Said Miroku.
"Quiet monk! That's what I was gonna do, especially since there is another scent with him." Said Inuyasha while sniffing the air.
Kikyou stopped walking "Inuyasha, I can sense many more shards now. Probably nine."
Miroku looked at Inuyasha. "What do you mean there's another scent with Sesshoumaru?"
Inuyasha stopped and got Kikyou on his back while Miroku and Sango got on Kirara. "I mean, there's a scent besides that toads and his, stupid!"
Sango looked at Miroku while they were riding towards the shards. "Could it be his human ward?"
Inuyasha sniffed the air again while running. "No, but it is female, *Sniffsniff* and youkai." Inuyasha was confused as to why his brother would have a female youkai with him. 'Maybe it's the demon that has the shard?' *sniff* 'No, there's another lesser demon up there. Who could it be?'
When the sounds of battle reached his ears he stopped and proceeded to close in on the place of the sounds quietly. 'Huh?' Was all he could think of when he saw what was happening.
There was a strange female demon and Sesshoumaru fighting a rather large centipede demon. (This takes place after Kagome tells Sesshy where the shards are located on the demon.) The female youkai attacked with her bow and hit it in the chest.
"Inuyasha! She just knocked out a shard!" whispered Kikiyou to him.
Sesshoumaru cut off most of the limbs on the right side but they regenerated. The female youkai attacked with her sword and severed a few limbs but they didn't regenerate.
'Why didn't the limbs regenerate this time?' Thought Inuyasha.
The female youkai attacked with her claws and scored deep on its forehead.
"She just knocked out the other shard!" Kikiyou whispered.
'It's like she can see the shards, but how? And why does she seem so familiar?' Thought Inuyasha
The demon shrunk and then the female demon took out two long athemaes and threw them at its head. The glowed pink before they hit the head and then the youkai turned to dust.
'Huh?' was Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha's only thought after this.
Kikyou looked at the youkai before she turned to Inuyasha. "It seems this youkai also has miko powers. She can see the shards as I can."
"Why is it everything I hit with my miko powers turns to dust? It never used to do that before." The female youkai looked at her claws and made a face. Then she picked up the shards and her athemaes. "Hey! Let's go find a stream or something! I wanna get his crap off my claws!"
They walked off. Inuyasha was just getting up but Miroku put a hand on his shoulder. "Inuyasha. If you go after the shards they picked up, not only will you get yourself and us killed, we will lose the shards we have and you will lose the Tetsusaiga. It will not be in your best interest to go after them."
Inuyasha growled and said "Feh!"
Sango rolled her eyes and then narrowed them at Inuyasha. "Come on, we either need to get the shards in the western lands as soon as possible, or get the hell out of the western lands before your brother finds us and kills us. Now lets go!" Sango looked normal on the outside but she was torn on the inside. 'We're so close to Kagome! But we can't visit her because of Inuyasha. Gods I hate that bastard! Almost as much as I hate the corpse! Kagome, hold on, we'll get you back soon.' (she doesn't know the female youkai is Kagome. She's saying, they're in the western lands, and they're closer to Kagome than normal.
After they had gotten what was owed to Sesshoumaru from the village they headed towards the outskirts of the western lands, bordering Inuyasha's forest.
Once they reached the outskirts, it was nighttime. Kagome was not really tired, but a little fatigued by all the running and flying they had done. Not to mention the four or five youkai they had come across. But strangely enough, none other than the centipede youkai had jewel shards. But she could have sworn she sensed a faint glimmer of the Shikon shards while they were traveling. 'It must be my imagination. Or maybe it was just an energy pulse from another youkai or a miko.'
Sesshoumaru was starting to feel a little fatigued by the traveling and fighting they had done, and as he could tell, so was Kagome. He could have gone on walking, but he did not want to take a rest stop during the day so he decided to stop. "We will rest here for the night and continue at dawn." Kagome looked at the rest spot he had chosen and decided it was good enough.
It was a break in the thickness of the trees that had a large oak in the middle. 'This is a nice spot.' Kagome looked at herself and sniffed. 'Ack! I stink! I think I saw some hot springs over there a ways. I wonder if ice man 'll let me take a bath'
"Sesshoumaru, do you think it would be alright if I went to the hot springs over there and took a bath? I smell really bad."
Sesshoumaru looked at her. "I agree. You do smell bad."
Kagome glared at him. "I'll take that as an indirect yes." She got up and started walking towards the hot springs.
Sesshoumaru thought for a moment. 'Hmmm. On second thought, I could use a bath as well. I can guarantee I don't smell like a bunch of roses.' He got an evil smirk on his face when he thought of how the wench would react to his bathing with her.
He got up and started walking after Kagome.
Kagome turned to him and said, "What are you doing?" She asked, half not wanting to hear the answer.
Sesshoumaru kept his eyes ahead and said, "Joining you. I could use a bath myself."
Kagome almost fell over when he said this. "Y-your what?"
Sesshoumaru decided he would repeat himself this time. "Joining you."
By this time they had reached the hot springs. Kagome looked a shade of unhealthy white. Sesshoumaru un-strapped his armor and set it at the base of a tree. Kagome turned around. Her arms seemed to be working of their own accord. She took off her top and set it aside. Having her back turned, all anyone behind her could see was her wings She took her hair out of braid it was in and it went down to her calves. Her hair covered her backside so she didn't have to worry about that. She left her panties and bra on because she never took them off. (Not never, but not when she's bathing in the hot springs.) She turned slightly to see if Sesshoumaru was in the spring yet, he was just getting to the ties of his hakama (Pants) *eeep* 'Damn! How long does it take him to get his freakin clothes off?' She wrapped her tail around her bottom and covered her breasts with her hands and arms. She wrapped her tail around her face too. She did NOT want to see a nude Sesshoumaru. She stepped into the spring with only slight trouble. Do to her lack of sight.
She submerged herself until only her neck and head were showing. She kept her tail wrapped securely around her head. She heard a small splash indicating that Sesshoumaru had entered the hot spring. But she still kept her tail wrapped around he head.
Sesshoumaru gave her an amused glare she couldn't see. 'This girl and her modesty, she possesses nothing I have not seen before. If she does not take her tail from around her face she will fall.' "Remove your tail from your head."
Kagome shook her head and made a muffled "Mmm mm!"
Sesshoumaru gave a mental sigh. "Remove your tail or I will remove it for you." He growled.
Kagome mentally shrieked because if she did out loud it would have hurt not only Sesshoumaru's ears, but hers as well. She hesitantly took her tail from her face, letting it float in the water. But kept her eyes closed. A growl from Sesshoumaru caused her to snap her eyes open.
Sesshoumaru stood in front of her with his top half above the water. If she hadn't of caught herself, her jaw might have dropped. He had the sexiest chest she had EVER seen. He had well defined muscles (biceps and all that included) that weren't too bulky but not too skinny. There wasn't a single scar to mar his perfectly creamy skin. In other words, he was HOT! Her gaze went lower to his perfectly shaped stomach. Not much to see there. Anything lower.was left to the imagination.
Kagome blushed when she started thinking naughty thoughts. 'Okay. Where did THOSE come from? Is there like a certain part of the brain that controls hentai thoughts? Because if there is, Miroku's developed way too early, as did MINE!!! I should not be thinking those kinds of things about.about.SESSHOUMARU!!! Okay head out of the gutter Kagome.' She gave herself a few mental slaps and turned her back to Sesshoumaru and started washing herself.
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her turned back and smirked. 'Was she checking me out?' Sesshoumaru studied her from the back while washing herself.
She had perfect curves on her waist, but he was only allowed a limited view do to her long black and green hair that floated in the water like wisps of silk. She an undeniably feminine body, but it was slightly muscled as well. Her tail floated nearer and nearer to him, and he didn't notice it until it brushed against his side.
Kagome didn't notice her tail touching Sesshoumaru. She was too deep in thought. 'Did he notice me checking him out? If he did. Oh how did I get into this situation?!?! I am in a hot spring, basically naked, with a totally naked Sesshoumaru! Things can not get any worse!?!' She was cut out of her thoughts by an 'ahem' from Sesshoumaru.
Kagome turned her head and half her upper body saying "Huh?" Then she noticed her tail that was halfway around Sesshoumaru. Kagome's eyes got so wide they probably could have been knocked from their sockets by a tap to the back of the head. Her jaw dropped and she stared at her rebellious tail. 'I spoke too soon. Things can get much, much, worse.'
Kagome immediately pulled her tail away as if she had touched fire. She stared at it like it was an alien appendage.
Kagome looked into Sesshoumaru's eyes and gave him a sheepish smile. "G- gomen nasai, Sesshoumaru-sama. My tail was being rebellious." Kagome looked away and continued cleaning herself.
Sesshoumaru slightly missed the warm fuzzy feeling that the tail had while halfway around his waist.
'Chikuso! I wish I had some shampoo. That would really help right about now. Oh well, I guess wetting and scrubbing it will have to do for now.' She dunked her head under the water and brought it back up and started scrubbing it.
Sesshoumaru smirked evilly and decided to have his tail be rebellious also. He left his tail drift toward Kagome's and when they touched Kagome didn't seem to notice. He slowly weaved his tail around Kagome's, she still didn't notice!
Kagome knew that Sesshoumaru's tail was around hers, but she wanted to see what he was willing to do to get her attention. 'Hmmm. Damn, this feels good. His tail is fluffier than mine.'
Sesshoumaru was beginning to wonder what he would have to do to get her attention. He slowly started snaking his tail down hers. 'My kami! She still hasn't noticed. I know what will make her notice.' Sesshoumaru got an evil smirk and snaked his tail all the way down Kagome's until it was at the part where tail met skin. He slowly started rubbing his tail in that spot. He was rewarded by Kagome stiffening.
Kagome did not know what he was doing when he started moving his tail further down hers. Then he started rubbing his tail, ummm, THERE. It felt soooo good. She didn't want him to stop, but if she did something embarrassing like purring, she would never live it down. She got an evil smirk of her own and decided to give him, a taste of his own medicine.
She snaked her tail down his and mirrored what he was doing to her. Now it was his turn to stiffen.
'Damn it, she wasn't supposed to do that! Damn, it does feel good though.'
Kagome almost snickered when she felt him relax, and through her tail she could feel the quiet vibrations. 'Ah ha! So Ice boy has a weak spot? Oh shit I need to get out of here! I'm pruning!'
Kagome quickly withdrew her tail and wrapped it around herself. "Damn it! Now my fingers are all wrinkly! Grrrr. I knew I shouldn't have stayed in the water so long."
Sesshoumaru was almost miffed at the sudden loss of contact. But started getting out too.
As soon as Kagome noticed Sesshoumaru getting out she made a quiet 'eep' and turned around. She walked until she was just behind the first trees in the forest. She removed her tail from her body and shook it until it was a big poofy black and green mass. She shook her body in much the same manner as a dog, but at least it got her somewhat dry. She covered herself back up and walked back to get her clothes. She came back to see Sesshoumaru putting on his haori. (His pants are already on. Hentais'!) She walked over to her clothes and put on her hakama. She started putting on her shirt but it got messed up around her wings. "Aw shit! Not again!"
Sesshoumaru turned around to see what she was cursing about. He saw her struggling to get top half of her clothing on. He smirked and walked over to her. He came up behind her and slipped the part that had been stuck, over what it had been stuck on.
Kagome mumbled and then said, "Thanks."
When Kagome finally got dressed, they went back to the campsite. Kagome cleared away a spot in their camp.
"I don't know about you, but I'm still a little bit wet. I'm going to make a fire so I can dry off."
After Kagome had collected wood, Sesshoumaru went off to go hunt. Kagome thought, 'Good thing he's gone or I wouldn't be able to light the fire the fun way.' She took her palm and held it upwards. After a moment, a small fireball appeared in her hand. She used her elemental powers to make it float down to the pile of wood she had made. It burst into flames and it was a crackling fire within seconds. 'Cool.'
Sesshoumaru came back with a deer. They cooked it and ate before they settled themselves in their sleeping positions. Kagome and Sesshoumaru both leaned against the oak tree that was in the center of the campsite. Kagome took out her cd player and speaker. She played track #2 on the cd quietly.
".How can see into my eyes, Like open doors, Leading you down into my core Where I've become so numb, Without a soul, My spirits' sleeping somewhere cold, Until you find it there and lead it back home.
(wake me up) Wake me up inside, (I can't wake up) Wake me up inside, (save me) Call my name and save me from the dark, (wake me up) Bid my blood to run, (I can't wake up) Before I come undone (save me) Save me from the nothing I've become.
Now that I know what I'm without, You can t just leave me, Breathe into me and make me real, Bring me to life,
(wake me up) Wake me up inside, (I can't wake up) Wake me up inside, (save me) Call my name and save me from the dark, (wake me up) Bid my blood to run, (I can't wake up) Before I come undone (save me) Save me from the nothing I've become. Bring me to life (I've been livin a lie, there's nothing inside) Bring me to life,
Frozen inside without your touch without your love, Darling only you are the life among the dead, (All of this time I can't believe I couldn't see, Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me)
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems, Got to open my eyes to everything, Bring me to life,
(wake me up) Wake me up inside, (I can't wake up) Wake me up inside, (save me) Call my name and save me from the dark, (wake me up) Bid my blood to run, (I can't wake up) Before I come undone (save me) Save me from the nothing I've become.
Bring me to life, Bring me to life, Bring me to life."
Sesshoumaru listened to the song, and when it was over. He thought, 'What was that song?'
Kagome switched to track #9
".Playground school bell rings again, Rain clouds come to play again, Has no one told you she's not breathing? Hello, I'm your mind giving you someone to talk to, Hello.
If I smile and don't believe, Soon I know I'll wake from this dream, Don't try to fix me I'm not broken, Hello, I'm the lie living for you so you can hide, Don't cry,
Suddenly I know I'm not sleeping, Hello, I'm still here, All that's left of yesterday."
By the end of this song, Kagome had fallen asleep. Sesshoumaru fell asleep soon after the next few tracks were over.
Crappy ending, but I warned ya! I put songs in when the mood takes me or the characters so get used to it! Now read and review or no more chapters! I feel really hyper so in the next few chapters don't be surprised if there's a few songs like, "The remedy" K!
Amreld: I was listening to "Hello" So that's why I put in that one.
Ja ne!
Amreld the sky elf