Disclaimer: Hey, how long ago did my disclaimers stop being disclaimers? I think at around chapter 10 I made my point anyway. The only things I own here, are the concept, Netsuna, and everyone's favourite kappa, Mizuki.
Hey everyone! Little news flash, FFN broke down, crashed, wouldn't show up. And without it, I can't post a story! So gomen-ne my friends, I don't know why but some big guy in the sky don't like me. And I'm kinda rhyming, for some reason. Anyhoo, been busy with the kitty and work, so things have been REALLY crazy. But I got to see Finding Nemo! ^_^ And Then I spent 170$ at a comic shop, buying a ton of manga and a Sesshoumaru wallscroll. He now watches me when I sleep. I'm scared.
Sweet Bishes! I don't know why but I have nearly three times as many reviews for that chapter! I think the Mizuki picture was good incentive… hmm…. Well, that means this is going to be one frikin' long page, because I have to write to everyone…. Ye gods. So your shoutouts will be short, to preserve the minds of those reading for the first time when they come across this chapter. Holy smite….
Shoutouts:
Note: one anonymous reader pointed out that technically, Inu's grandpa and grandma (a full demon and full human) should only have a hanyou child, not also a pure demon and pure human. Well, sure, that doesn't make sense, but if we're trying to be biologically correct, it doesn't make sense for Inu's human or demon blood to take over at some point, making him completely one or the other, ne? So, demon blood is magic, this story doesn't make scientific sense to begin with and we'll just leave it at that.
Silver Magiccraft: Okay, my spelling and grammer sucks! I never said I wanted to be an English major. And FFN's against me. *pouts*
Litwolf689: Yes, I updated! And I updated again, only this time it's late! I'm such a failure! I'm like Piro-san, only my update's suck, not my content! And to answer your question: There are only –two- trespassers in the story. One is Kuro-michi/'Broody', the other is unnamed and as green eyes. They are brother and sister. They change forms. I think I've spelled it out enough. And no, I won't hurt you for questioning. If you don't understand something, ask away!
Fate: Who's your evil guy? And did you like the pics?
Foureyedbookworm: Yeah, the non-logging-in-automatically thing is annoying, I despise it too. And yeah, we're gonna have to see how Kagome gets out of this one. And thank you for pointing out what my teachers have all these years: my spelling sucks. You see, what happens is I write it out on paper because the ideas flow easier and then I re-type it to the comp. The only problem is, I sometimes hit the wrong keys. And my kitten is sleeping on the computer desk beside me as I type *grin and pat*
Tsuninoko: Thank you. I like the effect of those two scenes too.
midori318: I shouldn't worry on how long it takes? Oh, that's so nice! Thank you! Although I do worry. ^-_-^;…
Chocolate Eclar: rhetorical question? *cough*yes*cough* And I'm fine now. Just some tests and stuff. Being stepped on by Godzilla doesn't do much for ya.
Kurokumo: Yay, you're fifteen and you're birthday's on Canada Day! Hurrah, good for you! I had to work then, so I missed all the pretty fireworks. *pout* And hamsters are evil. All of them. Kitties eat hamsters, which is good. They are not scary (cats, I mean)
… (?) btwinkb-at-hotmail.com-gal: Poor Kuro-michi, nobody loves him… *sniffs sarcastically* And kappa is a water-demon, which has a billion shapes, although they're supposed to be turtle/human-like. If you've seen Spirited Away, those round, yellow, duck-like things are kappas. There are kappas in Tenchi ni Narumon, which look like duck-frogs. The pokemon Golduck is a snazzy-looking kappa. Jaken is probably a kappa. But my favourite kappa is Gojyo from Saiyuki, who is a chain-smoking, perverted kappa in human form, who our dear Mizuki is based after. Explain?
chanin: I mention everybody. And you find out who dies today. It's a bit sad, but I'm not really practiced with death scenes, so it might not be good either.
Begin chapter
Chapter 43: Death
The atmosphere had seemed to be even colder as Mizuki glanced around the lifeless landscape warily, standing beside the form of the unconscious Kagome. He gripped his trident so hard his dark skinned knuckles were a pale and startling white. His eyebrows furrowed as he scanned Hell, more nervous from the lack of movement than from any sign of it.
"See anything worth of interest?" The shadow demon came up beside him, dark and silent. Mizuki didn't seem amused at the demon's tone or play on humour; it seemed more mockery. The kappa kept watch on the land beneath the seventh gate, watchful of something, anything that he hadn't already memorised. Noting Mizuki's reaction, the demon fell silent and they both watched the land for a moment before the shadow's red eyes narrowed unsettlingly.
"We have more than one visitor., it would seem." It said darkly.
"What?" Mizuki glanced at it and then Kagome's form. "Did the group catch up to him already?"
"Only one." The black demon said. "The demon general Kouga."
"What?" Mizuki's head snapped over. "Kouga? You mean that little moron's still alive? Shit, I knew Sesshoumaru-sama sent him but now he's coming here? Oh kami…" He rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly, an unconscious habit he picked up from his Lord. "Shit."
" 'Shit' indeed." The other demon mused. "Consequently, he should not even be here. What exactly could Sesshoumaru be planning…?"
"I wouldn't ask if I were you." Mizuki grumbled. The demon looked shocked, and then smug.
"Truly Mizuki, after all I've heard and seen, you would not strike me as one to blindly follow orders."
Mizuki flushed and glared at the trespasser. "Oi, I ain't 'blindly following orders' you twit. I trust Sesshoumaru-sama with my life and I know he's not feeding us bullshit."
The trespasser demon seemed mildly surprised. "I'm sorry if I've insulted you Mizuki." It said, yet somehow not seeming sincere. "I didn't realize how… strongly you felt of the subject."
Mizuki shot a glare at the trespasser, looking as if to say something and then closing his mouth again and returned back to looking for any intruders. "Feh." He muttered.
"And to think Sesshoumaru raised you." The demon said musingly, as if he were unaware of his taunting. Mizuki spun around angrily, his clam hazel eyes now a startling yellow.
"How the fuck did you know about that?" He hissed. The trespasser seemed unconcerned that the kappa's trident was grazing his jugular, instead pushing it aside delicately with on clawed finger, giving Mizuki an unpleasant look.
"My sister did, as you know she loves to gossip. If I were you I'd be flattered she's taking an interest."
Mizuki's dark face turned darker and he turned back to the landscape, looking around. "Listen, all this girly talk is probably wonderful for my feminine side, but don't we have something important to do? You know…" He made an impatient hand gesture as if unsure what he was talking about. "Oh… saving all life, time and space as we know it? Now why don't you put your gabby sis to use?"
The trespasser gave an indifferent look to Mizuki, which the kappa was almost convinced gave a flash of disgust, before it closed it's eyes. When it reopened them they were glazed over and narrowed, giving the already frightening demon a zombie-ish dead look, making Mizuki involuntarily shudder. The gales faded after a moment and the shadow looked at Mizuki as if nothing had happened.
Mizuki waited a moment before it was obvious the trespasser wasn't going to say anything. He snorted, thought of some obscene things that could happen to the other demon and glared at him. "Well?" He snapped.
The trespasser seemed reasonably amused. "They still haven't found Inu-Yasha but he's left a perfect trail of blood, which doesn't seem to be vanishing at any time soon, so at least he's healthy." It smiled as if the whole thing were like a good book that he played no part in.
Mizuki tightened his grip on his spear and wondered if the trespasser's sister would forgive him if he killed her brother in a very gruesome way. "But…" He growled, indicating to the other to continue.
The trespasser's smile turned darker. "Kouga'll be here in about three minutes. In fact, I believe that if you look behind you you'll see a small dust cloud that could only be him."
"You alright?" Miroku asked. Netsuna, whom he had directed the question to, blinked and looked at him, nodded her head.
"No, I mean yes, I mean… I'm fine, why?" She looked at the monk with a bit of worry and confusion.
Miroku tried to shrug, a difficult task when on was wounded and carrying an unconscious girl, riding on a large feline that was wounded and not meant for long distance travel. "You seemed out of it for a second." He said.
"Oh, it's nothing." The cat demon shook her head. "I was just sorta thinking, since we can't travel that fast and all, following the blood trail and with Kouga up ahead."
"Thinking of what?" Miroku asked conversationally, obviously bored. The catgirl shrugged. "Stuff. The past, the future, the end of the world. You know, the normal stuff people think about in times like these." When Miroku gave her a quizzical look, she shrugged again, giving a half-hearted grin. "Hey, demons are invisible to mortal eyes, we can watch TV whenever we want, right?"
Miroku's eyes widened slightly as he realized something. "Invisible to mortals… why of course, why didn't I think of it before?!"
Netsuna rolled her eyes. "Pervert." She said, though not without a smile. "Although it does surprise me you didn't think of it before. Shippo probably tried to keep it as much of a secret as he could. What kind of angel would want to spend his first task watching girls undress?"
Miroku looked hurt and baffled. "I would."
"Then do a favour to all mortal girls and don't become a guardian angel." The demon sighed. She sniffed the air warily. "The blood's smell is getting thicker. Inu-Yasha must not be far ahead."
"Really?" Miroku leaned slightly over Kirrara's side to try and see the blood they were following, but nearly fell off as a result of his stiffness. He managed to regain his balance, but not before the dozing Shippo fell onto the ground with a dull thud.
"Kya! Ah! Wha… wha… Where are they?! What's going on?!" Spinning around disoriented he walked right into a wolf soldier's foot. "Kyaaa! Kitsune-bi!" With a scream he set the soldier's foot on fire and scampered away, leaving a hopping and swearing demon. "Miroku! Mirokuuuu!!!!" The little fox angel squeaked as he spotted Kirrara's leg and climbed up it. "Miroku, Miroku, Miroku!" He attached himself to the shocked monk. "What the hell is going on?!"
"I'd like to ask the same question." Netsuna glanced back at the other demons, as the victim of Shippo's fright glared at them while hopping and blowing on his foot. "It's a good thing Kouga's not…" She trailed off, a strange look on her face.
"What is it?" Miroku asked, after he had peeled his angel off of him and plunked the recovering Shippo on Kirrara's neck. He suddenly looked down at his arms, realizing that all the screaming and movement was waking Sango up. Well, at least they knew she wasn't in a coma. Putting a hand to her forehead, she made a grunting noise and tried to sit up, only to realize she couldn't in her position and that he whole body hurt so much she didn't really want to anyway. Rubbing her eyes either one hand, and finding some unpleasant dried blood on her forehead, she slowly opened her eyes, thankful for the not-so-bright light of Hell.
"Ah, Sango-chan, you're finally awake." Miroku smiled warmly. Sango froze for a second and then instinctively struck out. Miroku put a hand to his cheek, looking hurt.
"But Sango, I haven't done anything to deserve your wrath in the while you were sleeping. My honour is much higher that that. I am still a monk, after all." He said, looking completely dejected with large puppy eyes.
"I'm said it before, some monk." Shippo muttered to Kirrara, fluffing up his tail. Miroku ignored him and while Sango looked flustered.
"But Houshi-sama, in our, eh, predicament, you can't really blame my reaction." She said, trying to sit up but giving up when pain flashed through her skull. She slumped against Miroku's chest in defeat, one hand to her temple before her head touched his shoulder and she realized at some point during the journey he had lost the top half of his robes. She turned red, but realized there was nothing really she could do, as she closed her eyes to prevent her constant double vision from making her headache from worse to horrible. She relaxed against the monk, who seemed to take this as an invitation to wrap his arms around her. She quickly held up a hand to stop his own.
"I'm tired Houshi-sama, and you've already seemed to carry me. However, this isn't really the time, do you think?"
Miroku stayed his hand and smiled at the dozing girl. "Well then Sango-chan, what time do you suggest?"
Sango frowned. "Put your hand back before I feed it to Kirrara."
Miroku quickly pulled his hand back and hooked his staff around her abdomen instead to keep her steady. The ghost girl seemed to relax further, coming near sleep, while Miroku was grinning like an idiot. Kirrara glanced back and gave a snort. Shippo looked at the fire cat angel in confusion as she kept walking. "What?"
Kirrara gave another snort.
"Nevermind? Nevermind? Kirrara, we're both angels protecting our nearly second-dead tasks! And you're not giving information to me?"
Kirrara made a rumbling sound but kept walking steadily. Shippo crossed his arms. "I am not a worrywart." He muttered, preening at his tail again. Kirrara smirked a bit.
"Houshi-sama?" Sango asked quietly, in a sleepy tone. Miroku, a bit shocked, looked down at her. "Where's Kagome-chan?" She said.
"Inu-Yasha's gone to save her." Miroku said, feeling a peculiar lump in his throat. In the state he was in, Miroku wondered just hoe much saving the unstable threeblood could manage. The monk didn't seem to notice that he was rubbing Sango's arm as they spoke, and she didn't seem to care as she squirmed for a slightly more comfortable position.
"Will she be safe?" The girl asked, making Miroku go tense. There were two things Miroku absolutely hated. One was lying, and the other was hurting girls. He stared at the back of Shippo's head in concentration, trying to figure out his answer, until the angel began to feel it and looked side to side a bit nervously. The dead monk felt something touch the bottom of his chin and he looked down to see Sango looking up at him, her eyes half-open and looking worried. "Houshi-sama?"
Miroku bowed his head, and then smiled, squeezing Sango's arm reassuringly. "Of course she will, Sango-chan. Of course she will."
Sango smiled and rested her head on Miroku's chest, falling asleep.
Netsuna watched the pair out of the corner of her eye when she felt a peculiar tickle in the back of her mind. Snapping her head forward, she narrowed her eyes. Took you bloody long enough. What were you doing?
Taking care of something. The other voice said. Netsuna let out a small snort but couldn't help a tiny little smirk.
Something or someone? She thought smugly. The other voice chuckled.
You'll see when you get there. Now, what was it you wanted?
Netsuna blinked for a moment, having forgotten her question. Shippo made a sneeze and she glanced over at the two angels and two humans and it flashed back to her. Right! Say, bro, you know that little rule of the existences that demons can't use powers in Heaven and angels can't use powers in Hell? Well guess what…
Kirrara glanced over at Netsuna from the corner of her eye, where the catgirl walked along completely normal, looking at the bland scenery and sniffing at the stench the blood left in the air, although every once in a while she would stare ahead, her eyes blanking. Growling softly Kirrara kept on as well, watching the feline demon like a hawk.
Mizuki eyed the wolf general before him with one eyebrow raised, with a contemptuous look he could have only learned from Sesshoumaru. Kouga growled from the bottom of the rocky outcrop, clenching his fist, before glancing over at the trespasser who was sitting nonchalantly on the cliff beside Kagome's unconscious form. Kouga glared back at Mizuki.
"You bastard." He growled, pointing Jakotsu's stolen sword accusingly. "You turned against us and stole Kagome for Naraku! You dirty piece of mud-sucking shit! I should kill you!"
Mizuki sighed. "Kouga, I didn't betray anyone, these are orders from Sesshoumaru-sama. Now if you don't mind, we're in a bit of a bind right now, with the end of the world hanging on our shoulders and an insane demon with the power to kill us in one fell swoop on our tails. So, if it's not too much, could you please run away and hide in Sesshoumaru-sama's castle like your little daddy did and just let this whole thing play out like it should?"
Kouga snarled. "What did you say?! I'm not leaving here without Kagome, so hand her over!"
Mizuki put a finger to his nose and sighed. "Right, I forgot the infatuation thing and that they're not married in this lifetime. Well, that can complicate stuff. Not leaving, are you? Well fine, but do you perchance smoke?"
"That dirty habit? Hell no." Kouga spat. "What are you, mocking me?"
Mizuki shrugged, as if helpless. "Ah well, not within my power. Sorry mate, no hard feelings, just the job. Broody, do me the favour, will ya? She's already afraid of you anyway, but I don't think she'll be to comfy if she wakes up and I have blood all over me."
The trespasser nodded and vanished. Kouga looked around frantically for the demon when a pain suddenly flashed through his chest and he looked down in horror to see a semi-transparent hand sticking out of it.
Trespassers are said to love only two things: death and havoc. The red-eyed trespasser, having been a messenger and bench-warmer for the good part of the strike, had been hungering for a moment like this. Even Mizuki had to avert his eyes for the blood bath, before picking Kagome up and leaving, the trespasser following him silently, a smirk on his blood-spattered face.
We'll see when we get there? Netsuna thought as she looked at Kouga's body with a frown. Brother, you are one sick bastard.
"Great Buddha…" Miroku breathed when he saw the wolf demon. Already the blood around him was beginning to fade, his eyes dull and lifeless.
"What is it, what is it?" Shippo asked, his voice trembling at everyone's sombre attitude as he jumped on Miroku's head to get a better look. "Wha-?" He froze, seeing Kouga's form. He began trembling fiercely, his taill puffing out to it's largest. "Miroku!"
"What is it?" Sango asked but Miroku held her down, putting his hand over her eyes. "Housh-sama! What are you doing? Houshi-sama! Miroku!" She began squirming in protest but Miroku kept his hand firmly over her eyes. When the pain in her head and body became to much she stopped resisting, but was shaking a little. "Houshi-sama, what is it? What's wrong?" She asked, her voice trembling. Miroku didn't answer, staring at Kouga's body in grim shock.
Netsuna sniffed for a bit as the body finally disappeared. "Well then, let's keep moving. Don't wanna find Inu-Yasha or Kagome next, do we?"
They set off under the non-exsitant dessert sun, as the dark clouds heralding the apocalypse slowly drew closer and rain began to set down on Sesshoumaru's empty castle.
End chapter 43
Well, that's about it. I'm really, really, really sorry to all Kouga fans. But unfortunately, he had to die. And doubly unfortunately, he's not the last. *is very sad* I already have 'the list' of those who leave and whatnot. I feel like that Rowling woman… do deadlines about as well too… *laughs nervously and eyes all the angry, irate readers who dislike her for her lateness* Eh, FFN screwed up! Beat, it, not me! And besides, if you kill me you'll never know what happens and it'll follow you to the GRAVE! Okay, death jokes aren't funny anymore.
Eh… Pocky?
Shoutouts:
Katsuhiko: … okay!
diamondtigress: All main characters must die, they just never show it. In Excel Saga the main character dies seven times in the first episode! But anyway, I hope you liked the pics, and thanks for being diligent and emailing me! And your welcome for suck a wonderful story.
Elf: Yes… a lot of time… as in thinking about what should happen until Saturday night and then writing it out quickly! Actually, I just sit in my room and write. I don't even remember half the stuff I write until I re-write it on the computer. And don't worry, I'm pretty sure that's not shallow flattery. Everyone loves Mizuki. Which is funny, because he was only supposed to be a random general that appeared in one, maybe two chapters and look what he turned into! He's stealing the show! He has fangirls! I actually created a characters that has fangirls! I've achieved one of my dreams! Now, if I could only move to Japan, destroy the Tokyo Tower and become ruler of the world, I'lll die happy.
bigwooshin: My kitty could kick your puppy's ass! Hah! And maybe I will kill one of Inu's ears. But how is a body-part a main character? Ama so confused… And they're killing Kagome because I'm sick and tired and writing out people who are 'pretended' to be dead, okay? That's why. I've done it like, twelve times already. You must be getting sick of it too.
vold: Well that was a luverly little suck up of Micky. You actually think Takahashi should buy him? Should I just become my own manga-ka as soon as I'm out of school and create a manga about him? Wouldn't I become richer that way? Um… *looks at your small tirade about people not dying* Sesshy lives.
Kagomesjewel: I have a kitten that follows me around and I work like a dog. I try to have as much time as possible, but stress and tiredness gives me writer's block too. I do my best, I really try though. Sorry.
The Deity of Fun Dinner: Wow! Sugoi! I love it when people say 'I hate AUs but after reading yours I think yours rocks!' Although I always wondered that if they hate AUs, why did they start reading this in the first place? Ah well, one of those mysteries. And poor FFN… not, wait, I mean stupid FFN! Not letting me update! Grrrrrrrrrrr! Well, at least I got to edit a bit (although I doubt it did anything) and re-write shoutouts and a preview.
Sweedaeth: Sorry luv, I gotta kill who I gotta kill. Reading it for a month and this is your first review? For shame!
link no miko: *bows* Thank you. I couldn't think of anything, tried to think of the point of the chapter, realized it was completely boring but advanced the plot nicely so Plot it was. And yes, I finally confirmed your suspicious. Don't break something. And don't say 'buggered'. Buggered is British for yaoi-hentai. Don't say buggered. And Toutousai said 'Sesshoumaru-sama' to be sarcastic, condescending, mocking, whatever. To be mean. And Sesshy didn't kill him because he's useful for later… maybe..ish. No, no I won't steal your candy. I'll steal your soul! HAHAHAHAHA!… HA! I gave to the pictures, and now Kouga's dead. Both os which are entirely unrelated to each other. But sorry.
Okay, okay, I know my updates are horrible, but the previews are nice, right? They help tie you over until the big day of when I do update. At least I do it once a week, unlike those who take two months! You must love me, even if I am incompetent. Ha! And I have Mizuki.
Preview Chapter 44: Numbers:
"Inu-Yasha!" Miroku all but slapped the threeblood across the face. Not sure whether to be thankful he was normal again or to worry to death about the fact that the guardian angel didn't seem to be breathing, the monk just started to panic.
"You hang around Shippo too much." Netsuna said, as Kirrara came up between the demon and the threeblood, Sango leaning against her. Netsuna looked suspiciously at the angel, who ignored her and prodded Inu-Yasha with one flaming paw, making small growling noises.
"That really doesn't look good." One of the wolf soldiers said. "Hey bouzo, think you can fix him?" He looked at Miroku expectantly. The monk clenched his beaded, clothed fist.
"I'm a monk, not a healer!" He said, looking at the disturbingly large amount of blood around the half-angel. "I can't do anything about this!"
The wolf demon shrugged and started whistling 'It's the end of the world as we know it' without even trying to be discreet. One of his companions elbowed him hard in the ribs to silence him when everyone else started glaring.
"So we can't fix him?" Shippo asked, poking one of the wounds on Inu-Yasha's arm. Miroku shook his head.
"Not unless but some miracle of fate a doctor suddenly shows up." He said despairingly.
"Well, you're in luck then." A quiet voice said suddenly, turning them all around. "I just happen to be a doctor."
End preview.
Now, some of you probably know what I'm talking about, some of you don't, some of you should but do, some of you shouldn't but for some reason do and some of you are confused by this sentence alone. *grin*
~Ama
And because my updating was a bummer, here's….
Three quotes for a bummer-summer!
"When life gives you lemons, you clone those lemons and make… super lemons." – Clone High
"When life gives you lemons, you throw those lemons back at life, saying, 'I don't want your stupid lemons!'" – A banner at amv.org
"When life gives you lemons, you make a great-tasting lemonade, patent it, distribute, sell, become filthy stinking rich and laugh at life." – Me.
Mizuki compels you to leave a big, long, ranting review and then he'll strip!
^-_-^ Too much Pocky.