Hiya!

In this chapter we've got Sango back in action!

Also, there's some more stuff on how the whole curse thing got started.

If you listen (er...read) carefully, you'll find some clues to future events.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Chapter #6

(Flashback)

Inuyasha watched the witch carefully.

"Just give up your castle," she crooned persuasively. "Your subjects will be in good hands, nothing ill will ever befall them, everyone shall prosper..."

She held out a rose, an offering.

Kikyo had a point. He wasn't exactly cut out to be a ruler, and she was pretty powerful.

But give up his kingdom?

To a witch?

"I can't." He shook his head at the red flower.

"Inuyasha, I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice." She forced the rose into his hands.

What was with this bitch anyway?

"Look, Kikyo, I'm not giving you the kingdom." Inuyasha's voice grew louder, and he clutched at the rose until his palms bled from the thorns. "So you can take all your potions and spells, and get the heck outta here!"

"If you must be so rude," Kikyo informed him stiffly, "I'll leave. But let me leave you with a parting gift."

A white mist drifted lazily around the room.

People choked on it, the moisture filling every inch of their lungs.

And slowly, one by one they all fell asleep.

Before blackness completely claimed him, Inuyasha heard Kikyo laugh and call, "You won't break this curse easily, Inuyasha. Love and be loved before the last petal falls, or you and your followers will stay like this forever." Inuyasha stared blearily at the rose in his hand. One petal floated down to the floor. "And should you fall in love, be warned: should your maiden not return the affections, you will die."

"N-not return affections?" Inuyasha's body slumped against the floor.

"Yes," Kikyo agreed. Inuyasha used all of his remaining energy just to glare at her. "You find no love, you remain demon. You find love, but your love hates you, you die. Either way, I'm going to have fun." Smiling the witch turned and left, taking the coldness with her.

Inuyasha shut his eyes, despair swirling in his mind.

(Flash-forward to Present Time)

Inuyasha peered warily into the mirror. Beams of light shooting out from the elegant edges, the mirror reflected the happy scene in the kitchen.

He watched Kagome take a bite of brownie, and then giggle at something Shippou said, lightly spraying Miroku with crumbs.

Myouga handed her another gooey chocolaty piece, and Shippou laughed at Miroku, who was frowning at Kagome, who was laughing at Myouga.

Sighing, Inuyasha set down the mirror, and glanced at the rose.

She was certainly settling in well, but it seemed like she officially hated his guts.

That hadn't been what he'd been shooting for.

"The girl just needs time to get to know you," Naraku assured him.

Inuyasha glanced at his advisor.

Truthfully, he hadn't trusted the guy at all until this whole Kagome thing. Naraku felt cold in a dark way that had reminded him of Kikyo.

He was the type of person who seemed so...so icky.

Yeah right, Inuyasha thought musingly, great description.

But he'd really come through with finding the miko the curse had talked about. Inuyasha had to admit that much at least.

Another petal fell.

He'd found her just in time, but if he hadn't...that was a scenario Inuyasha didn't even want to think about.

"I'd suggest letting her get more comfortable," Naraku continued. "Let her find out on her own the way things work around here. Once she's made some friends, talk to her. Find common ground."

"She hates me," Inuyasha grumbled. He glanced at the mirror again.

"Do you like her?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "She's pretty enough, but she's got a bad attitude."

"See? You're perfect for each other." He laughed, and smiled slyly at the glaring demon. "Just let her find her place around here."

"That'll take too long!" Inuyasha growled. "Only a few petals left, and we need to fall in love!"

"Which will take work from the both of you," Naraku pointed out sensibly, an odd smile still on his face. "Maybe a friend from her own home will make things more...workable."

Inuyasha stroked the rose gently. "A friend?"

"I could call her family, and have a companion flown here by tomorrow," Naraku offered.

Inuyasha shot a quick longing look at the mirror.

A look Naraku happened to see.

"Do it," Inuyasha ordered.

Naraku bowed, hiding his smile under a curtain of dark hair.

"As you wish."

Half way around the world...

Sango rifled through her mail box, and beamed when she came to a letter with a Japanese postage stamp.

Kagome?

She was inside, the letter opened, and the envelope shredded in seconds.

To Whom It May Concern:

An acquaintance of yours, Miss Kagome, requests your visit. Enclosed is a ticket to the appropriate city.

You will be picked up tomorrow by one of our staff, Mr. Myouga, and will be taken directly to Miss Kagome.

Sincerely,

Naraku, Head Advisor

Sango blinked.

Well, they had sure gotten to the point pretty quickly.

A trip to Japan?

So soon? Sango grinned. But on the other hand, what's holding me back? I have some well-deserved vacation days stocked up. It's about time I took a break from the restaurant. Okay, I'll do it.

Her mind made up, she went to pack.

Ta-da! A brand-new chapter, completely completed!

(Sighs)

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