Disclaimer: Me no own, so you no sue!!!
Ok, a couple of things I think I forgot last chappy: in this fic, some men have miko powers (I'm gonna call it the ability to channel) but they go mad for an unknown reason eventually, so they are killed to prevent them from harming others (sad i know, but there's a reason for it.). Another thing, miko's can sense other miko's abilities to channel, and how strong their powers are. I think that's about it.
Challenge of Love: Warning
"Ah, hello Sango-san, how are you?" the old man said as he walked down the ramp and onto dry land. He was a short man (A/N: shorter than usual that is), in a blue Yukata, and black sandals. His face was worn from age and the sun, but he was smiling warmly. "And your family, how are they?"
Sango's face fell a bit. "You haven't heard then. My family was killed by the evil hanyou Naraku. My entire village was destroyed as well. I am the only one left."
"Oh, my. I would never have said anything if . . ." He trailed off, a looks of overwhelming grief in his eyes. "Did they die quickly? Did he suffer?" There was no need to ask who 'he' was. Kohaku.
"No, his was a swift death, though some were not as fortunate." She replied. Sango couldn't bear to tell the old man what had happened to him; he had been Kohaku's Godfather.
"Well, he is in a better place now," said the old man, trying to hide his pain with a tight smile. "Who are your friends? Come, come child Introduce me!"
Sango quickly introduced her companions. "This is Kagome-chan, a powerful miko, Miroku-san, a Buddhist monk, who has also lost his family to Naraku, InuYasha, and Shippou," she said, pointing to each one in turn. "We are looking for the Shikon no Kakera, so Kagome can purify them."
"Everyone, this is Tsukida Matsu."
Kagome spoke up with a cheery voice. "It's a pleasure to meet you Matsu-san, Sango has told us a lot about you!" She offered her hand, and he placed a quick kiss in the air above her hand, making her blush.
"It is an honor to meet such a powerful miko; the power to purify the jewel is a rare talent indeed! But what brings you to my door? Surely you do not think that I posses one of the jewel shards?"
"Oh, no, we just wish to buy passage on your ship to Mainland China. We believe some of the shards are there." Kagome said.
"For such a noble cause, I will not charge you."
- - -
"Do any of you know how to speak Mandarin (is that the right word)?" Matsu asked. "The Mainlanders will not take kindly to being made to speak our language."
"Yes, I do. I come from a village where many Chinese settlers do not speak Japanese, so I was taught to speak their language as a child," Kagome replied, feeling a bit seasick.
"Good. Also, under no circumstances should you channel while you are on the ocean. There is a group of people, the Seanchan, who would take you as a ... well the closest thing I can think of is an obedient pet. Others of their 'pets' will not hesitate to reveal your abilities. Something happens to those girls once they are taken; they become like dogs who wish only to please their mistresses."
Kagome visibly paled. "I-I already have. I saw an injured dolphin awhile back surrounded by sharks. I healed it ... anyone who can channel within ten miles of here would have felt it. The dolphin was very badly cut all over, like from a fishing net."
"Matsu-san," cried a young man from the crow's nest, "Seanchan ships are approaching off the starboard bow, three of them!"
"Can we out run them?" Miroku was looking out over the sea towards the approaching ships, as if weighing the odds.
"No, and if we attack them, we will all die. The damanne have no problem using their powers as weapons if the sul'dam tell them to. I'm afraid there is not much hope," he replied.
"Then I'll go with them." She said, a look of fear on her face.
- - -
Sorry for the sort chappy, but I'll update soon. I NEED REVIEWS!! Without reviews, my muse gets all poutty and won't write!
Review Responses (To the TWO of you that reviewed! sobs):
Sesshoumaru-is-is-my-Master: I'll try to update as often as possible, but that means shorter chappies. Yes, Kikyo will be in this fic, but I hate her too, so there will be lots of Kikyo bashing.
Ptbear: Sesshy-chan comes in next chapter, and I can't tell you who kidnaps Kagome! That would spoil everything! pouting, cause she knows how you feel Sorry. Don't worry though, you'll see next chappy!
Matsu- Pine