Welcome to another chapter! A quick shout out to my reviewers....
AngelTears15- Well, HANNAH, I'm glad you like my story you cow! I'll update mine when you update yours! and keep reviewing or else!!!!! lol! And yes, I know Sesshy is ooc, but hey, IT'S MY STORY!!!!!!!!!
Goddess-of-Anime- Yay! I was talking about Tetsusaiga, Inu's sword in the last chapter. Thanks for reviewing! And feel free to ask anymore questions! And I'll try not to abandon this story, I kinda like how it's coming along.....
Fantasy-Seal- Hmm...Good question. Ya know, she just might. That's a pretty good idea. But She's so hard to write about....Thanks for the compliment! I'll keep you updated on what's goin on w/Kanna; But fear not! she will make an appearance at least!!!! Thanks for the compliment and keep reviewing!!!!!
Disclaimer: Do I really need this??? Oh well. Only in my wildest and greatest fantasies do I own Inuyasha...and Sesshy...drool lol!
Ok, on with my lovely story! (Oh, and Toutosai comes in in this chapter. He's the guy that made Tetsaiga, Inu's sword. He rides a three eyed bull named Momo.) (Rin comes in too. She showed kindness to Sesshy, and when she was killed by wolves, he brought her to life with the tensaiga, also forged by Totousai. No one knows why he brought her back, but she's followed him ever since.)
Chapter 9: Temptations and Premonitions.
The sun set, filling the sky with a dazzling arry of colors before finally succumbing to the gentle beauty of the moon and stars that took over the heavens after the flaming star had gone. They watched the giant orb disappear before turning to the leaping fire before them. Inuyasha was perched in a nearby tree, hovering over the camp, listening intently to Kagura as she related all the events of her life back to Kagome and Miroku while Sango tended the fire. Shippo slept soundly in Kagome's lap.
'Lucky Kit.' Inuyasha thought to himself, his mind beginning to wander once Kagura had finished her story. 'Naraku needs to die, and I'm the one.."
His chain of thought was abruptly cut off when an unwelcome, but familiar scent invaded his nostrils. Kagura sensed it too, and her gaze whipped around to locate the demons' precise location. Soundlessly the demon landed, causing Kagome to reach for her bow and arrows, and Sango and Miroku to leap into a fighting stance.
"Inuyasha." Lord Sesshoumaru greeted, inclining his head towards his half-brother. Inuyasha growled. What in the hell could he want? He had no reason to visit them.
"The demon Naraku has caused a disturbance in the Western lands. Nothing I, Sesshoumaru, couldn't take care of. But it has come to my attention that this demon has been seeking to take over the other lands besides my own. I feel obligated to rid this world of this demon. I have decided I may need to enlist your aide." His gaze was still impassive.
Inuyasha growled. "Giving up your pride to ask us lowly humans and half-demons for help?" He spat out, "What reason could you have for asking us for help?" Everyone else was wondering the same thing.
Impassively, he stepped to his right side, revealing to everyone's view a small, adorable human girl. Rin. She clung to Sesshoumaru's leg shyly, peering at the group nervously as they stared back at her in total surprise. Kagome was the first to speak.
"Who are you?" She asked gently of the little girl, lowering her bow and arrows, putting them back on the ground next to her.
"My name is Rin." She said quietly. Shippo stirred in Kagome's lap. Kagome quieted him and set him on her sleeping bag, never removing her eyes from the adorable little child who watched the imperial dog demon with big, trusting eyes. Kagome didn't want to move any closer to Sesshoumaru. It was Kagura who moved to him fearlessly.
"Rin, sweetheart, you look tired. Let's put you to bed." Ignoring the flash of emotion that crossed the demon lords face, she led the innocent human child away.
As she dissapeared into the hut, Miroku spoke up. "So I see. You would have us help you keep an eye on the human girl so you can battle Naraku. Is that it?"
Sesshomaru gave a small nod. "Yes. I do not trust Jaken with her for long periods of time, and I cannot protect her at all times." Inuyasha growled low.
"How can we trust you?" He rumbled.
Sesshoumaru's reply was cool. "You can't. But know this, little brother. I keep my word. You have my word that I will not harm your group as long as you watch over Rin and battle with me against Naraku."
Sango sighed in resignation before setting down her boomerang. "I guess this means we have 3 more mouths to feed. Sesshoumaru, Jaken, and Rin." She settled herself before the cheerful blaze of the fire. With a weary sigh, she motioned for them to sit. "It's been a long day. We all need our rest. Make yourselves comfy."
Kagura quietly pushed aside the curtain to the hut, stepping out. "Rin was exhausted. She fell asleep very quickly once I got her to relax a little. She 's a sweet little girl." She smiled gently, revelling in the newfound feeling of warmth being with the tiny human child had stirred within her. It was of little surprise to her that Sesshoumaru wanted help the little girl, in fact, the revelation that he even took care of a human child failed to surprise her. She had once came upon him to inform him of the Tokijin's completion and found him returning to the little girl and Jaken.
So, the ice prince had a heart. She briefly wondered if she would ever be inside of it. Her ruby gaze locked with his priceless golden orbs with startling intensity. His eyes seethed with with a warm emotion that was impossible to identify, but Kagura's breathing had quickened with her heartbeat so she missed the shock that flitted across everyone else's face at this rare display of emotion. Then he turned away, leaving her feeling slightly dissapointed for no apparent reason.
Turning, he moved to a tree near the hut. Leaping into it's branches, he said one thing before his prescence became unnoticable once more: "Be ready to leave in the morning." Jaken stared speechlessly at his lord before moving to the base of the tree and sitting.
"You heard him! Go to sleep!" He yelled in his annoying high pitched voice before closing his eys.
Kagome smiled slightly. There was chemistry betweein Kagura and Sesshoumaru, she knew. She could sense it coming. But right now was not the time to ponder it; right now she wanted to sleep.
"Let's go to bed now. It's late." She said, glancing at the sky. "Since the kids have the hut, I think we should sleep out here so that we don't disturb them." She smiled softly, warmly at the hut. "But they've got my sleeping bag. Looks like I'm going to be borrowing Sango's extra blanket" She grinned at Sango, who smiled in return. Turning, she got the blankets, while Miroku situated himself by the fire and Inuyasha lept into a tree. Kagura pulled out her feather; it would serve as a bed as good as anything else. Kagura gave one, solitary glance at the tree in which Sesshoumaru had perched himself in and for one, breathless moment, she could've sworn she had seen his liquid amber gaze watching her. But maybe it was her imagination playing with her.
Everyone settled in, and when their breathing became soft, Kagome sat up. Inuyasha jumped down and wordlessly sat next to her, enveloping her in his steely embrace. He had known that she would get cold and had already planned this. Quietly they lay next to one another, holding each other for warmth and to feel each others heartbeats beating out a steady rythm to lull them to the land of eternal slumber.
Morning came, and with it the normal bustle of getting everything ready to move out. Inuyasha had left Kagome's side before anyone else had awakened; and Kagome never mentioned it. Shippo and Rin had gone off to collect some herbs for Kagome before leaving, and were now about to drive the adults insane with their chatter. Kagura was surprised to find herself playing with the children as if she'd had a childhood herself and was simply trying to relive it. The children adored her; almost as much as they loved Kagome. Well, Rin liked Kagura better, while Shippo still ran to Kagome. Things worked that way.
They moved out at around 9:00 in the morning, chatting easily amongst themselves while they walked. Sesshoumaru was silent, as were Inuyasha and Miroku for the most part, unless Miroku decided to point out something to Inuyasha. Kagura stole glances at Sesshoumaru every now and then, which didn't escape Kagome's notice. She didn't miss the way the demon lord watched Kagura either. How was she supposed to get those two together? She mused to herself.
Rin and Shippo giggled and jumped, playing around the older people as they walked along.
"Lord Sesshoumaru!" Called the ever innocent Rin, "Do you wanna play with me?" Sesshoumaru looked at the small child, who smiled at him in adoration.
"Not right now Rin. Maybe later."
"Ok! Rin will go pick flowers for you then!" Unphased, the child lept away happily. Kagura smiled at her as she bounded up to her next.
"Kagura!" She chirped "Do you wanna play with me? We can make a flower necklace for Sesshoumaru! Won't that look pretty?" She asked, looking lovingly at Kagura.
"That would be very pretty Rin, but I'm afraid I'm not very good at braiding flowers. How bout you show me how at the next stop?" Her warm ruby eyes gazed at the girl affectionatly.
"Ok then, but Rin is getting tired! I wish we had Ah and Un!"
"Ah and Un?" Kagura asked.
"Our two-headed Dragon we ride!"
"Oh."
With a happy giggle, Rin ran back to Sesshoumaru. "Can you carry me?" She asked him sweetly. With one wordless, fluid motion, Rin was seated on the boa he carried on his shoulder. She squealed in surprise as he lifted her, but giggled once she was there. The rest of the group just smiled. He was a good parent, after all. Jaken trailed behind him, glaring jealously at the little girl.
"The next town is about 6 miles up." Inuyasha announced, and the group fell silent.
Naraku
"Kikyou." He called from the shadows of the tree.
"What do you want, Naraku?" She asked, her emotionless facade well in place.
Under his baboon cloak, he smirked. "It would seem that all of my pawns have decided to go against me. All I have is Kanna left. I need more strength if I am to defeat Inuyasha." Kikyou didn't know that this was an utter lie.
She gazed at him icily for a brief moment, before replying. "All right. I will grant you this, but anymore favors, Naraku, and I shall kill them myself."
Naraku stayed silent. If she did not allow him to kill Inuyasha and Kagome, then she would refuse to give him the Shikon jewel. He could not kill her without it. Kikyou's blue aura began to swirl around her as she gathered her energy about her. She looked as though she was in prayer, but the soul stealers swirled around her devilishly, reminding any human or demon that she was more than just a priestess. She was the living dead. Soundlessly the blue energy began to swirl into rope-like strings that moved steadily towards Naraku.
He sat in silence as Kikyou's energy began to flood his system. He tingled, every nerve ending coming to life, bringing him to an incredible state of heightened awarness of everything. Then the flow stopped. Kikyou opened her brown eyes to look at the half-demon that was Naraku. He gave her a steady look before leaping away, back to his fortress. With a sigh and a heavy heart, she went back to her previous task, her soul collecters disappearing into the day.
Naraku knew precisely what he would do with this energy. Another Incarnation was in order, he knew. This time, No mistakes.
Inuyasha's group
"Are we there yet?" Whined a bored and tired Shippo from the comfort of Kagome's shoulder.
"Not yet, Shippo. We'll be there soon, don't worry." Kagome reassured the tiny fox demon.
"But I'm boooored...." he moaned.
"Shippo," Kagome's voice took on a harder edge, like a mother chastising her child. "Whining won't get us there any quicker. It's best you just be quiet or else you'll annoy Inuyasha into hitting you again."
Shippo pouted, but fell silent. Inuyasha could hit pretty hard....He continued to sulk from Kagome's shoulder.
"There it is." Miroku said quietly, but his voice seemed loud due to the heavy silence that had fallen over the group. The village came into view, and Kagura was struck with a slice of envy. There were children running, jumping, laughing. Adults carrying baskets talking and smiling, chuckling together. The men sat together, polishing weapons, conversing with smiles on their faces. The huts were neat and clean, and gardens filled with lush, green, healthy plants completed the peaceful scene.
Each member of the group had a strange reaction to the village. For Kagura, it was envy. These people lived the type of life she so desired for herself. Sango was hit roughly by homesickness; this village was so much like her destroyed home. Kagome felt contentment; there was something reassuring in seeing such a normal, happy scene in the midst of a war torn, demon infested land. Sesshoumaru was disgusted while at the same time the smiles he saw pricked at something within him. For Miroku, there was quite the crowd of young ladies here....but the one he wanted was unnatainable. He felt a longing; a powerful desire to live a happy life like this with the woman he loved. Inuyasha felt the longing; the same as Miroku did.
For the children, they saw the other children to play with, while Jaken saw more little people that would hit him....
As they entered the village, the talking stopped and eyes turned towards them. They continued through, trying to ignore the stares. One old man decided to come up behind them.
"WHERE ARE YOUR MANNERS?????" He demanded with a smile as the group turned around with a startled jump.
"Toutosai!!!" Kagome yelled out happily, hugging the elderly swordsmith.
"It's good to see you too, child. Tell me, how has this dolt been treating my beloved Tetsaiga?" He glanced over the group, and screamed. "It's Sesshoumaru! Save me!!!" He ducked behind Kagome, who sweatdropped.
"It's good to see you too Toutosai." Sesshoumaru said sarcastically. Kagome gave him a death glare.
"It's okay, he's working with us now."
The bug-eyed little man peeked nervously from behind her, eyeing the stoic Sesshoumaru warily. Sesshoumaru gave a slight nod, and Toutosai relaxed. He still kept one buggy eye on the demon lord however. Suspiciously he asked Sesshoumaru if he still had the great Tensaiga. Sesshoumaru scowled, but then in his stoic voice gave a "Yes."
A small converstation ensued. Questions from Toutosai about Kagura, Rin, Jaken, and Sesshoumaru and how they came to be travelling with the Inuyasha gang. The people he asked about asked about him, too. Except for Sesshoumaru, who had already encountered the swordsmith.
Sesshoumaru had wanted Toutosai to forge him a sword equal in power to Inuyasha's Tetsaiga; of course, Totousai had blatently refused, sensing Sesshoumaru's evil intentions. He knew that the sword of healing, Sesshoumaru's Tensaiga, was equal in power to the Tetsaiga, only on a reverse level. Sesshoumaru had gone to the evil swordsmith, Kaijinbo, to have a sword made instead. Kaijinbo was a prodigy of Totousai, but had been exhiled by his old master for his wicked swords. He forged the Tokijin for Sesshoumaru, although the sword possessed him for a short while before it killed him.
That was where Kagura had first defied her master. She had informed Sesshoumaru of the Tokijin's choice, and knew Sesshoumaru was its rightful owner. She had seen him with Rin and Jaken when she delivered this message about Tokijin. She had knew he, with the power of Tokijin, might stand up to her wicked master.
Totousai closed his eyes and nodded his head as the questioning died down. He made a quick decision.
"I'm coming with you."
"Are you sure that's wise, master Totousai?" Sango asked the weapons master.
He gave her a flat look. "Child, I have seen more battles and weapons that you could imagine." Now his voice raised to a shout, and his bug eyes widened. "JUST BECAUSE I'M AN OLD COOT DOESN'T MEAN I CAN'T SPAR WITH THE BEST OF YOU YOUNGUNS'!!!!"
Sango stepped back in surprise. " I didn't mean to offend you, Elder. We would be delighted to have your company."
"What?!? Says who? I don't want that old codger slowin' us down!'' Inuyasha, who had been silent, now screamed.
"Inuyasha, we could use all the help we can get." Kagome said calmly. "Besides, I'm sure he will become a valuable asset to our team in time." She smiled. Inuyasha melted.
"Feh. Fine, I don't care one way or the other. Just as long as he ain't slowin us down." He pouted and looked away. Kagome just continued to smile at his gruff exterior. She knew he was just protesting because with all of these people travelling with them, one of them was bound to find out what was going on between them. Frankly, Kagome didn't care if the whole universe knew. She loved Inuyasha; nothing could change that.
Inuyasha was distrustful of everyone; even Sango and Miroku could not know how things had changed between them. It was imparitive that no one find out about it. If somehow they blurted it out and Naraku caught wind of it....Inuyasha shook his head. He didn't want to think about what would happen if Naraku found out about him and Kagome.
The original members of the group smiled at Totousai, welcoming him into the group. Kagura and Rin gave him a curious glance, and Sesshoumaru looked on emotionlessly. So they made camp, and would move on in the morning.
He couldn't sleep. Her scent was driving him bonkers. Apparently, although she had once smelled like Naraku, once she was free she had her own special scent just like anyone else. And although he hid it very well, (he did have years of practice after all) her scent almost forced him to look at her, to be tantalized by the sensuous sway of her hips, the luscious curves of her full breasts, the narrowness of her waist. Her smile, warm, inviting, caused his heart to riot within him. Everything about her, from her sparking ruby eyes to the glossy sheen of her silky hair, each movement, each breath, caused his breath to catch in his throat.
'Why does she tempt me so?' He thought irritably, his exotic golden eyes watching her comfort Rin after the child had awakened from a bad dream. Her hair was slightly disheveled; her face sleepy. At length, Rin settled back down and once again drifted into dreamland. A growl of frustration rose in his throat before he could stop it. She couldn't see him; he was safely nestled in a tree. But gods, he was amazed to feel his body on fire with wanting. He didn't want just anyone; no, he had to have that wind sorceress.
Damn her and her seductive beauty! Did she even know what she did to a full demon?? Once again the demon captured her smell into his nose; he stiffened immeasurably. The scent resembled the scent of cherry blossoms, yet was slightly musky; like a bitch in season.
What if she was in season? Would he be able to control himself? His little brother could smell it too, he was sure. The thought of Inuyasha touching her caused him to growl even more. The myriad of emotions rioting thrugh him startled him, scared him even. The power this woman unwittingly held over him was enormous; yet she never even hinted that she knew what she did to his senses. Suddenly she looked towards his tree; his whole body stiffened.
She knew he was watching her. The thought caused her heart to beat wildly. Their gazes collided with startling intensity. The sheer desire reflected in Sesshoumaru's gaze made her blood boil; her traiterous heart began to beat a path out of her chest. Her face flushed at the heat welling within her. It was incredible; she wanted him just by looking into his eyes! She turned away; it was too soon, too early! She couldn't afford to lose her heart yet; not after she had just regained it! She nestled back down into her blanket; the morning would come to late to cool her heated blood. Sesshoumaru would have an even harder time than she calming himself; though the sorceress didn't know it.
Kagome had one eye cracked, watching the two demons. She smiled to herself. Somehow, she would get them together, whether they liked it or not. Her eyes sought out Inuyasha, wanting to see him one last time before sleep enveloped her. He was in the tree directly above her, watching her. She gave him a smile, and he blushed and turned away. Smiling serenely to herself, she finally allowed sleep to cast her into sweet oblivion.
Inuyasha looked back at her, and with a smile, leaned back to catch some sleep himself. Miroku and Sango were sleeping soundly, and Shippo's soft snoring was right next to Kagome. Totousai slept sitting down on the ground, simply waiting for morning to come.
Miroku's dream
"Don't go in there....."
"Why? What's wrong?" Sango asked, her eyes wide and frightened.
"I'm not sure." He answered, "But I know it's not good. We should wait for Kagome and the others. I don't think we're strong enough to face whatever is behind that door." Indeed, the aura coming from the dark, ominous wooden door was more than foreboding.
Sango scoffed. "You're just trying to scare me. There's nothing I can't face or deal with." She shot him a cold glance. "With or without help." She was still smarting over the demons in their group accusing her of being the weakest member of the group. For one, she was female, with no priestess powers or anything else. She had the littlest amount of power, according to the demons. Miroku had a highly effective weapon, and Inuyasha was a valuable member to the group. Kagome was a priestess, a miko, while she, herself, was just weak, harmless, demon-slaying Sango.
Now, their icy comments came back to haunt her. Within the confines of Naraku's fortress, she was feeling the anger over their attitude. Miroku had to stop her. Whatever was behind that door could kill them both. She couldn't go there! They at least needed Kagome and Inuyasha, their most trusted allies.
"Houshi," he winced at the name, "I'm going to go in there and take over this beast." With that, she turned her back to him.
"Sango, Don-" Too late. The door opened, and....
Miroku sat up, sweating and heaving, Sango's final scream still ringing in his ears. He glanced around, seeing her sleeping soundly. So peaceful, so innocent in sleep. He could never admit how much he loved her to anyone; she would never believe him, that much she had made clear. He couldn't tell anyone this dream either. Just another secret. He laid back down, and tried to forget the scream, the look of horror and fear on Sango's face those last few seconds of that dream. All he could do was close his eyes and try to block out her terrified face. He still could not sleep, nor could he shake the feeling that something horrible was going to happen to them. To her.
"Yuriko, Elemental sorceress, you shall do my bidding."
"My wish is to serve, master."
"Good." Naraku's lips twisted into a cruel smile. "Very good."
I Forgot to mention this before, but if your wondering about me insulting AngelTears, don't worry, we've been friends for quite some time and insult each other often. We go Horseback riding together!!!! I won't insult pple I don't know!!! So Don't be afraid to flame me!!!!! I like fire! Stares at candle flame Ooh, Preeety....Pokes at it Ouch! Damn!
Ok, enough of that! R & R!