AN: hey all! Wow, thanks for all the reviews! Anyways, this chapter (yes, to all your disappointment) does not seem to have much waff, or romance, ect ect ect. However, in my opinion, this is not to say its boring. Actually, I find the more dialog there is—the more interesting my stories are. This chapter has a lot of dialog. Also, incase you become confused later on, I am creating these 'convenient' inns that IY and Miroku stay at to have a "first story: restaurant/bar" and "second story: beds, yadda yadda." So, if in one sentence I refer to it as an inn, and then a moment later I call it "a restaurant" than you will understand why.
Also, a bunch more characters will be introduced in this chapter. Two, I have had to make up due to the nature and time frame of this story, but…Kaede comes in. Remember, it has not been 50 years, so in this story…Kaede is about 24-26 years old. I know, who would have thought, ne? I imagine Kaede (when young) has very straightforward, frank, and aware of her sexual appeal. However, obviously, as a person ages, they loose the latter part of this. Oh well, I will stop explaining and let you READ!
Chapter Eight: A Cry From Afar
"A bit more…a bit more," a pause, "perfect…"
Miroku gave a pleased sort of look as he gazed down at his cup of Sake, its depths almost clear. Glancing up at his companion, he found that the familiar look still etched into his features. It was a look of annoyance, and longing. Miroku played the fool about this whole episode, but he knew what was on his lord's mind: it was none other than his new bride, Kagome.
"Do you want some, Inuyasha?" Miroku questioned, dangling the container in front of his face, "Its very good. It leaves a nice sensation going down the throat."
Inuyasha said nothing, and continued to gaze off into space.
"Lingering, but not overly thick…" Miroku continued obliviously.
Inuyasha insisted that it was not as though he liked Kagome, she was just…odd. At times she could be so sweet, and perfect and beautiful—and then at other times she was a strong willed girl who could and would not take 'no' for an answer. He didn't want to say this intrigued him…but…
"Damn it." He muttered moodily, stretching his shoulders from their cramped position. "Why the hell am I thinking about her for? I should be planning my next attack."
Miroku tossed him a map from within his shoulder satchel, and said, "Alright, you do that. I'll continue to drink."
Suddenly, the idea seemed very unappealing. Figuring out the locations, and mountain passes to use, the best routes, the most indirect routes, what weapons would be good from certain firing distances…it all seemed so tedious.
"I said should, not would Miroku." Inuyasha grumbled grabbing the Sake container and pouring himself a glass. Washing it down in one gulp, he quickly poured himself another, grumbling something about 'dumb girls'.
The sun had begun to set in Maebashi, about one third of the way on the journey to Edo. Considering the terrain and the late start, the two had made good time. It was expected that they would reach Edo in two days. The two had decided to stay in a local inn that night—Inuyasha seeming to have had enough of being cooped up in the presence of his wife.
The two ordered sukiyaki and while waiting for the meal to arrived contented their tired and troubled souls over the music of the shamisen. It was a quiet sort of melody, the notes plucked slowly at long intervals. After a time the two grew sleepy, the warm Sake having entered their blood, and the pleasant murmur of the inn plaguing at their wearied senses.
"Oi, Miroku…" Inuyasha began groggily, scratching his cheek slightly.
"What?" Asked Miroku, more awake than Inuyasha, his dark brown eyes gazing about the room. Inuyasha seemed unaware that his companion's form had been tense for a few minutes now.
"Have you heard of…" Inuyasha paused, a momentarily look of confusion resting on his lips, "Have you heard of a new warlord having risen to great power lately?"
There was a pause, and Miroku turned and glanced towards his friends. His eyes were serious, his mouth down turned, "I have heard of a dark power rising, yes. I have heard that he is ruthless and will stop at nothing to claim victory."
"Do you think this could be my bro—Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha faltered, slightly more awake now, as the food having been served by an attractive peasant girl.
Grabbing a set of chopsticks and sipping on the tea Miroku thought about this for a long period, his eyes dancing about the room to one figure in particular, "I do not think so, no."
Inuyasha gazed at his friend, waiting for him to continue.
"You may hate your brother, yes. But he was brought up with good standards, despite what you may believe. Sesshoumaru knows the rules of war, he knows its art, and he would not cross these readily."
"But, he's just so bloodthirsty! And…he killed her!" Inuyasha spat in disdain, his hands crashing down onto the table in a fit of fury.
The people glanced up, their eyes for the first time noticing the silver color of his hair, and the amber depths of his eyes. There own dark eyes inspected him, not disapprovingly, nor angrily; simply blankly, as though they could not judge whether or not this creature deserved scorn or approval.
After a moment, they all turned back to their meal, or their company, or listening to the sad willful notes of the shamisen. The murmur of voices continued, and the waitresses continued to flight from each table as though they had been transformed into struggling butterflies flying to each dying flower.
"Hmm," murmured Miroku, bringing his hand to his mouth, and rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "With the experience I have had with Sesshoumaru for many years I would have never thought of him as…that ruthless. I never got the impression that he actually cared what you did, as long as he got your sword."
"Do you doubt my word?" Inuyasha asked truthfully, his voice dangerously low, his eyes glinting like black beetles in the dim lamplight.
"No, I don't." Confided Miroku. He sipped the tea again, and ate his sukiyaki quietly for a moment.
A period of five minutes or so slipped away never to be regained.
"I believe," began Miroku finally, heaving a sigh, "That all shall become clearer once we reach Edo."
Inuyasha glanced up, his eyes sliding towards a figure located across the room. He had just become aware that for some time now this form had been studying them intently, the glance not one of friendliness.
"Miroku, do you notice…" Inuyasha began after a moment.
"I have been aware of him since he first entered. Hopefully, he will not stay." Miroku acknowledged, closing his eyes as he began to sip the broth of the miso soup on his left.
"But how—" Inuyasha snorted, coughing slightly as he gulped down some tea he had just poured.
"Remember, my family is a known lineage of monks. Certain…traits are passed down with each generation." Miroku smirked knowingly, eying the waitress's breasts in a look of anticipation.
The figure moved, and then an instant later slipped through the entrance. Perhaps all that had been visible to Miroku and Inuyasha was the strait wave of deep black hair that extended down to the waist.
Inuyasha sipped his broth as well, and then chewed on the tofu for a moment. Another few moments slipped away.
"Inuyasha," Miroku began earnestly, "I think we should allow your wife, Kagome, to accompany us on this tour. It should not be too dangerous. By the time the rainy seasons come she will once again be safe at your fortress."
Meeting Inuyasha's weary amber eyes, he heard a tired sigh, and then, "Not yet."
although…perhaps later…? Miroku guessed inaudibly.
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At nights, she would awake to find his golden eyes glancing at her from across a foggy field. She could hear a tender quality to his voice she had never imagined. It was torture. Kagome lay quietly beneath her covers waiting for it all to disappear like the mists of dawn; like the frost when it met the morning sun. Nevertheless, it would not. Even with the dreams, her opinion of him did not alter. Kagome was determined to hate her husband; her husband who abandoned her to this house, her husband who loved another, her husband who only looked upon her well-being. It was not possible for him to care about her. Yet, there was nothing she could do, Kagome realized, there was nothing she could do until she heard word from her trusted friend. And still…the dreams continued…
Glancing up from her koto practice, Kagome found Yuki bowing slightly as she entered the room. It had been three days since her husband had left—and upon seeing the piece of paper clutched carefully in the servants' hands, her heart rose in happiness. Perhaps Miroku had managed after all.
Trying to remain calm, she questioned nervously, "Yes, Yuki-san, what is it?"
Kneeling on the ground, tucking her knees beneath her, Yuki presented the letter to her lady, her head low, "It is a letter from the Shikuoka prefecture, my lady."
"Shi—Shizuoka prefecture? But that is opposite of Edo…" Kagome murmured to herself, "But that is towards Kyoto and Nagoya, surely it cannot be from…"
She paused, and glancing first at Yuki, and then down at the letter, she bit her lip and said nothing.
"I am sure it must be for my husband then." Kagome admitted with a sigh.
"We do have an alliance with the Shizuoka prefecture," began Yuki, beginning to stand up, "But to what extent I am not sure."
Kagome's eyes had now turned gray and cloudy in apprehension. She had no idea where her husband was, somewhere approaching Edo, or in Edo itself…and what the purpose was, she was unclear of that as well.
"Damn!" Kagome swore bitterly, thankful that Yuki had left, "Am I left in the dark all the time!?"
Yet, the letter remained unopened. Sighing heavily and massaging her temples, she realized that this letter could not remain so. Its contents must be known, and her role in the affairs to come would decide crucially on its contents.
Sincerely hoping it was just an annual card to celebrate spring, she realized that her hopes had faded as the hurriedly written scrawl was presented in front of her eyes. Such hurried strokes and inconsistency of hand was certainly not a seasonal courtesy.
Heaving one heavier sigh, she began to read its contents.
Inuyasha-sama,
Years ago the Gunma and Tochigi prefectures created an alliance to the Shizuoka County and its surrounding areas. More importantly, you have granted us permission to continue with our youkai exterminating throughout the hills and surrounding areas. Yet, as I dare write I have received word from the east that the warlord who has taken over the Yamanashi prefecture has its eyes set on our very own youkai exterminating business and valley.
The writing was illegible for a period of three sentences.
Sesshoumaru, the great youkai lord of the east, has now made an alliance with this unnamed warlord. As I write this very letter to you, a messenger from Iida has come with word that an army attacks. This lord's move have been more quick and decisive than we could ever have hoped. We call upon this old alliance to defend our homeland.
The signature was indecipherable. Glancing at the date she found that this letter had been wrote a week ago.
Her throat dry, Kagome murmured, "Oh god…"
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It was late during the evening of their third night in Edo, six days total away from the Genma valley. The first day, the two of them had rested in a hotel before calling on various lords of the area, and establishing good graces as they did every year. One of the new detours of this year consisted of sending in their expected list of weapons for the following summer. .
The following day they had traveled to suburban fortresses discussing politics and new tactics in war. Strangely, few had heard of an invisible force generating from south, no one heard of the Yamanashi prefecture's downfall…in fact a few of them had received a beautifully written letter a few weeks ago expecting their alliances to remain intact.
Inuyasha had protested, but Miroku remained silent, his eyes troubled and disturbed. They had remained that way since they had left the Genma valley, since that night in the inn.
This night, however, was the second to last night they would be spending in Edo, before making their way up to Sapporo, after stopping for a period of two or three days at Ashikaga, Tomukamachi, Nagaoka, Kouriyama, Fukushima, Sendai, Ishinomkaki, Morioka, Hirosaki, Hachinohe, and Hakodate. In the late fall and early winter was when the two traveled towards Kyoto, and skirted unnoticeably along the border that they shared with the Shizuoka prefecture.
"Ne, Inuyasha," Miroku began, skewering a piece of chicken at the open grill in a small restaurant located near the border of the Ginza, "That man, over there in the corner, he looks familiar, wouldn't you agree?"
Inuyasha swerved his eyes and found that it was the same stranger they had encounter on their first night away from the fortress. Grinning madly, Inuyasha responded, "Do you think we should invite him over?"
Nodding, Miroku motioned to a waitress and said, "My beauty, please tell that man in the corner that we want him to join us."
Giving the girls rear a parting farewell, Miroku turned to Inuyasha and whispered hurriedly, "I don't trust him for a moment."
"You think I do?" Inuyasha snorted as he motioned for more choya.
The man made his way forward. It was strange, the movements of this person, smooth, and swift, yet with a deliberate carelessness with them. As though the figure understood that he was too smooth, too graceful, too refined. His appearance was that of almost a foreigner, or perhaps a hanyou such as Inuyasha—yet at the same time there was something so human about him that it was hard to determine what or who he was. His skin was creamy, like milk from a fresh goat, gleaming and clean. His teeth matched this color, and surrounding them were a light blush to the lips, shiny as though wax had been placed over them. His eyes were dark and murky, their lashes like night against day. His brows were thin, smooth, and sculpted, in the craftsmanship like that of the figures of long and luxurious raven colored hair, that fell off his shoulder's in one fluid wave of grace, every now and then flecks of white evident in its strand.
"You called me over?" he began, sitting down on the tatami mat, and arranging himself in a sprawling position against a nearby worn wooden pine pillar.
"You seemed lonely sitting there in the corner. Never good to be alone when drinking." Miroku chuckled, filling the strangers cup with cool choya.
"Thanks" murmured the pale skinned man, his large feminine eyes glancing from Inuyasha to Miroku.
"Summers almost here." Remarked Inuyasha, stretching slightly, "Another month, perhaps two…"
"Its only March, you know." Miroku grumbled with a sigh of exasperation.
"Oi, that's closer than it was in December." Inuyasha pouted, crossing his arms.
The stranger chuckled, and replied in his light airy voice, "You two must be good friends indeed."
"If that's what you want to call it." Miroku shrugged.
"My name is Hakuza." The stranger smiled lazily, allowing his gleaming teeth to show through his pink lips, "But people call me Kai."
"Why do they call you Kai, if your name is Hakuza?" Inuyasha questioned, leaning forward, trying to decide whether he was human or demon. Yet, his scent was so cleverly disguised it was hard to tell. Yes, there was the smell of human blood, yet at the same time there was a variety of demons. Perhaps he had just come back from a hunt?
"I grew up by the sea. Do you know of Yaizu?" The handsome man questioned, sipping the choya.
"Yes, that is in the Shizuoka prefecture." Responded Miroku hurriedly, quickly pouring 'Kai' some broth from a steaming bowl that had arrived.
"But now, my alliance lies to the south." Kai confessed, smiling softly. Whether or not it was a happy or sorrowful smile neither could say. It was neutral in all respects.
"To the south, you say?" Miroku asked, his interest with the stranger sparked, "To a warlord?"
"My alliance lies with Naraku." The man replied, suddenly subdue.
"I have never heard of this 'Naraku'," Inuyasha admitted, trying to recall. "Has he been around long?"
"Nearly eighteen years." Kai replied suddenly, his energy having been revived. It seemed to come in waves.
"Hmm, interesting." Miroku admitted, sipping some soba noodles, "When we return from our tour of the northern country, both Inuyasha and I would be interested in meeting your lord."
"Y-You are Inuyasha-sama? The lord of the eastern lands?" Kai sputtered in surprise, "My lord speaks quite highly of you! In fact, I was to journey to find you in your annual tour of the north, and request to meet him."
"Well now, isn't that a coincidence!" Miroku clapped, chuckling under his breath.
"He will be very relieved. For some time I have been looking for you, usually you are not at your fortress at Genma during this time of year, so by the time I heard the news of your injury…" the man stopped suddenly, and glancing towards the door his eyes seemed emotionless and cold as a young beautiful female walked into the inn, followed by a handsome man at her side.
Kai faced Miroku and Inuyasha, and spoke hurriedly, "But now that I have found you, I will tell my lord. May we meet here in two months then?"
Inuyasha nodded slightly, "Etoh…"
Miroku cut in, brushing his lord aside, "I suppose we must. But can't I interest you in a round of Sake?"
Kai's hair fell gracefully over his shoulder as he retreated into the din of the inn, "No, thank you for the kind offer. I must be off this evening."
"Are you quite sure, Kai?" Miroku called out, waving a filled container in the air, "There is more than enough!"
Kai had now all but disappeared into the crowd of the restaurant, his body camouflaged among the masses of flesh than sat humped over the bar, or tables.
Miroku, glancing at his skeptical lord, replied, "Well now…"
Inuyasha fumed bitterly, "Who the hell is this Naraku?"
Miroku sighed, and running his hand through his hair, whispered to himself, "The dark hand that guides the south…"
Before Inuyasha could say anything else, a rich voice entered their ears, and glancing up in curiosity both were mildly surprised to see a the beautiful woman who had just entered the front of the inn walk directly towards their table. Her hands lay quietly at her side, her eyes, a clear hazel color, were now studying Inuyasha's upturned face in curiosity.
"So it is you," the beauty breathed, gently bringing her fingers to her dark main of hair before casually tossing it behind her shoulder. Placing that hand smoothly on her hips, a thin quiet smile came to her pretty face, causing her eyes to crinkle as though she were a child.
Miroku, glancing up, smothered his sexy smirk as soon as his eyes fell to her handsome counterpart, leaning against the pillar where Kai had only moments ago sprawled. Miroku, being completely heterosexual himself, could not help but notice this mans classic good looks. His skin was smooth, the color of moonlight, his eyes dark, clever, daring—his composition like that of the yin and the yang of China. He was a man of perfect balance; and incorporated into this balance was the love of this slender young female.
This was woman he could and would not trifle with…
"Who the fuck are you?" snarled Inuyasha angrily, slightly annoyed by this onslaught of unwelcome people.
"Can't you tell? We once lived together not so long ago. Perhaps about eighteen years…" the girl whispered nearly inaudibly.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Inuyasha barked bitterly, "Sixteen years ago you were only a child! What would you know?"
"You may not remember me, but my sister I am sure you remember." The girl chuckled slightly, seating herself down and pouring the left over choya into a cup, "Kikyou, ne?"
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This is just wonderful…thought Kagome darkly as she buried her head in her arms, trying to hide her face from the world. Sitting in the nearly boiling water was not so bad, really. It was relaxing her to some extent, at least. Yet, the fact remained that she had to make a decision.
And what it came down to was one of two words.
Yes.
Or
No.
Yes, she would risk getting in serious trouble by her lord, and husband by going against his wishes. Yes, she would travel to Shizuoka and see what she could do, and find out exactly who this 'Sesshoumaru' was, along with this new dark warlord. Kagome realized that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru must be enemies…but who was this new person?
Stop…! Kagome yelled to herself. She couldn't go off on a tangent. She had to think in 'pro' or 'con' terms.
Pro: she would be getting out of this blasted birdcage.
Con: her husband would probably lock her away in Kyoto after this, complete with all the air headed noble women.
Pro: she might actually do some good. Was that possible?
Con: she might screw things up terribly
Pro: she would be more informed of the situation with her husband, and what his territory and allegiances were, and all those interesting things.
Con: she could do something terrible—wait…hadn't she already thought that?
Trying to think of another 'con' she found that in actuality she couldn't. The worst thing she could do was that her husband would make her life a living hell, and she would screw up all his plans. Yet, there seemed so many more pro's…there was a whisper of adventure, new people, new places, just newness.
"Damn it…" Kagome whispered bitterly, nibbling on her fingernails. "Damn it…"
"Kagome-sama, did you say something?" questioned Yuki from the next room.
"No, I didn't say anything." Kagome sighed, washing her forehead and winding a piece of her thick hair about her fingers. Glancing about the room, she exhaled her pent up breath, and continued, "Ne, Yuki…? How far away is Shizuoka from here?"
There was a silence in which Kagome presumed that Yuki was trying to mentally figure it out, "A week, perhaps." Acknowledged the girl.
"A week?" gasped Kagome shocked by the amount of time, and bolting up in the bath, "B-But that's so long!"
"It would be quicker…if Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were not at war…Sesshoumaru's land divides us." Yuki admitted.
Kagome massaged her temples yet again, and said sternly, "Yuki, inform the servants to prepare the horses and supplies for tomorrow."
"Are you going to visit your family, Kagome-sama?" Yuki questioned, the thought of even betraying her husbands trust not yet settled into her small mind.
"No. Tomorrow I set out for Shizuoka." Kagome replied firmly. "Tonight I will write a letter to Inuyasha, hopefully it will reach him soon, since he has so conveniently not informed us of his whereabouts." Kagome spat bitterly, drying herself off with a towel.
"But my lady!" Yuki replied from the other room, fear in her voice, "It is dangerous for you to travel alone!"
"Yuki," began Kagome in a harsh tone, "Dare you question my word?"
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"Kikyou?" Miroku questioned, intrigued by the female name, "My my, Inuyasha, you sly dog you!"
Realizing he had just made a joke, he broke out into a bit of laughter, before recovering his composure.
"Kikyou was the girl that Sesshoumaru killed." Inuyasha sighed bitterly, having never actually explained to Miroku about the past relationship.
"Oh, really now? And she had a younger sister then, hmm?" Miroku smirked slightly, gazing at his companion.
"A brat of one, that's for fucking sure." Inuyasha growled.
"Excuse me." A deep voice from behind Kaede's voluptuous frame requested, "Understand that I am not here just for decoration, and that if you speak ill of her you will have to pay the consequences."
"Oh yeah?" Inuyasha spat, "And you are?"
"Oh, don't bother with him," whispered Kaede, "He has always been like this. I do not know what my sister saw in him."
"I would have to agree." Replied the man, gazing sternly down at the silvery-haired hanyou.
"What was that?" Inuyasha snarled, bitterly rising to his feet, "What the fuck would you know about me or her?!"
"Calm down, calm down everyone." Miroku soothed, pulling on Inuyasha's garments, and then to the two guests he responded, "Please, take a seat."
"At least he has manners." The handsome man behind Kaede commented.
The two gracefully seated themselves opposite the two, sinking gratefully to the ground, as though they had just suffured from a terribly long and tiring journey. Fait traces of ill nights sleep were highlighted underneath their eyes—as though many dangers had gracefully been defeated, but at great costs. Would else would the two defeat in the future?
"Anyways!" Began Miroku, directing the conversation "Is there something particular you wish to speak to me, or Inuyasha here about? This is our last night in Edo and…"
Kaede, ordering a cup of tea, and pouring some for her companion, cut off, "Yes, and no, actually."
"Well, spit it out, damn it." Inuyasha commanded, snatching the teakettle away from her.
"Excuse you." The handsome companion of Kaede hissed, snatching the large copper pot back. A bit of heated water fell onto the tablecloth, instantly absorbed into the dry wood.
"Anyways…" Miroku grumbled, resting his head in his palm in annoyance and frustration.
"About your companion that just left. Have you known him long?" Kaede responded quietly, her large hazel eyes meeting her companion's own dark gray ones. Something had changed in her tone. It was no longer joking, no longer playful, no longer amused. What she now spoke of was serious in every respect. Perhaps more so than death…A shadows had fallen upon the visitors, their forms distorted momentarily.
"Well, no, actually…we recognized him from earlier on, and invited him over for drinking." Miroku explained, motioning to a variety of empty cups and saucers that littered the tabletop, "But he did leave so very suddenly. Why?"
The two guests exchanged looks that seemed to mean something, and then replied, "Well, keep an eye on him. When you return to Genma, please visit us at our shrine."
"Oh, you two run a shrine then?" Miroku replied curiously, "My, how quaint." A sweet, almost fox-like smile, appeared on his handome features.
"There is a matter of importance that has been developing for some time now. Have you heard of a warlord called 'Naraku'?"
"The one that supposedly has taken over the Yamanashi prefecture?" Inuyasha questioned, his curiosity sparked. "The one that writes letters of remaining alliances to uninformed urbanites?"
"The very one." Replied the male companion, sipping his tea solemnly, nodding to himself about the use of herbs.
"We can't talk here." Sighed Kaede, resting her head in her hands, and groaning, "He has too many spies. Only in a shrine may we be somewhat safe." A few strands of her umber hair fell onto the table top, contrasting with the gray of the woven tablecloth.
"What does that mean?" Miroku questioned, his eyebrows rising ever so slightly.
"It means that when and if you return from your tour, visit us immediately. Before you counter attack your brother, you must consult with us first." Kaede grumbled, searching inside her satchel for something. Upon finding it, she withdrew a piece of thick washi paper followed "This is all rather quick, you know." Miroku wavered slightly, still entranced by Kaede's robust figure.
"Hmm." Was the only response the two received.
"By the way, what is your name, since I never really met you before…I was only about three or four at the time, so my role in this does not seem as great…" Miroku inquired, shrugging slightly. Then, he grinned a bit and chuckled slightly to himself as though in some private joke.
"Kaede, and this is Hiroyoshi, my husband. We are only in Tokyo to visit the head of our council. He is both powerful and wise…" Kaede responded quietly, Inuyasha and Miroku unaware that the couples' fingers were now embraced in the privacy underneath the tablecloth.
Inuyasha and Miroku did not respond to this last comment, their minds were already far away, innumerable questions bordering on the edge of their psyche. It was as though something dark was closing in about them, something that they could not resist, and something that was beckoning them closer and closer to them day by day by day. Heaving a deep sigh, Inuyasha berried his head in his hands and his body shook though he was crying softly to himself. But for Inuyasha to cry…that was something that Miroku would not live to see…
"Who is this Naraku?" Inuyasha's hoarse voice whispered bitterly, his fingers gripping his hair, as though he was about to pull it angrily out of his skull.
Hiroyoshi and Kaede said nothing; instead, Hiroyoshi watched as his wife added a bit of water to an ink stone and formed deep dark ink. Her stokes were graceful, like the movement of the crane in the marsh, with one leg tucked beneath his breast of snow. The four figures faces glinted in candlelight, the unmistakable look of fear and worry etched into their features.
"Kaede," mused Miroku after a moment, "Do you know what he has in mind? Anything. An inkling…"
The two exchanged deep, dark and long glances. Kaede's chest heaved a sigh, and slipping a piece of her chocolaty brown hair behind her ear, she replied, "Perhaps complete and utter destruction to what you hold dear."
"Well," laughed Miroku cheekily, sipping some tea, "At least its not your brother then, eh, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha grunted. It was as though his entire body had shut down. Soon, however, he would rise to the challenge and vow that never allow Naraku to follow the path of his brother. The cycle would end here, he told himself. One death of a beloved was enough for his life. His amber eyes had turned an angry shade of umber, their depths like that of the fire of a late evening sunset. They glinted and crackled with an unknown power.
"Sesshoumaru," began Kaede, her eyes narrowing slightly, "I have heard he has made an alliance with this Naraku…"
Hiroyoshi glanced up and spoke swiftly, his gray eyes troubled and interrested, "I have heard quite the opposite that they are enemies." A slight frown appeared on this stranger's face, as though he was trying to remember scattered bits of information he head heard over the past months. Winter had been long indeed.
Miroku stole a glance at his lord. Inuyasha's visage was like that of a mask, cold, impersonal, and utterly impossible to read.
Kaede tossed a folded piece of paper across the table, and it bounced a few times before landing by the bowl. "That," she began, "Is directions to our shrine."
"Its not in the most accessible of areas." Hiroyoshi grinned wryly, the frown for the most part dissipated.
"Be sure you pay us a visit before you decide. And," she paused, her gaze now falling to Inuyasha, "Do not be swayed by Naraku's charm…I think there are deeper things afoot here than any of us realize."
The priestess and monk rose in unison and turned to leave, paused only by Miroku's words, "But where are you going?"
"To the head of our council, who is both powerful and wise." The young miko repeated again, flashing a grin to the two, tossing a few hundred yen onto the tabletop. Miroku's eyes strayed slightly as the light caught their metal surface and momentarily blinded him. By the time he looked up the two were halfway across the room, heading for the flapping doorway.
Miroku and Inuyasha exchanged an apprehensive glance, the words of Kaede, Kai and Hiroyoshi still fresh in their mind. Somehow, everything was happening too fast. Perhaps the winter snows of the mountain were beginning to melt, and soon the rivers would swell and their swiftness increase like that of an angry spirit. Conflicting words did battle in each of their mind, struggling for control. Perhaps the snow was beginning to melt in the mountains of the Yamanashi prefecture…
"Miroku," Inuyasha sighed reluctantly, "When we get to Nagaoka…send word for my wif—for Kagome."
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AN: a LOT of dialog, and WOW I got this chapter out fast. This chapter is mainly a…well, it's mainly a plot-moving-along agent. Twas needed, as well as new characters needed to be introduced. Like I said, this is both a war and a romance, so if there isn't a lot of romance in this chapter, buuuh! You loose! Jk. Between IY/Kag there won't be a lot of contact for a LONNNNG period of time…but does that lead to tension? Why yes, of course it does! But guess who is entering the stage again? If you guessed Se-chan, your right, because next chapter he is back, and as hot as he ever was.
Next chapter…Kagome leaves for Shizuoka. Did the youkai extermination services rather give it away? ^_~ I suppose Sango will make her debut. Miroku receives Kagome's letter a week later—where he must rush off to find her, leaving an alone IY, at the will of whom else but Naraku?
I actually updated "Forgotten Wish" my website. I decided that Spirited Away has died…or merged in with Forgotten Wish. X_x and FW has now turned into my fanfiction site with all my stories for your enjoyment! O_o I liked the layout to the old FW so I decided to leave it the same. Anyways, enjoy! You can go there…
That's all I can say for now, because…well…its like that! WA HA HA HA!!!!! XD!!!!!
Alrighty then
PLEASE R + R
~cappie
cappiepost@yahoo.com