The cast of Inu Yasha all huddle around B-M, who's crashed out at the computer.
Kagome: Do you think we should wake her?
Sesshoumaru: If we don't the story won't continue.
Inuyasha: Feh, the story's bloody boring anyway. Besides, I wanna TV.
Rin: Shut up Inuyasha. (turns to Sess and begs) Please, can we wake her? Rin wants to know what's going to happen next. Rin loves being a Lady. Rin wonders if she gets to fight too. Oh please, can we wake her?
Sesshoumaru: All right Rin. We'll wake her.
Kagome shakes B-M. B-M lifts her head, mumbling.
B-M: Yes Naraku, put it in, now...
B-M puts her head back on the desk and continues sleeping. Everyone is staring at her in shock.
Chapter 4. The One
Sesshoumaru stepped away from the portal. As the seconds went by, strange shapes started forming within the inky blackness. Suddenly, a large white demonic cat with long fangs and red eyes walked out of the void. It moved to stand menacingly in front of Sesshoumaru and Tiyaku, glaring at them in warning. Behind it, a young boy stepped from the portal and a girl of slightly older appearance followed soon after. They both moved to the left, standing side-by-side, facing him.
The two youkai watched in fascination as one figure after another emerged from the void. Next, came a wolf demon followed by a very young human girl. A large white feather, carrying spirit demon floated out seconds before a horse, bearing a young monk in black and purple robes trotted through. To the astonishment of Sesshoumaru and Tiyaku, Inuyasha came through next with Lady Kikyou following slowly behind his horse. They all seemed dazed as they lined up before the black wall.
Sesshoumaru and Tiyaku looked at the line of individuals before them. Sesshoumaru walked forward, slowly studying each person before him.
'What could this possibly mean?' he wondered. 'Why were these people sent here? And why were Inuyasha and Lady Kikyou among them?'
He looked at the young spirit demon. They had seen her flying around the Western Lands and believed her responsible for saving one of the farming properties several months before. At the time, a series of plagues had hit the West, this particular one being a horde of insects that were destructively making their way through everything in their path. Trees, wild life and vegetation all fell beneath the onslaught. The townspeople had stood before their fields prepared to defend them with their lives, but before the menacing pests could reach them a massive wall of wind, the likes of which they had never, stood before them, shielding them and their crops from harm. That night several soldiers had reported witnessing a spirit demon on a large white feather, flying up and down along a huge wall of wind that had suddenly appeared along the entire length of the Western borders.
Sesshoumaru looked at Tiyaku, who now stood at his side.
"What could this possibly mean Sire?"
Sesshoumaru sighed, "Your guess is as good as mine Captain. I turned to this scroll, being informed it was the answer to my problems, though I am now seriously doubting this. How, in heaven's name is this lot to make a difference to the present situation?"
"I am curious as to why Prince Inuyasha and Lady Kikyou are among them" Captain Tiyaku stared carefully at the faces before him, "I wonder when they will come out of their trance?"
Sesshoumaru moved to stand in front of his brother's horse and stared at his glazed expression.
"Inuyasha, can you hear me?" he watched his brother's face for any response. None was forthcoming. He then moved closer to Kikyou.
"Lady Kikyou?" As soon as he spoke here name, Kikyou's hand come out to deliver the scroll and pouch she carried. Sesshoumaru took the items from her and inspected them closely. He walked to the table and placed the pouch upon it. He unravelled the scroll and read its contents. It was from Lady Kaede. He already knew some of the facts relayed in the parchment, but some were new to him. He was now aware that deciphering the scroll was unnecessary, and that the talisman had only just begun to serve its purpose. He also learned of those standing before him. He turned to Tiyaku in total amazement.
"They are The Guardians," he told the soldier, who gaped in amazement. He turned his gaze back to the line of dazed people.
"How can this be?" Tiyaku asked, feeling truly baffled, "Four humans and three youkai are the answer to all the problems here on this earth? I am sorry Sire, but I fail to see how. How can they possibly save this world?"
"Like you, I too am puzzled Tiyaku. We have four women and four men, and two are merely children. I do not understand this at all."
Sesshoumaru continued to read the scroll. According to Lady Kaede, the one who led the Guardians would waken them to their powers and skills. Unfortunately, there was no mention of who that one might be. The letter explained that the pouch contained a piece of the scroll, but in order to use it he would need to retrieve a certain item from the young noblewoman. Sesshoumaru lifted his head and scanned the group, his eyes falling on Rin. He moved to stand before her, wondering what to do.
"You have something for me?"
Immediately, Rin held out the small jewellery box she carried. Sesshoumaru took it from her and studied it. It was gold and covered with the same stars and moons that graced the black wall behind them. He slid the clasp open and stared at the tiny pink crystal inside. There was immense energy radiating from the jewel. He held his breath in anticipation, waiting for something phenomenal to occur. He was greatly disappointed when nothing did. Growling in frustration he walked back to the table to once again read the old woman's scroll.
"What is the matter Sire?" Tiyaku had never before witnessed his Liege displaying emotion and was intrigued.
"According to this scroll, this here is the next piece to puzzle" Sesshoumaru replied, pointing to the pouch on the table, "but before I can apply it I need this" he held out the tiny crystal.
"What is that Sire?" Tiyaku asked, as he too felt the power of the jewel.
"Of that I have no idea. All that the scroll tells us is that one will waken the Guardians and I assume this has something to do with it."
"Maybe you are this one" Sesshoumaru looked at Tiyaku with a thoughtful eyes. "Think about it Sire. Why is all this here, in your castle? Furthermore, why would you receive knowledge of this hidden room in your dreams?"
"You could be right Tiyaku," Sesshoumaru replied, glancing at the young officer, "the only problem is I do no know how to proceed from here."
He set Kaede's letter aside and focussed his attention on the small jewel. Sighing, he placed it on the table alongside the talisman. In an instant, the table's vibrations picked up tremendously. They filled the room with a howling pitch. The wind swirled around the table and lit the candles. The jewel sat glowing in its bed of black velvet. Sesshoumaru tried to lift it from the table but found he could not. It stuck there, refusing to budge. Suddenly he felt a great compulsion to touch it. Slowly he reached out, rubbing his finger over its smooth surface. Then he felt it, a strange vibration started deep within his body. The same whispering voice from his dream, beckoned to him.
"Come, it is time"
Sesshoumaru was in the grip of something beyond his control. He turned, having no will of his own and started moving. Tiyaku watched him in surprise.
"Sire?" he asked as his Lord walked slowly to the door. Sesshoumaru turned his head towards him, though his body continuing forward involuntarily.
"Something controls me. I am being drawn somewhere."
"Would you like me to accompany you Sire?"
"No, stay here and make sure the Guardians do not disappear. I feel that it is better for me to go alone." With that said, Sesshoumaru left the room.
Tiyaku stood looking at the line of people, who had not moved an inch the entire time. They all stared blankly ahead. He seriously doubted that they would attempt to leave.
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A very old tree stood in the middle of a clearing. It was surrounded by a beautiful array of flowers and plants. The grass was a thick green carpet blanketing the surface of the ground around it. The tree was the oldest in existence, known as the God Tree. It towered over all the others around it. Sesshoumaru slowed his horse as he approached the clearing. He dismounted and moved forward until he stood between the large boughs of the ancient tree.
'What am I doing here?" he wondered looking about him at the peaceful surroundings. He sensed a movement in front of him and suddenly felt dizzy. Everything around him began shimmering. His forehead beaded with sweat, his breath coming in ragged spurts as his heartbeat accelerated. 'What is happening?'
Beep beep! The loud noise startled Kagome, bringing her out of her daze. She quickly put her car into gear and drove forward, casting a glare into the rear-view mirror at the impatient driver behind her.
"Do you have to be so rude?" She sighed as she pulled away from the lights and headed for the street that would take her out of the bustling city. She was anxious to get home. She had fallen into the strange daze several times today.
'This is getting worse' she thought, as she turned her car off the busy highway and into the quiet streets of her small suburb. She had lapsed into this trance-like state frequently over the last couple of months and now, it grew worse. She was convinced that it was more than mere fatigue that induced it, as the doctors predicted. At night, her troubled sleep filled with sounds and images of unfamiliar things. She would often waken with strange emotions and sensations running through her body. Of late, her dreams had taken a disturbingly sensual twist. Night after night she would live through agonizing moments of unfulfilled desire, which would leave her body aching with need. As a result of all this, Kagome's face often mirrored the exhaustion she felt.
She finally arrived at her house, parking in front of the garage. Before the car stopped, the door swung open to reveal the face of her closest friend. Kagome laughed as she switched off the engine.
"Do you think you can wait until I stop the car next time Sakura? I swear one of these days I'm going to run you over."
Sakura laughed, throwing her arms around her friend's neck. She loved scaring Kagome; it had been a favourite pastime since they were five years old. The two girls walked arm-in-arm into the house, discussing their day. Kagome's mother and brother were both in the kitchen, talking. A few minutes later Kagome sat in her room with Sakura, listening to music while they ate their cake.
"You know Kagome, I don't know why you won't go out with Hojo. The guy is so incredibly hot."
"Then you go out with him." Kagome turned her back, already bored with the conversation that she'd had to endure a million times already. If Sakura wasn't hassling her about it then her mother or other friends were. She couldn't understand their fixation with her love life, or lack of it. She was quite happy being unattached, and besides who had the time for romance?
"Well I would, if the guy was interested, but he only wants you Kagome."
Kagome turned the radio off and sat facing her friend.
"Look Sakura, it doesn't matter how much I try, I just don't feel anything for Hojo."
Sakura looked at Kagome in disbelief. "Kagome you never feel anything for any guy."
"Well, I'm sorry but I really can't help that" she replied feeling slightly disgruntled. "And besides that's not entirely true. I did have a crush on Rani last year, remember?"
"And how long did that last?"
"So it was two dates, big deal. What did you expect me to do? The guy is a major jerk. There was no way in hell, that I was ever going to see him again."
"Oh come on Kagome, when is any guy ever going to be good enough for you?" Sakura asked in frustration.
"I happen to have high standards, what's wrong with that?" she asked innocently.
"Oh nothing but the fact that no-one can live up to them."
Kagome laughed at her friend's woeful face. "Come on Sakura, cheer up. I actually felt a quite attracted to the new guy at work, isn't that something?"
Sakura looked at her unconvinced, "Until you go out with him."
Kagome's laughter grew louder as she switched the radio back on.
"I'm going to have a shower. Be a good girl and stop sulking before I get back, ok?" She turned up the volume before heading to the bathroom.
Sakura sat on the bed staring at her friend. She loved her dearly, but could not understand her. At school, every girl had envied Kagome. She was beautiful, with her long black hair and unusually light grey eye that looked almost silver. Her skin was perfect with not a blemish, her delicate features all perfectly proportioned. She had a body that made most women envious. If you added that to the package of smarts that she carried, as well as her natural charm and ability with people, you just about had the perfect woman. Sakura had often thought how unfair it was that one person could be blessed with so many attributes. If Kagome had not been her best friend Sakura would probably have been very jealous of her. Having grown up with her though, she knew what a wonderful person she truly was and could find nothing in her to dislike. Despite the fact she that had everything going for her, as well as every boy in tow, she did not possess the customary high and mighty attitude you would associate with her popularity. The only thing that baffled Sakura was Kagome's stubborn refusal to participate in the romantic world. Some of the boys who pursued her were absolutely gorgeous, such as Hojo. He had been one of their school captains; the all-round popular guy, who played in the basketball team and aced every test he took. Everyone had waited with baited breaths for the romance to eventuate. They were ideally suited, both considered perfect but unfortunately, the romance would remain in everyone's minds, only. As usual, Kagome did not participate, despite Hojo's persistence.
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Kagome laid in bed a couple of hours later, replaying her conversation with Sakura. She had to admit, her friend was right. Sometimes, she even wondered if she would ever find someone who would meet her expectations. She rolled over in her bed to gaze out the window. The moon was out tonight, casting its eerie glow. For a moment Kagome wished she were there, on the moon. Maybe then she wouldn't feel so out of place.
"Why do I feel this way?" she questioned herself. She had no reply. She should have been content as all in her life was just as she planned. She excelled in everything she did. Wether it be sports, academics or social, she was a success. Kagome had always felt driven to succeed. If she took it upon herself to do something, she would not rest until she had it mastered. She had often wondered whilst watching her friends struggle at various stages of their lives, why everything seemed so easy for her. She could not think of a single instance when she had failed to reach her desired objective. Right now, though, she could not lift the feeling of discontent that settled over her. Often, even in the company of friends and family, she felt alone as if nobody understood her. She laughed at herself quietly. It was obviously time for her to take up a new challenge, as this melancholy could only be the product boredom. She had treated it as such in the past, and quite successfully too. The last thought that entered her mind before sleep claimed her was 'Why do I feel so out of place all the time?'
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Hot ragged breaths caressed her sensitised skin, making the ache in her centre grow and build to an unbearable heat. She moaned as a tongue trailed a path down her neck. Soft lips pressed gentle kisses to her burning flesh. Her fingers snaked through the hair at the back of his head, pulling him closer as her body arched under the movement of his hands. They trailed a burning path over her breast, pausing to tease her sensitised nipples, before continuing to her abdomen, getting lower and lower with each caress. She moaned loudly, only to have it cut off as his mouth claimed hers, at the same moment his fingers entered her hot wet core...
Kagome sat up, gasping deep breaths into her straining lungs. She moaned again as the images of her dream played in her mind. She tried to focus on anything else, but couldn't escape the sensations that flowed through her body. She was in agony, aching for release and wishing that just once, the dream would end. Maybe then this incredible need would disappear. She sighed, getting out of bed. She knew there would be no sleeping tonight, for that was the way after each dream. The burning ache would hold her for hours. She sat at her customary seat near the window, curling her legs beneath her and hugging her arms tightly around her body, willing the sensations away.
Kagome started to wonder if maybe, this wasn't partly her own fault for restricting her contact with men. 'There would be no problem if I could feel this way about Hojo, or one of the other boys I've dated. Unfortunately for me, the only passionate moments of my life are with a dream lover.'
Sighing, she leaned her head against the windowpane and stared out at the God Tree. She smiled as considered going outside to sleep under its branches, thinking of her family's reaction if they were to find her out there in the morning. She sat for several hours, staring at nothing, until exhaustion finally claimed her.
"Ha!" Kagome's grandfather yelled as he lunged at her. She dropped swiftly to the floor, sweeping her leg round in a circular motion to dislodge him. As his body hit the mat, she raised herself to a defensive stance and waited. The old man sat up and laughed at his granddaughter.
"Get out of here you, before you kill an old man."
Kagome put her hands and feet together, and bowed him.
"Old man, huh? Since when?" She asked, laughing with him. She turned to pick up her shoes from the doorway, and looked back at him as she slipped them on.
"Do you know how much I love you Grandpa?"
"Oh yes, child. I can tell by the way you beat me up just now."
This comment caused Kagome to burst into laughter. She shook her head at him, before walking to the house. She stayed inside long enough to collect the plate of food her mother had left her and headed back out to the God Tree. After positioning herself comfortably against it, she kicked off her shoes then started eating. She spent a lot of time in this very spot, finding it rather soothing to her senses. It seemed to be the one place where was at peace with herself. After she finished eating, she settled back on one of the boughs and read the book that she had brought out. Within minutes, she was asleep with the book resting on her lap, forgotten.
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Kagome sat up with a start. Something was wrong. She stood up and looked about, to discover what it was. Everything around her started shimmering. She suddenly felt dizzy, loosing focus of her world. She seemed to be inside some kind of swirling vortex, but there was nothing in sight. She lifted her hand, intent on reaching through the whirling mist to discover what lay beyond. She stopped when her hand came into contact with something warm and firm, that stood directly in front of her. Before she realised what was happening, she was pressing into a hard body as a pair of arms encircled her.
'Am I dreaming again?' she wondered, as familiar sensations flooded her body. There was no time to think as her mouth opened to the warm lips that pressed against hers. Instantly, she was back in the sensual world of desire, wondering why this time, it felt more real. Her hands snaked through his hair, pulling him closer to deepen their kiss. The sensations caused by the rough tongue sliding back and forth and curling around hers, were driving her into a state of frenzy. She heard his moan as he squeezed her closer, his hands firmly caressing their way down her back. She groaned loudly, needing him so badly that she thought she would die if he did not take her now. Her hips thrust against his, of their own volition.
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Sesshoumaru grabbed the back of her head with one hand, deepening the kiss as his other hand cupped her backside, spurring her frenzied movements. He pushed himself against her, feeling as though he would explode at any moment. He let out a husky groan as their tongues moved together, sliding back and forth. His control was nearly gone. He pushed her back into the tree, his knee parting her thighs. She opened them willingly, allowing his heated presence. As desires escalated, so did their desperate movements. He thrust his hips forward, pressing his arousal against her heated centre, feeling the contact despite the layers of clothing. Their lips parted as both screamed in an agony of need...then, came an intense bright light and a deafening roar that filled the air, followed by blackness...
Back At The Office
demonswty: thanks for the review. I'll try to keep them coming as quickly as possible. The chapters are quite long and take a while to write.
Shadows-insanity: did you really think I would forget the main ingredient? Hope this chapter pleases thee.
See you next time
Babs