Faithful By:: RecklessAbandon and OtakuSailorV
Chapter 3:: Bleeding
Kyoyume groaned, she had been sleeping, but for how long?
Her mind had swum back into conscienceness slowly, she was only barely aware of the pain that coursed throughout her body. With a small groan, she opened her eyes blearily and stared at the ceiling of the room until her eyes focused.
"Awake I see." A monotonous voice from the far end of the room came. "I'll inform Naraku-sama that you've woken."
"Hakudoushi?" Kyoyume asked through a groan as someone slid open the shouji door.
"No, Kohaku." The monotone told her.
"Oh....hello, Kohaku."
"Hello. I must inform Naraku-sama of your recovery." He said, bowing his way out. Moment's later Naraku entered.
Kyoyume was a bit upset that she hadn't been able to speak with the boy longer, or even see his face to see if he was the black haired boy that lived in the castle, but at least she had company.
"Cat." Naraku acknowledged her.
"Master." Kyoyume mimicked him with a smirk.
"...You have no obligation of calling me master." He told her coldly.
"Well, neither do you for calling me cat. So at least we're on the same page."
"I call you what I please." Naraku told her. "So I see you're feeling better."
"Oh yes, I can feel my legs today." Kyoyume almost laughed at her own joke.
Naraku chuckled. "Isn't that wonderful?"
"Of course it is! Now I know they're still there." Kyoyume said, wishing she could sit up.
"I don't think you're needed for my bidding at anytime in the near future. So rest until you feel the rest of your body."
Kyoyume simply smiled.
"I will take my leave of you, Kyoyume." He said, nodding and leaving the room.
Kyoyume sat in the still room, so tired that not even her ears moved when she heard the door open again.
Upon Naraku's exit Hakudoshi had strolled in. "Hello." He said looking at her.
"Hello." Kyoyume said, opening her eyes to look at him with a smile.
He gave her a little smirk. "You survived the Wind Scar on nothing but strength. You are a great fighter you do know that?"
Kyoyume gave a small laugh. "Yeah, and nearly killed myself in the process. If I'm a good fighter, I'm a dumb one."
"No, just following orders...it was more of a test."
"Does that mean I've passed?"
"Yes."
"That's good." She said with a smile. "Now, if I could just get up..."
"Stay still." He warned.
Kyoyume, who had been trying to force herself up on her shaky limbs, immediately froze and stared at him.
"You'll reopen one of those wounds if you move too much. According to Naraku-sama."
"Did he tell you to watch me and make sure that I didn't run off?" Kyoyume asked, lowering herself.
"No. He just told me that if I was in here to warn you that you might hurt yourself if you move."
Kyoyume sighed, knowing that she would be quite bored for some time. 'At least I'm a hanyou.' She thought. 'It shouldn't take too long for all the wounds to heal...'
"Well, I'll be making my own exit. Good-bye, rest well." He said bidding his farewell and leaving.
Kyoyume laid on the futon in the enclosed room for several days before she tried to sit up again. There was a dull pain, but she found that she could even stand without any bleeding at all. With a smile, she pulled the light kimono she wore tightly around herself and went to the door with only slight difficulty.
"I see you're better...." The black haired boy at the door said in a monotone.
She jumped at his voice and turned toward him quizzically. "Oh, you're Kohaku, right? Hello, I didn't see you there."
"I'm sorry if I startled you. Naraku-sama wishes to speak with you...."
"Oh, no, you didn't scare me, I just was off in my own world." She said, rubbing the back of her head. "Um, where IS Naraku?" She asked, her hand on the door.
"Third door down that hall on the right."
"Oh, thanks, Kohaku. See ya." She smiled and waved at him before sliding the door completely open and walking as carefully as she could down the hallway until she reached the door.
"Good to see your well." Naraku said as she entered.
Kyoyume nodded, taking a seat on the floor. "Kohaku said you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I do. I have a feeling that we might get some unwelcome visitors tonight...so just be ready for a fight." He told her sighing.
"Who's coming?" She asked.
"...Who you fought...and Lord Sesshomaru." He growled.
"Oh..." Kyoyume said, ears bending back against her skull.
"...Okay...you might not want to fight in what you're wearing though, now to think of it, they'll recognize you."
"Yes, they will, but does that matter?"
"Yes. They can place you and they'll know your weak spots."
"So, what should I do?" Kyoyume asked rather helplessly.
"...There is a village nearby, go find yourself something that will cover your...distinguishing features...." He said, gesturing to her ears.
Kyoyume smiled as her strange black ears moved around on the top of her head. "Hai."
He nodded. "Be creative with your disguise."
Kyoyume stood rather awkwardly, but managed to stay on her feet. "Hai, Naraku-sama." She said before turning to leave.
Naraku nodded after her.
"I should be back by nightfall." She said, waving before shutting the door.
Walking to the nearby village was most pleasant; not a soul bothered the cat-hanyou. She felt quite at ease, though sometimes she was uneasy. She was able to move without bleeding, but she wasn't sure if she would be able to fight off bandits or other offenders that might appear in the forest on the way to the village.
She got to the village safe and sound though. But the villagers that saw her avoided her eyes.
Kyoyume was used to such treatment, but it bothered her that they ignored her. She wondered what they would do when she asked for services. Putting the thought aside, she looked for a shop selling what she needed.
When she found one, the elderly woman at the counter looked at her for a minute before speaking. "How may I help you miss?" She asked.
"I'm looking for some fine cloth. Would you happen to be selling any?" Kyoyume asked as politely as possible.
"Well, depends on what you're lookin' to cover with this cloth, and how much you're willing to pay."
Kyoyume added up the money she had in her satchel. "How much would it cost for..." She really didn't want to ask, she knew the old woman could see her ears. "...a head shawl?"
"Covering those ears, or your whole face?"
Kyoyume laughed nervously. "The ears, ma'am."
"Well, I don't think I have one that small." The woman admitted.
"Oh, that's ok, any size is fine with me." Kyoyume said.
"I can give you this," she started, holding up a finely stitched black scarf. "And throw in the kimono that matches for whatever you've got." She told her.
"Oh, it's very beautiful!" Kyoyume said, admiring the fabric. "I'll take it."
"Okay, give me whatcha got kid." The woman said, handing the delicate clothes to Kyoyume.
Kyoyume noticed the sudden change in the woman's dialect, but said nothing, handing over what she thought was a suitable amount for the cloth.
The woman smiled and nodded. "Thank you." She said gesturing to the money.
Kyoyume left the village.
On her walk back, Kyoyume looked the outfit over, and decided to hide most of her face with the large shawl. "Should I wear armor underneath?" She mused to herself as she walked along.
'Best idea....' She thought silently. She climbed the steps to the fortress, and announced her return.
Hakudoushi ran past, and she stopped him. "Hey, where's Naraku and the others?" She asked curiously.
"In the armory, getting ready, they're coming." Hakudoushi said coolly before he sped down the hall.
She slipped into a room and changed quickly. Her face was shielded, except her eyes and nose, her ears were of course covered, and the kimono fit snuggly over her armor.
She smiled, as she looked herself over. "Perfect." She thrilled at how her voice was muffled, making her sound like a completely different person. "Now, to disguise my scent somehow..."
Naraku slid past her. "Don't worry about your scent, I have that taken care of."
"Oh." She said, stunned by his sudden arrival, and the strange dragon-armor he wore. The armor seemed to glow with his aura, and for the first time in several months, she shivered as she saw him. He looked completely different, angry, wrathful, ready to fight the oncoming intruders.
Naraku studied the masked Kyoyume. Smirking, he noted the effect of being unseen made her glow of sorts. "They're here." He said harshly.
Kyoyume watched as Naraku and Hakudoushi, who's demeanor also seemed to have had changed, floated in similar pink bubbles towards the front of the castle. Slinging her sword over her shoulder, Kyoyume hopped from one part of the roof to the other, looking around for Kohaku and Kagura in the process.
Kagura was with Kanna, waiting at the front.
Kyoyume started to move forward, when Hakudoushi motioned that she should stay down, hidden where she was until Naraku gave the command to move. With a silent nod, she obeyed.
She could only see bits of the fight. She wanted a better view but she waited for Naraku's signal. Which came in the form of a poison insect flying to her.
She gasped at the huge bug, never having taken a liking to insects, but found that it was her cue to show up on the battle scene. Taking in a deep breath, she jumped her place and glided as silently as she could through the air until she was right among them, swinging left and right at her foes.
A tall silver haired man glared at her. "What's a child doing in a battle like this?"
Kyoyume narrowed her eyes and swung at him without a word. Just in case the mouthpiece didn't muffle her voice good enough, she didn't want to take a chance of any of them recognizing her.
He dodged. "Who does this thing think she is?" He asked himself coolly, pulling out a long dangerous looking sword.
Kyoyume was nervous from the aura of the sword, but braced herself for the attack anyway; she wouldn't back down, especially in front of someone who had called her a child.
The sword pulsed, and without even a swing of the blade, it seemed to slice at the Ronin's body.
Kyoyume tried to see past a possible illusion, but saw that the blades coming at her were no illusion to throw someone off, but a real attack. 'Damn, tricked.' She thought as she dodged and sent a curved blade of demonic energy at her enemy.
Sesshomaru barely dodged the energy. "Where did you get that sword?" He snapped.
Kyoyume, still afraid of being recognized, gave no answer to the tall youkai. Instead, she swung the blade again and again, trying to hit her quick adversary. 'Damn, he's fast.'
"Answer your superiors."
Taking a chance, Kyoyume let her voice slip out but added a slight accent to it so that no one nearby might even guess she were the same cat hanyou from a few weeks ago. "I owe no answer to those I fight against."
"And I owe nothing but your own demise." He growled.
"Not if yours comes first!" She yelled before swinging her blade downward in an arch.
It hit the silver-haired youkai on the shoulder. "...Damn you." he growled.
Kyoyume jumped into the air, swinging the blade over her head, planning on a finishing attack of tremendous force.
Sesshomaru's speed helped him avoid the attack.
Kyoyume made a face as her sword hit rock and dirt instead of her opponent. 'Damn,' She cursed. 'I've got to get him!'
"You're too pathetic to kill." Sesshomaru snapped bringing his fist across her face, knocking her out.
Kyoyume felt her world spin before her eyes. Not only was he quick, he was powerful. For a second, she thought she felt her shawl come undone, but by that time, she had hit the ground, and lay there un conscious.
When she re-awoke she was back in the castle, with a headache that could knock out an elephant. She groaned as she sat up, blinking in the light.
Across her right cheek was the mark of the poisoned talons of the youkai lord. Rubbing the cheek in irritation, she looked at her hands as she remembered the last few seconds of the fight. She had failed, she had been beaten into unconsciousness again. How could she have let that happen?
Hakudoshi was at the door. "Luck was not on your side that night was it?"
Kyoyume shook her head in shame, averting her eyes. "No."
"Its okay. For every loss there is a gain."
"I see no gain in my getting beat by one youkai, and so early in the battle..." She paused for a moment before adding. "What happened after I went out?"
"The battle ended."
"Nothing else? Who won? Is everyone ok? Did my mask come off? Come on, give me some detail Hakudoushi." Kyoyume pleaded, changing her attitude suddenly.
"Oh..." Kyoyume said a bit guiltily. "I'm sorry Hakudoushi-kun..."
"Its nothing. She was quite worthless, in my humble opinion, I like you much more."
Kyoyume smiled her face downcast. Suddenly, though, she smelled salt- water, at the same time that water started to run down her face. Her nose wrinkled, and the skin around her eyes crinkled together. So suddenly had this all happened, that she was quite startled by her own tears, and hastily tried to correct herself.
Hakudoshi said nothing of her tears, just stood there.
"Oh....." Kyoyume moaned, trying to wipe the tears away, but they returned every time, not willing to let her erase them so easily. 'It's been so long since I've cried.' She wondered to herself. 'Why now?'
Hakudoshi suddenly spoke. "Why are you crying?" He asked.
"I just..." Kyoyume searched for an answer to why the tears had so suddenly come. "I just feel...so useless....I should have been stronger..."
"You were strong enough. No one lasts as long as you did with Sesshomaru."
"You don't have to lie like that." Kyoyume sniffled, finally managing to clear away the tears. "I know that I should have been of more use." Kyoyume smiled at him, only small tracks on the sides of her face showed that she had been crying. "But there's only so much I can do, so I should get up and not worry about it."
"I don't lie." Hakudoshi stated calmly, smirking.
Kyoyume smiled at him and stood, wiping what was left of the tears away. "Well, now that that's over with. Want to do something?"
"What's there to do around here?" He asked with a sigh.
Kyoyume looked around the room she was in, but found nothing suitable for a game, or any kind of other activity.
"I like the whole mask-thing. It could work to your advantage you know."
Kyoyume was startled by the sudden comment, but decided a conversation was better than awkwardly looking for something to do. "Oh, really?" She asked, sitting back down on the floor. "You think so?"
"I know so. I mean, slipping around at night in all black...if you're called for anymore favors at night you could go practically unseen!"
Kyoyume stuck her tongue out as she smiled at the thought. "A ronin in ninja's clothing?"
"Well, a dark ronin maybe. Or maybe your a mercenary now."
Kyoyume mulled the thought over, plopping down to lay on her belly. "Yeah...maybe...I'm not sure, it's not like I'm HIRED to do it." She said, still angry at being held captive.
"At least you aren't alone."
Kyoyume quirked both and ear and an eyebrow at him. "You're not alone either."
"I've never really been alone."
"You just feel alone on the inside?" Kyoyume asked.
"Not really."
"Then why....?" Kyoyume started but changed her mind. "So...um...am I allowed to go out, or is this poison the kind that works most effectively when you're moving?"
"Actually, seeing as he barely scratched the surface, you're fine."
Kyoyume stuck her tongue out again and flipped herself onto her feet. "Ok, then no protesting when I go out this door?"
"No." Hakudoshi said nodding.
"Good, all's right with the world then." Kyoyume laughed and opened the door wide.
Hakudoshi ran out the door first. Looking back at her and smirking.
"Hey...!" Kyoyume called after him, but took it as a sort of game and gave chase immediately.
Hakudoshi ran into something solid. "Ow..." he said rubbing his nose and looking up at Entei, aforementioned demon horse he had ran into.
Kyoyume stopped, ears pressing back against her skull in wonder and astonishment. "Wow..."
Hakudoshi jumped onto Entei's back. "What is it, Kyo-san?"
Kyoyume pointed up at the demon horse. "Big horse."
"Entei? He's...kinda my pet."
Kyoyume brightened, taking in the size of the huge mammal before her. "Where's he from?"
"Don't remember."
"Really? Wow....he's really pretty...." Kyoyume said, stroking his white fur.
Hakudoshi nodded. "Very strong." He added.
"He's so big, where does he stay?"
"Just around, he's usually outside, that's why this castle is so big, for Entei."
Kyoyume looked into the large red eyes that were as big as her head. "What brings him out and about on this fine day?" She asked with a laugh.
"He's probably just bored."
"Same as us." She said, sitting on the wooden rail.
"Yeah, lets go outside with him." He said, taking Entei's reins and leading him outside.
Kyoyume walked ahead, looking around for some form of area where they could do something with Entei.
Entei did a few laps to stretch his legs.
Kyoyume sat in a broken and dismal looking tree, watching Entei and Hakudoushi have fun showing off to her. She smiled and laughed at different maneuvers, but soon found her mind wandering, her eyes locked on the forest on the other side of the barrier.
Entei stopped in front of Kyoyume. "That's Inuyasha's Forest."
"Inuyasha...?" Kyoyume said dreamily as she came out of her daze. "You mean that hanyou I fought?"
"Yes. He was pinned to the largest tree on the other side, by the miko Kikyou."
"I've heard of that miko, she was really strong. How did he get back off?"
"That girl, with the baby kitsune. Kagome, her reincarnation."
"Really? I thought there was something strange about that girl..." Kyoyume mused.
"Yup. She's in love with the dog-boy." He laughed a little.
Kyoyume laughed. "It would figure, if she is Kikyou's reincarnation."
"How old are you?"
"It is very rude to ask a woman her age." Kyoyume said. "Fifty-six."
"You don't look that old."
"Demons tend not to." Kyoyume joked.
"Naraku, he's old himself."
"Surely he's not any older than me." Kyoyume said.
"About 60."
"That's not THAT old. Only four years older than me." Kyoyume said, a little astonished herself though.
"Probably more, I haven't asked."
Kyoyume mused the thought to herself. Was he really THAT old? With a sigh, she got down from the tree and patted Entei's side.
Entei 'neighed' and shook his flame red mane.
Kyoyume giggled at him and looked up to the sky. The sun was starting to set, they should get back to the castle soon.
Hakudoshi slid down from Entei's back and looked up. "Better get inside, I'll come back tomorrow Entei." He said, patting Entei's side and walking inside.
Kyoyume gave the beast a pat as well and ran after Hakudoushi with a smile. "Goodbye Entei!" She called back.
Entei reared up and neighed again.
Then, with a burst, of flame, he was gone.
Naraku was standing at the door. "Entei's the real pet around here, eh, Hakudoshi?"
"Hey, I thought I was the pet!" Kyoyume said, acting as if she were angry.
"No, you are the new babysitter now, since Kagura is gone."
Kyoyume pressed her ears back as if she were sad. "Fine."
"And good for favors, not for cooking." He laughed.
"Well, I was hired as a cook." Kyoyume joked.
"Right."
"I was hired to do tricks and entertain!" Kyoyume said with a smirk, flipping herself so that he legs stuck up in the air, and she walked on her hands until she lost her balance.
Hakudoshi laughed a little. "No..."
"No?" Kyoyume asked, turning toward him quizzically.
"No. You're here because you're here."
Kyoyume quirked an eyebrow at him, raising one ear in question as well.
"Don't worry about it."
"I'm not." Kyoyume said simply, strolling past him and down the hallway.
Hakudoshi followed her.
"Hey." She said as she rounded the bend.
"Hi."
"What'cha following me for?"
"Bored."
"Me too."
"There is nothing to do." Hakudoshi sighed.
"Yep." Kyoyume said, rounding another corner.
"How'd you get your sword?"
Kyoyume stopped at a rail and leaned against it, fingering the blade at her side with one hand. "Someone made it for me..."
"Who?"
"He was a pupil of a Master swordsman that threw him out for making cursed blades....Kaijinbou...."
"...He crafted Toukijin."
Kyoyume nodded. "That long blade that had the evil aura....the one that that youkai had....Toukijin....a sword of death and life...how strange...." Kyoyume mused to herself.
"What does yours do?"
"Mine.....it just....." Kyoyume stumbled. "It's just a sword, you use it to cut things, y'know?"
"No freaky-cool dark aura-energy stuff?"
"Not really.....at first it did.....but...not really anymore...unless I get really angry..." Kyoyume said, remembering that fateful day that she had received her "
Kyoyume stood and watched the sun set until the stars came out. Finally, her ears twitched. "I think I'll go to bed now. I guess I'll see you in the morning?" Kyoyume asked.
"Yeah." He agreed nodding, disappearing.
With a small sigh, Kyoyume turned in for the night, wondering what the next day would bring.
{end of chapter}
Chapter 3:: Bleeding
Kyoyume groaned, she had been sleeping, but for how long?
Her mind had swum back into conscienceness slowly, she was only barely aware of the pain that coursed throughout her body. With a small groan, she opened her eyes blearily and stared at the ceiling of the room until her eyes focused.
"Awake I see." A monotonous voice from the far end of the room came. "I'll inform Naraku-sama that you've woken."
"Hakudoushi?" Kyoyume asked through a groan as someone slid open the shouji door.
"No, Kohaku." The monotone told her.
"Oh....hello, Kohaku."
"Hello. I must inform Naraku-sama of your recovery." He said, bowing his way out. Moment's later Naraku entered.
Kyoyume was a bit upset that she hadn't been able to speak with the boy longer, or even see his face to see if he was the black haired boy that lived in the castle, but at least she had company.
"Cat." Naraku acknowledged her.
"Master." Kyoyume mimicked him with a smirk.
"...You have no obligation of calling me master." He told her coldly.
"Well, neither do you for calling me cat. So at least we're on the same page."
"I call you what I please." Naraku told her. "So I see you're feeling better."
"Oh yes, I can feel my legs today." Kyoyume almost laughed at her own joke.
Naraku chuckled. "Isn't that wonderful?"
"Of course it is! Now I know they're still there." Kyoyume said, wishing she could sit up.
"I don't think you're needed for my bidding at anytime in the near future. So rest until you feel the rest of your body."
Kyoyume simply smiled.
"I will take my leave of you, Kyoyume." He said, nodding and leaving the room.
Kyoyume sat in the still room, so tired that not even her ears moved when she heard the door open again.
Upon Naraku's exit Hakudoshi had strolled in. "Hello." He said looking at her.
"Hello." Kyoyume said, opening her eyes to look at him with a smile.
He gave her a little smirk. "You survived the Wind Scar on nothing but strength. You are a great fighter you do know that?"
Kyoyume gave a small laugh. "Yeah, and nearly killed myself in the process. If I'm a good fighter, I'm a dumb one."
"No, just following orders...it was more of a test."
"Does that mean I've passed?"
"Yes."
"That's good." She said with a smile. "Now, if I could just get up..."
"Stay still." He warned.
Kyoyume, who had been trying to force herself up on her shaky limbs, immediately froze and stared at him.
"You'll reopen one of those wounds if you move too much. According to Naraku-sama."
"Did he tell you to watch me and make sure that I didn't run off?" Kyoyume asked, lowering herself.
"No. He just told me that if I was in here to warn you that you might hurt yourself if you move."
Kyoyume sighed, knowing that she would be quite bored for some time. 'At least I'm a hanyou.' She thought. 'It shouldn't take too long for all the wounds to heal...'
"Well, I'll be making my own exit. Good-bye, rest well." He said bidding his farewell and leaving.
Kyoyume laid on the futon in the enclosed room for several days before she tried to sit up again. There was a dull pain, but she found that she could even stand without any bleeding at all. With a smile, she pulled the light kimono she wore tightly around herself and went to the door with only slight difficulty.
"I see you're better...." The black haired boy at the door said in a monotone.
She jumped at his voice and turned toward him quizzically. "Oh, you're Kohaku, right? Hello, I didn't see you there."
"I'm sorry if I startled you. Naraku-sama wishes to speak with you...."
"Oh, no, you didn't scare me, I just was off in my own world." She said, rubbing the back of her head. "Um, where IS Naraku?" She asked, her hand on the door.
"Third door down that hall on the right."
"Oh, thanks, Kohaku. See ya." She smiled and waved at him before sliding the door completely open and walking as carefully as she could down the hallway until she reached the door.
"Good to see your well." Naraku said as she entered.
Kyoyume nodded, taking a seat on the floor. "Kohaku said you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I do. I have a feeling that we might get some unwelcome visitors tonight...so just be ready for a fight." He told her sighing.
"Who's coming?" She asked.
"...Who you fought...and Lord Sesshomaru." He growled.
"Oh..." Kyoyume said, ears bending back against her skull.
"...Okay...you might not want to fight in what you're wearing though, now to think of it, they'll recognize you."
"Yes, they will, but does that matter?"
"Yes. They can place you and they'll know your weak spots."
"So, what should I do?" Kyoyume asked rather helplessly.
"...There is a village nearby, go find yourself something that will cover your...distinguishing features...." He said, gesturing to her ears.
Kyoyume smiled as her strange black ears moved around on the top of her head. "Hai."
He nodded. "Be creative with your disguise."
Kyoyume stood rather awkwardly, but managed to stay on her feet. "Hai, Naraku-sama." She said before turning to leave.
Naraku nodded after her.
"I should be back by nightfall." She said, waving before shutting the door.
Walking to the nearby village was most pleasant; not a soul bothered the cat-hanyou. She felt quite at ease, though sometimes she was uneasy. She was able to move without bleeding, but she wasn't sure if she would be able to fight off bandits or other offenders that might appear in the forest on the way to the village.
She got to the village safe and sound though. But the villagers that saw her avoided her eyes.
Kyoyume was used to such treatment, but it bothered her that they ignored her. She wondered what they would do when she asked for services. Putting the thought aside, she looked for a shop selling what she needed.
When she found one, the elderly woman at the counter looked at her for a minute before speaking. "How may I help you miss?" She asked.
"I'm looking for some fine cloth. Would you happen to be selling any?" Kyoyume asked as politely as possible.
"Well, depends on what you're lookin' to cover with this cloth, and how much you're willing to pay."
Kyoyume added up the money she had in her satchel. "How much would it cost for..." She really didn't want to ask, she knew the old woman could see her ears. "...a head shawl?"
"Covering those ears, or your whole face?"
Kyoyume laughed nervously. "The ears, ma'am."
"Well, I don't think I have one that small." The woman admitted.
"Oh, that's ok, any size is fine with me." Kyoyume said.
"I can give you this," she started, holding up a finely stitched black scarf. "And throw in the kimono that matches for whatever you've got." She told her.
"Oh, it's very beautiful!" Kyoyume said, admiring the fabric. "I'll take it."
"Okay, give me whatcha got kid." The woman said, handing the delicate clothes to Kyoyume.
Kyoyume noticed the sudden change in the woman's dialect, but said nothing, handing over what she thought was a suitable amount for the cloth.
The woman smiled and nodded. "Thank you." She said gesturing to the money.
Kyoyume left the village.
On her walk back, Kyoyume looked the outfit over, and decided to hide most of her face with the large shawl. "Should I wear armor underneath?" She mused to herself as she walked along.
'Best idea....' She thought silently. She climbed the steps to the fortress, and announced her return.
Hakudoushi ran past, and she stopped him. "Hey, where's Naraku and the others?" She asked curiously.
"In the armory, getting ready, they're coming." Hakudoushi said coolly before he sped down the hall.
She slipped into a room and changed quickly. Her face was shielded, except her eyes and nose, her ears were of course covered, and the kimono fit snuggly over her armor.
She smiled, as she looked herself over. "Perfect." She thrilled at how her voice was muffled, making her sound like a completely different person. "Now, to disguise my scent somehow..."
Naraku slid past her. "Don't worry about your scent, I have that taken care of."
"Oh." She said, stunned by his sudden arrival, and the strange dragon-armor he wore. The armor seemed to glow with his aura, and for the first time in several months, she shivered as she saw him. He looked completely different, angry, wrathful, ready to fight the oncoming intruders.
Naraku studied the masked Kyoyume. Smirking, he noted the effect of being unseen made her glow of sorts. "They're here." He said harshly.
Kyoyume watched as Naraku and Hakudoushi, who's demeanor also seemed to have had changed, floated in similar pink bubbles towards the front of the castle. Slinging her sword over her shoulder, Kyoyume hopped from one part of the roof to the other, looking around for Kohaku and Kagura in the process.
Kagura was with Kanna, waiting at the front.
Kyoyume started to move forward, when Hakudoushi motioned that she should stay down, hidden where she was until Naraku gave the command to move. With a silent nod, she obeyed.
She could only see bits of the fight. She wanted a better view but she waited for Naraku's signal. Which came in the form of a poison insect flying to her.
She gasped at the huge bug, never having taken a liking to insects, but found that it was her cue to show up on the battle scene. Taking in a deep breath, she jumped her place and glided as silently as she could through the air until she was right among them, swinging left and right at her foes.
A tall silver haired man glared at her. "What's a child doing in a battle like this?"
Kyoyume narrowed her eyes and swung at him without a word. Just in case the mouthpiece didn't muffle her voice good enough, she didn't want to take a chance of any of them recognizing her.
He dodged. "Who does this thing think she is?" He asked himself coolly, pulling out a long dangerous looking sword.
Kyoyume was nervous from the aura of the sword, but braced herself for the attack anyway; she wouldn't back down, especially in front of someone who had called her a child.
The sword pulsed, and without even a swing of the blade, it seemed to slice at the Ronin's body.
Kyoyume tried to see past a possible illusion, but saw that the blades coming at her were no illusion to throw someone off, but a real attack. 'Damn, tricked.' She thought as she dodged and sent a curved blade of demonic energy at her enemy.
Sesshomaru barely dodged the energy. "Where did you get that sword?" He snapped.
Kyoyume, still afraid of being recognized, gave no answer to the tall youkai. Instead, she swung the blade again and again, trying to hit her quick adversary. 'Damn, he's fast.'
"Answer your superiors."
Taking a chance, Kyoyume let her voice slip out but added a slight accent to it so that no one nearby might even guess she were the same cat hanyou from a few weeks ago. "I owe no answer to those I fight against."
"And I owe nothing but your own demise." He growled.
"Not if yours comes first!" She yelled before swinging her blade downward in an arch.
It hit the silver-haired youkai on the shoulder. "...Damn you." he growled.
Kyoyume jumped into the air, swinging the blade over her head, planning on a finishing attack of tremendous force.
Sesshomaru's speed helped him avoid the attack.
Kyoyume made a face as her sword hit rock and dirt instead of her opponent. 'Damn,' She cursed. 'I've got to get him!'
"You're too pathetic to kill." Sesshomaru snapped bringing his fist across her face, knocking her out.
Kyoyume felt her world spin before her eyes. Not only was he quick, he was powerful. For a second, she thought she felt her shawl come undone, but by that time, she had hit the ground, and lay there un conscious.
When she re-awoke she was back in the castle, with a headache that could knock out an elephant. She groaned as she sat up, blinking in the light.
Across her right cheek was the mark of the poisoned talons of the youkai lord. Rubbing the cheek in irritation, she looked at her hands as she remembered the last few seconds of the fight. She had failed, she had been beaten into unconsciousness again. How could she have let that happen?
Hakudoshi was at the door. "Luck was not on your side that night was it?"
Kyoyume shook her head in shame, averting her eyes. "No."
"Its okay. For every loss there is a gain."
"I see no gain in my getting beat by one youkai, and so early in the battle..." She paused for a moment before adding. "What happened after I went out?"
"The battle ended."
"Nothing else? Who won? Is everyone ok? Did my mask come off? Come on, give me some detail Hakudoushi." Kyoyume pleaded, changing her attitude suddenly.
"Oh..." Kyoyume said a bit guiltily. "I'm sorry Hakudoushi-kun..."
"Its nothing. She was quite worthless, in my humble opinion, I like you much more."
Kyoyume smiled her face downcast. Suddenly, though, she smelled salt- water, at the same time that water started to run down her face. Her nose wrinkled, and the skin around her eyes crinkled together. So suddenly had this all happened, that she was quite startled by her own tears, and hastily tried to correct herself.
Hakudoshi said nothing of her tears, just stood there.
"Oh....." Kyoyume moaned, trying to wipe the tears away, but they returned every time, not willing to let her erase them so easily. 'It's been so long since I've cried.' She wondered to herself. 'Why now?'
Hakudoshi suddenly spoke. "Why are you crying?" He asked.
"I just..." Kyoyume searched for an answer to why the tears had so suddenly come. "I just feel...so useless....I should have been stronger..."
"You were strong enough. No one lasts as long as you did with Sesshomaru."
"You don't have to lie like that." Kyoyume sniffled, finally managing to clear away the tears. "I know that I should have been of more use." Kyoyume smiled at him, only small tracks on the sides of her face showed that she had been crying. "But there's only so much I can do, so I should get up and not worry about it."
"I don't lie." Hakudoshi stated calmly, smirking.
Kyoyume smiled at him and stood, wiping what was left of the tears away. "Well, now that that's over with. Want to do something?"
"What's there to do around here?" He asked with a sigh.
Kyoyume looked around the room she was in, but found nothing suitable for a game, or any kind of other activity.
"I like the whole mask-thing. It could work to your advantage you know."
Kyoyume was startled by the sudden comment, but decided a conversation was better than awkwardly looking for something to do. "Oh, really?" She asked, sitting back down on the floor. "You think so?"
"I know so. I mean, slipping around at night in all black...if you're called for anymore favors at night you could go practically unseen!"
Kyoyume stuck her tongue out as she smiled at the thought. "A ronin in ninja's clothing?"
"Well, a dark ronin maybe. Or maybe your a mercenary now."
Kyoyume mulled the thought over, plopping down to lay on her belly. "Yeah...maybe...I'm not sure, it's not like I'm HIRED to do it." She said, still angry at being held captive.
"At least you aren't alone."
Kyoyume quirked both and ear and an eyebrow at him. "You're not alone either."
"I've never really been alone."
"You just feel alone on the inside?" Kyoyume asked.
"Not really."
"Then why....?" Kyoyume started but changed her mind. "So...um...am I allowed to go out, or is this poison the kind that works most effectively when you're moving?"
"Actually, seeing as he barely scratched the surface, you're fine."
Kyoyume stuck her tongue out again and flipped herself onto her feet. "Ok, then no protesting when I go out this door?"
"No." Hakudoshi said nodding.
"Good, all's right with the world then." Kyoyume laughed and opened the door wide.
Hakudoshi ran out the door first. Looking back at her and smirking.
"Hey...!" Kyoyume called after him, but took it as a sort of game and gave chase immediately.
Hakudoshi ran into something solid. "Ow..." he said rubbing his nose and looking up at Entei, aforementioned demon horse he had ran into.
Kyoyume stopped, ears pressing back against her skull in wonder and astonishment. "Wow..."
Hakudoshi jumped onto Entei's back. "What is it, Kyo-san?"
Kyoyume pointed up at the demon horse. "Big horse."
"Entei? He's...kinda my pet."
Kyoyume brightened, taking in the size of the huge mammal before her. "Where's he from?"
"Don't remember."
"Really? Wow....he's really pretty...." Kyoyume said, stroking his white fur.
Hakudoshi nodded. "Very strong." He added.
"He's so big, where does he stay?"
"Just around, he's usually outside, that's why this castle is so big, for Entei."
Kyoyume looked into the large red eyes that were as big as her head. "What brings him out and about on this fine day?" She asked with a laugh.
"He's probably just bored."
"Same as us." She said, sitting on the wooden rail.
"Yeah, lets go outside with him." He said, taking Entei's reins and leading him outside.
Kyoyume walked ahead, looking around for some form of area where they could do something with Entei.
Entei did a few laps to stretch his legs.
Kyoyume sat in a broken and dismal looking tree, watching Entei and Hakudoushi have fun showing off to her. She smiled and laughed at different maneuvers, but soon found her mind wandering, her eyes locked on the forest on the other side of the barrier.
Entei stopped in front of Kyoyume. "That's Inuyasha's Forest."
"Inuyasha...?" Kyoyume said dreamily as she came out of her daze. "You mean that hanyou I fought?"
"Yes. He was pinned to the largest tree on the other side, by the miko Kikyou."
"I've heard of that miko, she was really strong. How did he get back off?"
"That girl, with the baby kitsune. Kagome, her reincarnation."
"Really? I thought there was something strange about that girl..." Kyoyume mused.
"Yup. She's in love with the dog-boy." He laughed a little.
Kyoyume laughed. "It would figure, if she is Kikyou's reincarnation."
"How old are you?"
"It is very rude to ask a woman her age." Kyoyume said. "Fifty-six."
"You don't look that old."
"Demons tend not to." Kyoyume joked.
"Naraku, he's old himself."
"Surely he's not any older than me." Kyoyume said.
"About 60."
"That's not THAT old. Only four years older than me." Kyoyume said, a little astonished herself though.
"Probably more, I haven't asked."
Kyoyume mused the thought to herself. Was he really THAT old? With a sigh, she got down from the tree and patted Entei's side.
Entei 'neighed' and shook his flame red mane.
Kyoyume giggled at him and looked up to the sky. The sun was starting to set, they should get back to the castle soon.
Hakudoshi slid down from Entei's back and looked up. "Better get inside, I'll come back tomorrow Entei." He said, patting Entei's side and walking inside.
Kyoyume gave the beast a pat as well and ran after Hakudoushi with a smile. "Goodbye Entei!" She called back.
Entei reared up and neighed again.
Then, with a burst, of flame, he was gone.
Naraku was standing at the door. "Entei's the real pet around here, eh, Hakudoshi?"
"Hey, I thought I was the pet!" Kyoyume said, acting as if she were angry.
"No, you are the new babysitter now, since Kagura is gone."
Kyoyume pressed her ears back as if she were sad. "Fine."
"And good for favors, not for cooking." He laughed.
"Well, I was hired as a cook." Kyoyume joked.
"Right."
"I was hired to do tricks and entertain!" Kyoyume said with a smirk, flipping herself so that he legs stuck up in the air, and she walked on her hands until she lost her balance.
Hakudoshi laughed a little. "No..."
"No?" Kyoyume asked, turning toward him quizzically.
"No. You're here because you're here."
Kyoyume quirked an eyebrow at him, raising one ear in question as well.
"Don't worry about it."
"I'm not." Kyoyume said simply, strolling past him and down the hallway.
Hakudoshi followed her.
"Hey." She said as she rounded the bend.
"Hi."
"What'cha following me for?"
"Bored."
"Me too."
"There is nothing to do." Hakudoshi sighed.
"Yep." Kyoyume said, rounding another corner.
"How'd you get your sword?"
Kyoyume stopped at a rail and leaned against it, fingering the blade at her side with one hand. "Someone made it for me..."
"Who?"
"He was a pupil of a Master swordsman that threw him out for making cursed blades....Kaijinbou...."
"...He crafted Toukijin."
Kyoyume nodded. "That long blade that had the evil aura....the one that that youkai had....Toukijin....a sword of death and life...how strange...." Kyoyume mused to herself.
"What does yours do?"
"Mine.....it just....." Kyoyume stumbled. "It's just a sword, you use it to cut things, y'know?"
"No freaky-cool dark aura-energy stuff?"
"Not really.....at first it did.....but...not really anymore...unless I get really angry..." Kyoyume said, remembering that fateful day that she had received her "
Kyoyume stood and watched the sun set until the stars came out. Finally, her ears twitched. "I think I'll go to bed now. I guess I'll see you in the morning?" Kyoyume asked.
"Yeah." He agreed nodding, disappearing.
With a small sigh, Kyoyume turned in for the night, wondering what the next day would bring.
{end of chapter}