Hey everyone! Here's another update for you. First though, A/Ns:
1) Vira will be going on vacation and she hopes to write out another chappy while there. Hopefully you guys can be patient enough for me to come back! =d I'll update a week and a day from now.
2) Again, I don't own Inuyasha!
3) Okay, this is the chapter where you really MUST know the plot of The Involuntary King and Queen. Otherwise you won't understand anything, basically. So yeah, please read that first!
…That should be all. Enough of that, onto the story!:
The spell was amazing simple, and it required something similar to what had taken us to the castle in the first place. Bokusenou told me that the same tools were needed (the Kaze no Kizu and a few Shikon no Kakkeras) among a few other things, including my Tensegia, which would protect us from death during the trip, two leaves from Bokusenou, which, because of his extreme age, would enhance any memories from a person's past, and of course…Kagome herself. All were things I did not imagine would be hard to obtain…it was simply a matter of timing. Also, Kagome would have to swallow the leaf for her memories to properly appear. This, I thought, would be the only real challenge. It would be well worth the prize, if everything could be done successfully.
The time of day was getting closer to the hour reserved for lunch. This would be the most opportune moment for me. First though, I needed to attend to the matters at the campsite. Jaken had started a fire to signal to me that he was fully prepared to stay as long as it took. I sat down near the flames in order to obtain what little sleep I could before moving out once again. I would need all of my strength.
After the short rest and lecture to Jaken about watching Rin properly, I made my way slowly down the hills to where I knew Kagome was residing. I had already observed her movements and it seemed as though they had found a place to stay for a short while inside an abandoned hut. It was near the lake, and further on, the place Naraku dwelled…their most likely destination.
When I reached the hut's location, I stood to the backside of it and peered through the window cautiously. The two women were preparing some sort of meal—a meal, I realized, that could be used for the leaf that Kagome would swallow. But I would have to be careful from now on.
After they were done preparing it, Kagome and the demon slayer divided it up equally. I saw Kagome reach down to taste a little in order to see if it was cooked properly. This allowed me to determine which one was hers.
I waited patiently for the most opportune moment. While they were moving around, I crushed the leaf into a sort of powder that would not be as easily noticed. Finally, both of them looked away long enough for me to reach into the window and slip all of it inside Kagome's meal, and then pull my arm away. I watched in satisfaction as the two women took the lunches outside so all could eat in front of the fire. I leapt swiftly onto the roof of the hut and watched below.
I remember Bokusenou's instructions in the back of my mind. 'The leaves will help make your memories clear. You must swallow yours at the precise time that she does. Think about once again traveling to the world that you fell in love with her. You can wait no longer than one hour after eating it before you must apply the Kaze no Kizu. Good luck, Sesshoumaru.'
I stared at the leaf before me, and waited patiently. Would she be able to notice the taste? I watched as she took the first bite. Then another…and then another. Relief began to wash over me for a split second—and then suddenly, her face froze. Kagome began to chew around in her mouth experimentally, with a look of puzzlement on her face.
"This is…different somehow." She said after a moment.
Everyone looked up from their meal. "Different?" The other woman asked. "Like how?"
"…I don't know." She admitted after a moment of chewing it down. "Sango, did you put some sort of spice into it that I don't know about? Maybe that might be the problem with this…"
She shook her head. "No, it's no different than the rest of ours. Should I make another for you, Kagome?"
Kagome frowned. "…Er, no, that's okay, Sango. I suppose it's not TOO bad." She continued to eat, which pleased me greatly. This proved that Bokusenou's leaves really were palatable after all.
After I watched her finish the meal halfway, I did my part and began to think about the kingdom we were leaders in. I recalled all of the adventures we had there, and, most importantly, how we became drawn to each other. As I saw her take another bite, I crushed the leaf and swallowed it. Immediately after doing that, I saw Kagome sit upright. Her eyes were wide.
They looked at her curiously. "Kagome? What's wrong?"
"I…" She clutched her stomach. "Something doesn't feel right…and…and I'm beginning to remember some sort of event…what is this? A castle? Why am I…what's going on?" She rubbed her head.
'I hope this is not causing you any pain.' I thought. Well, now would be the next phase of what needed to be done.
My brother rose. "Ka…gome? Are you okay? Your face is flushed…"
Jealously immediately rose from within me. 'He does not deserve to have her. Kagome will surely realize this once she remembers all that happened between us in those days. He does not protect her properly.'
Kagome shut her eyes tightly. "Naraku…no—Emperor Naraku…and a royal dinner party…a romance story, from long, long ago…the throne room, and…" She looked up at me suddenly. "Sesshoumaru!"
With my hiding place revealed, I leapt down and showed myself. "…Wonderful." I murmured. "You are starting to remember everything."
Inuyasha growled. "Sesshoumaru? What's going on? What have you done to Kagome!?" He reached for his Tetsusaiga.
I ignored him. "Kagome, I know you are in there. I will take you back…and you can remember…everything…" I noticed hanging from her neck was a Shikon no Tama piece of admirable size. The fourth ingredient was found. Now all that was needed…
"Kagome will turn back to normal." I stated calmly to my brother. "She is merely…remembering things. But only a small fraction of what is to come."
"What's that supposed to mean!?" Inuyasha snarled.
"…It means nothing to you." I replied. "Now then..." I held up my claws. "Kagome will return to her regular state…if you can best me in a one-on-one duel. The choice is yours."
"You bet!" He extended the Tetsusaiga to its full form. "Let's go, Sesshoumaru!"
The monk stepped forward. "Inuyasha, don't be stupid! Clearly Sesshoumaru wants you to fight! It could be a trap!"
"We've got no other choice!" He shouted back. Then, he raised his sword at me. "I'll hack off that other arm of yours, Sesshoumaru!"
I braced myself for the attack. But as Inuyasha was getting ready to sprint towards me, a voice from below could be heard. "…Inuyasha…please, don't hurt…Sess…Sesshoumaru…please don't hurt him…" My heart quivered violently, and for a moment there was nothing more that I wanted to do then to break Kagome away from the spell. But it needed to be done.
"Don't talk, Kagome! Just wait there!" Inuyasha turned back to me. "You bastard! I'll get you, Sesshoumaru!" He leapt at me, swinging his sword wildly. I dodged it with ease. 'That fool.' I thought. 'Agility over power. That is one of the most basic principles of combat…'
"Get back here!" Again, he slashed at me. This time, I applied my claws, leaving his left sleeve torn. He cursed angrily at me, and swung for a counterattack, which I easily avoided. Seeing at last that he could not win this way, Inuyasha jumped back and held his sword in the stance for the Kaze no Kizu.
"I hope you're ready for this Sesshoumaru—I'm sure you know what's next!" And with that, his sword crashed down into the earth. What he had failed to realize was that we had fought in such a way that I was now directly in front of Kagome. I bent down calmly and picked her up. Before Inuyasha had time to react, his Kaze no Kizu had already fallen upon us. My Tensegia began to shake.
I looked down at her frightened face. My hand brushed away her hair gently so I could see her fully. She looked similar to when I held her after death from the fight with Naraku.
Light blinded us. "Iru anata, Kagome." I smiled faintly as her face gradually washed away. Inuyasha's shouts of anger could be heard, but I paid no attention to that. The last thing I saw was her innocent eyes…and then I felt nothing.
I awoke.
In all sincerity I had fully expected the trick to not work. When I would open my eyes, I would still be in the presence of my brother. I'd have terrible wounds from the Kaze no Kizu. And Kagome…she would still be there, looking back at me…frightened—but otherwise unscathed. The Tensegia put her in no real danger.
As it turned out, I had expected wrong.
A light breeze fell upon me. I opened my eyes gradually to take in the scenery. Something jumped inside of me as I realized that I had been apparently sleeping in a very large futon. The sheets were very comfortable and looked rather expensive. The breeze I felt from earlier was coming from an opened window to the left. The room itself was enormous. A bedroom.
I sat up suddenly upon remembering all that had occurred. "Kagome?" I looked down to the other side of the forum and began searching around under the covers. The waves of silk parted faster and faster as my scrutiny became more frenzied.
"Kagome!?" I called hopefully. There was no answer. Neither her body nor any traces of her scent were to be found anywhere in the room.
I rushed to the window and looked out in a desperate attempt of seeing her. "Where are you!? Kagome!?"
It was then that I realized this castle was different from the one I remembered. Upon seeing the atmosphere outside, I was quick to see that this was, indeed, not the human kingdom at all.
This was the land of the youkai…and I was in the royal bedroom.
That, of course, could only mean one thing.
In my anguish, I fell to the ground. "No…no…" This was all wrong. I did not belong here. And yet, there was no mistake what this place was. I remembered it fully. But, I didn't wish to go here. I wished to be with my Kagome in the other land.
My heart shook again. "Kagome…iru anata, Kagome…where are you? Kagome…Kagome…" The thought of her gentle face smiling innocently back at me caused the greatest amount of pain inside of me that I had ever felt. I had betrayed her trust. And…Bokusenou had betrayed mine. I cursed his name with a voice full of deep anguish, and then shut my eyes…wishing only for her. Wishing all the way down to my distant soul that I could, if only for a moment, feel her loving caresses. In a blaze of blinded anger at my stupidity, I grabbed a nearby chair and hurled it against the wall. I shouted more furious curses and continued to throw furniture, until all that was left was the futon that had been so empty with my sole body as the occupier. My eyes burned a dangerous red as I stood, uncaring, at the mess of wood and metal that had been made. With one last cry of agony, I collapsed numbly onto the futon, no longer able to think, or wanting to.
There was only one thing that I wanted, and clearly my fate would not allow it.
"My goodness! What on earth happened here!?"
Somebody rushed in the room. I opened my eyes slowly. "Did somebody break in?" There was a gasp. "Lord Sesshoumaru!"
I felt hands shake me awake. "Leave me alone…"
"But…my Lord! Can't you see what has happened here!? Wake up!"
My temper flared for a brief instant. "I said leave me alone!" I raised my head from the futon and looked up angrily at whoever it was.
My eyes widened. "Kagome!" Her face was staring back at me.
She looked puzzled. "Are you feeling well, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
Swords of misery plunged into my heart. My mind was playing tricks on me. This was only the mirrored version of Kagome—the miko Kikyo. I noticed her scent for the first time. She was not dead. Yet.
"What are you doing in here?" I asked directly.
She was taken aback. "Why do you ask such a thing? I wait outside of all of the royal bedrooms each day to remind the Emperor and his sons what their daily schedule will consist of. You did not wake up on your normal time, so I went in here to see if everything was alright." Kikyo studied my face. "…IS everything alright, Lord Sesshoumaru? What happened to your room?" She gasped suddenly. "Did…did you do this?"
I growled. "It is no business of yours what I do or do not do."
She sighed. "You have undergone some sort of change since I saw you last, Lord Sesshoumaru. At dinner, you were quite calm. Now, your eyes are angry and your expression is that of despair. Has anything happened between now and then…?"
"No." I snarled. "You may leave now."
She frowned. "If you wish it, my Lord. Your father requests to see you whenever you feel up to it. I shall take my leave now."
After I heard the door shut, I leapt up quickly and moved to the window again. I needed to think, and this spot was as good as any other. The truth was, I sent Kikyo away not because her presence necessarily annoyed me, but rather her face reminded me too much of Kagome, which was unbearable to think about right now.
Why was I here? That was the first question which needed to be answered. It made no sense. I did everything right—we both ate the leaves. We both thought of our memories back in the castle, even though…Kagome's were a little unclear to her. We were both hit by the Kaze no Kizu, and we were both protected by the Tensegia. Yes, everything happened as it should have.
Surely, then, Kagome had traveled with me. And yet, we were separated. I looked again outside. Even from this distance I could see the land of humans. I remembered well the two kingdoms and their problems on this continent: one for the humans, and one for the youkai.
"That's it!" I shouted. Some of the people from the gardens down below looked up at me curiously. I grumbled and walked away from the window.
Kagome was not here. She was inside the human kingdom. But how did I come to be here?
I remembered suddenly that Kikyo had told me that my father wanted to see me. My father? As last I knew, he was dead. So, what was he then? A ghost? Or perhaps something else…
"This is not right. I've gone back further than I should have. Further in time here…before my father died…before the King and Queen of the human kingdom married…and before Naraku became the ruler of this land instead of me."
Naraku. The name sent my blood boiling. "If I am able to find him in time, then I can kill him before he murders Kagome. I can undo what might come to be." I moved around the room to find some robes I could wear for the day.
"Does this mean the Kagome I know is out there? Is she safe? And will she hate me for doing this to her, if she really is here?" There were so many questions that I desperately needed the answers for. However, I could do nothing about that now. So instead, I would see my father and find out what exactly he wanted to talk to me about. Perhaps it would answer some things.
As I opened the door, I immediately noticed Inuyasha was standing there. He was looking at me with a sour expression. "It's about time, Sesshoumaru! I thought you'd NEVER get up! Are you ready, or what!?"
I gave him an icy look. "Our father would like to see me. Go somewhere else, Inuyasha, and do not be concerned with when I wake up in the future."
"Feh!" He turned to leave, with a clearly bruised ego. "It's not like I care…" With that last remark, he was gone.
I shook my head. So Inuyasha was here, too. Very well—then I would just have to gradually make my way back to the human land. This thought led once again to Kagome, and despite my misery over this, I had managed to remain in a composed state as I walked down the hallway.
Review Responses:
Katgome: Yep that's true. Glad you like it so far!
Aishiteru until my dieing day: I can if you want! Gimme a link though. I can read it (if I have time).
DarkPyroPlanet: Vira is sad and confused as to why you did not e-mail her back with your beta reading! I hope it didn't go to your bulk mail folder…that would be bad!
puffin: No, the castle isn't real. It's an AU, and everyone's roles were assigned a different way.
Youkai no Yume: Ah, glomp! =D How kawaii! And yes yes, update soon!
SakeKitten: Glad you read my other fic. Hope this one is just as good…
Harmony8390: Arigato! Hope you'll be able to read this update then!
Sake-is-yummy: Hehehehe. Well don't worry, here's an update for ya!
m1sstr3ss: lol, it looks as though he's already screwed up with everything…
Raye:SesshyFan: Yeppers, a magic spell. Clearly it didn't work out, ne?
barbara-marie: Ahh you're making me blush! =D Thanks though, glad you like it!
Tsuki Yume: Ah, well that's okay. But it WAS funny though! Vira promises!
Satu-chan: Heh heh, I hope you're right! =D
Blue Rhapsody3: Bah, I can't help it, I feel guilty about everything. It's true though, he was attacking her and I felt bad…
Supreme Neo slytherin Countess: Hah hah, I don't know what book he dropped exactly, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough! We'll just have to be patient, ne?
Inuyasha-my-lover: Yes yes, Vira is very torturous, she confesses…well, it'll get better though!
Shadow-Demon14: Wow! I'm glad to hear that you liked my other story! =D With luck this will be cool too.
IcyAsh: Yep yep, here's a brand new update, just for you! Hehe.
Canadian Kid: Yeah, too many of my reviewers begged for it, I'm afraid. Lol.
Starr-chan: Will do! Thanks for the review!
HazeHime: Really? Bah, you're making me blush. Thanks though! =D
Choas Babe: Hahahaha, I'm 'fraid not, I'll be on vacation during that time! I have to get this update in as soon as possible, you understand.
Pollux2: Hehehe, well we'll just have to see about that! =D
Sesshoumarulovesme: Hopefully these updates will be quick enough for you…maybe? Heh.
Sesshoumarulovesme (again): Will do! Thanks for the review!
WolfStarLight: Indeed, work I shall…
Hell's Angel-Heaven's Demon: Ah, don't worry about him. They're not going to find Sesshoumaru if he can help it!
MoonlightPrincess: I'm happy that you think so! Arigato!
Miko-Princess: Oh, that's okay. Better late than never, ne?
And that's a wrap. Thanks for reviewing everyone! And now, it's onto the vacation. Unfortunately Vira is going to miss the new eppy of Inuyasha and Wolf's Rain for two Saturdays. She's going to tape them but she's afraid that it might not work. Will any of my good reviewers out there be able to tell me what happens? That would be very nice! =D I don't like missing things…anyways, R&R! Arigato, ja ne!