Author-chan's notes: Hello everyone! Meet chapter 17! Enjoy!
A Clean Slate
(Chapter Seventeen: Sunsets)
Back with Kagome, Shippo, Sango, and Miroku
"So, anyone have any bright ideas how to get out of this?" Shippo asked. It had been ten minutes since the fake Naraku had left, and the group was still trying to figure out how to get rid of the shadow-like rope. For some strange reason, Shippo wasn't tied up by the spell.
"I have an idea," Miroku piped up, "There's an ofuda in my robes. If I can reach it, I can break this spell."
"Then do it!" Kagome and Sango yelled. Miroku smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, but I can't," the monk stated, "I can't reach the paper with my arms tied up like this. However, if one of you lovely ladies come over here and help me grab it…"
"Don't even try it," Sango growled, "You just want one of us close enough to you to grope."
"Don't be so harsh, Sango-san," Miroku said in a horrified voice, "Why would I do a thing like that?"
"Because you're a hentai," both girls chorused. Miroku sulked.
"Shippo, go help Miroku get his ward paper," Kagome sighed. Miroku sulked even more.
***
In outskirts of the forest by Aki's village with Kumo and Miho
After their discussion in Aki's hut, Kumo went out for some fresh air. Miho decided to follow him. As Kumo looked towards the west, he watched the sun fall from the sky, bathing the land and the sky with the red and gold of the sunset.
"Are you alright, Kumo-san?" Miho asked, touching the demon's shoulder. He nodded curtly still watching the sunset.
"I guess so," Kumo murmured. Then suddenly he snarled, turning away from the glory of the sun the look at Miho, "No, I'm not alright! Kuso, I want to help Shiro-chan. But I can't. I feel useless. I need to do something!"
"Then come with me," Miho murmured. Kumo turned to face her, his eyes wide.
"W-what?" the spider youkai sputtered. Miho smiled softly, and looked down.
"I want to go out and find Inuyasha, your brother's murderer," she explained. Kumo's jaw tightened.
"Why?" he demanded, "Do you want to get killed?"
"No!" she answered with a blush, grabbing his arm, "I want to know why he killed your brother. I want to know how strong he is."
"Explain," Kumo ordered. Miho sighed.
"You want revenge for your brother's death," Miho began, "To do that, you want to kill Inuyasha. I want to know Inuyasha's reason for killing your brother because he might have had a good reason, or you might be mistaken and Inuyasha didn't kill your brother at all. If you two got into a fight you might end up killing an innocent person. And I want to know how strong Inuyasha is because what if he's too strong? You could end up getting killed!"
"How do you think you're going to get answers from the hanyou?" Kumo asked, "I doubt Inuyasha would let you walk up to him and ask him a couple of questions. He'll slice you to ribbons! And besides that, what about other dangers?"
"That's why I want you along," the girl answered, "You can protect me from most, if not all, things. I just want you to be prepared. I don't want you to die."
"Why do you care if I die or not?" Kumo hissed, his crimson eyes strangely hard. Miho glared up at him. Kumo blinked in surprise; her eyes were full of tears. But even more surprising, she went up to him and hugged him fiercely, burying her head into his chest.
"I care," Miho murmured into the cloth of his kimono, "because I think, no, I know I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Kumo was silent for a moment. Then he began stroking her hair.
"Alright, I'll go with you," he whispered, "And -and I love you too."
"Thank you," Miho murmured back. Then the couple shared a kiss, one full of promises and hopes and dreams as the sun washed the pair in a dark red-gold.
'Maybe things will work out,' Kumo thought as he kissed Miho, completely forgetting to make his usual wish to the setting sun, 'Maybe…'
***
Meanwhile back with Miroku, Kagome, Sango, and Shippo
"Have you got the ofuda yet, Shippo-chan?" Kagome asked.
"Not yet," the kitsune answered, "Bend down more, Miroku."
"I think it would be better if you or Sango-san did this, Kagome-sama," Miroku said with a sigh, bending down for Shippo.
"I know what you're thinking, houshi-sama," Sango growled, glaring at the monk, "Stop picturing me naked!"
"Actually, I wasn't doing that," Miroku said, "But thanks for the idea!"
"If I could move…" Sango snarled. Miroku "eep"ed.
"I think I've got it!" Shippo cried triumphantly. Quickly, the little fox demon pulled out some papers. There wasn't an ofuda in the lot.
"What are those?" Kagome asked suspiciously.
"Nothing!" Miroku said instantly, trying to hide the papers by stepping on them. However, Shippo was able to grab one of them.
"Hey, isn't this what Kagome calls a 'photo'?" Shippo asked, stumbling slightly on the foreign word.
"Um, well, uh," Miroku stuttered, turning pale.
"Hey look!" Shippo cried cheerfully, "This one has Kagome and Sango taking a bath in it!"
"WHAT?!!!" both girls yelled, a dark ki appearing around them. Miroku gulped
"You used my instant picture camera to take photos of Sango and me bathing?!!!" Kagome yelled. Miroku coughed.
"Maybe once or twice."
"When I get out of here, you're going to die!" Sango snarled. Miroku "eep"ed again.
***
Meanwhile with Sesshoumaru, Jaken, and Rin
"Rin tired, Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin complained, yawning a bit. The demon lord stopped for a moment, then nodded.
"We will rest here," Sesshoumaru announced, glaring at Jaken as if to dare the toad-like demon to question him. Jaken didn't take up the dare.
"Go, gather firewood," Sesshoumaru demanded.
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama," Jaken said meekly, privately grumbling to himself. As soon as Jaken left, Sesshoumaru looked west at the setting sun. Ever since his half brother, Inuyasha, had been born, Sesshoumaru associated the sunset with his little brother. The reds and golds matched Inuyasha's clothes and eyes exactly. He could never make the same comparison with himself. He disliked wearing red (that color reminded him of Inuyasha too much), and although both he and his brother had golden eyes of the same shade, Inuyasha's eyes burned with a light -a fire -identical to the sun's. Sesshoumaru's eyes were the exact opposite; they were icy and cold despite their bright color. Sesshoumaru smiled slightly, so small it was almost invisible. The setting sun truly was Inuyasha: the color, the fieriness of his spirit, and the fact setting sun was only half of the true sun, just as Inuyasha was only half of a true youkai, proved this. Over the years, Sesshoumaru had developed the habit of thinking his thoughts to the dying sun, pretending it was Inuyasha.
'Well, little brother,' Sesshoumaru thought, 'you have gotten yourself in trouble again, no doubt. You better not be dead, for I, Sesshoumaru, plan to be the one to call myself your slayer. Your wench no doubt is worried to death for you. You sicken me, Inuyasha. You have become human, like your mother was. Humans are weak, and in the end they will crumble. And yet you, with our father's great blood in your veins, have joined them, they who hated and feared you. You truly are the splitting image of our father. Good-bye, little brother. Sleep well while you can, for I, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands am coming for you.'
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin asked, tugging on his sleeve.
"Yes, Rin?" the demon lord answered, looking down at the human.
"What are you doing?" the little girl asked innocently.
"Nothing, Rin. Nothing at all."
***
In Yumeko's hometown with Miyuki, Matriarch of the Dream Youkai Clan
"Where is that girl?" Miyuki muttered to herself. It had been some time since Yumeko had set out to get Tetsusaiga, but so far she had not returned. In fact, Yumeko had broken all contact with the Clan since she left.
"Perhaps she died," a voice by the doorway coolly suggested. Miyuki didn't even have to turn around to know it was Yugata, her son and Yumeko's brother. Yugata was tall and slender, with slanted solid green eyes that could pierce through a person's soul. His dark hair was short (shorter most dream youkai), cut just above his earlobes, and often untidy. Today he was wearing the short brown outfit of a farmer, complete with sandals and a huge straw hat that currently was hanging down his back. Like Yumeko, Yugata served as a spy for the Dream Clan. Currently he was stationed as a spy in a village that the Clan believed held a piece of the Shikon no Tama, the Jewel of Four Souls.
"You maybe right," Miyuki agreed, "I suppose we should find a replacement for her. Do you know of anyone who is available?"
"Yes," Yugata answered with a smirk, "Me." He presented his grandmother with a small silk blue bag, embroidered with golden phoenixes. Untying the drawstrings of the bag, Miyuki picked up the small pink sliver that was inside. Holding it up, the shard glowed with an unearthly light.
"A piece of the Shikon no Tama," Miyuki breathed, "You have done well, Yugata. For your reward, keep the shard. For your next mission, you shall have Yumeko's."
"I hear and obey, Mistress of the Dream Clan," Yugata said with a bow. Then, with a turn of his heel, Yugata sauntered off.
***
Back at Aki's hut with Kumo, Aki, Miho, Yumeko, Kimiko, and Inuyasha/Shiro
"WHAT?!" four voices cried at once. Both Miho and Kumo blushed slightly.
"Miho-san and I going to go visit my brother's old home," Kumo sighed.
"Now?" Kimiko asked, "Why now?"
"Curiosity," Miho answered.
"There's a saying in the future called 'Curiosity killed the cat'," Aki said icily.
"We'll be fine," Miho protested, "Kumo will protect me."
"Perhaps. But can he protect you from your family?" Yumeko asked. With her conversations with Miho, the dream demon got to know how protective Miho's parents could be. Miho cringed, recalling her parents' attitudes.
"I agree with Yumeko-san," Aki said, "You know as well as I do that your family will never agree to you going off on your own."
"But I'll be with Kumo," Miho pointed out.
"You know how mistrustful your parents are about strangers," Aki said, "If they knew about Kumo they wouldn't let you a hundred paces next to him, and that's if he was human. If they found out he was a youkai, they'd try to kill him, and lock you up in a hut."
"I'm sure we can talk them around," Miho said confidently. Aki snorted.
"What would you tell them?" Aki asked sarcastically, "'Mother, Father? Please meet Kumo. He's a stranger in town. He also happens to be a spider youkai who once kidnapped me. By the way, do you think I can go off to a strange place that I've never been to before with him as my only companion?'" Miho glared at him.
"I know better than that!" the girl snapped, "I'll just tell them that I'm off picking plants or something."
"And when you don't come home right away? What then?" Aki argued, "The whole village will be looking for you, positive that you were kidnapped by a youkai again. And when they notice Kumo is gone as well, they'll put two and two together. Do you want that?"
"No!" Miho cried.
"Not to mention that baka Masato will probably follow you too," Shiro piped up.
"Masato! That's it!" Aki cried, "Shiro-chan, you're a genius!"
"I am?" the boy questioned, but soon the confused look turned smug, "Of course I am!" Kimiko hid a giggle.
"Explain please?" Kumo asked. Aki smirked.
"Just have Masato accompany you, Miho-san," Aki began, "Your parents will approve if they think Masato is the one who is going with you."
"Wait a minute!" Kumo growled, "I'm the one who is supposed to be going!"
"Let me finish, Kumo-san," Aki said calmly, "Masato will accompany you, and when in the forest, Kumo can join up with them, as if by chance."
"But how will they ditch the baka?" Shiro asked.
"Simple," Aki replied, "When they get a little bit further into the forest, I can come in, grab Masato, and bring him back to the village."
"But won't everyone notice that he's back and Miho is not?" Kimiko asked.
"No," Aki said, the smirk on his face growing bigger, "We'll just keep him here in the hut, all tied up. When Miho and Kumo come back we can let him loose, right after I erase some of his memories."
"That's perfect!" Kimiko, Miho, and Yumeko squealed.
"Can I torture him while he's here?" Inuyasha asked eagerly.
"No!" Aki said instantly.
"It's not like he's going to remember it," Shiro pointed out.
"I said no," Aki said firmly.
"Feh."
***
One minute later
"Alright freak, why did you call me here?" Masato asked Aki angrily. The young magician had quickly called his rival over as soon as they had finished talk over the details of their plan. Shiro/Inuyasha and Kimiko were in another room.
"Actually, Masato-san, I wanted to ask a favor from you," Miho said with a smile. Masato grinned like an idiot and took her hand into his.
"What can I do for you, oh lovely Miho-san?" Masato asked, a goofy grin plastered all over his face. Kumo, seeing Masato's expression, growled slightly at the other male. Masato ignored him.
"Do you mind accompanying me too another town?" Miho asked sweetly, "I'm afraid to go by myself, and I'm sure a brave strong man like you can protect me."
"Uh-huh," Masato said stupidly, nodding his head. Kumo's growl became louder.
"So you will come with me?" Miho asked, her eyes bright. Masato nodded again and began petting Miho's hand. Kumo's crimson eyes flashed blood red, and his fangs began to show.
'How dare that human touch my mate!' Kumo thought, jealousy coursing in his veins, 'Must kill!!!!!'
"Uh oh," Yumeko murmured, "The spider is about to lose it."
"What?" Aki asked, confusion in his gold-flecked eyes.
"Male youkai tend to be very possessive, especially when it comes to their mates," Yumeko explained, "Spider-boy over they has obviously claimed Miho as his own. Any other male that tries to show interest in her will be ripped to shreds by Kumo. It's youkai instinct. Nothing can fight that."
"But we need Masato to carry out our plan," Aki whispered back urgently, "Can you calm him down?"
"Miracles are for gods," Yumeko deadpanned. Aki sighed.
"I guess I better stop him then," the magician muttered. He grabbed Kumo's arm. The spider youkai turned to face him. Aki gulped in fear. Kumo's blood red eyes were even more disturbing than normal, his round pupils having morphed into the dilated pupils of a cat's. The magician hoped he never had to see another person with that much bloodlust in their eyes ever again. Aki also noticed that the fangs in Kumo's mouth dripped venom. He knew in a flash that if he were touched by the poison his flesh would be burned away instantly. Aki glanced over to Miho and Masato. The later seemed completely obvious to Kumo's transformation. Miho, on the other hand, had worry stamped on her features.
"Kumo, you baka!" Aki hissed at the demon, trying to ignore Kumo's fiendish appearance, "Remember the plan! We need Masato! Get a hold on yourself!" Kumo snarled at Aki, but began to change back to his purely human form. However, the bloodthirsty look in his eyes never disappeared. Miho and Aki let out a sigh of relief.
"Okay, now that everything is settled," Miho said, "Let's go talk to my parents, Masato-san." Masato nodded, and with that, he and Miho walked out of the hut. As soon as they were gone, Kumo whirled around to glare at Aki.
"Why did thou stop me?" Kumo snarled, his anger overcoming him so much that he slipped back into using his youkai voice. Aki glared back at the snarling youkai, looking braver than he felt.
"You know as well as I do that if you had killed Masato, the plan would have been ruined. Now get a hold of yourself!" Aki ordered. Kumo snarled again.
"I'm surprised at you, spider," Yumeko tsked, "You're acting like Miho-chan is your mate, but you haven't claimed her."
"What do you mean, Yumeko?" Aki asked, "You just said a few moments ago Kumo had claimed her."
"There aren't any markings on Miho," Yumeko began, "When a male youkai finds their mate, they tend to mark them so that everyone would know that the female is already taken. Not all youkai do this, but I'm very sure that the spider youkai still practice the custom of marking their mates. So Kumo, why haven't you claimed Miho-san yet?" Kumo looked at Yumeko in surprise. The question caught him off guard, causing the bloodlust in his eyes to ebb away.
"I-I can't," Kumo murmured, switching back to his human voice.
"And why not?" Aki and Yumeko asked together.
"You better do it soon before someone else claims her," Yumeko added.
"I mean, nobody is standing in your way except Masato, and Miho-san hasn't shown any real interest in him," Aki also added. Yumeko looked at him strangely.
"I thought you were interested in Miho-chan too," Yumeko said to the magician, "What changed your mind?"
"Well, I suppose I just realized that Miho-san isn't the one for me," Aki admitted, "She seems to be much happier with Kumo, and I can tell that she and him have a connection. Whenever someone finds their soul mate, an invisible string connects the two. I'm positive that string exists between Kumo and Miho."
"Oh," the two youkai murmured.
"That was very, um," Kumo began.
"Romantic," Yumeko ended. The only human left in the room blushed beet red.
"I'm not making this stuff up!" Aki said hotly, "It's true!"
"I think you'd make a fine poet, Aki," Yumeko said. Kumo nodded his agreement. Aki blushed even redder.
***
Meanwhile with Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo
Kagome looked towards the setting sun. In a couple of minutes everything would be dark, and they still haven't gotten out of those blasted shadow-ropes! Kagome sighed sadly. Meanwhile, Shippo was still trying to fish out the ward paper from Miroku's robes.
"I think I have it!" Shippo cried out triumphantly, pulling out a new piece a paper from Miroku's robes. This time it really was an ofuda. Over the past few minutes, all that Shippo had been able to get from Miroku's robes were photos, magazines stolen from Kagome's backpack, homework papers (again stolen from Kagome), a few origami cranes (and once and awhile an origami dog or fish), and a scroll that contained what looked like a bunch of really bad poetry written by Miroku.
"It's about time," Sango sighed, "Don't you agree Kagome-chan?"
"Hmm?" Kagome blinked, "I'm sorry, Sango-chan, I wasn't paying attention."
"Are you felling alright, Kagome-chan?" Sango asked, "You seem a bit out of it."
"I'm fine," Kagome said, giving her friend a fake smile, "I'm just watching the sunset and wondering if Inuyasha is watching it too."
"Miroku," Sango murmured, "Hurry up and use that ofuda. We need to get out of here fast, before Kagome-chan gets too love-sick."
"Shippo, give me the paper," Miroku ordered. The little fox kit placed the paper into Miroku's hand and stepped back. Quickly, Miroku began to chant.
"I think it's working!" Kagome cried when she noticed that the shadow-ropes were beginning to dissolve.
"Just a little bit more power," Miroku grunted, sweat running down his brow. Then with a bright flash from the ofuda, the shadow-ropes disappeared, causing the ones bound by them to fall over in surprise with being let go so suddenly.
"Oh, it's good to be free again, don't you agree, Sango?" Kagome asked, picking herself up from the ground. The demon huntress nodded, also getting up.
"Miroku, you did it! That was great!" Kagome chirped, turning to the monk. Miroku didn't respond. Rather, he was still laying face down on the forest floor, unmoving. Sango walked over to him. Shaking the monk, she tried to wake him. When that didn't work, she flipped him over. The demon exterminator bent down closer to examine him, and after a few moments, she looked at Kagome, her face pale as smoke.
"K-Kagome," Sango whispered in shock, "He's not -he's not breathing!"
Author-chan's notes: CLIFFHANGER!!! I hope you're not all upset with how I ended the chapter. Gee, I wonder what happened to Miroku-sama.
Director- *suddenly appearing out of nowhere* What are you talking about?! You're the one who is supposed to know what happened to the characters! You're the AUTHOR!!!!
Author-chan- True. *does a quick double take* Wait a second! Didn't I fire you, Director-san? *shrugs* Never mind that. Tune in next time, on "A Clean Slate".
