Continuing my re-posting of Dark Lineage. Obviously, it goes without saying that if you find mistakes, ya tell me.
Dark Lineage
Chapter Two
At the moment, he was on his way on foot with Kikyo on his back, and Kirara following while carrying Sango, Shippo, and Miroku. Even at the rate that they were traveling, it would still take at least two days before they could reach their destination. When they finally stopped to make camp, it was a disheartened group that sat down to dinner.
Shippo was silent as he ate the food that Miroku had tried to cook. Eating the disgusting mess just reminded him more of Kagome...and Kikyo. He wasn't quite sure of his opinion of Kikyo; she had been so evil to them in all their encounters, but she seemed decent now. Finally, loyalty to Kagome made him decide not to like her.
Inuyasha was in a mess. Having Kikyo around had never been a good idea. Having her around for a few days was a terrible idea. There was no choice this time, but he hoped to get her out of the way before they went to Kagome. Just thinking about what would happen made him shiver. Kagome could get violent.
Sango and Miroku were silent, watching Kikyo and Inuyasha, and the sparks flying in between. They knew exactly what was happening, and why. How to stop it, that they didn't know.
I surveyed the scene with grim satisfaction. Everyone was worried about our 'love triangle', but I was not worried. I just had to win Inuyasha over to me again. That would be simple enough, seeing as I had knocked him over 50 years ago with ease. There hadn't been much competition then, and there wasn't much competition now.
I glided over to the edge of our campsite and looked back once, unable to hide my look of power. That proved to be one of my mistakes, for the little pest Shippo caught my glance, and pointed it out to Sango, who then fixed me with a killer gaze. However, it was of little consequence, my goal had been accomplished. Inuyasha followed.
"Inuyasha, my love, is this truly what you wish to do? I believe that it would be best if we left Kagome to her fate." I started out, realizing too late what it would sound like.
"Kikyo, you are not who you once were. I cannot explain to someone without a heart. Even if it were not so, Kagome has my shards." My aura began to infiltrate his defenses, appealing to his greed. Inuyasha must have sensed it, he started back.
I knew that nothing I said could right what I had just uttered, so I watched him go, and meditated more.
The Roc finally landed on a steep, rocky cliff and waddled into what seemed to be a depression in the face of the cliff. It was not quite a crater, but more of a pit, like you would line with stakes.
"Let go of me, you idiot!" screamed Kagome. Did the bird understand? Well, if it did, it didn't reply.
In fact, it brought her straight to a great hall), and set her down none too gently on the floor in front of a large chair. She brushed herself off, and checked for bruises, not bothering to examine her surrounding more closely.
"I trust you've had a pleasant trip here, Kagome?" asked a silky voice.
She looked up.
Naraku sat in the ornate chair, wearing a smug expression. From behind him, Kagura and another beautiful demon materialized. The three people stared at her, measuring her up.
"What the hell do you want?! You know that Inuyasha will be looking for me. He does care." Said Kagome defiantly, a bit unnerved by the attention.
Naraku laughed, and motioned for the unknown demon to come forth. She had dark yellow hair, and tanned, even skin with fanned facial markings along her jawbone. Her eyes were a dark green, and thin red lines ran across the irises. Her hair was bound in two braided pigtails, that managed not to look childish, and rather, elegant.
"Kagome, I am Tesake. I am a psychic demon. Kanna has been merged with a new energy, and you get me. I can only speak the truth, or my powers fade. Look into my mirror." Finishing, she gestured with her hands, and a bright, cloudy mirror appeared. "Look into the mirror Kagome."
Kagome knew that there were many reasons not to, but she did anyways. Tesake had a ring of truth in her voice.
Inuyasha was sleeping in his usual position, leaning against a tree. The sight broadened to include Sango and Miroku leaning against Kirara, and Shippo looking up at the moon. Finally she saw...
...Kikyo. Sleeping within 2 feet of Inuyasha, relaxed and certain. Even in her sleep, she seemed to be mocking Kagome.
Kagura spoke up coolly.
"He enlisted her help shortly after your disappearance. He has decided that she can travel with them, to complete their many missions. Of course, the first would be the unnecessary task of getting you back. I don't see the point of that, Kikyo can do everything you can, and better. What do you say to that, Kagome? Still sure of everything?"
Kagome was speechless.
She didn't know what to think as she stood in surprise and anger when Kikyo showed up in the mirror. Naraku could have deceived her with this, but she wouldn't put it past Inuyasha and Kikyo to get together like this in her absence.
"How do I know that you are showing me the truth?" she demanded weakly.
Naraku sighed in exasperation.
"Of course you don't!" he said in a matter-of-fact way. "To prove it to your doubting heart, I'll take you there later, or some other time. For now, make yourself comfortable here. Nothing is going to happen until your rescue party comes."
Tesake said, "I'll show you to your room. They won't be here for a few days, so you'll have a nice room."
That simple comment made Kagome's face turn red (with anger). Kikyo was going to be with Inuyasha for THAT long?! She didn't stop to consider that Inuyasha might not like the arrangements, or that it might not be true. She could only think of Kikyo's presence, and what could happen.
Soon after Kagome had checked the contents of her bag for the fourth time in boredom, Kagura appeared at her door. She was there to bring Naraku's proposal.
"My master, Naraku, wished to give you an offer that will be very advantageous for you. What it all means is that should you ever want, or need help to fight against Kikyo (and possibly Inuyasha), you may depend on my master and his reincarnations." She stated monotonously, face clearly showing that she disagreed with his 'generous' offer.
"No, I do not need your help, nor want it, for although I do not like Kikyo for all that she has done, I do not wish for her to die, as that would break Inuyasha's heart again. He cannot stand another time." Replied Kagome passionately, her words forming a speech. Her love for Inuyasha was all that stood in the way of saying yes. She didn't know who she hated more, Kikyo or Naraku.
Kaugra scowled and said, "He said that you would refuse now, but to tell you that the door is always open."
Hours after Kaugra had left; she was summoned to eat dinner. The only people present were Naraku, Kaugra, Tesake, and a stranger, handsome demon.
Naraku stood up when she entered, and welcomed her. Before he began eating, he shed the baboon pelt, revealing the face of the young lord that he had taken so long ago.
He noticed Kagome staring at him, and said, "I do relish my trademark, but it is good to have changes occasionally, is it not?"
Kagome blushed, and went back to wolfing down the food. As she trudged through the rice, she wondered if she was seeing another side of Naraku, or was it just another mask placed to gain her trust? He seemed so nice. Was it possible to fake it?
Inuyasha woke up to see that Kikyo had inched closer to him in their sleep. He frowned, and thought of when she had held a knife to his heart. He couldn't believe that she would do it then, he couldn't now.
Many souls drifted near, and Kikyo woke.
"Inuyasha, I have gathered these souls to power a task that I am undertaking to get us closer to the cliffs of the Rocs." After she had explained, Kikyo marched off to a secluded corner of the camp and started working her powers. Bright lights lit up the camp, and Kikyo shrilly chanted some mantras, furiously waving her hands.
Inuyasha drifted away from the site as the rest woke up.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the distinct scent of a much-hated 'enemy' until he stopped right in front of him (in front of Inuyasha).
"You crazy mutt! Anyone could take my Kagome while you stroll around daydreaming! Not saying she's unable to care for herself, but I cannot believe you would place my love in such danger. I must attend to her, or else I would stop to fight with you."
Kouga screamed at Inuyasha as he dashed back towards the camp.
He burst into the camp later, a panting Inuyasha behind him, and asked loudly, "Where's my Kagome?!"
His eyes lit up when he saw Kikyo, not seeming to see that her clothing was different.
"Kagome, my woman, you are safe!" he said, running to clasp her hand. Kikyo looked at him disdainfully and released a short blast of purity.
Kouga yelped and leapt back, holding his hand and the scorched remains of his arm coverings.
"Kagome, why have you done this?"
"Kouga, get away from Kikyo!" yelled Inuyasha, jumping to land in front of the miko protectively. Kouga jumped, and looked closer at the person in question.
Then, when he confirmed that it was really not Kagome, he burst out,
"What the hell?! I can't trust you bastards with anything! Where is she?!"
"She is at the Cliffs of the Rocs." Answered Kikyo calmly.
Kouga looked confused, frustrated, and ready to pound something.
"How could you let that messed up bastard take her?" Kouga growled.
"You know that Naraku rules them?" asked Sango.
"Of course. Everyone does, the news was all over the wind since a few weeks ago. Where's your nose, mutt?! Or, more importantly, where's my woman exactly? What's the island?"
Everyone froze and glanced at Inuyasha. When they saw that his face was red, they quickly got back to their work.
"YOU. DO. NOT. HAVE. A WOMAN. AND. NEITHER. DO. I." Said Inuyasha from in between his gritted teeth. "You better leave. We'll rescue Kagome just fine by ourselves."
"Yes, I do have a woman, and don't forget her name is Kagome."
"She is not your woman."
"She is my woman, you've got your bitch right here!" yelled Kouga, losing patience with the thick head of Inuyasha. It was clear that they each had their own mates, but Inuyasha just couldn't leave him and Kagome alone.
Shippo bounded over to Koga, and looked up with puppy-dog (or maybe fox?) eyes, and begged, "Please come with us Koga! If Naraku's got her, than we need all the help we can get!"
Koga pretended to consider the idea, and then quickly agreed. (I know that Koga's an airhead, but he does have to have SOME sense, right?)
Inuyasha bounded over to Shippo, and prepared to start pounding him, but strangely enough, Koga protected him. Inuyasha turned on him willingly.
The ensuing fight was long, although not very whole-hearted. Kikyo readied her bow, although she knew that it would have no positive effect.
Kouga would be coming with them.
Kagome woke up suddenly, unsettled in a strange, unfamiliar place. She clutched her bow to her chest and waited. Another insistent knock came through, that was what had woken her before. Before she could say anything, the door opened.
Tesake stepped into the room cheerily with a demon behind her.
"Good morning, Kagome. This is my brother Tetsaki. Naraku ordered us to teach you how to use the katana today. Get up!" Tetsaki bowed, and presented a long sword, simply decorated.
Kagome blinked and got up obediently. Why would Naraku want them to teach her the means of using another weapon? There was something hidden here, and her senses were dulled. They all seemed too trustworthy to be who they were.
Hair in a ponytail, she grasped the sword gingerly. Swords were typically not the best weapon for a person with no muscle, and Kagome was one of the unfortunate ones. Close-range involved quick reflexes, strong defenses, and a strategic mind, to take advantages of openings when given.
"No, you must hold it like this. Unsheathe it a few times." Tetsaki began the lesson quickly. He had flowing yellow hair, with barely noticeable streaks of white highlighting several sections. For combat, he tied a section around the rest with a loose knot. His eyes were dark green, black rings giving him a hypnotized look. His facial markings ran along the corners of his eyes, giving contrast to his dark skin.
Kagome thought that both he and Tesake looked very strange, the colors of their bodies not quite matching with the rest, but she stayed silent.
"We will rest now."
Kagome glanced over at the demon, who was gazing stonily out the jagged window.
"What kind of demon are you?" she asked.
"Spirit mongoose." He replied, irritation coloring his voice. Kagome realized that it was a touchy subject, and stayed silent afterwards. She turned slightly so she could examine him some more, without being too obvious. His head was always regally carried, tilted up and serene. But there was a sad look too, in his eyes, as if he had been hurt and never really healed.
Suddenly, he turned his head, and the sad look disappeared. Instead, there was a faint touch of anger, and a bit of hate. Kagome started, and wondered if it had to do with the way she looked. Everything had to do with the way she looked, and it wasn't from a vanity standpoint.
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