"So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt." Genesis 37:28.
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DREAMERS
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CHAPTER FOUR: INU-YASHA
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A young girl in her early teens rounded a corner of walls filled with intricate paintings and dozens of mirrors and rapped lightly on a delicately engraved mahogany door of one of the guest rooms. "Milady?"
There was a short silence followed by a soft, "Kanna? Is that you?"
"Yes Milady. I've come to inform you that your carriage is ready. It awaits you at the main gate whenever you wish to leave."
"Thank you, you may leave now," came a gentle yet strained reply.
The girl named Kanna made no motion of leaving.
"Is everything all right, Madam?" she squeaked easing the door open and peeking inside.
What she saw stole her breathe away. The room was everything a servant such as herself had imagined in a grand palace. It was furnished with a large four-poster bed with different patterns and markings on the stands. Pure white silk curtains hung from a number of windows that allowed sunlight to pour into the room from all directions casting a warm glow in the room. Porcelain vases filled with fresh wildflowers were set neatly all over the elegant and finished pieces of furniture.
The only thing missing now was her lady.
The girl slipped timidly into the sacred place. There was no use trying to hide her awe. Without a doubt she was out of place. If she became too distracted she'd end up breaking something that was probably worth ten times more than her life.
"Kanna," said her Lady making her start. "What are you doing, here? I thought I made it clear that you were to wait outside."
A pale young woman dressed in a pale blue kimono stood peering out at the horizon of the front balcony. Her dark hair was swept into a bun with soft curling tendrils that hung and shaped her face. Her Lady's gaze fixed on the intruder.
"Forgive me for my disobedience, but you seem distressed today, Milady," Kanna whispered in concern. "I know it is not my place, but I cannot help it. You have been melancholy ever since we arrived here. And now that we are leaving it's even worse. Is everything all right?"
"Everything is fine," she clipped. "You need not trouble yourself in matters that do not concern you." She pulled back from the ledge and made her way into the main room where the Kanna stood waiting. Despite her cool manner her expression remained anxious and tense. "The negotiations with the Queen and the Council did not go as planned, but we will think of something else." She let out a deflated sigh. "If it weren't for the Queen's presumptuous step-son and that intuitive advisor, I'm sure they would listen to me!"
"I see," Kanna murmured. So that was it. Slavery would not be abolished just yet. Somehow she knew it wouldn't be that easy. "What about peasant's rights? Did you mention that to Izayoi?"
"Kanna!" her lady's eyes widened like she was seeing a ghost. "You dare address Queen Maemi so informally? You have forgotten yourself. But yes, the Queen has considered the movement. Equality has always been a problem among her subjects. Now go. I do not wish to discuss the rest of it now when someone might be listening. I do not trust myself here."
"Yes, Milady, of course." Kanna turned to leave before she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to find the softened eyes of her master upon her. "Is there something else?"
"No Kanna. I just…wanted to thank you. I appreciate your patience in all of this especially when you must put up with me, but I promise things will get better soon."
Kanna revealed one of those rare smiles. "Madam, your happiness is my first priority." She walked quietly out of the room and closed the door behind her.
Once she was gone, the woman glanced around her scanning the room to see if she had forgotten anything important. She would hate to return a second time this month if she had left one of her belongings behind. And as if it wasn't enough that all of the disdainful courtesans in the palace had treated her badly and made her never want to come back. No, this noble was not suited here especially when she had no friends. The countryside was a far more pleasant place.
She decided to check herself in the mirror one last time before she left. There were several mirrors located throughout the room so she could not have escaped herself even if she tried. It was obvious that the usual glow on her face had dimmed somewhat over the past week. Even Kanna had noticed it. She pinched her cheeks to bring some flush back into her face before tugging at her curls.
Behind her the door creaked open.
"Kanna, how many times do I have to tell you that I am fi—" she froze upon seeing a man's face gazing steadily back at her in the mirror's reflection.
"You!" she whirled around to face the intruder.
"Yes," he answered casually. "And perhaps it would not be so difficult address me by my title when you are speaking to royalty, Lady Rin."
Yes, definitely Queen Maemi's presumptuous step-son.
"Prince Sesshomaru," she hissed.
"Leaving so soon? I saw your baggage and the carriage out front," he took advantage of her shock by stepping freely into the room. "Tell me that the idealist has not already given up? Who else will I debate with if you should leave?"
Royalty or not, she was ready to strangle him.
"You sir, are no gentleman. How is it that the leader of the Northern country can survive living with himself when taking pleasure in the conflict of others, and the suffering of his own country and people."
"So now I'm tactless," he mused aloud.
"More like insufficient. His highness is no more fit to rule the kingdom than is a wolf meant to lead a pack of sheep.
"Careful," he growled. "Just because I am fond of you does not mean that I will tolerate even the slightest hint of treason."
"I would not dare," she spat. "Though my feelings towards you are expendable, I am quite pleased with the Queen. She at least listens to the opinions of others rather than dismisses someone because of their gender and lesser status."
He let out courteous chuckle. "My dear Rin. Do you truly believe that the Queen actually considered any of those ridiculous points you made last night. Slavery is morally wrong and the peasants are starving, yes, I know. But let me ask you this: Who is harvesting the food that sits on your plate from meal to meal each day? And who is it that is paying the taxes that finance the war effort?"
Her honey brown eyes flashed dangerously.
Seeing his opportunity wide open, he closed in. "Correct me if I am wrong, but your innovative ideas cause more problems than they actually solve."
"Explain yourself," she spoke curtly.
"As you know our slaves are imported from the Southern nation, more specifically the southern army," he walked over to the fireplace and leaned against the mantle. "Say we liberate them. Then what? Do we kill them since they're technically still the enemy no matter how long they've been enslaved…or do we just let them go to rejoin the southern army?" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps we convince them to fight on our side…"
"You mock me," Rin whispered.
"And then if we give the peasants some room to work out their problems we always run the risk of facing a rebellion. They are more deviant then you give them credit for. And whether or not you see me fit to rule this country, I will not allow a revolution to erupt from the lower classes especially when we are so busy with this war." He pursed his lips as if wanting to say more, but decided against. Instead he studied her closely expecting another drastic reaction.
"You honestly surprise me."
"How so?" he arched that elegant brow.
"In all the meetings I've had with the Queen and her Council, I've never heard his highness utter more than a single phrase—though critical and insulting it might have been—when addressing me. And now you walk into my chambers—out of the blue without even scheduling an appointment to recite a speech that invalidates everything I thought I made clear yesterday." She folded her arms. "And here I was beginning to think the Prince was a reserved gentleman."
Sesshomaru listened indifferently. "Perhaps you bring out a different side of me when no one else is around." His gaze returned to hers this time with a more suggestive meaning.
She felt a rush of excitement run through her blood. It should have been a sin for anyone so proud and authoritative to have such gorgeous intimidating eyes. And hair. Unfortunately the Prince was indeed attractive; this only added to fuel his overconfidence and spoiled behavior.
But she shouldn't be thinking these thoughts. How was she ever supposed to help those in no position to help themselves if she was having inappropriate thoughts of the Prince who went against all of her beliefs? "Have you even considered peaceful offers with the Southern region? From what I've heard peace works quite smoothly…when attempted."
"Incredible," he smiled. "Now you're a pacifist."
"There is nothing wrong with wishing for peace!" she stamped her foot.
"It's not so easy," his eyes flickered. "How does the adage go? 'Simple words for the simple-minded.'"
"How can you conclude peace as failed effort if you've never tried it before?"
"There will be peace," Sesshomaru stated generously. "Just as soon as the South surrenders unconditionally to our empire."
"I must be going now," she threw her hands up in the air turning abruptly towards the door. "It's no use arguing with you. My father has fallen rather ill and I must be by his side to support him."
"Hakiote," the Prince murmured. "As I recall the old man is having heart problems again. But he insists on remarrying. I believe he intends to court the lovely Kikyo."
"Yes," she nodded through gritted teeth. Old man? How dare he disrespect her father. It was true that her father was interested in a woman much younger than herself. Rin openly opposed the idea, but who was she to deny her father's happiness? After her mother had died, her father had become gravely ill. She wanted nothing more than for him to get well again. "I hope he gets better. As his only child, I should be by his side in case his condition decides to take a turn for the worst."
"I see."
"Yes, well," she fidgeted with the lace on the front of her dress. "I suppose it was somewhat kind of you to bid me farewell." Her smile though very endearing was clearly forced.
"I did not come to wish you farewell," he answered coldly. "I came to confirm that you had left. Apparently I was mistaken."
'Count to ten, Rin. Just count to ten and breathe in then breathe out.'
"Of course," she blinked calmly. With a small obeisance she stepped boldly out of the room without a second glance back. Before closing the door she managed a very polite, "No doubt our self-absorbed Prince prefers this hallway and guestroom to any of the others in the palace. It has the most mirrors. This way he can gaze at his unwelcoming face all day long and wonder why on earth the whole palace thinks he's an ass."
She slammed the door behind her making the walls rattle.
The Prince glowered at the door long after she left contemplating her words.
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"Pal!" he shouted louder this time. When the man continued smiling, Buddy knew the worst had occurred. He hoisted the older man on his shoulders. The explosion had snapped the chains and they were finally free. "I gotta get you outta here before it's too late, pal."
"Come on," he nudged Kagome with his foot. "Wake up."
She stirred several seconds later. "Wha-what….?" She breathed heavily. "Buddy?" she looked up at him before looking up at the man on his shoulders. Her face paled. "Pal!"
"He's badly hurt," Inuyasha spoke quickly. "We need to get him out of here before they come back with reinforcements."
Kagome nodded slowly before standing up. "Do you need help carrying him?" She stared at the rather large man taking in his size knowing it was impossible for such a scrawny boy to carry him.
"No," Buddy's eyes narrowed. "I need you to walk."
She tilted her face to the side. "Why do you want me to come along? It seems you are quite capable of finding a doctor for Pal by yourself."
"Because," he gave her a pointed at the chain where they still remained connected to one another. "It's not like I really have a choice."
"Well, yes," realization finally dawning on her. "That would be a problem."
"Come," he tugged her along clenching his teeth from the pain in his ribs. It had been an eventful day. First being hunted down by the Northern army and now surviving a bombardment from his own men.
"Is everyone else—" she glanced back at the rest of the slaves.
"Dead," he answered her question darkly.
She fell silent.
"Unless they've already escaped like us or they're just playing dead so when the army returns they won't have to be hunted down."
She winced ever so slightly. "How horrible."
They slipped into the forest just as dusk was setting in and trudged under the forest pines. Kagome followed Buddy's lead trusting that he knew where he was taking them. It wouldn't have been so bad if they could stop and ask for directions. But the odds of that occurring were far from possible especially with the common knowledge that men never stopped to ask for directions.
What seemed like an hour later, Buddy finally stopped and eased Pal onto the forest floor and began examining his fatal wound. Kagome knelt by his side feeling rather faint from all the blood.
Pal's eyes flickered momentarily. His head rolled to the side causing a surprised reaction.
"Hey," Pal smiled. His eyes held their same perceptive twinkle. "Thanks for not leaving me to rot with the others. You guys are true friends."
"Shut-up," Buddy whispered unevenly. Why did bad things always happen to good people? "You need to conserve your energy."
Pal just smirked and patted Buddy on the shoulder. "Y-you," he choked before trying again. "You don't know how much you remind me of my son. So pushy, but always has a good heart. You need to show it more often."
Buddy glanced at Kagome with a pained expression. "He's delusional."
"Buddy, please," Kagome shot him a look before turning to Pal. "Pal, you don't have a son," she quietly informed him. Or at least she didn't think he did…
"Eh, let him think it if it makes the old man happy," Buddy stood up. "Come on, Wench, let's go find something to stop that bleeding. We need to hurry. We don't have that much time." He sighed and stared down at the weary middle-aged man. "Can you do us a favor and stay alive until we come back. And promise not to go wandering off?"
Pal reached out and grabbed Inuyasha's shirt before they could leave. "No you don't understand," he choked out.
Kagome and Buddy exchanged looks.
"We all wanted him to go into priesthood hoping to keep him away from this petty war," his eyes became glossy and distant. He looked around. "The world has become such an ugly place. If he had just followed the plan and become a monk…h-he could have…he could have repaired the damages and sins committed in this war. He could have made the world a better place." Pal broke down weeping.
"Shh, shh," Kagome whispered words of comfort to him and wrapped her arms around his head. "Hush now, Pal. It'll be alright." She had to admit she almost believed what he was telling her.
"But something happened…" his words came out in ragged breaths. "My son. I don't know what changed him and made him decide to through his lot with the Northerners. He became a traitor to his own country—a spy. He sold us out just so he could have a position in the Northern Council…the manipulative bastards."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. The Northern Council...Where had he heard that name before?
"Don't move," he commanded removing Pal's grip from his shirt. "I promise we'll be right back and we'll have plenty of time to listen to your story."
"Come on, girl," Inuyasha beckoned Kagome.
Kagome followed Buddy deep into the forest looking back somewhat hesitantly.
Was her nation really as horrible as the stories led her to believe? She couldn't help but feel ashamed of who she was.
They returned sometime later with herbs and water. Kagome broke down when Buddy confirmed Pal had bled to death in their absence.
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It was a weak attempt at a grave, but it was more than any regular casualty would have expected in times of war. A soldier would have been grateful to be buried in a serene forest than have their body picked apart by buzzards, played with and defiled by soldiers of the opposing side, or simply left to decompose in the scorching sun.
"Now what?" Kagome kicked a pinecone lying on the ground and watched as it went sailing into nearby bushes. She glanced at Buddy who had completed his task of burying Pal.
"Now," he paused brushing the dirt off his hands. "We go our separate ways." He leaned against a sword he had found lying on the ground from the battlefield that he used to dig the hole and looked idly at her.
"But you can't just leave me here!" She burst out.
"Why not? Are you so used to having people tell you what to do that you don't have a clue how to live your own life? You're free. Go celebrate."
"I know how to live free," she answered lamely. "I'm just not fond on living off of rocks and pine needles. And besides," she jingled the chain between them. "You can't exactly go anywhere without me."
With a single sweep of the blade, he snapped the chain. He smiled smugly at her shocked expression. "Technically," he said before turning and walking away. "I can."
She stared blankly at the space he had occupied only moments before. "Wait!" she called to his retreating form.
He either didn't hear her or he heard her and chose not to listen.
"Please Buddy," she ran after him. "I-I…You can't just abandon a girl in the middle of the woods. It's not chivalrous." She cut him off and stood was blocking the path. "We don't even know where we are and I'm pretty sure you don't have a clue either."
He gave her a slanted look before pushing her aside. "If I don't know where I'm going then maybe you should stop following me. Besides, nobody follows the chivalry code anymore."
"We should stick together," she offered. "Two heads are better than one."
"Not in this case." He continued walking.
Desperate times called for desperate measures.
"But I can cook for you," she replied hastily.
He stopped, but didn't face her. "You can cook?"
"Well, no. But I can learn."
"Keh," he suppressed a smirk. "I thought so."
"Please take me with you!" She grabbed his arm.
"No, Oye! Get off me woman!" He shook her off.
"Please Buddy?"
"No! You're like my relatives after the holidays."
"Buddy?"
"The thing that wouldn't leave."
"Please?"
"Listen, we all got our crosses to bear and really, I'm sorry you've been such a pampered indoor girl all your life and you don't know how to survive on your own, but you should have thought of that before you became a slave."
"Since when did I ever want to be a slave!" Her voice was rising along with her temper.
"I don't know. The point is that this is your problem not mine."
"Buddy!"
"And will u stop calling me that god-forsaken-name woman! It's not my real name! Get it through your head that I-Am-Not-Your-Friend!"
"Buddy! Buddy! Buddy!" she screamed at the top of her lungs causing birds to scatter from the trees.
He flinched at her before narrowing his eyes. "Call me Buddy one more time and I swear I'll make you regret it."
"The other man called you that name, why can't I?"
"Because," he answered in a childish tone. "I liked him better than you. That and the fact I can't stand kids."
"I'm not a child," she retorted.
"Yeah, I know, just a brat." He evaded her once again and continued on with his chartered path.
Something snapped within her. "Buddy," she whispered defiantly.
The stranger froze in his tracks before slowly turning his head. Without warning, he let out a menacing growl, "Strike three."
In two long strides, he closed the distance between them. Grabbing the sleeves of her dress with both arms, he roughly slammed her against a nearby tree pinning her body against his own. He raised her up by the shoulders so her feet barely scraped the ground.
Kagome yelped as her head collided with the tree. For a brief instance, stars danced and played before her eyes until they slowly faded and were replaced by the darkest brown eyes she had ever witnessed in her life. Her body would have melted if she wasn't sharply reminded by the iron locked arms that were crushing her small frame.
"Are you scared?" his deep voice penetrated her frivolous thoughts.
Her body seemed to be trembling all over. Was he going to kill her? She closed her eyes to block him out hoping that if he did, he would do it quickly and get it over with.
"I asked you a question," he whispered seductively in her ear. "You know, as I was observing the lovely forest scenery, I noticed there wasn't a single person within miles to hear you scream if I were a deranged rapist." He slid the blade he had in one hand across her neck so it lightly grazed her skin. "Or I could just kill you right here and rid myself of your annoying, pathetic attachment to me.
"Let me go," she cried out.
He pressed harder against her still. "Well, aren't we the imposing one?" he chided, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "You seemed like you were enjoying my company only moments ago, why the change in thought?"
Kagome shuddered involuntarily. "You're hurting me."
In an instant his hands were gone and Kagome slumped to the base of the tree. She looked up at him only to find him examining his sword, evidently bored.
She rose cautiously to her feet regarding him carefully.
"Seriously," he started as if he were discussing the weather to a stranger. "We could have concluded a very pleasant evening together if you were more cooperative."
Her anger rose to a new level. Not thinking, she smacked him plain across the face.
The slap echoed in the stillness of the forest.
He barely budged. Instead he merely shifted his bruised jaw and set the sword over his right shoulder.
"Frigid bitch," he smoothed his pained cheek. "And I thought you enjoyed the attention."
She merely glared back at him. "You're an ass."
Inuyasha shrugged. "It was worth the fun."
Kagome smoothed her hair and touched her neck delicately still feeling the cool touch of the blade where it had rested dangerously on her throat.
"Don't touch me again."
"Nothing would give me greater pleasure, Madame." He gave a fancy bow.
There was a pregnant pause while Inuyasha shifted his weight to the other foot. He didn't seem even the slightest bit phased or guilty of his inappropriate behavior.
"So what is your real name then?" she spat at him. "I have to call you something. I'll tell you my name so you'll stop referring to me as wench. It's Kagome."
Inuyasha made a face. He hated introductions. It felt awkward being introduced to someone he'd already met—especially someone he'd been through so much with in a short period of time. It wasn't just that though. By giving out his name, it meant that he was left potentially vulnerable to his enemies. Was it worth the risk telling this girl? Would it hurt him later on?
What the heck. She's just a girl.
"Inu-yasha."
She stared peculiarly at him. "A man called Dog-demon? Interesting choice of name."
"Yeah…my parents were kind of obsessed with dogs," he lied. Truth be told, he was really adopted as a young pup. An old couple had found him abandoned on their doorstep and took him as their own. They didn't give him a name though because he had already been given a name; a collar was found around his neck bearing the word: Inu-yasha.
"So where are you from?"
"Nice try," he stared suspiciously at her. "I think that's enough questions for today."
"I was just trying to be friendly."
"And pleasantries are a waste of my time. If you want to follow me, which I suggest you don't, but if you decide you do… then you can," he wrinkled his nose a bit. "Just don't talk or get in my way because by gods, we are not playing stupid games with Pal anymore—that was only to pass the time."
"Understood," she nodded. "Stay out of the way and keep quiet."
'This girl is too trusting,' Inuyasha thought to himself.
"And don't fall behind," he added. "I am not going to wait for you to catch your silly little ass up."
"And don't fall behind."
He gave her a warning look. "Stop repeating me like some damn army training camp. I'm sick of war as it is."
He sidestepped back onto the small forest path and started heading in the direction he was going towards before. Kagome followed closely behind him but not before a voice called out in the opposite direction.
"A soldier sick of war? What a prat."
The two escapers whirled around.
A well-built man cloaked in animal fur emerged from the underbrush with a dozen other men clothed in the same attire. The leading figure stared intently at them with sharp blue eyes. His dark hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and his ears were pointed at the tips. A fluffy dark tail swished back in forth with a mind of its own in apparent satisfaction.
"Well, well, well," the wolf-man rested his toned arms on his hips. "It seems we have discovered the last of the runaways."
Inuyasha had not moved since the man had spoken. He recognized him immediately by face. It was Kouga.
"General Kouga," Inuyasha growled testily. "The leader of wimpy wolves."
Kouga just smirked. "I see you've heard of me. Then you must know of what we've done to the Southern army. How we've decimated nearly all their pathetic troops single-handedly. How we've pillaged and destroyed their regions, made better use of their women and—oh wait," he stopped looking thoughtfully at the other man. "You're a Southerner, aren't you? Must have slipped my mind." He tapped his forehead with a grin.
The hair bristled on the back of Inuyasha's neck. "Fucking idiot."
Kagome inched behind Inuyasha trying to conceal herself. Of course he saw her. "And what have we here, a young lady?" Kouga casually strolled over to her. He pushed Inuyasha lightly aside to get a better look. "Pretty little thing."
Inuyasha instantly retaliated lunging at the wolf. The wolf-demon merely shoved him to the ground kicking him hard in the stomach. "Typical human brashness," Kouga smirked while his foot remained comfortably on Inuyasha's back pinning him to the ground. "Yet they never have the strength to back themselves up. Must be miserable to be so weak."
"Only you would know."
Without bothering to ask, Kouga grabbed a handful of Kagome's hair and sniffed it. "And she smells good too."
"Get off me!" Kagome hit him uselessly.
"Give her over here, Kouga," one of the wolf's comrades leered from the other side. "It's been so long."
"Yeah," another shouted. "We could use some fun."
"Go on and have her," Inuyasha sputtered from the ground.
Kagome shot the human hanyou a confused look.
"What did you say, shit-face?" Kouga looked down at him.
"I said take her."
"So obliging. I thank you human, but I don't need your permission to take what I want."
"Keh, it's your funeral."
"What does that mean?" Kouga raised a brow.
"It means she's got venereal problems."
Kouga's hand instantly recoiled from the girl. "Like what?"
"Oh well I'm no expert," Inuyasha slowly sat up. "But looks like syphilis. That or gonorrhea."
"What the hell is that?" Kouga was growing more disgusted by the minute.
"Western hemisphere diseases. It's quite contagious and spreads extremely fast throughout the groin. Incredibly painful and practically impossible to cure. So unless you plan on making your last fuck, I advise you to layoff her." He laughed. "She'd serve you better as a prostitute for unwelcome guests at your house."
"You're making this up."
"Trust me, you don't even want to look it's so gross. I mean, normally I don't mind fucking a girl who has a couple of warts every here and there, but this one is just plain…nasty. I didn't even know what I was looking at when I pulled the panties off."
Kouga stared at the soft creature beneath his foot for a moment considering his words.
"I don't believe you. Just who do you think you are, human?"
Inuyasha's nails dug deep into the ground. "I'm Inuyasha, jackass. I swear I'll kill you once I regain my demonic powers.
'Demon?' Kagome flinched.
"Inuyasha," Kouga tapped his chin for a moment. "Where have I heard that name before?"
"Everybody knows who I am!" Inuyasha shouted indignantly. I'm the Southern warrior that destroyed the entire Northern fifth flank with my bear hands. Tell me you haven't heard of that story!"
"I've heard of a pathetic creature who fought in the Southern ranks who so dared to take the name Inuyasha. I was referring to a different Inuyasha.
"What the…" Inuyasha looked at him like he was an idiot. "There are no other Inuyashas. I'm one of a kind."
"Obviously not in the Northern territory. Never mind. I'm not in the mood for telling stories." He shook his head sadly. "So you're the demon hanyou that everyone's raving about. Oh, how the mighty have fallen."
"Take this necklace off of me first, and I promise you a fight like no other."
"Prayer beads?" Kouga laughed. "Is that what's holding you back? You really are a disgrace. A gift from Ginta and Hakkaku I presume. Typical childish fun, but really the idea is ingenious, if you think about it. The ability to control the transformation of humans and demons alike. Just think if we had enough prayer beads to enslave the entire Southern country? It would be so easy…"
"You wouldn't dare," Inuyasha spat.
"Humph, like I said, it's just an idea. I'm not the power-thirsty type. That kind of thing has never interested me. I can't say the same thing for Prince Sesshomaru though."
"Are you scared to fight me, chickenbitch?" Inuyasha cut in. "I don't care what kind of royal scum you worship. I'll destroy anything that threatens the freedom of my homeland."
Kouga stiffened.
"You can't be serious. Of course even if I wanted to fight you in your demon state, it couldn't be done. Only a priest or priestess can remove prayer beads. Sorry dogcrap, but you and that necklace are going to become rather good friends over the next span of time…or however long I plan on keeping you alive."
"Why you—" Inuyasha started.
"Will you just shut the hell up?" Kouga gave one final blow to his head knocking the poor hanyou out for the second time that day. "All talk, that's what you are. It gets so old after awhile"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome immediately went to his aid.
"Get the girl," Kouga commanded to the wolves behind him.
The men rushed to the girl upon order. They easily pulled her to her feet away from Inuyasha and started exploring her body.
"Don't touch her just yet." Kouga barked angrily.
With a grunt of dismal around the group, their hands fell to their sides.
"It seems like we have run into an interesting crowd today, boys," Kouga smirked. "What do you say we head home and celebrate? I think we should treat our guests to dinner tonight as well along with the other slaves we captured. We deserve a feast—it's on the house tonight." He winked deliberately.
A shout went up throughout the small pack of wolves as Kouga led the way back through the forest.
Kagome was lost amongst the crowd unable to pinpoint Inuyasha location. She honestly hoped he was okay. Her group of friends was slowly deteriorating along with her optimism that everything was indeed going to be 'okay.'
She whispered a silent prayer up the heavens as they crept deep into the forest night.
'Someone please save me.'
Somewhere Inuyasha stirred.
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Yay! I've finally updated! pats herself on the back
Just to let the readers know. This is a continuous war. Very much like the Hundred Years War (remember that?) when the French and English would go to war and return home after a certain span of time and then resume fighting the next day.
Ah, hooray, Pal's identity has finally been revealed. I hope all of you are happy. (If you didn't catch on, go back and read his last convo again.)
The weird part about this story's update is that I actually finished writing this chapter well over four months ago, but it's taken me so long to get myself organized that I had to put it on a temporary hiatus. So, if you would, please review? It took me forever to write this chapter and to think of where I wanted to go with the plot. And feel free to leave any tips or constructive criticism.
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As always, thanks to my lovely readers,
the Wannaberin
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