A/N
Everything is going according to plan… So, I'm on my winter break, so now I have more time to write. Yay! I'd like to thank my new beta Sashlea. She did a fabulous job on this chapter. It's so nice to have someone read through this jazz before I post it. ::Sigh:: Well, lots and lost of action below. Stuff picks up in this chapter. A lot.
To squeakyinuears, you got it! You were the only one to say who the boy with the blank expression was. Congrats. Happy Christmas everyone!
~~~~~~~~
The Duke
She was late for class. Toutousai, her swordsmanship instructor, was so befuddled that he probably wouldn't notice, but Kagome didn't want to push it. She was on thin ice as it was and she refused to get kicked out for something like spilling juice on her tunic and having to run back and change. The hallways were empty as she jogged down them when the church bells in town chiming out the hour. She groaned, and shot blindly down the hallway, dashing around a corner only to hit a solid chest, sending her and the other person to the floor.
She looked up to apologize and her grey eyes locked with dark violet ones. Something abruptly pounded through her veins, in time with her heartbeat. It felt powerful, unnatural, and malice, leaving Kagome lightheaded. It took a breathless moment for her to realize that whatever it was, it was coming from the man on the floor front of her. What the hell?
He was in his late twenties with long, black hair and sharp, but handsome, features. He didn't look like anything out of the ordinary, but he clearly felt something from her as well. She could see some emotion flicker through his eyes before he regained his composure. Climbing to his feet, he gave her a look of utter abhorrence, and began brushing real or imaginary dirt off of the front of his robe as he obviously waited for her apology. Quickly, Kagome scrambled to her own feet and bowed.
"Forgive me sir; I was late for class and not watching where I was going."
He appeared to size her up before he promptly brushed past her without a word and she was left to watch him disappear down the hallway. The unnatural feeling had evaporated when he'd broken eye contact with her, but she couldn't shake an instinct that told her that he was a man that needed watching.
~ [Several days later]
"Higurashi! Tighten up on your lunges! Hojo, don't make me come over there. Bunza, loosen your grip before you break your wrist!" Hand-to-hand combat was not Kagome's strong suit, she was quickly coming to realize. Professor Kouryu was more unmanageable then any of her other teachers, and every time she left his class, it was in a significantly worse mood then when she had entered. It seemed like every muscle ached all the time. It had already been a week, and the pace of their training was not easing up. If anything, it was steadily increasing.
Eshi, Kagome's sparing partner, threw a left-handed punch that she was unprepared for. She absorbed some of the force with her block, but it was weak and his fist broke through and glanced off her cheekbone before he was able curb it. She stumbled back and landed on the mat behind her.
"Kag! What the hell was that?" Kouryu came over and stood above her, looking down with plain disapproval.
"I'm sorry, sir. I couldn't block fast enough."
"No enemy is going to pull a punch because you 'couldn't block fast enough.' Listen up, all of you." The entire class stopped what they were doing to look, turning Kagome an awkward shade of red as she sat at his feet hopelessly. "This is about survival. We have three years to whip you into shape and then send you off to fight. You're beginners making beginner mistakes. Keep it up and you will die, and you'll do it soon."
With that, he walked away. Everyone went back to running drills while Eshi held out a hand to help Kagome up.
"I don't know what Kouryu's problem is, but he should have Shouga take a look at it as soon as possible." Shouga was the chief palace healer and resident cook. "It sounds like its getting worse."
Kagome smiled but said nothing, and they went back to practicing. About midway through the lesson, the man that Kagome now knew as Kouga's messenger came into the room and whispered a few words to Kouryu before coming over to Kagome.
"His majesty the Prince requests your presents after class in his accommodations."
"Umm…tell his majesty, I will gladly meet him."
The messenger bowed to her and turned to leave. Hojo leaned over from his group to whisper in her ear. "What is that all about?"
Kagome shrugged as she watched the man go. "I have no idea."
After class, Kagome pushed her way through the crowds of boys to get to Kouga's room. When she arrived, Kouga was pacing back and forth, looking for all the world like he hadn't slept in years. His two friends, Hakkaku and Ginta, were at his side. Neither looked any better then their prince. The man that Kagome had run into in the hallway a few days ago was standing in a corner, but not looking at her, instead focusing on Kouga. The prince looked up when she entered and immediately sat in a chair at the table, motioning for her to do the same.
"Kag, something has come up. My parents have fallen ill and I have to attend to them." It was common knowledge that the king and queen where overseas negotiating with a neighboring kingdom. "It all happened very suddenly, and I have to leave tonight. Hakkaku and Ginta are going to accompany me, which leaves my uncle, the Duke Naraku to look after everyone in my absence. He teaches some higher level classes. You'll have him next year."
The man came forward as Kouga spoke, and settled in next to them. A steady thrumming had started behind Kagome's eyes, and it worsened the closer he came. She tried not to be obvious, but she couldn't help leaning away from him. He still wouldn't meet her eyes, and she wasn't sure how upset she was about that. How could she stand to have him for a teacher?
"I'm appointing someone from each class as a sort of primary director for occasions when my parents and I are away. I know you have a lot on your plate, but would you mind? If anything major comes up, you can always come to Naraku and he will handle it personally. Won't you, Naraku?"
The Duke nodded, and stole a glance at her. The minute their eyes met, the same rush of malice energy from the other day poured through her veins, pounding with every heartbeat. She hastily broke away before she fainted. What is he?
"Kouga, you know I will gladly take up any responsibility while you're away." His voice was dark and silky. It would have been very charming if Kagome could bear to be near him without feeling ill. "Please send along my regards and well wishes to your dear mother and father. It is my sincerest regret that I cannot escort you to their bedside."
"Thank you Naraku. I'll pass along your respects. Kag," he waited for her to focus on him, "will you do this? You're the only one in the paige class I'd trust with such an undertaking."
"O-of course, your Highness. Anything you need, simply ask." Kouga's shoulders collapsed in relief, and he gave her a shaky smile. She had the distinct feeling that if he weren't the prince, he would be breaking down right in front of her. She found herself feeling infinitely sorry for him.
"Thank you Kag. I won't forget this." He stood from his chair, and Hakkaku and Ginta immediately flanked him on either side. "I hope to be back in a week or less. Send for me if anything should arise." With that, they left. She was alone with the Duke.
He rose from his chair, carefully keeping his eyes locked on a painting across the room. Spanning the distance, he pretended to study it for a moment before he opened his mouth, not turning to face her.
"Higurashi." It wasn't a question, but she answered anyway.
"Yes?"
There was a slight pause. "We have a problem, you and I."
"Do we?" She didn't mean for that to sound as snarky as it did, but no taking it back now.
He turned to face her sharply, bringing on the pulse. "Indeed we do." He continued to gaze at her, forcing her to look at the ground before she collapsed. Several moments of charged silence passed before he spoke again. "My quarters are at the end of the hall, if anything should come up." Somehow, he'd managed to make it sound like a threat.
When she looked up again, he was gone.
~
The staff didn't move. Miroku re-chanted the ancient incantation, held out his hand and…
Nothing. His staff sat two feet away, mocking him with it's refusal to budge.
"Damnit! This is the easiest spell in the book, why can't I do it?"
Miko Suijin laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Miroku, everything we do here at the shrine is connected to your emotions. You have to want it. And don't swear in my class."
"Madam Suijin, I understand your teaching." He sighed and looked up at her seriously. "I know of something that may help my focus. Might you be willing to bear my-"
"Miroku, no. It was no the last twelve times, and it will be no the next twelve. If you don't stop asking, I may have to resort to violence." She walked away.
Miroku sighed and shot a hostile glare at his staff. Nobunaga sauntered over, with his staff in hand. He gave a pointed glance at the one on the floor and then looked back at Miroku with a smirk.
"Having some trouble calling your staff, Miroku? Well, it can't be to far off. After all, everyone else has been able to do it at least once."
"Oh, shove off Nobunaga." Hachi said in his friend's defense. "Miroku has more magical talent in his little finger then you do in your whole body."
"Hmm. We'll see…" He said cryptically, and ambled away again.
"Don't pay any attention to him, Miroku. He's jealous."
"Jealous of what? He's right. I can't perform the spell when everyone else has."
Hachi looked around and then back at Miroku. "Well, maybe you just don't have the right incentive. If you get your staff to come to you, I will give you my sweet rolls tonight at dinner."
Miroku looked at the staff. Hard. I want it. I want it. I want it. The staff did not move.
"Ug! Maybe I wasn't mean to be a priest."
"Alright everyone!" Cried Miko Suijin. "Class is over. Get your things, no one leave their staff or you won't get it back! Miroku, we'll try again tomorrow. If you're still having trouble, we'll set up a time to meet one on one."
"Don't worry Miroku, I know you'll get it." Hachi grabbed his belongings and, with a backward glance, left for his next class.
"Yeah, thanks." Mumbled Miroku. He went to pick up his staff, but as he bent down, he caught sight of Sango through the window. She was in a group of girls, talking and laughing. By chance, she turned to look in his direction.
The staff flew off the ground and promptly hit him in the face.
~
"Higurashi!"
Kagome opened her eyes slowly. It was still dark outside and for a moment she thought she had imagined someone calling out to her. She rolled over in her cot and tried to go back to sleep.
"Kag! Wake up!"
Groaning, she untangled her legs from her sheets and dragged herself into a standing position. Several voices were mumbling outside of her door, and someone was pounding on it, calling out her surname. The floor was cold, and she paused to pull on a pair of slippers.
"Kag, Eshi's gone!"
"What!" Slippers forgotten, she ran to the door and yanked it open. All the boys from her floor stood in a group, wide awake and murmuring amongst themselves. Hojo was the one who had been knocking, and he grabbed her elbow to lead her into the hallway.
"I came to get him for our morning run and he wasn't there. His door was wide open." The sea of boys parted as she hurried through them, heading for Eshi's door; only two down from her own. Hojo was on her heals. "Kouga said that we should come to you if there was a problem."
The door was indeed wide open. His bed had been slept in, but everything else was in place. Something - suspicion she guessed - was gnawing in the pit of her stomach, telling her that something definitely wasn't right.
"What should we do?" She turned to see them all staring at her, waiting for her decision. It very abruptly occurred to her that she wasn't equipped to deal with a situation like this, and she wasn't going to put Eshi's life in danger to pretend that she was. There was really only one choice.
The Duke answered his door in a very rumpled state. His black hair was in a loose ponytail, little bits sticking out in different directions. Shadows lingered under his purple eyes, which were very firmly fixed on Kagome. For her part, Kagome was staring at the floor, feeling her face growing red under his gaze.
"What is it Higurashi?
"S-sir, Eshi's disappeared."
"What?" He was surprisingly clam as she repeated herself, then he slipped into action. "Okay, everyone, buddy up. Quickly grab your swords from your rooms and search the castle. No one goes alone. I don't want anyone to be out of earshot from another group at any time. If you run into problems, just shout and someone will find you. If you find Eshi, bring him directly to my room." He swept back into his quarters and slammed the door.
"Kag? Will you search with me?"
"Of course Hojo. I'll meet you in the hallway." She ran to get her sword and boots.
~
Something exploded outside Miroku's window. The entire shrine shook with the force of it, and he was on his feet, staff jingling in his hand, before he knew what was going on. The tree outside his window was in flames. He could hear screams in the distance and people were running inanely in the hallway and behind his shoji screen. He rushed to join them.
It was like a stampede, and Miroku's first fear was that people were going to be trampled to death. He pushed through the crowd to the front doors and tried the handle. It was locked. Getting desperate as more people started to crowd him, he tried beating it with his staff, to no avail.
Just then, Myoga slid boneless-ly through the swarm as no man his age should ever be able to do. He gave once glance at the door, then Miroku. Mumbling something under his breath, he ambled away and barricaded himself in Miroku's room just before the door handle flared bright green and unlocked. Obviously, Myoga would be of no more help.
Smoke filled the air when he got outside. The tree was still ablaze, lighting up the night sky brilliantly. People stood in a semi-circle around it, but Miroku got the distinct impression that that wasn't what they were looking at. He spotted Hachi in the crowd and ran to join him.
"What's going on?!" He had to yell to be heard over the crackle of the fire and the panicking residents.
"I don't know!"
Someone screamed and the crowd suddenly parted. A boy of about thirteen with black hair walked through them. He was holding a very deadly looking scythe stained with blood. No one was getting in his way and he was headed toward the shrine.
"Kohaku!" Out of nowhere, Sango emerged with her boomerang in hand. She rushed to get in front of the boy, looking incredibly desperate. "Kohaku, what are you doing!?"
The kid stopped when he saw her. His eyes were empty, but he held out his hand and spoke in an abnormal voice. "Give me the scroll."
"What?" She clutched the boomerang a little harder. "Kohaku, where have you-"
"Give it to me." He raised the scythe threateningly. Miroku ran forward, out of the crowd of people.
"Kohaku, I won't fight you."
He brought it down on top of her. "Then you will die."
He would never be able to reach her in time, but luckily for him, he had other tricks up his sleeve. He unwrapped the beads from his right hand and immediately the kazzana started inhaling everything in its path, including Sango. She flew from underneath the boy's blade toward Miroku. He re-wrapped the beads just as she would have been sucked in to the void. Momentum, however, would not be deterred, and she hit Miroku full force, knocking them both several feet backward.
Most of the teachers and older students by now had snapped out of their stupor and stood to face the child. Miko Suijin sent a spell at him, sky blue power exploding where he stood, sending him into a nearby tree. Sango immediately picked herself up off of Miroku painfully and limped as fast as she could in their direction.
"Stop! Stop, that's my brother!" Some of the teachers turned to gawk at her, but there wasn't time, because apparently the boy had recovered enough to sit up and throw something at the shrine. When it hit, the entire east end was ignited. Luckily, most of the people had already exited the shrine, and Miroku's room was on the other side, so Myoga was safe for the time being.
Standing, Kohaku's blank eyes reflected the firelight ominously. He bent to pick up his scythe and came forward. A sandy-haired boy raised his staff and traced a symbol in the air, yellow light trailing after it. The light formed itself into cords before shooting toward Kohaku, entangling him and lifting him into the air. He struggled for a moment before using the weapon to slice through the ropes. He fell to the ground, but picked himself up and continued on toward the shrine.
Miroku slowly got to his feet. Sango was distraughtly trying to gain the attention of the people who were fighting against her brother. No one was paying attention to her, however, because Kohaku was relentless. Every time he got knocked back, he just stood back up. It was like he felt no pain. Miroku could tell that the teachers were getting desperate, and he was afraid that they might try something more drastic to stop him.
~
Kagome tiptoed through the hallway, her hand on the hilt of her sword. Hojo was on her left. The sound of his footsteps was somewhat comforting, but she had seen him in class and she knew that if it came to blows, he would be of very little help.
They had already searched over half of the castle, one wing at a time, and no one had found any clues. In fact, the only excitement had been when Muotoko, a boy from her survival class, had tripped over a suit of armor, causing him to cry out and everyone to come running.
Kagome couldn't help but wonder what Naraku was doing. While he had students out looking for their missing peer and facing possible danger, he blockaded himself in his room. What kind of a teacher did that? It was already obvious to her that there was something wrong with him. She had never had the kind of feeling that she had when looking into his eyes. Miroku had always told her that she had the Sight. She wasn't sure what that was, but she wondered if the feeling she got from the Duke had something to do with it.
The next question was, what did she do about it? He was the Prince's uncle, a member of the royal family. His creditability far outweighed her little inklings. She felt more alone then she would have liked, and she wished she had someone to tell.
She looked up to see that Hojo, lost in his own thoughts, was about to run face-first into an open door. She grabbed his shoulder and yanked him out of the way.
"Thanks." He whispered.
"No problem." Then, something occurred to her. "Oi, this is Kouga's room."
The same room she had been in not two days before. The door was wide open, and the lock had been forced. She didn't want to cause a panic for nothing, it was possible that whoever had been in there was long gone, but she wanted to be prepared. She signaled for Hojo to draw his sword, and she did the same. They entered cautiously.
His room was in shambles: chairs had been smashed against the wall, trinkets that had been on the counter now littered the floor, the sheets off his bed tossed onto the table and the mattress flipped over onto its side. Hojo traded looks with her.
Something crashed to the floor in the adjacent state room, startling them both. They both glanced around the door to see Eshi digging frantically through Kouga's desk. He hadn't noticed them.
"I'll get help." whispered Hojo and ran off.
Well, she knew he wouldn't be of any help. She stepped slowly into the room and sheathed her sword, holding her hands in the air non-threateningly. He was a classmate, not a danger.
"Eshi." He turned sharply on the balls of his feet. His eyes were completely blank. They looked familiar to her; she had seen eyes like that.
"Where is it?" He came at her ruthlessly, grabbed her by the shoulders and shook hard. "Where is it!?"
"Where's what?" Kagome was having trouble concentrating on what he way saying. Her brains where rattling around in her head. She wasn't any good at hand-to-hand combat, but if he kept this up, she would have to try her hand at it for real.
"I have to find it!" He threw her to the ground and advanced on her, drawing his sword. She backpedaled until she met the wall, and then was forced to draw her own sword. Both of them glinted ominously. He brought his sword down over his head, and she thrust up over her own to block him. They met with a shower of sparks.
"Eshi, what are you doing!?" He didn't seem to hear her, breaking away from the stalemate and swinging toward her left shoulder. She hurried to parry him. She blocked most of the force, but she was on the floor and he had the advantage of momentum. It was just like that day in class. His sword knocked hers aside and sliced a sizable gash through her flesh. Kagome bit her lip so hard that it bled, but did not cry out.
It was over. It was one thing to stand up to an angry dog youkai who wasn't really a bad guy but it was quite another to engage a manic boy with a sword and no fear. She didn't have the kind of training she needed to enter a real sword fight anyway, and now she would pay the price. Death in three moves or less, that would be her only legacy. She sat bleeding on the floor, defenseless, while he aimed and swung at her neck, intending to decapitate her.
"Eshi!" They both turned to see Hojo standing in the doorway, with Naraku at his side. Oddly enough, it was Hojo who had cried out. Naraku had the nerve to look vaguely disappointed before he moved forward to deal with the situation. It was at that moment that Kagome realized that Naraku would have gladly sat back to watch her be murdered without doing a thing to stop it. It was sobering,
He grabbed the back of Eshi's shirt and hauled him into the air, the sword dropping to the ground. Eshi barley struggled, and actually went limp after a few seconds. Naraku started to drag him off.
"Wait!" He stopped, but didn't turn around. "What are you going to do with him?"
"Eshi will be locked away until His Majesties are well enough to return and deal with him. It's likely that they will find him unsuitable to remain in the castle any longer than necessary. Hojo, I suggest you take Mr. Higurashi to get fixed up." He left.
Hojo knelt to help Kagome up, blood leaking steadily from the wound in her shoulder. Her entire left side was already soaked in it, and it dripped onto the floor from her lifeless fingers.
"I think we'd better wake up Shouga."
~
Miroku rushed forward, but he was too late. Red power burst from the brown-haired girl, materializing into blade. They sliced through the air, and then into Kohaku.
"No! Stop!" Sango was going insane. Miroku grabbed her arm to physically retrain her and keep her out of the line of fire. Kohaku wasn't, as he had originally thought, invincible. He was bleeding from several places and his right arm hung at an unnatural angle. He was, however, skilled with his weapon despite having only one good arm and he'd already taken the lives of several people in the vicinity.
Miko Suijin had been the main proprietor of holding him off, but even she was getting anxious. She was trying to subdue him without killing him, out of respect for Sango. Miroku could see the sweat on her forehead as she sent another spell at him, catapulting him into the air. While still flying, he threw the scythe, attached to a chain, and it hit the ground just to Miroku's right, spraying dirt and rocks over him and Sango. Some of the debris opened shallow cuts on his face and arms, and he could see a line of blood drawn across her forehead.
Kohaku had crashed into a rock, and several audible snaps from the direction of his ribs echoed through the shrine. Still, he managed to rise and draw the weapon back. Just as he raised his arm to throw it again, he stopped cold and cocked his head, as if listening to something for away. He stayed stock still for a few seconds, then looked straight at Sango. It was only then that she stopped struggling in Miroku's grip.
"Give me the scroll, or this will happen again."
"I…Kohaku, you know I can't do that." He gave her one, last vacant look, before turning around and disappearing into the tree line.
~
"That should do it." pronounced Madam Shouga. Kogome flexed her arm experimentally and winced. Shouga had sewed up her shoulder, tied a bandage over it, and given her a cup of tea to help her sleep. She'd also cast a muted healing spell, saying that her shoulder should be repaired within the week.
When Hojo had first knocked on Shouga's door, the healer had insisted the Kagome take off her shirt so she could reach the wound. Kagome had panicked and told her that she had a rash on her chest that she was waiting to heal before exposing it to air. It was a weak excuse, but it was the first thing she could think of; and luckily, her shirt had been so ripped up that the rest of the arm could be torn away and she could reach the gash just fine. It had been a close call, especially with Hojo sitting right there waiting to help her back to her room. She was going to have to find a healer outside of the palace if she intended to continue injuring herself.
"Thank you Madam Shouga." She hopped off of the bench she had been sitting on. "You do fine work."
"Come and see me anytime." She ruffled Kagome's hair with one hand. "Do me a favor, though. Try to avoid sword fights until you're sure you won't get run through. I'd hate for your corpse to come my way."
"Trust me, Madam. If it can be helped, I won't be wielding a sword again any time soon."
Shouga stayed behind to finish cleaning her supplies while Hojo and Kagome made their ways up to their rooms. Hojo was carrying Kagome's sword for her, and followed her into her room to put it in the corner. The tea was indeed starting to kick in; she could feel a dreamy haze edge into her thoughts.
"I'm glad you were with me tonight, Kag." Hojo was looking around nervously and wouldn't meet her eye. "I'm sorry I left you. If I hadn't, you wouldn't have been-"
"Shut up, Hioj." Kagome yawned and pulled down the sheets on her bed. "If you hadn't gone to get help, chances are he would have killed us both."
Hojo stuttered for a moment before nodding reluctantly and moving toward the entrance. "Good night Kag.
"Mmnight." She mumbled, and he shut the door. She crawled into bed and snuggled into her pillow. She didn't even have the energy to think like a boy anymore and wanted nothing more than to burrow into a huge pile of blankets with her mother. Even as she drifted off, however, one serious thought still wouldn't leave her be. Eshi's eyes had been emptier then they had ever been. Even when he was screaming at her, about to kill her, no emotion awakened within them. She had seen eyes that empty before. If only she could remember where…
A/N
Well, hope you enjoyed it. Keep up the reviews; I love 'em! Just mentioning this for posterity, Kagome only gets the feeling when she looks into Naraku's eyes. Otherwise, just being in close proximity to him for a while gives her a headache. Not for long, though. Hehehe. I know there was no Inu, but this stuff had to get taken care of. He'll be in the next one, I promise!
Everything is going according to plan… So, I'm on my winter break, so now I have more time to write. Yay! I'd like to thank my new beta Sashlea. She did a fabulous job on this chapter. It's so nice to have someone read through this jazz before I post it. ::Sigh:: Well, lots and lost of action below. Stuff picks up in this chapter. A lot.
To squeakyinuears, you got it! You were the only one to say who the boy with the blank expression was. Congrats. Happy Christmas everyone!
~~~~~~~~
The Duke
She was late for class. Toutousai, her swordsmanship instructor, was so befuddled that he probably wouldn't notice, but Kagome didn't want to push it. She was on thin ice as it was and she refused to get kicked out for something like spilling juice on her tunic and having to run back and change. The hallways were empty as she jogged down them when the church bells in town chiming out the hour. She groaned, and shot blindly down the hallway, dashing around a corner only to hit a solid chest, sending her and the other person to the floor.
She looked up to apologize and her grey eyes locked with dark violet ones. Something abruptly pounded through her veins, in time with her heartbeat. It felt powerful, unnatural, and malice, leaving Kagome lightheaded. It took a breathless moment for her to realize that whatever it was, it was coming from the man on the floor front of her. What the hell?
He was in his late twenties with long, black hair and sharp, but handsome, features. He didn't look like anything out of the ordinary, but he clearly felt something from her as well. She could see some emotion flicker through his eyes before he regained his composure. Climbing to his feet, he gave her a look of utter abhorrence, and began brushing real or imaginary dirt off of the front of his robe as he obviously waited for her apology. Quickly, Kagome scrambled to her own feet and bowed.
"Forgive me sir; I was late for class and not watching where I was going."
He appeared to size her up before he promptly brushed past her without a word and she was left to watch him disappear down the hallway. The unnatural feeling had evaporated when he'd broken eye contact with her, but she couldn't shake an instinct that told her that he was a man that needed watching.
~ [Several days later]
"Higurashi! Tighten up on your lunges! Hojo, don't make me come over there. Bunza, loosen your grip before you break your wrist!" Hand-to-hand combat was not Kagome's strong suit, she was quickly coming to realize. Professor Kouryu was more unmanageable then any of her other teachers, and every time she left his class, it was in a significantly worse mood then when she had entered. It seemed like every muscle ached all the time. It had already been a week, and the pace of their training was not easing up. If anything, it was steadily increasing.
Eshi, Kagome's sparing partner, threw a left-handed punch that she was unprepared for. She absorbed some of the force with her block, but it was weak and his fist broke through and glanced off her cheekbone before he was able curb it. She stumbled back and landed on the mat behind her.
"Kag! What the hell was that?" Kouryu came over and stood above her, looking down with plain disapproval.
"I'm sorry, sir. I couldn't block fast enough."
"No enemy is going to pull a punch because you 'couldn't block fast enough.' Listen up, all of you." The entire class stopped what they were doing to look, turning Kagome an awkward shade of red as she sat at his feet hopelessly. "This is about survival. We have three years to whip you into shape and then send you off to fight. You're beginners making beginner mistakes. Keep it up and you will die, and you'll do it soon."
With that, he walked away. Everyone went back to running drills while Eshi held out a hand to help Kagome up.
"I don't know what Kouryu's problem is, but he should have Shouga take a look at it as soon as possible." Shouga was the chief palace healer and resident cook. "It sounds like its getting worse."
Kagome smiled but said nothing, and they went back to practicing. About midway through the lesson, the man that Kagome now knew as Kouga's messenger came into the room and whispered a few words to Kouryu before coming over to Kagome.
"His majesty the Prince requests your presents after class in his accommodations."
"Umm…tell his majesty, I will gladly meet him."
The messenger bowed to her and turned to leave. Hojo leaned over from his group to whisper in her ear. "What is that all about?"
Kagome shrugged as she watched the man go. "I have no idea."
After class, Kagome pushed her way through the crowds of boys to get to Kouga's room. When she arrived, Kouga was pacing back and forth, looking for all the world like he hadn't slept in years. His two friends, Hakkaku and Ginta, were at his side. Neither looked any better then their prince. The man that Kagome had run into in the hallway a few days ago was standing in a corner, but not looking at her, instead focusing on Kouga. The prince looked up when she entered and immediately sat in a chair at the table, motioning for her to do the same.
"Kag, something has come up. My parents have fallen ill and I have to attend to them." It was common knowledge that the king and queen where overseas negotiating with a neighboring kingdom. "It all happened very suddenly, and I have to leave tonight. Hakkaku and Ginta are going to accompany me, which leaves my uncle, the Duke Naraku to look after everyone in my absence. He teaches some higher level classes. You'll have him next year."
The man came forward as Kouga spoke, and settled in next to them. A steady thrumming had started behind Kagome's eyes, and it worsened the closer he came. She tried not to be obvious, but she couldn't help leaning away from him. He still wouldn't meet her eyes, and she wasn't sure how upset she was about that. How could she stand to have him for a teacher?
"I'm appointing someone from each class as a sort of primary director for occasions when my parents and I are away. I know you have a lot on your plate, but would you mind? If anything major comes up, you can always come to Naraku and he will handle it personally. Won't you, Naraku?"
The Duke nodded, and stole a glance at her. The minute their eyes met, the same rush of malice energy from the other day poured through her veins, pounding with every heartbeat. She hastily broke away before she fainted. What is he?
"Kouga, you know I will gladly take up any responsibility while you're away." His voice was dark and silky. It would have been very charming if Kagome could bear to be near him without feeling ill. "Please send along my regards and well wishes to your dear mother and father. It is my sincerest regret that I cannot escort you to their bedside."
"Thank you Naraku. I'll pass along your respects. Kag," he waited for her to focus on him, "will you do this? You're the only one in the paige class I'd trust with such an undertaking."
"O-of course, your Highness. Anything you need, simply ask." Kouga's shoulders collapsed in relief, and he gave her a shaky smile. She had the distinct feeling that if he weren't the prince, he would be breaking down right in front of her. She found herself feeling infinitely sorry for him.
"Thank you Kag. I won't forget this." He stood from his chair, and Hakkaku and Ginta immediately flanked him on either side. "I hope to be back in a week or less. Send for me if anything should arise." With that, they left. She was alone with the Duke.
He rose from his chair, carefully keeping his eyes locked on a painting across the room. Spanning the distance, he pretended to study it for a moment before he opened his mouth, not turning to face her.
"Higurashi." It wasn't a question, but she answered anyway.
"Yes?"
There was a slight pause. "We have a problem, you and I."
"Do we?" She didn't mean for that to sound as snarky as it did, but no taking it back now.
He turned to face her sharply, bringing on the pulse. "Indeed we do." He continued to gaze at her, forcing her to look at the ground before she collapsed. Several moments of charged silence passed before he spoke again. "My quarters are at the end of the hall, if anything should come up." Somehow, he'd managed to make it sound like a threat.
When she looked up again, he was gone.
~
The staff didn't move. Miroku re-chanted the ancient incantation, held out his hand and…
Nothing. His staff sat two feet away, mocking him with it's refusal to budge.
"Damnit! This is the easiest spell in the book, why can't I do it?"
Miko Suijin laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Miroku, everything we do here at the shrine is connected to your emotions. You have to want it. And don't swear in my class."
"Madam Suijin, I understand your teaching." He sighed and looked up at her seriously. "I know of something that may help my focus. Might you be willing to bear my-"
"Miroku, no. It was no the last twelve times, and it will be no the next twelve. If you don't stop asking, I may have to resort to violence." She walked away.
Miroku sighed and shot a hostile glare at his staff. Nobunaga sauntered over, with his staff in hand. He gave a pointed glance at the one on the floor and then looked back at Miroku with a smirk.
"Having some trouble calling your staff, Miroku? Well, it can't be to far off. After all, everyone else has been able to do it at least once."
"Oh, shove off Nobunaga." Hachi said in his friend's defense. "Miroku has more magical talent in his little finger then you do in your whole body."
"Hmm. We'll see…" He said cryptically, and ambled away again.
"Don't pay any attention to him, Miroku. He's jealous."
"Jealous of what? He's right. I can't perform the spell when everyone else has."
Hachi looked around and then back at Miroku. "Well, maybe you just don't have the right incentive. If you get your staff to come to you, I will give you my sweet rolls tonight at dinner."
Miroku looked at the staff. Hard. I want it. I want it. I want it. The staff did not move.
"Ug! Maybe I wasn't mean to be a priest."
"Alright everyone!" Cried Miko Suijin. "Class is over. Get your things, no one leave their staff or you won't get it back! Miroku, we'll try again tomorrow. If you're still having trouble, we'll set up a time to meet one on one."
"Don't worry Miroku, I know you'll get it." Hachi grabbed his belongings and, with a backward glance, left for his next class.
"Yeah, thanks." Mumbled Miroku. He went to pick up his staff, but as he bent down, he caught sight of Sango through the window. She was in a group of girls, talking and laughing. By chance, she turned to look in his direction.
The staff flew off the ground and promptly hit him in the face.
~
"Higurashi!"
Kagome opened her eyes slowly. It was still dark outside and for a moment she thought she had imagined someone calling out to her. She rolled over in her cot and tried to go back to sleep.
"Kag! Wake up!"
Groaning, she untangled her legs from her sheets and dragged herself into a standing position. Several voices were mumbling outside of her door, and someone was pounding on it, calling out her surname. The floor was cold, and she paused to pull on a pair of slippers.
"Kag, Eshi's gone!"
"What!" Slippers forgotten, she ran to the door and yanked it open. All the boys from her floor stood in a group, wide awake and murmuring amongst themselves. Hojo was the one who had been knocking, and he grabbed her elbow to lead her into the hallway.
"I came to get him for our morning run and he wasn't there. His door was wide open." The sea of boys parted as she hurried through them, heading for Eshi's door; only two down from her own. Hojo was on her heals. "Kouga said that we should come to you if there was a problem."
The door was indeed wide open. His bed had been slept in, but everything else was in place. Something - suspicion she guessed - was gnawing in the pit of her stomach, telling her that something definitely wasn't right.
"What should we do?" She turned to see them all staring at her, waiting for her decision. It very abruptly occurred to her that she wasn't equipped to deal with a situation like this, and she wasn't going to put Eshi's life in danger to pretend that she was. There was really only one choice.
The Duke answered his door in a very rumpled state. His black hair was in a loose ponytail, little bits sticking out in different directions. Shadows lingered under his purple eyes, which were very firmly fixed on Kagome. For her part, Kagome was staring at the floor, feeling her face growing red under his gaze.
"What is it Higurashi?
"S-sir, Eshi's disappeared."
"What?" He was surprisingly clam as she repeated herself, then he slipped into action. "Okay, everyone, buddy up. Quickly grab your swords from your rooms and search the castle. No one goes alone. I don't want anyone to be out of earshot from another group at any time. If you run into problems, just shout and someone will find you. If you find Eshi, bring him directly to my room." He swept back into his quarters and slammed the door.
"Kag? Will you search with me?"
"Of course Hojo. I'll meet you in the hallway." She ran to get her sword and boots.
~
Something exploded outside Miroku's window. The entire shrine shook with the force of it, and he was on his feet, staff jingling in his hand, before he knew what was going on. The tree outside his window was in flames. He could hear screams in the distance and people were running inanely in the hallway and behind his shoji screen. He rushed to join them.
It was like a stampede, and Miroku's first fear was that people were going to be trampled to death. He pushed through the crowd to the front doors and tried the handle. It was locked. Getting desperate as more people started to crowd him, he tried beating it with his staff, to no avail.
Just then, Myoga slid boneless-ly through the swarm as no man his age should ever be able to do. He gave once glance at the door, then Miroku. Mumbling something under his breath, he ambled away and barricaded himself in Miroku's room just before the door handle flared bright green and unlocked. Obviously, Myoga would be of no more help.
Smoke filled the air when he got outside. The tree was still ablaze, lighting up the night sky brilliantly. People stood in a semi-circle around it, but Miroku got the distinct impression that that wasn't what they were looking at. He spotted Hachi in the crowd and ran to join him.
"What's going on?!" He had to yell to be heard over the crackle of the fire and the panicking residents.
"I don't know!"
Someone screamed and the crowd suddenly parted. A boy of about thirteen with black hair walked through them. He was holding a very deadly looking scythe stained with blood. No one was getting in his way and he was headed toward the shrine.
"Kohaku!" Out of nowhere, Sango emerged with her boomerang in hand. She rushed to get in front of the boy, looking incredibly desperate. "Kohaku, what are you doing!?"
The kid stopped when he saw her. His eyes were empty, but he held out his hand and spoke in an abnormal voice. "Give me the scroll."
"What?" She clutched the boomerang a little harder. "Kohaku, where have you-"
"Give it to me." He raised the scythe threateningly. Miroku ran forward, out of the crowd of people.
"Kohaku, I won't fight you."
He brought it down on top of her. "Then you will die."
He would never be able to reach her in time, but luckily for him, he had other tricks up his sleeve. He unwrapped the beads from his right hand and immediately the kazzana started inhaling everything in its path, including Sango. She flew from underneath the boy's blade toward Miroku. He re-wrapped the beads just as she would have been sucked in to the void. Momentum, however, would not be deterred, and she hit Miroku full force, knocking them both several feet backward.
Most of the teachers and older students by now had snapped out of their stupor and stood to face the child. Miko Suijin sent a spell at him, sky blue power exploding where he stood, sending him into a nearby tree. Sango immediately picked herself up off of Miroku painfully and limped as fast as she could in their direction.
"Stop! Stop, that's my brother!" Some of the teachers turned to gawk at her, but there wasn't time, because apparently the boy had recovered enough to sit up and throw something at the shrine. When it hit, the entire east end was ignited. Luckily, most of the people had already exited the shrine, and Miroku's room was on the other side, so Myoga was safe for the time being.
Standing, Kohaku's blank eyes reflected the firelight ominously. He bent to pick up his scythe and came forward. A sandy-haired boy raised his staff and traced a symbol in the air, yellow light trailing after it. The light formed itself into cords before shooting toward Kohaku, entangling him and lifting him into the air. He struggled for a moment before using the weapon to slice through the ropes. He fell to the ground, but picked himself up and continued on toward the shrine.
Miroku slowly got to his feet. Sango was distraughtly trying to gain the attention of the people who were fighting against her brother. No one was paying attention to her, however, because Kohaku was relentless. Every time he got knocked back, he just stood back up. It was like he felt no pain. Miroku could tell that the teachers were getting desperate, and he was afraid that they might try something more drastic to stop him.
~
Kagome tiptoed through the hallway, her hand on the hilt of her sword. Hojo was on her left. The sound of his footsteps was somewhat comforting, but she had seen him in class and she knew that if it came to blows, he would be of very little help.
They had already searched over half of the castle, one wing at a time, and no one had found any clues. In fact, the only excitement had been when Muotoko, a boy from her survival class, had tripped over a suit of armor, causing him to cry out and everyone to come running.
Kagome couldn't help but wonder what Naraku was doing. While he had students out looking for their missing peer and facing possible danger, he blockaded himself in his room. What kind of a teacher did that? It was already obvious to her that there was something wrong with him. She had never had the kind of feeling that she had when looking into his eyes. Miroku had always told her that she had the Sight. She wasn't sure what that was, but she wondered if the feeling she got from the Duke had something to do with it.
The next question was, what did she do about it? He was the Prince's uncle, a member of the royal family. His creditability far outweighed her little inklings. She felt more alone then she would have liked, and she wished she had someone to tell.
She looked up to see that Hojo, lost in his own thoughts, was about to run face-first into an open door. She grabbed his shoulder and yanked him out of the way.
"Thanks." He whispered.
"No problem." Then, something occurred to her. "Oi, this is Kouga's room."
The same room she had been in not two days before. The door was wide open, and the lock had been forced. She didn't want to cause a panic for nothing, it was possible that whoever had been in there was long gone, but she wanted to be prepared. She signaled for Hojo to draw his sword, and she did the same. They entered cautiously.
His room was in shambles: chairs had been smashed against the wall, trinkets that had been on the counter now littered the floor, the sheets off his bed tossed onto the table and the mattress flipped over onto its side. Hojo traded looks with her.
Something crashed to the floor in the adjacent state room, startling them both. They both glanced around the door to see Eshi digging frantically through Kouga's desk. He hadn't noticed them.
"I'll get help." whispered Hojo and ran off.
Well, she knew he wouldn't be of any help. She stepped slowly into the room and sheathed her sword, holding her hands in the air non-threateningly. He was a classmate, not a danger.
"Eshi." He turned sharply on the balls of his feet. His eyes were completely blank. They looked familiar to her; she had seen eyes like that.
"Where is it?" He came at her ruthlessly, grabbed her by the shoulders and shook hard. "Where is it!?"
"Where's what?" Kagome was having trouble concentrating on what he way saying. Her brains where rattling around in her head. She wasn't any good at hand-to-hand combat, but if he kept this up, she would have to try her hand at it for real.
"I have to find it!" He threw her to the ground and advanced on her, drawing his sword. She backpedaled until she met the wall, and then was forced to draw her own sword. Both of them glinted ominously. He brought his sword down over his head, and she thrust up over her own to block him. They met with a shower of sparks.
"Eshi, what are you doing!?" He didn't seem to hear her, breaking away from the stalemate and swinging toward her left shoulder. She hurried to parry him. She blocked most of the force, but she was on the floor and he had the advantage of momentum. It was just like that day in class. His sword knocked hers aside and sliced a sizable gash through her flesh. Kagome bit her lip so hard that it bled, but did not cry out.
It was over. It was one thing to stand up to an angry dog youkai who wasn't really a bad guy but it was quite another to engage a manic boy with a sword and no fear. She didn't have the kind of training she needed to enter a real sword fight anyway, and now she would pay the price. Death in three moves or less, that would be her only legacy. She sat bleeding on the floor, defenseless, while he aimed and swung at her neck, intending to decapitate her.
"Eshi!" They both turned to see Hojo standing in the doorway, with Naraku at his side. Oddly enough, it was Hojo who had cried out. Naraku had the nerve to look vaguely disappointed before he moved forward to deal with the situation. It was at that moment that Kagome realized that Naraku would have gladly sat back to watch her be murdered without doing a thing to stop it. It was sobering,
He grabbed the back of Eshi's shirt and hauled him into the air, the sword dropping to the ground. Eshi barley struggled, and actually went limp after a few seconds. Naraku started to drag him off.
"Wait!" He stopped, but didn't turn around. "What are you going to do with him?"
"Eshi will be locked away until His Majesties are well enough to return and deal with him. It's likely that they will find him unsuitable to remain in the castle any longer than necessary. Hojo, I suggest you take Mr. Higurashi to get fixed up." He left.
Hojo knelt to help Kagome up, blood leaking steadily from the wound in her shoulder. Her entire left side was already soaked in it, and it dripped onto the floor from her lifeless fingers.
"I think we'd better wake up Shouga."
~
Miroku rushed forward, but he was too late. Red power burst from the brown-haired girl, materializing into blade. They sliced through the air, and then into Kohaku.
"No! Stop!" Sango was going insane. Miroku grabbed her arm to physically retrain her and keep her out of the line of fire. Kohaku wasn't, as he had originally thought, invincible. He was bleeding from several places and his right arm hung at an unnatural angle. He was, however, skilled with his weapon despite having only one good arm and he'd already taken the lives of several people in the vicinity.
Miko Suijin had been the main proprietor of holding him off, but even she was getting anxious. She was trying to subdue him without killing him, out of respect for Sango. Miroku could see the sweat on her forehead as she sent another spell at him, catapulting him into the air. While still flying, he threw the scythe, attached to a chain, and it hit the ground just to Miroku's right, spraying dirt and rocks over him and Sango. Some of the debris opened shallow cuts on his face and arms, and he could see a line of blood drawn across her forehead.
Kohaku had crashed into a rock, and several audible snaps from the direction of his ribs echoed through the shrine. Still, he managed to rise and draw the weapon back. Just as he raised his arm to throw it again, he stopped cold and cocked his head, as if listening to something for away. He stayed stock still for a few seconds, then looked straight at Sango. It was only then that she stopped struggling in Miroku's grip.
"Give me the scroll, or this will happen again."
"I…Kohaku, you know I can't do that." He gave her one, last vacant look, before turning around and disappearing into the tree line.
~
"That should do it." pronounced Madam Shouga. Kogome flexed her arm experimentally and winced. Shouga had sewed up her shoulder, tied a bandage over it, and given her a cup of tea to help her sleep. She'd also cast a muted healing spell, saying that her shoulder should be repaired within the week.
When Hojo had first knocked on Shouga's door, the healer had insisted the Kagome take off her shirt so she could reach the wound. Kagome had panicked and told her that she had a rash on her chest that she was waiting to heal before exposing it to air. It was a weak excuse, but it was the first thing she could think of; and luckily, her shirt had been so ripped up that the rest of the arm could be torn away and she could reach the gash just fine. It had been a close call, especially with Hojo sitting right there waiting to help her back to her room. She was going to have to find a healer outside of the palace if she intended to continue injuring herself.
"Thank you Madam Shouga." She hopped off of the bench she had been sitting on. "You do fine work."
"Come and see me anytime." She ruffled Kagome's hair with one hand. "Do me a favor, though. Try to avoid sword fights until you're sure you won't get run through. I'd hate for your corpse to come my way."
"Trust me, Madam. If it can be helped, I won't be wielding a sword again any time soon."
Shouga stayed behind to finish cleaning her supplies while Hojo and Kagome made their ways up to their rooms. Hojo was carrying Kagome's sword for her, and followed her into her room to put it in the corner. The tea was indeed starting to kick in; she could feel a dreamy haze edge into her thoughts.
"I'm glad you were with me tonight, Kag." Hojo was looking around nervously and wouldn't meet her eye. "I'm sorry I left you. If I hadn't, you wouldn't have been-"
"Shut up, Hioj." Kagome yawned and pulled down the sheets on her bed. "If you hadn't gone to get help, chances are he would have killed us both."
Hojo stuttered for a moment before nodding reluctantly and moving toward the entrance. "Good night Kag.
"Mmnight." She mumbled, and he shut the door. She crawled into bed and snuggled into her pillow. She didn't even have the energy to think like a boy anymore and wanted nothing more than to burrow into a huge pile of blankets with her mother. Even as she drifted off, however, one serious thought still wouldn't leave her be. Eshi's eyes had been emptier then they had ever been. Even when he was screaming at her, about to kill her, no emotion awakened within them. She had seen eyes that empty before. If only she could remember where…
A/N
Well, hope you enjoyed it. Keep up the reviews; I love 'em! Just mentioning this for posterity, Kagome only gets the feeling when she looks into Naraku's eyes. Otherwise, just being in close proximity to him for a while gives her a headache. Not for long, though. Hehehe. I know there was no Inu, but this stuff had to get taken care of. He'll be in the next one, I promise!