The group continued down the dirt path as they discussed the matter at hand. Kumi and Kazou in front with Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango close behind. After hearing parts of the story Kagome got a little curios about it, "so, why are you here if the problem's in the south?"
Kazou paused for a moment and thought to himself before starting to tell the story.
( Flash back )
A elderly man in a dark green god like kimono walked out from behind the door of his quarters then closed it quietly behind him. He looked up at Kazou with wise gray eyes.
Kazou stood in front of then man's bedroom door quietly and awaited his orders, he got down on one knee before his lord. "Lord Kisho, your orders sir?"
The lord sat before Kazou, "At ease, Kazou." Lord Kisho sat quietly while Kazou stand up before the lord. "Come," said the lord as he led Kazou down a long hallway to large room with a huge Buda statue on the right side of the room. The wooden doors with rice paper covered windows, the curtains were of the best silver, white and blue silks in the lord's land. There were pillars of gold along the walls on either side of the room that were each seven feet away from the next. Each pillar had a symbol on it and a name for each guardian.
Lord Kisho sat on a white pillow in the middle of the silent room and lit an enscent. He spoke as the incense slowly burned and allowed its sweet fragrance to flood the room. "Kazou, I know you have sensed the strong disturbance in the south, am I correct?"
Kazou simply nodded to the partial meditating lord.
The smoke from the incense started to swirl around in front of the lord then formed a vision, an illusion to show Kazou what the lord was trying to tell him. In the illusion the smoke created a view of dragons raging and fighting amongst each other. Some were destroying villages and devouring demons and humans alike.
( end of flash back )
"I went to help Kazou out, but they over powered me easily so I went to find Suoh. No matter where I looked I couldn't find him. His monsters and weapons were gone as well." Kumi added on her piece while she walked beside Kazou and fixed her hair.
Shippo stirred on the top of Kagome's bag. He sat up and yawned, his stomach growled and he started to complain, "Kagome, I'm hungry. Can we stop, please?". His short line of whining started the chain of whining.
Kumi gasped then jumped in front of Kazou with the pout face. "Kazou" she made watery chibi eyes and spoke in a chibi like voice for added effect, "Kazou, Kumi is hungry, we go eat? Please, please, please"
"Nope" he turned his head and kept walking. "Kumi, stay focused we're trying to find Suoh and Michiko. Besides I think you could go at least another week without eating considering how much you eat."
Kumi huffed but pressed on, "Jeez Kazou, you can be such a---" her eyes widen when she finally caught on to what he had just said. She paused for a moment then bristled and glared at him from the corner of her eye, "You just called me fat, didn't you!" She growled under her breath then an idea popped into her head. She stood tall and walked in front of him then said "Well I never, sir. I am deeply offended." She stopped then laughed to herself, it was a small inside joke she'd play to get his attention or spite. She'd imitate the last girl he courted, her name was Natsu. She and Kazou courted for about two months till he found out she was with someone else as well. He hated to be reminded of her but Kumi, being the stubborn person she is uses it to get him attention.
He looked at her with a cold glare, it worked so well she went silent and started walking behind him. He looked forward and continued walking after calming down.
Shippo blinked at them then shook his head, "jeez…." he tilted his head slightly to the side and scratched it, "what's their problem?"
" Shippo, be nice." then Kagome looked to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, are we going to stop, is getting kind of late and I wanted to get some studying done before I fall asleep."
"What is with you and studying for those stupid tests! We're not stopping, it isn't even night yet!" he growled then stomped forward.
"Inuyasha, it is sunset and in a few moments it will be night. Therefore, we should stop now so we can eat, relax and Kagome will have time to study." Miroku stated calmly and raised an eyebrow in question if he helped at all to convince the stubborn demon.
Sango stepped forward, "Miroku is right after all, we've been walking since early this morning."
"Fine" he spat then started to mumble something about weak humans. He led them to a clearing with a nearby hot spring and small stream. He jumped into a tree and watched them from above as they set up camp.
After camp was set up Kagome and Sango gathered up their soaps, shampoos and towels. Kagome turned to were Kazou and Kumi were sitting beneath a large oak. "Kumi, would you like to come with us?" Kagome gave a warm smile then finished with, "We were going to the hot springs to bathe."
Kumi looked at Kazou who just shrugged, closed his eyes and leaned back against the tree. She gave him a kiss on the cheek then went off to join Kagome and Sango.
Miroku sat next to Kazou and laid his staff on the ground in front of him then looked up at Inuyasha who was sitting in the branches and staring down at them. Miroku sighed. "I'm not trying to pry but I'm curious, why are you so strict with Kumi?"
Kazou opened his eyes and said, "I'm not, she makes it seem that way. I don't tell her to do much of anything…Lord Kisho paired us together a few decades ago."
Miroku raised an eyebrow, "Paired?"
Kazou started to explain, "Lord Kisho saw Kumi was getting out of hand and dangerously energetic. It got so bad she started kill people, demons and destroying villages. Only reason she wouldn't be terrorizing the land was if Lord Kisho sent her on a mission. She was still unruly. After debating with the lord of the eastern lands they found a solution. Kumi was to have a keeper."
"So you're just following orders, if that's so then why does she get cowardly around you when you're temper starts to flare the least little bit?"
Kazou sighed and stared at the ground, "Everything was going great until three days later she got bored and ran off to start destroying a nearby village. I tried to stop her numerous times but when all else failed my temper took a turn for the worse--"
"You didn't hit her did you?" Miroku asked with widened eyes.
"No, I couldn't, but my anger and pride took over. When this happens my eyes turn a malevolent purple, my claws turn black, and my sword starts to get a black mist around it."
"So you did fight with her?" Miroku stared at the sword that was propped up against Kazou's shoulder as his hand held the hilt.
"no, I merely scared her."
"Was there something else?"
"Yeah, After I got passed this stage I pulled the sword from its sheath and slammed it to the ground. The force split the ground from my feet to her heels, she stopped dead in her tracks and turned to see my fangs bared and my eyes glowing. She stepped back as if she was going to run like hell but I wasn't taking any chances. I snarled then gave a demonic roar."
"Are you saying that's all it took to scare her into listening to you?" Inuyasha asked in a flat tone.
"I didn't do it on purpose, I couldn't control my anger back then. It was what happened after the roar and the ground splitting that scared her."
"What was it?" Shippo jumped onto Kazou's knee and stared at him.
"Yes, I'm curious as well according to what you said she must've seen plenty of horrid things in her journeys." Miroku stated as he picked Shippo up and set him on the ground.
"A few moments after the roar everything got quiet. The ground started to shake again as the split got wider and deeper till green smoke started to come from it. I'd finally came back to reality by now, the next thing I heard was a sickening groan and I looked up to see Kumi scared stiff as she starred at the many undead beings that climbed out of the ground."
Miroku's eyes widened as well as Inuyasha's, Shippo tried to imagine it when he did he regretted it and scurried over to Kagome's over-sized bag to hide. "Can't you guys find something more pleasant to talk about then undead, mindless bones coming after people!" he shouted from Kagome's bag then went back into hiding.
Kazou and Inuyasha laughed at the kit. "Damn coward" Inuyasha spat after Shippo went back to his little hiding place. Miroku sat quiet and watched while soaking up what Kazou had said. The conversation continued on while the girls continued to bathe.
(hot springs)
Kagome sighed as she sunk neck deep into the water. Sango stood with the water up to her shoulders with Kumi leaning near the edge with her arms supporting her from on land.
"Kumi, you said you were from the east, right?" Sango looked at Kumi from where she stood soaping up a rag.
Kumi yawned and opened her eyes lazily, "yea, why do you ask?"
Sango became quiet for a moment and went into deep thought as she stared at the soap in her hands.
"Sango, what's wrong?" Kagome asked and started to walk over to her friend.
Kumi blinked and watched Sango carefully. 'What if she knows? Kazou and I would be exposed and in so much trouble! All I can do is hope she doesn't' Kumi thought with panic filled eyes. She started to bristle subconsciously.
Sango looked at Kumi and asked in a quiet voice, "Kumi, have you ever heard of the Scared Guardians?"
Kumi's eyes shot wide open and her voice cracked slightly as she spoke, "Gate- Guardians?" 'I'll have to fake it. I'm sorry Sango and Kagome, but its either this or see Michiko and me become prey.'
Sango blinked and shook her head, "no I mean Scared Guardians. Have you heard of them?"
Kumi opened her mouth then closed it. 'I can't tell her, if I do then we'll all be in danger. I have to stall.' "oh, I'm sorry I think I hear Kazou calling. I'll see you at camp." she quickly jumped out of the hot spring and got dressed then ran back to camp.
"That was weird. What do you think was wrong with her, Sango?"
"I'm not sure if I'm right but she and Kazou may have something to do with the Scared Guardians…"
"The Sacred Guardians?"
"I'm sure Miroku could tell you more than I could on them. I only heard some stories when I was a young girl."
(((Kumi)))
"Jeez that was close. I thought I was going to be figured out. Its not like this stupid jewel doesn't give it away." She growled under her breath as she flicked the small clear, glass ball that hung on a loose silver rope around her neck. "I have to get back to Kazou." she started a sprint but stopped dead in her tracks as the scent of blood, destruction, death, hatred, and war hit her senses in a huge over-powering wave. "what the hell….its coming from that way" her eyes widened as she rushed back to the spring.
She skidding to a spot at the spring and blinked as she tried to catch her breath.
"What's wrong, Kumi?" Kagome looked over her shoulder at the wide eyed demon.
"But I-I.-.umm-err" she stuttered and stumbled searching for words until she finally found them, "I could swear I smelt blood and war coming from this direction"
The two girls in the spring looked at each other and blinked then Sango stood, "It must be an attack on a village farther downwind."
"But then why didn't anyone else come besides Kumi?" Kagome looked around for any sings of the others.
"I didn't go back I smelt it when I was halfway there then came running back."
"I don't sense any demons either." Sango looked at the sleeping Kilala who was curled up in Sango's clothes.
"I must be losing my mind." Kumi stood straight and bowed politely "I'm sorry for the interruption." she then turned and started back to camp. The scent haunted her mind. She heard a deep dark voice in the back of her mind repeating, "Why hello Kumi dear, you remember this smell don't you? Was it not the smell that thrilled you and edged you onto killing so many. Just think, you could do it again and no one would know." the voice laughed then continued, "Come now Kumi. There's a village not even a mile away. You could make it there and back before anyone noticed your disappearance." the voice suddenly got stern, "The time is right, Kumi! Rise and meet your destiny! This is not you! You are The Red Assassin! Go! Fear not Kazou and his trickery! Go! Be the killer you were meant to be!"
Kumi's breath caught in her throat as she listened to these words. She growled and grabbed her head, "No!" she growled through gritted teeth.
"Do it! The reputation! The power! It can all be yours again!" the voice taunted and pushed further.
Her fox tail bristled as she stepped back, her eyes flashed from green to gold as her body pulsed violently. Her claws started to make small punctures on her scalp and face. "I'm sorry Kazou, I promised I wouldn't but I can't stop it-" she screeched as blood and tear drops began to swirl around her, her eyes turned gold, her hair turned blood red with black streaks, clothes turning black, a chain sitting where a pink sash once was tied around her waist and a casual kantana turned into a gold dragon hilted, thick bladed, Chinese sword.
She grin and the voice responded with a smirk and "Now go, Kumi. Be who you once were, The Red Assassin." with that she ran off into the darkness, following the scent of the villagers.
(((at the spring)))
A cold wind passed and sent a chill up Kagome and Sango's spines.
"Sango, maybe we should go back to camp. I don't have a good feeling about this."
"yea, its getting dark and I sensed a strong presence in that wind." Sango rose and started to dress. Kagome got dressed and got everything ready to leave till she noticed Kilala's absence.
"Wait, Sango, where's Kilala?" Kagome looked at the now fully dressed Sango with a slightly tilted head.
"she was sleeping right here" Sango looked down to see a missing Kilala, she looked around and saw Kilala standing on a tree branch high above them in her larger form with hair bristling and barred fangs.
"Kilala!" hearing her name must've snapped the demon out of her trance because she stopped and looked down at the girls then turned into her small form and jumped down to them. "I guess Kilala sense it too. Lets go back, Kagome. Maybe the others sensed something too."
Kagome nodded and they headed back.
((back at camp))
"Well your back early." Miroku looked up from the fire with a puzzled yet disappointed expression.
"You didn't sense it?" Sango put Kilala down then settled down herself.
"Sensed what?" Kazou blinked and tilted his head.
"Is it possible Sango?". Kagome questioned as she looked at the confused boys. "They're usually the first ones to sense anything."
"What do you mean ,Kagome?" Miroku watched them and raised an eyebrow.
"yeah, I sensed something but it wasn't anywhere near us." Inuyasha spoke up from his spot in the tree branch above Kagome's bag.
"But it felt like it passed right next to us." Kagome looked down then looked at Kazou and asked, "Where's Kumi?"
"She didn't come back yet. I thought she was still with you. Did she leave?" Kazou bristled a little as he spoke, his voice was getting anxious and it seemed like he was getting ready for a long sprint.
"Well she said she was coming back to camp, but she came back and told us about a of danger she picked up-"
"Did she give you and specifics?"
"she said war, death, destruction, and something else.."
"hatred and blood" Sango finished for Kagome.
Kazou was standing up now, fists clenched, and teeth gritted. He growled out, "That bastard"
"What's wrong, Kazou?" Sango walked over and looked at him.
"Was it something I said?" Kagome asked as she took a step back.
Inuyasha jumped down and stood behind Kagome with his arms folded.
Kazou sighed and collected himself and started, "I know I'd told Inuyasha and Miroku about Kumi before she was assigned to have me as a personal keeper but the scent she was talking about was a dangerous man we've been hunting down for centuries. He controls an army and the main five have earned the nickname "The Worst Nightmares" . The leader gets into your mind and makes you do things you typically wouldn't and I think that's what he did to Kumi." blood started to drip from his palms as he growls the last part out. "He turned her into the Red Assassin again."
"again?" Kagome squeaked.
"He tortured her dreams as a little girl and tricked her into hating people, it continued till he created one of the worst murderers in history. She earned the reputation of 'The Red Assassin'."
Kagome and Sango gasped and exchanged glances. "The we have to find her before she does any real damage!" Kagome exclaimed as she got her quiver and arrows.
"I agree with, Kagome. This could get serious." Miroku got up and dusted his robes.
Kazou blinked, "I was going to go myself-"
"No! we're going with you!" Kagome stood next to Inuyasha. "That evil man has to be stopped."
"Inuyasha raised an eyebrow but decided not to question her and didn't feel like ruining his night with 'sits'. he knelt so Kagome could get on his back.
Sango got on Kilala's back with Miroku sitting behind her.
Kazou sighed and decided to just go along with it. He followed Kumi's scent to the scene of an entirely destroyed village.
in front of them lay women, children, men and animals. All slain. Feather, fur and blood flooded over the ground like the new top soil. Death, hatred and cheery blossom scents hung in the air.
"She's still here…" Kazou growled and stomped forward yea
"I didn't think Kumi would've been capable of something like this." Sango said as she and Miroku slide of Kilala.
Kagome got off Inuyasha's back but stayed close to him out of instinct and fear.