Disclaimer: I'm not gonna write this more than once. Eh-hem. THESE
CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE! THEY ARE RUMIKO TAKAHASHI'S AND IF I SAID THEY
WERE MINE WOULD ANYONE BELIEVE ME? *Icewings hears crickets chirping* I
didn't THINK so! ^_~
Read and Review please!
Author: Icewings
Beta: Aysel
Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter
~ ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ ~
Wooden sandals pounded against the dirt road.
Clop clop clop clop clop.
"Hey, stop, thief!"
Clopclopclopclopclopclop
"Gimme back my stuff! I'm warning you!"
CLOPCLOPCLOPCLOPCLOPCLOPCLOP.
FWOOOOOOM! BWSHHHH!!!!
"Ahhhhhhhh!" Thump. Rustle. Skid. Silence.
A young woman of slender build pulled to a stop over the unconscious man lying prone on the ground. Luckily, he'd landed in the soft grass off to the side of the road. She leaned down and reclaimed the basket in his hand.
"W-why can't I move?" he rasped.
"Immobilization spell." She said simply. "You'll be able to move again in a few hours, but I won't be so forgiving next time."
"Go to hell." He hissed.
He was ignored. "Ya know, you should've known better. I AM a 'demon' after all." She chuckled and straightened from her bent position 'Huh, I guess Kaede is training me too well. I didn't mean to use that much power.' The girl thought to herself.
She looked around the marketplace at the handful of staring villagers and sweatdropped. "What? He tripped!"
She turned and was quickly walking back to the vendor she'd been buying vegetables from when she heard a little girl's voice saying, "Look, mommy, it's the nice healer lady! Hello, Healer lady!" The miko smiled and waved at the little girl, who cheerfully waved back.
The mother shushed the girl after seeing who she was waving at, and lead the protesting child away while speaking in whispered tones. The wind carried the sound to her though and she managed to hear anyway.
"She's a nasty demon who only pretends to be nice, Mayu. If you're not a good girl, she'll steal you from your bed and eat you for her supper." The mother looked at the 'demon', who pretended not to hear. Mayu gazed at her with a new sense of fear, and moved closer to her mother.
Kagome sighed. Slanderous rumors had been spread among the suspicious villagers since she could remember, and everything that went wrong in the village was blamed on her, Souta, and her friend Sango. The three had been found half-drowned on the riverbank seven years ago without any memory of who they were. If it weren't for the village priestess Kaede, they would have been driven out long ago. The two girls had learned to ignore the rumors and went on with their lives isolated from everyone else. But Souta had a bit more trouble understanding why the other kids wouldn't play with him, and had lately been going into the woods for hours on end.
Kagome was wondering what was so interesting in the woods when a child's voice broke the busy murmur of the market day. "Kagome!"
She turned at the sound of her name to see her little brother Souta running at her head on.
As he lurched to a stop in front of her, panting and heaving, he gasped out, "Sango...fever, rising...needsyourhelp." Upon hearing this, Kagome wasted no time in running back toward the house they lived in.
Running as fast as she could in her miko outfit, she silently thanked Kaede for her medicine training. She jostled her way past shoppers as she continued to hurry down the dirt road at a pace that was dangerously crash-destined.
Worry and regret was printed on her unusually pretty features, and Kagome scolded herself for leaving her sick friend for even a moment.
Suddenly, Kagome ran into something hard and unmoving. Falling back, she saw that it was a black stallion, and she gasped in surprise and fear were she looked up to see who was on it. It was the Eastern Captain of the Guard, Hiten.
Kagome realized that she'd stumbled into some sort of procession when she saw the youkai guards strategically placed around a litter containing someone with long, silver hair.
Something about it tickled her memory, but she shook it off as unimportant. 'This is no time to be taking a trip down memory lane.' She scolded herself.
Turning her attention back to Hiten, she bowed her head under his annoyed glare. Kagome quickly apologized for not paying attention, but it did not seem to lessen the sneer of intense irritation written all over the round, handsome features.
She could feel eyes on her back as she hurried away, and Kagome marveled at the fact that she wasn't punished.
Hiten and his brother, Manten, were known for their evil and unforgiving ways, and she shuddered at the thought of some of their injustices.
~*~ ~* ~ * The Litter*~ * ~ ~ * ~
Sesshoumaru watched as the girl turned away, and wondered at her alluring scent. Though he couldn't quite place it, he knew that he'd smelled it before, sometime long ago.
Seeing that Hiten was about to stop her, he coolly stated, "Leave her."
At the strange look Hiten had shot him, Sesshoumaru elaborated. "We do not have time to waste on lowly humans."
Seemingly satisfied with this answer, Hiten gave the order, and they proceeded on to the Eastern castle, where the ruling queen was only a puppet for an insane master.
Sesshoumaru inwardly sighed. It was such a pity he couldn't simply wage war against the East and restore power to the true heirs. But, as long as Lady Koshi was legally ruling the throne, he couldn't do a thing about it, unless he wanted to discredit the East. The other two kingdoms would think it weak for not being able to defend itself.
The lady herself was merely a foil for Naraku, who ruled from his position as chief advisor.
Sesshoumaru grit his teeth. If only he could get an assassin into the Eastern castle. Then he could kill the bastard without blame.
And here he was, trying to make peace with the hanyou. After putting it off for six years, he was finally renewing the peace treaties with the other three castles of the compass. He was also hoping to find someone.
She was here, in the Eastern Lands. The whole country would know if she left, and none of his informants had reported otherwise.
~*~ ~* ~ *~ ~* ~ ~* ~ * ~ ~ * ~
Kagome rushed into the house she and Sango shared, kicking off her shoes at the door. Pushing back the paper screen, she saw Sango on the futon, sweating buckets. Heavy blankets were piled on her thin frame in a futile attempt to stop her shivering.
The young priestess strode over, threw off the blankets, and got to work.
~~~!~~~!*The Eastern Castle Gardens*!~~~!~~~
Sesshoumaru held his hand under a stream of cool water from the Eastern castle's garden fountain, letting the golden light from the setting sun warm his relaxed frame.
He tensed as someone came up behind him, but relaxed as the familiar scent of rain and flowers reached his nose.
"Lady Koshi," He said quietly, "Was the meeting with Vizier Naraku cut short? I did not anticipate your company until the evening meal."
An elegant cat youkai stood beside him and said in an offhanded tone, "He doesn't need me right now. No doubt he's trying to come up with new ways of forcing my signature onto new laws."
Sesshoumaru was silent, and looked up at the beautiful tai-youkai. "Why do you let him?"
There was a long pause, and then she sighed. "He is very powerful. I would not be able to beat him in a duel, and you know as well as I do that a throne can only be retaken by one with the royal blood of that land.
Sesshoumaru wondered aloud. "Then why hasn't he gotten rid of you? Surely he knows that you're at least a threat to his power."
Koshi grinned ruefully. "He believes that I had lost the use of my mental facilities since he took the castle. As long as I keep up the charade, he lets me wander around to let the people know that I am still alive."
"Do you not have a plan to get rid of him?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Koshi sighed. "He has spies all over the castle. If I made a move to conspire against him, he'd lock me up. Then I wouldn't be able to help anyone."
"Then there is no hope for the Eastern Lands?" Sesshoumaru said in a dull tone.
"Have faith, young lord." Koshi had an annoyed look. "Do you honestly believe I'd lie down and let that evil slime rule without a fight? I said that he could see what I do, not that he sees what I think." She leaned forward and whispered, "I have a plan already in motion."
Sesshoumaru was starting to believe that Naraku was correct in assuming that Koshi had lost it. "Tell me, Koshi, what do you plan to do?"
Koshi grinned, reminding Sesshoumaru of his childhood friend. "Let's just say that I sent someone a little history lesson. You'll know when it happens." Again there was that mysterious look.
Sesshoumaru was skeptical. "When what happens?"
Suddenly, he felt it. It was faint and brief, but it was definitely there. It was a surge of immense youki from the eastern border of the Eastern Lands.
He'd felt it before a long time ago, and his heart was filled with something he hadn't felt in a long time. It was joy. His childhood friend, the one person he'd told all of his secrets to and trusted most, was alive.
"It has begun." Said Koshi with a satisfied grin.
~~~!~~~!~~~!~~~!~~~!~~~
Kagome sank gratefully into the water, relaxing in the hot spring conveniently located in the woods a couple hundred yards away from her house. She was slowly soaking away the tiredness and strain of the long day in the light of the setting sun.
It had taken the morning and afternoon for Kagome and Souta to bring Sango's fever down, and all involved were exhausted. After almost losing her friend to a coma, and spending most of the day to do some serious miko healing magic, Kagome was tired and wanted to fall asleep right where she lay in the heated water.
But she knew sadly that this was not to be. Chores had to be done, patients had to be treated, and they still didn't have any food.
The young miko absently fiddled with the chain from which a stone in the shape of an arrowhead hung, her mind drifting off to random things. She was just wondering yet again of who she was before coming to the village.
Suddenly, as if a dam had burst, images ripped into her consciousness, swamping her mind with confusing shouts and flashing images. She sank deeper into the water, furiously fighting back the unfamiliar memories pouring into her mind, and losing.
The images were suddenly vivid and clear; every detail was brought into focus; more than any dream or memory could ever possibly form.
~~%~%~~%~% A Vision %~%~~%~~
Screams of loss and pain pierced the night sky, the burning village casting flickering light on the four figures running through the forest.
The Lady on the Eastern Lands was rushing along her daughter, one hand clutch in a secure grip on the little girl's. In the crook of her other arm was a small bundle containing a little boy of about three years.
They could hear the underbrush behind them being crumpled under heavy feet. Despite their demon speed, the sounds were getting closer.
The small band of five finally cleared the trees, only to find themselves at the edge of a sharp cliff. Knowing that there was no escape for all of them, the woman turned to face their pursuers and thrust her arms into the air. Slowly, a pink bubble began to spread from her fingertips to envelope the five in a protection spell.
There were five chasing them, and the barrier could only hold for so long under the attacks the enemy was throwing at it.
Lady Koshi kissed the bundle in her arms, and turned to a young Sango, who was struggling keep her gaze on the lady to avoid looking at the unfair odds slowly diminishing their wall of protection. Her father, the captain of the Eastern guard, had positioned himself in front of the small group.
"Sango, first child of the captain of the guard, I'm entrusting you with the safety and care of both princess Kagome and prince Souta." Sango stared at her in shock and confusion. After all, she was only ten in youkai years.
Taking a deep breath, and fighting back tears, Lady Koshi continued on. "Though young, you are also trust-worthy and strong. I know you will guard them with your life. You must protect them until the day Kagome becomes powerful enough to come back and re-claim the throne. Stay in the Eastern Lands, everyone will know if you leave." With that, she placed the bundle that held Souta into the bewildered girl's arms.
Then she knelt down and folded 8-year-old Kagome into her arms, tears welling in her eyes as she choked out, "Kagome, my little water-nymph, I need to stay here to do what I can to help the people in this time of need. I will see you again someday when you're big and strong."
Koshi pushed back to look the little girl in the eye. "Right now, I want you to go with Sango."
Bringing Kagome in for one last hug, she spoke softly, "Watch out for yourself and your little brother. You are this land's only hope now. I love you both very much, and be a good girl for Sango."
Suddenly, there was a terrible crackling sound as the barrier collapsed. There was a cry of surprise and pain, and the three turned in horror to see Kusino, Captain of the Guard, fall to his knees. A look of shock and regret was permanently etched on his features as blood began to stain the armor around his chest, a demon's spear thrust into his neck. Sango gave an anguished cry as the other females looked on in horror as the loyal captain fell to the ground.
The three lifted their eyes from the corpse to see his murderer's face. A crazed gleam of sick pleasure in dark eyes decorated almost feminine features, twisting them into something ugly and malicious. Kagome was crying as she called to the monster, "Naraku, why?"
His response was cruel smirk and he turned his attention to Koshi. "My Lady Koshi, what are you doing out here? Come, you shouldn't be outside on such a cold night as this."
Lady Koshi, head bowed from her inner turmoil at the loss of a loyal subject and friend, spat, "You are a filthy toad, Naraku. A filthy, evil, half-demon monster. You've killed my husband, and stolen castle and lands that belong to the Higurashi line."
Her head snapped up, her eyes burning with hatred. "But you will not harm my children."
And with that, she pivoted on her foot to shove something into Sango's hand, calling, "Wear them to remain undetected." and pushed the young guardian and Kagome off the cliff.
As she plummeted to the river below, she heard the hanyou's scream of rage. Time seemed to move in slow motion as she watched Lady Koshi turn into her youkai form and taking a battle stance before Naraku. The last thing she saw before reaching the water was her mother being hit in the side, hate and frustration pouring off her attacker's body.
~~%~%~~%End of Vision%~~%~%~~
A/N: In case you're wondering, 'this story sounds awfully familiar', does the name 'Freezing Transfusion of Blood' ring any bells? That was this story's original name and this not the first time I've posted it. I had to take it down because I didn't think it was fair to my readers to make them wait for updates for months at a time. Now I have a lot more of this already written, so it shouldn't be a problem anymore. I've made some minor changes here and there. If you are a new reader, I hope you enjoyed this chappie! ^_^
Author: Icewings
Beta: Aysel
Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter
~ ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ ~
Wooden sandals pounded against the dirt road.
Clop clop clop clop clop.
"Hey, stop, thief!"
Clopclopclopclopclopclop
"Gimme back my stuff! I'm warning you!"
CLOPCLOPCLOPCLOPCLOPCLOPCLOP.
FWOOOOOOM! BWSHHHH!!!!
"Ahhhhhhhh!" Thump. Rustle. Skid. Silence.
A young woman of slender build pulled to a stop over the unconscious man lying prone on the ground. Luckily, he'd landed in the soft grass off to the side of the road. She leaned down and reclaimed the basket in his hand.
"W-why can't I move?" he rasped.
"Immobilization spell." She said simply. "You'll be able to move again in a few hours, but I won't be so forgiving next time."
"Go to hell." He hissed.
He was ignored. "Ya know, you should've known better. I AM a 'demon' after all." She chuckled and straightened from her bent position 'Huh, I guess Kaede is training me too well. I didn't mean to use that much power.' The girl thought to herself.
She looked around the marketplace at the handful of staring villagers and sweatdropped. "What? He tripped!"
She turned and was quickly walking back to the vendor she'd been buying vegetables from when she heard a little girl's voice saying, "Look, mommy, it's the nice healer lady! Hello, Healer lady!" The miko smiled and waved at the little girl, who cheerfully waved back.
The mother shushed the girl after seeing who she was waving at, and lead the protesting child away while speaking in whispered tones. The wind carried the sound to her though and she managed to hear anyway.
"She's a nasty demon who only pretends to be nice, Mayu. If you're not a good girl, she'll steal you from your bed and eat you for her supper." The mother looked at the 'demon', who pretended not to hear. Mayu gazed at her with a new sense of fear, and moved closer to her mother.
Kagome sighed. Slanderous rumors had been spread among the suspicious villagers since she could remember, and everything that went wrong in the village was blamed on her, Souta, and her friend Sango. The three had been found half-drowned on the riverbank seven years ago without any memory of who they were. If it weren't for the village priestess Kaede, they would have been driven out long ago. The two girls had learned to ignore the rumors and went on with their lives isolated from everyone else. But Souta had a bit more trouble understanding why the other kids wouldn't play with him, and had lately been going into the woods for hours on end.
Kagome was wondering what was so interesting in the woods when a child's voice broke the busy murmur of the market day. "Kagome!"
She turned at the sound of her name to see her little brother Souta running at her head on.
As he lurched to a stop in front of her, panting and heaving, he gasped out, "Sango...fever, rising...needsyourhelp." Upon hearing this, Kagome wasted no time in running back toward the house they lived in.
Running as fast as she could in her miko outfit, she silently thanked Kaede for her medicine training. She jostled her way past shoppers as she continued to hurry down the dirt road at a pace that was dangerously crash-destined.
Worry and regret was printed on her unusually pretty features, and Kagome scolded herself for leaving her sick friend for even a moment.
Suddenly, Kagome ran into something hard and unmoving. Falling back, she saw that it was a black stallion, and she gasped in surprise and fear were she looked up to see who was on it. It was the Eastern Captain of the Guard, Hiten.
Kagome realized that she'd stumbled into some sort of procession when she saw the youkai guards strategically placed around a litter containing someone with long, silver hair.
Something about it tickled her memory, but she shook it off as unimportant. 'This is no time to be taking a trip down memory lane.' She scolded herself.
Turning her attention back to Hiten, she bowed her head under his annoyed glare. Kagome quickly apologized for not paying attention, but it did not seem to lessen the sneer of intense irritation written all over the round, handsome features.
She could feel eyes on her back as she hurried away, and Kagome marveled at the fact that she wasn't punished.
Hiten and his brother, Manten, were known for their evil and unforgiving ways, and she shuddered at the thought of some of their injustices.
~*~ ~* ~ * The Litter*~ * ~ ~ * ~
Sesshoumaru watched as the girl turned away, and wondered at her alluring scent. Though he couldn't quite place it, he knew that he'd smelled it before, sometime long ago.
Seeing that Hiten was about to stop her, he coolly stated, "Leave her."
At the strange look Hiten had shot him, Sesshoumaru elaborated. "We do not have time to waste on lowly humans."
Seemingly satisfied with this answer, Hiten gave the order, and they proceeded on to the Eastern castle, where the ruling queen was only a puppet for an insane master.
Sesshoumaru inwardly sighed. It was such a pity he couldn't simply wage war against the East and restore power to the true heirs. But, as long as Lady Koshi was legally ruling the throne, he couldn't do a thing about it, unless he wanted to discredit the East. The other two kingdoms would think it weak for not being able to defend itself.
The lady herself was merely a foil for Naraku, who ruled from his position as chief advisor.
Sesshoumaru grit his teeth. If only he could get an assassin into the Eastern castle. Then he could kill the bastard without blame.
And here he was, trying to make peace with the hanyou. After putting it off for six years, he was finally renewing the peace treaties with the other three castles of the compass. He was also hoping to find someone.
She was here, in the Eastern Lands. The whole country would know if she left, and none of his informants had reported otherwise.
~*~ ~* ~ *~ ~* ~ ~* ~ * ~ ~ * ~
Kagome rushed into the house she and Sango shared, kicking off her shoes at the door. Pushing back the paper screen, she saw Sango on the futon, sweating buckets. Heavy blankets were piled on her thin frame in a futile attempt to stop her shivering.
The young priestess strode over, threw off the blankets, and got to work.
~~~!~~~!*The Eastern Castle Gardens*!~~~!~~~
Sesshoumaru held his hand under a stream of cool water from the Eastern castle's garden fountain, letting the golden light from the setting sun warm his relaxed frame.
He tensed as someone came up behind him, but relaxed as the familiar scent of rain and flowers reached his nose.
"Lady Koshi," He said quietly, "Was the meeting with Vizier Naraku cut short? I did not anticipate your company until the evening meal."
An elegant cat youkai stood beside him and said in an offhanded tone, "He doesn't need me right now. No doubt he's trying to come up with new ways of forcing my signature onto new laws."
Sesshoumaru was silent, and looked up at the beautiful tai-youkai. "Why do you let him?"
There was a long pause, and then she sighed. "He is very powerful. I would not be able to beat him in a duel, and you know as well as I do that a throne can only be retaken by one with the royal blood of that land.
Sesshoumaru wondered aloud. "Then why hasn't he gotten rid of you? Surely he knows that you're at least a threat to his power."
Koshi grinned ruefully. "He believes that I had lost the use of my mental facilities since he took the castle. As long as I keep up the charade, he lets me wander around to let the people know that I am still alive."
"Do you not have a plan to get rid of him?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Koshi sighed. "He has spies all over the castle. If I made a move to conspire against him, he'd lock me up. Then I wouldn't be able to help anyone."
"Then there is no hope for the Eastern Lands?" Sesshoumaru said in a dull tone.
"Have faith, young lord." Koshi had an annoyed look. "Do you honestly believe I'd lie down and let that evil slime rule without a fight? I said that he could see what I do, not that he sees what I think." She leaned forward and whispered, "I have a plan already in motion."
Sesshoumaru was starting to believe that Naraku was correct in assuming that Koshi had lost it. "Tell me, Koshi, what do you plan to do?"
Koshi grinned, reminding Sesshoumaru of his childhood friend. "Let's just say that I sent someone a little history lesson. You'll know when it happens." Again there was that mysterious look.
Sesshoumaru was skeptical. "When what happens?"
Suddenly, he felt it. It was faint and brief, but it was definitely there. It was a surge of immense youki from the eastern border of the Eastern Lands.
He'd felt it before a long time ago, and his heart was filled with something he hadn't felt in a long time. It was joy. His childhood friend, the one person he'd told all of his secrets to and trusted most, was alive.
"It has begun." Said Koshi with a satisfied grin.
~~~!~~~!~~~!~~~!~~~!~~~
Kagome sank gratefully into the water, relaxing in the hot spring conveniently located in the woods a couple hundred yards away from her house. She was slowly soaking away the tiredness and strain of the long day in the light of the setting sun.
It had taken the morning and afternoon for Kagome and Souta to bring Sango's fever down, and all involved were exhausted. After almost losing her friend to a coma, and spending most of the day to do some serious miko healing magic, Kagome was tired and wanted to fall asleep right where she lay in the heated water.
But she knew sadly that this was not to be. Chores had to be done, patients had to be treated, and they still didn't have any food.
The young miko absently fiddled with the chain from which a stone in the shape of an arrowhead hung, her mind drifting off to random things. She was just wondering yet again of who she was before coming to the village.
Suddenly, as if a dam had burst, images ripped into her consciousness, swamping her mind with confusing shouts and flashing images. She sank deeper into the water, furiously fighting back the unfamiliar memories pouring into her mind, and losing.
The images were suddenly vivid and clear; every detail was brought into focus; more than any dream or memory could ever possibly form.
~~%~%~~%~% A Vision %~%~~%~~
Screams of loss and pain pierced the night sky, the burning village casting flickering light on the four figures running through the forest.
The Lady on the Eastern Lands was rushing along her daughter, one hand clutch in a secure grip on the little girl's. In the crook of her other arm was a small bundle containing a little boy of about three years.
They could hear the underbrush behind them being crumpled under heavy feet. Despite their demon speed, the sounds were getting closer.
The small band of five finally cleared the trees, only to find themselves at the edge of a sharp cliff. Knowing that there was no escape for all of them, the woman turned to face their pursuers and thrust her arms into the air. Slowly, a pink bubble began to spread from her fingertips to envelope the five in a protection spell.
There were five chasing them, and the barrier could only hold for so long under the attacks the enemy was throwing at it.
Lady Koshi kissed the bundle in her arms, and turned to a young Sango, who was struggling keep her gaze on the lady to avoid looking at the unfair odds slowly diminishing their wall of protection. Her father, the captain of the Eastern guard, had positioned himself in front of the small group.
"Sango, first child of the captain of the guard, I'm entrusting you with the safety and care of both princess Kagome and prince Souta." Sango stared at her in shock and confusion. After all, she was only ten in youkai years.
Taking a deep breath, and fighting back tears, Lady Koshi continued on. "Though young, you are also trust-worthy and strong. I know you will guard them with your life. You must protect them until the day Kagome becomes powerful enough to come back and re-claim the throne. Stay in the Eastern Lands, everyone will know if you leave." With that, she placed the bundle that held Souta into the bewildered girl's arms.
Then she knelt down and folded 8-year-old Kagome into her arms, tears welling in her eyes as she choked out, "Kagome, my little water-nymph, I need to stay here to do what I can to help the people in this time of need. I will see you again someday when you're big and strong."
Koshi pushed back to look the little girl in the eye. "Right now, I want you to go with Sango."
Bringing Kagome in for one last hug, she spoke softly, "Watch out for yourself and your little brother. You are this land's only hope now. I love you both very much, and be a good girl for Sango."
Suddenly, there was a terrible crackling sound as the barrier collapsed. There was a cry of surprise and pain, and the three turned in horror to see Kusino, Captain of the Guard, fall to his knees. A look of shock and regret was permanently etched on his features as blood began to stain the armor around his chest, a demon's spear thrust into his neck. Sango gave an anguished cry as the other females looked on in horror as the loyal captain fell to the ground.
The three lifted their eyes from the corpse to see his murderer's face. A crazed gleam of sick pleasure in dark eyes decorated almost feminine features, twisting them into something ugly and malicious. Kagome was crying as she called to the monster, "Naraku, why?"
His response was cruel smirk and he turned his attention to Koshi. "My Lady Koshi, what are you doing out here? Come, you shouldn't be outside on such a cold night as this."
Lady Koshi, head bowed from her inner turmoil at the loss of a loyal subject and friend, spat, "You are a filthy toad, Naraku. A filthy, evil, half-demon monster. You've killed my husband, and stolen castle and lands that belong to the Higurashi line."
Her head snapped up, her eyes burning with hatred. "But you will not harm my children."
And with that, she pivoted on her foot to shove something into Sango's hand, calling, "Wear them to remain undetected." and pushed the young guardian and Kagome off the cliff.
As she plummeted to the river below, she heard the hanyou's scream of rage. Time seemed to move in slow motion as she watched Lady Koshi turn into her youkai form and taking a battle stance before Naraku. The last thing she saw before reaching the water was her mother being hit in the side, hate and frustration pouring off her attacker's body.
~~%~%~~%End of Vision%~~%~%~~
A/N: In case you're wondering, 'this story sounds awfully familiar', does the name 'Freezing Transfusion of Blood' ring any bells? That was this story's original name and this not the first time I've posted it. I had to take it down because I didn't think it was fair to my readers to make them wait for updates for months at a time. Now I have a lot more of this already written, so it shouldn't be a problem anymore. I've made some minor changes here and there. If you are a new reader, I hope you enjoyed this chappie! ^_^
