I'd like to thank Laura for that huge correction I need to make. I had absolutely no idea why I did that…how come none of you others caught that maladay is a sickness?! HUH?! No just kidding…but thanks a lot Laura..when I'm un-lazy…I'll fix it but I will do it! Also, I just realized why my numbering was off…I made two chapter 10's! Oh dear…so yeah! Chapter 13! Whoo! And I am going to be un-lazy and respond to reviews again. I've kinda started feeling bad about not doing it…so yeah here goes! Oh wait!! Another mistake. Until recently I didn't know the difference between a balcony and a terrace. Shamefully I wrote about them as if they were the same. Soon I'll make the changes; hopefully this doesn't ruin any images for you guys. I also figured that you'd want me to get this out as soon as possible so I didn't have time to triple check this story for all kinds of crazy mistakes so I'll do it later..for now enjoy! When it's said as balcony I truly mean terrace! Thanks!
Chapter 13: Something Wicked This Way Comes
"What is this surprise you have Kohaku? Do tell me before I burst of curiosity!" Souta whined at his friend in the darkness.
"Do not fret my friend." Kohaku said simply. "We are almost there."
"Almost where?" a small voice quipped from behind.
The two boys jumped in surprise and fear, almost sprinting off blindly into the night. As their hearts thumped madly in their chests they turned to search out the intruder in the dark blanket of night.
A small hand held up a lantern with a small candle inside, the figure wore a hooded cape. Another small hand reached up and pulled the hood from their head. Souta's head fell to the side and Kohaku fell to the ground.
"Rin!" They both cried, bursting into laughter. "We would have figured you for the devil!"
Rin smiled brightly and the candle's light flickered throughout her features. "Where are you going?" She repeated.
"I know not little Rin," Souta said looking over at Kohaku. "For my accomplice will not tell me where we are going."
"Oh how unfair of Kohaku to do this to Rin!" She said with a pout.
Souta suddenly straightened a bit as a thought occurred to him. "Rin…why are you not with Lord Sesshoumaru?" He said nervously.
Kohaku gaped audibly and stared wide-eyed at Rin. Rin stood there as if nothing was wrong.
"Rin does not need to be with Lord Sesshoumaru all the time no?" Rin said slowly, trying to remember some of her teachings.
"If he finds out that we have her Kohaku-
"It is not as though we have stolen her, Souta. She followed us out in the wilderness."
"But if something were to happen to her-
"Rin may take care of herself as she pleases!"
"Maybe we should take her back to Sess-
"Rin may take care of herself as she pleases!!"
"I do believe you are correct, we shall take you back to-
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?! THAT IS NOT WHAT I TOLD YOU TO DO!"
The three children jumped in surprise and Rin dropped her lantern. The candle hit the ground and went out immediately, basking them in complete darkness again. Apparently they were not the only ones having an argument that night. Kohaku was the first one to recover from the shock and motioned for the others to follow him.
Why do the Takashi's have such a large estate…Souta groaned inwardly. I hope we will not have to go toward the forest…
Kohaku froze and turned. "I think they're in the forest." He whispered.
Souta visibly (well not really since it was dark..) twitched. "Please…tell me we are not to venture down that way.." He whispered.
"Rin does not see this as a good plan." Rin added gravely.
Kohaku blinked in the dark toward the direction the little girl's voice came from. "What if someone is in danger…and we could save them?"
Souta thought it over for a minute. "But we are but children Kohaku!"
"Yes, let us get Lord Sesshoumaru!" Rin said, bubbling with pride at the thought of her white knight coming to save everyone.
Kohaku shook his head. "Think of the reward we could get Souta! We would be heroes! Rin, Sesshoumaru would be proud of you for helping out a person who needed help! Just think of the riches we would receive!"
At that idea Rin perked up. "Lord Sesshoumaru…proud… of Rin?"
"Yes..he would be happy for Rin!" Kohaku said.
"Lord Sesshoumaru would…would smile for Rin?"
Kohaku scratched his head. "Well that I do not know of…there is a chance he may-
"Rin will do it!"
"No Rin you mustn't!" Souta whispered harshly.
"Souta…let us be off!" Kohaku urged.
"No. I will not and will not let Rin be a part in this. I do not have a good feeling at all about it." Souta stood firmly.
"Fine. I shall go alone. You two stay here and keep guard…if you hear anything suspicious…then I suppose you may go for help but with my valiance those evil doers shall be the ones needing help!" And with that he was off toward the forest.
"Rin would like Lord Sesshoumaru to smile for her!" Rin pouted.
"Lord Sesshoumaru will never smile Rin…it is not his nature." Souta said. "I truly believe that he has a heart of ice. Although you may have been able to melt it a little."
"Souta-kun makes Rin thirsty." Rin said, blinking in the darkness.
"Then maybe it is time that you ran along and went back to Sango's ball…" Souta said.
"Rin does think that Souta-kun has a good idea." Rin said, grabbing Souta's hand and giving it a little squeeze before letting go.
"What are you doing?" Souta said.
"Rin sees Inuyasha squeeze Miss Kagome's hand like that before she leaves him every day." Rin giggled before skipping off into the darkness.
Souta shook his head. "What a strange girl." Frowning he turned back toward the dark forest and hoped that Kohaku would return safely. And quite soon because he could not see a thing out there and he was beginning to be afraid.
Inuyasha burst through a pair of doors, almost pulling them off their hinges, a look of ferocity in his eyes. The golden orbs fixed themselves on a very familiar looking couple, who were standing in the middle of the small terrace and there seemed to be no space at all between them…not between their middles, their chests or even their…
Inuyasha roared in animalistic anger and ran over to Kouga and grabbed him by the moustache, pulling him from Kagome's lips and hurling him to the floor. Breathing extremely hard something hit him like a horse-drawn carriage. He looked down at his hand and saw that it was full of hairs. Light brown hairs. Hairs that came from a moustache. A moustache that Kouga Murimoto did not possess.
"Oh my God! Thomas!" The woman who just happened to not be Kagome cried and ran over to the unconscious man with half a moustache. When she appeared closer in the light Inuyasha saw that the woman had blonde hair, green eyes and an extremity in the bust area…something that Kagome did not possess.
After checking the unconscious Thomas over for a moment she glared up at Inuyasha with fire in her eyes. "You! You monster! You must be a thug sent by my father to separate poor Thomas and I!" She cried.
"N-No my lady!" Inuyasha cried nervously. "It…it was a mere-
"GUARDS! GUARDS! WHERE ARE THE GUARDS?!" She bellowed.
"Gah!" Inuyasha said, running away at top speed and jumping over the railing of the terrace. He figured it would be best for his skin that he dare not be caught up there if the guards were to actually come. Why do the Tanaka's have to have so many damn balconies?!
"Is it not beautiful out tonight?" Kagome said, her eyes to the twinkling sky.
"Oh yes, frightfully beautiful." Kouga said, staring straight at her.
"GUARDS! GUARDS! WHERE ARE THE GUARDS?!"
Kagome started, a hand going immediately to her thumping heart. "My my…someone must be in a bit of trouble!" She said.
"Do not fret my lady," Kouga said, stepping closer to her. "For I am here. You have nothing to fear."
A blush crept onto Kagome's cheeks as the vicinity between them became close to nothing. His piercing eyes grabbed hold of hers and she was immediately lost in the moment.
"I am not afraid." She said breathlessly. His hand touched her cheek. Oh my…he is not going in the right direction! I must stop this at once!
His other arm snaked around her waist, pulling her even closer. I must not! I cannot! His other hand dropped to her chin where he tilted her head up as his bent to meet hers.
"K-Kouga…" She breathed heavily, trying to get her brain clear of the vast cloud that had appeared before it.
"Shh…" Kouga whispered lightly, his lips mere inches from hers. She uttered his name! She was immediately dropping all formality that society harshly commanded. His eyes fluttered closed as Kagome's began to close also.
What would Mother think?! Her brain cried in desperation. She could feel his breath on her cheek, her heart was thumping at a rapid pace and her face flushed an even greater pink as the moment came.
CRASH!
"KAGOME!"
Kagome's eyes shot open and Kouga went erect immediately. Kagome turned her head slowly. She gasped at the sight before her.
There Inuyasha stood, his clothes a little tousled and his hair a bit ruffled. He was huffing deeply, his chest pushing out and collapsing with what looked like an immense effort. His eyes were ablaze but there was a small color about his cheeks.
"I-Inu…yasha?"
"WHAT do you think you are doing with her?!" He bellowed. Kouga looked at him minimally and leisurely removed his hold on Kagome, but not before giving her a small squeeze. Inuyasha saw this and a low rumble emitted from him from somewhere.
"I do not suppose you were invited here Inuyasha." Kouga said smoothly. His eyes narrowed a little. "I was just escorting my lady back to-
"You were doing NO such thing!" Inuyasha snapped, his temper rising even more.
"Inuyasha, please…calm yourself." Kagome said quietly. She was a little afraid but thankful that he had burst in. She was not prepared for a kiss from anyone just yet! And what would her mother say if she were to find out? The thought caused an atrocious bubble of shame to fabricate in her stomach.
"You." His eyes snapped on Kagome. "Stay out of this."
Kagome's mouth dropped open in an indignant 'O' before she got a hold of herself and fixed him with a glare. "Now you listen here you ill-mannered-
"Such manners!" Kouga sniffed. "Look at what you have done you…you insolent peddler!"
"Peddler?!" Inuyasha cried.
"How dare you cause a lady to use inappropriate language!" Kouga said. "Only a peddler would bring himself in such a manner as you have." He gave a disdainful look at Inuyasha's clothes.
Inuyasha flushed in embarrassment and rage.
Kagome immediately began to feel bad. "Mr. Murimoto…" She touched his arm. He has begun to go too far.
Inuyasha's eyes were instantly on her again. How could she…after he had been looking for her for so long?! And she dare take HIS side?!
He clenched his teeth in frustration. It was an immense task to try and control his anger, oh how it was just so easy to let it all out…
"See Miss Higurashi? Filth like him are not proper high class folk like you and I," Kouga said. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed treacherously. "This type of garbage likes to have a free ride into high class. If it were not for his brother, Inuyasha would be nothing but a commoner on the streets. He does not deserve to look upon such a beautiful face." And before anyone could react Kouga had turned, cupped Kagome's chin and dipped his head, his lips touching hers slowly.
Kagome gave a gasp of surprise, her reflexes immediately clenching Kouga's arms.
Inuyasha froze for a moment. His eyes widened in shock and his blood ran cold. Kagome…
Nothing could prepare anyone for what came next, for it was all a blur. Kagome found herself sprawled across a chair a few feet away as Inuyasha held Kouga by the neck on the stone railing of the terrace. His eyes were blazing again and Kouga looked as though the end was coming near. His hands clasped Inuyasha's wrists vainly before Kagome rushed to his side.
"Mr. Murimoto!" Kagome cried as she tore across the distance to Kouga's side and began to pull at Inuyasha's hands. "Inuyasha! Please stop!"
"Let me be! I must defend your-
"Inuyasha!"
"Never!"
Slap!
Kouga dropped to the floor and immediately began coughing and sputtering. His gloved hand went to his throat as he tried desperately to catch his returning breath. Kagome stood callously in her spot, her left hand cradled in her right. A shocked expression graced her features.
Inuyasha stood rooted in his position. His head was angled in the direction that Kagome's hand had directed. Slowly a hand went to his reddened cheek and his eyes mimicked Kagome's exactly.
There they stood staring fixedly into each other's eyes in outright shock until a noise brought Kagome slightly from her stupor.
"Mr. Murimoto..…" She looked down at him with glazed over eyes. Suddenly snapping completely into reality and crouching down to examine him.
"Miss Higurashi…" Kouga looked at her with a slight blush about his cheeks. He had just been saved…somewhat by a woman. If she had waited a few seconds he would have surely had the upper hand.
"Mr. Murimoto, are you alright?" Kagome said, a sympathetic hand going to his shoulder.
"I will be fine, thank you for your concern…" Slowly he stood up, offering his hand to Kagome who took it gingerly and rose also. Quickly he fixed a cold gaze on Inuyasha, who was not sure if he was still alive or not. "You see, this is proof Miss Higurashi. Inuyasha is nothing more than a commoner."
"…."
"Only someone in his rank would resort to such actions." He said as he brushed the invisible dust from his suit. Kagome looked at Inuyasha insolently. How dare he attack a noble such as Mr. Murimoto.
Kagome pushed away any thought of consoling Inuyasha in any way at that time. He deserved no such thing. He deserved the slap she gave him and all of the names that Mr. Murimoto called him. Gently swiping away a loose curl from her face, Kagome took Kouga's arm and he escorted her off of the terrace, through the doors and back into the great hall.
"I also notice that my Lady has given permission for him to call upon her without formality." Kouga said quietly.
Kagome looked straight ahead and did not say a word. She had not thought about that fact before. It had just seemed natural for Inuyasha to call her 'Kagome'. At least he did not call her 'Bitch' anymore.
"It has also come to my notice that…that my Lady uses no formality with him either." Kouga said with curiosity.
Kagome blinked. She had not thought of that either! Inuyasha had always been…Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru…for that matter had always been without a last name. Why was that? How could it have been that one of the most important rules of society did not bend to the ways of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha?
"Kohaku!" Souta whispered hoarsely into the darkness. Please return…
Kohaku stepped quietly through the fallen twigs and brambles of the forest he often trod (without the notice of his father of course) alone during the day. The patterns of possible noisy objects embedded in his mind.
"But my Lord…is…is this really your intention? This man has no power within the society at all. Yes he does have a lot of money, but his status is meager to that of anyone else!" A voice was pleading in the area ahead of him.
"Are you one to question my will?" A calm, monotone voice now spoke. Kohaku froze behind a large tree with a wide trunk and slowly peered around it.
Two men stood in a small clearing that Kohaku often played in with Kirara. A small lamp was the only source of light within the area, casting deep shadows in the most important places. Kohaku grunted in exasperation. How was he to catch these bandits if their faces could not be seen?
"N-no my liege! I merely, merely would like more information! I do not understand your full intention!" The first voice trembled with obvious fear.
"She will arrive soon. We must be ready for The Return. For now, he knows too much for the plans to go about. To keep our secrecy, he must be destroyed." The second voice murmured, as monotone as before.
Kohaku gasped. They are going to murder someone?! Someone who knows too much information? But who…?
The heads of the two men turned sharply in Kohaku's direction. "Who is there?" The first voice cried.
Kohaku flung himself silently onto the trunk of the tree with his back facing the men. His breath came fast and hard and he eyed the other trees for a change in light. The shadows changed as one of the men lifted the lamp in an effort to see someone in the night.
By the Gods…do not let them see me. Please…do not let them see me! Kohaku closed his eyes tight. All thought of catching these men left his mind in a fleeting moment as the primal instinct to run and survive took over.
"No matter. Our plan begins soon. I will contact you when I will be needing your services." The second, monotone voice said.
"Yes my Lord." The first said.
The sound of footsteps through the thick forest floor slowly quieted as the men departed from the clearing. When all of the light had disappeared Kohaku broke off into a run back toward the fearful, yet faithful Souta who stood shivering in terror and temperature as he waited for his friend. His heart beat madly in his breast as the desperation to find someone of authority as soon as he found Souta entered his mind and screamed at him. He did not look back as he jumped over fallen logs and holes in the ground and made his way back home.
He did not notice the small light of a lantern that glowed eerily behind him. The shorter of the two looked up at the other.
"That is Tanaka's child." The man said.
"My Liege!" Cried the other. "He will do naught but be an hindrance!"
"Yes, that would appear so." The second answered slowly. A small smile appeared on his lips. "It will turn for the better. It looks as though we may be able to…shall I say…kill our bird with two stones."
The servant did not have the heart to tell his lord that he had had the saying all wrong, mainly because he would be furious and probably end his life right then. Instead he nodded in agreement and followed his lord out of the clearing for real this time.
Inside, Kouga was leading Kagome to the dance floor when suddenly they came to a stop. It seemed that Kouga had abruptly departed from Kagome's presence.
"Mr. Murimoto?" She turned around and was lost in the crowd instantly. Kagome huffed indignantly before a curt clearing of the throat sounded from behind her.
"May I have this dance?"
Kagome's eyes nearly popped from her skull. "S-Sesshoumaru?" She gasped.
With nothing but a slight incline of his heavenly head he had bowed his greeting to her.
"I am not worthy of such a privilege I fret," Kagome said as she curtsied low and stared at the ground. How his very presence radiated power from him!
"Such folly." Sesshoumaru murmured and held out his hand for the waltz that was beginning.
Kagome slowly took the offered hand and immediately switched into her most uptight, proper and obedient self. There was no room for any kind of mistake in such an instant. Her mother would be proud. She had to make her proud.
Of course Mrs. Higurashi was attentive to her daughter's recent actions. She had held her breath when Sesshoumaru had offered his hand to her and held on to her fan in anticipation to see if Kagome foolishly accepted his proposal instantly. She let out a silent sigh of relief as Kagome's practiced hesitation shone throughout the room. As they began to dance Mrs. Higurashi's chest swelled with pride and she fanned herself with gusto.
"Is that not your young Kagome dancing with Sesshoumaru?" A woman nearby asked.
"Why, yes it is." Mrs. Higurashi answered with a grin.
"Such an amiable man he is. It is such a shame that he has not found a bride as of yet." Another woman muttered. Mrs. Higurashi raised a perfectly arched eyebrow in response.
Kagome's world was spinning. She was dancing with Sesshoumaru! She could see the second set of jealous eyes angrily peering at her from over the shoulder's of other men and from behind fans as Sesshoumaru twirled with her. This time the eyes had much more of an age leap than the two before.
"That Higurashi girl is taking all of the amiable men away from us!" A perky girl in a light pink dress with thick ringlets cried to her pudgy friend.
"Sesshoumaru is practically untouchable! He would not dance with me!" Another said indignantly.
"I ask that you pardon my brother for his rash actions." Sesshoumaru said evenly.
Kagome blinked in surprise. "Pardon Inuyasha?" She said slowly.
"He has been known to…act before rationalizing."
Sesshoumaru is asking me to pardon Inuyasha? Kagome thought. One must care deeply for the other to ask for such a thing at such a time.
"Under any other condition I would not lower myself to such…
"I understand." Kagome said softly. He eyed her coolly at her sudden act of social rudeness but Kagome did not notice.
"If he did not care for you as much as he does, this I know, I also would not have bothered to inquire such a request."
Kagome's heat skipped a beat. As much as he does...?
Before Kagome had a chance to plead Sesshoumaru to explain himself the song had ended. Sesshoumaru looked at her expectantly.
"Will you not go to him then?"
Kagome gaped at him for a moment but was only met by his stony stare in return. She quickly spun on her heel and lifted her skirts as she skittered off. She realized too late that she had not the faintest idea as to where she should begin when an idea hit her.
A/N: Ok I think I'll end it here eh? Good ol' hanger right there, wot wot! So, how was that? I am going to put a fire under my butt in getting this next chapter out, since everything is starting to get extremely thick yes? It just wouldn't be fair to you guys to just oh I don't know..LEAVE for another year eh? Right. Well it is..3 AM so I'll get started on that right- falls asleep
And Finally..the return of………RTR (for chapter 12..I'm sorry to those of you who reviewed earlier…I will get to all of you some time..I hope!)
Namiko-Daughter of Sekhmet- Thank you! I'm so glad you did! Happy reading! .
Junyortrakr- Of course not! It can never be easy for Inuyasha, if it was…what kind of manga/anime/fanfiction would there be? shudders
Princess Reiko- O0oh a Kouga fan eh? Well well I bet you enjoyed this chapter then! .
FranceGamble- Wow really? My school is crazy about that. Seriously! Thanks for your support in both my story and my personal life! wipes away a tear hope to see you back soon! .
Black Element- blushes yeah I know it has been a while eh? Actually, at our library where I live, it costs like 5 bucks to get on the internet for a half hour. So..with as long as it took me to finish this and then type up your reviews..that would be a lot of money! Thanks for your support though and the suggestion! .
Astro-24- Oh come on! We have to have evil characters! There wouldn't be very much plot development without them! .
Maffeoel- blushes deeper I think that it's because I keep taking freakishly long breaks from writing so it distorts everything. I also think it has to do with the fact that I haven't had the need to research anything for quite some time, so I'm kind of out of my 1850's funk right now. Don't worry, I noticed the change also, pure accident I swear! It kind of makes me sad that it happened, and hopefully I can get it back but I'm trying my best to recover. .
Chibi stumbler- Aheh..well it's finally out! Hope you like it! .
Captain Psycho- Did you? I must have missed that memo! ::grins:: .
Sayori-chan- Thank you for your support, it really means a lot guys! Hope to see you back soon! .
eX Driver Liz- O0oh you're good. Hopefully I fulfilled your guestimations! .
Moonlight-Miko-Aah! Hide from your Mum! ::shakes finger:: Now you know you should do homework first! Haha listen to me, I procrastinate like hell! .
Firefly- Thanks a lot! Well he didn't exactly beat the crap out of him..but..well..you read it you know! .
Ai8- Wow we have a long way to go before we find out if that happens eh? Who are your 2 favorite couples anyway??
Izayoi- Thank you! It does seem that the chapter with the fan seems to entertain people the most yes? I should probably plop some more of that in there soon! .
Haruya- I bet he could take them on in a brawl too! Hm..::scribbles down some notes::.
Blue sakuras- ::has kisses everywhere:: O.o Ok now who is going to clean this place up? There's lipstick everywhere!!
Koishii Ookami- Thank you! Enjoy your summer..or..whatever you're doing too!
Ria1148-aheh ::scratches back of head:: I finally did! .
AmayaSaria- I know this isn't soon enough but at least I did right? .
Lady Tomboy- Well I bet you know now! Remember: it's a terrace now, not a balcony. Bad Nekomon! .
Peppermint Shivers- Thank you! Here you go, happy reading! .
DemonKitty- Yes, it is! Although it does have a bit of a heated scene towards the end that made me all pink in the cheeks.. a very good fic!
Notebookgirl- Well..all I can say is really is that Shippou does swear in the series, both the anime and the manga. (I watch the Japanese version, I don't know anything about the English one) so it's not like I've changed him or anything. Thanks for reading!
Green Glitter Haruko- Thank you for your support and happy reading! .
Jen- Thank you! You are very enthusiastic about that coupling eh? ::giggles:: Well I guess you'll have to see…I can't give it away you know! .
Kitabu-Thank you very much! I try really hard to capture it in my writing.
Pretendingtobesane-Ohh I can't tell you that! You'll just have to read and find out! Did I fully fulfill your request? I hope so! Happy reading and thanks! .
OH! Also..I am in the process of thinking about looking for a beta reader…I'm sure I make plenty of mistakes and it's always nice to have another eye check out your work before it goes out you know? So I'll let you guys know about that decision later on! Until next time, happy reading and thanks for stopping by!
Love,
Nekomon