Of Malevolence and Mikos
Unbelievable! This guy is a damn icicle. I don't understand why Rin even hangs around him. He shows her no affection now that I think about it; well unless you count an eyebrow movement as a hug from Sesshoumaru. Then, I sense something come at an incredible high rate of speed towards me.
My amber eyes widen as I see the ethereal murderer charging at me with his eyes almost blood red. He grabs my throat with his right hand; I feel his claws prick into my flesh. His left hand hangs over my face dripping poisonous acid onto my scuffed kimono. The acid burns greatly against my kimono covered ivory skin .
"You will show me respect wench. You do not walk away from this Sesshoumaru and go to get intoxicated with sake. You are a guest in my home whether you or I like it or not, and you will obey me you disgrace of a youkai!" He is not scaring me. He isn't nearly as bad as Kagato was, and I almost beat him.
His eyes are now almost fully scarlet and I see his fangs have lengthened so they show beneath his lightly colored upper lip. I look back into his once molten golden eyes, I will not show fear. He will not scare me he doesn't deserve to see me vulnerable and scared again. I teleport away from him quickly. I rub my neck and putting a hand to my breast where the acid ate through my kimono. I turn to him, my fist crackling with red lightening.
"You have one point Sesshoumaru. I am a guest in your house and I will call you by your name, but other than that I don't have to give you the fucking time of day! You killed me even when I didn't want to fight and now you want respect? You don't respect me, you don't like me! The only reason why I am here is the deal we made. So why don't you just let me be?" Actually the last thing I want is to be alone, but I don't think his company will really help. I am surprised to see, however, his now golden eyes widen a fraction. I feel my eyes contract into slits to make sure I got my point across.
He has to have better things to do than to berate me doesn't he? I mean he does say I have to do some chores around the castle. I hate chores, but I will do it for Kagura, she is my friend now.
"Do not anger this Sesshoumaru again. I will retire to my study, do not enter without my permission." What? What does a youkai of the past have to study about? I think he knows something that I don't. Great, now I am going have to pry it out of the ice prince himself. How did life get to be like this?
"Hey, what do you know? There is something you aren't telling me isn't there!" I am not stupid I am very in-tune with the ki of others and I know that whatever he plans to study at three in the morning has unusual importance. At first I didn't event think he'd turn around, but he did. His silver hair absorbing the moonlight swishes and his golden eyes lock with mine. I will never admit this to him, but I like his golden eyes much better than his red ones.
"Naraku has been on the offensive. My general is reporting in and I must prepare. Go make yourself busy somewhere…Ryoko." Well at least he is using my name now. I shrug and turn, but when I turn back I see that he has already gone. I stick my tongue out where he went…hypocrite.
"Damn Sesshoumaru. 'Do not anger this Sesshoumaru again'" I mimic, exaggerating facial features. "He thinks he is so high and shit...too high and mighty for emotions or anything so 'low' as that. Feh." I turn to walk to somewhere where I can find some sake. I can't taste food or drink but I like the texture and the warm feel of sake on my throat. All of a sudden, the front gates open to reveal a filthy, panting, toad collapsing in the doorway.
"Uh...do you need some help?" I float over to him and pick him up. I fly with him in my arms to a large fur covered chair. He is an ugly thing. Small, green, huge light-bulb eyes, he's really funny to look at. I poke him on his head to wake him up. He is wet and muddy. Poor guy he must have been caught outside.
"Are you an angel?" I sweatdrop...he thinks what?! To think the first guy to hit on me with that pick-up line is a toad in a cloak. Man, life for me is really backwards.
"I help you and you thank me by hitting on me?! Figures. Name's Ryoko." I grin as the toad looks taken-aback. My fangs show under my lip mischievously.
"I am Jaken. You are the suitor for Lord Sesshoumaru aren't you?" My jaw drops to the floor. How could anyone want to go out on a date with Mr. Frostbite? Why would anyone go out on a date with him? I burst out laughing, my eyes watering I am laughing so hard. As I roll on the ground, toady gets rather cross.
"And what is so funny? Are you, or are you not?" I regain composure and levitate off of the carpeted floor. Jaken seems a little peeved; I don't think Sesshoumaru has been made fun of much, especially by someone like me.
"No I'm not, and frankly with a personality that Mr. Frostbite has, I don't think anyone in their right mind would be his suitor either." Unless they were after his land, money and looks, yeah. You know if that icicle had a personality that is half-tolerable, any girl would be after him. Except me of course...I mean; Sesshoumaru isn't that gorgeous with his long silver hair and molten gold eyes...I inwardly sigh. I shouldn't even be thinking about the subject.
"Sesshoumaru-sama is sometimes harsh; he left me to fend for myself in the woods after nightfall. It is no doubt the human girl's fault that I was left behind!" Jaken snorted indigently. Is toady jealous of Rin? The girl is unbelievably cute but it's not like Sesshoumaru shows her much affection besides an occasional hello. Poor Jaken-toad. I feel sorry for the ugly, little guy.
"Hey do you want some sake?" I ask him curiously. I half expect him to say 'fly only diet'. My Cyan hair swishes about me as I turn to get some sake for myself.
"Sake at this hour?! Wench you must be a crazy fool–" Ok now I am mad. No toad insults me and gets away with it. I feel my soft cyan hair stiffen and glow slightly "Hey wait Ryoko-sama, Jaken did not mean it—AAHHH Sesshoumaru-sama she is going to kill me!" Jaken jumps from the old chair and begins to waddle away as fast as he can. I release hair-needles at Jaken, effectively striking him in his abdomen.
"Rule number one Toady, I can have sake when I want, where I want, and if you don't like that, then too bad!" I smirk triumphantly as I ignore the flailing needle-butt Jaken crying insufferably from the foot-long needles. I float down the hallways trying to find the sake or winery. I finally come upon a storage food cellar and spot some really good bottles of sake.
I open up a bottle and drink some. I cant taste it, but it feels good. I wonder what it is like to taste something. Maybe that is why Tenchi chose Ayeka is because she can taste food... and his mouth. My eyes narrow as I accidentally crush the sake bottle in my hand, the porcelain shards imbedding them into the flesh of my hand, blood seeps through the broken skin.
Great, now I'm bleeding! I ignore the wound, it's only kinda minor. I phase through the ceiling, only to find myself looking out a window unto a moonlit emerald garden. The garden is adorned with many different exotic flowers, like gemstones they twinkle with dew. The cherry blossom trees stand wistfully in the night, their roseate and white blossoms swaying. At the south end there is a glass-smooth, indigo pond that has delicate water lilies strewn about it.
The water glistens silently in the ebony night. The ivory stars mockingly twinkle down at me. I phase through the window and stand by the pond. This is so much like the pond at Masaki Shrine. I drift out into the middle of the lake. A gust of wind rolls across my body, chilling it. I realize; I am alone.
(POV change)
'On second thought Kagura, tell Kikyo to find out information about the new Youkai.' Naraku's voice seeps into my head, I forgot that he can communicate telepathically if he wants too. Usually he doesn't, he just wastes my time to come back to him personally.
At least he can't read my thoughts. The wind rolls though my obsidian hair as I drift silently over the forest separating the Eastern and Western lands for the second time in a few hours. I do not have to worry about being attacked by youkai; I can defeat them easily enough.
My thoughts reside back on Ryoko; I am worried that Naraku's interest in Ryoko will not help things at all. I knew finding Kikyo had something to do with Ryoko, but I have no idea what other plans he has in store for Ryoko. At least he doesn't know where she is, and when he does find out he wont be happy. She is being protected by the great Taiyoukai of the West, one of his most powerful rivals.
My claret eyes narrow, I don't get it. What if Kikyo finds out where Ryoko is only to be ripped to shreds by Sesshoumaru? I know that there are few places where Kanna's mirror can't see, so surely Naraku knows that Ryoko could be in Sesshoumaru's castle. Even though he doesn't care about Kikyo, he needs that information. My eyes narrow, I'm sure he has some sort of plan in store for the stoic youkai Lord and his guest.
I just hope I don't get purified.
My ruby mouth tugs to a frown. Kikyo is not going to be happy to see me. I drift a past the bone-eaters well to a small village in the eastern lands. There I see the souls of the dead shining like fireflies in the distance.
She is collecting souls still. I ready my hand on my fan as I descend into the quiet village. Kikyo is a powerful miko. I do not know how the battle will fair if I engage combat with her. I bite my lip as I walk confidently over to her. She is sitting in a tree, her soul collects gather around her clay body, depositing souls into her, like water to a sponge.
"Kikyo, I am sent by Naraku to ask a favor of you. I wish this to be civil; I do not want to fight you, more than you want to fight me." I state formally. I see her dark brown eyes shift over to me as she leaves the tree and plants her feet on the soft grass. She does not have a quiver or a bow, that is fortunate.
"What is this favor?" She asks plainly. Her soft voice shattering my concentration...it is so devoid of life and passion. She is truly the dead. You can tell by her eyes and voice.
"He wishes that you seek out information of a certain youkai that he is trying to find. The youkai is named Ryoko and she has a very distinct ki. As you may have sensed. The details of the request are unknown to me or I wouldn't waste your time or mine." My claret eyes narrow as she cracks a hollow smile. She brings a hand to her hip and frowns. The soul catchers surround her disperse slowly.
"What makes you think I will obey Naraku like you?" She asks coldly. I feel my eyes flame up, she isn't going to take the bait. Damn you Naraku! Now I will have to loose my life by being purified by a miko! I hold my fan, folded, I grit my teeth.
"If you do not comply I will be forced to end your life." I unfurl my fan for a threatening effect. My claret eyes are burning crimson as my ruby lips turn into a frown. Then I see her smile a pale smile and she brings a delicate hand to her mouth and begins to laugh.
"You are going to fight me over something this trivial? Has Naraku signed you death wish Kagura?" Her oynx hair ripples as her purifying aura radiates from her like a deadly light. Before I can flick my wrist, her aura decreases and she is no longer radiating the deadly pink light that has killed so many youkai in the past.
"I will comply with your request; if I have your word that you or your counterpart Kanna will not harm the Hanyou, Inuyasha, even of your lord tells you to. He is mine to destroy." I smile and I return my fan to the recesses of my elaborate haori.
"And you shall have my word if you do not disclose the gender or the type of the youkai to Naraku." She paused and nodded. Her dark eyes filled with a mutual understanding. I pluck a feather from my light obsidian hair and flip it into the air with a soft flick of the wrist. The feather transforms and I hop on top of it. I see the soul catchers wrap their snake like bodies around her and carry her into the sky. Man do I owe Kikyo. I inwardly winced, I never would have thought I would say this, but perhaps she is not as bad as first perceived.
She only really wants to be free like me, free to be dead like she is supposed to. Only instead of being restricted because of a tyrant, she is restricted because of the hatred she holds unfortunately in her heart. She is tragic, she will not let go of the hatred or her Hanyou. She should just go to the land of the dead like she is supposed to.
"You will find her find Ryoko in Lord Sesshoumaru's castle." She frowned slightly. She knew as well as I did that she will have to pass through Inuyasha's forest to get to the Western lands, she didnt seems to like that idea. Oh well, I have other problems to think of.
That silly Hanyou really takes the cake. Clinging to the dead Miko like she is what she used to be. I know nothing about love. I have never loved anyone, I have really only liked two people, Kanna and Ryoko. Kanna rarely speaks and Ryoko is being hunted down by Naraku. Man, some friends. I laugh inwardly as I actually admit them as friends. I feel the winds around me swirl in a warm embrace as I turn back to go to the Northern lands.
(POV change)
"Oi wench where's the Ramen?" I swear if he calls me that one more time or rummages through my nicely packed bag one more time I will sit him to hell! I turn to face him, a spoon in one hand, from when I was helping Sango prepare the meager rice for breakfast. Inuyasha is so not helping with his attitude. Usually he is only this unreasonable when Kouga is around, but I have not seen him in a while. I wonder if Kouga is ok.
"Inuyasha you wont get any unless you call me Kagome! Besides I told you we ran out, I need to go home to get some more!" He looks at me in annoyance as I glare at him. He is so one word away from eating dirt for breakfast.
"Kagome, you are so not—" I blinked as I realized he stopped in mid-sentence. His eyes widened as he sniffed he air. Who could it possibly be? It's early in the morning, the sun has just risen. Then I saw the look…the look…the Kikyo look. She is nearby.
"Hey Inuyasha what is the matter with you? Do you sense a demon?" Sango grabs the strap of her Hiraikotsu. I bite my lip. The last thing I need is another visit from Kikyo. I was just getting over the whole ordeal, I don't want her to drag him to hell. Just as I thought that, Kikyo emerged from the foliage, in front of everyone. This is something new, when has she ever wanted to be seen by all us? Then I see Inuyasha walk, almost in a trance, towards her.
"Inuaysha, I have a question to ask of you, but nothing more." My jaw drops, since when has anything been on top of her priority to kill Inuyasha? But then again I really don't know anything about her to say otherwise. I see Inuyasha looks hurt, and the others tense. I can't stand the silence anymore.
"Kikyo what is it you want?" I ask gently. Her dark eyes dart over gracefully in my direction, the arrows in her quiver shift gently. I see she is trying to read my motives. Really I want to help her; I don't like being around her, to tell the truth. So whatever I can help her with to leave quietly without any harm done, will be the best.
"Do I use the southern path to go to Sesshoumaru's Castle?" What in the world does she want with Sesshoumaru?! Wow, is this really Kikyo? Then I see Inuysha clench his fist into a tight ball, this is going to set him off for sure.
"You shoul—" Miroku, actually being helpful, was cut off by Inuyasha jumping to conclusions.
"What does Sesshoumaru want with you? I will kill that bastard if he tries anything." Inuaysha growls lowly as he takes a protective stance by Kikyo. My heart sinks slightly. I wish he'd do that to me right now. Ugh Kagome, mind out of the gutter, I have to figure out why all of the sudden Kikyo wants to run up and talk Sesshoumaru or whatever her intentions are.
"Inuyasha step away. This job I must complete has nothing to do with your half-brother and I wish you did not enter combat with him, remember, I am the one who shall kill you, not Sesshoumaru." Her eyes narrow and she purifies Inuyasha a small bit, he falls to the ground dazed. I look and Miroku and Sango look just as confused as I do. Miroku is scratching his head and Sango is looking at Kikyo trying to get any hints of an answer from her facial expression.
I don't get it, if it has nothing to do with Sesshoumaru, then who? And if it is a job, then who is making her go? I chew on my lip as my gray-blue eyes widen. Ryoko is in Sesshoumaru's castle I bet. Ryoko is very powerful, she was able to beat Inuyasha with one punch, and be totally unfazed by Sango's attack. I mean totally unfazed, Sango's weapon went through her! I turn to Miroku, who's lavender eyes brightened, coming to the same conclusion as I.
"Miko Kikyo, the path you should take to go to Sesshoumaru's castle is to the south a quarter mile, then turn west, keep on it until you reach a river then go north a mile it should be in eyesight." Miroku said, gaining the glare of Inuyasha and the confused stare of Sango.
"Thank you houshi." Kikyo thanks him as she then turns and began to walk south towards the path. This is too much for Inuyasha. He looks about ready to burst. I can see his eyes constricting.
"Miroku…what in the world did you just do? Sesshoumaru will cut her into pieces! Or that Ryoko might do something too!" Inuyasha snarls as he attempts to claw poor Miroku.
"Oswari! Miroku was only trying to help, Kikyo would have found the path anyway. Besides, I think she is telling the truth, I don't think it has anything to do with Sesshoumaru.I think it really has to do with Ryoko." I state proudly as Sango and Miroku nod. Inuyasha recovers from the 'sit' and stands up.
"And another Oswari for thinking that Ryoko would kill Kikyo with no reason!"Inuyasha plummets to the ground. Still mad, but the jealousy over his half-brother is faded.
"Inuyasha, Kikyo is a very powerful miko, Sesshoumaru is not the type to engage battle with a miko without hearing her reason for coming." Miroku concludes, still not putting Inuyasha's fear to rest. I wonder though…who hired her to go to Ryoko? Only one name comes to mind, Naraku.
"What if he tears her into bits after that huh? Kikyo is powerful, but she is walking into a death-trap! Che!" Inuyasha curses and grabs the hilt of Tessaiga. He looks like he is going to chase after her. There is only one way to stop him too.
"Inuyasha, whoever gave her the job to go in Sesshoumaru's castle obviously intends of having her back alive…that means that she is probably not going, or leaving alone—" I am cut off by Inuaysha
"What are you implying wench? Do you think that Naraku gave her that order?!!" He glares at me. Ok, that is it. I told him not to call me that and he will pay!
"Oswari, Oswari! Do not call me that! If you want my truth in the matter I can't think of another person who is able to boss around a miko of that caliber. So yes I do think Naraku made her go." I sigh, Inuyasha is five feet in the ground, Miroku just got slapped for groping Sango-chan again and Shippou just woke up. After all, it is early morning I let Shippou sleep in.
Chaos in the warring states era…
"Kagome! What is all the noise? Why is Inuyasha digging a hole?" I laughed out loud along with Sango and Miroku. A very pissed Inuyasha jumps out of the hole, trying desperately to get rid of dirt from his clothing.
"We aren't leaving the village today, Kikyo might need our help so Kagome if you want to go get more ramen you can." Inuaysha growled, God he isn't a morning person. He goes and leaps into the God-tree and begins his day-long sulk. I smile, I haven't seen Souta or my Mom in weeks. I am long overdue for a break.
"Ok guys, I will be gone a few days! What do you guys need?" I ask as I begin to pack my bag, there is not much considering we went through most of our supplies. I roll up my sleeping bag and notice it is filthy. I am going to have to take it to the laundry-mat and wash it in one of their super washing-machines.
"Can you get me some of that nice-smelling shia-mpoo Kagome-chan? The kind that smells like fruit would be great!" Sango cheered enthusiastically. Sango loves her shampoo, almost as much as she secretly likes miroku.
"Kagome can I get some chocolate and candy?" Shippou hopped into my arms and I hugged him tight. He is so adorable.
"Yes of course anything else? Miroku?" I ask as I put the yellow bag on my back and began to head to the well.
"Nope! Goodbye Kagome-sama!" I smile and wave and shout a last goodbye as I walk to the well and hop in. The two jewel shards around my neck allow me to pass into the blue aura that will take me to my time, and my bed. Even though I had just slept, the whole ordeal with Kikyo made me tired again.
I begin to climb out of the well when I sense a youkai. I tense up. Youkai…here! I thought Ryoko was the only one…Then I realize. I left my bow and arrows. Damn! I climb out, ready for a battle when I see a red-headed girl with large green eyes and a cat-like thing on her shoulder.
"Are you Kagome Higurashi that travels through the well?" The girl asks with a strange adult-like persona. What on earth is going on?
"Uh yeah how do you know? Who exactly are you and why do you have a neko-youkai on your shoulder?" I tap my foot impatiently. This girl is going to talk. Right when I was bout to lose my temper my mom comes out of the house with a warm smile on her face.
"Ohayo Kagome-chan! This is Washu, she is a scientist and she has lost her daughter in the well." I hug my mom and turn back to Washu who now I notice is giving off a rather peculiar ki. What is doing on here?
"What does your daughter look like?" I ask. I can't imagine that a little girl traveled through the well. Inuyasha and I have been at Kaede's village for the past few days for a break and we didn't see any little girls go through the well.
"Well. She is tall: has amber eyes, spiky cyan hair, she curses a lot, has a bad temper and her name is Ryoko." She must be kidding me. I sweatdrop. Ryoko's mother is a ten year old? Well I have seen stranger things…seeing a person come back to life as a clay pot is one. Then I see a few more people some into the clearing near the god-tree, These are the people who Ryoko was talking about.
I see a boy who has a peculiar aura too and he looks a lot like Miroku. That must be Tenchi. I see a violet haired girl who is giving off a faint aura also, she must be Ayeka. Then I see a cute little girl who must be around eight with long green pig tails, I bet she is Sasami. There are a few others also, they must be her friends too. Then I see Ayeka and Tenchi hold hands and smile tentatively.
"I have seen her, but…right now, she is with the most powerful Youkai-Lord in the lands." I spurt out, boy do I have a long story to tell.
AN well Kikyo makes a surprising entry, but surprise...she isn't dragging inuyasha to hell! This will not be a Kikyo-bash fic becuase I want the focus of the bad guys to be on Naraku and his stupid little youkai servents.
Thank you all for your reviews, sorry again about the lack of POV change in the first few chaps, ffnet wont show my asterisks...
Well.... preview for next few chapters, Sesshoumaru and Ryoko get a surprise, and a OC, a miko, and a certain hot-headed demon are introduced that make Sesshoumaru's life just a bit more complicated. As well as a few unexpected characters that somehow make it through the well to challenge Inuyasha to his last nerve.
ok got to fly, Ja Ne!
your ffbuddy L.O.H.