Hello! Sorry this took so long! Summer so far has been busier than I
thought it would be! Anyway, I don't have anything to say, so enjoy the
show! Btw, Sango's and Miroku's roles are revealed in this chapter!
Review responses:
Kristen Sharpe: Really? Wow. I feel special... I'm glad you like it! I look forward to your reviews!
Duragan: That was scary. My friend does that all the time. You know, that "Dodedodedo" thing. Is that from some anime show or something?
BakaBokken: Thank you! I am honored to have helped introduced you to the wonderful world of AUness! INU/KAG ALL THE WAY!!!! ::cough:: Bye, now!
Lint Ball of Doom: XD You changed your name! I like it! And your fic isn't crappy! It's one of my favorites, and I'm not just saying that! I was sad to find out you put it on hiatus... I hope you update soon!
NefCanuck: Sorry about the long waits! Anyway, thanks for the review!
Trillian: :) Thanks! I look forward to your next review!
MirokuHoushi: XD Yeah... Thanks for the review! Update soon! (Please!)
punkKagome: That's okay! I understand laziness! Believe me... And I'm glad to hear that you think it's not OOC.
WolfKeeper989: Thanks!
Defefaeth Mechqua: Thanks for the review!
Rekouri Sentusu: XD HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I'm not laughing at anybody! Really! Tail: She's laughing at you. Me: No I'm not! I swear! Tail: Right... (I have a tail!)
ChibiYugiYasha: Thanks for the review!
Tippi: Yes, actually, Shippo comes in near the end of the fic. Sorry he couldn't really be part of the fic, but I didn't really see a reason for him tagging along with Kagome and Inuyasha.
dark-wolf-soulX: I like the word confuzzled too! I say it all the time!!! Anyway, sorry I don't update this fic that often. I don't know why I don't... Anyway, enjoy this chappie!
Songbird21: Heheh... Sorry about that... I was hoping noone would notice... Oh, well. Um, I can't exactly use the 'leftover-from-a-school-festival' idea thing because then I'd get a bunch of people asking me why she had a leftover kimono 'size Inuyasha' in her backpack in the first place, BUT I did get another idea (that I should have gotten in the first place) and went back and fixed it! ::takes deep breath:: I can't belive I fit that all into one sentence... So, anyway, if you wanna go back and see what I did to it, be my guest! I'm sorry that I got you mad... Please keep reading and reviewing!
----------
Chapter 6: Human Heart
----------
Kagome and Inuyasha finally got the goons off their tail and quickly returned to their hiding place in the forest. They only stayed there long enough to grab Kagome's backpack since Naraku's goons had no doubt discovered their campsite already. They found a small clearing deep in the forest and stopped there. Kagome sighed and dropped her backpack heavily on the ground. She looked down at Inuyasha who had a slight grimace on his face.
"Here," Kagome said. "Let me check your wound." Inuyasha winced as Kagome untied the bandana. "That doesn't look to great. It probably wasn't the best thing to have you running around all over the place. And I didn't even get a chance to get some bandages, either."
The motorcycles zipped into the clearing so fast, Kagome didn't even have time to think about it. They stopped in front of Kagome and Inuyasha and the riders of the two motorcycles smirked at them.
"Hello."
"Wh-who are you?" Kagome stuttered, completely shocked at having been caught off guard. By people on motorcycles, no less!
"Pardon me. I am Miroku," the man said, getting off his raccoon- painted motorcycle with the name 'Hachi' scrawled on the side. "And this," he said, pointing to the lady on the cat-painted motorcycle named 'Kirara', "is the fair lady Sango."
"What do you want from us?!"
"Well, we heard about the reward for that circus freak and couldn't resist, though it said nothing about a woman. Ah, well. Just makes the job all the more enjoyable."
The woman named Sango whacked Miroku over the head with what looked like a giant boomerang. "Could you try not to be such a pig?! We're here for money, not women, you pervert!"
"Of course, Sango. Forgive me."
Sango nodded, noting with satisfaction the large bump on Miroku's head. "I'll keep the girl out of the way so she doesn't get hurt while you catch our prize."
"Now, Sango. You know you're much better at this than I am. You should be the one to-"
"NO, Miroku! I'LL hold the girl while YOU catch HIM!"
Miroku sighed. "Yes, Sango."
Sango smirked and began walking towards Kagome. Kagome, at the same time, began backing away nervously.
"Don't worry. We won't hurt you. I promise," Sango coaxed. "We're just here for your dog friend."
Kagome backed into a tree and Sango slowly came closer. Before Sango knew what was happening, Inuyasha was between her and Kagome, growling like there was no tomorrow.
"Miroku!" Sango yelled. "What are you doing?!"
"Sorry! I- He- One minute he's there and the next he's... not."
Kagome saw her opening and started running. Inuyasha followed close behind her, leaving the two arguing bounty hunters.
"Miroku!!!"
"What?!"
"They're getting away!!"
"Oh... Darn. That girl was pretty, too."
"WOULD YOU FORGET THE GIRL!!! Our money's getting away!!!!"
"Yes, Sango."
----------
Before long, Inuyasha had passed Kagome and she was struggling just to keep up. Risking a glance behind her, she saw the two bounty hunters running at a swift pace and gaining ground. While looking behind her, she tripped over a rock and found herself being hurtled towards the ground. Up ahead of her, Inuyasha stopped and turned around. Sango and Miroku were just a short distance behind them, now. With a harsh growl, Inuyasha launched himself at the two. Immediately, Miroku pulled out a small but sturdy net and threw it towards Inuyasha. Without time to pull back, Inuyasha was easily caught in the net. He landed heavily on the ground between the two bounty hunters.
Almost involuntarily, Kagome called out, "INUYASHA!" Immediately, she remembered the vision from Kanna's mirror and realized the magnitude of what was happening.
In the net, Inuyasha began thrashing about, trying to free himself. He succeeded in tearing a small hole in the net before Sango hit him hard on the back with her boomerang, knocking the wind out of him and sending him sprawling onto the ground, gasping for air.
"We can't have you escaping before Naraku comes to pick you up," Sango taunted. She pulled a cell phone out of her pocket. "I'll call Naraku to tell him we have his pet."
"There's no need. I'm already here." A man that could only be Naraku himself stepped out from the shadow of the trees, surrounded by about twenty men in carnival uniforms, some with guns. "I must congratulate you on your performance, Sango and Miroku. I couldn't have done any better with all of the tamers from my carnival put together. Well done."
"You heartless idiot! I won't let you take him!" Kagome screamed as she ran towards Naraku.
Two of Naraku's goons stepped in and each grabbed one of her arms, preventing her from getting and farther. Naraku signaled for his men to put Inuyasha in the cage they had brought along. A few of them picked Inuyasha up, net and all, and threw him none too gently into the steel cage. Inuyasha finally managed to break free from the net, but the cage door was already closed.
Kagome began to kick and thrash about, trying to break her guards' hold. "No! You can't take him! Let me go! NO!!"
"Kagome!"
Kagome froze. 'No. It isn't possible. Is it?'
Her eyes shot to Inuyasha who was staring back at her with wide golden eyes and one arm stretched out to her through the bars. Kagome began to struggle even harder.
"No! Didn't you hear him?! He's human! How can you do this?!"
Naraku and his men began leaving with Inuyasha's cage.
"Hey!" Sango shouted. "What about our reward?!"
Naraku turned and regarded her with cold, red eyes. "Ah, yes. The reward. It seems I forgot about it. Terribly sorry. I'll get back to you about that. Maybe."
"What?" Sango gaped in disbelief. He was ripping them off! They had just gotten his most valuable "attraction" back for him and he was ripping them off!! "You promised!"
"I don't seem to recall making a promise to the likes of you."
With that, Naraku and his men left, all except for the ones holding Kagome. Kagome gave a few more defiant kicks before finally slouching in defeat. The men holding her released their relentless grip and left in the direction Naraku had gone. Kagome fell to the ground and began sobbing. Meanwhile, Sango was desperately trying not to take her growing anger out on Miroku. The said man was currently trying to quell his own anger, though he was doing a better job of it than Sango. He glanced at the girl on the ground.
"Why that lying, two-faced... I'll kill him!" Sango muttered to herself. Miroku tapped her on the shoulder. "WHAT?!" she all but screamed.
Miroku nodded towards the girl who was crying on the ground. Immediately, Sango's heart went out to her and her anger was momentarily forgotten. She cautiously knelt down next to her and tried to put a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder, but her hand was harshly smacked away. Sango didn't blame her. She had reason to be angry with them.
"Listen," Sango said. "I'm sorry about what we did. I truly am. I didn't realize how much he meant to you. And... how much you meant to him. They told us he was nothing more than a mindless animal. And, obviously, he's not." There was no response from the girl and her face was turned away from Sango. "I want to help you get him back."
She gave Sango a wary look. "How can I trust you?"
Sango took a deep breath. "That lying creep cheated us out of our money. I have to get back at him somehow." She gave a bright smile and held out her hand. "Deal?"
The girl weakly smiled back and placed her hand in Sango's. "Deal," she said.
"So," Miroku broke in, "what's your name?"
"Kagome."
"Well, Lady Kagome. It's not something I usually do, but I suppose I could let you ride with me."
Kagome was about to reply yes when Sango said murderously, "No chance, you dirty pervert! She's riding with me!"
Sango began walking off towards where she and Miroku had left their motorcycles.
"Dirty pervert...?" Kagome asked once she caught up with Sango.
"Trust me, you'll find out soon enough. Just try to keep your distance."
"O...kay."
Once they got back to the motorcycles, Sango helped Kagome onto the backseat of 'Kirara' before hopping onto the front seat herself. Miroku mounted his motorcycle as well.
"Um... We're not going to sneak up on them?" Kagome asked.
"Nah. Miroku and I have never really been good at that sort of thing. Hold on tight!"
Sango started her motorcycle and Kagome wrapped her arms around Sango's waist and clung to her like a lifeline.
"Let's go!"
----------
Inuyasha's wrists were chained to the ceiling of the trailer, preventing him from escaping and leaving his back and chest exposed. His haori and undershirt had been taken off and thrown to the side. Naraku approached him, a malicious grin plastered to his face.
"So, Ikari, you thought you could escape me, did you? Heh heh... You are a fool. You can never truly escape me. You should know that." Naraku's smile grew and he pulled a pink jewel from the pocket of his coat. Inuyasha growled. "No, Ikari. You will never be able to escape me... because I hold your soul."
Inuyasha let out a fierce bark.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You shouldn't talk back to your superiors." Naraku put the jewel back in his pocket and grabbed the whip that was hanging from the wall. "I suppose I'll have to teach you your place, then. And once I finish with you, I'll take care of that girl companion of yours."
'No...'
----------
So what did you think of this chapter? I know I ask that all the time. Oh, well, I still wanna know what you think of it. Review, please! And the true purpose of the Shikon Jewel will be revealed soon, if you haven't guessed it already!
Review responses:
Kristen Sharpe: Really? Wow. I feel special... I'm glad you like it! I look forward to your reviews!
Duragan: That was scary. My friend does that all the time. You know, that "Dodedodedo" thing. Is that from some anime show or something?
BakaBokken: Thank you! I am honored to have helped introduced you to the wonderful world of AUness! INU/KAG ALL THE WAY!!!! ::cough:: Bye, now!
Lint Ball of Doom: XD You changed your name! I like it! And your fic isn't crappy! It's one of my favorites, and I'm not just saying that! I was sad to find out you put it on hiatus... I hope you update soon!
NefCanuck: Sorry about the long waits! Anyway, thanks for the review!
Trillian: :) Thanks! I look forward to your next review!
MirokuHoushi: XD Yeah... Thanks for the review! Update soon! (Please!)
punkKagome: That's okay! I understand laziness! Believe me... And I'm glad to hear that you think it's not OOC.
WolfKeeper989: Thanks!
Defefaeth Mechqua: Thanks for the review!
Rekouri Sentusu: XD HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I'm not laughing at anybody! Really! Tail: She's laughing at you. Me: No I'm not! I swear! Tail: Right... (I have a tail!)
ChibiYugiYasha: Thanks for the review!
Tippi: Yes, actually, Shippo comes in near the end of the fic. Sorry he couldn't really be part of the fic, but I didn't really see a reason for him tagging along with Kagome and Inuyasha.
dark-wolf-soulX: I like the word confuzzled too! I say it all the time!!! Anyway, sorry I don't update this fic that often. I don't know why I don't... Anyway, enjoy this chappie!
Songbird21: Heheh... Sorry about that... I was hoping noone would notice... Oh, well. Um, I can't exactly use the 'leftover-from-a-school-festival' idea thing because then I'd get a bunch of people asking me why she had a leftover kimono 'size Inuyasha' in her backpack in the first place, BUT I did get another idea (that I should have gotten in the first place) and went back and fixed it! ::takes deep breath:: I can't belive I fit that all into one sentence... So, anyway, if you wanna go back and see what I did to it, be my guest! I'm sorry that I got you mad... Please keep reading and reviewing!
----------
Chapter 6: Human Heart
----------
Kagome and Inuyasha finally got the goons off their tail and quickly returned to their hiding place in the forest. They only stayed there long enough to grab Kagome's backpack since Naraku's goons had no doubt discovered their campsite already. They found a small clearing deep in the forest and stopped there. Kagome sighed and dropped her backpack heavily on the ground. She looked down at Inuyasha who had a slight grimace on his face.
"Here," Kagome said. "Let me check your wound." Inuyasha winced as Kagome untied the bandana. "That doesn't look to great. It probably wasn't the best thing to have you running around all over the place. And I didn't even get a chance to get some bandages, either."
The motorcycles zipped into the clearing so fast, Kagome didn't even have time to think about it. They stopped in front of Kagome and Inuyasha and the riders of the two motorcycles smirked at them.
"Hello."
"Wh-who are you?" Kagome stuttered, completely shocked at having been caught off guard. By people on motorcycles, no less!
"Pardon me. I am Miroku," the man said, getting off his raccoon- painted motorcycle with the name 'Hachi' scrawled on the side. "And this," he said, pointing to the lady on the cat-painted motorcycle named 'Kirara', "is the fair lady Sango."
"What do you want from us?!"
"Well, we heard about the reward for that circus freak and couldn't resist, though it said nothing about a woman. Ah, well. Just makes the job all the more enjoyable."
The woman named Sango whacked Miroku over the head with what looked like a giant boomerang. "Could you try not to be such a pig?! We're here for money, not women, you pervert!"
"Of course, Sango. Forgive me."
Sango nodded, noting with satisfaction the large bump on Miroku's head. "I'll keep the girl out of the way so she doesn't get hurt while you catch our prize."
"Now, Sango. You know you're much better at this than I am. You should be the one to-"
"NO, Miroku! I'LL hold the girl while YOU catch HIM!"
Miroku sighed. "Yes, Sango."
Sango smirked and began walking towards Kagome. Kagome, at the same time, began backing away nervously.
"Don't worry. We won't hurt you. I promise," Sango coaxed. "We're just here for your dog friend."
Kagome backed into a tree and Sango slowly came closer. Before Sango knew what was happening, Inuyasha was between her and Kagome, growling like there was no tomorrow.
"Miroku!" Sango yelled. "What are you doing?!"
"Sorry! I- He- One minute he's there and the next he's... not."
Kagome saw her opening and started running. Inuyasha followed close behind her, leaving the two arguing bounty hunters.
"Miroku!!!"
"What?!"
"They're getting away!!"
"Oh... Darn. That girl was pretty, too."
"WOULD YOU FORGET THE GIRL!!! Our money's getting away!!!!"
"Yes, Sango."
----------
Before long, Inuyasha had passed Kagome and she was struggling just to keep up. Risking a glance behind her, she saw the two bounty hunters running at a swift pace and gaining ground. While looking behind her, she tripped over a rock and found herself being hurtled towards the ground. Up ahead of her, Inuyasha stopped and turned around. Sango and Miroku were just a short distance behind them, now. With a harsh growl, Inuyasha launched himself at the two. Immediately, Miroku pulled out a small but sturdy net and threw it towards Inuyasha. Without time to pull back, Inuyasha was easily caught in the net. He landed heavily on the ground between the two bounty hunters.
Almost involuntarily, Kagome called out, "INUYASHA!" Immediately, she remembered the vision from Kanna's mirror and realized the magnitude of what was happening.
In the net, Inuyasha began thrashing about, trying to free himself. He succeeded in tearing a small hole in the net before Sango hit him hard on the back with her boomerang, knocking the wind out of him and sending him sprawling onto the ground, gasping for air.
"We can't have you escaping before Naraku comes to pick you up," Sango taunted. She pulled a cell phone out of her pocket. "I'll call Naraku to tell him we have his pet."
"There's no need. I'm already here." A man that could only be Naraku himself stepped out from the shadow of the trees, surrounded by about twenty men in carnival uniforms, some with guns. "I must congratulate you on your performance, Sango and Miroku. I couldn't have done any better with all of the tamers from my carnival put together. Well done."
"You heartless idiot! I won't let you take him!" Kagome screamed as she ran towards Naraku.
Two of Naraku's goons stepped in and each grabbed one of her arms, preventing her from getting and farther. Naraku signaled for his men to put Inuyasha in the cage they had brought along. A few of them picked Inuyasha up, net and all, and threw him none too gently into the steel cage. Inuyasha finally managed to break free from the net, but the cage door was already closed.
Kagome began to kick and thrash about, trying to break her guards' hold. "No! You can't take him! Let me go! NO!!"
"Kagome!"
Kagome froze. 'No. It isn't possible. Is it?'
Her eyes shot to Inuyasha who was staring back at her with wide golden eyes and one arm stretched out to her through the bars. Kagome began to struggle even harder.
"No! Didn't you hear him?! He's human! How can you do this?!"
Naraku and his men began leaving with Inuyasha's cage.
"Hey!" Sango shouted. "What about our reward?!"
Naraku turned and regarded her with cold, red eyes. "Ah, yes. The reward. It seems I forgot about it. Terribly sorry. I'll get back to you about that. Maybe."
"What?" Sango gaped in disbelief. He was ripping them off! They had just gotten his most valuable "attraction" back for him and he was ripping them off!! "You promised!"
"I don't seem to recall making a promise to the likes of you."
With that, Naraku and his men left, all except for the ones holding Kagome. Kagome gave a few more defiant kicks before finally slouching in defeat. The men holding her released their relentless grip and left in the direction Naraku had gone. Kagome fell to the ground and began sobbing. Meanwhile, Sango was desperately trying not to take her growing anger out on Miroku. The said man was currently trying to quell his own anger, though he was doing a better job of it than Sango. He glanced at the girl on the ground.
"Why that lying, two-faced... I'll kill him!" Sango muttered to herself. Miroku tapped her on the shoulder. "WHAT?!" she all but screamed.
Miroku nodded towards the girl who was crying on the ground. Immediately, Sango's heart went out to her and her anger was momentarily forgotten. She cautiously knelt down next to her and tried to put a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder, but her hand was harshly smacked away. Sango didn't blame her. She had reason to be angry with them.
"Listen," Sango said. "I'm sorry about what we did. I truly am. I didn't realize how much he meant to you. And... how much you meant to him. They told us he was nothing more than a mindless animal. And, obviously, he's not." There was no response from the girl and her face was turned away from Sango. "I want to help you get him back."
She gave Sango a wary look. "How can I trust you?"
Sango took a deep breath. "That lying creep cheated us out of our money. I have to get back at him somehow." She gave a bright smile and held out her hand. "Deal?"
The girl weakly smiled back and placed her hand in Sango's. "Deal," she said.
"So," Miroku broke in, "what's your name?"
"Kagome."
"Well, Lady Kagome. It's not something I usually do, but I suppose I could let you ride with me."
Kagome was about to reply yes when Sango said murderously, "No chance, you dirty pervert! She's riding with me!"
Sango began walking off towards where she and Miroku had left their motorcycles.
"Dirty pervert...?" Kagome asked once she caught up with Sango.
"Trust me, you'll find out soon enough. Just try to keep your distance."
"O...kay."
Once they got back to the motorcycles, Sango helped Kagome onto the backseat of 'Kirara' before hopping onto the front seat herself. Miroku mounted his motorcycle as well.
"Um... We're not going to sneak up on them?" Kagome asked.
"Nah. Miroku and I have never really been good at that sort of thing. Hold on tight!"
Sango started her motorcycle and Kagome wrapped her arms around Sango's waist and clung to her like a lifeline.
"Let's go!"
----------
Inuyasha's wrists were chained to the ceiling of the trailer, preventing him from escaping and leaving his back and chest exposed. His haori and undershirt had been taken off and thrown to the side. Naraku approached him, a malicious grin plastered to his face.
"So, Ikari, you thought you could escape me, did you? Heh heh... You are a fool. You can never truly escape me. You should know that." Naraku's smile grew and he pulled a pink jewel from the pocket of his coat. Inuyasha growled. "No, Ikari. You will never be able to escape me... because I hold your soul."
Inuyasha let out a fierce bark.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You shouldn't talk back to your superiors." Naraku put the jewel back in his pocket and grabbed the whip that was hanging from the wall. "I suppose I'll have to teach you your place, then. And once I finish with you, I'll take care of that girl companion of yours."
'No...'
----------
So what did you think of this chapter? I know I ask that all the time. Oh, well, I still wanna know what you think of it. Review, please! And the true purpose of the Shikon Jewel will be revealed soon, if you haven't guessed it already!