Nightly Radiance
CH 4: The Boundaries of Freedom
Kagome was alone as she observed the waterfall. She sat on a bunch of rocks, near the water with a flower of Nightly Radiance in her hands. This was her favourite place. Every time she was here, she felt as though she was once again near that pond back home in that garden. It was still afternoon but she knew that sunset would soon arrive and that she will have to go back to her tent.
Promising yourself to get stronger was actually easier than getting stronger. That she had now realised. A week had almost passed and she was still the worst fighter in the whole army. She really did try her best and still, here she was. She had tried to endure everything, every bruise, every pain and every training lesson, yet she remained weak.
It felt great to be free, but it felt worst to be left alone or to realize how different you are from everyone. She thought that maybe if she left her home, maybe she'll finally be able to do things by herself. But I can't... Maybe I should have stayed in that room near the garden, maybe mother was right, and maybe I really don't belong to the outside world
Every morning she would wake up hungry, only to find out that the others have eaten her food. They would call her "the monster" then blamed her that she had her nightly meal. And just because she was always asleep early, they would accuse her of eating all the food at night because she couldn't eat any of the men. When Kagome could clearly see that they were the ones who were eating the food at night.
At training lessons, every one of them would try to push her, hit her, punch her, stab her and maybe even kill her "accidentally". If they did hurt her in anyway, they would say "sorry" and tell her to shut her big mouth about it when she hasn't even said a word. And she knew that if she did tell Inuyasha, then it would only get worst. They practically called her "Tent Stealer" and accused her of eating Naraku.
She didn't want to go back to the camp, for she knew that everyone would just stare at her with hate. Well, not everyone. Inuyasha, Miroku and Tsuko seems nicer to her than the others, though they like to put her down. Words didn't hurt her much, but she knew that with all the "undirected" insults they have given her, she still felt something deep inside her that wants to bleed. It was true, words don't hurt her much, but they did hurt her, even if just a little. She felt much alone in here than in the room near the garden, at least there the flowers surrounded her.
Maybe she could just leave this place. Become free without the boundaries of the army. Could she survive out there though? ...She didn't know. And now, she felt more caged than before.
Behind Kagome, a man stood as he stared at what he thought is a boy. Something about the boy reminded him of someone. The way the boy just sat there with an ugly flower in his hands as if he really treasured it all that much. There was something different about him, but also something familiar. He walked towards the boy and let his presence be known as he watched from the corner of his eyes when the boy turned to look up at him.
"The others are all in the camp, why not join them?" He asked.
The boy acknowledged him kindly, but with a sad face. "They all hate me..."
"You have that mistaken." He stated.
"Well, I guess not everyone, but most of them." The boy replied. "I'm better staying here."
"Why not fight them?"
"I'm the worst fighter in the whole army..."
"Do you plan to give up?" He asked and then added. "Your sister got you out of that house, and this is how you thank her, by giving up."
The boy looked away. "You don't understand..." He watched as Kaji try to explain. "She just wanted me to see the world, so that I can see what it is like."
"The world... What you and your sister failed to realize is that there is nothing really much to see. Look everywhere; what you see now is what you will see again. The sky will always be blue at daylight and dark blue at night. Grass and trees will remain to grow from the grounds. While, everywhere battles will happen." He paused, eying the boy. "Do you need me to tell more?"
From the corner of his eyes, he watched as the boy looked towards him, open his mouth, but nothing came out. The boy's head snapped to looked up at the sky, observed it and then stand up.
"I got to go." He said, his voice in a hurry. "I'll see you tomorrow, Lord Sesshoumaru."
Why was the boy's in such haste? He looked up towards the sky. The sun was setting. And after a few minutes passed, and Kaji was gone, he decided to leave. However, before he could leave a flower caught his eyes.
It was the flower of which the boy, Kaji, always have around him. He had noticed many times over the week that Kaji always had at least a petal of this flower near him, in his hands or somewhere else. It seemed impossible to separate Kaji and this flower. But now, Kaji had forgotten to bring it with him.
He bent down to pick it up and observed it, remembering what Kaji once said about the flower.
"Well, unlike all the other flowers, this one suits me the best - I think."
When Kaji had said those words before, Sesshoumaru thought he knew why Kaji would say something like that.
The flower suited Kaji because the flower was ugly. Even my brother could guess something so easy to understand.
But as soon as the thought went through Sesshoumaru's head, his eyes widened.
The sun had set, the moon rose up towards the sky, and when the moonlight touched the ugly flower's petals. He didn't know what to say. He only watched as the flower glowed a bright, white colour and the ugly flower turned beautiful. He quickly recognised the flower it turned to. This flower he had seen before, in the lonely garden a week ago. Now, he didn't know what to say. He was amazed, that something so ugly could turn to something so beautiful.
No one could have guessed it. And he still didn't get it.
"Maybe...one day you'll find out why." He remembered Kaji said to Inuyasha.
He squeezed the flower in his hands as he looked up towards the moon. His last thoughts being, How could this flower ever suit you?
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The sun had disappeared and the moon had taken over. In the camp, sitting near the fire, Inuyasha took a big bite from his food. He let his eyes wonder to the army of man around the firelight. Some of them have decided to sleep and only a few were left. Far from the camp he could see Tsuko and Miroku playing with the mind of one of his soldiers.
"You know...it won't hurt. It'll just be like doing it with a girl...only a lot more muscled." Miroku would say to one of the soldiers, his eyes blazing with great excitement. "But then, you can't be selfish..."
But before Miroku could finish the sentence, Tsuko pushed Miroku aside. "By the way...don't you miss doing it?" Tsuko asked the soldier, who by now had wide eyes. "What my friend was saying about selfishness is that, you got to let us you know...do it too..."
Miroku pushed Tsuko away, making Tsuko narrow his eyes at Miroku. "Tsuko didn't mean that...not until you're ready anyway." He continued, his eyes glowing with determination, as he smirked. "And I think you are, don't you?"
The soldier's mouth gaped, as his eyes widened. "R-ready?" He stammered.
Tsuko came face to face with the soldier as he let his breath be felt on the skin of the soldier. "Yeah... I can feel it...my friend can...I think you can." His hands travelled to the soldier's chest. "I mean I definitely am gentle...and you too." The words were said as Tsuko's hands started to travel down and down...
Inuyasha's eyes widened, as he walked towards the scene. "What the fuck is going on here?" He asked, certainly furious. "Look, I didn't bring men here just for you both to convert them to gay arses like you!"
However, even with all the screaming and yelling of Inuyasha's, Tsuko's hands kept on travelling down and down, until finally it was able to reach it's destination. He let out a cry of pure joy as he took something out of the soldier's pocket.
"HA! I got it!" Tsuko said out loud, his voice pure of joy. "Miroku, I finally got it."
Everyone's eyes landed on Tsuko and journeyed to what he grasped in his hands. Inuyasha's eyes widened as a stupid look cross his face. While Miroku smirked and cried happily with Tsuko.
With a wink at Tsuko, "Now we can bath properly!" Miroku said.
"Yeah...I can't believe he had been hiding it all this time."
While both Tsuko and Miroku were happily talking, Inuyasha's face looked dumb. "So, you mean to tell me, that you guys were talking about bathing each other?" He asked, making both Miroku and Tsuko looked towards him with questioned faces.
Tsuko answered first, "Well...yeah." He answered, a little confused by Inuyasha's question. "We couldn't just bath with any other soap though. We needed this great, newly made soap from the heavens." He said with joy, only to glance at the left for now soldier. "And he wouldn't share it with us... I mean we're men but we definitely like to be clean."
Miroku went to grab the soap from Tsuko. "And this soap happens to be just the best!" Then, he stopped and looked towards Inuyasha, his eyes turning confuse. "Yeah, Inuyasha. So, what did you think we were talking about?" He asked, innocently. He watched as Inuyasha's eyes turned guilty and his mouth opened. Miroku smirked, his eyes gleaming with lust. "Oh, no! Why, Inuyasha! I had never thought you to be so...perverted."
A chuckle rose from Tsuko's lips as he whispered, "Heh...I guess we're not alone after all, Miroku."
"But who could have guessed? Our mighty-oh and powerful Prince Inuyasha, gay!"
Tsuko patted Miroku's shoulder. "Life is indeed-"
"Will you two shut up!" Screamed the highly infuriated Inuyasha. "I'm not gay!"
Both Miroku and Tsuko shook their heads. Miroku walked closer to Inuyasha and let his right hand land on Inuyasha's left shoulder. He closed his eyes, his face serious. "Denial is always the first stage. Don't worry, you'll accept it one day..."
Inuyasha's eyes twitched. "I seriously want to murder you both, right now."
"Not your gay friends!" Tsuko said hysterically, pretending to shudder at the idea.
Everyone was busy. Inuyasha protecting his dignity, while Miroku and Tsuko inflicting Inuyasha's ego and some soldiers left to stare at the incredibly ridiculous scene. What everyone had not realised was the form that walked quietly behind them. It was a shape of a woman. - A very beautiful one indeed. And if Inuyasha were not busy with his own business, he would have recognised her quite well.
It was Kagome. She was late. This was her first time in nearly a week of miscalculating the early sunset. And now, she was left in the dark to try to sneak into her tent without being seen as her normal form. She had taken off her boots, carefully taking her steps. She flinched when she had made a little twig crack and felt an emotion known as fear when she thought she heard some soldiers said to Lord Inuyasha that they would sleep now.
Panic. That is what she felt. For all that it was worth, Kagome ran towards the nearest hiding spot she could find. Quickly, she hid behind a small brown tent. There was some light emitting from it, quickly making her aware that there was a person inside.
When she had heard the soldiers slip into there given tents, saying goodnights to their friends, Kagome quickly took a step forward. She had never really known of herself as being clumsy, but it happened all too fast, and now she was in one of the worse situations. With her face looking upwards and her hands now clenched, two problems came to her. She looked dumbly and almost emotionlessly up at the man that stood before her. She had trip because of the now huge clothes, but what was worse: she was caught.
The man obviously had come from the brown tent, for when she turned to look towards it - it was opened. She recognised him a bit. He was one of them - one of who hated her. Obviously, if this innocent girl knew how to swear or curse in anyway - she would have. However, she didn't.
I am really dead... She thought, and felt herself almost sinking to the cold hard ground.
Drunken eyes, open lips and a twisted face looked at her in complete shock. And she could only watch as his mouth drop and gape at her. The obvious sign of his age turned to more wrinkled.
"A woman," stated the soldier and then cleared his throat. "A woman...in here?" He asked, this time at himself, only to turn towards her again. "A beautiful woman." He stated, his tone changing to one like Miroku and Tsuko's. "You must be one so to satisfy the army."
She looked up at him, watching carefully as he bent down, and picked her up harshly. She looked around, carefully observing the place. No one was around. What was he up to? But before she knew, he was dragging her to the tent. However, before she was completely in, she grabbed her sword (completely sheathed) and with all her might, whacked him on the back of his neck.
She watched as the man fell to the floor. For a moment or so, she stood, completely shocked, only to realised that she was still outside. She looked around, her eyes narrowing so to be able to see well. Finally, after a few seconds, she was able to spot her tent. The sight of it made her felt something...good. However, that feeling was soon replaced with a horrible feeling when she saw Lord Inuyasha lazily and slowly making his way towards her tent.
Silently, she crouched down to the floor and covered some of her skin with her black hair, so for others to see her less. Why is he going in my tent...? She asked in her thoughts. I have not done something wrong...have I? With that though passing her mind, she quickly heard large thuds of heavy foot steps and soldier's calling for Inuyasha, who instantly turned to look towards the soldier who stopped on front of him.
"One of the soldier's was hit on the head!" One of the soldiers said out loud.
Inuyasha's eyes widened. "What! Which one?"
"Koya, my lord." Another soldier replied.
With the name being mentioned, Inuyasha's facial expression changed, turning to a dull and indifferent face. "Are you sure that idiot didn't hit himself?"
"No, Lord Inuyasha." The other soldier said. "Actually, we found this." The solider lifted a weapon. A sword still sheathed.
Somewhere around the camp, someone gasped. It sounded low, hardly like a man's voice to Inuyasha's ears. However, he was too focus on other things than to think of something else. He took a fighting position, ready for anyone to come out and attack him. But, after a few seconds passed, no one came.
He turned towards his soldiers and then looked down at the sword. He recognised it.
"That's Kaji's." He stated, annoyed by the fact it was true.
"We figured," said the soldier, who holds it.
"I knew that monster couldn't be trusted!" The other soldier hissed.
But before Inuyasha could believe anything, he had to make sure. He eased himself, took the sword and walked towards Kaji's tent. When he opened, he was not so surprise to find no one. Even in how many thoughts he wanted to believe that Kaji was a good person, he did not have any proof. Who could trust anyone who couldn't be seen at night? I certainly cannot. He answered in his thoughts.
"Lord Inuyasha, what are we going to do?" The younger soldier asked. "We now know he's a traitor."
Inuyasha eyed his soldiers, only to sigh a little. "We are not certain. But we certainly cannot trust him like before...so I'll ask him for explanations tomorrow." He looked once more at the empty tent, not really noticing the beautiful flower that was upon the plant of base.
"I had never trusted him." The older one said proudly.
"Me too," the younger one hissed.
"I did." Inuyasha said disappointedly and then started to walk towards his tent.
When Inuyasha's form had disappeared, the younger soldier walked towards the tent. With a smirk on his face, he kicked the flower base. "Ha. That'll tell that monster not to mess with us." He watched in great satisfaction as the beautiful flower was left alone on the cold floor. But he didn't leave it at that. The soldier walked closer to the flowers, and with his right foot, stepped on it, pushing down as he saw the flower's petals die.
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Inside the house of her family, she had never so much pain. She felt lonely, yes. She felt tired, yes. However, she had never felt this. Something inside her was torn. And she didn't know just how to fix it. She did not get it. How can someone destroy something so beautiful? How can one just trampled on a beautiful helpless flower? But the feeling sent to her at the thought wasn't also good. For now, she felt helpless, much more helpless than the flower.
But that was not all, she was also in a deeper mess. And by all means, she didn't know exactly how to get out of it. She felt as if she had done something wrong...but she had. She had to blame it all on herself. Who else? It was her fault that she didn't get to her tent at the right time.
And right now, even in how many ways she tried to think of going back to her tent, she knows she couldn't. She wanted to go there and help the flower, but not with all those soldiers on watch.
She knew what was left of her choices. And before she knew it, she found herself walking silently back towards the waterfall. When she got there, there was no sign of anyone. She walked towards the waterfall, and watched as the waters drifted. Then, she saw it once again. The pond fairy. But what was the fairy doing here? She wasn't supposed to be here...she was supposed to be back home, wasn't she?
What surprised Kagome however, was that the pond fairy seemed to know exactly what she was feeling, for Kagome could see the fairy was also somehow sad...like her.
Kagome stayed near the waterfall. She couldn't keep her eyes away from the fairy, who stared back at her with gentleness. And before Kagome's eyes closed up, she thought she also saw the pond fairy's eyes also closed and they both fell asleep.
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The sunlight hit her skin, as her noise twitch when the undesirable scent that surrounded her body hit her nose. And without opening her eyes, to know or to make sure, she knew that she was back. If she could admit it or say it out loud, she would have said that she felt better now this way.
Maybe...I'll be able to fix the wrongs from last night...
However, the thought of having to explain everything made her feel sick. She didn't want to do that. And to admit to herself, she just wanted to remain here and stay near the pond fairy. Being somewhat reminded of the pond fairy, Kagome stood up quickly, and her eyes opened as she looked to her right and down towards at the water. Her eyes were blinded by there reflection of the sun.
Turning to face her left, she met no fairy, but her lord. His usual calm face gave her a re-assured that he will not hurt her in anyway. But panic ran through her bones suddenly when she realised what deeper mess she could now be in.
Did he watch me transform...? She thought, afraid of the answer.
As if he knew what she was thinking, he answered her. "I saw it," said Lord Sesshoumaru and he walked towards her.
Instantly, she stood up, her eyes wide. She couldn't think properly. Her lips moved to say something, but they couldn't move at all. And she just watched, stared as he moved towards her, like a stalker. However, what happened next wasn't what she expected.
Grasped gently by his hands, was the flower, Nightly Radiance. It was in its most ugly form. But he seemed not to mind. He held it out for her to take, only for him to raise an eyebrow at her when she didn't respond. "I have found this here yesterday. This does belong to you, am I right?" He asked, his tone calm.
She looked back and forth, from the flower to his face. And before she noticed it, a little smile was on her face, and she sighed a little. Relief took over her body, as she went to the conclusion that he nothing of her curse. "Thank you," she said. Gently, she took the flower. Happy that she still had something of this flower after all.
"A strange flower you have," he stated.
She looked at him, then at her flower. "I know." She replied, her deep voice scary but kind.
He turned his back towards her, and then started to walk away. "You have many to explain back at the camp. Now, we must haste, since today we shall have harder lessons." He stopped, and added. "Do not forget your boots."
She turned to the side, and saw her boots lying on the rock. - The boots that he had given her. She turned towards him again and watched as he turned his head to the side, letting only the side of his face be shown.
"Its qualities have been found." He said suddenly then turned towards the camp direction and star walked away.
Her monster-like face gave a curious look. However, the flower in her hands sparkled a bit. As if it itself was responding to Lord Sesshoumaru's words. And indeed, it was. The flower, though it was not with it's owner and free spirit when it was able to spend some time in the hands of another. It saw something less cold, something in the Prince that could almost be capable of something that their spirit might need.
However, though it knew this much, it still did not know how it would end. It did not know whether the ending be good or bad. But only one thing it knew and was sure: it will end.
END OF CH 4 - Nightly Radiance
Demon Tenshi: I am very, very sad about this chapter. I'm not sure if I did a good enough job, you know? I'm scared that everyone will hate it or something...so I'll just shut up now.
teh one (darksonova)- Your other name is so hard to remember...I wonder if that's your name...Heh…I'm done with all those other things. Anyway, don't keep changing your name…it's annoying. Oh and with my email…I finally got some hold over it.
Lil' InuTenshi- Yeah…Sesshoumaru was nice to give his boots away. I also hate Naraku. But sometimes I like him…I don't know, I'm weird… Thanks for the review.
Mirei Nochi- Thanks, well, I continued. Anyway, I'm thankful for your support.
Deadly Tears- I hope that I didn't take too long. But I will update sooner now. I am also a reader of many FanFics and do not like waiting, you know?
And as for Naraku? Well, to tell you the truth, I don't exactly know much about him…he is so strange. It's wonderful to know that you like this FF so much that you would review. It brings a glow in my heart. Well, something very deep in my heart.
Miroku and Tsuko are definitely perverted…I like them that way. And I hope that you'd keep reading. Though, I'll definitely understand if you don't continue. I mean I'm not so sure about this chapter, you know? Thank you for giving me a wonderful, lovely, great, long, beautiful review.
Kimonolover- Sesshoumaru nice and cold hearted at the same time, eh? Well, I guess you can say that. I'm a little scared that I might have made OOC which I really don't want. Thanks for the review.
Skitzoflame- Me too, I like Miroku and Tsuko too. Thanks.
SilverStarWing- Well, what do you think? Do you think its Inu/Kag or Sess/Kag? I think you have a clue…Duzzie- Me too, I can't wait how they react too…if those things do happen. Thank you for reviewing.
Kitkatthekandybar- My heart could cry it would. Very well written? Wow…what a comment! Thank you very much.
wicca-magick- Kagome not knowing about love. Yeah, I guess it is kind of sad. But does anyone who hasn't felt it, know it? And, you're so nice. Hardly anyone thinks I'm a great author. Even my "closest" friends go crazy at me… But I'm glad I have your review. Thank you.
Kagome21- I updated, finally… Thanks for the review.
RoxyBunny- LOL Sesshoumaru is a little nicer 'cause he feels no need to be well, self-cautious around a guy like him of course. And though, Kaji/Kagome is ugly. He shouldn't really car as much. And I actually got the name Kaji from a guy friend, named Kaji. You can hug him! LOL Thanks for the review. I'm sure he'll want a hug.
Touch Inuyasha and you die- Thanks, I will.
BlueMonkey89- Thank you very much. But I'm not sure if you'll like this chapter…
Kyoko super girl- I'm glad that you like it.
The all mighty powerful Baka- Thank you.
Vi3t Babii- He doesn't have too…you know. Well, there are such things as "problems" in stories. Well, about Kagome's bruises. Well, I was going to say something about that in the future chapters. But it won't harm now. Yes, she does get all the bruises. And as for Sesshoumaru, he's nearly there… Thanks for reviewing!
Blue Rhapsody3- I like the idea of this story. And yes, during the night, Kagome is in her true form. She becomes in her normal womanly figures. While at daylight, she becomes a very ugly woman that she looks like a monster – almost. Thank you for the review. Oh and I think you're a great author. I have read some of your stories.
KellyLuvsInu- That's nice to hear. And I'm sorry about the curse. It's hard for me to explain. That curse actually came from a legendary story from my country. My mom use to tell me the story all the time... Thanks.