It's about time I've decided to get back to work with this story. Man, writer's block is no joke. Oh well, shit happens.

Disclaimer: Nope. Not mine.

Inuyasha

Fate's Course and Forbidden Love

Chapter 3: Departure

Kagome couldn't seem to get a wink of sleep tonight. Anxious for the dawning of the sun and setting off for an adventure, sleep was the last thing on her mind. She yawned exasperatedly because of her useless effort to slumber and rose from her divan and decided to go and wait for sunrise at the foyer of the shelters. Outside she was not alone because Chizaki sat on the steps with a disturbed air around her.

"You're not the only one who's worried about tomorrow." Kagome intruded her friend's musing.

"Me? Worried?" Chizaki responded. "I'm going away from home for a long while and death could be lurking around every corner on our way to Edo? Of course I'm not worried."

"C'mon. You really need to stop thinking like that. We'll be just fine."

" Kagome, I swear it's a conspiracy. Yoriko sama knows that this is uncalled for. For goodness sake, I'm only seventeen! Now I am going to have to go on a treasure hunt to retrieve some hocus pocus scripts from another sisterhood." Chizaki allege sarcastically, her thumb tapping her mole on her cheek in a questioning manner.

"Chizaki I understand that you're afraid. It's only natural when a heavy responsibility is dropped on your shoulders. Yoriko wouldn't send us off if she knew that we will fail."

"You really think so Kagome. You know what, I'm starting to wonder about you."

"Chizaki I'm just as afraid as you are. If that is what you really wanted to know. However I will not allow my fear to overwhelm me."

"But Kagome! This fear is the most logical of all fears! Our lives is on the line! Don't you get it? We can get murdered, battered, or worse, kidnap by foreign pirates, thieves, or even ninjas for that matter." She cupped her face into her palms and begins muttering something that sound like 'naive big sister and something about living in a cold world.'

Kagome balled her hands at her hips. "Chizaki, look at me when I'm talking to you." She demanded firmly. like a intimidating mother over her child. "If you really do not wish to go on our upcoming travels then don't. You can just drop it right here and now. Kikyou seems willing to go. Maybe I can get her to accompany me."

The girl laughed at Kagome's statement sadly. "Kagome, you know good and well that Yoriko does not play that. Besides, Kikyou is undergoing heavy swordsmanship training this week. So you might as well get her out your mind."

Kagome pouted at her "little sister's" insolence. "Why you. . ."

"Hey, watch that temper of yours now." Chizaki warned. "If push comes to shove then things are about to get ugly."

"Wishful thinking." Kagome retorted.

"Uh oh. C'mon you two. You're acting like children. Besides, I've heard one of you said my name." Said a girl emerging from the tranquil darkness of the huge shelter. She stood between the two fuming girls.

"Kikyou. Why are you up this time of night? You don't have to head out tomorrow." Chizaki indicated. Kikyou regarded the younger girl with a sweet smile.

"Now, now, Chi san you know that you don't really want to get into it with your big sister. It would be best for you two to restrain yourselves during this time of night." Kikyou instructed. Chizaki sighed and turned around with her arms akimbo in an annoyed manner. Kagome did the same, applying her trademark 'hmph' gesture. Kikyou was aware of the heat of rage emitting from the 'sisters' but still kept her pleasant demeanor.

"Girls, I under stand your bickering but can you two resolve this little problem in a far less hostile manner. If Yoriko san was to find out about this she'll be sure to bring it down on your heads."

"She started it!" Chizaki spat.

" Nah uh!" Kagome retorted. She lowered the inflection in her voice slightly to mock Chizaki's Kansai accent. "Kagome, Kagome, it's a conspiracy! If push comes the shove then things will get ugly." She fell back in frantic laughter. Chizaki pouted and tried to find something to throw at her. That is, if Kikyou wasn't interrupting her by acting as a shield.

"Kagome!"

"Hey! That wasn't nice Kagome." Kikyou chided.

"Well I hope you three are having fun." Informed a familiar voice. The three quarreling girls recognized the voice of authority in shock. What she's doing out? Yoriko emerged from seemingly out of nowhere with the white tiger following closely behind. "Is there a problem ladies?"

"Iye. No problem Yoriko sama." Chizaki addressed.

"No problems. No. Not at all." Kagome stammered.

"We're just under the influence of insomnia." Kikyou redirected.

"C'mon children. Just tell the truth. It's all too obvious. You are anxious to embark on your adventure. Ryoko, Azumi, Kaeda, Jun, and Kasumi done the same before they had to head out to Korea." Yoriko clarified.

"Yeah, at least they traveled there by boat." Chizaki muttered.

"What was that Chi san?" Yoriko inquire firmly. " Is it something you would like to share with us?"

"Heh heh heh. . .no Yoriko san." Tora said so otherwise because she purred at the scent of Chizaki's blood.

"Oh. Tora here say that you are lying. So tell me what do you want to get off your chest?" Yoriko castigated. Chizaki grimaced at what the elder said. Damn that overgrown cat. With a apprehensive expression on her small face she turns to her and looked her dead in her deep black eyes. "Yoriko san I'm afraid to depart tomorrow. I do not wish to embark on such a life threatening excursion."

"You are going to Edo, young lady! Whether you like it or not."

"But Kikyou the one who wants to really go! Let her join Kagome in my place." Chizaki implored.

"No. . ."

"Please?"

"NO!!"

"Chi, there's really no use in arguing. Whatever happens it just happens. So you might as well be prepared to depart first thing in the morning." Kagome conveyed. It really was futile to argue with Yoriko due to an disagreement. Really, Yoriko is a very nice and motherly kind of a woman along with a sense of humor too. But when she's serious about something she really knows how to stomp her foot down. Chizaki whimpered in defeat and went back to her sulking. The adventure was inevitable, just like the eternal flow of time.

"My life has just taken a turn for the worse. Oh God, am I being punished? A little girl can only do so much." Chizaki pleaded.

"No you are not being punished. You're being tested." Yoriko replied simply.

"I was not talking to you."

"I know. I just decided to answer that question for you."

"I give up."

Yoriko chuckled at the semi persistent girl. "Well if you excuse me, I'll be on my way back to get some sleep. Ladies, have a good night." She turned around and retreated into the darkness from where she seemingly came from. Tora yawned and proceeded to follow. Somehow at times, the girls wonder about her. Yoriko seems to ghastly to be considered an ordinary woman. Her motherly yet fierce demeanor was really something to ponder about. Her long flowing tresses of seraphic white bears resemblance to clouds that wonders the skies on an overcast day. And those eye. Those unnatural hues of black. They'll put the darkest nights of winter to shame.

"You know, I wonder about her sometimes." Chizaki sighed, earning a gasp of shock from Kagome and Kikyou. "Hey what are you guys gawking at. You're looking at me like I've just blew up an building."

"Chizaki! How could you?" Kagome chided.

"That wasn't nice Chi! Even though I've thought the same several times before I've never thought I would ever have the nerve to say that." Kikyou added.

"Kikyou you too!"

"Well, yeah Kagome. She sets me off too. Why are you acting surprise? I'm sure you had mentally retorted at Yoriko behind her back." Kikyou replied.

"Um yeah, but. . ."

"I'VE HEARD THAT!" Yoriko shouted from the darkness. The girls shrieked in surprise.

Chizaki pried herself from the steps and returned inside the shelter. She seems to be more depressed than before. "I'm going to try sleeping again. If anyone needs me I'll be either in my bed or back here on the foyer." She yawned and stalked off.

"I guess it's time for me to catch my forty winks as well. Good night Kagome." Kikyou regarded.

'Yeah. . .goodnight.'

"Good night Kikyou."

***

"Yo, Miroku."

"Don't wake me, I'm dreaming."

"Hey monk! Time to get up. Totossai wants to interview us."

"Inuyasha I was having such a blissful dream. It was about that girl we've met the other day."

"Who? The girl who was with Kagome?"

"Yeah, her too."

"What a creep."

"Hey it was just a interesting conversation."

"Yeah right. Knowing you probably made an attempt to sexually harass them."

"I did. So?"

"C'mon."

Inuyasha and Miroku walked downstairs to the lobby to meet with Totossai. Toto was an old friend of Inuyasha's late father. They were both students in the same field and they both traveled all over the world during their youth. Since Inytaishou has passed away, Totossai became a blacksmith for a living because during his travels he had bought souvenirs from many different countries.

"Well morning to you my young friends."

"Yeah, morning to you Toto." Inuyasha replied.

"Totossai san, you have some very interesting weaponry. Some of which are preserved from ancient Africa and medieval Europe and much more." Miroku complimented.

"Yes. Still as curious as ever Miroku kun. You've always were intrigued to seek more knowledge unlike your friend here." Totossai commented pointing towards Inuyasha.

"What was that? You old dried up metal beater?" Inuyasha retorted.

"You're nothing like your father. No respect." Toto sighed.

"Yeah, yeah I've heard that far too many times. So old man what's the game plan?" Inuyasha queried.

"Hmm. Now what did I had in mind?" Toto couldn't seem to recalled what was on his agenda.

Inuyasha fumed at the old smithy. "Prune! You were to interview us and inform us of any job descriptions available. Darn it! Your amnesia is that bad?"

"Oh yes, that. Sorry but I cannot have an interview until later this week. But I do have something here that may be of great interest to you Inuyasha." Totossai explained.

"Well what that could be?"

The blacksmith examined through an old chest sitting besides him and fished out a sheathed sword. The weapon looks as though it hasn't been used in decades. Toto blew the dust off the long forgotten rapier and placed it on the table. Inuyasha scrutinized the sheath inquisitively. He pulled the rustic sword out of the holder and scoffed at it. The blade was extremely fragile and useless.

"Hey! Is this some sort of sick joke, Toto? This damn thing looks as though it wouldn't slice through paper. It's so old and decrepit. What gives?" He demanded.

"Inuyasha you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, my friend." Miroku acknowledged.

"Miroku's right Inuyasha." Toto added. "Despite it's appearance that sword was fought in many battles."

"So? Look at it now."

"Inuyasha, let me tell you a little something. That sword there was your father's proudest possession."

"It was!?"

"Yes, my boy. Your dad forged it himself by the time he was in the military. In all the battles he fought he never lost not one single fight. Thanks to Tetsusaiga." Toto explained.

"Iron Fang?"

"Interesting." Miroku mused. " Can you tell us more?"

"Iron Fang and Shit Stains. Feh. Listen you geeks, this sword had seen it's better days. I'm a better swordsman than my father anyway. If he were still alive I'll show him how much I've improved." Inuyasha replied proudly.

"For your information, Inuyasha your older brother wishes to own this 'useless' sword. He knows that this blade contains a lot of magic strength." Totossai said.

"Feh. I'll hear you out then."

***

"Damn. The dreaded moment has finally come." Chizaki moaned. Packing loads of items on a coffee brown steed. The horse seems to understand her grief by nodding it's head. After all, it had to carry a heavy load all the way to Edo. "I'm sure you feel the same way as I do, don't cha? The steed brayed.

"I know, I know." Chizaki agreed with condolence. The morning was cold. Which was usual during times of autumn but this morning was cooler than usual. The sun was slowly rising over the horizon giving the girl a ray of hope that she will survive through this ordeal. "Please guide us well."

"Chi! Are you done packing your belongings on Hideki?" Came Kagome's voice. She appeared from around a corner and was wearing clothing that was only meant for adventuring. A white shirt with long loose sleeves and royal blue slacks that comes to just below the knees. If Chizaki wasn't so depressed she would of made a comment about Kagome looking like a female pirate.

"Yes Kagome. All my belongings are on board." Chizaki yawned. " C'mon, let's just get this over with."

"Hey. What's with the get up Chi?" She noticed the odd sea green long sleeved kimono her companion was wearing. In contrast to her long loose flowing sleeves the remaining parts of her kimono was body taut and fairly short, not revealing too much of her already exposed thighs. Kagome laughed at her friend's skimpy habiliment.

"Uh oh! Is there somebody you're seeing out there Chizaki?" She mocked. " Is there some guy you are trying to impress? Just don't drop anything. Yuck." Chizaki eyes widened and glowered at Kagome.

"What was that, Miss Pirate of the Caribbean?" She retorted.

"So the harlot got some jokes huh?" Kagome smirked, preparing a strong comeback.

"What!? Who you're calling harlot?" Chizaki demanded.

"You two are at it again?" Came a voice. "Yoriko's on her way here, you know."

"It's nothing, Kikyou. We're just having a little debate over fashion." Kagome snickered, pointing towards a fuming Chizaki. She hastily fixes her obi in order to loosen up here tight fitting kimono in hopes of concealing her contours. Kikyou frowned when she noticed and made a false compliment.

"It's. . . elegant." Kikyou stammered uncertainly. Kagome fell to the ground laughing.

"Oh no. Not you too, Kikyou." Chizaki accused.

"Um, no I really mean it! You should do things you want to do as soon as you can because tomorrow is not guaranteed today." Kikyou corrected. She gasped as she saw Chizaki made a audible sigh in hopelessness. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound like that, knowing that you are leaving today."

"Gee, thanks a lot Kikyou. We really needed that vote of confidence." Sighed Chizaki.

"Yeah, big sister! That was really uncalled for!" Chided Kaede, approaching the girls.

"Kaede it was an accident." Kikyou replied to the adolescent girl.

"Heck, I would be sad too if I had to travel all the way to Edo with a pirate girl." Kaede remarked slyly. Earning an indignant glare from Kagome. "You've heard right."

"How would you like to hear the story of a little girl that had her head crushed under a headlock?" Kagome warned with a sarcastic retort. Kaede could never get out of her headlocks.

"Yeah, if only you can catch me first." Kaede remarked, sticking her tongue out at her. She scampered as Kagome quickly gave her chase. Kaede was laughing all the way during Kagome's futile pursuit. She knew well that Kagome couldn't catch her when she had a good running start. Yoriko finally appeared and a smile came on her face as she saw this.

"Okay you can stop now, Tom and Jerry." She commanded, trying to supress laughter.

"Huh? Oh it's not like that. We were just trying to find Kaede's missing earring." Lied Kagome.

"What are you talking about?" Kaede scolded. "I don't even have an ear piercing."

Yoriko forehead was plastered by a giant bead of sweat. "Charming." She tilted a glance at Chizaki and a smile graced her lips. "Wow! Chizaki I really like those garbs you are wearing! Where did you get that? It's beautiful!" A look of surprise formed on Kagome's and Kikyou's features.

"Huh? You really like her kimono?" Kagome stammered.

"Aw Kagome, you're a fine one to act." Yoriko reproached. " I remember when you were wearing something even fancier than that when you had a crush on a sailor you've met in the nearest town three years ago."

"Yeah, but. . ."

"Oh how can I forget that!" Kikyou guffawed. "Kagome was such an amourous person back then. Kagome tried to win that guys heart every chance she got."

"Oh yeah, that. . .hehehe" Kagome stammered in embarrassment.

"Kikyou. who can ever forget that infatuation you had on a young ninja when he brought in an orphan before Kagome's incident. You were obsessed with him you sought off to train in ninjutsu which were against your duties as a miko."

It was Kagome's turn to laughed. "Yeah! She nearly killed herself by accident. Plus she hit herself in the face several times with those whirling flails she used to have."

"There was just a certain charisma that ninja's have that I'm just so happen to be attracted to." Kikyou defended.

"Oh well." Yoriko considered. "It's time to get this show on the road. Allow me to bless you two beforehand." Her aura suddenly radiates as she meditated in deep orison. Kagome and Chizaki felt a mysterious new power welled up inside of them. Yoriko ceased her meditation and smiled. "That's that."

"Yoriko sama, what did you do? I felt different, well only for a moment." Kagome inquired.

"Is this an guarantee that we will make it through this adventure?" Followed Chizaki.

"No. It's just a gift of heightened awareness. That's all." Yoriko replied with a mysterious grin on her beautiful face. Chizaki didn't like the sound of that at all. "Well ladies, good luck on your travels. Sayonara." She about faced and returned to her castle. Kikyou and Kaede had a mixture of happiness and sadness on their faces as the girls ambulated off along with Hideki, the horse.

"See you soon! I know that you two will make it!" Kikyou shouted.

"Bye bye Chizaki. You too pirate girl!" Kaede exclaimed.

"Hey don't call me that!" Kagome retorted. "I'll be sure to kick your butt when we return you got that?"

"Okay. Miss Pirate Girl." Kaede replied.

'There goes us. Please don't leave us hanging, Kami.' Chizaki prayed.

A/N: Well they're off. Anyway Happy New Year! You guys are probably wondering when is Sangou is going to appear in the story. Well to answer that. . . SHE DEFINITELY WILL NOT . . .

. . . MISS OUT IN THIS STORY!!! Who are you kidding!? Sangou is one of my favorite cartoon characters. Period. Well until next chapter.

Next Chapter: Voyagers and Drinking Partners