It is only fair to warn you readers is that I am coming down with a case. Yeah, you heard right, a case. And man, it's not playing the radio either! Damn that writer's block. Damn those college exams I have to take every other day and those other intervening stories of mine.
Now it's time for me to give props to a fellow reader.
Demon Kitty: It really delights me that you let me know that you really are enjoying this story. Despite the fact that I slow on updating it at times but I assure that I will definitely hop to it. Oh yeah, I heard that the Chobits manga is off the chain (Heck, almost all the work from CLAMP is) and I'm sure to check it out since you have mentioned it. Chizaki is a close friend and school mate of mine. She's from Okinawa and she's really cool to hang out with (she's a bundle of jokes). She's was flattered that I made up a character named after her.
Anyway, God bless and thanks for the review. I'll be sure to check out your neck of the woods real soon. Now without further ado, on with the story.
Fate's Course and Forbidden Love
Chapter 4: Voyagers and Drinking Partners
Disclaimer: Oops! I almost forgot.
It was nearly afternoon and our heroines were now trotting along an open road and nearing a village. Kagome was happily walking ahead of Chi and the horse humming a merry little tune. Chizaki however, was totally downcast and quickly approaching paranoia. Kagome's little happy song wasn't helping at all either.
"Kagome chan, would you please stop that? You sound like a little chipmunk in heat." She scolded. Kagome gasped and whipped a glower at the sulking girl behind her.
"What was that?" She questioned in her normal voice. "I do not sound like a little rodent, thank you very much."
"No, I just wish you would just stop that retched humming. Your voice is already funny enough. Besides, it's depressing me further."
"You got some nerve." Kagome retorted. "At least I don't always sound like I'm always drunk."
Chizaki eyes widened in shock. "What!? I talk like I'm drunk? That the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
"Wut!? I tawk leik Um drawnk? Thets dee mowst reedikewluss thang I've eber herd." Kagome reproached, mocking Chizaki's accent once again.
That remark made her hot. Chizaki's face was now beet red. "You and your insensitive wisecracks! Enough of this! It's time we get this straight." Chizaki declared as she makes an attempt to dismount the horse, only to fall on her booty by accident. She whimpered and messaged her offended rear. This sight would have been hilarious to Kagome only if it wasn't for the snickering sounds that she undeniably heard.
"Oh. If I wanted to lose weight, I pray that it wouldn't be this painful. I think I lost some from that fall." Chizaki whined, dusting off her "elegant" kimono.
"Silence." Kagome warned. "I'm trying to hear something."
"Huh? I can't hear you. Speak a little louder."
"I said quiet!"
"What? What are you saying?" Kagome made a funny zip up gesture and was becoming annoyed.
"Shut up!"
"Hey Kagome, I'll say you really need to speak up."
"WILL YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!? I THINK SOMEONE'S SPYING ON US!"
"Oh. . . my bad."
"Ah. Good pair of ears you got there lass." Taunted a male's voice.
"You and your big mouth!" Kagome scolded.
"I'm so sorry. I couldn't hear you." Chizaki repented.
"Gee, well thanks a lot. It sure ease the troubles that we're about to go through."
"Trouble?" Inquired the pirate man. "No. Me and my men just wanted to have a little fun with you lasses."
The girls shrank back in fear.
"Excuse me mister. Aren't you a little far too old for us?" Kagome stated sardonically.
"Yeah, big guy, not that we would wish to have fun with you even if you're thirty years younger." Chizaki retorted, ducking behind Kagome's shoulder.
"Stubborn little girls aren't you?" He snickered. "Well I guess I have no choice but to force you two along."
"Force? Um, what do you mean by force?" Chizaki trembled.
Kagome gave the man a cautious determined glare. "I'm warning you, old man. There's only one of you and I'm certainly sure that you're not even in shape to be a match for one of us."
"Yeah!" Chi cheered. "We will kick your fat ass!"
The pirate considered the girls warning. "Is that so young damsels? Well then that means that I have to summon reinforcements. ABORT DECK ON THE DOUBLE, MEN!! Moments later, the old pirate was surrounded by ten or more men.
"Har har! Do you like the odds now lass?" He grinned.
"No. Not one bit." Kagome answered.
"Damn it! It's those pirate clothes of yours Kagome! It's the clothes! These guys probably think that we're pirates too."
"This is definitely no time for jokes, Chi!" Kagome scolded.
"I'm serious!" Chi rejoined.
"Wow boss! These girls are awfully cute!" A pirate commented.
"Yeah. Good mates indeed." Another snorted.
"I like the girl in white and blue but check out that chick in green!"
"Short dress and long legs: Good combination!"
"You pigs!" Kagome snapped. "All of you guys seems at least to be old enough to be our fathers! You all have no sense of decency!"
"We're pirates. What do you expect?"
"Yeah, and right now I want to be YOUR daddy!"
"Good god!" Chizaki gulped. "We are in trouble!!"
"RUN FOR IT!" Kagome commanded and mounted on Hideki. The steed neighed and took off.
"Hey!" Chizaki screamed, barely making it in time by grasping onto Hideki's tail. The scampering horse was wildly swinging the girl as he ran. "Kagome, slow down the horse!"
"Can't!" Kagome responded. "Otherwise they will keep up and capture us!"
"But Kagome! My kimono's fanning out!"
"This is no time to worry about pride! Besides, I'm pretty sure it's nothing to look at."
"What!? There you go with your smart remarks again! My body is just so happen to be well toned and amply endowed, thank you very much."
"You just better hang on to that tail!"
Kagome took a peek back as they quickly made their way into another village. Chizaki still held on to the horse's tail while screaming at the top of her lungs. "Damn it! They're pretty fast for old fat guys!" Kagome swore.
"Yeah! Old, corpulent, and now in heat thanks to me!" Chizaki added, trying her best to keep her kimono from revealing of what was already could be seen.
Hideki galloped madly throughout the village's marketplace. Denizens of the town fearfully jumped out of the horse's way as he made his way throughout the narrow routes. After several minutes of twisting and turning, they girls were hurled off into a fruit stand as Hideki whipped a turn exasperatedly.
"Hideki! Come back!" Kagome shouted. But it was too late, the horse was still galloping madly far away from her. Worse yet, they were now cornered by the lecherous pirates and there was no use trying to hide. Kagome sighed and pries herself out of the fruits and Chizaki was still trapped headfirst in the stand with her legs dangling about.
"What if someone sees me like this right now!?" Came her muffled voice.
"That's the least of your worries now." Kagome groaned.
Chizaki plucked herself out of the stand and noticed what Kagome was talking about. "Aw man!!"
"Heh. For that stubborn act you girls should be punished."
"But don't worry kids. Life on the high seas isn't so bad."
Kagome narrowed her eyes at the pirates. "Is that so?" She growled as she grabbed a nearby shovel and twirling it like an eskrima expert. "Chi. . . it looks like we don't have a choice."
"Huh? Certainly you don't mean what I think you mean?" She asked sheepishly.
"I absolutely refuse to allow myself to become a concubine to a disgusting pirate." Kagome grounded out dangerously. "If you old fools still intend on capturing us, then we will not go down without a fight!"
"Kagome are you sure? These guys are awfully big. And what's with that shovel?"
"That's the point!" Kagome retorted seriously. "If these guys wants to make me into a sea whore then they better knock every remaining sense and brain cells that I got."
"But Kagome! They are at least three times your size!"
"The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Chizaki, it's time to finally see if all our years of training will pay off. It's best for you to join me, don't you think?"
An ironic smile crept onto Chizaki's face. "Oh what the hell. We were bound to be attacked anyway." She stood firmly besides Kagome. "I'm definitely going to need a bath in the springs after this."
"Well then. . . I'll say it's time for a little scrapping."
"Damn right."
Inuyasha pondered as he stride throughout Toto's shop. He studied the various displays of weapons that embellish the hallways. All the ancient weapons still looks formidable, that is, compared to the supposed legendary sword of his father. He glanced at the sheath in his hand and brandish the useless blade and snorted at it.
"Feh. Hand-Me-Downs. Worthless piece of crap."
"If you still think so then why, prey tell, are you still carrying it?" Came Miroku's voice.
"Well I have to honor my memories of my father when they are still in my head." Inuyasha told back.
"Perhaps." Miroku thought. " What throws me off is that you mentioned that the sword is worthless. It has been carefully preserved for all those decades only to be handed down to you."
"Your point?"
"Toto sama mentioned that your father really intended on forging the sword to protect you. He must of felt that you were powerless without it."
"What was that!?" Inuyasha demanded, feeling as though he is being scorned.
"Inuyasha, all that I am saying is that you are already a strong being. A creature of immense power as well. Though it's no doubt that you will soon deal with creatures that are stronger than-"
"Stronger?"
"Ahem. As I was saying is Tetsusaiga is a key to unlocking your true strength, according to Totossai."
"My true strength? How can a stupid piece of old metal can be any strength of mine? True strength can only be found deep within oneself."
"Such arrogance. You know winning countless wars and battles is not true strength as it was quoted by my late father. You see-" Miroku was once again interrupted as Inuyasha began sniffing the air madly. "What is it?" He inquired.
"That scent? Could it be?"
"What are you on about Inuyasha?"
"It's her! And the other girl, too!"
"A girl? Okay, I'm tagging along as well."
"They're in danger! C'mon Miroku!"
* * *
Two men were laid out on the ground unconscious with a giant lump on their heads as proof of their failure. Kagome glared icily at the remaining buccaneers. " Well, that's two down, and a dozen to go." She declared in a deep, threatening feminine voice that it is know to take on when she's serious.
" Now would any more of you guys would like to have a severe headache as well?" Chizaki queried as she held a two by four.
"The lead pirate growled. "So it seems that we have underestimated you lasses. Well it's seems as though we have to resort to a good old fashion onslaught."
"Onslaught?"
"Precisely, matey!"
"Bring it on!" Kagome challenged.
All the remaining bandits charged at the two girls at once. The girls decided to run about through the marketplace to divide the pirates and hopefully taking them down once at a time.
*PANG!*
A thief now lay comatose as he caught a surprise rounding a corner. Kagome had successfully clobbered him with the shovel as she grin victoriously. "Another man down. Let's keep going Chi."
They continued their mad dash throughout the urban maze. The streets contained several stands that displayed items and groceries which they can use to their advantage to lose the criminals. A tall lanky pirate was awaiting the girls at the end of a path with an evil sneer. Kagome snatched a watermelon and chunked the large fruit at him and hindered his vision in the process. She knocked the man over and was met by a even bigger man who caught Chizaki by surprise. He grab the girl by the sleeve of her kimono.
"Damn. He got me." Chizaki swore.
"Just a second. I'll clonk him." Kagome declared as she took notice. Out of the blue, another pirate armed with a sword kept Kagome occupied by attacking her. Ultimately delaying Kagome from rescuing Chizaki from her assailant.
"Hmm. That's an awfully nice dress you are wearing there, matey." The assailant chuckled. Chi was really getting tired of this now. "Aw. Did I made the little girl angry?"
"Maybe you did, big boy. But you have an awfully cute pair of breasts there." She ridiculed. The corpulent man however blushed at her joke. "Weird but interesting. Can I squeeze em?" She reached out and pressed his 'breasts'.
"Aw shucks! Hey! You're mocking me!" The man realized. "Hands off girlie! You're the one with the nice breasts."
"Maybe so." Chi snickered. "But yours is strange."
"Cause I'm a man! You a woman! Yours is bigger and rounder!"
"Yeah you're right-HEY! That's unwanted sexual harassment mister!" Chizaki chided, trying her best to conceal her chest while blushing madly. The made that held Chizaki in the air was suddenly knocked out due to a shovel wielded by a certain girl. Chizaki sighed in relief.
"You two done sweet talking to one another?" Kagome asked with a sneer.
"I was just complimenting him." Chizaki retorted. "Kagome, he had boobs, the guy had boobs."
Kagome grimaced in disgust and a bead of sweat appeared on her brow to confirm it. "Is those guys your type? Are you really into stuff like that?"
"Oh no. . . it just occurred to me as strange that his chest was like that." Chizaki grinned.
"Whatever." Kagome muttered.
"Yeah. Right." Chi ducked a thrown punch from behind and tosses a pirate into a stand by using his momentum against him. "Well should we continue our little plan?"
"Yeah I think we should. We managed to take down six so far and there's only nine more to go." Kagome agreed. She looks around and realized they came upon yet another dead end and to make matters worse the girls were once again cornered by the pirates. This time they were really angry and they held rifles at the intimidated girls.
"It's time that this foolish game of cat and mouse shall come to an end." The leader snorted.
"Right matey. Who wants a pair of dead girls anyway? It would of been much easier if you kids did not put up a resistance but no! You had to knock off most of our men!"
"Farewell lasses. I had to admit that you two gave us a really tough time on the other side of the seas. Godspeed." The leader commanded and his crew drew their guns. Kagome and Chizaki held each other in fear.
"Well Chi, it was nice knowing you." Kagome cried.
"I never got to see Africa!!" Chizaki sobbed.
"You know Chi, you was truly a little sister to me. I'm glad that I spent my lifelong friendship with you." Kagome compassioned.
"I never got to see London!!!"
"I'm sorry for all those years that I've been hard on you. It was just what big sisters do best."
"I never got to have my first kiss!"
Kagome sighed sadly. "Oh Chi. . . what does that matter now? We're. . . we're finally going to a better place. Whatever happens to us I shall never forget you. On the plus side, we can finally find out who our parents was."
"Oh holy spirits in heaven! Why did you guys left us hanging!"
"FIRE!!!"
*POW*
*BANG*
*BOOM*
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"
They girls held their eyes shut, awaiting painful death. The strange thing was that, in fact, they have not felt anything at all. Realization hit them when they noticed they were still alive. Strange? The heard all those gunshots but they are still breathing. Slowly opening their eyes, the girls can now see that the pirates had been knocked unconscious and seriously wounded. A miracle has just occurred!
"What happened? I thought that we were a goner." Kagome said as she carefully scrutinized the surroundings.
"We're still in one piece. Oh thank you very much heroic angels!" Chizaki eulogized.
"I don't understand it. There was no way we could of survived this. Chi we were literally looking death in the face!"
"Yeah, and we laughed too."
"That little miracle would be us." A voice stated. The girls saw the source of the voice on a nearby roof. "Hey there. It's been a while. You two seem to be having fun."
"It's you!" Kagome smiled brightly. "You're the guy I've met the other day, InuRanma!"
Inuyasha fell out the roof and hit the ground like a javelin. He pried himself out of the dirt and spat debris out of his mouth. "What!? InuRanma's a relative of mine. Who are you, Akane?"
"No, I'm Attila the Hun." Kagome retorted with a girlish giggle. "It's good to see you again. . .Inuyasha." She put an extremely soft emphasis on his name when she said it. She said it in an almost seductive tone. The hanyou took notice of this and a blush appeared on his face. "Inuyasha you're blushing!?"
"Um, I'm just allergic to dry sand, that's all." Inuyasha stammered.
"Yeah, I bet." Chizaki chortled.
"You made a gamble? What is it that forced you to make a gamble Chi san." Came Miroku's voice. Chizaki whipped around and saw Miroku happily approaching the trio.
"Hey, fancy meeting you again Miroku. How have you been?" Chi inquired.
"Life has been treating me well my dear. Now that you are here I'll say fortune smiles upon me." Miroku answered as he noticed the girl's 'elegant' kimono. "My, those are really nice."
Chizaki sweated at his compliment. "What's nice?"
" Those legs."
"Yeah. . . thank you."
"Um, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you milady. Those legs are not the only thing that are nice on you. Why your eyes, lips, rear-"
"Okay! Okay! I get it! I am deeply flattered by your compliments." Inu and Kagome were laughing hysterically at the exchange between Chizaki and Miroku. They were really happy to see each other once again.
"You call that a good couple?" Inuyasha snorted. Kagome blushed as she realized his comment. Did he really see her as more than just a friend? She'll be sure to ask him later on.
"C'mon guys, I'll lead you two to the shop we're staying at." Inuyasha stated.
"You two live at a shop? That's interesting." Chizaki pondered.
"Technically yeah, but the shop really belongs to an old friend of my father's."
"Alright Inuyasha, let us go and meet him." Said Kagome.
At Toto's shop (and his home as well), Kagome and Chizaki introduced themselves and explained their ordeal they have to take to the blacksmith. The old man considered and informed Inuyasha and Miroku to accompany the girls on their adventure (no argument there). Yet, he severely advised Inuyasha to take Tetsusaiga along with him as he mentioned that the demons on the way to Edo are more powerful than average. Inuyasha was reluctant to bring along the wretched blade but finally agreed when Kagome talked him into it. He was now doing what he was doing earlier. He continues to saunter throughout the large house while studying the abundance of weapons. Only this time Kagome was following along with him.
"Hey, you got something on your chest?" He asked without looking back at her.
"Nothing really. You know I have to say that you are in many ways like your father."
"Feh. Whatever you say. My old man was a samurai. I'm just an extraordinary swordsman. If he was still alive he will realize that I've finally surpassed him in terms of skills."
"Interesting. Inuyasha, you're only a half demon, am I right?" Inuyasha flinched to a stop as she mentioned that word.
"So? What of it? You're here to ridicule me as well?" He asked her sternly.
"No Inuyasha, I will never. Who would want to pick on a strong guy like you?"
"So. . . you're saying that you would mock me if I was weak?"
"No! Not that. To be honest I don't see anything so funny about you."
"Keh. All those years of torture is what made me stronger. In a way, I am thankful for that. The foolishness of civilization has strengthen me a great deal."
"Oh I see. So your father married a human mother right?"
"Yeah so? It's kinda funny isn't it?"
"No. I thinks it's beautiful! Like that old folklore." Kagome said her eyes gaining a dreamy quality to them.
"You're weird. Say would you and your friend like to join us at the tavern tonight before we leave?"
"Oh Inuyasha! I'll be honored."
* * *
That night, the hostelry was overcrowded with patrons. Most of them were humans and demons from surrounding cities. It also was a meeting ground for many foreigners from many different countries. The revered lion demons from Central Africa and the infamous species of griffin from Greece can be found there having a wonderful time. In short, the pub was a fantastic place comparable to any whimsical imagination or dream. Kagome gasped in surprise as she recognized a sailor she met years ago but shrugged as she remembered that Inuyasha's is her crush as of today. That is, if things go well with the hanyou. Miroku was busy trying to get acquainted with a group of women from Europe. Though Chizaki shouldn't be shaken up by his action the monk simply assured her that he's "culturally aware". She ignored the monks flirting and followed Inuyasha and Kagome inside the club. They three sat at the counter and the girls ordered some food while Inuyasha ordered for an alcoholic drink.
"Hey I didn't know that you drink, Inuyasha." Kagome realized.
"Not really." He answered. "I just do this on every blue moon." Kagome blushed as he gulped down the liquid. He does this on occasion? She wondered what he was up to. Could it be that he wants to make out with her tonight? Nah. Kagome put away those nasty thoughts.
"Hey this joint serves some pretty good chicken." Chizaki praised as she munched on the venison. "Remind me to visit this place again once we get back."
Inuyasha stood up from his stool and walked off. "I'll be right back. I'm going to look for Miroku." He informed as he made his way through the large crowd.
"Yeah, whatever you say." Chizaki mumbled, tearing up her meal.
"I agree. Go find him before some girl decides to kidnap him." Kagome followed. A girl kidnapping Miroku? Not likely.
Inuyasha struggled his way through several chairs, tables, people, and beasts. A few of the being glowered at him but Inuyasha warned them as he pointed at his sheathe on his waist. He can pretty much take care of himself. Afterall most of the people there were intimidated by a guy walking around the club with a sword. (My that's definitely what you cannot do today, I'll tell you.). His ears twitched as he heard female voices trying their best to gain his attention. He traced the source of the voice and found three beauties sitting as a group on a round table.
"So, you finally decided to see what we wanted." Questioned a demon girl with ruby eyes. She was a wickedly attractive elfin girl who had her hare in a short, high ponytail.
"Nice meeting you ladies. And you would be. . ."
"I am Kagura." The elfin woman replied.
"Hi there cutie, I'm Yura." Presented a pretty woman with medium length black hair done in pageboy style. She was wearing a midnight black, extremely 'elegant', short skirt.
"Good evening. I'm Tsubaki" Introduce a white haired belle in a long silver kimono. Tsubaki had a small face and strange emerald eyes that make's one think that she's multiracial.
"Now that you have intervened me from finding my friend I demand to know what do you want." Inuyasha said. "Oh by the way, my name's Inuyasha."
"Um, an expert in doggy style." Yura cheered. Inuyasha sweated as she said that. "Hey Mr. Inu would you like to drink with us?"
"I'm flattered but no thanks." He replied. The girls burst into hysterical giggles.
"You're scared, Mr. Inu?" Yura challenged.
"A little on the soft side, eh? I can understand." Tsubaki commented.
"C'mon, I thought that you're an underdog. I see now that you're a big pussy." Kagura cackled. Inuyasha grinned back at the girls. These kids just had to go ahead and challenged him.
"Say little wenches, are you daring me?" He reproached with a evil smirk.
"Uh oh! Big man!" Tsubaki complimented.
"Yeah. We're daring ya. Why won't you show us that you're never scared." Kagura tested again.
Inuyasha burst into mad laughter on his own now. "Okay little girls, you've gotten yourselves a drinking partner!" He declared.
"I like that!" Yura cooed. "Drinking partner, that's a new one."
End of Chapter Four
A/N: Peer pressure can be a bother, isn't it?
THE NEXT CHAPTER: Our hanyou complies to the 'evil trio's' dare. Meanwhile Kagome and Inuyasha gets into a quarrel and she knocks the drunken half demon unconscious. A mysterious spirit haunts Inuyasha's mind and she claims to be the legendary priestess Midoriko. Dreaming or not, the phantom leaves Inuyasha with a enigma of an oracle. And, rumors in a nearby village the men there reports that they have sighted a cute chick in miko clothing who says she is seeking for our heroes and heroines. Could it be Kikyou? Has Yoriko finally considered for Kikyou to tag along? Find out in the next chapter.
Inuyasha
Fate's Course and Forbidden Love Chapter 5: Apparition Midoriko and The Oracle of Shikon