Sorry for the delay. I just came back from a few days off in Miami. Even though it was for three days I've completely forgotten that it was still winter. Now that I'm back home in Georgia the wind chills here made it painfully obvious. The reason why I visited Miami. . . well just say it was a Super Bowl party (after a week of the Super Bowl?). Uh, nuff said.
Now it's back to boring old college, fair paying work, and good ole' fan fiction typing.
Demon Kitty: Ah, I'm glad that you pointed that out about the little full/new moon issue. I have to say that it was a honest mistake. At the time I was really thinking about the full moon and nearly forget the fact that Inuyasha regresses on the night of the new moon. Another note is that I honestly thought that 'all' hanyous' regresses to human form on the night of the full moon. Oops! Oh yeah. . . that trick Naraku is a hanyou isn't he? Damn, my bad.
Okay, let's get down to business shall we?
On the previous chapter, a paranoid Inuyasha prompts his companions to become concern about him. He explains to them that he would regress to a human soon because it's the night of the new moon. However, Miroku and Kikyou already knew this fact and he wondered how did the miko knew about that. Obviously a natural enemy and a possible threat to him, Inuyasha became angry with Kikyou and asks her what are her true intentions. Kikyou answers that since Kagome is quite fond of him, he can gain her trust (gradually). Shortly, a girl's (Nazuna) life was threatened by a ninja (Shippou) with an intent on robbing her. Hearing the girl's cries for help, Inuyasha intervenes and confronts the puerile sheik. Indignant, the boy tells him that he must threaten the girl in order to be initiated to a ninja clan called the Steel Fang. Nazuna took this as an opportunity to take the boy by surprise. Nazuna now had the boy completely at her mercy but was arbitrated by a woman's voice. The woman tells Nazuna to return to the village and reluctantly she did. Enter Sangou as she knocks Inuyasha into shrubbery. Inuyasha, now a human came forth and wondered who the mysterious girl was. His only clue was the village ahead.
Inuyasha
Fate's Course and Forbidden Love
Chapter Seven: Enter Naraku and The Incursion of The Steel Fang Clan
"I'm impressed." Inuyasha scoffed. "You're pretty good for a girl but that does not mean that you will win because you have a good punch that has landed on me."
"Ah. So you can take a hit? I've misjudged you little boy." Sangou jibed.
"Still calling me a little boy eh?" He smirked. "Do not fail my expectation." He said in mock exaggeration of her voice.
Sangou dropped her elbow unto his head. Inuyasha hit the ground face first. "Well? Are you taking it easy on me just because I'm a woman?" Sangou inquired. Inuyasha pried his face from the dirt and nodded. Sangou was a little offended by that. "What!? You are displaying grandeur!" She delivered a kick which was intended on landing on his head but he caught her foot and pushed her back a few feet away. Sangou fell and gave him a hot glare.
"Don't do that!" She yelled.
"Do what?" He retorted.
"I'm telling you not to hold back on me." Sangou beseeched.
"No. Inuyasha is taking her likely." Miroku noticed.
"He doing the right thing isn't he?" Chi asked.
"I don't think so." Kagome said.
"The taijiya women takes great pride in their strength and skills." Kikyou explained. " If they are taken lightly they take it as an insult."
"Yes. Right now that woman is indignant to Inuyasha's actions, oblivious to him." Miroku added.
"His grandeur is going against her code as a warrior." Kikyou clarified eruditely.
"So that means that this fight will only get worse?" Kagome demanded.
"Precisely."
"Uh oh."
Sangou swung at Inuyasha and successfully landing a punch on his shoulder. Inuyasha grimaced at the pang and fell on one knee. She followed up with a kick to his chest and he faltered back to the ground again. Sangou walked up to the fallen hanyou and held her sword to him threateningly. "Why? I've unarmed you and bruised you but still you haven't used any force against me?" She demanded.
Inuyasha didn't look at her. "I just cannot do this. I thought I could fight you but I realize I cannot bring myself to fight a woman." He replied with a groan.
"You? I'm insulted. You're battered and broken but you refuse to even look upon my face. You must face me, half breed!" Sangou urged. Inuyasha tried to trip her off her feet with a low sweep but Sangou saw it coming. "That can't be the best you can do!? Why won't you fight me!? You're much more stronger and faster than this, even if you are human!"
"This is ridiculous. . ." Inuyasha grunted. "You have sprained a few bones of mine and now you are asking me questions."
"It's called self defense." Sangou clarified. "Look at me when I'm talking to you." He refused at her requests. "Damn it! Face me! Are you afraid of a woman!!?"
"No. . ."
"Then fight me." She lifted him off the ground by his collar and tried to get eye contact with him. "Coward! You followed me to my home village for a reason! You wanted to pay me back for hitting you as you tried to kill Nazuna!"
"I did not attack that girl! I was saving her life!" Inuyasha retorted.
"Liar!! You deceitful half demon!" Sangou exclaimed. She slapped him (hard!!) and he looked at her with widened eyes. She finally flipped the script.
"Don't do that! It's annoying!" Inuyasha warned, quoting what Sangou said earlier. Sangou slapped him again with her left and her right hands. Inuyasha was becoming irritated. "Stop that!" The taijiya delivered a powerful straight punch to his nose and Inuyasha spun on his heels due to the force of the girl's punch. He return his glower at her with a bleeding nose. "You nearly broke my nose."
"You're finally looking at me." Sangou noticed. "Are you finally ready to face me?"
Inuyasha hung his head. "No. I refuse to fight you now."
"If I were an defenseless woman you would have attacked me. Just like what you have done to Nazuna." Sangou accused.
Inuyasha became very angry at Sangou's accusations. "Listen you fool! I did not attack that girl! I merely fiend off that ninja kid that tried to rob her!"
"Stop your lying!" She shrieked while she swung her katana at him. Because his katana was knocked away earlier Inuyasha had no choice but to use the Tetsusaiga to block her attacks. "What's with the old sword?"
"I dunno, it was a hand me down from my old man." Inuyasha retorted, making a blocking retreat as Sango continued her onslaught of attempted slashes, stabs , swishes and skewers. Inuyasha grew tired of just defending himself and decided to make attacks of his own. He sidestepped a swing from the girl and tried to slash her across her shoulder. Sangou parried his sword and gave him a smirk. "What's so funny? I thought that you wanted me to fight."
"Finally." She cackled and used her free hand to grab Inuyasha by his sleeve and slam him to the ground. She tried to impale her blade in the grounded hanyou's chest as he evaded her by rolling on the ground madly. Miroku decided that he should interfere the quarrel before any one of them get seriously injured (he was highly interested in Sangou).
"Stop this fighting at once!" He shouted. The three girls along with Sangou looked at him in surprise. The taijiya girl was particularly flabbergast as she looks up from the hanyou's pinned down body as she was ready to make a finishing blow. "You, taijiya sama! I command you to cease your struggle. This is a meaningless battle."
Sangou glowered at the monk. "What do you know?"
"He did not attack that village girl!" Kagome answered.
"If that is true then why did your friend followed me?" Sangou retorted.
"I dunno." Kagome replied tentatively. "I guess it's a pride issue."
"Um Kagome, I had this." Miroku chided the younger girl with a sweat drop.
Inuyasha took her inconvenience as an opportunity to throw her off him. The slayer girl landed on her face a dozen feet away from him and she cursed herself for letting her guard down. She also discovered that she lost her grip on her blade. "Well that was pretty cheap." She was taken by surprise when the monk helped her off the ground and held her tight. . . almost as in an embrace.
"My dear friend, Inuyasha has no intention on killing you." Miroku explained as he saw a hint of blushing on the warrior girl's face. She had dirt and grim all over her jade dress and Miroku examined her shape closely. "Oh my. . ."
"What are you doing?" She asked uncertainly as Miroku had a widening grin on his face.
"Yeah. What are you doing Miroku sirrah?" Chizaki demanded as she stepped forth from the shrubbery. Kagome tried her best to suppress her laughter and Kikyou made a bemused sigh.
"Jealousy is dangerous." She sighed, actually to herself.
Inuyasha saw how Miroku was 'embracing' the taijiya. "Uh oh. He's at it again. Listen girl, he's going to do more than just dusting off your kimono."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Sangou questioned with a puerile face. She actually like how the way the monk's hand felt on her shoulders, that is, until she undeniably felt his hands wondered off to a certain fleshy area below her hips. "I see. . ." She growled with a vein appearing on her forehead.
"You philanderer! I hope she beats your ass!" Chizaki scolded. She laughed maliciously when the girl knocked him so hard that Miroku was now buried in a small crater. "I bet that hurts! Serves you right two timer!"
"Oh. . .Chi san. . ." Miroku moaned as he was chewing dirt. In the end he always seem to repel women. "Why must you jeer at my misfortune?"
"It's because I thought that we were cool Miroku sirrah!" Chizaki retorted.
"Excuse me." Sangou redirected. "It appears that you have forgotten about me." She pickes up her sword and made a threatening stance. "Get up and let us resume out battle half breed."
"You're shitting me?" He glanced at the beautiful demon killer skeptically.
"I shit you not." Sangou replied seriously. Chi realized she was standing near her and she backed away from Sangou in fear.
"Chizaki get back." Inuyasha commanded. "This broad is so stubborn! It looks like I have no choice but to rough her up." Chi didn't have to be told twice as she was already trembling behind Inuyasha's shoulder.
"Stubborn!? You're one to talk." Sangou rejoined.
"You shut up! It's time I put you in your place little girl!" Inuyasha challenged (finally).
Suddenly, Kikyou intervened and obstructed their warpath. "That's enough! You must forfeit this trifling bickering immediately!"
Sangou narrowed her eyes at the miko. "What are you talking about? Your pal started this and I am certainly going to finish it!"
"You the one who started this!" Inuyasha snapped indignantly.
"Taijiya san, forgive me for interfering but there's a alarming wicked presence back at your village." Kikyou presaged with a disturbed expression.
" A bale you say? Are you speaking the truth?" Sangou inquired. Kikyou nodded with that serious expression still on her face.
"Taijiya this is an upcoming crisis! Of course I speak the truth!" Kikyou exclaimed.
Inuyasha recovered his Tetsusaiga and he swore that he saw it glowed for a second. "Eh? What the hell?" The sword displayed another glow again. "Weird."
"I implore you to seek the matter at hand at your village!" Kikyou explained. "As a matter of fact we shall accompany you and help you unravel this mystery."
"You will? But priestess, are you sure?" Sangou rejoined, dubious that something terrible will happen on such a peaceful night full of brilliant stars (new moon night.). Shortly an loud explosion can now be heard and the girls gasped in shock when they saw fire among the village. "Oh no! Mother! Kohaku!"
Sangou ran off with a frightened expression on her face. Kagome, Chizaki and Miroku followed her to the village. Kikyou was left behind staring at a reluctant Inuyasha. "Well?"
"Keh. Let that girl handle her own problems." Inuyasha snorted.
"You adamant fool!" Kikyou scolded, pointing a finger at him. "Why do you have to be this immature?"
"Why should I help that crazy termagant? She was fighting me and now she ask me to help save her village!? Hell no!" Inuyasha retorted.
"She didn't ask for our help. We've volunteered in goodwill."
"You're forgetting someone and that's me."
"Inuyasha!"
"No way, Kikyou! Get it out of your mind already!"
"Damn it! You're more trouble than you're worth! This is giving me a headache!" She messaged her temples in annoyance.
"This is new." Inuyasha laughed sardonically. " A priestess being stressed out by a demon?"
Kikyou gave him an 'evil' glare. "Hey boy, do not mess with me. Unfortunately you are a human for the night."
"Hey! What do you think you intend on doing?" He asked the priestess apprehensively.
Kikyou's glower instantly faded and smiled girlishly. "Okay Inuyasha off we go." She grabbed the hanyou and carried him off while tucked under her arm.
"Gah! Put me down you Amazon!" He protested. If anyone would see him now he would be truly embarrassed. "You're going to pay for this!"
Kikyou's arm constricted on the squirming hanyou. "Now, now stop acting like a baby and cooperate with us. Tee he!" She giggled in a mock candid voice.
"Bitch! You're making me look like a baby right about now!"
"Oh dear. No need for the obscenities Inu chibi!" She swatted him on the head while giggling like a elementary schoolgirl. Inuyasha stooped his squirms and pouted. Now it is clear to him about this miko as she carried him to the village.
Kikyou is one capricious and creepy woman.
* * *
"Kohaku! Mother!" Sangou cried out frantically while searching throughout the taijiya dojo. She narrowly avoided a falling plank as it crashed down from the ceiling. "Oh my goodness! Please let them be alive!!" Chizaki rushed inside the dojo with two buckets full of well water. Being the 'valiant' girl that she is, she dumped the buckets over a tower of conflagration (flames) and her kimono caught fire.
"AH! Shit the flame's on me now!" She yelled extremely frightened, fighting the flares.
"Chi you must stop, drop, and roll!" Kagome exclaimed while she was busily dealing with ambers of her own with a rug. Although she's doing a good job fending off the black smoke.
Chizaki did what she was told by the older girl and apparently it did not seem to work. "NOT WORKING! IT'S NOT WORKING!!" She shouted.
"Take the kimono off Chi!" Miroku commanded.
For a moment Chizaki looked at the monk like he had lost his mind, but she couldn't really complain. Life was far more important than a little pride. "Damn I guess I do not have a choice!"
"Miroku pay attention to the fire!!" Kagome scolded as she noticed the monk's eyes were wondering off to the girl rolling on the floor.
"Hold still miss!" Informed a voice and Chi looks around for the source. Suddenly icy cold water crashed upon her body and the flames licking her clothes died instantly. Chizaki was lifted off the ground and was now looking at the face of an unknown boy around her age. "There. That's taken care of." Chi blushed as she took in the young man's features. He was a demon slayer just like the girl name Sangou. As a matter of fact, he favors Sangou a lot. Her blush brightened as she also noticed that her long sleeves were completely gone and that she is held in the boy's strong arms.
"Thank you. . ." She merited.
"You're welcome. Now there's the rest of the inferno we have to worry about." The boy said.
"Kohaku! Thank god you're safe!" Sangou acclaimed.
"Sangou, a creature in baboon fur started all this commotion." Kohaku explained.
"A baboon pelt you say?" Sangou pondered. "Kohaku, where's mother?"
"Mother's fine. She at the other side of the village with the other demon slayers." Kohaku replied.
"That's good news." Sangou sighed in relief. "C'mon we must put out the rest of the flames."
"I'll get more buckets of water." Chizaki volunteered. At that moment, Kikyou and Inuyasha finally arrived as they bought in pails of water. "Well it is nice of you to finally join us."
"Yes with a little help of persuasion." Kikyou smirk. She saw Inuyasha frown and she grab a thick lock of his hair. "Right Inuyasha?"
"Ouch! Right! Right!" Inuyasha yelped.
"Kikyou would you stop playing and help us out over here!?" Kagome exclaimed. "I'm doing the best that I can with this smoke!"
"Right. Coming to aid you." Kikyou went over to assist Kagome. Inuyasha and the rest were valiant in their efforts but the flames seems to reoccur over time. The group became frustrated. "Damn. This is no ordinary fire!" Miroku swore. "This has to be the power of some sort of malicious demon."
"I... told you. . . before," Kikyou coughed. "There's a presence. . . looming about and it's. . .it's not good. . .either."
"If we stay here any longer the smoke is going to kill our lungs." Kagome clarified as she used her collar to cover here nose from the swelling smolder.
"No!" Sangou objected. "This is our village's dojo and we must do anything in our power to save it!"
"We?!" Inuyasha scoffed. "Stupid demon slayer! Your dojo means more to you than your life?"
"Inuyasha!!" The gang scolded.
"Hey are you okay?" Kohaku asked Chi in heavy concern. The brown haired girl looked extremely ill and fragile all of a sudden. As a matter of fact, she was now having a hard time carrying a pail. Chizaki smile weakly at the taijiya boy. "I'm fine. . ." She replied weakly which was followed by a cough. "Don't worry. I am stronger than I look." Kohaku admired her valor but he knew that her health was failing quickly. "Why are you looking at me like that. . .Kohaku kun?"
Kohaku was surprised when the girl mentioned his name like that. "I. . . I," He suddenly noticed that a ceiling plank tearing apart and it was looming exactly over Chizaki. "Watch out!!" He yelled as he ran and snatched the girl out of harm's way. He knew that little incident would of be fatal. He glance at the girl in his arms and apparently she finally fainted. At first, Kohaku was alarmed but then he noticed a small peaceful smile on her face. 'Thank goodness. She's okay.' He removed a few bangs of her hair out of the center of her face. He took in her features and blushed. 'Darn it. She's beautiful.'
"You saved her life." Praised Kagome as she approached the two. "Thank you very much."
"Ma'am, please take her outside." Kohaku commanded. "She just need a little rest."
"Okay I will." Kagome smiled while admiring the boy's heroics. 'This kid really likes her.' She mounted the younger girl on her back and proceeded to carry her out the dojo, that is, until all the flames and black smoke magically disappeared. The gang looks around the dojo in awe. How did this happen?
"Ah. I see that my inferno has given you enough trouble." Cackled a wicked voice.
Sangou snapped up. "Who's there!? Show yourself!"
"Lady Sangou. The strongest warrior out of all the younger generation of demon slayers." The voice reflected. "It is an honor for a beauty such as yourself to request for my appearance."
"So you've heard of me. Then you know it is best not to cross me." Sangou replied matter-of-factly.
"Despite the fact that you are freakishly potent, Lady Sanou, you are merely an inferior beast beneath my feet." Naraku brogue superiorly.
"If you are so powerful then stand before me!" Sangou demanded arrogantly.
"Of course my dear." The mysterious pelt of simian appeared out of nowhere in front of her. He towered a great deal over the demon slayer. Sangou stood planted on her feet, unfazed by the height and mass of the creature. "Is this what you wanted?"
Sangou had her Hiraikotsu at ready. "Suit yourself. Is this what you want?" She said bravely.
Kikyou eyed the figure who had just appeared in the dojo. "It was you? You the one responsible for that aura and the conflagration?"
"Precisely little one." Naraku replied.
"But I believe I have seen you before!" Kikyou exclaimed. The gang looks at the priestess with surprised expressions.
"In your nightmares during your childhood? Kukuku. . . Kikyou."
"That's impossible! How do you know about that!? How do you know my name!?"
"Does the name 'Naraku' ring any bells?" Naraku insinuated.
Kikyou wondered about that inquiry. Hard. "Naraku. . .Naraku. . . I'm afraid not? Wait a minute. . . I heard it a few times when I was a child." Kikyou confirmed. Naraku went into a fit of cackles. Kikyou arched a brow. "What's so funny?"
"You was a very young girl then. It is not important." Naraku replied with a slight hint of nostalgia.
"Excuse me, Naraku. It appears that you have forgotten all about me." Sangou redirected.
"Oh is that so? Well, I come before you all as to give you punishment." Naraku cackled.
"Punishment?"
"Brace yourselves!" Inuyasha shouted. "He's going to attack us!!"
Giant vines instantly sprouted out of the baboon pelt and the entire gang was caught by surprise. The lianas apprehended everyone and the entire gang were slammed and held into every corner of the dojo walls. The unconscious Chizaki fell to the floor off Kagome's back and a vine wrapped around her neck threatening to crush her if anyone decides to become heroic (namely Kohaku).
"Chzaki!" Kagome shrieked. "You bastard let go of my friend right now!!" Naraku directed the vines to bring the comatose girl closer to him as a warning. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Won't I?" He pulls out a sword and delivered a small swipe across Chizaki's cheek drawing blood in the process. "I assure you young lady it can get much worse if you provoke me." Kagome's eyes widened in horror.
"You coward! You use a woman as your shield!?" Miroku cursed.
"Beautiful." Naraku grinned evilly. "The look of contempt and fear on your faces, it's glamorous!" He pivoted his glance at Kikyou. "Especially you Kikyou. Why I haven't seen you so frightened in ages."
"Monster." Kikyou cried in repugnance.
'Damn it! At this rate this creep is going to kill all of us! I can't take this anymore! That girl will have to die if I am to save everyone!' His sheath caught his attention as it displayed a mysterious glow again. 'What the fuck? The Tetsusaiga's doing it again. I must see what it can do in this state.' Without hesitation he pulls out the Tetsusaiga and cuts himself free from the vine that held him and charged at Naraku.
"Stop Inuyasha!!" Kagome cried.
"Don't be so rash Dog man!" Kohaku followed.
"You're going to get Chizaki killed!" Exclaimed Kikyou.
Inuyasha halted and now saw blood trickling to the ground. Chizaki's blood. Naraku had the very tip of the sword in the poor girl's back. "Don't worry I haven't struck anything vital. . . yet. She's still alive." Naraku cackled.
"Bastard. You find pleasure in shit like this." Inuyasha growled.
"Why are you doing this to us?" Kikyou demanded trying to keep as calm as possible. She glared at Naraku dangerously. "What's with this so called punishment?"
"Allow me to answer that. I am doing this because you all are obstructing me from my goal." He elucidated.
"We're obstructing you?" Kikyou scoffed disbelievingly.
"Yes. You all are heading to Edo to unravel a certain mystery correct? That mystery, buried in the vastness of that city is none of your concern."
"How do you know this?" Kikyou demanded.
"Getting all hot headed are we?" Naraku chuckled. "This is so unlike you Kikyou."
"Answer me!" Kikyou retorted. Suddenly Naraku yelped in surprise as a giant cat demon pounced him. In all of the confusion the gang were now free from the vines grip. An older taijiya woman was now attacking Naraku as well.
"Mother! Kirara!" Sangou was happy to see her mother and her pet.
"Stand back!" Mother shouted. "This one's dangerous Sangou mesume. He's the one that has caused all of this!"
"Pathetic. Is this the best you can do?" Naraku taunted as he summoned vines to capture Kirara and Mother.
Inuyasha noticed this was his open opportunity. He was finally going to see what his Tetsusaiga is really capable of. "Here goes nothing!"
"No Inuyasha!" Kikyou commanded as she strung an arrow. "I shall handle this." She released the spearhead and it hit Naraku dead in his back. The aura of the sacred arrow caught up in flames and Naraku's identity was now revealed. He looks freakishly human yet he had unnatural mist like hair and his narrow ruby eyes were glaring at them in wickedness.
"You. . . bitch!!" He snarled. Another arrow landed on his shoulder and he yelped in agony. This arrow was fired by Kagome. "Damn you!!" He took off his shirt and the gang can now see a insignia- no a large scared on his back. It was shaped like a spider. "Heed my words you children: You shall fear the mark of the spider upon my back." He disappeared in dark mist. Eerily enough the mist resembled the shape of a spider itself.
Kagome approached Chizaki who was now laying in her own pool of blood. "Chi! Hang in there! Please girl, you can do it!"
Chizaki stirred slightly. "Grr. . . Mommy, I don't. . . wanna go all the way to. . . Edo today." She uttered as she sucked on her dumb subconsciously. Kagome giggled at the girl's lampooned gesture.
"Silly girl. At least we now that you're going to be okay." Kagome sighed.
"That was a good one you two put on him." Inuyasha complimented as he came near Kagome. "Is see now that you are a miko. I guess all that training had paid off." Kagome noticed that he was somehow feeling comfortable around her. It was clear to him now. Kagome is a priestess.
"Inuyasha?"
"What's up?"
"Please do not distant yourself from me. This comes to you as a shock doesn't it?"
"No. . .Why should I do that Kagome?"
Kagome was surprised. "Inuyasha, you wish to remain as my friend? I am actually your natural enemy. What will the others back at Shizuoka would say about this? How will they react when they learn that I have befriended a half demon."
"It's okay Kagome, don't worry. At least Kikyou and Chizaki respect our friendship and that's far enough for us."
"Inuyasha. . ."
"You shouldn't just torment yourself with worries Kagome."
"Hmph. Just like daddy." Kagome sighed with a smirk.
Inuyasha arched a brow. "If you say so."
"I'm so glad that you children decided to help my babies!" Mother acclaimed as she approached Inuyasha, Kagome and Chizaki. "It's apparent that you all are not from around here."
"You're welcome ma'am." Kagome replied.
"Travelers from afar?" She prodded.
"Yes ma'am." Kikyou answered as she inspected Chizaki's wound. "We're from Shizuoka."
"That's quite a way young one. As a token of our gratitude I shall allow you all to stay a few days." Mother obliged.
"Rani!" Sangou exclaimed with a surprised expression. "I was attacked by one of them!" She pointed to Inuyasha. "That guy right there!"
"For shame, Sangou mesume. Still have that bad habit on calling your own mother by her name." Rani said as she nodded. Sangou fell over at her mother's statement. Could her daughter's circumstances be more important that her own dignity?
"Rani I was defending Nazuna from that monster!" Sangou retorted.
"I was not attacking that kid in the first place!" Inuyasha defended.
"That's Sangou for you." Smiled Rani. "She's quick to jump to conclusions. Just like her father."
Sangou's eyes twitched at the irony. She looks as though that she going to lose her mind in a matter of seconds. Miroku came from behind and patted her shoulder. "No need to stress taijiya san. By the time you're twenty four you're going to have gray hair."
"I am twenty four you loony monk!" Sangou snapped.
"Oh honey, you should kid around with your age. Tell the nice young man you're only nineteen." Rani beamed. Sangou made several funny gestures of shushing her mother's mouth. Really, she was giving way to much away about her daughter to her 'enemies.'
Miroku eyes Rani. "Ah! I see where Sangou chan gets her looks and figure from." Sangou glowered at the monk.
"How nice of a young man to say that about me." Rani blushed. "You know I get that a lot. It was a kid at the market who thought I was twenty years old."
"It wasn't that dark mother. . ." Sangou muttered.
"What was that!!?" Rani demanded of her older child. Now the gang knew where Sangou gets her temper from. Rani had livid fire burning in her eyes and she stared at Sangou. "Run that by me again?"
"It was smart of him to say that mother." Sangou replied politely, shrinking back in fear. Inuyasha was laughing hysterically. Sangou growled at him and threw her boomerang at him.
*CLONK!*
"Ouch!"
"I can't stand him." Sangou muttered.
"Good friends indeed. It's getting late. I'll speak to you children tomorrow." Rani yawned as she exited the dojo.
* * *
In a forest shrouded in midnight darkness, our friends Kaguya, Tsubaki and Yura was devising a scheme. Tsubaki leaned on a tree with a bored expression on her face. Yura was busy trying to hear what Kagura was communicating to a mysterious figure about.
"We're wasting our time with this guy." Tsubaki sighed.
"I don't think so, Tsubaki. This dude looks formidable." Yura replied.
"Hmph. I hate ninjas." Tsubaki sneered.
"Aw don't be so pessimistic Tsubaki. He'll make a great contribution to our team. Besides, look at the arms on him. Damn. . ."
"Keh. Living a life in pure shadow." Tsubaki scoffed before making an imitation of a ninja. "Oh! Look at me! I'm a ninja! I'll creep up on you without you knowing and bust your head!"
"Naraku couldn't do it, maybe he can." Yura replied. She looks up in the trees where Kagura was conferring with the fighter.
"My father has failed against them." Kagura informed the mystery man.
"So. This 'Naraku' wishes to hire me in order to rid himself of them?" The voice inquired. It was a deep, austere and intimidating voice.
"If you put it that way then I would have to say yes." Kagura answered.
"Listen I do not perform assassinations. As a matter of fact I am not a mercenary, therefore I work for no one." The warrior said.
"My father will be disappointed." Kagura sighed. "It was nice meeting you Mr. Iga." She begins to saunter off.
"Wait." Iga called out.
"Oh. Does my father frighten you?" Kagura smirked.
"Of course not. Even though I do not know anything about this 'Naraku' but this particular group of travelers interest me. . ."
"Oh? What's on your mind?"
"These people you speak of. . . they sound like they should prove to be a good challenge. Maybe I should drop in on them." Iga considered, his deep voice dripping with amusement.
"Naraku will reward you well for their execution." Kagura informed, gaining a smirk.
"No need for materials, Kagura. I should get going to finally meet these people face to face." Iga disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Well at least Naraku does not have to worry about them anymore." Kagura cackled. She jumps down from the tree and approached an impressed Yura and a bitterly bored Tsubaki. "Well, what's up with you two?"
"That guy sounds sexy!" Yura squealed. " What did he say? Did he agree with Naraku's offer?"
"No, not exactly." Kagura replied, trying to hid a devilish smirk behind her fan. "But he is intending on confronting those fools anyway."
"The enigmatic bastard. He thinks he's so cool." Tsubaki scoffed.
Kagura grinned at her companion's gesture. "You don't like ninjas? Unlike your rival who unusually adores them."
Tsubaki arched a brow. "Hey don't let me get started on her! I can't stand her ass either!" Tsubaki snapped in contempt. Yura burst into boisterous laughter.
"C'mon." Kagura insisted with a tiny smile. "There's a tavern I know of not to far from here that's still open."
* * *
"Hey she's about to awake."
"It was a good thing that her injuries weren't that bad."
Chizaki stirred as she cracked open her heavy eyelids and now saw two blurry figure's looming above her. "Chi chan, how do you feel this afternoon?" Came Kagome's voice.
"First of all see how many fingers I'm holding up." Kikyou instructed.
"Two. . ." Was Chizaki's groggy response.
"Wrong." Kikyou giggled. "I held up five fingers it's just that I had two pointing out."
"Huh. . ." Chizaki uttered as she tried to rise from the futon. A sharp pang suddenly grazed her back. "Ah shit! What the heck?"
"Whoa. Not so fast Chi san." Kikyou reassured. "The pain's could of been worse you know."
Chizaki took a look at herself. Her sleeves were completely gone and her back were covered with gauze and her cheek had a bandage on it. "Where. . . am I?"
"Oh we are still in the taijiya no sato. Sangou's mother allowed us to stay last night." Kagome clarified.
Chi shot up from the sick bed. "What? A whole night has passed? What about the fire? What about that boy named Kohaku?" Chizaki choked on her last inquiry and a blush appeared on her face.
"Oh! Kohaku was his name. He saved your life Chizaki. Don't you remember?" Kagome said.
"Kagome, she was out like a fire, um, no pun intended." Kikyou stammered.
"You guys managed to put out that fire?" Chizaki wondered. "Where are the others?"
"Inuyasha and Miroku went to lunch at the tavern." Kagome clarified.
"Yeah, but where's Kohaku kun?" Chizaki demanded.
"You're awfully concerned about him aren't you?" Kagome giggled as she noticed Chi was now blushing.
"Don't worry Chi san, he's okay. As a matter of fact he's just as concerned about you as well." Kikyou followed.
At that moment Kohaku appeared in the small nursing room. Speak of the devil. Kikyou and Kagome went into giggling like hyenas. "Good afternoon ladies." Kohaku greeted then skewed a glance at Chizaki. "Wow miss, you finally recovered."
"Um yeah. Thanks to you." Chizaki blushed. Kagome's eyes widened at the instant chemistry between Chi and Kohaku and she made a small gasp to confirm it. Kikyou thought it would be rude for her and Kagome to remain in the room and insisted that they should leave.
"Excuse me Kohaku kouhai, Kagome along with myself shall take our leave." Kikyou informed suddenly.
"Huh? What for Kikyou?" Asked Kagome uncertainly.
"We going off to the tavern to have lunch as well." Kikyou beamed.
"But! But!" Kagome tried to protest but Kikyou clasped her hands over her mouth and carried her.
"Don't mind us. We're just going to get ourselves a bite to eat." Kikyou fronted.
"Um. . . okay." Kohaku replied, a little confused.
"Hmmph! Hmmph!" Came Kagome's muffled voice.
"Hehehe! You see, Kagome's just dying for food. Well then Chi san I shall see you in a little while." Kikyou exited with Kagome in her tow.
Chizaki eyes widened in realization. 'You guys are evil!'
Kohaku kneeled besides her. "Hi there. It's good to see that you have convalesce from you injuries."
Chi tried to her a blush as she looked into Kohaku's innocent face. This was here hesitant reply. "Um howdy. . .partner. . ."
Outside Sangou's home Kagome had a little argument with Kikyou.
"Hey what's up with the funny act Kikyou?" Kagome demanded.
"Kagome do you have no respect? It is obvious that those two really like each other." Kikyou expounded.
"You're kidding me." Kagome retorted.
"Did you saw the way how Chi made instant eye contact with the boy?"
"Yeah I noticed. But it's just plain eye contact."
Kikyou swatted her forehead. "Not really. As a matter of fact you made a gasp. And did you see how red Chi's face was?"
"So that means Chi chan really does like Kohaku back."
"Precisely that's why-" Kikyou was suddenly disturbed by a presence.
"Kikyou what's the matter?"
"I'm sensing someone's aura." Kikyou answered as she looks around frantically. Strangely enough this presence was not at all evil but then again Kikyou could not sense any rectitude from the presence. Whoever this person was. . . is good. She looks at the roof of a building and could of sworn that she had just seen a figure up there just now. She quickly dismissed it as the aura instantly disappeared.
"It looks like we're going to go the tavern after all." Said Kikyou seriously.
"What's do you mean? Were you able to track down that presence?" Kagome asked nervously.
"It's definitely not Naraku. But one thing for sure: we're being followed."
"C'mon we must tell Inuyasha and Miroku about this." Kagome requested.
"So? Are you going to consult that hanyou?" Came Sangou's voice as she appeared from her house.
"Yes we are." Kikyou answered. "Are you coming along?"
"As a matter of fact I will." Sangou replied with little reluctance in her voice. " Mother talked me into apologizing to him after he helped me out last night. Actually I really did misjudged him."
"I'm sure he already understands. Come now we got to see those two at the tavern." Kagome said.
* * *
Inuyasha (now a canine again) and Miroku sat at a table at the village's tavern. Inuyasha was busy gulping down his chicken diner he ordered and Miroku was preoccupied with riding a town guide.
"Oh. It says here that here in this village there are more women than they are men." Miroku beamed. "That's pretty impressive."
"Why am I'm not surprise?" Inuyasha sighed. "Miroku there are more women in this entire planet than there are men you dolt."
"At times it is doubtful." Miroku reprimanded as he retained himself to reading the booklet again.
"Oh well. Have fun learning 'new' and interesting facts."
"Inuyasha! Miroku!" Came Kikyou's voice as she boomed in the tavern doors along with Kagome and Sangou following behind. "There's something weird going on around here."
"What are you talking about? What's so weird about the villagers trying to repair their homes after last night's inferno?" Inuyasha responded with a question.
"Inuyasha, Kikyou felt a strange presence again!" Kagome exclaimed.
"She did!?" Inuyasha jumped out his chair as he pulled out his sword. "Could it be that bastard Naraku again?" Miroku and the girls gasped in awe at Inuyasha's sword.
"Inuyasha! Look at your sword!" Kagome pointed out.
"Huh? WHOA!!" He shouted. The Tetsusaiga was now a giant fang like blade. "So this is my father's legacy."
"And you once thought that the Tetsusaiga is useless." Miroku hoodwinked.
"Idiot!" Sangou snapped. "Will you put that sword away! The people here is going to soon forget that you a demon who has came to visit this village in peace."
Inuyasha did what he was told and continued with the conversation with his companions. Oblivious to them Shippou (the twelve year old ninja that tried to rob Nazuna in the previous chapter) entered the bar and sat at the bar counter.
"You saw a shadow on the roof you say?"
"Yes I did Inuyasha." Kikyou replied trying not to sound too ridiculous.
"And you say that this presence is just as strong as Naraku's?" Inuyasha asked trying to suppress laughter.
"Maybe even stronger." Kikyou stated seriously.
"Ha! Pull the other leg!" Inuyasha laughed.
"I never knew that you were quite a comedian Kikyou." Miroku snickered.
"Guys! This is a serious matter!" Kagome exclaimed. "Who knows what this thing is!"
"Apparently the thing that you are talking about is a ninja." A voice stated t the bar. The gang whipped their visage and now saw the little boy from yesterday. "Hi. Nice to see you all again."
"It's you!" They shouted.
"You guys are being spied on." Shippou said as he sipped into his glass of water.
Kikyou walked next to the boy at the bar. "Listen kiddo, do you know this person who is spying on us? Could it be the guy named Naraku?"
"Naraku? Never heard of him." Shippou replied a little confused at the name. "Allow me to reveal to you of who it was that's pursuing you." Suddenly Kikyou was tightly tied around her waist by a lasso and Shippou lifted her over his head. He's kidnapping her!
Kikyou was surprised by the little boy's strength. "What the? What's the meaning of this!?" She demanded.
"I now present to you. . . the Steel Fang Clan!" He declared and gave a shrill whistle.
"Cut that out you little bastard!!" Inuyasha shrieked as he pressed his ears.
"Good work Shippou. Ah I see that the women here are indeed beautiful!" Praised a voice.
"Yes sir sensei Kouga!" Shippou replied. Kouga appeared at the entrance of the tavern with a motley crew of wolf demons closely behind. The Steel Fang Clan wore tan colored fighting garments and they look extremely formidable.
"It's the Steel Fang! Why would they come all the way over here?" Sangou wondered.
"Inuyasha do you think that we can take em?" Kagome asked nervously.
"Keh. I can take them all out by my damn self!" Inuyasha grinned arrogantly.
"Don't waste your time mutt boy!" Kouga advised. "We've just came for the ladies with you."
"What do you want with us?" Sangou demanded.
Kouga smirked maliciously. "Tsunami! Do your thing!" A large towering wolf youki made way to the center of the club and turned around.
"What? He can't be serious?"
"C'mon we can take out this lard ball!!"
"You think so?" Kouga asked. "It looks like it's going to be the other way around to me." He and the other wolf ninjas put gas masks on their faces. Tsunami then let out the LOUDEST, and most DISGUSTING fart that anyone has ever experienced. Inuyasha, Miroku, Sangou, Kagome, and Kikyou instantly passed out from the pure stench. Unfortunately Shippou didn't put on a gas mask because he passed out to.
"Ha! Ha! Serves you right! C'mon fellas get the girls and let's scram!"
Several minutes later, Inuyasha recovered from unconsciousness. There was just things that you should just straight miss in life. Tsunami's gas problem was one of those things. Inuyasha glances over to Miroku whom was recovering himself.
"Damn! They were not lying about kidnapping the girls!" Inuyasha cursed.
"We must pursue them Inuyasha! Who knows what will happen to them." Miroku implored.
"Only if I knew they way! Damn punk kid! He set us up!"
"Hey is that the kid you are referring to?" Miroku pointed to the comatose fox ninja besides the bar.
"Yeah that's him!" He walks over and grabs the little fox. "Hey you! Wake your little ass up!" He slapped him.
Shippou wakes up immediately. "Those idiots! They've betrayed me!"
"Huh? I'd thought that you were in league with those clowns!" Inuyasha exclaimed.
"Well now I'm not! Kouga will pay for using me!" Shippou declared.
"Hey do you know where they live?"
"Every corner of it!" Shippou beamed.
"Good! Because you're are going to lead us there!"
At that moment an enraged Kohaku entered the tavern. "Inuyasha! Miroku! Those wolves has just kidnapped Chizaki while we were on the way here."
"Those bastards! They're probably worse than Miroku!" Inuyasha said as he shook his fists.
"What was that Inuyasha?" Miroku demanded.
"Quiet. C'mon kid lead the way!"
END OF CHAPTER SEVEN
Damn, over seven thousand words? I really need to chill.
Next Chapter
Fate's Course And Forbidden Love
Chapter Eight: Unknown Motives and Hidden Agenda: The Mysterious Entity Iga