A/N: This chapter may end up shorter than usual.
Shout Outs:
Yogi Bear-321: What's up? I'm happy to know that you're still tuning into this story. Thanks a lot! Chapter ten was another well written chapter to you? Damn... and here I thought it was so-so because I had the dread WB's at the time. Oh well. Since you made a compliment about that I damn sure don't have the WB's this chapter. You're from Canada? Man, I've always wanted to go there. Even most of the military doesn't go there anymore-- they just don't know what they're missing! I came across in several surveys that states that Canadian cities has the highest qualities of life in the Western Hemisphere (Vancouver being the second highest in the world and somehow I believe it). Now I'm really obsessed in learning more about Canadian culture... and hopefully living to see West Edmonton Mall, the biggest in the world.
Dante Gemini: What cha know, man? Nice to know you're checking this story out too. Apparently it seems to me that you've only read one chapter. Oh man, I made it obviously clear that this story doesn't takes place in the Sengoku Jidai of the sixteenth century, it's actually take place in the late nineteenth century... about twenty years after the Tokugawa epoch. OOC? Hmm, I noticed that, but it's usual in an alternate universe fiction. Actually the one person that seems really too out of character is Kikyou. In a way I portray her as prissy as she appears to be, and for that, I apologize. Well I hoped that I've cleared up a little something-something for you a little bit.
Disclaimer: You already know what the deal is...
Inuyasha
Fate's Course & Forbidden Love
Chapter 11: Secrecy of Midoriko & Shikon Unraveled
"Were that the last of them?" A red lizard demon queried it's comrades. "Killing these miserable creatures are so much fun."
"Yes master." His second hand saluted. "Shall we proceed to burn this parish to ashes?"
The leader scrutinizes the area. "You shall proceed." He replied. "But make sure that there a no more humans left alive and save some of the cadavers for our food."
"Yes sir!" The second hand acknowledged. "Okay comrades, set about the perimeters and prepare to ignite the inferno."
Just as the squadron of reptiles moved out on the commands a human-- a girl burst out of the shadows and ran for her life at a superhuman speed. "Human! There's one living left! After it!!" The reptiles darted after the girl whom was already running along the hills on the outer limits of the city.
How she hoped that she can get out of this alive!
* * *
Sesshoumaru slowly sauntered a straight path in a dark, dense forest. His mind was lost in thought, especially on enhancing his strength and the sword his late father left for his little half brother, Tetsusaiga. His servant, Jaken, followed him his every step he takes. The little toad croaked on about a variety of things but Sesshoumaru ignored him because he wasn't talking about anything important. Suddenly, he caught the scent of a woman whom was fleeing for her life. Though the darkness of the night didn't provide any light to actually see her form he knew that she was coming.
The girl accidently ran into him in her hurry. She fell back a few feet away from him from the impact. Sesshoumaru stood totally unfazed, as stiff as a statue. He regarded the girl with a poker-faced demeanor. "You should really watch where you're going, human. You've almost literally ran into a brick wall just now."
The girl, whom seems to be around fourteen years of age, looks up at him in shock. She didn't even see him! Was he in league with the other demons that ruined her town? She tried to replace her fearfully face with a determined look as she brandishes a knife from her yukata/kimono. "Are you one of them?" She shook. "I can tell by your ears that you're a demon."
"You dare to oppose Master Sesshoumaru?" Jaken croaked indignantly. "Show some respect to beings greater than you!" Sesshoumaru cut his sentence short by knocking the toad out with his left foot.
"One of them?" Sesshoumaru repeated as he raised a brow. He then caught the scent of the creatures that endangers her life. 'Reptiles. It's faint due to their cold blood but they're close.'
"Sir! If you're not going to be of help then move!" She implored hotly. "Please! My life is on the line! Those monsters had just slain everyone in my village."
'Keh. Like I give a damn.' He mentally gave a cold snort. "Go. They're drawing closer to you." He allow the girl to pass. Shortly thereafter, the screeching of the lizards can be heard as they trailed the helpless damsel in hot pursuit.
"That little brat had some nerves!" Jaken croaked as he pries himself from the dirty ground. They he shot his master a quizzical glare. "Sesshoumaru-sama, why did you have to kick me like an insignificant mutt? Ah... no offense master."
"Because I felt like it..." He replied ascetically. "Let's move on..."
"Right." The toad saluted.
"If it isn't the first child of InuTouga?" A deeper voice drawled all of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere. "The scent of the mighty canine is all over you."
"How dare you address Sesshoumaru-sama in such a way!!?" Jaken banged indignantly.
"Silence, Jaken." Sesshoumaru beckoned. The he regarded the mysterious voice. "You reek of cats. Aren't you a survivor of Oyakata's army?"
"No. I am not." Iga answered. He suddenly appeared before the dog demon in a streak of lightning. The cerulean cloth ninja now stood in his sight. Sesshoumaru was obviously much taller than the cat was, but Iga wasn't in the least bit phased. "You're not as imposing as I once thought." He commented.
"What?" Sesshoumaru regarded him with a cold tone. "You're here to waste your life away by challenging me?"
Iga's body crackled with lightning. "Amusing, Touga Jr." He replied sarcastically but he had no hint of amusement in his voice. "Though you would be quite a challenge, I have no intentions of battling you."
Sesshoumaru arched a brow. "Oh? Are you here to relay a message?"
Iga's garbs began to ripple at the creases as the wind suddenly picks up. His black scarf flaps out like a cape. "I fought him." He elucidated. "Inuyasha has definitely grown to be an excellent fighter. As a matter of fact, he's beginning to understand the nature of the Tetsusaiga."
"Interesting." Sesshoumaru lips went into a very tiny smile. Jaken cringed at this sight. "It seems my little brother was in love with that woman. I believe Kikyou was her name."
Something rarely occurred in Iga's mind: he mentally cringed. Lately when he thinks of Kikyou he seems to be superimposed in intimidation. Though, he really don't know why. 'Harumi...'He pondered. 'Why? How come she strongly remind me of her?'
"He is just like father." Sesshoumaru continued. "He grew fond of humanity as he willingly guarded them with his life." A hint of contempt cracked in his voice. "The fool eventually fell in love with one of the mortals and thus that hanyou was born. Damn her... Izaiyoi, that little jade."
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken uncertainly croaked at this new found revelation.
"You didn't heard that just now." Sesshoumaru warned.
"Well, I guess that's what dogs are supposed to do." Iga considered. "Have you ever notice that your kind becomes significantly stronger when aiding and protecting humans?"
The taiyoukai was taken aback by this. Though, he denies it, it was completely logical...
...and true.
"Meaning?" Sesshoumaru pressed.
"You'll see..." Iga stated mysteriously as he sniffed the scent of fresh blood in the atmosphere. "I'll be on my way to confer with the said miko. I still have many questions that I must decipher on my own." He wave before disappearing in a puff of smoke. "Later..."
"Such an uncouth pussycat." Jaken snarled. "What was he on about anyway Sesshoumaru-sama?"
The scent of the adolescent girl's blood invaded his nose. "Come Jaken. There is something I must experiment with." He slowly ambled off towards the scent of the blood.
Rin laid on the ground, moribund. She was covered with slashes and bruises and her yukata/kimono was soaked in her own blood. Oblivion was near. She was soon to find out if there really was a life after death and therefore, she hopes she can reunite with her family and friends again.
A cruel, callous clawed hand suddenly lifted her off the ground by her neck. The leader of the lizards cackled at her wickedly. "Gracious! This young filly shall make a fine meal. Right men?" His comrades responded in vicious laughter.
How dare they!? The nerve of those reptiles. Rin thought. They recently destroyed everything that was dear to her and they tortured her an inch of her life. And now... they want to put her at the bottom of the food chain? How ridiculous! What a way to die! "Damn..." She uttered.
The lizard leader acknowledged her murmur. "What was that?" He beseeched.
"D... damn... you... to hell!!" She said, and with the very last ounce of her strength she pulled out her knife and quickly impaled it in the lizard's eye. She was going out like a soldier.
The lizard screeched in pain. "You insolent little bitch!!" He condemned. "You will not die a graceful death!" With his long muscled bound arms he stretches it. The girl seemingly dwarfed compared to his huge hands that imprisoned her in it's grasp. The lizard drew back for a punch and initiate a power straight into her abdomen. The sickening sound of the girl's surrounding ribs cracking were clearly audible as she began to vomit blood on the ground. Her body then hung in his hand lifeless and he dropped her body to the ground.
Rin, the valiant villager girl, whom had fought to her very last breath... was dead.
"That'll teach you!" The leader condemned. "Oh well. You don't have to worry about pain anymore because you're food now."
Suddenly, a golden whip of light streaked it's way through the surrounding reptiles to land on the leader. The leader stood stiff, having an non plus expression as the whip cracked upon his body. The next thing the reptiles knew was that the leader's body was slice in half as they slid apart. He hit the ground in two, disgustingly heaps in his cold blood.
The lizards search for the source of this great offence. "Who dares to assassinate our leader!" The second in command hissed. "Bastard! Show yourselves!!"
"Who're you're calling bastard..." Said Sesshoumaru as he came into view. Jaken followed but he abruptly stopped in his tracks as his master boldly walked through the crowd of surprised (and insulted) reptiles on his way to the deceased girl. He kneeled before her and scrutinizes her conditions. Yep. There was no denying it... she's dead. 'I somehow... feel stronger than usual...' He thought in bewilderment. 'Should I restore her life with the Tensaiga? Perhaps the cat was right after all...'
"Despicable mutt!" The second cursed. "You got some balls to have slain our leader!! Attack him in full force men!!"
The gang of lizards complied and they charged at Sesshoumaru with their talons ready to claim his flesh. Sesshoumaru, in a blase gesture, sighed and nodded his head. He summons his golden whip and made, quick, short work of the reptilian demons. The bodies of the scaly victims littered the once tranquil forest road.
"Such a waste of their lives." Sesshoumaru muttered. He returns his gaze back to the girl that lays before him. He saw them. Evil spirits hoping to eat at her soul. The disgusting imps that threatened to bring her to hell with them before she could reach heaven. 'Sorry, but the devil will not feast on her soul for an eternity...' He brandishes the Tensaiga and brought it down at the girl in an imposing swing. The imps howled in defeat as the vanished back into the nether world. The girl suddenly stirred as her life force was gradually returning to her.
Rin vibrated with life and rubbed her eyes until she slid them open. "It... it can't be!!" She stammered. "I'm alive?"
"Of course." Sesshoumaru answered. "Thanks to me..."
Rin suddenly noticed the demon that held her in his arms. With a frightened, shrill yell she brandish her dagger and made an attempt to injure Sesshoumaru by stabbing him in his chest. Unfortunately, the dagger didn't even penetrate his skin and it crumbled like dust. Rin looked on is disbelief. This demon was even stronger than the lizards!
Rin jumped from his grasp. "Please! Don't come near me! Please don't kill me!" She implored.
Sesshoumaru showed a light, fatherly smile. "Calm yourself." He commanded. "I am not here to kill you."
"WHAT!!?" Jaken shouted in surprised outrage.
Rin's adorable (and cat-like, to me) eyes widened in surprise. "What? What do you mean?"
Sesshoumaru pried from his calves and stood up boldly. "From this day on, I am your father and you are my surrogate daughter." He elucidated. "I am Sesshoumaru, the first and strongest child of InuTouga. I hereby, declare to be your mentor as well. I shall train you to become the strongest human to have ever existed." Rin, and especially Jaken, was taken by extreme shock by his declaration. And they had burlesque eye popping expressions to prove it. 'To my benefit.' He mused in afterthought.
"Sess... Sess...See...sama..." Jaken trailed.
Rin dropped her funny silent gaze and she made a big, big smile. "Yes Sesshoumaru-sama! I am honored to be your daughter and disciple! And thanks for saving my life sir!"
"What is your name?"
"Rin." She answered.
"Jaken, Rin... let us be on our way." He commanded before walking off further down the haunting forest.
* * *
The evening was beautiful. A lavender sky accompanied by the scarlet of the setting sun was indeed a glorious sight. Brilliant stars filled the skies as the vastness of the night surrounded the Far East. The crescent moon shined glamorously. Just as glamorous as the young miko that was currently staring at the cosmos, lost in though.
Kikyou stood among the field just outside the demon slayers dojo. She always did admired looking at the star filled night skies-- a habit that she inherited from her mother. But tonight, she was greatly disturbed. "Mother... your daughter is still living and doing well but..."
She was praying.
"I... I am afraid." She confessed. "I am severely frightened on what may come on my current quest in my life... I was told that I am soon to find answers that caused your demise..."
Oblivious to her, a certain taijiya leader was looking on at this... 'She's crying...' Rani thought in realization.
"I never been so frightened in my life..." She continued, her body shaking. "Am... I strong... eno...enough to go on?"
* * *
An eight year old Kikyou merrily entered her home with a basket of fruit in her hands. She was certainly proud of her accomplishment today. She found her mother, Yukari, in the den as she was happily playing with little Kaede by making funny faces at her. The infant cooed and giggled at her mother's sporadic comical expressions.
"Mama!" Little Kikyou exclaimed euphorically. "I'd gathered so many ripe plums while venturing into the forest today." She grabs a plum and scrutinizes it. "They're so plump and healthy."
Yukari regarded her oldest daughter. "So you did, eh? Didn't you made sure that there weren't any worms inhabiting them?" Kaede giggled and grabbed a lock of her mother's long silky black hair. And the little tyke had one hell of a grip to boot! "Hey, that smarts, kid." She joked. "I see now that you are growing up to be a tomboy."
Kikyou approaches besides her mother and took a look at her baby sister. "Wow. Would you look at that? Four months and she has already grown so much." Baby Kaede suddenly notice another face besides her mother and burst out crying. "What the? You have something against me?" She complained. "Will you quit the water works you crazy little big head girl, you?"
"Kikyou!" Yukari chided. "That wasn't very nice." She pries Kaede from the miniature bed. "Aw, don't worry baby. Your big bad sister won't go off on your head anymore?" She lightly slumped her over her right shoulder and began patting her back. The baby burped. "I thought it was about that time. She went through two canteens of milk in less than a hour."
Kaede calmed down and resumed her giggling fit.
Kikyou sighed. 'I'm the bad one, she says?' Then she put up a smile. "Well mother, I'm off to give these plums a good rinsing."
"Okay baby." Yukari regarded. "It'll be a nutritious snack after today's training with the others."
"Right." Kikyou said as she heads to the kitchen. Before that, she turn her sights around to give another glance at the giggling baby. Kikyou chuckled and lolled her tongue out at her. Kaede saw this and went into another round of fussing.
"Kikyou, somehow in the back of my mind I know that you've upset her." Yukari chided as she tries to calm the infant down.
Yet, later that day... the happy mood of the small family shifted significantly...
Kikyou entered the house after enduring another session of spiritual training with her friends. However, judging from the worried expression of her step father whom was exiting the front doors the same time she enter, she was unnerved. The graceful mood of the nine year old disappeared and now, she must question her mother for answers to his worries. Her mom awaited for her in the den. Little Kaede was asleep-- and snoring like a grown up at that!
Yukari had an obvious gloomy air about her. It was clearly evident that she was about to cry.
"Mother..." Kikyou called uncertainly. She didn't want to upset her further than she already seems. "Mama is there something wrong? It seems something is bothering papa as well."
Yukari shot her head up at her daughter's regard. She removed her long bangs from her eye's path. "I'm fine, baby." She reassured. "I was just thinking..."
"Eh? Mother, what were you thinking?" Kikyou implied.
Yukari smiled a slight reassuring smile, despite her growing sadness. "Baby... pretty soon your life will change... significantly."
Kikyou tilted her head in an adorable way. "Eh?"
"You life may become far more difficult than it already is..." Yukari continued. "I've taught you to be strong and I hope that you shall remain that way..."
"Mama... what... what are you saying?"
"Kikyou... please pray for me, Kaede... and especially your father..." Yukari elucidated.
"Why?" Kikyou beseeched.
Yukari gave her a sad look. "I... I cannot tell you." She said before giving her a warm smile again. " But please, do this for me. Please remain happy... intelligent and most of all... strong." She reached her hand in the baby's crib to stroke Kaede's long black hair. The baby began laughing in her sleep. "I guess she's the one with the sense of humor in the family."
Kikyou approached her mother and embraced her. "Mama, I will. I shall do anything for you and anything to live the rest of my life in happy days..."
"Good. That you will if you'll always remember my words..."
* * *
Tears cascade down Kikyou's cheeks. Her entire village was burned to the ground a few months afterwards. Her mother and stepfather was mysteriously murdered on that uneventful night as well. Somehow Yukari knew that her doom was imminent. She shook with remorseful tears and begins to sob. Something she had never done since she was a very young girl. Something nobody else experienced her doing besides her beloved, late mother. "Mama... I still miss you..."
She hid this pain for fourteen years. She held it back well.
She couldn't do it any longer. Her hands cupped her face and she fell to her knees in silent sobs. Yet, she was still crying miserably. "Mama I've failed." She whimpered. "I am no longer a strong woman... I am unworthy of being a miko."
'Poor girl...' Rani sighed with condolence. As a mother herself, she had to comfort her. After all, she was old enough to be Kikyou's mother, only she was four years older than her first child, Sangou.
She sauntered off from her hiding place and approached the despondent young miko. She laid a comforting and motherly hand on Kikyou's should. Kikyou shot her head up at the taijiya leader in surprise with her tear tainted face. "Rani-san?"
Rani smiled at her. "It's okay. You're only strengthening yourself, child." She stated sincerely. "My mother told me that it is nothing wrong with crying when you really need to. So there's really no shame in it."
Kikyou felt reassured and smiled. "Arigato, Rani-san. I really needed that."
"Now that you've cleared your mind," Rani beamed, "how about satisfying your growling tummy?" How motherly of her. "We're having a banquet in about another hour. So what do you say?"
"Yes." Kikyou complied. "I'll be there."
"After the banquet there is something that I must reveal to you and your companions."
* * *
"Wow! That's game already?" Kohaku grinned. "My, miss Chizaki you are very good at this!"
"What can I say?" The brunette replied proudly. "I'm one of the best chess players there is. As a matter of fact, back home in Shizuoka I'm known as the 'Queen of The Chess Board'.
"Man. You're not kidding about that." Kohaku considered. "How about another game? I'm certainly getting closer to beating you."
"Whatever you say." Chi beamed. "You're on!"
A small figure passed by the open door to the room Chi and Kohaku were currently occupying. Shippou halted in his tracks and went back to regard the two in the room. "How it going?"
Chizaki looks up from the board game and was taken aback by surprise. "Shippou? I haven't seen you in nearly two days. Where have you been?"
"Around..." He answered. "Oh, what the heck, I've been treasure hunting."
"Treasure hunting?" Kohaku wondered. "What you got in the bag then?"
"A dozen horse shoes!!" Shippou exclaimed. "Meaning I shall have endless good luck."
"Wow... Good for you." Chi muttered sarcastically. "You know what, Shippou? I'd just discovered something about you..."
"What's that? You like me or something?" Shippou guessed.
"I found out that you a little on the slow side." She jibed. Then she grimaced. "And yes, you are far too young for me little boy. Find somebody else to play with."
Shippou made an evil smirk. "Aw... and here I'd thought that you wore the revealing kimono for me. You got legs to die for, toots."
Chi blushed all of a sudden. "What did you just say?"
The fox demon continued. "You got that pretty little round face and you got one hell of a kadoonkiedoonk on ya. Too bad for me. Kohaku's is going to be proud."
Now Kohaku started blushing. Chizaki snapped at him. "Why you little mannish midget!!!"
The evil grin on his face grew even wider, almost as though he was about to split his face. "Not only that... there's something else I've notice..."
Chi grew nervous. "That would be..."
A fang was now visible during his smile. "You're aroused!!" Shippou elucidated. "You are right now even as we speak! I can smell it!!"
Kohaku arched a brow. "What does he mean by that?"
Chi's face was boiling red in pure embarrassment. The vulpine boy was right and Kohaku absolutely didn't have a clue!! She was indeed attracted to the sixteen year old demon slayer. "Shippou!! Come here!! Your ass is mine!!!" She sprinted after him.
"Oh shit." He took off at a unnaturally fast speed. Chizaki gave him hot pursuit and when she do catches him...
She'll kill him!!
"You'll regret the day that you messed with me, Fox Boy!!" Chi declared.
"What was that all about?" Kohaku wondered as he peered his head out of the doorway to watch the tirade.
Not too sharp, aren't you, Kohaku?
* * *
"Houshi-sama, is there anything bothering you?" Sangou queried as she reached the base of the stairs in the hallway where Miroku sat. "You looked disturbed."
"I'm fine, Sangou-chan." Miroku answered sweetly. "I'm just patiently waiting for you mother to open the banquet. Man, I am starving."
"I see what you mean." Sangou replied. Then a thought concerning him, occurred. "Houshi... I wonder. How does it feels to have your soul stolen?"
"Weird." Miroku answered. "But... it was kind of fun I have to admit."
Sangou gasped. "Fun? What do you mean fun, Houshi? How can having your soul stolen can be fun in any way?"
"The creep whom stole our souls had good taste." Miroku elucidated. "In that dimension, I met with several beautiful women."
"You were in a grave situation like that and all you can think about is women!?" Scoffed Sangou.
"Yes. It was the only way I can remain happy in that endless void." He stated truthfully. "But there was a serious problem about it all..."
Sangou arched a brow. "What was it?"
"While there were countless beauties in that void, I couldn't physically make contact with any of them. How disappointing!" He slapped Sangou on her booty. "Ah! That's very nice, Sangou. See what I mean?"
The taijiya's temperature began to rise in rage. "Very funny..." She hissed. "Now you are going to see what it means to piss me off!!"
"NO!! SANGOU!!"
"Since you enjoy physical contact then you should love back pain!!" She lifts him over her head and laid him across her back. She held down his legs with one arm and his head by the other as she hopped up and down, delivering severe spasms onto his spine. The infamous Torture Rack Hold.
"Having fun yet, Houshi!?" She asked the monk on her back in a demented tone.
"NO!!!"
* * *
"It's a lovely night isn't it, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked the hanyou who sat besides her on the foyer of the demon slayer's home. "It's sort of hard to believe we went through a terrible ordeal just the other night."
"Keh. You're right about that." Inuyasha agreed. "We had one hell of a run around last night. Then it all ended up dealing with a self hating human and wannabe demon."
"That old man really gave me the creeps." Kagome admitted. " Yet, somehow I manage to build the courage to knock him on his back all of a sudden."
Inuyasha thought about what the girl just said. What Kagome was referring to was certainly funny, but if it weren't for her, Shou would of been still alive. He burst out in laughter. "Man! That was funny as hell! Damn Kagome, I didn't know you had it in you."
Kagome started blushing. "No it's not!" She chided. "I think I twist my hip when I hit him and then I fell on my own butt. None of that didn't tickle you know." She rubbed her still offended hip.
Inuyasha's lips went into a grin. "Don't worry I'm sure that your butt won't become a funny shape. From the looks of it from here, it looks like it can take a lot of punishment."
"You must have been looking really hard..." She replied as she trailed off. Then a rather nasty thought appeared in her mind. Her eyes widened in shock as her face became cherry red. "Inuyasha!!!"
"What?" He feigned innocence.
"Inu... Inuyasha? Did you just.... made a pa-" Her query was suddenly cut off.
"Hello there..." One of a group of three called as they approached them. It was the three geishas, Jun, Rika, and Yumi. "Nice night isn't it?" Said Rika.
The geishas went into a fit of giggling once they gained the couple's attention. Jun, the shy, slender, and morally chaste girl with slight brown black hair, was blushing tragically as she notices Inuyasha. She tried to hide it while tilting her head down a bit. Jun wore a lovely sakura pink kimono. She waved at them.
"Hi there..." Inuyasha returned their greeting.
Kagome nudged him in his ribs with a hidden scowl. "Hello. Is it about time for the banquet?"
"Yes. It's almost time." Yumi replied. A narrow eyed young woman of twenty years. She has short black hair with lavender streaks in her locks. She wears a green kimono and she is the tallest and thinnest of the three. She, oblivious to Kagome, made a pass at Inuyasha by batting her eyelashes at him.
"Great, because right now I can smell the food." Kagome replied anxiously.
"It's certainly nice of Rani-san to invite us to the banquet, no. Well, we'll see you there." Rika dismissed as the three continued on their path. Rika is, perhaps, the most devilish and boldest of the trio. She had the longest hair out of all of them and it was well primed. She wore her elegant black hair very much the way Kikyou wears hers, yet it may be slightly longer, it was much thinner. She bears wide brown eyes and they were currently making passes at the hanyou as well. Her figure... was ridiculous! She was tall, shapely, no, scratch that, voluptuous, and her body seems to be gravity defiant (make a man wanna yell like James Brown or Oscar Proud, for that matter). That cool purple kimono she was wearing was just augmenting that already overwhelming body of hers. Rika was the oldest and probably the wisest of the three. She naturally swiveled her hips as she walk and Inuyasha watched her stride intently... with pleasure that is.
If only Miroku would of seen her. Oh yeah, he did...
'Goddamn!!' Inuyasha pondered in awe. 'Who the hell was that!?'
Kagome interrupted his thoughts. "Don't you think it's time for us to get a move on? I know that stomach of yours is growling."
"Huh? Um... Yeah. Let's grab some grub." Inuyasha stammered.
Just as they were about to follow the geishas, a pale, slender hand reached out from the corner. The malicious geisha made a reappearance. "Hey you?" Rika called.
Inyasha and Kagome regarded the bad girl. "What?"
"This one's for you samurai boy." Rika was referring to Inuyasha. The bold woman made another pass at him, she blew him a kiss and, with a smirk she spun around on her heels and tapped her round derriere at him. The hanyou gaped at her and she starts to cackle hysterically. "I'll be seeing you later."
"Right..." He made an evil smirk of his own. A smirk that can only mean 'You sure about that? I'll run a fever in ya.'
"Inuyasha!" Kagome raged. She swatted him on the back of his head and he fell face first to the floor. "You're not Miroku you know?" She stormed off and Rika was wise to yelp and jump out of Kagome's way when she was angry. Jun and Yumi ceased their laughter too as they avoid Kagome as well.
Rika watched Kagome's form fade from her view. She sighed in relief and regarded the floored hanyou.. "That's your girl?" She beckoned. "She's cute you know."
"No..." Inuyasha grumbled, lying. "But you can call me..."
A/N: The humor is so crazy...
* * *
At the banquet...
"This curry is great." Inuyasha accredited. Then his throat was seared by the spices. "But damn it's too spicy."
"Aw. Stop whining like a baby and take it like a man." Kagome jibed. "I'd even offered you some ice tea but no, you went on ahead and dug in your dish like a dog." She paused. "No offense."
Sitting opposite of Kagome, Kikyou chuckled.
"Yeah right..." The hanyou muttered as he returned to his food.
Kagome starts to regard Miroku. "Hey Miroku is your back alright?"
Miroku nearly choked on the tea he just sipped. "Kagome... would it be nice of you not to remind me of Sangou's wrath?"
"Damn right!" Sangou exclaimed.
Rani's voice thundered into the room from the halls. "Sangou!! I've heard that!!!"
"Sorry, mother!!" She gasped. Everyone in the room burst out in laughter.
"Would you look at that!?" Inuyasha realized. "You're a mama's girl!"
"I'm not! Sangou retorted hotly.
"Am too!!" Came Rani's voice again. "I didn't raised a rebellious daughter you know?" Sangou hung her head in embarrassment as she starts to blush. Miroku patted her shoulder reassuringly, despite the fact that he now fears her shoulders. "No need." She warned the monk.
Shippou was finished eating and now he had things in mind. He looks over to Rika as she continues to make passes at Inuyasha, whenever Kagome wasn't noticing. Then he skews his gaze at a certain brunette whom was chattering away with Kohaku. He knew for a fact that Chizaki still wanted to kick his ass. Kikyou, Hikari and Jun the geisha were the quietest among the crowd. Only Kikyou made a girlish giggle at jokes uttered every now and then. Hikari was silently sipping on her tea and Jun was busy admiring Inuyasha from afar while blushing hotly. The only sentence she uttered, according to Shippou was 'Oh my... He's handsome.'
Over all, this scene was boring as hell. So Shippou decided to liven things up a bit.
He silently went over to the food bar and began browsing. He browse for something... 'expendable.' Then he found his answer as it finally occurred to him: Watermelons! With a mischievous sneer he grabbed one from the bar, aimed it, and launched it from his hands to no one in particular in the huge room.
He put out probably the most innocent of all the people in the group: Jun.
The last thing Jun saw before blacking out was a big green oval streaking it's way toward her face. And now she lies unconscious on the floor with her eyes swirling with a funny expression. Rika and Yumi gasped in shock. Jun was a fruity mess!
Jun had a tear undulating down her face as she murmured. "Oh my... mommy... did I deserved that..."
After that, everyone in the banquet shot their glares at the boy behind the bar.
"FOOD FIGHT!!!" Inuyasha roared as he make like a Marine and started spraying watermelon seeds everywhere.
Rani is going to be pissed...
* * *
"Damn it." Inuyasha cursed. "They're not done cleaning the diner yet? It's been over an hour."
"You've had to go along with Shippou's idea you know." Kikyou accused. " You dogs ruined the dinner." She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted in rumination. "You big meanie."
"Aw, put a sock in it Kikyou." Inuyasha scolded as he tapped his sheath on his bare shoulders. During the cleanup, he took this as an opportunity to train. Now he was sitting on the foyer outside along with the others. He wrapped his haori and gi around his waist, revealing a very chiseled torso... covered in sweat that is. His biceps has grown considerably bigger since he's been training with the Tetsusaiga. For a moment, the girls (even Sangou) gawked in awe at his broad shoulders and masculine figure.
A/N: Just a little something for the ladies since y'all crazy about the hanyou...
"My mom's is going to kill us." Sangou dreaded as she feared the worst. "Where did that little fox go anyway? If I can just get my hands on him at least it will make me happy." She sighed and leaned on the corner.
"You're not the only one." Chizaki agreed. "That is one bad little joker." She loosen her chignon and allowed her hair to fall upon her shoulders. "Don't any of you notice that he's a little too big for his breeches?"
"He told me that I was cute but my personality really needs to lighten up a little." Kikyou commented.
Inuyasha snorted.
"That little guy told me that my butt sticks out too much in my fighting uniform." Sangou followed.
Miroku opened his mouth, about to tell her that it was a compliment but he wisely chose to keep his mouth shut.
"Shippou said that I wear like to wear blue underwear-- and he was right." Kagome elucidated. "What give? It's not like I wore something as elegant as Chi's kimono?"
The gang went into snorts. Minus Chi who just glowered at her big sister.
"I wonder what he thinks of Rika?" Inuyasha pondered. "Man! Have any of you seen her?"
"I did." Miroku immediately responded. "She's something to kill over."
"That girl got a lump on--" He was disrupted because of the heat of Kagome's glare. "Um... I saw nothing." He went into sheepish grinning.
"Have you no shame?" Kikyou scolded. "Is that the only thing that all men think about?"
"Keh. Now that you're out of your robes Kikyou, I have to admit you have a nice rump on you too." Snickered Inuyasha. "Typical for the Amazons."
Kikyou blushed. Noticing that she only wore her white yukata during the majority of the day. Not surprisingly, she's really something to look at. "I'll just pretend that you didn't said that."
"Children..." Came Rani's eerily calm voice as she appeared from the den. Her daughter suddenly shook with apprehension. She just knew that Rani is going to explode on them any second now. "Come with me. There's something that I must show you." She sauntered off.
The gang reluctant followed, yet Sangou had to ask that question. "Mom. Aren't you angry?"
"NOW!!" Rani commanded fiercely, her emphasis comparable to a panther's roar.
Everyone cringed in fear at the older woman and said nothing else as they followed.
'Bad ass children...' Rani mentally growled as she lead the gang.
* * *
Several minutes later, it was apparent that the taijiya leader lead the gang to a cave that goes a quarter of a mile underground. Sangou was the only one besides her mother that knew where her she was leading them. Eventually, they stumbled upon a underground shrine. A small, beautiful temple dedicated to a legendary priestess.
The tomb of Midoriko.
"Does any of you know whose shrine this is?" Rani queried mysteriously.
Kikyou stumbled upon an epigraph and gasped. "Unreal! This is the tomb of the Great Priestess herself! This is the mausoleum of Midoriko!"
"Exactly." Rani replied seriously. "She's is the very creator of what you all seek in the hidden kingdom in Edo. The very relic that you seek is called the Shikon."
"I've heard of her." Kagome stated in awe. Yet she grew uncertain. "But I've never knew that she created a relic." Inuyasha walked up besides her. "This is interesting."
"Midoriko was the real deal." Inuyasha complimented. "I bet that she was even a lot bigger than Kikyou."
The said miko made a syrupy retort. "Inuyasha!! Now's not the time for you petty big woman jokes." She swatted the hanyou on the back of his head. "Really now, you should show some respect for goodness' sake."
"Midoriko..." Miroku hummed. "My parents told me that she was also a physically powerful. She had the strength of a hundred healthy men and that of ten demons put together."
"What?" Inuyasha scoffed in disbelief. "A little priestess girl as strong as ten demons?"
"And stronger than a hundred men." Miroku trailed. "It was even said that by the time Midoriko was fourteen she was already over six feet tall."
"Man. Midoriko was one imposing babe!" Inuyasha whistled.
"She means business." Chi added.
Meanwhile, Kikyou nodded her head in bemusement. "I can't be her reincarnation." She elucidated. "I can barely man handle a medium size man."
Inuyasha winked at her. "I dunno. It comes to me as apparent at how you were carrying that sailor in your arms at ease."
Kikyou blushed. "I did. Didn't I? But that man wasn't heavy at all."
"But he was considerably heavier than you are." Said Rani. "Maybe you're not Midoriko's reincarnation but I still have to say that you're certainly one of the strongest miko I've encountered in years... that is, according to spiritual strength."
"The strongest since Harumi's time?" Inuyasha queried.
"So? You know her?" Rani smiled. "It is know for a fact that Harumi guarded the very relic herself. At that time, legions upon legions of demons sought her life in hopes of obtaining the Shikon."
"Yes... It's logical!" Kikyou nodded. "The Shikon can augment the very power of demons and that of malicious humans. No wonder Harumi was a marked woman." She reached her hands in a waterfall nearby. "Unbelievable. Even in death, Midoriko continues to purify her surroundings." She cupped some of the water in her hands and took a sip. "Even this water is pure."
"So does anyone even knows what it looks like?" Kagome inquired.
"To tell you the truth, hardly no one knows what it looks like." Rani stated. "It is said that one can only feel it."
"That's just swell! We're actually seeking for something intangible on our quest." Chi scoffed. "I feel like I'm on a crash dummy mission."
"It was said that Midoriko was killed..." Kikyou wondered. "She couldn't have been killed by mortals like Harumi was. She was far too strong."
"She was nearly killed..." Rani clarified.
Everyone gaped at the elder, obviously shock by this revelation.
"On the night of her death, Midoriko fought an extraordinarily group of demons... speculations has it that it was just one. I believe it was just one sole demon." Rani stated earnestly. "Legends has it that she struggled greatly against this overwhelming entity. That battle alone lasted for days. In the final hours of that battle, Midoriko sealed the beast(s) away from civilization in a relic. Unfortunately, that required her very life force and that relic came to be known... as the Shikon."
The gang listen to the history lesson in awe. Heck, they were even sitting before her. Even Sangou was impressed. Obviously this was information even her mother hasn't told her.
"So that is what Naraku is after in Edo." Kagome realized. "We can't let a monster like him get his hands on it."
"Maybe Iga is after it as well." Sangou trailed.
"I don't know about that." Rani pondered. "Maybe there in that city you'll find scriptures and scrolls that enables you to summon the Shikon back into this world. But the Shikon itself? Bah! That's an impossibility.
Kagome stood from the ground. "Alright everyone. We've been here for three days. Tomorrow afternoon, we shall head out."
"Mother? Mat I join them?" Sangou implored. "This may prove vital in my training."
Rani nodded. "Why not? Besides you may run into your father up there. When you see him tell him and his division to come home safely. I miss him."
"Oh! Thank you so much!" Sangou merited.
Kikyou peered into a map in her hands. "Let's see... we still have over ninety miles to trek. Talk about grueling."
"No need to worry." Rani reassured. "In a village near Kofu, there is a relatively new train station there. Plus that place have a wonderful view of mount Fuji. Besides, I heard the fares are reasonable."
"Thanks for informing us." Said Kagome. "I hope that I have enough money."
"Yeah. Must of our money was on that runaway horse!" Chi sighed with regret. "Hideki! That is one crazy animal!"
"I was wondering where he was." Stated Kikyou. "So he ran away?"
"Yea, on the day we was attacked." Kagome answered.
"That's it. Tomorrow we head out and look for that station." Declared Inuyasha. "Sangou, I just hope that you're not an over sleeper because if you are... we're going to leave you."
Rani approached the hanyou and swatted him atop his head. "Not so rude." She chided. "I'll kick somebody's butt who disrespects my baby. So when Sangou returns, I better not hear her saying something about you being mean to her..." She grabs his ear. "Right?"
"I thought so." Rani beamed. "Oh well... Children, get yourselves a good night rest and prepare to embark on your quest." She heads for the exit. "Goodnight."
"Better not tug on my ear anymore..." Inuyasha muttered.
"I'VE HEARD THAT!!!" Rani shouted from deep within the cave's darkness.
'Such an intriguing story!' Hakari thought as a tiny smile crept upon her small face. 'So this is what's going on back in my hometown?'
END OF CHAPTER
A/N: Capriciousness is a great virtue...
NEXT CHAPTER
~KIKYOU~
So? We finally sets out from the village of demon slayers. It is good to have you to join us, Sangou. You too, Hikari... but you've been very quiet... as always. Along the road, Kagome spots a familiar horse. She claims that it was Hideki and we decided to follow to see if it was true. After all, Hideki had most of Kagome and Chi's necessities on him. Trailing behind the horse, we stumbled upon a ranch in the open plains. It proves to be true that the horse is indeed Hideki, according to a rancher boy that goes by the name of Souta. The funny thing is... he looks a lot like Kagome. So does Ms. Higurashi! Inuyasha and Iga(!) told us that Ms. Higurashi is her creator and thus the reason for Kagome's existence. She's the very woman that gave Kagome breath...
Ms. Higurashi... is the long lost mother of Kagome...
Should we tell her?
On the next chapter
Inuyasha
Fate's Course & Forbidden Love
Chapter Twelve: Oblivious Nostalgia
A/N: I'm thinking about drawing an online comic for this story. I've already drawn a few pictures that depicts scenes from this story. Yet, I'm kind of afraid, because time I post the comic somebody's going to get all on my case about it just to get on my nerves. Hmm... I'll get to work on it!
And please remember that the Inuyasha characters does not belong to me. Damn! You know Takahashi doesn't play that!