I want to thank everyone for the reviews. It makes tears well up in my
eyes when everyone calls me great writer . . . yet I'm not. But anyway,
since you guys like it when I update a lot, I decided to work on the next
chapter!!! Well we're going back to the past to see what the hell is going
on there, and another character makes an appearance in my story!
Winter Wonderland
Chapter Sixteen
The morning sun slowly rose into the horizon causing the black sky to disappear into colors of pink and orange. The suns rays hit everything in sight, but no the inside of a cave where near the back was a small fire that slowly died with only a few embers glowing. A crowing of the rooster echoed throughout the land which is what caused Rin to stir in her sleep. Light slowly started to brighten up the cave as Rin got to her feet, stretching her hands high above her head before rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Making sure the fire was out, Rin grabbed her cloak and wrapped it around her and her footwear before stepping outside. Jaken was near the cave entrance/exit and still seemed to be in a deep slumber. However there seemed to be no sign of Sesshoumaru. Ah and Un were sleeping peacefully by a near by tree. Shrugging her shoulders, Rin decided to get herself and the others some breakfast She made sure to make her tracks visible so she would be able to find her way back to the others. Rin smiled as she skipped down the path. Tomorrow would be her twelfth birthday and she would finally be able to get a new kimono from Sesshoumaru. The lord of the western always gave her new clothing for her birthday and a clip for hair since it was growing longer. Jaken never gave her a present, but last year he had given some footwear so she could walk in the snow instead of always riding Ah and Un. Rin suddenly spotted a white rabbit and crouched down behind a tree and slowly picked up a medium sized rock to throw at it. Just as she was about to throw it a scream came from out of no where scaring Rin almost half to death and causing the rabbit to scurry away. Rin looked a round her, wondering where the scream had come from in the first place. Another cry came again and Rin decided to find out what was making the noise. Following the screams she came to a rather large cave that had scrolls around it to keep any demons out. It was pitch black in the cave since it was facing away from the sunlight. Finally deciding what to do, Rin tightened her grip on the cloak and walked inside. Another cry echoed through out the cave, making Rin cover her ears with her on hand, the other was on the cave wall so she would know where she was going. As she made her way around the bend a soft glow from near the end of the cave caught her attention. Curiosity growing, Rin picked up the pace and finally found the cause of the screaming. A monk, a woman, a fox, a cat, and some wolf demon who was trying to break down some kind of shield. Two torches were on the wall giving the cave some light.
"Isn't there any way out of here?" asked Kouga,
"No, there isn't. Kikyo has done a good job keeping us locked in here," said Miroku, his arm wrapped around Sango.
"Any idea where she went?" asked Sango.
"Probably to get us food again,"
"I want to get out of her," whimpered Shippo. The cave was filled with a holy power that weakened demons. It had no effect on on Miroku or Sango, but Kouga and the others could barely stand.
"Calm down Shippo," said Miroku, eyeing his staff which was lying outside of the barrier, "If I had that we could get out of here,"
"Can't you just use your holy monk powers to get us out of here?" asked Kouga.
"Nope, we're stuck here. I would need my scrolls and staff to get out of here,"
Everyone sighed, but then Kouga started to sniff the air and slowly rose to his feet.
"Kouga what is it?" asked Sango.
"I smell someone,"
"Outside the cave?"
"No, they're already inside,"
"Maybe if we yell loud enough he or she can hear us!" said Shippo.
Kouga looked into the darkness and could see a small figure standing near the wall of the cave, "Hey you there! Can you come give us a hand?"
Everyone looked where Kouga was looking and saw a small girl with dark brown hair slowly walk into the light. She was wearing a green kimono that was too short for her.
"Hey I've seen her before!" said Kouga.
"So have I," said Sango.
Rin looked sort of frightened, and was surprised that she recognized most of these people, "You're that wolf demon that saved me from that monster," whispered Rin. (Episode 100, Kouga and Sesshoumaru's Dangerous Encounter if you were wondering)
"Yeah, I am," said Kouga.
"What are you doing here?"asked Sango.
"I heard screaming and decided to see what it was. I was getting food for Sesshoumaru and Jaken, but I made my way here," said Rin.
"Rin, could you do me a favor?" asked Miroku.
"I guess,"
"Do you see that gold staff there? Right beside the big boomerang?"
"Yes,"
"Could you please pass me that?"
"But why are you locked up?" asked Rin, wondering if she should let these people out or not.
"Do you remember Inu-Yasha?"
"Sesshoumaru's brother? I remember him,"
"Well someone is trying to trap Inu-Yasha here by using us as bait, we need to get out and warn him,"
Rin looked at Miroku, and finally decided to help them. She walked over to the staff and grasped it in her hand. Carrying it over to the monk, she tried to pass it to Miroku through the barrier, but when it touched it repelled the staff, throwing Rin back and onto the ground.
"Rin are you alright?" asked Sango.
"I'm fine," she said, rubbing her head.
"Damn, and I was sure that was going to work," hissed Miroku.
"Wait I've got an idea! Rin can you stand?" asked Sango.
"Yes,"
"Try to stick your hand through the barrier and grab mine,"
Getting to her feet, Rin slowly reached her hand to grab Sango's and was surprised that she wasn't thrown back. The barrier felt like warm water against her skin as she reached to grab Sango's hand. Grasping the exterminators hand, Sango walked through the barrier with her hand still in Rin's.
"Hey it worked!" cried Kouga.
"Sango, grab my hand and let's get the hell out of here!" said Miroku.
Sango reached forward, but no one seemed to notice the soul catcher who was heading out of the cave to find it's master.
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Sesshoumaru slowly made his way through the forest and back to his camp where his followers were still sleeping. As he reached the clearing he could see Jaken still sleeping near the entrance of the cave and so was his two headed dragon. He poked his head into the cave to see if Rin was still sleeping, but he couldn't hear her even breathing. Slightly panicking, but not showing it, he made his way to the back to find Rin was gone. Turning around he walked back out and saw small child tracks leading off into the forest. Glancing at Jaken, he kicked the imp which immediately woke him up.
"Jaken, where is Rin?" asked Sesshoumaru in his emotionless tone of voice.
Shaking the snow off him Jaken looked around, "I do not know my lord, isn't she still sleeping?"
Narrowing his eyes, he followed Rin's footsteps into the forest. Jaken go to his feet and grabbed Ah and Un's reigns, following after his master. Sesshoumaru sniffed at the air, making sure there weren't any dangerous demons in the forest to attack Rin if they caught her off guard.
"My lord do you smell that? It smells of death and yet somehow alive," said Jaken.
Sesshoumaru did not respond, but he could also smell it and it was in the direction of Rin's scent.
"I recognize this smell, it is of that woman who Inu-Yasha had fallen in love with and died, but now she has risen once again and is no longer human,"
Jaken nodded as they continued to follow Rin's tracks. Sesshoumaru suddenly came to a stop and looked straight ahead of him to see her . . . Kikyo . . . the woman who was no longer living, yet not dead. The lord watched her, wondering why she would be all the way out here. Jaken and Sesshoumaru watched as Kikyo disappeared into a cave near by. Sesshoumaru noticed that Rin's track also lead into the cave as well.
"Are we going in my lord?"
Sesshoumaru did not speak as he followed the maiden into the cave with Jaken right on his heels. He could feel himself slightly weaken as he went further into the cave and could tell Jake was feeling it too. Everything was quiet, but then he could hear voices up ahead.
"Alright, now let's get out of here!"
Footsteps could be heard up ahead and were coming closer and closer. Suddenly a yelp came from near by and before Sesshoumaru knew it someone collided in with him, causing him to fall to the ground. There was a blinding flash of pink light that lit up the whole cave which even caused Sesshoumaru to shield his eyes. The lord could feel something snake around him, tying him up and due to the holiness in the cave, he couldn't fight back. Opening his eyes, he could see Kouga lying near by him, being tied up by soul catchers which were also wrapped around him. He could also see Inu-Yasha's friends, Rin and Kikyo standing in the middle causing the glow of the pink light.
Kikyo noticed the lord of the western lands and was about to let him go, but then her eyes drifted to the two swords that lay at his hip. She knew the power of the Tenseiga, and how it would release the souls from her body. Sesshoumaru would most likely do it for pissing him off and having both his followers tied up. Sighing, she increased the holy power so that Sesshoumaru and Kouga became weaker and walked to the back of the cave, her soul catchers following right behind her.
"It seems I will be using all of you to bring Inu-Yasha and Kagome to me then,"
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Miroku sighed as he held Sango tighter to his chest. The cave was so cold that everyone was snuggled close to someone to keep warm. Kikyo had once again disappeared leaving her prisoners alone with no guard to watch them.
"Miroku?"
The monk looked down at his future wife, "Yes?"
"How long have we been in here?" asked Sango.
"Almost three days now," whispered kissing Sango's forehead.
"Inu-Yasha and Kagome should be back soon then,"
"Would someone mind telling me what is going on?" asked Sesshoumaru from his corner.
Miroku glanced at the lord of the western lands and smiled. Rin was sleeping silently against the demons chest who had one arm wrapped around her while his fur kept the rest of the girls body warm, "Kikyo is using us as bait to lure Inu-Yasha and Kagome to her so she can get the remaining jewel shards, and then send the completed jewel and Naraku to hell. Then after that drag Inu-Yasha to the depths of hell with her,"
"My brother has agreed to go with her?"
"Almost three years ago he did agree to jump into hell with her, but now I'm not so sure,"
Sesshoumaru chuckled, "My brother is such a fool, and naive,"
Silence once again filled the cave.
"Sesshoumaru, Kouga, can you move at all?" asked Miroku.
Kouga shifter slightly, but slumped back down to his original spot, "No, and I still feel sick. It's almost the same as when we were at Mt. Hijiri,"
"I cannot move much either," whispered Sesshoumaru, closing his eyes.
Miroku sighed and tightened his hold on Sango, "We're going to be here or a while then,"
"If I wasn't so weak I'd tear that bitch to pieces," growled Kouga, "Hey Miroku,"
"Yes?"
"What's the deal between Kikyo and Inu-Yasha?"
"Fifty three years ago Inu-Yasha was after the jewel, but since Kikyo was guarding it he could never get his hands on it. The two ended up falling in love with each other, and Inu-Yasha was going to use the jewel to become human so he and Kikyo could be together. When Naraku heard of this, he made it seem like the two betrayed each other which ended up Inu-Yasha being pinned to a tree for fifty years and Kikyo losing her life,"
Miroku noticed that Sesshoumaru was also listening, though he pretended like he wasn't.
"So how is Kikyo back then?" asked Kouga.
"A demon witch was after the jewel and rose Kikyo back from the dead using Kagome's soul, however Kikyo ended up killing the witch and it was then that Inu-Yasha found out that Kikyo wasn't the one who betrayed him. Inu-Yasha feels guilty that it was his fault Kikyo died and feels if it is his destiny, he will follow Kikyo to hell to rest her soul at peace,"
"But you said Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation, doesn't that mean that Kagome shouldn't be moving without her soul?"
"The remaining part of the soul that keeps Kikyo moving is the hatred for Inu-Yasha,"
"Doesn't mutt face realize that?"
"No, even though that is what the demon witch told him, he still believes that she is the real Kikyo,"
"My brother is such an idiot," chuckled Sesshoumaru.
"For still being in love with Kikyo?" asked Miroku.
"No. If the two truly loved one another, their trust would not have been broken so easily. It is not just his fault, but hers as well. My brother is naive and thinks everything is his fault,"
Miroku nodded and held the sleeping Sango tighter.
"So does that mean Inu-Yasha only likes Kagome because she is the reincarnation of Kikyo?" asked Kouga.
"No, he likes Kagome because she accepts him as what he is, a half demon. He may still be in love with Kikyo, however he still wants Kagome by his side,"
"Two timer," whispered Sesshoumaru.
"That's what we called him," whispered Shippo who was curled up beside Kirara.
"So let me get this straight Inu-Yasha loves both Kagome and Kikyo?" asked Kouga.
"It seems that way, "sighed Miroku.
"I don't know why she's keeping him locked in here," said Kouga looking at Sesshoumaru.
"Do you see this sword?" asked Sesshoumaru, motioning his head to the Tenseiga.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"It has the ability to bring souls back from the dead. If I wanted to, I could use it on her, and the dead woman souls in her body would leave her and she would be unable to move. I wouldn't have done it if she would have let me go from the beginning, but now I'm going to do it the moment I get out of here,"
Miroku set Sango to the ground and got to his feet, heading towards the barrier, "I just don't understand how she is able to keep both humans and demons inside this barrier,"
Sango's eyes opened and she also got to her feet, "She is able to pass through it,"
"Yes. We managed to get out with Rin's help, so we might have to wait for someone to come in here again,"
"Speaking of Kikyo, why does she always wander off? We almost got out, and yet she still leaves us alone,"
"That's a good question, where has she been going?"
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Sesshoumaru was awaken by the sound of footsteps coming into the cave. Hid eyes slowly opened as he watched Kikyo come into the light and took a seat on the ground, setting her bow and arrows to the side. The others were still fast asleep since it was the middle of the night. Sesshoumaru shifted slightly and was careful not to awaken Rin.
"You are awake," whispered Kikyo, not shifting her eyes from the ground.
The lord of the western land didn't say anything, his eyes were just locked on the dead miko.
"I can tell you are angry with me for keeping you locked up, but I have my reasons. I cannot have you killing me when I have to deal with Naraku and Inu-Yasha,"
"Naraku is mine to deal with," hissed Sesshoumaru.
"Yes, it seems everyone has a grudge against Naraku one way or another. Miroku fights because of his curse, Sango for her family, Kouga for his kin, Inu-Yasha for my premature death those so many years ago, you because he kidnaped your little girl, and I because he killed me,"
"That is not why I am after Naraku,"growled Sesshoumaru.
"Then why are you after him?"
Sesshoumaru growled and turned his head away to stare at the ground.
Kikyo just stared at the others, "Once I am finished with the jewel, Naraku, and Inu-Yasha, I will release you all, I have no intention of killing you like I threatened to my sister,"
"I didn't know you threatened to kill us, but I doubt you could kill me,"
"And you wouldn't kill me in front of her would you?" asked Kikyo, gesturing towards Rin.
Sesshoumaru just growled softly so that it would not wake the sleeping Rin, "Why do you want to kill him?"
"Inu-Yasha?"
Sesshoumaru just nodded his head.
"He should have died with me that treacherous day, but I wasn't able to kill him, so we must leave this world together,"
"You humans are so foolish. Is it true that you once loved him?"
"At one time, but once the strings of fate have been cut, they can never be rejoined. Inu-Yasha's life is in my hands. I can see that Inu-Yasha is still in love with me now, and with that love he has agreed to follow me in death,"
"You mean was,"
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been listening to them. Talking about their adventures, and some of their encounters with you. Tell me, do you know how Inu-Yasha acted when he thought you were dead by Naraku's hand the second time?"
"Of what I've heard, he was very depressed, what of it?"
"Before I answer you question, do you despise the woman that follows him? Kagome?"
"She was quite a nuisance at the beginning, but Inu-Yasha has made up his mind to be with me. Kagome has saved me a few times, but what does that have to do with me when I died a second time?"
"Nothing really, it's just the fact that someone he supposedly loved died once again, and yet he just felt a little depressed?"
"What is your point?"
"My point dear miko, is that you are losing your control on my brother. He is falling in love with someone else,"
"Kagome? He cares for her since she is my reincarnation. That is the only reason he was depressed when I died, because he still had her,"
"Is that what you believe? Tell me have you ever seen Inu-Yasha cry?"
"Inu-Yasha has never cried, and probably never will,"
"Tsk, tsk, you are wrong there, for when Kagome was supposedly dead, my little brother cried for the first time,"
Kikyo's eyes widened.
"You have lost your control on my brother, he is slowly realizing you are not the real Kikyo. All he feels for you is guilt for letting you die when you were both ensnared into Naraku's trap,"
"You lie,"
"Maybe I am, but then why would he be gone so long with Kagome, instead of looking for you to see if you are well?"
"Shut up . . ."
"You may have fooled Inu-Yasha into believing you were the real Kikyo, but unlike my little brother when I first saw you, I knew you were nothing but a puppet. I know you should have died in that lava of river, but it seems fate as another roll for you to play before you pass onto the after life,"
Kikyo suddenly stood, and she was surrounded by a pink light, and the holy power in the cave started to increase, almost causing Sesshoumaru to cry out in pain.
"I am the real Kikyo! Kagome is nothing more than a copy, and if Inu- Yasha wishes to be with her instead of me I will just get her out of the way once again!"
TBC . . .
Okay so there was no Inu-Yasha and Kagome, but I decided we needed to know what was happening in the past. Next chapter will be up some time soon and half of it will be Christmas morning in the present, and Sesshoumaru's inner thoughts of Rin!
Lynns
Winter Wonderland
Chapter Sixteen
The morning sun slowly rose into the horizon causing the black sky to disappear into colors of pink and orange. The suns rays hit everything in sight, but no the inside of a cave where near the back was a small fire that slowly died with only a few embers glowing. A crowing of the rooster echoed throughout the land which is what caused Rin to stir in her sleep. Light slowly started to brighten up the cave as Rin got to her feet, stretching her hands high above her head before rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Making sure the fire was out, Rin grabbed her cloak and wrapped it around her and her footwear before stepping outside. Jaken was near the cave entrance/exit and still seemed to be in a deep slumber. However there seemed to be no sign of Sesshoumaru. Ah and Un were sleeping peacefully by a near by tree. Shrugging her shoulders, Rin decided to get herself and the others some breakfast She made sure to make her tracks visible so she would be able to find her way back to the others. Rin smiled as she skipped down the path. Tomorrow would be her twelfth birthday and she would finally be able to get a new kimono from Sesshoumaru. The lord of the western always gave her new clothing for her birthday and a clip for hair since it was growing longer. Jaken never gave her a present, but last year he had given some footwear so she could walk in the snow instead of always riding Ah and Un. Rin suddenly spotted a white rabbit and crouched down behind a tree and slowly picked up a medium sized rock to throw at it. Just as she was about to throw it a scream came from out of no where scaring Rin almost half to death and causing the rabbit to scurry away. Rin looked a round her, wondering where the scream had come from in the first place. Another cry came again and Rin decided to find out what was making the noise. Following the screams she came to a rather large cave that had scrolls around it to keep any demons out. It was pitch black in the cave since it was facing away from the sunlight. Finally deciding what to do, Rin tightened her grip on the cloak and walked inside. Another cry echoed through out the cave, making Rin cover her ears with her on hand, the other was on the cave wall so she would know where she was going. As she made her way around the bend a soft glow from near the end of the cave caught her attention. Curiosity growing, Rin picked up the pace and finally found the cause of the screaming. A monk, a woman, a fox, a cat, and some wolf demon who was trying to break down some kind of shield. Two torches were on the wall giving the cave some light.
"Isn't there any way out of here?" asked Kouga,
"No, there isn't. Kikyo has done a good job keeping us locked in here," said Miroku, his arm wrapped around Sango.
"Any idea where she went?" asked Sango.
"Probably to get us food again,"
"I want to get out of her," whimpered Shippo. The cave was filled with a holy power that weakened demons. It had no effect on on Miroku or Sango, but Kouga and the others could barely stand.
"Calm down Shippo," said Miroku, eyeing his staff which was lying outside of the barrier, "If I had that we could get out of here,"
"Can't you just use your holy monk powers to get us out of here?" asked Kouga.
"Nope, we're stuck here. I would need my scrolls and staff to get out of here,"
Everyone sighed, but then Kouga started to sniff the air and slowly rose to his feet.
"Kouga what is it?" asked Sango.
"I smell someone,"
"Outside the cave?"
"No, they're already inside,"
"Maybe if we yell loud enough he or she can hear us!" said Shippo.
Kouga looked into the darkness and could see a small figure standing near the wall of the cave, "Hey you there! Can you come give us a hand?"
Everyone looked where Kouga was looking and saw a small girl with dark brown hair slowly walk into the light. She was wearing a green kimono that was too short for her.
"Hey I've seen her before!" said Kouga.
"So have I," said Sango.
Rin looked sort of frightened, and was surprised that she recognized most of these people, "You're that wolf demon that saved me from that monster," whispered Rin. (Episode 100, Kouga and Sesshoumaru's Dangerous Encounter if you were wondering)
"Yeah, I am," said Kouga.
"What are you doing here?"asked Sango.
"I heard screaming and decided to see what it was. I was getting food for Sesshoumaru and Jaken, but I made my way here," said Rin.
"Rin, could you do me a favor?" asked Miroku.
"I guess,"
"Do you see that gold staff there? Right beside the big boomerang?"
"Yes,"
"Could you please pass me that?"
"But why are you locked up?" asked Rin, wondering if she should let these people out or not.
"Do you remember Inu-Yasha?"
"Sesshoumaru's brother? I remember him,"
"Well someone is trying to trap Inu-Yasha here by using us as bait, we need to get out and warn him,"
Rin looked at Miroku, and finally decided to help them. She walked over to the staff and grasped it in her hand. Carrying it over to the monk, she tried to pass it to Miroku through the barrier, but when it touched it repelled the staff, throwing Rin back and onto the ground.
"Rin are you alright?" asked Sango.
"I'm fine," she said, rubbing her head.
"Damn, and I was sure that was going to work," hissed Miroku.
"Wait I've got an idea! Rin can you stand?" asked Sango.
"Yes,"
"Try to stick your hand through the barrier and grab mine,"
Getting to her feet, Rin slowly reached her hand to grab Sango's and was surprised that she wasn't thrown back. The barrier felt like warm water against her skin as she reached to grab Sango's hand. Grasping the exterminators hand, Sango walked through the barrier with her hand still in Rin's.
"Hey it worked!" cried Kouga.
"Sango, grab my hand and let's get the hell out of here!" said Miroku.
Sango reached forward, but no one seemed to notice the soul catcher who was heading out of the cave to find it's master.
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Sesshoumaru slowly made his way through the forest and back to his camp where his followers were still sleeping. As he reached the clearing he could see Jaken still sleeping near the entrance of the cave and so was his two headed dragon. He poked his head into the cave to see if Rin was still sleeping, but he couldn't hear her even breathing. Slightly panicking, but not showing it, he made his way to the back to find Rin was gone. Turning around he walked back out and saw small child tracks leading off into the forest. Glancing at Jaken, he kicked the imp which immediately woke him up.
"Jaken, where is Rin?" asked Sesshoumaru in his emotionless tone of voice.
Shaking the snow off him Jaken looked around, "I do not know my lord, isn't she still sleeping?"
Narrowing his eyes, he followed Rin's footsteps into the forest. Jaken go to his feet and grabbed Ah and Un's reigns, following after his master. Sesshoumaru sniffed at the air, making sure there weren't any dangerous demons in the forest to attack Rin if they caught her off guard.
"My lord do you smell that? It smells of death and yet somehow alive," said Jaken.
Sesshoumaru did not respond, but he could also smell it and it was in the direction of Rin's scent.
"I recognize this smell, it is of that woman who Inu-Yasha had fallen in love with and died, but now she has risen once again and is no longer human,"
Jaken nodded as they continued to follow Rin's tracks. Sesshoumaru suddenly came to a stop and looked straight ahead of him to see her . . . Kikyo . . . the woman who was no longer living, yet not dead. The lord watched her, wondering why she would be all the way out here. Jaken and Sesshoumaru watched as Kikyo disappeared into a cave near by. Sesshoumaru noticed that Rin's track also lead into the cave as well.
"Are we going in my lord?"
Sesshoumaru did not speak as he followed the maiden into the cave with Jaken right on his heels. He could feel himself slightly weaken as he went further into the cave and could tell Jake was feeling it too. Everything was quiet, but then he could hear voices up ahead.
"Alright, now let's get out of here!"
Footsteps could be heard up ahead and were coming closer and closer. Suddenly a yelp came from near by and before Sesshoumaru knew it someone collided in with him, causing him to fall to the ground. There was a blinding flash of pink light that lit up the whole cave which even caused Sesshoumaru to shield his eyes. The lord could feel something snake around him, tying him up and due to the holiness in the cave, he couldn't fight back. Opening his eyes, he could see Kouga lying near by him, being tied up by soul catchers which were also wrapped around him. He could also see Inu-Yasha's friends, Rin and Kikyo standing in the middle causing the glow of the pink light.
Kikyo noticed the lord of the western lands and was about to let him go, but then her eyes drifted to the two swords that lay at his hip. She knew the power of the Tenseiga, and how it would release the souls from her body. Sesshoumaru would most likely do it for pissing him off and having both his followers tied up. Sighing, she increased the holy power so that Sesshoumaru and Kouga became weaker and walked to the back of the cave, her soul catchers following right behind her.
"It seems I will be using all of you to bring Inu-Yasha and Kagome to me then,"
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Miroku sighed as he held Sango tighter to his chest. The cave was so cold that everyone was snuggled close to someone to keep warm. Kikyo had once again disappeared leaving her prisoners alone with no guard to watch them.
"Miroku?"
The monk looked down at his future wife, "Yes?"
"How long have we been in here?" asked Sango.
"Almost three days now," whispered kissing Sango's forehead.
"Inu-Yasha and Kagome should be back soon then,"
"Would someone mind telling me what is going on?" asked Sesshoumaru from his corner.
Miroku glanced at the lord of the western lands and smiled. Rin was sleeping silently against the demons chest who had one arm wrapped around her while his fur kept the rest of the girls body warm, "Kikyo is using us as bait to lure Inu-Yasha and Kagome to her so she can get the remaining jewel shards, and then send the completed jewel and Naraku to hell. Then after that drag Inu-Yasha to the depths of hell with her,"
"My brother has agreed to go with her?"
"Almost three years ago he did agree to jump into hell with her, but now I'm not so sure,"
Sesshoumaru chuckled, "My brother is such a fool, and naive,"
Silence once again filled the cave.
"Sesshoumaru, Kouga, can you move at all?" asked Miroku.
Kouga shifter slightly, but slumped back down to his original spot, "No, and I still feel sick. It's almost the same as when we were at Mt. Hijiri,"
"I cannot move much either," whispered Sesshoumaru, closing his eyes.
Miroku sighed and tightened his hold on Sango, "We're going to be here or a while then,"
"If I wasn't so weak I'd tear that bitch to pieces," growled Kouga, "Hey Miroku,"
"Yes?"
"What's the deal between Kikyo and Inu-Yasha?"
"Fifty three years ago Inu-Yasha was after the jewel, but since Kikyo was guarding it he could never get his hands on it. The two ended up falling in love with each other, and Inu-Yasha was going to use the jewel to become human so he and Kikyo could be together. When Naraku heard of this, he made it seem like the two betrayed each other which ended up Inu-Yasha being pinned to a tree for fifty years and Kikyo losing her life,"
Miroku noticed that Sesshoumaru was also listening, though he pretended like he wasn't.
"So how is Kikyo back then?" asked Kouga.
"A demon witch was after the jewel and rose Kikyo back from the dead using Kagome's soul, however Kikyo ended up killing the witch and it was then that Inu-Yasha found out that Kikyo wasn't the one who betrayed him. Inu-Yasha feels guilty that it was his fault Kikyo died and feels if it is his destiny, he will follow Kikyo to hell to rest her soul at peace,"
"But you said Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation, doesn't that mean that Kagome shouldn't be moving without her soul?"
"The remaining part of the soul that keeps Kikyo moving is the hatred for Inu-Yasha,"
"Doesn't mutt face realize that?"
"No, even though that is what the demon witch told him, he still believes that she is the real Kikyo,"
"My brother is such an idiot," chuckled Sesshoumaru.
"For still being in love with Kikyo?" asked Miroku.
"No. If the two truly loved one another, their trust would not have been broken so easily. It is not just his fault, but hers as well. My brother is naive and thinks everything is his fault,"
Miroku nodded and held the sleeping Sango tighter.
"So does that mean Inu-Yasha only likes Kagome because she is the reincarnation of Kikyo?" asked Kouga.
"No, he likes Kagome because she accepts him as what he is, a half demon. He may still be in love with Kikyo, however he still wants Kagome by his side,"
"Two timer," whispered Sesshoumaru.
"That's what we called him," whispered Shippo who was curled up beside Kirara.
"So let me get this straight Inu-Yasha loves both Kagome and Kikyo?" asked Kouga.
"It seems that way, "sighed Miroku.
"I don't know why she's keeping him locked in here," said Kouga looking at Sesshoumaru.
"Do you see this sword?" asked Sesshoumaru, motioning his head to the Tenseiga.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"It has the ability to bring souls back from the dead. If I wanted to, I could use it on her, and the dead woman souls in her body would leave her and she would be unable to move. I wouldn't have done it if she would have let me go from the beginning, but now I'm going to do it the moment I get out of here,"
Miroku set Sango to the ground and got to his feet, heading towards the barrier, "I just don't understand how she is able to keep both humans and demons inside this barrier,"
Sango's eyes opened and she also got to her feet, "She is able to pass through it,"
"Yes. We managed to get out with Rin's help, so we might have to wait for someone to come in here again,"
"Speaking of Kikyo, why does she always wander off? We almost got out, and yet she still leaves us alone,"
"That's a good question, where has she been going?"
************************************************************************
Sesshoumaru was awaken by the sound of footsteps coming into the cave. Hid eyes slowly opened as he watched Kikyo come into the light and took a seat on the ground, setting her bow and arrows to the side. The others were still fast asleep since it was the middle of the night. Sesshoumaru shifted slightly and was careful not to awaken Rin.
"You are awake," whispered Kikyo, not shifting her eyes from the ground.
The lord of the western land didn't say anything, his eyes were just locked on the dead miko.
"I can tell you are angry with me for keeping you locked up, but I have my reasons. I cannot have you killing me when I have to deal with Naraku and Inu-Yasha,"
"Naraku is mine to deal with," hissed Sesshoumaru.
"Yes, it seems everyone has a grudge against Naraku one way or another. Miroku fights because of his curse, Sango for her family, Kouga for his kin, Inu-Yasha for my premature death those so many years ago, you because he kidnaped your little girl, and I because he killed me,"
"That is not why I am after Naraku,"growled Sesshoumaru.
"Then why are you after him?"
Sesshoumaru growled and turned his head away to stare at the ground.
Kikyo just stared at the others, "Once I am finished with the jewel, Naraku, and Inu-Yasha, I will release you all, I have no intention of killing you like I threatened to my sister,"
"I didn't know you threatened to kill us, but I doubt you could kill me,"
"And you wouldn't kill me in front of her would you?" asked Kikyo, gesturing towards Rin.
Sesshoumaru just growled softly so that it would not wake the sleeping Rin, "Why do you want to kill him?"
"Inu-Yasha?"
Sesshoumaru just nodded his head.
"He should have died with me that treacherous day, but I wasn't able to kill him, so we must leave this world together,"
"You humans are so foolish. Is it true that you once loved him?"
"At one time, but once the strings of fate have been cut, they can never be rejoined. Inu-Yasha's life is in my hands. I can see that Inu-Yasha is still in love with me now, and with that love he has agreed to follow me in death,"
"You mean was,"
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been listening to them. Talking about their adventures, and some of their encounters with you. Tell me, do you know how Inu-Yasha acted when he thought you were dead by Naraku's hand the second time?"
"Of what I've heard, he was very depressed, what of it?"
"Before I answer you question, do you despise the woman that follows him? Kagome?"
"She was quite a nuisance at the beginning, but Inu-Yasha has made up his mind to be with me. Kagome has saved me a few times, but what does that have to do with me when I died a second time?"
"Nothing really, it's just the fact that someone he supposedly loved died once again, and yet he just felt a little depressed?"
"What is your point?"
"My point dear miko, is that you are losing your control on my brother. He is falling in love with someone else,"
"Kagome? He cares for her since she is my reincarnation. That is the only reason he was depressed when I died, because he still had her,"
"Is that what you believe? Tell me have you ever seen Inu-Yasha cry?"
"Inu-Yasha has never cried, and probably never will,"
"Tsk, tsk, you are wrong there, for when Kagome was supposedly dead, my little brother cried for the first time,"
Kikyo's eyes widened.
"You have lost your control on my brother, he is slowly realizing you are not the real Kikyo. All he feels for you is guilt for letting you die when you were both ensnared into Naraku's trap,"
"You lie,"
"Maybe I am, but then why would he be gone so long with Kagome, instead of looking for you to see if you are well?"
"Shut up . . ."
"You may have fooled Inu-Yasha into believing you were the real Kikyo, but unlike my little brother when I first saw you, I knew you were nothing but a puppet. I know you should have died in that lava of river, but it seems fate as another roll for you to play before you pass onto the after life,"
Kikyo suddenly stood, and she was surrounded by a pink light, and the holy power in the cave started to increase, almost causing Sesshoumaru to cry out in pain.
"I am the real Kikyo! Kagome is nothing more than a copy, and if Inu- Yasha wishes to be with her instead of me I will just get her out of the way once again!"
TBC . . .
Okay so there was no Inu-Yasha and Kagome, but I decided we needed to know what was happening in the past. Next chapter will be up some time soon and half of it will be Christmas morning in the present, and Sesshoumaru's inner thoughts of Rin!
Lynns