Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.
Please review if you read! Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism welcome. No flames.
"Back to Kagoshima?" Miroku asked in disbelief, "Why?"
"Because Lady Meiko and I both suspect that Lady Kaede holds something of great value to us there," Kyoko informed them, as the group settled in their train seats. "A scroll that will help us locate and defeat Toshiro, one that Inuyasha gave to the shrine years ago."
"Why wouldn't he have given you this in the first place?" Miroku pressed, and Kyoko shook her head.
"I don't know. But it's worth checking out, at least," she pointed out, and Sesshomaru nodded. She leaned back against the cushion, and he slid his arm around her shoulders. Miroku shrugged, but gave in.
"I guess," he sighed, and picked up his book once again.
"Unbelievable…" Kyoko murmured, as they entered the shrine. Blood stains still covered the grounds, even though the bodies had been taken away. Kyoko led them to the building where the Shikon no Tama had been kept, and hesitated as she reached for the door.
"They're gone," Sesshomaru reminded her quietly. Nodding, she slid the door open, but gasped at the sight.
The pedestal where the jewel had been kept was covered completely in blood, as was the immediate area on the floor surrounding it.
"A great many mikos must have died in this room defending this area from him," Miroku observed, and then blinked when Kyoko knelt next to the pedestal.
"I believe Lady Meiko said it was…here," she looked grim as her finger found a button, and pressed it. A small panel opened up in the wall next to Sesshomaru, and he blinked in surprise.
"It should be in here," Kyoko told them, taking a box from the hole. Placing it on her lap, she managed to pick the lock easily, and Miroku and Sesshomaru peered over her shoulder to see what was inside. To their great disappointment, it was empty.
"Damn," Miroku shook his head, as Kyoko's face fell. Placing the box back in the wall, she turned and left the shrine as it was, without looking back.
"Either Toshiro knew of that spot, and got to it first, or Lady Kaede moved it beforehand," Sesshomaru thought, as the group returned to their hotel.
"How did Lady Meiko know that was there, though?" Miroku asked, and Kyoko glanced at them.
"She trained in Kagoshima Shrine before she was assigned the duties of head miko at Yatsushiro Shrine," she told them, "Apparently, all advanced mikos were told of the hiding spot, so that they might be able to protect it in times of trouble."
"I see," Miroku nodded thoughtfully, and then stopped. "I want to go see some old friends of mine tonight – I'll meet you back at the hotel first thing tomorrow, okay?"
"Don't go too far," Sesshomaru warned him suddenly, as the monk began to rush off. "I don't sense Toshiro anywhere, but a youkai may appear tonight."
"I know!" Miroku called, "But I've got powers too, remember?"
"Men," Kyoko shook her head in exasperation, as she and Sesshomaru entered the hotel. Turning toward the dining area, she paused and looked at him. "I need to eat something. Are you hungry?"
"No, but I should probably eat something anyway," he sighed, and followed her into the hall.
"I'm surprised they have such good food in a hotel," Kyoko thought, as they rode the elevator up. Hesitating, she turned to Sesshomaru awkwardly.
"Yes?"
"Sesshomaru…I'm scared to be alone tonight," she managed to say, avoiding his gaze, "I…I don't want to be by myself. I know it's stupid, but I'm scared."
"I don't blame you," he remarked, stepping into the empty hallway. "You may be a formidable foe for Toshiro now, with the jewel and yourself both purified, but he will still kill you quite easily."
"So…?" Kyoko waited for the taiyoukai to say no, but to her surprise he nodded.
"I vowed to keep you safe, and letting you remain alone for any lengthy period of time is foolish," he admitted, and began to walk down the hall. "Come – it's getting dark."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Kyoko followed him into the room happily.
"For spring, it's awfully cold here," she remarked, wrapping herself up in a blanket. She was sitting on the futon reading a book, while Sesshomaru gazed out the window. Unknown to her, Sesshomaru was fighting down his desires that had been forming ever since that fateful night of the dream.
"Hrm," he muttered absently, and she looked up with a frown.
"Easy for you to 'hrm' about," she retorted, "You've got youkai blood – and fur pelt on top of it." Returning to her book, Kyoko buried herself underneath the blanket, half-sitting against the wall.
Several minutes later, she jumped when she felt the mattress move. To her surprise, Sesshomaru silently shifted next to her, and wrapped the pelt around them both.
"You made a good point," he said, and fell silent again. Kyoko blinked at him, and then snuggled closer, inhaling the scent of the pelt deeply. Closing her eyes, she soon fell asleep. Sesshomaru only noticed by her rhythmic breathing, and the fact that the book had slipped from her fingers onto the floor. Pulling her slightly closer, he wrapped his arm around her as well.
"I am above these desires which fester in me," he thought firmly, "She is a miko that can purify me instantly, and I am an taiyoukai. I will not give into this."
Glancing down at her, Sesshomaru was unable to stop himself from kissing her hair lightly, and inhaled her scent with deep breaths. Closing his eyes, he fell into meditation, Kyoko firmly pressed against him.
Arching her back against the firm thing next to her, Kyoko woke abruptly when she felt the pelt against her cheek. Sitting up so fast that she hit her head on the wall, she fell off the bed in her haste to get away from Sesshomaru, who was watching her with an amused smile.
"He's smiling…that can't be good," she thought, and then stood up. He remained sitting, but his thoughts were now turned inward. At the feel of her body arching up against his, the images which had managed to drive out of his mind had come rushing back.
"I –I'm going to get dressed," she told him, trying to regain her lost dignity. When he didn't respond, she rushed into the bathroom, grabbing her clothes from yesterday as she went.
When she returned, Sesshomaru was staring out the window, apparently ignoring her. Grateful for the chance to compose herself, Kyoko busied herself for a few moments fixing the bed and gathering her things.
"We should go find Miroku," she said suddenly, straightening herself. Sesshomaru glanced at her momentarily, and then nodded. She reached for her bag, but to her surprise, the taiyoukai picked it up first, and held it easily in his arm.
"He keeps surprising me," she thought ruefully, not exactly liking being surprised, but not exactly disliking the feeling, either.
Following the youkai out the door, Kyoko suddenly pressed her fingers against her temple, and Sesshomaru turned around in concern.
"What's the matter?"
"Just…nothing, I'm sure," she said, shaking her head to remove the feeling of pressure. Her hair was mainly loose, with pieces in the front gathered back in a knot, and several loose hairs in her eyes. Sesshomaru eyed her sharply, and she pushed past him.
He remained silent, and followed the miko outside.
She breathed in the fresh air deeply, obviously enjoying the sunny but cool day. Stretching for a moment, Kyoko stopped when she saw Miroku striding toward them, looking a little worse for wear.
"I thought monks were supposed to practice abstinence," she chided him gently, his problem becoming apparent by his expression.
"I guess," he shrugged, and Kyoko rushed to support him as he leaned over. Sesshomaru snorted in disgust.
"He is a disgrace."
"We'll get some coffee in him for a quick fix," she decided, and looked around, "There must be a restaurant that sells it to tourists…Sesshomaru, can you smell any?"
"Do you take me for a lowly bloodhound?" he demanded, and she flushed slightly. She opened her mouth to apologize, but he cut her off abruptly. "In that café over there," he said, nodding toward it.
Kyoko shut her mouth with a snap, and then glared at Miroku.
"You're certainly causing a lot of trouble," she informed him. Half-awake, the monk merely nodded in agreement.
"Better?" she asked, leaning her elbows on the table outside, as Miroku drank deeply from the steaming mug. Kyoko had a cup of tea in front of her, as well as some rice.
"Yes, thank you," he said, and she suspected the redness in his cheeks was more from embarrassment than the effects of the coffee. "I offer my deepest apologies, Kyoko," he said, bowing his head low, "It was not right of me to do this."
"As long as you didn't do anything other than drink…" she trailed off, peering at him sharply. Satisfied with his expression, she nodded happily. "Then drink up, so we can decide what to do next."
She suddenly stopped, and pressed her hands to her head once again. Sesshomaru frowned, and Miroku blinked in surprise.
"Are you all right, Kyoko?" Miroku asked, and she started to speak, and then stopped, shaking her head. Miroku took out one of his sutras, and after blessing it, placed it on the back of her head. Suddenly, a flash of light appeared, and the sutra vanished.
Kyoko sat up straighter, her pain gone. Miroku sat back in his chair, and Sesshomaru glared at the staring passer-bys.
"What happened?" she asked, "Miroku, what did you do?"
"Placed a blessed sutra on you," he said grimly, "Your sudden headache made me suspicious. It was due to a dark power, Kyoko. That is why the sutra vanished so suddenly."
Kyoko groaned, and placed her head in her hands on the table. Sesshomaru thought for a moment, and then sniffed the air.
"I smell no dark power," he said, and Miroku shook his head.
"I thought I sensed something odd this morning – even though I did have a hangover," he admitted, "There must be a dark miko in this area. I think it best we find and eliminate her immediately."
"I agree," Kyoko nodded, raising her head, "I can't have any ailments right now, and she may be working for Toshiro to distract us. Would you be able to sense her, Miroku? I think if I try, she'll merely curse me again."
"Yes, I think so," Miroku stood up, the mug now empty. Kyoko also stood, and Miroku looked around. Underneath his black trenchcoat, he wore black boots, dark-blue pants, and a gray-lavender T-shirt.
"I'm not surprised that she's outside of the town limits," Kyoko commented dryly, keeping a barrier around herself to guard against any sudden attacks from the dark miko. Miroku walked close to her, his mystical powers alert, while Sesshomaru strode close behind.
"I don't think you should go any further," Sesshomaru said to Kyoko, "You will distract us."
Kyoko began to protest, but Miroku cut in.
"No, she must continue," he argued. Kyoko glared at them, unhappy about being talked about as if she wasn't there, but remained silent. The trees moved quietly in the breeze, and the area surrounding them appeared almost like a forest.
The town was still visible from their location, but the noise had died out, and only some birds could be heard.
"Kyoko is a miko – she will be most effective against a dark miko," Miroku continued, "She is necessary, Lord Sesshomaru."
The taiyoukai didn't look the least bit pleased, but conceded judgment to the monk and miko. The trio continued their walk, until Kyoko held her head again, leaning into Miroku.
"She's close," she managed, and Miroku looked around. They had wandered into what looked like a forest, and even the birds had stopped singing. Sesshomaru growled audibly, and Miroku placed Kyoko in his arms.
"I will go in first,"Miroku said, and turned back to face the house. After a few minutes, they had come upon a small house, neatly kept, but shaded away from the sun. Kyoko, pale and in pain, was able to continue to walk on her own, but Sesshomaru kept his arm securely around her.
Miroku, placing a blessed sutra on the door, jumped back when the door imploded. A raven-haired woman with green eyes glanced up, barely seeming concerned.
"I am Chiaki, the dark miko of this shrine," she announced calmly, standing up. Looking squarely at Miroku, she sneered. "You must be the monk, Miroku. And this is Lord Sesshomaru, with the miko Kyoko," she continued, glancing at the taiyoukai and the miko in his arms.
Chiaki's dark robes billowed around her, and she smiled at them coldly.
"I'm so glad you were able to find my home," she said, bowing mockingly, "I didn't think it would be so difficult to find, after all."
"We have come to put an end to you, witch," Miroku said firmly, and she laughed. The noise sounded like fingernails on a blackboard, and sent chills down all of their spines.
"You think you can defeat me?" she asked in honest amazement. Still chuckling, she turned back to Kyoko. "You, Kyoko, aren't as worthy as some, are you?"
Kyoko glared at her, andChiaki sneered again.
"You are no longer worthy to be called the protector of the Shikon no Tama,"Chiaki informed her, "There is another miko who is the true protector. Yet you have the audacity to assume the position yourself! I may be a dark miko, but I despise those who pretend to be pure while they are not."
"What are you talking about?" Miroku demanded angrily, but she merely laughed again.
"It is not for me to say who is the real protector,"Chiaki continued, and then her expression became one of disgust and anger. "But as a punishment for your hypocrisy and audacity, miko Kyoko, you shall be cursed with everything I am able to!"
With this said, the dark miko sent a sudden blast of energy at Kyoko, who was flung to the floor with the force of the attack. Miroku rushed to her, and kneeled next to. Growling, Sesshomaru lunged forward. Before the dark miko even had time to register what he was doing, the taiyoukai ripped her throat out, taking immense pleasure in her dying sounds.
Turning back to Kyoko, he stood over Miroku, who was swearing under his breath.
"I did not know monks were allowed to say such things," Sesshomaru commented, but the monk ignored him. Placing a blessed sutra on Kyoko's throat, he closed his eyes in silent prayer, but flinched when the sutra disintegrated.
With a low moan, Kyoko returned to consciousness, and Miroku hastened to support her as she sat up.
"Kyoko? Are you all right?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. Sesshomaru, seeing the way the sutra had reacted, was inwardly worried as well.
She opened her mouth to speak, and her eyes widened in panic when nothing came out. Her hands flew to her throat, and she looked frantically from Sesshomaru to Miroku, who both remained silent.
Miroku placed his hand on her shoulder, and put his hand over her mouth.
"The dark miko cursed you before we were able to stop her," he told her calmly, "She must have sealed away your power of speech until we find the true protector of the Shikon no Tama. Please don't panic, Kyoko."
She bowed her head, and rested it in her hand. Sesshomaru silently cursed, but remained stoic on the outside.
"We had better get back to Kagoshima, and then go to Yatsushiro," Miroku decided, as they strode through the woods. His arm was around Kyoko's shoulders, and Sesshomaru was inwardly annoyed at the monk's possessiveness.
Kyoko looked at him blankly, and he grinned back at her.
"Lady Meiko might know another way to get rid of this curse on you," he told her cheerfully, and Kyoko nodded. "By the way, do you know sign language?" Miroku continued, and her face fell as she shook her head. "Oh well."
"We should take the train to Yatsushiro immediately," Sesshomaru said abruptly, "There is no time to waste. Toshiro may be approaching as we speak, and it is essential that we be gone when he arrives."
"Scared of your brother, Lord Sesshomaru?" Miroku asked slyly, and the taiyoukai shot him a cold glare. "Sorry."
"Toshiro is not to be taken lightly," Sesshomaru amended, "And I would rather we avoid him until the Shikon no Tama is safely hidden."
Kyoko nodded eagerly, and Miroku sighed.
"Lord Sesshomaru, can you please go get our things while Kyoko and I purchase tickets for a train?" Miroku asked, and Kyoko sighed. Sesshomaru shot her a glance, and then shook his head.
"We will fly," he said firmly, "Wait here. I will return momentarily."
Miroku and Kyoko stared after the youkai as he disappeared suddenly, and then exchanged glances.
"I suppose he's gone to get our things," Miroku guessed, and Kyoko shrugged.
Thanks, BrucesGirl, for the review! And sorry for anyone else I haven't updated anything - I've had problems with a stalker, and my nerves are shot to hell. Since they are, I can't manage to write anything, and what I do write is pretty bad, so I rewrite it. I should be okay eventually, but right now I'm kinda in a loop.