I'm glad you guys are enjoying the jap, & I like Nanashi too, she is one of the more interesting original charries of my stories. Anyways- on with the story! Enjoy!
Chapter 29
It was already late, but Inuyasha knew it wasn't quite late enough. Miroku had yet to leave his hut for the forest-so he lingered, watching Kagome as she slept peacefully. But not too long after night had fallen, Kagome stirred- she got to her feet but didn't bother to grab her weapons or change out of her white flowing two-piece that she had fallen asleep in. He watched her intently as she escaped from the hut with a distant look in her brown eyes. She walked slowly into the forest as Inuyasha followed behind, waiting to see where it was she was going.
Kagome herself didn't even know where it was that her barefeet were taking her. Her heart & soul guided her along as she watched, almost as if it were someone else she were watching from far away. She didn't bother to fight it, but curiously obeyed as it beckoned to her from afar to follow its voice, the same familiar voice calling to her that had woken her up. She didn't walk long before she came to the large hot springs where she often took her baths. She questioned herself-looking strangely over the water as it reflected the moonlight, but without hesitation she stepped quietly into the water.
Inuyasha looked at her strangely as she stepped into the waters, fully clothed. 'What is she doing out here? Is she sleep-walking?' The bottom of Kagome's skirt skimmed the top of the warm water, her fingertips tracing the surface as she looked down-her reflection altering its appearance with each ripple that passed. She stared for only a moment before cupping her hand underneath the altering image of her face, bringing the smal pool closer & looking over it. Inuyasha waited-wondering if he should reveal himself, but stayed put to see what exactly it was she was planning to do. She sighed, placing her hands back where they had come from, the silvery droplets falling like crystals as she began walking out into the depths, closing her eyes & slipping in over her head, letting the waters take her silently. Her hair flowed in black waves below the surface as she searched for the reasons she had come.
"Kikyo...why are we here? What is happening?" She questioned calmly, finding herself staring at her incarnation in a place she didn't recognize. "Kagome...you must not let Nanashi set me free-she wishes to return me to my former body so that I may fullfil her desire..." "And what might her desire be?" "She wishes to know where Shadou no Tsuki is located...it is a legendary place where night is eternal- demons roam unhindered & lost human souls are the only light to be seen." Kagome listened carefully, looking deep within Kikyo's eyes. "Kikyo...why would she want to go to such a place?" Kikyo sighed, her face still harboring its deep kindness-as it did when she was alive.
"Nanashi keeps herself alive by feeding on souls & the shadows themselves...she wishes to live within Shadou no Tsuki so she can stay alive forever...I agreed to take her there, & in turn, she agreed that she would never leave..." "I see..." Kagome thought a moment-then Kikyo continued. "Nanashi isn't who she was then-now she must be stopped...if she is able to turn your soul Kagome- to bring me back in flesh & blood...she will have no intention of returning things back to the way they were..."
Kagome could feel everything falling apart around her-Kikyo was fading away with a gentle smile on her lips. "Kikyo- Matte- What can I do?" Kikyo slowly shook her head in regret. "Destroy her Kagome...before she destroys us both...Inuyasha is yours now-I can't return to him..but you can..."
And with that Kagome felt herself coughing uncontrollably-gasping for air as she opened her eyes to see Inuyasha's worried & confused ember hues staring at her. "Kagome?! Can you hear me?!" She spit out the last of the water from her mouth & slowly sat up with Inuyasha's help, her hair & clothes were heavy & wet. "Wha- Inuyasha...what happened?" "YOU ALMOST DROWNED! That's what happened! If I hadn't pulled you out you would have died! Are you crazy?! What were you thinking- Why did you come out here!? Are you tryng to kill yourself!?" Kagome coughed a few more times, getting to her feet silently. "Kamaimasen...I got what I came for..." She smiled slightly as she started walking back toward the village.
Inuyasha followed-still in an angry huff of confusion as he asked questions that Kagome only ignored or shrugged off. When they returned, Kagome went back into her hut-putting on some dry clothes & getting into bed after Inuyasha restarted a warm blazing fire. It wasn't long before she was alseep and Inuyasha slipped off with Miroku into the dark forest. Miroku made sure he told Sango what they were doing before she fell asleep- and she promised to stop by Kagome's hut later that night & make sure she hadn't tried to follow them, since Sango knew with her husband gone to battle-she wouldn't get any sleep until he returned safely.
Kagome opened her eyes several hours after Inuyasha had left- a small & regretful smile passing onto her lips, as if she had never fallen asleep in the first place. 'I'm sorry Inuyasha...you think you are protecting me...but I know where you are going- and it won't help...you are following a false trail-Nanashi will come for me...me only...and I will be waiting...'
Kagome slowly rose, just like before-without disturbing Shippo, grabbing up her bow & arrows and strapping on her shiisu and resting her hand at her hilt.She wore her tight black two piece-resembling a demon slayers outfit as she stole away from the hut quickly-knowing someone might notice her absence before too long, especially if Inuyasha and the others were to figure out Nanashi's plans. She headed west of the village, keeping in mind Kikyo's words. 'I will not let go this time...my soul is my own now-it belongs to no one else...' She sighed as she slowed her pace, deep within the forest walls-the shadows surrounding her.
"Nanashi...Your presence here is clear-show yourself, so that we can finish this..." Kagome waited on Nanashi silently, and moments later her ghostly figure appeared in the moonlight as she stepped away from the shadows. Her grin was just as before when she greeted Kagome. "Very nice to see you again Kagome...Now-let's make this quick..." Her necklace quickly sparked from its hues to the same onyx black as her flaring eyes stared Kagome down.
(v )( v´)
(,,)(,, )
-----o((")(")(")("))o -----------bunnies------------ (v )( v´)
(,,)(,, )
o((")(")(")("))o
Miles away- Inuyasha, Kouga, & Miroku were having trouble finding Nanashi. They were following her trail & being slowed down by a few lesser demons who were sent to distract them along the way. "Inuyasha- Are you sure we are going the right way? We've been fighting off demons for hours now without coming across this kijo..." Kouga questioned annoyingly while slashing through a few more demons that appeared. "C'mon Kouga- her scent is all over this part of the forest and you know it!" Inuyasha fired as his windscar blasted through a group of demons easily. Miroku was taking down demons at a less rapid pace- but his thoughts had him occupied elsewhere. "Inuyasha...don't you find it strange that such a powerful kijo would just leave us a trail- without covering her tracks? And all these demons...they aren't meant to kill us- this kijo knows that Inuyasha is much stronger than that..."
Kouga finished off the last of the demon groups, everyone turning to Miroku as they pondered Nanashi's plans. "So- what are you saying monk? That this kijo is just stringing us along?" Kouga lifted a brow, as did Inuyasha. "I'm not sure...possibly she is just trying to keep us busy- distracted while she toys with us..." Inuyasha sheathed his sword as a solemn glare came over him. "We need to go back...I have a bad feeling about this..." They all agreed with a nod, then turned back to race toward the village- but they were again interrupted by demons. They knew it was going to take them just as long to get back as it had to come out here- and that was much too long.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
At the same time, Kagome was with Nanashi- both deep in battle as Kagome swiped Nanashi with her sword & Nanashi countered by forming black sais in her hand, as if from shadows- throwing them at Kagome, who barely dodged, missing the first only to have the second slice into her side. Kagome's hand went painfully down to the wound, pulling out the dark knife as it disipated in her grip. She winced- the blood already beginning to soak into her black outfit. She pulled her hand up to cover the wound- using her healing abilities with the help of the jewel to mend the wound enough so the bleeding slowed & the pain was bearable.
But Nanashi was not without injury herself- Kagome had made a clean cut along her chest, just below the neck- and blood began to drip from the sliver, and she could tell Inuyasha's wound was still affecting her as well, the shoulder he had ripped his claws into was not moving as well as the rest of her body. Nanashi's face was now cold & dark, the small grin she had worn was faded and her energies were not going to last her much longer at this pace. 'I have to finish this soon...it is the only way...'
Kagome's lips parted gently, sighing deeply as she caught her breath. The energy in the air sparked brilliantly and both were beginning to show signs of exhaustion, but neither even hinted at thoughts of giving in. Yet again, the battle was kept alive- they attacked each other, defending themselves as best they could, pouring their energies out with each moment. Finally- Kagome seemed to be wearing Nanashi down, who was taking more blows than she could defend against. Kagome sliced once more through her garment, this time hitting her target- Nanashi's necklace. But the necklace defended itself, creating a barrier that threw Kagome off her feet, tossing her back into a tree yards away. Nanshi let out her usual sly laugh.
"This necklace is much harder to break than that Kagome...it holds more power than you can imagine..." Kagome rose to her feet again- wiping the small smudges of dirt from her cheeks, and the trickle of blood from the side of her lips. Her stoic gaze fell on Nanashi hard and cold, waiting to see where this battle would take them.
»--------------------------«
Alrighty- that's all for this chappy! hope you enjoyed it & gomen for the wait. translations at bottom- R&R!
Kamaimasen- it doesn't matter
shiisu- sword sheath
Shadou no Tsuki- (if I'm right it means "Moon's Shadow" or "Shadow of the Moon")
Matte- wait
Gomen ne- I'm sorry
Kijo- demoness; she-devil; witch
Un- Yeah
Chapter 29
It was already late, but Inuyasha knew it wasn't quite late enough. Miroku had yet to leave his hut for the forest-so he lingered, watching Kagome as she slept peacefully. But not too long after night had fallen, Kagome stirred- she got to her feet but didn't bother to grab her weapons or change out of her white flowing two-piece that she had fallen asleep in. He watched her intently as she escaped from the hut with a distant look in her brown eyes. She walked slowly into the forest as Inuyasha followed behind, waiting to see where it was she was going.
Kagome herself didn't even know where it was that her barefeet were taking her. Her heart & soul guided her along as she watched, almost as if it were someone else she were watching from far away. She didn't bother to fight it, but curiously obeyed as it beckoned to her from afar to follow its voice, the same familiar voice calling to her that had woken her up. She didn't walk long before she came to the large hot springs where she often took her baths. She questioned herself-looking strangely over the water as it reflected the moonlight, but without hesitation she stepped quietly into the water.
Inuyasha looked at her strangely as she stepped into the waters, fully clothed. 'What is she doing out here? Is she sleep-walking?' The bottom of Kagome's skirt skimmed the top of the warm water, her fingertips tracing the surface as she looked down-her reflection altering its appearance with each ripple that passed. She stared for only a moment before cupping her hand underneath the altering image of her face, bringing the smal pool closer & looking over it. Inuyasha waited-wondering if he should reveal himself, but stayed put to see what exactly it was she was planning to do. She sighed, placing her hands back where they had come from, the silvery droplets falling like crystals as she began walking out into the depths, closing her eyes & slipping in over her head, letting the waters take her silently. Her hair flowed in black waves below the surface as she searched for the reasons she had come.
"Kikyo...why are we here? What is happening?" She questioned calmly, finding herself staring at her incarnation in a place she didn't recognize. "Kagome...you must not let Nanashi set me free-she wishes to return me to my former body so that I may fullfil her desire..." "And what might her desire be?" "She wishes to know where Shadou no Tsuki is located...it is a legendary place where night is eternal- demons roam unhindered & lost human souls are the only light to be seen." Kagome listened carefully, looking deep within Kikyo's eyes. "Kikyo...why would she want to go to such a place?" Kikyo sighed, her face still harboring its deep kindness-as it did when she was alive.
"Nanashi keeps herself alive by feeding on souls & the shadows themselves...she wishes to live within Shadou no Tsuki so she can stay alive forever...I agreed to take her there, & in turn, she agreed that she would never leave..." "I see..." Kagome thought a moment-then Kikyo continued. "Nanashi isn't who she was then-now she must be stopped...if she is able to turn your soul Kagome- to bring me back in flesh & blood...she will have no intention of returning things back to the way they were..."
Kagome could feel everything falling apart around her-Kikyo was fading away with a gentle smile on her lips. "Kikyo- Matte- What can I do?" Kikyo slowly shook her head in regret. "Destroy her Kagome...before she destroys us both...Inuyasha is yours now-I can't return to him..but you can..."
And with that Kagome felt herself coughing uncontrollably-gasping for air as she opened her eyes to see Inuyasha's worried & confused ember hues staring at her. "Kagome?! Can you hear me?!" She spit out the last of the water from her mouth & slowly sat up with Inuyasha's help, her hair & clothes were heavy & wet. "Wha- Inuyasha...what happened?" "YOU ALMOST DROWNED! That's what happened! If I hadn't pulled you out you would have died! Are you crazy?! What were you thinking- Why did you come out here!? Are you tryng to kill yourself!?" Kagome coughed a few more times, getting to her feet silently. "Kamaimasen...I got what I came for..." She smiled slightly as she started walking back toward the village.
Inuyasha followed-still in an angry huff of confusion as he asked questions that Kagome only ignored or shrugged off. When they returned, Kagome went back into her hut-putting on some dry clothes & getting into bed after Inuyasha restarted a warm blazing fire. It wasn't long before she was alseep and Inuyasha slipped off with Miroku into the dark forest. Miroku made sure he told Sango what they were doing before she fell asleep- and she promised to stop by Kagome's hut later that night & make sure she hadn't tried to follow them, since Sango knew with her husband gone to battle-she wouldn't get any sleep until he returned safely.
Kagome opened her eyes several hours after Inuyasha had left- a small & regretful smile passing onto her lips, as if she had never fallen asleep in the first place. 'I'm sorry Inuyasha...you think you are protecting me...but I know where you are going- and it won't help...you are following a false trail-Nanashi will come for me...me only...and I will be waiting...'
Kagome slowly rose, just like before-without disturbing Shippo, grabbing up her bow & arrows and strapping on her shiisu and resting her hand at her hilt.She wore her tight black two piece-resembling a demon slayers outfit as she stole away from the hut quickly-knowing someone might notice her absence before too long, especially if Inuyasha and the others were to figure out Nanashi's plans. She headed west of the village, keeping in mind Kikyo's words. 'I will not let go this time...my soul is my own now-it belongs to no one else...' She sighed as she slowed her pace, deep within the forest walls-the shadows surrounding her.
"Nanashi...Your presence here is clear-show yourself, so that we can finish this..." Kagome waited on Nanashi silently, and moments later her ghostly figure appeared in the moonlight as she stepped away from the shadows. Her grin was just as before when she greeted Kagome. "Very nice to see you again Kagome...Now-let's make this quick..." Her necklace quickly sparked from its hues to the same onyx black as her flaring eyes stared Kagome down.
(v )( v´)
(,,)(,, )
-----o((")(")(")("))o -----------bunnies------------ (v )( v´)
(,,)(,, )
o((")(")(")("))o
Miles away- Inuyasha, Kouga, & Miroku were having trouble finding Nanashi. They were following her trail & being slowed down by a few lesser demons who were sent to distract them along the way. "Inuyasha- Are you sure we are going the right way? We've been fighting off demons for hours now without coming across this kijo..." Kouga questioned annoyingly while slashing through a few more demons that appeared. "C'mon Kouga- her scent is all over this part of the forest and you know it!" Inuyasha fired as his windscar blasted through a group of demons easily. Miroku was taking down demons at a less rapid pace- but his thoughts had him occupied elsewhere. "Inuyasha...don't you find it strange that such a powerful kijo would just leave us a trail- without covering her tracks? And all these demons...they aren't meant to kill us- this kijo knows that Inuyasha is much stronger than that..."
Kouga finished off the last of the demon groups, everyone turning to Miroku as they pondered Nanashi's plans. "So- what are you saying monk? That this kijo is just stringing us along?" Kouga lifted a brow, as did Inuyasha. "I'm not sure...possibly she is just trying to keep us busy- distracted while she toys with us..." Inuyasha sheathed his sword as a solemn glare came over him. "We need to go back...I have a bad feeling about this..." They all agreed with a nod, then turned back to race toward the village- but they were again interrupted by demons. They knew it was going to take them just as long to get back as it had to come out here- and that was much too long.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
At the same time, Kagome was with Nanashi- both deep in battle as Kagome swiped Nanashi with her sword & Nanashi countered by forming black sais in her hand, as if from shadows- throwing them at Kagome, who barely dodged, missing the first only to have the second slice into her side. Kagome's hand went painfully down to the wound, pulling out the dark knife as it disipated in her grip. She winced- the blood already beginning to soak into her black outfit. She pulled her hand up to cover the wound- using her healing abilities with the help of the jewel to mend the wound enough so the bleeding slowed & the pain was bearable.
But Nanashi was not without injury herself- Kagome had made a clean cut along her chest, just below the neck- and blood began to drip from the sliver, and she could tell Inuyasha's wound was still affecting her as well, the shoulder he had ripped his claws into was not moving as well as the rest of her body. Nanashi's face was now cold & dark, the small grin she had worn was faded and her energies were not going to last her much longer at this pace. 'I have to finish this soon...it is the only way...'
Kagome's lips parted gently, sighing deeply as she caught her breath. The energy in the air sparked brilliantly and both were beginning to show signs of exhaustion, but neither even hinted at thoughts of giving in. Yet again, the battle was kept alive- they attacked each other, defending themselves as best they could, pouring their energies out with each moment. Finally- Kagome seemed to be wearing Nanashi down, who was taking more blows than she could defend against. Kagome sliced once more through her garment, this time hitting her target- Nanashi's necklace. But the necklace defended itself, creating a barrier that threw Kagome off her feet, tossing her back into a tree yards away. Nanshi let out her usual sly laugh.
"This necklace is much harder to break than that Kagome...it holds more power than you can imagine..." Kagome rose to her feet again- wiping the small smudges of dirt from her cheeks, and the trickle of blood from the side of her lips. Her stoic gaze fell on Nanashi hard and cold, waiting to see where this battle would take them.
»--------------------------«
Alrighty- that's all for this chappy! hope you enjoyed it & gomen for the wait. translations at bottom- R&R!
Kamaimasen- it doesn't matter
shiisu- sword sheath
Shadou no Tsuki- (if I'm right it means "Moon's Shadow" or "Shadow of the Moon")
Matte- wait
Gomen ne- I'm sorry
Kijo- demoness; she-devil; witch
Un- Yeah