Disclaimers Notice: The only thing I own is the way in which I chose to use the characters and setting (oh, and a few of my own creations…)
Authors Beginning Note: I was supposed to update last Monday, so sorry, but I was under extreme pressure to take care of other duties (go figure-isn't that the case w/ every one?) AS it is this chapter it one day late too.
It's a good thing I'm not a perfect Author…otherwise my rep would fly out the window at how far I'm lagging w/ updates. Oy Avea!
Anyhoo, I hope all of you enjoyed your holidays.
I hope you enjoy!
Shout it outs!
Tanwen-Whitefire: I saw him lick her finger (srry, no kiss) but this is a form of affection that isn't to be taken too lightly. I'm just guessing he wouldn't do it to readily for Sango.
Thank you for your ideas too. They were/are very helpful!(second Inu is in America!)
Rayame325: Hmm, Kouga is a bit far to even hear any news of kagome's well being.
Valese: great. :) I'm hoping sessh ycan find more allies too. Oh dear. I'm going to have to dig a bit deeper into the hat for ideas. Hmm, Biased Miko's....sounds intriguing, hopefully I'll be able to use that idea, if not, please don't be insulted.
dani draper: Hmm, Just becasue I say goodbye, does that really mean its gone? (evil grin I have evil ideas)
purlepixie89: Thanx!
kitt : Well here's your chance to find out!
Animeamatuer: Holy toledo...that is a lot. I'm glad my writing was so impresive. (loud clap to you who read for 10 hrs) Thanks for the tip, I'll try a lil harder.
Emeline Alianne Marcadeez: >Blush >Speechless That was the longest compliment I have ever recieved. I'm delighted it left such an impression on you. I don't know if its better than the anime, but who am I to disagree? I was delighted to hear from you!
SweetInuLover: Sorry for the confusion.
Kebin Katunna: Thank you, I'mglad you liked it so much!
Chapter 57
The Ice Cream Before the Cherry
"Oh no!" Rin squealed as chains wrapped around her and pulled her to the ground, saving her form the flying ax that embedded the stone that had been behind her.
"Lady Rin, are you quite all right?" Neelah said setting her upright, eyeing the axe vicously.
"Rin is fine, though she would like to be let loose." Kohaku gently undid the chains of his weapon from around her. He winced as he noticed her red welts.
"Come on! It is not safe here! We must run!"
"But where to?" Neelah asked. Her knowledge beyond the castle walls being very little, made her all the more afraid.
"I don't know." Jakan looked deflated. Kohaku looked around. Jakan had been right about the chute leading to the outside, but where outside.
The sounds of fighting echoed through the valleys and mountains, but gave no real indication as to where the source was. For miles it was ravines, forests, and mountains. The terrain was as unpredictable as the outcome of the whole war.
"Jakan, does not Lord Sesshoumaru have any Allies we could go to for refuge?" Neelah whimpered, pleading for a small morsel of good news. Jakan stood up and paced.
"Ah ha! I've got it! The Hare tribe! Surely they will help." Jakan exclaimed.
"The hair tribe? Whose head do they belong to?"
"Not hair, hare! Like the rabbit. Oh, you stupid human." Jakan scratched his head in frustration.
"Where do they live?"
"High up into the mountains. In fact, now that I think about it, its in this very Mountian valley that they live in."
"But where in the mountains? There are so many of them! By the time we find them, I bet the whole mess will be over with!" Neelah said on the verge of tears.
"I don't know exactly where, I just know that they are somewhere on the East Star Mountain!" Neelah broke into tears.
"Neelah, we will find the hairy tribe. You will see. Rin is sure of it. And before you and Rin get old." Neelah's tears still ran down, but her sobbing was much lighter
"What is that stupid boy doing?" Jakan said, emotions running thin. Kohaku was making a small diagram in the dirt, gathering sticks and rocks. Kohaku kept looking up into the sky at the sun, then tying two sticks together, making a triangle, began to seemingly measure things out.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Jakan jumped. Kohaku seemed satisfied. He smeared everything he had done, erasing the very presence of his touching the ground. Making sure his kusarikama was easily accesable. He stood up confidently.
"Now what?"
"Rin thinks he wants us to follow." Kohaku nodded. Rin stood up, wiping the dirt away from her Kimono.
"Well, Rin is ready to follow." Neelah whipped her face, only to spudge it with dirt and nodded. Kohaku glanced at Jakan.
"All right! Someone has to make sure you all don't ruin Lord Sesshoumaru's Name by making a blunder of yourselves, but I warn you boy. If you lead us into a trap, Lord Sesshoumaru will hunt you down." Kohaku shrugged and picked a path to follow.
"Toraun, we've been traveling for days! When will we get there?"
"Patience Karaun. I wouldn't go as far as to say I trust him, but I believe Sesshoumaru knows what he is doing." The fire panther folder her arms and grit her teeth. Her older sisters response was not what she wanted to hear.
"Well, what did she say?" Karoun leapt onto the shoulder of her big lug of a brother. His barrel chest suck out. His stomach which had begun to broaden outwards, was now flattening with the lack of food and long distances of fast running endured through out it all.
"She said patience." Karoun spat it out.
"What! We've gone without food before, but this is ridiculous!" The squeacky voiced panther girl cried out.
"What else is there to do? Even if we wanted to, leaving to do our own thing would not bring more food. In fact it would increase our chances of dieing." Karoun pointed out. They sighed. The mountains became sparse and forests thickened as they traveled farther to their intended destination.
Kouga's legs felt like lead. Never had he done so much running at such a fast pace. If my legs are soar…I wonder how the thieves are fairing…
Everyone was tired and soar. Running all day with nothing to see but vast plains, and the occasional destroyed village. Once Kouga and the other Yukai smelled a village that reaked of disease and famine. So much so, they gagged. The humans couldn't smell it though.
"Ayame." She turned.
"What is it?"
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To scout the area."
"Not alone."
"Why not?"
"It's not safe."
"I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself, thank you." She began to storm off when Kouga grabbed her shoulder and whirled her around.
"I don't care how strong you think you are, you ain't goin alone!" He snarled. They were nose and nose. Kouga's teeth grinding, and Ayame's lips in a tight thin line. Both brows furrowed.
"If you want, I will accompany the lady wolf." They both turned at the thief. He stood tall, with wispy gray hair and pointed ears. Despite the coloring of his hair though, he looked no older than 17 in human years. And quite attractive with mischevious brown eyes.
"She ain't goin no where."
"Who says?"
"I do!"
"And who are you to tell me what to do!" Kouga glared but folded his arms and stepped back.
Why am I arguing…if she wants to go…why should I care…"Fine." He stalked off. Ayame spat where he had stood.
"If I may, I think he is quite taken with you."
"Puh. Really taken." Ayame said sarcastically with a hint of poison. The boy shrugged his shoulders.
"If you say so. Shall we?" Ayame nodded. They both disappeared into the dark.
Kouga muttered curses under his breath as he sat around the fire Hakaku and Ginta made.
"Women…" Hakkaku said simply.
"Shut up."
"If I may, what has upset you Kouga?"
"Nothing! Now will you just shut up!" Kouga's tail twitched and he glared into the flames. Hakkaku and Ginta traded glances.
"Where are the other two?"
"You mean Mariko and Natsuko?" Hakkaku asked.
"Of course he means them, who 'other two' might he be refering to?"
"I don't know."
"Well, just answer him."
"I was about to when you interrupted."
"I did not."
"Did too!"
"Will someone just please answer the damn question!" A few of the thieves looked over their shoulders at the angry wolf. He glared at them all, and they turned back to what they were doing.
"They went with a small group to go collect more would for the night." Ginta finally said.
"Maybe I'll just call it a night."
"But boss, you ain't even ate yet?"
"Eat my share then." Kouga went and laid down on the grass. He looked up at the stars, a rare treat at this time of year. Especially since the only weather they'd been having was rain. His lids drooped slightly and muscles relaxed. All this only for him to spasm awake as a loud yip of pain echoed from the dark.
"Kagome shook with convulsions as Inuyasha laid her down onto the ground, where a single clean patch of dirt remained. He held her down, trying to restrain her, trying to keep her from hurting herself.
"What happened?" MIyako asked icily.
"She said make a barrier, so I did. Inuyasha, he was hurt and so she said, and he was, and then she…" Shippo cut off his sentence as his throat tightened and he began crying.
"How is it possible for you to be human?" She looked at him. He didn't answer, his sole focus was on Kagome.
"She used too much of her power saving you, is that not right?" Keio asked. He needn't have bothered. He knew as he looked back. He shook his head.
"Miyako, she's withdrawn into herself." She nodded.
"You boy. Inuyasha, you must move." Kagome's muscles slackened and she seemed to merely be sleeping.
"I won't leaver her."
"I'm not asking you to, but I do demand that you step back so that Keio and I can at least try to save her." Inuyasha reluctantly did.
Sitting back on her feet, Miyako sat on Kagome's left side. Copying her, Keio did so as well, on the right side and they both held hands over Kagome. Their words seemed to dance as they chanted. The air thickened and everything seemed to slip away as they delved into the deep vastness that is Kagome's inner being.