Little Bunny Phoo Phoo- Sorry not in this story, maybe one the other ones I got planned.
Rena Moon- Thanks, yes Usagi will make her escape soon with the children.
Suuki-Aldrea- You, need to rest, getting sick for the holidays is no fun. I know I get sick around this season every year.
Clueless 97- Yes, Usagi is skilled with weapons, but in all the shows I seen hand to hand combat never comes into play. Kikyo, yes her purpose will be reveal in time, I can't show my whole hand or what would be the reason to read?
Moon beam 21-Thank you. I don't know, yes Sesshomaru and Usagi make a good couple. Yet, I have read several authors who made other pairings just as good.
Lunar Princess- Well then, this should be interesting.
Unspoiled Rini- Are you okay! I sound like an idiot.
Kitty demon 92- OCC'S huh, nope don't believe in that. I think we just haven't seen every side to a character. Authors develop a character regarding what they need to the story, and leave it at that. If it is a main character you get to see an evolution, take Yami from Yu-Gi-Oh for example. Fairly dark and absent from affection to his other half and friends. Spends more time with Yugi becomes very protective of the ones closest to him. Loses Yugi, Yami is unstable and disastrous to his person and anyone who crosses him. They are joined together again, becomes a bit of a sap and even more protective and cautious. No problem answering your review.
Lil-sis 4556- As you wish.
Jay- they say patience is a virtue, and it's probably true. Impatience is more effective though, it invokes emotion and attention. If it helps they will meet very soon.
Cosmos 270- Was it really, I suppose I should do more often huh? I am kidding, I wouldn't purposely do that to you guys.
Sugar-Sweet-I am sorry, ne every one is torturing you? I am very sorry.
Let me explain the cliff hanger, I actually had no intention of ever doing that. My mind went blank, but so many of you had requested I update that I couldn't keep the chapter to my self.
For legal and redundancy purposes I do not own these shows.
Naraku could sense the emotions of the one he held in his grasp. He couldn't help, but smirk in vicious triumph at his soon conquest. Mere inches from his claim, mere inches, and a voice interrupted him. Naraku gritted his teeth in controlled anger. Now, now, Naraku, hasn't anyone ever told you don't count your chickens before they hatch? He let Usagi drop from his dark embrace and stalked to his bamboo screen. His eyes ripped viciously through his interruption before he fully comprehended who was waiting for his attention. "What is it Kanna?" Naraku inquired. Kanna's void eyes and swirling mirror filled his view. The Inu-tachi was shown and his clawed hand fisted, their healing was becoming rapid. Cursing InuYasha's half demon blood, and Sesshomaru's interference in his plans. He whirled on his heel staring beyond Usagi, before a dark smirk settle on his face. "Usagi, I want you in your Kikyo disguise and take Kohaku, and Kagura to the village our enemies are resting in." Naraku ordered. Usagi nodded and stood from her position on the floor. "When there either capture or kill the priestess Kaede and if you can eradicate some of the Inu-tachi, preferably InuYasha himself." He declared and watched as Usagi went to gather her supplies. "Do not worry about the one who watches the village, I have something else in mind for him." Naraku said and turned away from the blond one. Usagi left his vision and his attention fell to Kanna, his oldest child. "Use your mirror powers to create a illusion of that Rin girl to travel with one of my wooden puppets." Naraku implied and Kanna shifted her mirror. They watched as a likeness of Rin appeared before them. Naraku nodded and sent a wooden puppet with the illusion toward Sessho-maru's waiting area.
The tall Taiyoukai demon was getting irritated InuYasha's demon blood would be healing his wound soon and Naraku would miss his chance to destroy the half-breed. He sneered in contempt, Naraku was more of a coward then he first estimated. His thought process was switched when his sensitive nose caught on the stench that surrounded said nuisance. Drawing tokijin, he went to strike Naraku's presence when he halted his swing. Held in front of the baboon pelted one was little Rin, true he continue his swing and destroy both brining the young girl back with Tenseiga. However, she would no longer trust him as she use to and as much as he despised humans he could not do that to one who cared for him without a single thought to his demon heritage. A weakness, the enemy had discovered it and exploited that fact. Still, to use a tactic like that against him was both brave and foolish. He placed tokijin in its sheath, his calculating gaze on his problem. Sesshomaru would never lower himself to declare Naraku his enemy.
"What do you want?" Sesshomaru asked, scanning for a way to attack. The baboon pelted one shifted, one hand tightening on the girl, but did no more. "I will not ask again." Sesshomaru demanded. His countenance tight, but unfeeling. Naraku's puppet shifted once more, as dried blood brown tentacles crawled from beneath him. They fused in front of him creating a living wall between Sesshomaru and them. Sesshomaru held back a growl as he could no longer see his charge and Naraku. Sesshomaru relaxed his stance focused totally on what was in front of him awaiting his opening.
Meanwhile, Kagura and Kohaku cast several glances at the quiet blond that rode with them to Kaede's village. Usagi glanced up, catching their concern and smiled shakily at them, showing them she was okay, but despairing at their next mission. Usagi waved one hand over her appearance activating the glamor. As once again the black highlights spread and stretch hiding her gold and silver strands. Sapphirine orbs fading and shifting into earthen brown, a simple set of bow and arrows settling on her shoulders. Sandals arriving and the miko uniform took the place of the kimono that was a present from the two children. Her scent burying and shifting to earth and clay, her demon features fading into nothingness. Usagi's transformation complete the foreign orbs stared with fated obedience at them. "I am ready." She declared and the feather they rode with the hordes of demons that followed descended on the unsuspecting village. Their arrival was met with cries of fear and despair as the people called to their protectors. Usagi almost shook her head in disgust, not willing to fight for themselves. She mutely wondered what would happen if the village protectors were taken away. Usagi's orders dug into her heart, 'Capture or kill, Kaede, the priestess, capture or kill.' Usagi bit her lip, she rather not do either, but she absolutely refuse to kill. She could not disregard her moral fiber that far. A dark whisper reminded what she had done so far. Usagi brushed off the offending voice and leapt gracefully down from the feather. She turned to her two companions.
"I want to avoid a run-in with the Inu-tachi, so you and Kohaku distract them, while I'll deal with the priestess." Usagi planned out and they agreed. Kagura and Kohaku went to the hut where the others rested while Usagi waited for Kaede to appear to defend her home. A short woman with grey hair pulled into a short ponytail and a black eyepatch over her left eye arrived in Usagi's line of vision. She wore similar robes to Usagi and carried a bow as well. Noting the similar clothing Usagi wonder if all priestess dressed in this or were Kaede and Kikyo related. The unscarred eye widen in surprise as the woman notched an arrow.
"Sister, what brings you here?" Kaede asked. Usagi winced inside, sister, now she must capture her if only for Kikyo and Kaede to be reunited. "I cannot allow you to slay the half demon." Kaede said. Usagi stared blankly through Kikyo's eyes, slay? I thought they were old lovers? Usagi hadn't heard the whole story obviously. Seeing Kaede draw the string back on the bow, Usagi held up a hand.
"Sister, I am not here to slay InuYasha, I was passing through and heard the villagers screams." Usagi told Kaede. Kaede nodded and lowered the bow, releasing the tension on the string. "Sister, though you are able I much rather have you guard the western front where the demons are not attacking, I fear a sneak attack." Usagi informed her. Kaede weighed her decision and turned her back walking off to the westward direction. Usagi shook her head and summoned the ginzuishou, Kaede felt the power to late as Usagi placed the familiar sleeping spell on the old woman. Cradling Kaede to her chest, she brought Kaede to rest on Kagura's waiting feather. Sensing to see if Naraku was spying on them, she whispered a quick sorry before heading to the hut where the others were.
Though hurt the Inu-tachi was proving to be rather tiresome for the two, Kohaku and Kagura. They had been backed against each other with InuYasha trying to raise the Tetsusaiga one handed, Kouga fixing for a quick attack and Kagome knocking an arrow. The monk and the demon slayer were trying to keep them occupied when a pink with small silver tints blazing arrow hit the Tetsusaiga reducing it to normal and placing a barrier around it. Rebounding off the sword, it sliced past Kouga's arm drawing blood and destroying Kagome's ready arrow. The Inu-tachi gasped and searched for the wielder of the powerful arrow, while Kohaku and Kagura sighed in silent relief. Their eyes caught on approaching figure, the familiar loops of raven locks, the cold earthen eyes, and the disastrous bow sat in the hands of a dismayed priestess. Kohaku threw his kunai wrapping up Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo taking them out of the offensive line up. Kagura took the opening and slammed Kouga into the wall holding him there with the stale wind that resided in the hut. "Kikyo." was the silent whisper from the captured future miko. Usagi almost rolled her eyes, hardly, she thought. Her fake brown eyes caught the shocked and hurt eyes of gold. Usagi winced inside, please don't look at me like that.
"Kikyo, why?" InuYasha questioned, his one arm hanging limply. Usagi bronzed her courage and let out the harsh laugh Kikyo was known for when she was searching for revenge. Usagi let the laugh enter their souls, catching the concern gazes of her two companions, she threw a subtle look to them. The laugh was shredding Usagi's heart as she saw those golden eyes almost break. 'Some day Naraku, I will pay this back ten fold.' Usagi swore as she mused over her pass deeds. "Naraku was the one who tricked us, I thought you knew this?" InuYasha pleaded with Usagi. Usagi held out a pale ivory hand to the half demon.
"Come with me to hell InuYasha." Usagi said, referring to the knowledge Naraku had given her. InuYasha approached her slowly gripping her hand. His eyes blank and trusting to the one who held his hand. Usagi felt her heart cracking at the sight, how lost he was. Kagome struggled against Kohaku's kunai chain.
"Kohaku, this is your sister Sango, InuYasha no, that is not the Kikyo you knew!" Kagome cried out trying to reason with the two. Usagi sent a subtle glance to Kohaku, sister? "InuYasha!" Kagome yelled at the half-demon. Usagi watched as his blank orbs regain his emotions as they stared sadly at her. Usagi barely shook her head in sadness, but resigned she brought up her bow.
"Then die InuYasha." Usagi whispered as she drew her bowstring. She felt the string flick the edge of her ear lobe signaling its ready position. The wooden bow bent its resistance against her pull giving her maximum power. Usagi brought the straight arrow eye level to aim at InuYasha's heart. 'I will make this quick, but painless is impossible your eyes hold so much pain.' Usagi thought as she saw the aura surround the missile. She slid her left eye shut to narrow her field. 'Forgive me.' Usagi whispered in her mind as her middle finger and her pointer finger curled tightly on the string balancing the feather between them. Usagi pulled her arm to a even point in the crook of her elbow, the resistance of the bow almost humming in anticipation. "Good-bye InuYasha." She whispered.
Sesshomaru was not pleased, he had caught on a way to attack. Yet, he was unsure of the position of the young girl. Deciding he had wasted enough time he flung his whip of light at a tree limb above the wooden puppet. He snapped it cleanly , his hearing catching on a very solid clunk, he observed as the live wall shrunk away. Leaving a dazed wooden puppet and a fading Rin, Sesshomaru grew angry, an illusion. He should of known there was no scent, he was so shocked at the appearance of Rin in that demon's arms he ignored his senses. Wanting to spend no more time with the aggravation, tokijin sung through the air shattering the puppet and the illusion. Turning his senses to the village, it alerted him to the wind demoness presence, the demon slayer's younger brother, and his half-brother's old wrench. Judging by the screams of the villagers, things were not in favor of the Inu-tachi. Rushing toward the hut that held the wounded he ran through an open side right in the line of the arrow that held steady at his half-brother's heart. His hearing caught on the whispered words as the arrow flew delicately through the space separating them.
Usagi made her eyes close as the arrow was released. Her ears strained to hear the fallen cry of the half-demon, but her nose alerted her to another presence. She felt the air shift as a sword cut through her arrow. Usagi's eyes flew open in surprise, they fell on a tall and menacing demon. Yet, for all the anger she felt she feared him not. Usagi also noted there were strong semblances between InuYasha and the new demon. "Sesshomaru." Kagome's soft whisper caught Usagi's attention. Lord Sesshomaru that Rin mentioned before Naraku wiped her mind clean? Kagura made two large whirlwinds separate the parties as they made their get away. They couldn't afford to mess with that demon at their current position. Quickly the trio hopped on the feather being careful of the extra body. Their bodies tensed as they heard the war cry of the Taiyoukai who rushed toward them. Kohaku nodded to his band of demons that accompanied him everywhere. Once again halting the Taiyoukai as they escape, their scent fading into the air that they rode. Usagi's glamor faded into her real appearance leaning unsteadily against the feather's based. She felt a small hand on her arm, and her eyes caught on Kohaku's. They shared a silent conversation as they landed in Naraku's castle courtyard. Usagi carried the prone body of Kaede, who shifted in discomfort from the negative energy of the castle.
"Bioijin-ko, successful again and almost had that bothersome half-demon if not for the interference of his older brother." Naraku remarked as she entered. Usagi bowed her head at the direction of the voice. "Ah, I believe I shall put her next to our other captured priestess, don't you?" Naraku asked Usagi. Usagi nodded in agreement, at least they could talk to one another. "Good, good." Naraku stated and turned away from the blonde.
"Naraku-sama?" Usagi called out. Naraku halted, telling her to go on. "May I take the children and my self to bathe?" Usagi inquired. Naraku pondered over her request.
"Very well Bioijin-ko, do not wander to far." Naraku ordered. As he awaited her agreement.
"Of course, Naraku-sama." Usagi swore.
"Naraku, when we arealone Bioijin-ko." Naraku reminded her as he walked off. Usagi trailed to her room, where she let out an unsteady breath. She was welcome happily as two childish female giggles knocked her down and curled into her chest. Usagi stroke the two girls heads absently as she winced over her prior orders. 'So, sorry young halfling.' Usagi cried out inside. 'I have so much to make up for.' Usagi muttered in her mind as her eyes strayed to the children.
"All right, up, up, time for us to go bathe my angels." Usagi playfully ordered. Shiori and Rin giggled, but rushed off her in agreement. Usagi conjured up some clean kimono's for herself and the girls. Concentrating on the crystal clear lake she saw on her first ride back to the castle, her ginzuishou warmed. 'Not much longer.' Usagi stated as she felt the purity of the gem. 'I only hope we can survive that long.' was her last statement as her transportation activated. The gloominess of the castle faded from their view as they appeared before a very clear lake. Sensing for any threats before Usagi allowed them to jumped into the water.
Naraku placed the elder priestess next to Kikyo he cast a leering look. 'Soon, very soon.' Naraku promised within his mind. Appearing back into his room, he summoned Kanna to his chambers. "Show me Usagi." Naraku demanded. Kanna moved her mirror and its clear surface shifted to the blond. Though seeing the curves of the shoulders, Naraku saw nothing else for Usagi's hair was down and creating an effective barrier from his lustful eyes. Grounding his teeth, he ordered Kanna to show him the Inu-tachi.
"Sesshomaru." Kagome whispered as the tall demon walked back to them. He glanced up and walked past them back into the forest where he would await the next attack and not be fooled by parlor tricks. Kagome turned to the rest of her friends, observing the two halves of the cut arrow that laid before InuYasha. She also observed the arrow that had disengaged its barrier when Kikyo left. 'There was something different about her arrows.' Kagome mused as she gave the kneeling half demon his normal blade. InuYasha was kneeling before the broken arrow, prodding it with one claw. He gazed at it searching for answers in that thin piece of wood. Snatching up the pieces he walked out of the hut and a little away from the village. His pain filled cry shook many souls as they heard his howl. Kouga groan in sympathy and pain clutching his new wound. Kagome sighed and started patching up the rest of the group. One thought left in her head, 'where is lady priestess Kaede?' Kagome mused as she wrapped Kouga's arm.
InuYasha bounded slowly into a high limb of an abandon tree. Clutched in his one good hand was the broken arrow, silent tears running his jaw line. "Kikyo, why!" His cry ripped through the silent atmosphere, but he would receive no answer. "Naraku, you will pay, and Kikyo I will get you back." InuYasha promised, clutching the broken arrow to his chest. His lifeline to the one who once held his heart completely and he held hers. 'What went so wrong?' InuYasha wondered as he gazed into the darkening sky. His golden eyes caught on the half orb in the sky. 'Almost the full moon, and then soon the New Moon.' InuYasha simpered as he peered emptily into the blacking sky. 'I almost do not care anymore.' He thought. "Kikyo." Was his final whisper as he slipped into a troubled sleep.
Well, that was cheery. Hmm, must be the music I am listening to.
Please Review,
Much Care and Happy Holidays,
WolfchildBlazer.