Funkangel-Ouch. (Hands over ice pack.) Please don't knock yourself out.
Henio41-Thanks for guessing.
Okay, this is a formal addressing of all. Don't worry its nothing bad. I just want to tell you that your questions will be answered in this chapter. I really enjoyed reading some of your guesses though. Oh, and when you do find out the answers, please leave my head attach to my shoulders.
Kagura blinked as she observed her rescuer, her body laid cradled in his strong arms and his raven braid brushed her face as he moved. What made it odd was his way of flying or floating at the moment, two spoke wheels spun powered by lighting. His armor was black, and he had a strange three lined scar on his forehead. Strange, but phantom rubies peered at her from beneath his eye lids. InuYasha's angry yell identified the male that held her.
"Hiten!" He yelled out and the demon holding her chuckled. "Are you a puppet of Naraku now?" InuYasha inquired drawing his sword. Hiten chuckled again and shook his head, smirking at her before locking gazes with InuYasha.
"No, and no I haven't come for revenge or jewel shards either." Hiten declared.
"How did you come back to life?" Shippo asked hiding within Kagome's hair.
"I do not know." Hiten answered honestly with a shrug. A groan drew all their attentions, and all thoughts were stopped for the moment. InuYasha especially felt confused as he observed the other one that had caught the tiger demoness.
Usagi groan again, and twitched her eyes open with a muted comment. "I have got to stop doing that." She stated quietly and a manly chuckle forced her eyes open. Usagi found herself lock with shockingly familiar golden eyes, but the face and everything else was not familiar. He had silver greyish hair pulled into a ponytail, and armor similar to the Taiyoukai lord Sesshomaru, but he was without the fluffy boa or the elegant kimono. A growl from behind the male drew her eyes to observe a simmering Sesshomaru who had just stepped from his watching point. Noise behind her made her turn her head to see Kouga also stepping from the forest. His eyes were trained on Kagura and the foreign youkai. Usagi concerned struggled lightly to get out of the youkai's arms to approach Kagura.
"Easy little lady." The youkai holding her warned as he smiled in softness. Sesshomaru growled lightly again and stepped right behind them. Usagi smiled back, but still struggled to be let go.
"I do believe she wants to be let down," Sesshomaru intoned, a hand resting on his tokijin. "Father." His voice was warning and Usagi stopped struggling in shock. The youkai look down at her and smiled again.
"Yes, I am InuYasha's and Sesshomaru's father," He declared and gently release her, "InuTashio at your service." He said with a small bow. "Oh, and by the way, Hosenki says hi." He added with a tip of his head. Usagi gasped at the realization and looked between InuTashio and the youkai holding Kagura.
"You were dead?" She asked loudly and received two positives from the youkai's. "Were you brought to life by a bright light?" Usagi intoned and they both nodded.
"Yeah, it was bright white." The youkai holding Kagura yelled to her.
Usagi groaned in realization, and she lifted a weary hand to the ginzuishou. 'If it isn't one thing it's another.' She stated angrily.
"I do believe fair maiden you know why we are standing here." InuTashio stated at the look on her face.
"Yes, were both of you buried here or laid to rest?" Usagi asked.
"Yes, this was my last battleground." The youkai holding Kagura stated with a pointed look to InuYasha.
"My wounds were fatal from another battle, and finally I died here in my travels home." InuTashio spoke his eyes resting on the twin fangs on the brother's hips.
"When Kagura raised the dead, and I cast my healing spell some wayward energy must of hit your bodies giving you life." Usagi explained, and stood from her position on the ground. She wobbled a little and InuTashio reached out to steady her. Sesshomaru narrowed his gaze at his father, but his reason's for why was vague. Usagi waved a hand releasing the shield around the others and InuYasha ran straight for his father. She smiled softly at the confused yasha hanyou before making her way to Kagura's position. "How are you Kagura?" Usagi inquired checking over her friend. Then her eyes slid to the other youkai. "Who's your friend?" She asked slyly and watched as Kagura bowed her head at her actions.
"I am fine Usagi, and this is Hiten." Kagura stated, her voice off in a tone. Hiten laughed at the small game between the two females, and let Kagura down. Kagura walked forward and hugged the blonde in happiness. "Thank you Usagi." She whispered as Usagi hugged her back.
"No problem Kagura, just enjoy your freedom." Usagi stated with a small smile, and gently pushed Kagura next to Hiten. A small growl drew Usagi's eyes to a tense Kouga. 'Hmm, how interesting.' She mused, and walked away from the pair.
"Oh, Usagi!" Kagura exclaimed in exasperation as Usagi smirked lightly at them. Usagi continued past the uneasy reunion of father to sons and ended in front of her group. She knelt down and hugged each of her kits, she also hugged the gagging Jaken for fun. Noting the tense atmosphere between all parties she gestured that they should move on.
However, her pace was halted by a demanding figure of a Taiyoukai lord. Usagi glanced up in question, and noted that he mentally seem to be struggling with something. Yet, whatever it was he must of made a decision as he moved out of the way. Taking another few steps she was once again halted by Sesshomaru. "Yes?" She inquired.
"I will be going with you, you are not providing enough care over Rin's safety." He stated, Usagi mentally growled, but catching the confusion in his orbs, she shrugged and nodded. "Naraku has pin pointed you as a target, and Rin is endangered with just you." He explained, Usagi kept walking, but once again was halted this time by InuTashio.
"Whom, is Naraku?" InuTashio questioned and the whole atmosphere iced over. Reality hit all of them and Usagi sat down with a sigh.
"I suppose we should all finish our tales?" She inquired and they nodded. The next couple of hours was spent listening to everyone's journey's so far. With that finished, Kouga decided to travel with Usagi and company. Usagi puzzled at his decision until she saw his glance to Hiten and Kagura who also were joining the group. She also had to deal with InuTashio and Sesshomaru, but sighed as they finally manage to continue on.
Waving good-bye to the Inu-tachi, she informed them that she was headed for Kaede's village after hearing that the Inu-tachi also decided to come along. With that the rather large group made their way to the village of the priestess.
Naraku was anything, but pleased as his wasp servant related his report to him. Sending the wasp away he slammed an angry fist into the floor of the shrine. "Damn it, Bioijin-ko!" He yelled in anger. His mind twisted further alerting him to the failures he had suffered at her hands. First her with the children, then Kohaku and Kanna, now Kagura, the list kept growing. "I am going to have to do something about this." Naraku grunted out, and called for his puppet Kikyo. "Neither her nor that future wrench can stand up to the full power of the priestess Kikyo, especially with a nearly full Shikon no Tama!" He declared, and stroked the head of the demure priestess. "Go, my pet." Naraku ordered, and watched as Kikyo followed his commands.
Kaede breathed a sigh of boredom as she worked the olden bars on the door of the cell. Her bow end digging deeply into the hole of dirt she had manage to come upon when she splintered the wooden floor. Stopping to catch her breath, she freed a hand to check the stability of the bar. 'Not much longer.' She whispered in hope and wiped her forehead before continuing.
Okay, and most of the cliffhangers were answered. Hmm, wonder why Usagi is heading to Kaede's village? Will Kaede make it free or will misfortune fall upon the elder priestess? Kikyo is advancing upon our wearisome heroes, and there is dissension among the ranks. Is everyone going to make it through all right? What of our living newbies, InuTashio and Hiten? Will there presences bring problems and has all been revealed? I think I left you with enough to ponder as I write the next chapter. I wonder how many actually saw those twists coming and didn't speak up? Anyway's enjoy and please review.
Much Care,
WolfchildBlazer