Part 3
His eyes fluttered open. Blurred images of people moved around him. He felt a softness beneath him. Fur? He began to lift himself up, but he instantly fell down. His head was spinning uncontrollably. He felt like someone was crushing his skull. Slowly, he closed his eyes and began to try to remember what had happened. I was captured. Then...that "Kagome" woman... He soon became infuriated. How dare she strike me! I will not stand for this! He was thinking of severing his bonds, but thought better of it. He never liked it when his father was mad at him and Inuyasha would never let it go if he runed this.
Sesshomaru moved himself into a sitting position. He found Inuyasha and Miroku, still asleep, lying next to him. He looked around at all of the soldiers rushing around, collecting and packing whatever belongings they had. Then, he noticed that some were burying the campfires and firewood. He wondered why they were doing that. Why the extra work?
"They're covering our tracks."
He cooly turned his head to see who had snuck up on him, only to find that it was none other than Kagome. She kneeled by his side, staring out at the now emptying camp. But I didn't even sense her...
"Why," he heard himself ask.
"So people like you don't follow us," she stated blandly.
Before he could retort anything Rei, Sango, Shiru, and Matsuru were walking towards them.
"Kagome, we are nearly ready to go. How are we going to transport them," Shiru asked, nodding towards the captives.
Kagome contemplated and reasoned, but she could find no other way of beating around the bush.
"Cut their ankle bonds. They will be walking."
Looking down at the two sleeping figures she added, "Wake them up with cold water. I don't want to move any slower than I have to."
Immediately, Shiru went and carried out her orders. Sesshomaru felt a smirk nearly escape his grasp. He had never seen Inuyasha being woken with water. It should be rather...amusing. A part of him seemed to give way to agreeing with Kagome's methods. He quickly regained his defiant composer. He would not give in to the enemy.
His amusement resurfaced as Shiru came back with two pales of water. Handing one toSango, they threw the water over the sleeping forms.
"WHAT THE HELL," Inuyasha yelled as he sat up and shook off the water.
He seemed to amuse Kagome and Sangoas they began to giggle. Shiru, Rei, and Matsuru contained their laughter, finding it at least a bit inappropriate for the situation. Sesshomaru also kept his smirk chained.
After Kagome recovered from her giggle-fit, she ordered soldiers to sever their ankle binds and force them to stand. Inuyasha and Miroku were at least a few inches taller than her, but Sesshomaru was at least a head taller than her.
Kagome took some amusement from Inuyasha's and Miroku's soaking breeches and shirts compared to Sesshomaru's dry ones. She felt relieved that their was a loose tension between them now. She hated it when her captives became tense. It made it uncomfortable for her.
When everything was cleaned up, Sango noticed that Rin was still asleep. She walked over and began to shake her gently.
"Rin," she whispered, "Wake-up."
Rin's eyes fluttered open. She looked up at Sango, but just buried her head deeper into the pillow. Sango was about to shake her awake again until Kagome came, trotting on her black mare, carrying the reins to Sango's horse.
"Let her sleep, Sango. I'll carry her on my horse. Help Rei keep watch on that 'Miroku' guy."
Sango merely nodded and stood. She climbed on her horse with ease and she trotted over to Rei, who threateningly held a sword to Miroku's back. Sango looked down at Miroku and said, "I don't want you goofing off and slowing down during our journey. Cooperate with us and you won't get hurt."
"Well, I might just cooperate with you guarding me, my dear. What is your name," Miroku slyly answered.
Sango felt a tinge of red on her cheeks, but quickly pushed it away. When she regained her composure, she had a little trouble keeping her voice from shaking when she said, "My name is Sango. I am the Regional captain. Rei, keep this guy under control for the time being. When we leave we'll have them all close together."
Rei only nodded as Sango trotted off to where Kagome was.
Kagome let Rin lean against her stomach as she gripped the reins.
"You warned her last night, didn't you? Now she's just gonna have to pay the price. You know as well as I do that she won't be able to get much sleep on the road we're taking," Sango advised.
"I know, Sango. We'll rest sometime along the way. I don't want it too hard on the captives either," Kagome answered.
"Why do you care for our hostages so much. First, it was those business guys, next it was those bandits that showed up last night, then it's these princes that you say you hate so much. Why are you going through all of this trouble," Sango asked.
Kagome contemplated her answer.
"It's because they know something or they're up to something that I don't know about. Don't you find it strange that they just so happened to land in those same bandit's hands that I had held hostage. I mean there are more than over a thousand bandits I know of in these parts that could have gotten them. I've also noticed that Sesshomaru is most capable to escape his bonds as easily as killing a cow. I don't understand why they haven't escaped yet. Also, all of a sudden, after all the years Inutaisho locked them up in that castle of his, that he only lets them out now. It's not making any sense and it could be dangerous, but–"
"Your curiosity is getting the better of you right, Kagome," Sango interupted.
"Oh, Sango, you know me all to well," giggled Kagome.
"Be careful where you tread, Kagome. Your games will drive you off a cliff one day."
Kagome jumped. She looked behind her and found that it was Matsuru.
"Matsuru, stop doing that!"
"Well, don't let your guard down. You're too easy."
Kagome only pouted. She trotted away to the middle of the camp. She looked around, back rigged, on her horse.
"Get in traveling formation. Keep the captives together. Don't let them escape,yet guard them with your lives," she ordered.
The hustle and clanks of horse hooves and tin could be heard as they all clattered into their formation.
Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Miroku found themselves at the front of the line, just behind Kagome and Matsuru. Inuyasha could feel the katana blade at the back of his neck and its light touch sent shivers down his spine. I'm only doing this so that damn woman will leave Kikyou alone. he thought.
Sango trotted next to Miroku, her gaze staring straight ahead. Miroku thought it too peaceful, so he decided to strike up a conversation.
"Your name is 'Sango,' right?"
Sango looked down at him with wary eyes. "Yes...," she answered suspiciously.
"Well, I haven't properly introduced myself. My name is Miroku. Say, do you know that 'Demon Slayers' tribe? You seem to dress like them."
Also noticing the rather large boomerang strapped on her back and the pet cat she carried in her hand, he added, "And, you also seem to carry their choice of weaponry and pet."
Sango decided to let some of her guard down and answered, "Well, you seem to be a monk, judging by your prayer beads. Not many men trust religion too much these days. Some keep trying to top the other by slander, and stupid, little wars break out just because one thinks that human nature is a sin and the other disagrees. It's an ugly cycle, so not much believe in religion anymore."
"Very observant. Most women wouldn't notice such a detail," he replied, grinning.
"That's because you're too busy trying to seduce them, you lech," Inuyasha added.
"Keep quite back there," Kagome ordered.
Sango immediately brought herself back to attention. I guess this is why Kagome's treating them so kindly. Their not that bad. They're actually...friendly, she thought to herself.
They had been traveling for nearly half the day already. They were about three-fourths of the way there and it began to get dark, so Kagome decided to bring them all to a halt to make camp for the night. She found thema small clearing and decided that it was a good place to set-up camp. Kagome gave the order to dismount as she slid off of her horse and carried Rin down. Rin had already woken up by then, so she decided to go and run to the nearby bushes to pick flowers. Kagome smiled after her.
"You seem attached to her. Any relation," a voicequestioned coldly behind her.
She nearly jumped again. Whipping her head around, she found herself looking up into golden orbs that seemed to glow menacingly in the darkening sky.
"What she is to me is none of your business, Sesshomaru," she retorted childishly.
Sesshomaru only shrugged as an answer and sat down under the tree, leaning comfortably against it. Kagome frowned and decided to give in to him just this once.
"If you must know, she is my younger step-sister. Not really related, but that's the closest I can call her."
Sesshomaru nodded as she sat down next to him. Such a strange girl. She doesn't act the way usual captors are supposed to. I thought she was at least going to draw some blood from us by now.
Kagome gazed out at Rin who was picking some red flowers.
"I really don't understand what you and your people are up to, but...I'll stick around long enough to find out. Who knows? Maybe I'll play your game till the end," she whispered.
There was no need for a medium-loud conversation, for she wanted to keep it as quite as possible.
Sesshomaru only answered with silence. He wasn't about to say anything just yet. Instead, he followed her gaze and found Rin, who was walking over toward them. Kagome decided, since they were on friendly grounds that she wanted to keep them friendly, so she warned, "I would stand up if I were you, Sesshomaru. When Rin has flowers it could only mean one thing."
He was a little surprised at such friendliness in her tone. Maybe they could trust her after all, since she easily trusted them. A bit curious, he asked, "What does it mean?"
He immediately was answered as the young girl was in front of him, reaching up to put one of her many flowers in his hair. His hand automatically shot out from their binds and gripped the little girl's wrist before she even reached him. Rin became a little surprised, but her joyful smile returned.
"Wow. You're fast, Sesshomaru-sama."
Sesshomaru's gaze turned to Kagome. He was confused not to find a threatening kind of look on her face. Instead, her expression was one of amusement. Kagome lightly smiled and answeredhis unspoken curiosity.
"Like I said, I'll play along with your game. But, leave Rin and the others out of it."
Kagome's gaze reverted to Sesshomaru's. He found seriousness in her and complied with a nod. Rin looked on in childish curiosity and said, "Oooo. What game is Kagome-chan and Sesshomaru-sama playing? Can Rin play, too?"
"No, Rin. This is not a game for you to play," Matsuru told her sternly as he walked toward them, closely followed by Sango, Miroku, Rei, Inuyasha, and Shiru.
"I guess the Tent is going here, Kagome," Sango asked.
"You read my mind, Sango. I think Sesshomaru has found us a perfect spot. Don't you think so, Sessh," Kagome asked him smugly.
Not expecting such credit he only nodded. In truth, he really didn't care at all where they were going to set up the main tent. He only cared if their "game" would work or not.
Kagome saw Rin pouting about not being included. She gave it a little thought and decided to show Rin a "magic trick" to make up for it.
"Okay, Kagome-chan! I'll go and pick some more of these pretty red flowers, so when we eat, Rin can decorate the table with them," Rin replied as she ran off to go and pick more.
Soon, the entire camp was made and they could see fires aglow outside their tent. Kagome looked around at all of the things in the tent, taking mental notes. Bedrolls are in their usual corner...fire pit is set and ablaze...table is placed near the fire...men are all accounted for, so...what's wrong? Why do I feel so uneasy? She tried to brush it aside, but it returned to her stronger than it did the last time. Becoming irritated, she blocked off the feeling all together and decided to go and join her companions.
They all sat near their captives, glancing suspiciously every once and a while. Kagome new they felt the same way and decided to voice her worries.
"Are any of you feeling that tonight seems...different?"
"I've been feeling like this ever since we made camp here," Rei voiced.
"Do you think something's supposed to happen tonight? Something bad," Sango inquired, worry in her voice.
Kagome looked at Inuyasha curiously as she caught his eyes widening ever so slightly. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, but she soon understood. Sometimes these royal types are just too predictable. Do they think I lack such experience in these situations? she thought rather smugly. When she caught Sesshomaru's calm, collected gaze, she gave him a quick wink and returned to her colleagues' conversation.
"I think we hardly have anything to worry about. It's probably just a small change in the weather. Some storm is probably happening somewhere nearby and the wind is carrying some static. No big deal," she added in. She wanted to play there game and she wanted no interruptions.
Kagome all but felt Matsuru's warning stare, but she merely brushed it off. Matsuru sighed, accepting his defeat, and said, "Kagome's probably right. But, we should keep our weapons near just in case."
He directed the last words he said to Kagome mostly, challenging her to argue. She only nodded.
Just then, Rin scampered into the Tent.
"Kagome-chan! Sango-chan! Look at all of the pretty red flowers Rin picked! Aren't they soft? Rin picked them for all of you because they smelled so nice. Here."
And Rin continued to hand each of them flowers. Kagome caught Rei's and Shiru's glances. She instantly read them, saying 'You owe us for this, Kag.' She only giggled and accepted her rose from Rin, thanking her and giving her a hug.
"Rin brought flowers for Inuyasha-, Miroku-, and Sesshomaru-sama," Rin added.
Kagome only held her back from venturing near them as Sango said, "Rin, you can give it to them later."
To divert the oncoming curiosity from the young girl she mentioned, "Kagome, didn't you say you were going to show Rin a magic trick? I would like to see it, too."
Catching on, Shiru also included his curiosity. Rin completely forgot about the matter and all but begged Kagome to show Rin the magic trick now. Kagome only grinned and replied , "Alright, Rin. You win."
Rin yelled, "YYYAAAYYY!"
"Rin, would you hand me one of those pretty flowers you have, please," Kagome asked her as Rin gladly handed Kagome one from the bundle she had.
Also curious, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Miroku leaned a little closer. Kagome softly closed her eyes. She began to take deep calming breaths. It seemed everything around them began to calm at once. The once uneasy air began to fade. The musty smell of the Tent began to smell sweet. The ground beneath them began to soften.
Everyone stared in wonder as the rose Kagome held began to glow with a soft inner light.
"WOW. Look at all the pretty butterflies," Rin said softly in wonder.
Their attentions were so fixated on the rose that they didn't seem to notice that they were surrounded by alush field of flowers, and butterflies danced around their heads, yet they were still in the tent. It was like an astralprojection. It was there, but it was slightly transparent. It could be felt, but not held.
The scene altered itself to a small grove under a shaded tree. A summer breeze gently bending the thick grass. A Sakura tree off in the distance. It changed, once again, to a small clearing in a magical forest, fireflies dancing all around. The trees seemed to glow with an earthreal light. The leaves seemed to be golden. Then, it changed to a dark and stormy place. It smelled of rotting flesh and burned wood. The image of a hut set ablaze and the form of afire-lit person could be seen staggering out of the burning hut, then collapsing. The image was cut off abruptly as Kagome's eyes shot open. A dribble of sweat rolled down her face. Her breaths were somewhat, but not noticeably, labored. Sesshomaru caught these actions before the others could. He was a bit curious and decided to ask her later when things were a little more...private.
Rei, Shiru, Sango, and Matsuru understood why hercondition had changed so suddenly. Rin looked at her curiously. She wanted to ask why Kagome seemed so weakened, but a more pressing question escaped her lips.
"Kagome-chan, what was that? What kind of magic trick did you show me?"
When she regained her relaxed state of mind, she answered, "Rin, that was amemory of this rose's travels. Every flower is imprinted with the images over its travels. Every flower gives off a seed to the wind and it is carried to different areas of the world. That's how flowers spread."
"Oh. So what was that last image, Kagome-chan? Did the flower go through something really horrible," Rin asked, innocently curious.
Kagome hesitated, not at all wanting to answer her question.
"Rin, I think it's time for you to go to bed. It's getting late," Sango said, rather hurriedly.
Kagome looked at Sango and silently thanked her. Sango nodded and led Rin off to bed, who was grumbling all the way.
An uncomfortable silence followed. Matsuru easily broke it, mentioning that he also was getting tired, the others soon following. Kagome was left alone with her captives once again.
Kagome pulled out her daggerand began toying with it, feeling that their was an unspoken question in the air from one of her captives.
"What was that image, Kagome," Sesshomaru asked, filling in the silence.
Again, she hesitated. She always found this to be a touchy subject for her, but if she was going to play the game right, she would need to exchange information. Taking a deep breath, she simply answered, "That was my village. Sometimes tapping into a memory of someone or something else causes the connection to work visa versa."
"So...you're saying that was your memory," questioned Miroku, sounding serious for once.
She grimly nodded in reply.
"What was it about? What had happened in your village," Inuyasha asked, sounding a little worried.
"Well–" Kagome was abruptly cut off as shouts could be heard coming from the camp.
She was immediately on her feet. In an instant, Matsuru, Shiru, Rei, and Sango were by her side, hands on their weapons. Inuyasha and Miroku nearly jumped aside, seeing only that they just "appeared" there, but Sesshomaru caught their slightmovements as they had gotten up. Father will have a hard time with this one. I wonder how well he could handle it. he thought to himself, amused by the look his father might have when Kagome stayed un-movingly defiant.
Rei was the first to slightly push the tent flap aside. To his horror, he found the scene outside wasn't as pleasing as he thought it would have.
"Kagome...I think you should see this," he replied, gulping.
Kagome stepped forward curiously. One glance and she instantly was in front of Sesshomaru, a blade to his throat.
"I said I would play your game, not have my men slaughtered," she hissed, her fangs bearing. Sesshomaru smirked and only replied, "It is apart of our...game."
He cooly looked into her eyes and noticed they were brighter than usual. How very temperamental this one is.
Kagome calmed herself and released Sesshomaru from the threatening hold. She walked to the flap of the tent and paused hesitantly.
"It will all stop if I show myself, right," she asked, grim.
"Yes," was her simple reply.
Taking a deep breath, she lifted the flap and walked out before anyone could protest.
Matsuru walked over to their hostages menacingly. He looked down at them, a bit of anger in his eyes.
"Be very careful where you probe. This is all a game to her as you have been informed. She'll toy with you just as much as you toy with her. I really wouldn't want to be a pawn if she were the one controlling me. I'd be extra careful if I were you," he warned.
"Shouldn't you be worrying more about her than about us? You sound so sure of yourself," Sesshomaru answered coldly, voice unwavering.
"She is capable of more than you can imagine. Even I don't know how far she can push herself. I bet she told you her secret? Let's try to keep things as friendly as possible," Matsuru sportingly answered.
The anger from his eyes melted away and his expression became calm once again. He proceeded to follow Kagome. With last glances, the others followed.
Inuyasha looked confused. "What was that all about?"
"That was something beyond your comprehension," Sesshomaru answered.
Inuyasha growled and was about to retort when Miroku asked, "A game? What kind of game?"
Sesshomaru calmly looked at the monk with an air of entire difference.
"The one we are playing right now, human. That wench sees it as a game. She does not feel threatened in the least."
Miroku's eyes widened.
"What! How can she not be threatened? She's practically playing with her life! How did she find out anyway," he replied, amazement and worry lacing his tone.
"She has her suspicions. She does not care much. If she wants to play along it is better for us," Sesshomaru replied, bored of the topic.
"What's going on? Why is it so noisy," a small voice whispered from behind them.
They turned around to see Rin walking toward them, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Nothing. Go back to sleep," Sesshomaru coldly replied, turning back to gazing beyond the tent.
"Why is Sesshomaru-sama so serious? What is Sesshomaru-sama hiding from Rin," she asked, childishly curious.
She continued walking toward the tent flap.
Sesshomaru silently watched, unsure of how the child might react. Rin pulled the tent flap aside. Her smile faded, her eyes widened. Her expression changed to a pure shockand horror. And...recognition? Sesshomaru thought to himself. She let the tent flap drop back into place. She turned around, the shocked expression glued to her face. Silently she walked back to her cot, fresh tears springing from her eyes.
Poor girl. We weren't really expecting there to be any children in the camp. Miroku thought sympathetically. He used his concealed knife to cut himself free. Then, he noticed something that he hadn't before. Why didn't she search us for hidden weapons? What are we getting ourselves into? Forcing the thought to rest, he continued sawing at the bonds that held him. After he was freed, he released Inuyasha. Sesshomaru cut himself out with ease, using his claws alone.
Miroku made a move to go and comfort Rin, but Inuyasha placed a firm grip on his shoulder. "It is not our business, Miroku. Don't get yourself involved too much."
Miroku closed his eyes. He was right. We couldn't get anymore involved with them or we might find ourselves in trouble along the way. Inuyasha dropped the grip on Miroku's shoulder.
Sesshomaru watched Rin's actions as she climbed into her bed roll, snuggling her face into her pillow and wrapping the blanket tightly around her.
"Kagome..." he heard her whisper.
Then, she screamed. Tears streamed from her eyes, soaking the pillow. Sesshomaru diverted his gaze to the tent flap. He couldn't help but be curious on what lay outside and decided to find out for himself.
Walking calmly to the flap he lifted it. What lay before him was utter chaos...