: Empty Soul: Part 3 :
.:Found Yet Lost:.
Else where in the caslte...
"What is it now?" Naraku asked as he sat down at a table. Across from him sat the man that had pulled Kagome's body out of the river. His long black hair up in a pony tail.
"Those people you were trying to kill hold the last jewel shards, do they not?" he asked.
"They do." Naraku answered, he held a angered tone and look on his face.
"My dear Akeru is the reincarnation of that priestess, correct?" the man asked.
"She is." Naraku answered.
"Hmm, I may have a problem if you killed her." he declared.
"That's not my problem. "Naraku growled.
"Why don't you keep her as a toy instead of killing her?" he asked. Naraku thought it over for a moment.
"She wouldn't be enjoyable." Naraku answered. "I would rather kill her."
"Then... why don't you make her soul one with the Shikon jewel, or something along those lines. If you do that she will forever suffer and it would not cause my Akeru or me any trouble." he said.
"That... That is a good idea." Naraku said as a smirk appeared on his face. "I do want her to suffer as much as possible."
"Aren't you glad we had this little talk before you killed her?" he asked.
"..." Naraku stared at the man unamused. "I thought this was about Kagome."
"Akeru." the man corrected Naraku.
"Whatever her name is." Naraku said.
"It was, in a way." he stood and walked to the door. "We'll have to have tea sometime." he said to Naraku as he exited the room. As soon as he shut the door Kagome ran up to him.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked.
"Ah, my dear." he said as he grabbed her night gown and fixed it so it fit her right and wasn't loss hanging on her anymore.
"Thank you." she said.
"Get changed, do your hair, and then meet me at the front gates." he said.
"Yes, Master." Kagome bowed her head respectively and began to run back to her room.
"Akeru!" he shouted. She stopped and turned around.
"Yes?" she answered.
"Don't rush. I want you to look your best." he said as he walked away.
"'I'll do my best." she bowed her head again and ran back to her room.
"That whore!" the purple haired girl slammed her fist against the wall.
"Now, now, Kimi." Reizo said. He was sitting against the wall that Kimi just hit.
"No! She's stealing my Master!" Kimi shouted.
"Master is still your master." Reizo said with out breaking his friendly smile.
"Hehehe, I see why Master likes her so much." a man with short brown hair, large muscles, and red eyes said as he licked his lips.
"I'm better looking!" Kimi shouted with her hand against her chest. "I'm stronger! I'm more loyal! I've served Master almost my whole life! I could satisfy his desires better then that girl!" Kimi declared.
"I get what you're saying." the brown haired man said. "Master only took her in a year ago and he seems to favor her now. It's not fair."
"You both sound like jealous losers." Reizo laughed.
"This isn't funny!" Kimi yelled.
"You don't trust that little brat, do ya'?" the brown haired man asked.
"I like her." Reizo said.
"You can't be serious!" Kimi stated.
"He did give her a nickname that only he calls her. This shouldn't shock us..." the brown haired man said.
"Have either of you ever talked to her?" Reizo asked.
"Yes." they answered at the same time.
"But she always has that damn attitude of hers." Kimi pouted.
"Yeah, she only shows emotions when Master is around, any other time she's as boring and cold as a rock." brown hair said.
"Takeo, rocks aren't always cold." Reizo said. "In the summer they can be rather warm."
"It is an expression! I didn't mean it literally!" Takeo (brown hair man) shouted.
"Calm down you two." Reizo said.
"I say we kill her." Kimi suggested with a smirk.
"I hear ya'" Takeo answered.
"And then! Master would kill you both." Reizo declared while jumping to his feet. "Well I'll be on my way now." Reizo then disappeared.
"Ugh, Reizo is always smiling." Kimi grumbled.
"Yeah, it's kind of creepy." Takeo said.
"It's better then when he's ticked off." Kimi stated.
"A lot better." Takeo agreed.
A.N. I will refer to Kagome as Akeru because It's easier that way, for me at least.
Akeru walked out of her "room" in a blood red kimono with a black rose design at the bottom. Her hair had grown out a lot in the past year but it didn't hold it's small curve or bounce anymore it was just straight. Her right side of her face was half way covered by her long bangs while her left side held no bangs because they were all tied up. Her hair went half way down her back and then held a small bun that flipped her hair out like damp feathers. She began to walk through the dark hallways to the front. Her skin was now as pale as the moon and her once lively hazel eyes were now dulled so dull she seemed soulless.
"Koibito." Reizo said as he leaned against the wall Akeru was walking by. She stopped and looked at Reizo
"Yes?" she answered.
"You look all dolled up, why?" he asked.
"Master asked for this." Akeru answered emotionless.
"Look, girly, you may be Masters favorite for now, but soon he'll get bored of you and forget all about you. Keep in mind that in time Master will be MINE." Kimi made clear as she walked up to Akeru and Reizo.
"If that's what you think." Akeru said and began to walk away. Kimi grabbed her arm to stop her.
"He is in do time. I've been trying to get his attention my whole life! You came around and all of a sudden you are some sort of prize catch." Kimi squeezed Akeru's arm harder and harder as she whispered into her ear.
"Alright." Akeru answered.
"You better get it." Kimi warned. Kimi let go of Akeru's arm then walked away.
"Just ignore her, her threats are all empty anyway." Reizo said and stretched his arms high up.
"You look nice by the way." he said as he walked off.
"Thank you." Akeru bowed her head slightly then began to walk down the hallway again. Shortly after that she reached the front gates to see her Master standing at the front gates gazing at the not yet full moon. "Master, is this suitable for you?" she asked as she approached him. He turned and looked her over from her feet to her hair.
"Turn." he said as he spun his left hand around. Akeru did as she was told and slowly turned around after making a full circle she stopped. "Why aren't you wearing any of the make up I bought for you?" he asked a bit annoyed.
"I... don't like that type of make up, Master." Akeru said ever so softly.
"It was expensive." he said firmly.
"I'm sorry. If it would please you then I'll go put some on but..." Akeru stated.
"Sigh, there is no time for that. Here, use some of this one." he pulled out a small black clam and handed it to Akeru. With both hands she gently took it from his hands and opened it. In it was lipstick a shade of red darker then blood N.A. back then they didn't really have lip sticks but had more like lip gloss type of thing. I'm just going to stick with lipstick if you don't mind
"You know how to put that on at the very least, right?" he asked.
"Of course." Akeru answered as she gently dipped her left pinky finger into the lipstick then smeared it onto her top lip and did the same with her bottom lip. "Does this please you?" she asked. The shade of red brought out the paleness of her skin.
"Hm." he placed his hand onto her right cheek. "Yes, it does." he stated.
"Good." Akeru smiled slightly. "I'm very happy then."
"Oh, my dear Akeru, you were a true gift to me." he said. "My goals could never be reached if I did not find you."
"I'm glad I can help you and even more pleased that you found me." Akeru said.
"You are happy with me?" he asked already knowing the answer.
"Very, very, much." Akeru answered.
"Let's go now." he took his hand off her face and with it her smile faded. Akeru followed her master as they walked out of the gates and into the nearby forest.
Morning...
Inuyasha sat in a tree while at the bottom Kikyou sat leaning against the same tree. Sango had her head leaned against Miroku's shoulder and Miroku sat across from Kikyou.
"We don't know were Naraku is." Kikyou said.
"He's only growing stronger and more hard to find." Miroku added.
"He's gaining more followers and could even have Kagome." Sango sighed.
"Yeah, yeah." Inuyasha said as he jumped down from his tree and landed next to Kikyou. "We haven't gotten any closer to finding him blah, blah, blah, blah!" he shouted. "But that doesn't mean we can just stop looking or trying!"
"We aren't going to." Kikyou stated.
"We are just... tired." Sango said.
"I wish this was easier." Miroku said.
"Well it's not! Miroku you want your wind tunnel gone, right?" Inuyasha asked.
"There's nothing I would like more." Miroku answered.
"Sango, you want your brother back and revenge still, don't you?" Inuyasha asked.
"How could I not?" she asked.
"Then why are we sitting around mopping!" Inuyasha asked. "If what Kagura said is true then Naraku will come for us again soon! All we have to do is get prepared."
"You're right. Naraku will come for us sooner or later." Kikyou agreed as she stood up.
"So, Inuyasha, how do you plan on getting prepared?" Miroku asked.
"Uh.." Inuyasha paused then hit his neck.
"Myoga." everyone said.
"Hello, My Lord." Myoga said as he popped back into shape.
"What do you want now?" Inuyasha asked dully.
"Nothing! But I do have great news!" Myoga shouted as he jumped up and down frantically.
"What is it?" Sango asked.
"Kagome is still alive!" Myoga shouted.
"What?" Sango asked then stood up.
"Yes! It seems a man saved her life from the river and she's been with that man ever since." Myoga stated.
"So... She's really alive?" Inuyasha asked in disbelief.
"Yes! I saw her the other night! She looked a little different, well, a lot different, very pale, but that's not the point!" Myoga said.
"Where is she!" Inuyasha asked.
"Well, that's the problem. I've heard the man she travels with now serves for Naraku." Myoga said.
"What Kagura said was true?" Miroku asked now standing by Sango.
"It's not plausible." Kikyou stated. Inuyasha turned around and looked at her.
"Why would you say that?" he asked.
"I... I have our soul. How is she alive if I have our soul?" Kikyou asked.
"Ka... Kagome found a way! Just like you did at one time!" Sango declared.
"I doubt it's that simple." Kikyou said.
"Why! Do you not want Kagome alive?" Sango asked.
"No, I would like to see her alive and well but... it's not plausible." Kikyou said.
"Things don't always have to make sense. Let's just leave it at that, okay?" Inuyasha asked.
"Alright." Kikyou answered.
"Myoga, tell us all you know." Inuyasha asked. They were now walking on another dust path in search of any trace of Naraku. It was a dark and cloudy day and looked like it was about to rain at any moment.
"The man that saved Kagome's life's name is Kamly." Myoga said. "He's a demon that enjoys the taste of human blood. Many follow him after he bites them."
"Bites them?" Sango asked with a puzzled look upon her face.
"Yes, his bite can give humans or demons greater power. It's one of his powers. He can bust up another with his own power." Myoga stated.
"Is this man a vampire?" Kikyou asked.
"A vampire...?" Myoga asked.
"Those stupid mythical creatures?" Inuyasha asked.
"They aren't mythical." Kikyou replied. "I've ran into one before. They are more civilized then most blood sucking creatures but not all are."
"When did you meet a vamp or whatever?" Inuyasha asked.
"Before I met you." Kikyou answered.
"Oh? What happened?" Inuyasha asked.
"No. He has made it clear to many he has nothing to do with the vampire race." Myoga said.
"Oh, I see." Kikyou said.
"Putting that aside for a while. What else about Kagome?" Sango asked.
"I don't know if she's been tainted by Kamly yet but-" Miroku interrupted Myoga.
"What do you mean by tainted?"
"That's what many people call those who have been bitten by Kamly, given extra strength." Myoga answered.
"Would that really be a bad thing? Given extra strength and all..." Sango asked.
"If he gives one extra strength then that person must agree to follow him til the day they die." Myoga said.
"Oh..." Sango sighed.
Myoga sighed deeply "Like I was saying, Kamly holds a large amount of followers. Some are untainted humans that want to be tainted and some are demons that just want to follow him. Then there are his blood or at least that's what he calls them. They are the ones that Kamly tainted himself. There are only three know that he has blessed to be his "kin"" Myoga explained.
"If this guy is so damn great then why is he one of Naraku's servants?" Inuyasha asked.
"I'm not all knowing." Myoga said.
"It doesn't sound like he bites a lot of people." Sango said.
"He doesn't. Only three have been "blessed" by him. Haven't you been paying attention?" Myoga asked.
"Then why do all the others follow him?" Sango asked.
"Because they want his bite, right?" Miroku asked.
"That's correct, and some just like to follow his lead." Myoga said. "He seems to be a very persuasive person."
"Is he an evil man?" Kikyou asked.
"I don't know. Never heard of him doing anything evil but never heard of him doing any good either." Myoga answered.
"Come on! He works for Naraku he's gotta be evil." Inuyasha declared.
"You have a point..." Miroku agreed.
"Of course I do." Inuyasha replied.
Weird place to end the chapter, eh? Well, I got myself a Beta so it'll take longer to update then I planed because she's got to read threw it before I submit the chapter. Hope you enjoyed this and PLEASE don't annoy me about the Akeru - Kagome thing, please & thank you.
Thank you to all how reviewed!
If anyone was wondering...
Koibito- Sweet haert
Akeru - Dawn, Empty, Open.
That's what those words mean.