Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
^Kirara talking^
~Uhn Talking.~
-Ah talking-
"regular talking"
Last time:
"This is very degrading," he muttered as Sesshoumaru picked him up. Sango looked over Sesshoumaru's shoulder at him.
"We'll make it up to you," she said. A red cloud began to form under their feet and it lifted them off the ground.
"This is so cool!" Kagome said, her eyes wide with excitement. Sesshoumaru smiled and directed the could after their scent.
"When did you remember you could do this?" Miroku asked.
"Just now." Sesshoumaru answered frankly.
"Ah."
Now:
Shippou and Kirara stopped shortly after nightfall. Kirara didn't need much rest and Shippou slept on her back while they traveled. Shippou caught them two small rabbits, a nice catch for a young kit. "Do you think they followed us?"
^Undoubtedly. ^ Kirara answered. ^Sango and Kagome probably forced Inuyasha to come. ^
"He could've stayed and hunted shards on his own. It's not like he cares what happens to us." Kirara nuzzled Shippou after washing her nose clean in a nearby stream.
^Why did you want to find Sesshoumaru's human ward anyway? ^
"Because he really wants to remember his past and maybe she could help. Inuyasha probably knows some of it, but you know he would never help."
^No, he wouldn't. He's too stubborn. I wonder what happened between them. ^
"Well, Sesshoumaru's remembering it piece by piece. He was mumbling some things under his breath while he was asleep last night and I caught bits and pieces of it."
^Well, at least he's remembering something. Maybe we'll find something about who attacked him on our search. ^
"I almost hope it's Naraku. That way we won't have another enemy to worry about."
^It might have been Kikyo. ^ A growl resounded in Kirara's chest. ^That disgrace does not deserve to be called a miko, nor did she deserve to be Midoriko's heir. ^
"Well, her deception was mainly Naraku's fault."
^Well, that aside, recent actions must be taken into account. And anyway, let's not make assumptions. It might very well be someone else. ^ The two of them drifted off to sleep.
~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Ah-Uhn made it to the clearing where they had left Sesshoumaru. Uhn reached around, lifted Rin off their back, and set her on the ground. Ah sniffed around, gathering all the smells he could.
-I smell blood, but it's days old.- Ah said.
~Is it our lord's?~ Uhn questioned. Ah nodded and they moved closer to the spot where the scent was strongest. The grass was stained almost black with blood. Rin went pale.
"Is this Sesshoumaru-sama's blood?" she asked, already knowing the answer. Uhn nodded, sniffing at it himself.
~ There's a human smell in it. Two human smells. ~ Uhn said. Ah nodded.
-Wait. I think I smell something else.- Ah pushed his nose closer to the ground, sniffing intently for one scent. He caught it. -Inuyasha.- He growled. -The hanyou pup was here. I'd bet anything he hurt our lord.-
~ Don't jump to conclusions, Ah. Inuyasha could have stumbled on Sesshoumaru-sama after he was hurt. ~ Ah snorted.
-Grab Rin and let's go. I want to find that stupid hanyou.-
~Ah, it's getting dark and Rin needs to sleep. She cannot sleep comfortably on our back.~ Ah sighed. They moved away from the blood, closer to the tree line, and laid down. Rin curled up next to them.
"Will we find Sesshoumaru-sama soon?" Rin asked, looking plaintively at both of them. They swung their heads in an I-don't-know gesture. Rin nodded sadly and fell asleep.
~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Back at the miasma covered castle, a demon bee told its story to Naraku. "So, the young cub went off on his own. Interesting. Wait until Inuyasha gets closer to them and then attack the kit. Kill him when the miko gets there." Naraku commanded. The bee flew off to collect a band of demons to do the job. Kikyo walked into the room.
"You know you're only signing your death warrant by angering my reincarnation. She is very powerful and you will only make her come faster by killing the kit," she said. Naraku pulled her down onto his lap.
"Well, my love, the faster she comes, the faster we can get the jewel shards for our lady."
"That's true, but you must be crafty about it, not just rush in with an army of demons whenever you see fit."
"And why not?"
"Inuyasha and his company rely on strength alone. They have no fighting tactics at all and rush blindly into battle. It would be simple to outwit them."
"Let me do the thinking, my love. It is not a woman's job." Kikyo sneered and wrenched out of his grip. She stood and left the room.
~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Sesshoumaru set them down on the ground as night fell. His breathing was a little labored. Sango slid off his back and he set Miroku on his feet. Miroku dusted off his kimono and tried to reclaim his dignity. (I'd trade places with you any day, Miroku, to be in that position.) Kagome landed on her feet as Inuyasha dropped her. Sesshoumaru sat down heavily. "We're almost caught up with them," he said.
"Then why did we stop?" Inuyasha asked with a low growl.
"I'm tired."
"Then sleep. Thank you, Sesshoumaru. Tomorrow we'll walk." Kagome said.
"Yes, they didn't change direction at all, so we should keep going west." Sango added.
"Why do you think they're heading west?" Sesshoumaru asked. Kagome shrugged.
"I'm just glad Kirara went with Shippou too. It's dangerous out there for him," she said. The wind around the clearing suddenly picked up and howls could be heard in the distance. Kagome slapped her hand on her forehead.
"Hello, mate." Kouga said as he entered the clearing with his usual flare.
"I'm not your mate." Kagome said.
"Not yet."
"Not ever, wolf-face." Inuyasha growled.
"What say have you in it, dog breath?"
"I resent that." Sesshoumaru said. "Not all dogs have bad breath." Kouga and Inuyasha looked at Sesshoumaru like he was insane. Kouga shook his head and turned back to Kagome.
"Anyway, I've come to take you back to the mountains with me." Suddenly a bright smile crossed Kagome's face. "You are happy to come with me?"
"Kouga, run in that direction," Kagome said, pointing. "Kirara and Shippou ran off and they went that way. You're faster than any of us, so can you go look for them?" Kouga stood a little taller at her compliment.
"Anything for you mate." He sped off.
"I'M NOT YOUR MATE!"
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Kouga picked up Shippou's scent along the way. It didn't take him long to actually find them, but it would take some doing to actually get them back to his mate. A company of demons had surrounded the clearing. Kirara was in her bigger form, Shippou facing the opposite direction on her back. She roared viciously, challenging the demons to come closer. Shippou shook, terrified. The demons attacked. Kirara bit and spit fire at any who came near. Shippou sent little spurts of foxfire when he could. A mantis sliced into Kirara's shoulder. The fire cat yowled its pain and attacked again. Kouga sped into the clearing and joined the fray.
"Kouga?" Shippou yelled over the noise. Kouga sent him a wicked grin.
"Course it's me. Who'd you expect, Inuyasha?" While Shippou was distracted, a demon attacked him. It sliced into his stomach with its claws. Shippou screamed in pain and clutched the wound. Kirara turned on the demon with all her fury. There was one very crispy youkai lying on the ground after that. Between the two of them, Kirara and Kouga soon dispatched of the rest of the youkai. Kirara transformed into her smaller self and ran over to Shippou. He was still bleeding, but conscious. Kouga knelt down and picked them both up. "I'll get you back to Kagome. Don't worry, Shippou, you'll be okay." Shippou squeezed his eyes shut. Kouga's every step sent a slight jolt through his already pain filled body. He whimpered. Kouga ran a little slower and smoother. Kirara licked Shippou's face.
^It will be fine, Shippou. Kagome will give you one of those magic band aids and you will be better. ^ Kirara said comfortingly.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Review responses:
Soli: You and SailorKagome have been with me the longest that I can remember. ^_^
Anyanka: I think Ah-Uhn is an it. We will call him an it. That works. Sess is a softy. Just feel his tail.
Silver Phoenix: I'll check out your story when I get the chance. Expect a review from me!
sesshomarulover1: Kill Jaken! Mwahahahahaha! *evil grin* He's sooooo hot when he's mad.
disturbed-demon-gurl: You're weird too? Another one! ^_^ Everyone thinks I'm weird too. I try not to take forever writing.
Ranmagirl7: Did this chap answer your questions? ^_^ Jaken still has a part to play. And yes, you got me calling her creepy evil lady. She really does have a name, but my brain is processing her as creepy evil lady. It's all your fault! I blame you! *laugh* My great feeling comes from the responses I get from any of my stories. It's nice knowing I give people some enjoyment.
Also thanks to:
LordFluffy
Badgerwolf
diamond_dragonLeon
CrissyKitty
Rasberries
^Kirara talking^
~Uhn Talking.~
-Ah talking-
"regular talking"
Last time:
"This is very degrading," he muttered as Sesshoumaru picked him up. Sango looked over Sesshoumaru's shoulder at him.
"We'll make it up to you," she said. A red cloud began to form under their feet and it lifted them off the ground.
"This is so cool!" Kagome said, her eyes wide with excitement. Sesshoumaru smiled and directed the could after their scent.
"When did you remember you could do this?" Miroku asked.
"Just now." Sesshoumaru answered frankly.
"Ah."
Now:
Shippou and Kirara stopped shortly after nightfall. Kirara didn't need much rest and Shippou slept on her back while they traveled. Shippou caught them two small rabbits, a nice catch for a young kit. "Do you think they followed us?"
^Undoubtedly. ^ Kirara answered. ^Sango and Kagome probably forced Inuyasha to come. ^
"He could've stayed and hunted shards on his own. It's not like he cares what happens to us." Kirara nuzzled Shippou after washing her nose clean in a nearby stream.
^Why did you want to find Sesshoumaru's human ward anyway? ^
"Because he really wants to remember his past and maybe she could help. Inuyasha probably knows some of it, but you know he would never help."
^No, he wouldn't. He's too stubborn. I wonder what happened between them. ^
"Well, Sesshoumaru's remembering it piece by piece. He was mumbling some things under his breath while he was asleep last night and I caught bits and pieces of it."
^Well, at least he's remembering something. Maybe we'll find something about who attacked him on our search. ^
"I almost hope it's Naraku. That way we won't have another enemy to worry about."
^It might have been Kikyo. ^ A growl resounded in Kirara's chest. ^That disgrace does not deserve to be called a miko, nor did she deserve to be Midoriko's heir. ^
"Well, her deception was mainly Naraku's fault."
^Well, that aside, recent actions must be taken into account. And anyway, let's not make assumptions. It might very well be someone else. ^ The two of them drifted off to sleep.
~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Ah-Uhn made it to the clearing where they had left Sesshoumaru. Uhn reached around, lifted Rin off their back, and set her on the ground. Ah sniffed around, gathering all the smells he could.
-I smell blood, but it's days old.- Ah said.
~Is it our lord's?~ Uhn questioned. Ah nodded and they moved closer to the spot where the scent was strongest. The grass was stained almost black with blood. Rin went pale.
"Is this Sesshoumaru-sama's blood?" she asked, already knowing the answer. Uhn nodded, sniffing at it himself.
~ There's a human smell in it. Two human smells. ~ Uhn said. Ah nodded.
-Wait. I think I smell something else.- Ah pushed his nose closer to the ground, sniffing intently for one scent. He caught it. -Inuyasha.- He growled. -The hanyou pup was here. I'd bet anything he hurt our lord.-
~ Don't jump to conclusions, Ah. Inuyasha could have stumbled on Sesshoumaru-sama after he was hurt. ~ Ah snorted.
-Grab Rin and let's go. I want to find that stupid hanyou.-
~Ah, it's getting dark and Rin needs to sleep. She cannot sleep comfortably on our back.~ Ah sighed. They moved away from the blood, closer to the tree line, and laid down. Rin curled up next to them.
"Will we find Sesshoumaru-sama soon?" Rin asked, looking plaintively at both of them. They swung their heads in an I-don't-know gesture. Rin nodded sadly and fell asleep.
~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Back at the miasma covered castle, a demon bee told its story to Naraku. "So, the young cub went off on his own. Interesting. Wait until Inuyasha gets closer to them and then attack the kit. Kill him when the miko gets there." Naraku commanded. The bee flew off to collect a band of demons to do the job. Kikyo walked into the room.
"You know you're only signing your death warrant by angering my reincarnation. She is very powerful and you will only make her come faster by killing the kit," she said. Naraku pulled her down onto his lap.
"Well, my love, the faster she comes, the faster we can get the jewel shards for our lady."
"That's true, but you must be crafty about it, not just rush in with an army of demons whenever you see fit."
"And why not?"
"Inuyasha and his company rely on strength alone. They have no fighting tactics at all and rush blindly into battle. It would be simple to outwit them."
"Let me do the thinking, my love. It is not a woman's job." Kikyo sneered and wrenched out of his grip. She stood and left the room.
~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Sesshoumaru set them down on the ground as night fell. His breathing was a little labored. Sango slid off his back and he set Miroku on his feet. Miroku dusted off his kimono and tried to reclaim his dignity. (I'd trade places with you any day, Miroku, to be in that position.) Kagome landed on her feet as Inuyasha dropped her. Sesshoumaru sat down heavily. "We're almost caught up with them," he said.
"Then why did we stop?" Inuyasha asked with a low growl.
"I'm tired."
"Then sleep. Thank you, Sesshoumaru. Tomorrow we'll walk." Kagome said.
"Yes, they didn't change direction at all, so we should keep going west." Sango added.
"Why do you think they're heading west?" Sesshoumaru asked. Kagome shrugged.
"I'm just glad Kirara went with Shippou too. It's dangerous out there for him," she said. The wind around the clearing suddenly picked up and howls could be heard in the distance. Kagome slapped her hand on her forehead.
"Hello, mate." Kouga said as he entered the clearing with his usual flare.
"I'm not your mate." Kagome said.
"Not yet."
"Not ever, wolf-face." Inuyasha growled.
"What say have you in it, dog breath?"
"I resent that." Sesshoumaru said. "Not all dogs have bad breath." Kouga and Inuyasha looked at Sesshoumaru like he was insane. Kouga shook his head and turned back to Kagome.
"Anyway, I've come to take you back to the mountains with me." Suddenly a bright smile crossed Kagome's face. "You are happy to come with me?"
"Kouga, run in that direction," Kagome said, pointing. "Kirara and Shippou ran off and they went that way. You're faster than any of us, so can you go look for them?" Kouga stood a little taller at her compliment.
"Anything for you mate." He sped off.
"I'M NOT YOUR MATE!"
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Kouga picked up Shippou's scent along the way. It didn't take him long to actually find them, but it would take some doing to actually get them back to his mate. A company of demons had surrounded the clearing. Kirara was in her bigger form, Shippou facing the opposite direction on her back. She roared viciously, challenging the demons to come closer. Shippou shook, terrified. The demons attacked. Kirara bit and spit fire at any who came near. Shippou sent little spurts of foxfire when he could. A mantis sliced into Kirara's shoulder. The fire cat yowled its pain and attacked again. Kouga sped into the clearing and joined the fray.
"Kouga?" Shippou yelled over the noise. Kouga sent him a wicked grin.
"Course it's me. Who'd you expect, Inuyasha?" While Shippou was distracted, a demon attacked him. It sliced into his stomach with its claws. Shippou screamed in pain and clutched the wound. Kirara turned on the demon with all her fury. There was one very crispy youkai lying on the ground after that. Between the two of them, Kirara and Kouga soon dispatched of the rest of the youkai. Kirara transformed into her smaller self and ran over to Shippou. He was still bleeding, but conscious. Kouga knelt down and picked them both up. "I'll get you back to Kagome. Don't worry, Shippou, you'll be okay." Shippou squeezed his eyes shut. Kouga's every step sent a slight jolt through his already pain filled body. He whimpered. Kouga ran a little slower and smoother. Kirara licked Shippou's face.
^It will be fine, Shippou. Kagome will give you one of those magic band aids and you will be better. ^ Kirara said comfortingly.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Review responses:
Soli: You and SailorKagome have been with me the longest that I can remember. ^_^
Anyanka: I think Ah-Uhn is an it. We will call him an it. That works. Sess is a softy. Just feel his tail.
Silver Phoenix: I'll check out your story when I get the chance. Expect a review from me!
sesshomarulover1: Kill Jaken! Mwahahahahaha! *evil grin* He's sooooo hot when he's mad.
disturbed-demon-gurl: You're weird too? Another one! ^_^ Everyone thinks I'm weird too. I try not to take forever writing.
Ranmagirl7: Did this chap answer your questions? ^_^ Jaken still has a part to play. And yes, you got me calling her creepy evil lady. She really does have a name, but my brain is processing her as creepy evil lady. It's all your fault! I blame you! *laugh* My great feeling comes from the responses I get from any of my stories. It's nice knowing I give people some enjoyment.
Also thanks to:
LordFluffy
Badgerwolf
diamond_dragonLeon
CrissyKitty
Rasberries