Disclaimer: A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, like an anime owned by any other would be just as great... Unfortunately roses don't have another name and I don't own Inuyasha...
Simple Lies
Chapter Eleven: Well that was unexpected...
Sesshoumaru watched the entrance of the discussion hall a few moments, before sighing heavily and turning his attention back to the men in front of him. The taiyoukai only hopped his half-brother; perhaps one of the girl's companions sorted this mess out, and soon. It is never good to go into war when ones mind is completely elsewhere, especially if that mind his bent on revenge like Kagome's. Sesshoumaru place not an ounce of blame upon the girl, he would feel the same way should he have gone through and thing remotely to what she has, but this is a war and not a small battle. He could not afford and slip ups, and something within her eyes told the youkai that she wishes to do something stupid, and that she knows it is so makes him even more concerned then he already is.
"While that is being handled I suggest we elaborate on this plan a bit further." If that girl were to die, he would hate to think about what it would do to his brother, even if Inuyasha seemed oblivious to it. Eyes roaming along the maps, his gaze then snapped towards Kouga. "Tell me, Kouga, the name of your five best combaters... be sure to name only the full demon fighters." He added as an after thought. Not that he had anything against hanyou or human fighters, as seen with his brother he knew that they were not pushovers, but not everyone had his father's blood in them. He wanted to be on the safe side, especially with what he plans to ensure them with.
Kouga stood from his spot, his posture going from a salute to at ease, his facial expression never wavering from its emotionless mask. A warrior never showed emotion, as it is weakness. To let your enemy see your heart is like holding out your bare neck for them to slice open with a swift movement of the wrist, blade in hand. It is the very first lesson you learn when becoming a solider. "Well as you know the twins An'ya and Jin'ya, and then there's Boras, Truce and Karc." He informed, still not taking his seat until directly ordered to do so.
Sesshoumaru nodded, satisfied, though he had never had the pleasure of sparing with the others he had with the twins. His lips twitched into some sort of semblance of smile, those two were utterly ruthless when it came to combat skills, when it came to weaponry one should watch out least they found themselves skewered accidentally, that is if they didn't do so to themselves first. "Good, then I will have them at the village with Kagome-sama," the occupants in the room couldn't help but widen their eyes at the obvious respect Sesshoumaru held for the girl. It was obvious by how he had called her. He would never do that just for anyone. "Watching her back should this Kagura try anything underhanded." He spat distastefully. "You many sit, now Ginta name of five of your best, I wish for two of them to be archers and the rest swordsmen."
Ginta two stood in salute, falling into an at ease pose, though his face was not as emotionless as Kouga's. No, it held a silliness there, one that resembled a person used to laughing, perhaps as him part of the joke. Do not mistake this for him being weak, as it is quite the contrary. This wolf demon could be just a fierce as Kouga himself in battle, perhaps more so. "Next to me, sir, are Jerd, Seishinseii, and Jun'jou as for my two best archers... they would be Kojo and Kiyro. Though, they both are well with the blade, my lord, should it come down to it." Ginta explained gently.
The three swordsmen were nothing compared to their leader, the weapons master, but were extraordinary out on the field. Almost nothing could stand in their way once their swords left the protective covering of their sheaths. As for the two archers, Kojo and Kiyro, the two men are never far from the other's side. In battle they worked as a team, taking down forces one at a time that is until the battle is to close to deem it archer friendly. It is then that they adopt the title of the grim reaper and angle of death, brothers of destruction. Sesshoumaru smiled mentally, yes he remembered hearing of them, and the two would be perfect for protecting his brother and future sister-in-law. That is if he could help it.
The youkai prince nodded, satisfied with the names presented. "Good, I want you to be with them Ginta as acting leader of the small squad." Ginta nodded, still standing in the at ease position awaiting further orders. "Take some extra men with you to evacuate the village and see them safely elsewhere. Once that is out of the way, hide yourself in whatever is available waiting for the demoness to reach a certain spot... here." He announced, pointing one elegant clawed finger in the middle of the village map. "Kouga, your coming with me... we'll need...."
~*~
Sango sat against the shoji screen of her sleeping quarters head bowed. She had searched for hours to find Kagome, coming up empty handed with every thought to her whereabouts that came to mind. Just what in the world was the miko thinking? Sango wondered helplessly, as she lifted her head to stare out at the ceiling above her. Cinnamon eyes took in ever crack and pattern displayed in the wood above while her mind lie in a state of unrest. She just could not stop the thoughts from running rampant within the contours of her brain.
She broke her promise!
Those were the first spoken harsh thoughts that entered her mind when she dropped her body here listlessly to the floor, back coming to rest against the screen eyes squeezed shut. Kagome had done this before, this same exact tactic in order to see her brother...maybe with a few alterations, but still the same...
She almost lost her life that day... Sango's heart couldn't help but give a painful lurch at the thought. Kagome had become almost like a sister to her, their group almost like a second family and she clenched her fists tightly slamming them to the floor. She couldn't lose Kagome, not like she lost her brother! Kagome is what kept her and Miroku together; the one that convinced her to stay despite her treachery... the young miko was what bound them together like a family. If they were to lose her, then their little group would surely fall apart as Sango knew that she could not survive without the gleeful girl. The world would just seem so dull and cruel to her once more...
Sango shut her eyes and when back to the first time they had met, she had tried to kill Kagome, whom was like a sister to her now, and she forgave... Sango still couldn't believe to this day that she was forgiven.
-
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Sango's eyes opened, her head pounding painfully, she had to blink a couple of time before things around her came into focus. Utilizing great effort the tajiya used her upper arm strength to prop herself up with the side of her left arm before moving the other to help in getting to her knees. She was in a dazed state as her eyes took in everything mindlessly. Her muddled brain comprehended nothing of what it saw.
Had she been lucid enough she would have taken not of the burnt down village, the scores of bodies that littered the ground and the blood that seemed to flow what once were streets like a river never ending. She would have seen the fires, and smelt the burning flesh and death in the air, and would have been searching for survivors had not one thought been raging through her lethargic state.
Kohaku, he, he killed them all.... all of them.... father, mother, and all of the villagers.... and I could do nothing to stop it... I realized the problem not soon enough. It is my entire fault that Kohaku has to live with such pain, my fault that they are gone, that he is gone... Sango thought with self-loathing. Bowing her head as the tears flowed from her eyes, her nails digging into the hard soil of the ground with enough force that threatened to break them. It was then that all of the strength left her, her back falling against the earth's crust in exhaustion.
Like quick-sliver Sango rolled herself backwards jumping to her feet in her regular fighting stance. "What do you want?" Sango spat at the man before her, his face covered with the mask of a baboon pelt, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Did you not get enough fun in with torturing my brother." She yelled hatefully, hand immediately to the hilt of her weapon.
The man laughed darkly, his eyeless stare boring into her own cinnamon ones, leaving her with nothing but an empty feeling and shivers up the spine. "Yes, I did have fun with the young lad.... I assure you, but that is not why I am here." His voice was low, deep and throaty. There was something about it that did not sit well with the young youkai taijiya. Her eyes narrowed further with the comment, katana unsheathed and in her hands ready for use. "Young taijiya you do wish to see your dear brother again, do you not?" He questioned and she remained silent feigning as like she had heard nothing from his lips. It angered him, but instead of the sneer that wished to emit fourth he placed upon his lips a smirk. "Good young tajiya get angry with me, feel the hatred and resentment you have towards me... it will only help me in the end."
"How is that?" She questioned, with barely concealed hate, not that she really tried to conceal it.
"That is not for you to know young taijiya." The baboon masked stranger replied, turning to leave. "If you wish to see your brother again then I suggest that when a young miko and monk enter this decimated village you kill them and take something called the Shikon no Tama from the girl and bring it to me." As he moved from her sight he began to disappear. "As for your payment you will receive your brother, without harm."
She had done just that, waiting, watching as her village burned to the ground. She waited for what seemed like hours, until the flames seemed to extinguish themselves. All of this she had observed from the safety of the tallest tree she could find so that she would not be notice. It was about near evening when she decided to put the bodies of the dead beneath the ground that she saw them enter her dead village.
She had froze in mid-movement, her eyes like a hawks watching their every move straining to hear their every word. She did not want to do this, but would for the sake of her brother. She owed him that. Her eyes widened a bit when they began to dig graves for her people, and send them of with a prayer into the next life. The girl set flowers picked from the field she and Kohaku used to play in upon the freshly made graves.
Sango moved in closer to get a better look, and her heart stopped... the girl... she shed tears for the dead of her village when this miko, as the baboon pelted man said she was, knew not one of them; held no place for them within her heart like she did. Her heart's beat felt like it was being forced as she swallowed hard... how could she kill this girl.... getting a bit closer she was able to pick up their conversation...
"...Please lady Kagome, I hate to see you cry." The monk said soothingly. So the girl's name is Kagome, thought the taijiya sadly. The more she watched, the harder it was getting to urge her already screaming conscience into doing what she thought she must in order to see her brother safely. "Every thing will be alright, we just need to move on know, that's all."
"Miroku.... how can you say it like that? I know that you are use to seeing this now, but shall never be." Kagome replied, her voice laden with the tears that she has shed. "I feel that it is all my fault that Naraku it doing these things... he want this stupid jewel, but I just... can't... give it to him."
The monk grabbed the girl into a friendly embrace, it seemed like something shared between siblings... embraces that she and Kohaku would share. Sango felt her heart squeeze as she watched them. "Kagome I can not let you feel you are responsible for these things. You know as well as any whom have heard of the Shikon that should Naraku have it more would die, more would suffer from his evil."
Just as Kagome was about to reply Sango moved out into the open, her katana in hand. She just could not take any more of it, she needed to end it before her heart interfered and would not allow what she was about to do. The monk shoved the girl behind his back watching her suspiciously. Sango paused for a moment in her steps, was that barely concealed desire she witnessed flashing before his eyes. She shook her head and pointed her Katana forward, in her starting stance. "Please forgive me, but I must kill you know in order to free my brother." With that she rushed forth, moving her blade fluidly, to catch the monks stomach.
Her eyes grew large in surprise as her sword was knocked from her hand, and the body of the monk upon her his face only mere inches from her own. She could feel his breath upon her, as she was sure he could feel her own. "My lovely lady as much as I'd like to fight with you, I do believe it would be better to talk things out first before one of us gets hurt."
She clenched her fist, before sending to meet his face! "You hentai, the man said you are monk. Obviously he was wrong!" She shouted, cautiously backing up to retrieve her katana eyes never leaving the two.
"I am a monk." He huffed, glaring mockingly at his cursed hand. "It's the hand that ha a mind of it's own."
"That's still questionable, Miroku." Kagome teased as she neared them, only to stop beside the monk, her eyes watching the clothed hand daring it to strike.
The monk placed his hand over his heart, feigning hurt. "Why lady Kagome, how could you think of such things about your good friend the monk." Kagome nearly burst from the effort to not laugh at his antics, and instead just raised her brow to him in a look that clearly stated -how-could-I-not, before bringing her attention back to the young woman.
Sango watched him all in silent wonder. She was just trying to kill them a few moments ago, and yet here they stand chatting away as if she were harmless. She grew angry at this realization; did they truly not find her a threat? Sango was slightly taken aback when the girl called Kagome offered out her hand. "I am Kagome."
Sango hesitantly put out her own hand, taking in the offered one in a slight firm shake while stating her own name; again with hesitance. "I... am Sango." She muttered out, dropping the hand. Again she was thrown of balance when Kagome smiled warmly at her, she had made an attempt at their lives for gosh sakes and they act like all she did was tell them the sky was green! Her grip tightened on her katana as she glared at the two, shutting out the wants of her heart. As the small organ beating within her chest demanded her to walked the other way, and listen not to the man in the baboon pelt. She, for some reason, could not bring herself to kill the two before her. There was just something about them that prevented her from it. She held her blade horizontally in front of her. "Talk quickly, before I decide to kill you now instead of later." She bit out as harsh as she could. She, for some reason, did not feel the hatred and anger she filled those few words with. At lest not towards them.
Kagome took one step forward, a look of pure understanding a light within her features. Sango didn't understand it, but for some reason she felt as if this miko knew what she was going through, knew exactly what she was doing and why. So it was a wonder why her next words shocked the taijiya to a near early death. "Naraku, why must you cause so much pain?" She whispered, but aloud said. "I know why you wish to kill me, and I bet that Naraku had someone very important to you in order for you to be doing such a thing as what you are doing now. I know this is not you Sango, as I a can see it in your eyes, you don't have the look of a heartless killer." Kagome paused for a moment before looking back up with determination. "I will let you do so but first you have to hear me out alright."
Beside her Miroku gasped, and watched her with wide unblinking eyes, not daring to say a thing but sorely wishing to. He could not let her go through with something so foolish as that. Sango, speechless as well, found she could only nod in reply to those words. Finding this to be enough for her, Kagome began. "I am Kagome, miko protector of the Shikon no Tama.... a very powerful jewel. Sense your from this village I know that you have already heard something of it's powers, despite that I still wish to go into some detail." Her eyes strayed to Miroku, whom nodded in reply to the question in her eyes. 'Can I tell her your past as well?' With a small smile for her monk friend, she continued with her story. "Miroku and I, now even you, have suffered a great deal because of this jewel and because of Naraku and... my sister.
A few years ago my sister and Naraku betrayed me for the shikon, but their efforts were for not as they had taken the imposter jewel I had created to throw demons off it trail. Exactly three years ago they came back and killed my father because I would not give over the jewel... I just couldn't and he understood so... even told me not give it to them...
My sister slit his throat... Now I don't want you thinking badly about my sister, none of this is her fault, I blame Naraku for controlling her somehow. I just know he is, she never use to act like this; she would never do such things. I just can't believe that she is capable of murdering our father... Souta, my younger brother, and my mother was taken captive as insurance for the jewel." Kagome clenched her fists tightly, trying to regain some of the composure she had lost. "You have no idea what it is like to witness your sister murder your father, and then proceeded to watch as she..." Kagome trailed, giving herself a quick shake to ward away the bad memories of the past. "Naraku wishes to use the jewel to become stronger and rule over all of Japan... but in order to do so he needs the Shikon, and because of that many have been hurt in his search for me..." her eyes looked up to lock with the cinnamon once of Sango. The taijiya's eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "Now I ask you, before you decide to kill me, will you come with us, will you help us destroy Naraku and free the world of his taint?"
Sango was speechless to say the least. Whatever she was expecting, this had not been it. She felt for the younger girl, to have lived through so much. Sango didn't think she would be able to live through the betrayal of a sibling; she nearly didn't live through Kohaku's no matter the fact that she knew it was not really him. It was this maddening guilt that threatened to do so. With a calming breath she directed her words to both of them. "You would have me with you, even though I was planning on killing you, even though there is a chance that I might betray you once more to save my brother's life."
With out hesitation the girl replied. "Yes..." Sango felt tears come to her eyes, after all Kagome has been through she was willing to risk traveling with her. The monk beside her nodded as well a smile forming his lips, a smile she would, in the future, take as a warning to his hentai behavior. A smile she would learn to love despite it's meaning.
"Of course lady Sango, it would be such an honor to travel with such beautiful company." As he spoke he took a few steps to be standing at her side, taking bother hands in his own; she blushed slightly. This was the first time she has ever had this much contact with a boy before. Normally men when the other way when they saw her as they were frightened of the fact that she is a demon exterminator like her father was... Her mind was so preoccupied with unwelcoming thoughts, that his next words took a while for her to processes. "My lovely Lady Sango would you do the honor of baring me an heir?" He asked innocently, his clothed hand straying to her bottom.
With a twitch to her right eye she slapped the monk silly, with the shout of. "Hentai!"
Kagome sighed tiredly. "Must you do that every time?"
Sango turned disbelieving eyes to the miko. "You mean does this all the time?"
"Afraid so."
"But he's a monk!"
"I'm still debating that one."
Meanwhile Miroku lay upon the ground with a large stupid grind lighting up his features, rubbing his cheek while he mumbled. "That was well worth it."
~*~
Miroku found Sango with her arms wrapped around her drawn up knees, her head resting against them while she seemed to be deep in thought. At lest that is what the monk thought, very deep in thought, as she would have sense him by then. He had been watching her for quite some time already. Normally she would have commented on his hentai ways by now. Taking a hesitant step forward, Miroku took a seat next to her, and the young woman still did not stir.
He frowned, as he studied her from the corners of his violet eyes, she did not appear to be asleep but appearances can be deceiving. If she wasn't asleep then something was terribly wrong, she never let him get this close to her without some kind of dire consequences. After a while of silence between them, she spoke nearly giving him a heart attack. At lest he now knew that she is awake.
"Do you think she'll go through with it?" Sango questioned, her voice low and scratchy telling him that the impassive woman before him had been shedding tears. She never cried, unless it was for her brother. "Is there not a way that we can convince her not to do this?" She asked with desperation. She did not want to see her friend, no, her sister, the only family that she has left, nearly die once more. She never even let the thought of her actual death pass her mind. There was no possible way for it to happen, oh yes, she could come near it, but never achieve it. Sango refused to let that possibility enter her mind. That chance held no existence for her.
"As much as I wish there were, I don't think there is anything that can be done." The monk sighed, as he leaned his head backwards so that he may gaze unseeingly at the ceiling above him. "Kagome is a very stubborn girl, once her mind it set there is not much that can be done to change it." Miroku said sagely. "All we can do is pray that she knows what she is doing and that she doesn't come to too much harm, anything more would just be asking too much."
Miroku's eyes opened wide and his breath stilled as Sango lunged herself into his arms, never in all of his years would he have expect the girl of his dreams to willingly allow him to hold her like this, to comfort her how he had always dreamed of doing. Drawing her up further into his embrace, he began to rub her back soothingly, his hand never straying lower then her upper back. He would not resort to his usual habits, he would show this girl that he could be trusted to comfort her in her times of need. He would show her that he could control himself. "I know." She whispered breathlessly. "But I don't like feeling so helpless, and I don't want to lose her like I lost Kohaku."
He tightened his hold, resting his chin on the top of her head as he breathed in the scent of her hair; lilacs. Just like the soaps and oils that she used when bathing. He felt content right then with her in his arms like this, yet still fear held his heart in it's frozen grip turning his blood to ice. Kagome had become something like a sister to him now, he could not lose her, especially not after he had already lost every shred of family he had ever known. "Don't worry, I'll figure something out, but until then you should get some rest alright." Sango nodded against his chest, her breath slowing.
Blinking a couple of time Miroku gazed down at the girl in his arms with shock violet eyes. She fell asleep right there in his arms! He felt as if he had died and gone to heaven. A dopey smile stole across his lips as he leaned back and let sleep claim him. He did not care of the repercussions this brought him in the morning; for once he got to sleep how he had longed to for years. With the love of his life safely tucked in his arms.
~*~
Inuyasha watched the night sky, a smile hidden beneath scowl shown to the world. For some odd reason he felt content where he was, beside this girl whom watched the stars with him. He could almost forget the fact that she is Kikyou's twin, that he is suppose to gain her trust and gain the jewel, that they were going to war tomorrow even if the actual war wasn't until the day after... that this girl planned to do something foolish that he needed to watch out for. He could almost forget it all, he hadn't thought about it the entire time they sat there, but it was still there in the far recesses of his mind.
He smiled slightly, he was making progress, and it never registered in his brain why he cared except that it made him feel somewhat happy. Kagome and him talked about their pasts, or very little of it, but at lest she trusted him with some stories of her travels with the monk and demon exterminator. Inuyasha shivered slightly, he would never get used to the fact that a demon huntress lived under the same roof as him peacefully. He had his fair share in run-ins with the like, he never did anything to warrant the attention, only because he was a demon and they thought to have fun killing him. Personally he thought it had something to deal with his being hanyou. None of the other demons whom managed to behave have had to deal with such.
Glancing sideways at the girl, he had to fight the urge to smile the smile that had been threatening him for the last few hours of them being in the presence of one another. Not once had she shied away from him, looked upon him with disgust, or even commented on his heritage. She spoke to him as if he were normal, as if he were liker herself and not a half-breed. Besides those within his family, he has never had anyone act around him in such, and he thought that he would never be able to find someone who would. This girl, Kagome, she was something different from everyone else. One look into her eyes and you could swear you were seeing her soul. He never noticed that before, not until this night. It was strange, but it seemed as if this night was the first time he had ever looked at her, really looked at her.
Most of her time here he had been avoiding her, trying not to see her if he could help it. Inuyasha knew that he needed to deceive her, make her think he was on her side, and then... betray her. He just couldn't do it. His heart wouldn't let him. He had hopped against hope that if he didn't see her he wouldn't have her trust, wouldn't need to deceive the jewel from her thus convincing Kikyou into another plan of action... His way of thinking did not work.
Inuyasha froze, his breath seizing in his throat.
Kagome, it seemed had fallen asleep while in there comfortable silence, fell into his side burying herself into his warmth. With deliberate ease, he carefully pulled her into his arms and gazed down at her face momentarily, using his free arm to push away a strand of raven hair. He quickly retracted his hand, getting to his feet with a last look to the stars and walking of the balcony, his feet carrying him down the corridors of the castle toward his own quarters.
The girl in his arms was surprisingly light, but that could be due to the fact that he is a hanyou. After all with his supernatural strength lifting a fifty-foot tree was like nothing to him, so why should this girl be any different? As he walked down the halls of the castle, eyes staring straight ahead ignoring all that went on around him, not that anything was, Inuyasha let his mind wander and his steps become mechanical.
At first he couldn't understand why in the world Kagome would want the Shikon no Tama, now.... now that he has read that journal he somewhat understood it. The jewel gave the bearer any wish they so desired, gave them strength beyond imagination, and could even change ones blood. The thought was even enticing to himself, why wouldn't he want it, why wouldn't she? He mused when the thought about her actually entertaining ideas of lusting after power, after all he wouldn't mind using it to become a full-fledged demon. He would be a whole instead of a half, he would have somewhere to belong, and he would be stronger and then shook his head against it. To make a wish for such would be erasing his mother from him, he could never to something like that despite how much he despised being a half-demon.
Something so trivial as that did not seem capable of the girl in his arms, and he didn't know why he knew such things. For all he knew she did entertain such thoughts. The jewel could gain her revenge against Naraku.... Inuyasha frowned. If she has had the shikon all of this time why hasn't she used it yet? It was obvious then, or at lest to him, that she perhaps held no plans of using it for such. From what it sounds like, from the tidbits that they let pass from their lips in conversations, they have fought Naraku many times. If she were going to use it, then she would have done so by now unless… unless, of course, this girl held other things in mind for the Shikon no Tama.
Pausing in his thoughts, Inuyasha shifted the weight in his arms so that he could free up an arm to open the doors of his own personal quarters. Repositioning his arms once more so that he could better support her weight, he kicked the door shut behind him with his foot before making way to his bed and laying her atop it. Never one did it register in his mind where he would sleep. His thought's of just a bit before swirling around in incessantly. He would be lucky enough if they left him long enough for him to catch his sleep, not that it really matter either way as he planned to spend most of his night reading. He needed answers, and needed them now least he drive himself insane trying to come up with them himself.
Pulling back the blankest and then carefully pulling them back over her prone form, he was slightly surprised that she hadn't awoken yet with how much he has moved her about. Not dwelling on it, Inuyasha cast her one last glance before heading straight towards his father's study with the speed one would use if the hounds of hell were at their feet. No one said a word as he dashed around the corner, nearly bumping into a few servants here and there as they were use to his antics.
In no time at all he was in the study before his father's chair, lifting up the cushion carefully he slid his hand under to pull forth the worn leather bound book. Dropping the cushion he pulled up the chair seating himself with all due haste placing the book upon the desk opening it to ware he had left off.
The 23-day, 4th moth, 906 year
This would be my first day in protecting the jewel from demons and humans alike, and as I write here with gentle strokes I start this day off with walking in the forest. To any miko whom may be reading this entry, walking in the woods with the jewel is not an entirely smart thing to do. As I have found out, a bit late or perhaps not sense this is my first day, demons were able to sniff out the jewel. I am a little unsure of how, but now that I know that it is possible I will take on higher precautions when I am about.
It was my first time slaying demons in order to protect a jewel, and I have found that the youkai fight almost desperately to get their hands on it. They become like mindless drones to call of power never once stopping in their pursuit despite the fact that I may have lopped of an arm or two, or that they may have a big gaping whole in their sides. This was the first time I had ever fought a youkai to the point were it kept on fighting until the point it could not longer move or breath.
This would be the last time I take a stroll in the woods again, unless I have found some way to make the jewel from a demons sense.
The 08-10 day, 6th month, 906 year
This would be my fifth entry, but perhaps the most important next the first and second. This day, as I walked about my shrine a badly wounded man came to me seeking help... I had thought he was human... he had no feel of demon in his aura or even a half. I had decided to help him, give him shelter and tended to his wounds. At first the man seemed to helpless, all he had done the first day was lay about, it was at night of the second day that he had shown his true colors.
I had gone to sleep earlier then usual, later I had found it was a sleeping spell, and if I had not cast a spell around the jewel itself I would not have been awake to see him making off with the object in hand. I would not have seen the man that I had helped shift his shape before my eyes and I would not have learned a valuable lesson. It had taken all of my speed and strength to retrieve that jewel from him, and then it had taken me until the third day to do so. His strength was incredible and it scared me. I had nearly failed in my duties as protector to this jewel.
For future protectors of this jewel, I have created a spell in case something of the likes happens again. A demon should not be able to hide his true form from you as long as you perform this spell:
Mix these herbs and such together, and say this spell and all shall be reviled to you...
Garlic, tea leaves, rot root, and magnolia....
Show ye self
Ye cannot hide
Do my will and abide
Show ye self
Inuyasha read into the wee hours of the night, barely registering the fact that sun now rose and light filtered through the small windows of the room and through the curtains that acted as a door for the balcony. So far from these entries, he had learned quite a bit. Most of it giving him ideas on how to find the jewel, and so far as he read he could not find anything from this miko that showed she was able to mask the jewel from a youkai's sense. Now if only he knew what he was smelling for?
His eyes quickly scanned the pages, not bother to read the entry if it did not prove to be something of interest, something that may help him out. He did not care for the different types of demons that tried to steal the jewel from her, he only wished to know some of it's history and anything that might help him find it and perhaps understand it a bit more. After flipping through a few pages, he stopped, brows furrowing up in confusion and deep thought. A few of the pages were missing, but who would take them and why? What exactly was written there, that someone would ruin this book for it?
Sighing in annoyance he hopped that there was nothing of importance written there, though he highly doubted it, and when on to read the next entry after the ripped pages.
The 15-day, 10th month, 911 year
Even though I had failed in my duties to protect the jewel, I did retrieve it once more, but I was unable to stop it from being used for evil... and I was nearly unable to stop the bloodshed. In my first entry I had said that I had hoped to never have to see the jewel glowing a malevolent purple, never have to see it tainted with evil, but I have. I glowed so brightly that color in his hands that it's very light, not including aura, may me shiver at the sheer evil it held. I could not understand how he was able to force so much evil into it.. I fear that it would be a while before the jewel ever if pure again.
I have hopes though, that once I pass this jewel down to my apprentice, Citrine, that she is able to at least purify the jewel to a level were the battle raging inside it's polished countenance it on close to equal ground. For as things stand for right know the Shikon no Tama should be consider evil and no longer neither of two.
This is my last entry, as I have grown to old to care for this jewel properly, but I know that my apprentice will and that is enough to ease my old troubled heart. I was old to being with, thus, I think, for future mikos that it would be wise to start training your apprentice when you are at lest in your twenties, handing over to them the duty with they are around the same age as training takes about ten years. So with my last entry I bide you farewell, I only hope that my apprentice has left you with some helpful advice as well.
Inuyasha shut the book and slammed his head down on the desk, his exhaustion getting the better of him and forced himself to stay down. Damnit! He thought in exasperation. There was something important written there! Someone had used the jewel for evil, and he had no idea as to what they had done. Whoever took the entry wanted to either, copy what was done or wished for the rest of the world not know what had happened. It is very frustrating to say the lest, he wanted nothing more then to rip down a few trees in the woods to relive him of it.
He ripped himself away from the desk clenching his fist in annoyance as he walked hurriedly to the balcony, what was even more frustration, or at lest adding to it was the noise coming from out side! His ears twitched from the yelling coming from out there. Inuyasha cracked his knuckles; he was going to enjoy slowly killing whoever it was. It was never a good idea to mess with an irate hanyou, something he was going to prove to whomever caused this disturbance in his concentration.
~*~
Sango snuggled deeper in to her bed, it was so warm, she sighed in contentment when it wrapped itself around her slime waits... her eye shot open coming to focus on purple robes. It was then her fear rose with in her gut. She knew that her bed was a body, and knew of only one man that wore purple robes, one man that had visited her the other night, one that she never remembered saying farewell to before drifting off into the world of sleep. Sango racked her brain quickly, trying to make sure nothing appropriate happened between them. Shifting a bit, but not enough to wake him, she took note of where his hands were. Finding them to be at her wait, not too close to her bottom or upper body she let herself relax and drifted back to sleep.
How often was it that she was able to indulge in the safe feeling his presence brought to her with out facing consequences of her his cursed hand? If, in his sleep, he were willing to behave then she would take what she was able to get. She had always wanted to do this, but was always afraid of his hentai habits.
A smile stole across his lips when he felt her settle back down and drifted back to sleep, he was afraid, for a second there that he was going to have a very unhappy reunion with Hiraikotsu or at lest her fist since the weapon was left in their hut and caretaker back at the village. Cracking open an eye he watched as his fearsome demon huntress slept on, smoothing over her dark hair lightly as not to wake her. Shutting his eye, he reassumed his sleep as well. He had woken up sometime ago in the middle of the night and had taken to just watching the beauty in his arms as she breathed gently in an out, in her deep sleep.
~*~
The counsel men cornered him in his own study, well not really cornered, but all of them stood around his desk waiting for him to speak. With barely concealed annoyance he brought cold golden eyes up to peer into there own nervous ones. His eyes held no emotion except for cold calculation, this alone scent fear cascading down on the hearts of many. "What is it, if you haven't noticed I am rather busy." He bit out coldly, his tone rough, not at all sounding how he did when speaking with Inuyasha or Rin, or anyone really that he considered family.
The head councilman fidgeted slightly, but he took notice and grinned inwardly that he had caused such a reaction. Seriously, if he ever became ruler he would consider firing them all for a new selected bunch that at least appeared to hold more brains then this lot did. "Well my prince it is about your brother."
Sesshoumaru groaned inwardly, what did the little whelp do know? "Go on." His eyes went back to reading the documents that needed his approval brought to him by Jaken. Something was up with the toad as he hadn't seen him around as of late, not that it bothered him, it was just the green thing was usually at his heels fawning all over him... he shivered. Why did he even bother to care? It was his damn compassionate side, that's what, if he even had one that is. For right now that was what he gave the blame to, that and the fact that Jaken was the first personal servant in his service.
"Well my lord," he hesitated, " it would seem Inuyasha-sama has taken it upon himself to fund a shelter of the poor." The councilman choked on the last word, his features looking utterly appalled.
Sesshoumaru on the other hand was in a state one would call complete and utter shock, though no one could tell with his carefully constructed mask of an emotionless facade. His brother, Inuyasha, lazy always asking him or father for advice and help in matters of the state, or much rather demanding that they deal with it instead of himself, had actually taken something upon himself and done it. He didn't see what the problem was, and unless he had some how inadvertently messed things up he didn't understand why they were even there bother him. "That's good to know." Sesshoumaru stated carefully, giving away none of the pride he felt for his brother. "Go and fetch the document on the matter for my review of them, I want to see how my brother went about this."
They nodded silently and left.
~*~
Jumping from the balcony of his father's study Inuyasha used his unnatural speed, in which he had inherited from his demon blood, to race towards the front gates. It was there that that he heard the arguing. His ears twitched to pick up the argument as he came to a halt; he wanted to assess the situation before going over and interrupting it with demands of his own.
The guards stood spears directed as a rather large plant demon, he would have to say he was the size of about all three guards standing atop each other's shoulders. The demon did not seem to be bothered by this, his eyes only held determination, but below that nearly hidden a deep rooted sadness. "Please let us through, we have an appointment here." The youkai droned on gently, his tone held no anger or annoyance at how he was being treated.
The middle guard growled at him. "We will not let you pass hanyou, go back to the streets you came from." He mocked and the guards beside him stiffened at his blatant disrespect, but not for the one before them but for their prince. He was of two bloods as well, they didn't like that fact that he was disrespecting their prince and showed that by glowering at him. He paid no attention to it and continued to growl at the visitors.
Inuyasha noticed it and his eyes hardened. So it that what the guard thinks, he cracked his knuckle grinning sadistically inside while the outside was calm and cold almost resembling Sesshoumaru in emotionless facades. That was fine, he would just have to teach him how to respect a hanyou. "What in the name of all seven hells is going on here?" He growled out, efficiently freezing them all stiff. The middle guard was terrified; he could smell it coming off him in waves. That was good then, let him be afraid, let him worry whether or not he had been heard, let him watch his back every night until he decides to strike in fear.
The guard to the right was the one that spoke up, but not before glaring at the middle guard. "Inuyasha-sama I am terribly sorry about the disturbance, but Herrick here states that, even though I was never informed of it, that none may enter with out a pass. He claims to have a meeting here... but I..." He trailed and Inuyasha waved him away, letting him know that he needed no further explanation.
"As far as I'm aware you don't need one." Inuyasha stated coldly, his comment directed more towards Herrick then anyone else. "Let them pass and I'll deal with them, as for you three get back to your posts." The nodded quickly going to as they were ordered. Before Inuyasha could say anything, he was interrupted by a small soft voice, a familiar one at that.
"Jen'enji." Inuyasha turned to see Kagome standing there frozen to her spot eyes wide.
The gigantic youkai's face broke out into a grin, and he bowed his head in respect. "Kagome." He then lowered his gigantic arm to the ground allowing two small blurs to jump from his safe protection toward her immobile form, or at lest it was until she was crashed into, two small children hugging her around the waist.
"Haha-ue!" They cried together at once. "We missed you!" The hugged her tighter and she responded in kind, kneeling to their height to better embrace them. It has been six months since she had last seen them. She missed them terribly, and deep in her heart feared she would never see them again, the two youkai that had became like her own, the two that she had adopted as her own.
"What the hell is going on here" Inuyasha growled out angrily in his confusion, when your feeling to many emotions to name anger is always the best way to go, at lest in his book. He didn't understand! How could she have two pups! Was she married? Why does the thought of her married with children pain him so much?
Immediately the one Inuyasha recognized as a kitsune let go of Kagome's waits standing before the two fangs and claws barred, growling menacingly. While the other buried itself in Kagome's clothing as if trying to hide from him, with a discrete sniff of the air he realized the pup was a hanyou... an inu-hanyou. His eyes widened at the realization. "He's a hanyou..." the softly spoken words caused the kitsune to growl louder and the larger demon beside him to stiffen, but he didn't care. He just watched as the inu-hanyou buried himself further into her clothes and watched as she rubbed comforting circles around his back, shushing him. His heart clenched at the sight. She... she allowed a hanyou to call her mother... why, why would she do that? No one would want to claim a hanyou for a son that was not their own... so why would she? He realized now that he took the time to take in their scents that none of them had anything in common, meaning they held no relation to each other as well as the kitsune was a full demon. So Kagome being his mother was impossible.
"Shippo it's alright, he's not going to do anything to me or Shiro." She assured gently.
Shippo relaxed his stance, but his eyes remained fixated on Inuyasha. "But he..."
"He won't do anything to Shiro, trust me on that one alright. Take a sniff of the air Shippo and tell me what you smell." She ordered softly.
He did as told taking in all of the scent around them, he could smell the grass and other plants around him, he could smell Kagome and Shiro and Jen'enji, he could also smell some bird and other wildlife around him. He then could smell Inuyasha's scent; he studied it a moment coming to a few realizations about him at the moment before his brows shot up in surprise and he immediately was at Kagome's side. "He's an Inu-hanyou... like Shiro." He told her softly.
"I know... that's why he won't hurt Shiro." Shippo nodded, and Shiro slowly pulled away from his adopted haha-ue turning slowly to peer up at Inuyasha curiously. With a couple small steps he was standing a foot away from him, his own amber eyes watching the older hanyou like a hawk taking in a countenance much like his own. Shiro had never seen another being like him before, well besides Jen'enji, but this is different. This hanyou was exactly like him, and the younger could seem the same pain in his amber eyes that were in his own. He felt that he could relate to this half-demon.
Taking a few steps closer, Shiro decided that he would impart some advice he received from his haha-ue to him. It might help with the sadness, he decided, as it had always helped him. As long as he remembered the words she told him anything other people, or even demons, told or said to him did not matter. Her words always gave him comfort, so maybe they would do the same for him. At lest to his six-year-old mind it made perfect sense.
"I'm Shiro." He held out his clawed hand for the hanyou to take.
"Inuyasha." He repelled taking the hand in his own. Shiro marveled at the likeness of their hands for a moment before bringing Inuyasha down to his level. Not expecting such a move he had no choice but to kneel down to his height
Getting a bit closer he whispered to Inuyasha. "My haha-ue..." he said pointing to Kagome, "always said that no matter what anyone else says were still people and that even though we may think that we don't belong, we do, but we just get the best of both worlds. She says people are just jealous of us, the mean humans because they're weaker and can't fly like we do and the demons who are mean because they can't understand human emotions like we can." He explained. "Even though we have two different halves, were still whole and the other people who say we aren't are under educated in the ways of math because two halves equal a whole." He paused, leaning in a bit closer as if this right here were the best guarded secret. "But most important of all is that no matter what, she'll always love you as you... to my haha-ue I am just Shiro, and your are just Inuyasha... she doesn't care about anything else as long as your a good person and I'm always good for her."
Inuyasha just stared at the boy, why did he tell him all of this? Was any of it really true? Could this girl really believe all of this, if she did then she was the first, well besides his intermediate family. Which just included His mother, father, brother and Rin; else wise everyone else views him as the scum at the bottom of their shoes. The only reason he has some respect, the only reason why his orders are fallowed, are that his is the prince and Inutashio's son. But this girl, why was she so different... better yet how could she be who Kikyou said she is? The thought stilled him. Kagome was nothing what a cold-hearted killer would be. A cold-hearted killer would never think twice about a hanyou. Maybe... maybe Kikyou was wrong about her, but then why... why would she say such a thing about her twin?
Dispelling the thoughts from his mind, as he wished not to deal with them then, he watched as Shiro ran and then jumped into Kagome's arms and then proceeded to watch as she held him close using her free hand to rub the base of his ear. He watched as he laid his head down upon her chest, a purring sound emitting from his throat at the contentment the action brought his young tired body. Inuyasha could help but feel a bit envious towards the pup, but squashed the feeling before it could be anything more.
Turning to Jen'enji he said. "I'll have a room prepared for you, if you plan on staying." He offered.
The larger half demon shook his massive head no. "That is quite alright, Kaede is waiting for me at the hut you were staying at before you came to the castle Kagome." He replied in a low buzz like voice, and her eye drew up, she hadn't been expecting to see her again either. "She is probably worried, so I should go." With that said the hanyou slowly made his way out of the castle gates.
They watched him go in silence before Inuyasha spoke up. "You should probably put him to bed, they can stay with you in my room, I'll just have to put an extra futon in there." He took in the hanyou sleeping in her arms and the young kit clutching at her left leg as if afraid he'd be ripped away. He held back a smile. "I don't think they'd want to be separated from you."
Kagome smiled brightly, so he can be extremely nice when he wanted to be. Closing the distance between them, she stood on tippy toes and kissed him gently on the cheek, as her hands weren't free to hug him. She then turned swiftly, Shippo fallowing her down the path that lead towards the castle's entrance.
Inuyasha stood there frozen, his heart seized it's beating, breath seized in his throat and body unresponsive. She-She kissed me! It took him a few moments to get passed that notion and notice that she was slowly making her way from his sight. As if the spell she placed upon him had been broken, he immediately began to trail after her calling out. "Oi don't think that you can get out of explaining this all to me!" He shouted, when she didn't slow, but only pick up her gait he called out again. "Oi you stupid girl wait a minute!"
~*~
A/N: Finally another chapter!!!! Whoa-ho!!!! Go me, go me!!!!
Okay enough of that, anyways long chapter ne? I hope this some what makes up for the long wait and I hope that the next chapter comes a long a bit faster then this here one. Not the next one but the one after the their all going to war! I'm so happy that I'm almost there!!! I can't wait, I love writing fight scenes… though I will try to hold back a bit as I think I may have been a bit to graphic in one of my others stories The Devil's Rule thus I might be making it rated R depends on what you the reviewer say….
I love the part in here with Sango and Miroku, it was so kawaii, eh? Same with the part with Inuyasha and Shiro. Whelps I thought so, and I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!!! Ah, and I know lost of people always use the name Shiro for the little kids in there stories, but I couldn't help it I love the name. I think it makes a cute little kids name.
If there are any Japanese words that you don't know by now then write them in your reviews and I will translate them in the next chapter, so far I think I only use words that I have translated in earlier chapters nothing new so far.
Thank you all so much to all of my reviewers, you guys are just the best!!!!! I don't know what I'd do without you all! So thank you so- much!
Reviews:
…- Thanks… Some one told me that onee-chan meant little sister, but I check it out you are right so thanks again I'll be sure to go back sometime and fix it… and I'll be sure to remember that for future uses.
Distance From Here- Wow!!! You've nearly reviewed all of my chapters that's what I call reviewer dedication so…. I dedicate this chapter to you!!! Hope you like ^__^ I'm glad you like this fic so much and I hope to hear from you again…. *Runs and cowers behind computer chair* NOOOOOOoooooo!!!!! I updated again, see!!!! Don't get your smelly friend, I just took a shower and I'm all clean now!!!!!
Romie43- Thanks glad you like… I can't wait till he finds out either, I've been so impatient with it later that I've nearly decided to skip all my chapters and right that one first… but if I were to do that then it might mess up the story a bit… so I've just gotta sit back and be patient, life is just not fair… hope to hear from you again, ja - Zonza