. : Muichimotsu : .
: . By Akikazu . :
. : Chapter Twenty Eight : .
To say that Sesshomaru was angry was a definite understatement.
He was furious.
Sesshomaru stormed through the halls of his palace searching for the servant that had dared to betray him. After giving his report Souji had left quick, narrowly escaping the rage of the taiyoukai.
His first instinct was to search out his sister and he did so without delay. Then he was even further enraged to find that she was not in her room, and that she had left with the very person he was seeking out.
A growl escaped him and he broke into a run.
The scent of her fear and blood hit him when he was halfway down the hall. The hateful scent caused him to move even faster and soon he was in front of the escaping traitor and his hostage.
His eyes immediately went to Kagome's face. She said nothing but he could see the fear in her eyes. Kosui held sharpened claws to her fragile throat. The traitor's eyes were wide and wild as he spotted Sesshomaru before them.
"Let us pass!" Kosui demanded.
Sesshomaru didn't move a muscle. Instead he stared down at the traitor that had served him for but a single century. He sensed the fox that was courting Kagome moving quickly down the hall behind Kosui and Kagome. Although it was not how he normally would go about a situation, Sesshomaru knew that he had to buy Kurama time to get Kagome.
"Move aside!" Kosui shrieked.
The traitor's claws dipped through the pale flesh of Kagome's neck. From the punctures the claws inflicted several rivulets of blood dribbled down. Sesshomaru's low growl filled the hall. The claws jerked deeper, tearing her flesh further and Kagome let out a small, pained whimper.
And then Kosui found himself holding nothing.
Another demon with silver hair, who Sesshomaru aptly labeled Kurama because of his aura, was cradling Kagome in his arms to Sesshomaru right side. A malicious smirk curved the Demon Lord's lips as his claws glowed green.
With a flick of his wrist, poison shot off his finger tips and landed in Kosui's panicked face. The poison sizzled loudly but the noise was lost when Kosui screamed. Dokkasou (Sesshomaru's poison/acid attack which he tried to melt Kagome with) made quick work of the traitor's face, burning holes through his living flesh. Kosui withered on the ground, still screaming in pain.
Sesshomaru turned to look at the transformed Kurama and his sister. Kagome was clinging to the other youkai (demon) but Kurama was watching him. Sesshomaru dissected the emotion he saw in the other youkai's eyes.
Satisfied that the kitsune would take care of his precious sister, Sesshomaru nodded and left the two alone.
M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M .
Kurama was surprised that Sesshomaru would actually leave him alone with Kagome. It seemed that he had earned the trust of the stoic demon, and enough of it that he had left his sister in his care.
Mechanically he carried her back to her bedroom. Kagome wrapped her arms behind his neck and clung to him the whole way. Carefully he set her down and let her go. He could still smell her blood and intended to get a look at her wounds.
"Kagome where are you injured?" He asked
She grabbed one of his hands and tugged it up to her neck. Kurama could feel the slick blood that was still oozing its way down her neck. His free hand cradled her chin and he tilted her face back in order to see her wound. There were four punctures aligned on her neck.
Slowly and carefully he began to clean the wounds before putting a light bandage over them.
"These are not very serious Kagome, but I imagine that your throat will be sore for a while. Does it hurt to speak?" Kurama questioned.
She nodded her head.
"That shouldn't last too long. I would suggest that you drink tea when we go down to dinner." He released her chin. "Speaking of dinner, we should head down now."
Kagome lifted a hand and tugged on his hair softly. Kurama looked and found his hair to be silver.
"I see, I best return to my human form before we go."
A brief moment later found Kurama with red hair and emerald eyes. He blinked and returned his attention to the young woman that was watching him with rapt attention. Kurama smiled at her awed expression. Her face reddened at his amusement.
"Let's go down now, Kagome," he suggested,
He stood gracefully and held a hand down to Kagome. She smiled and placed her hand in his. Kurama pulled Kagome to her feet and lead her out of the room. They made there way to the dinning room in a companionable silence. Sometime during the long walk, their hands laced themselves together.
M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M .
She liked him.
Sango glanced at the tall, dark youkai that was keeping her company. He was very handsome she noted, a blush coloring her face.
"Are you alright Sango? You look flushed."
"I'm fine," she managed to choke out, averting her face at the same moment.
She could practically hear his frown, but he said nothing more. They ran into another dead end and her embarrassment gave way to frustration. She eyed the wall that blocked their path, wondering if she should give into the urge to kick at it.
"We would have been better off if we had waited in the dinning room," Sango growled.
"I'm certain I can find the way back if you wish to return," Naraku put in.
If she hadn't cared about how ridiculous he would have found her, Sango would have bowed down to worship at his feet. They had been lost for so long, she was tired and hungry. Then she was hit with a thought.
"Why didn't say you could get us back earlier?" She demanded.
Naraku frowned again, "I only recognized this place. It was the first dead end we ran into. I remember the way we came to get here originally."
"Thank kami (god), it's probably time for dinner by now."
Naraku took the lead and they began to walk again. Naraku glanced back at her and finally broke the silence.
"You don't remember anything about before either, right?"
"No, but they told me that I've been dead for over a hundred years."
"That's what they told me. Do you think we knew each other before?"
"I don't know. Sometimes I feel as if I have known you, but other times we're strangers," Sango murmured.
"You don't know do you?" She could barely hear his whisper.
"Know what?"
He stopped and turned. Sango took a step back without thinking but Naraku caught her wrist and held her where she was. She swallowed nervously and looked into his darkening eyes.
"Naraku?" To her shame, her voice trembled.
He looked away, as if he couldn't stand to look into her eyes. His hand came up and cupped her shoulders, holding her in place. Sango wondered whether he was trying to hold her close to or away from him.
"I was a…bad person before I died. I was a really, really horrible person by all accounts. These people who we're staying with, Kagome and Sesshomaru, they're the ones that I pitted myself against. They saved so many people by killing me." His voice broke, "For all we know it could've been me that had killed you."
Sango's eyes widened at his confession. She could see the pain and desperation in his eyes and couldn't bring herself to turn him away. He released her and she knew that he expected her to turn away. Instead she threw herself at him, hugging his stiff body tightly.
"I don't blame you. You're different now, Naraku. No matter if you were a murderer in your previous life, I know that you're a great person now," she murmured, keeping a tight hold on him.
Naraku was still stiff in her arms but as she continued to hug him, several tears were lost in the soft folds of his clothes. After a moment Naraku relaxed, his arms came up around her and he returned her hug. Sango felt safe and comforted within the circle of his arms.
"Thank you Sango," he whispered into her hair.
M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M .
Dinner lasted an hour at most, but for Shippo it seemed to take years.
Finally he was excuse and the kitsune kit jumped from his seat and left the adults. With a sigh over the insane action of adults he made his way back to the dojo. Kagome had spent the whole meal sneaking glances at Kurama, who did the exact same thing though with more subtlety. Ayame glared at Naraku who had been in an eye lock with Sango. Sesshomaru had been his normal self and Yusuke, Hiei, Yukina, Shizuru, Keiko, and Itsuki were all absent.
Another sigh escaped him when he passed into the dojo. He really was excited that Kagome and Kurama got along well but their relationship really didn't interest him. Shippo had really wanted to drag Kurama out of the dinning room to train with him some more but he had the feeling that Kagome wouldn't want Kurama to leave her.
So Shippo did the only thing he could. He pouted.
A splash of water hit the unsuspecting Shippo in the face. He sputtered a bit, rubbing his small hands over his face before glaring into the dojo. Ranmaru was chuckling in the middle of the large, clear area.
"Ranmaru-san…" Shippo whined.
The corners of the cook's eyes crinkled in amusement, "Sorry Shippo-chan, I couldn't resist."
Shippo continued to scowl at Ranmaru for a second before he noticed that Ranmaru had nothing to carry any amount of water in. He scampered over to the cook's side and looked at him inquisitively.
"Where's the water come from?" He asked.
"Here."
Ranmaru held out his palm and a fistful of water balled there before jumping at Shippo. Squeaking, Shippo jumped to the side to avoid the water but it wormed around in midair and drenched Shippo's tail. Shippo frowned again.
"Ranmaru-san…" he complained. Then his face brightened. "Can you train me?"
"I don't know Shippo-chan, Kurama-san has your training mapped out, I don't want to interfere."
"Just a little?"
"Only one trick, okay?"
Shippo nodded vigorously. One trick would satisfy him for the moment. He could try for more latter.
"What would you like me to teach you?"
"The one you did to me!" He chirped.
"Alright, put your hand out." He waited for Shippo to follow his example for going on. "You have to concentrate really hard now, Shippo-chan. Imagine that you're pouring water into a fish bowl."
Shippo's face scrunched and his eye screwed shut as he did as Ranmaru instructed. After a second he peeked an eye open a little bit of water was floating in his hand but it flew up at his face when he gasped in delight.
Shippo coughed and snorted in effort to get the water out of his mouth and nose. Ranmaru was chuckling. Shippo glared at the youkai that seemed to gain so much entertainment at his expense.
"It's not funny!" He insisted.
Finally Ranmaru stopped laughing and said, "This is why you need to work with Kurama-san, Shippo-chan. He will help you build your concentration before jumping into controlling your youki."
Shippo pouted, "I want to learn magic now, though."
Ranmaru ruffled the young kitsune's hair affectionately.
"I know, Shippo-chan, but there are no shortcuts to becoming strong. I'm sure Sesshomaru-sama once had to learn how to concentrate."
He threw his hands up dramatically, "Fine. I'll wait 'til Kurama teaches me how to concentrate."
Ranmaru hide his next smile behind his hand and waited 'til Shippo left the dojo before letting loose another bout of laughter.
M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M .
After dinner Kurama escorted Kagome back to her room.
Kagome smiled as the fox went as far as to wait for her to get ready for bed and tucked her into bed. She reached out as he made to leave and tugged him back down onto the bed. He frowned at little at that and wondered if he had been trying to get away from her.
"Kagome?" She could hear his question.
She scooted over and patted the empty space next to her. Kagome knew Kurama had gotten the idea when his eyes widened slightly. His eyes connected to hers and her face went hot.
"Kagome I don't think-" he started.
"Please," it really hurt to talk but she didn't want him to leave.
He watched her for a moment before he nodded. Kurama quietly climbed under the covers of her bed and settled himself in her bed. Kagome waited 'til he stopped moving before curling into his body, her head resting on his chest and one arm wrapped over his stomach. His arm went around her, and he trailed his fingers over her back, rubbing it soothingly.
She scooted and kissed his cheek and allowed his presence to lull her to sleep.
M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M .
Itsuki and Keiko took their dinner in the garden.
Keiko was enthralled when Itsuki had suggested the idea and they had raided the freshly stocked personal kitchen together for their picnic. Afterwards they had continued to loiter in the garden, gazing up at the dark sky and searching for constellations in a silly game which neither remembered suggesting.
"It so pretty out here, isn't it Itsuki?"
"It is."
"You never see a sky like this in the city."
"I've never taken the time to look. I was always off on some task or another."
"I was too, before you and Sensui kidnapped me. I was always doing something for school, the restaurant, or I was worrying over Yusuke."
"I will never fail to be amazed about how you withstood being with the Detective."
Keiko shrugged, "I grew up with him. After a while I didn't really notice it." She turned her head and looked at him. "I've never heard you speak about your childhood, Itsuki."
"I don't remember anything from when I was young."
"Did you have a father and mother, or maybe some siblings?"
"I don't remember. I was alone for a very long time, hiding here in the Ningenkai (human world). I had a home and I made easy money by stealing from whatever target I chose."
"I couldn't imagine life without my parents and friends," Keiko commented.
"I could, I didn't have any as far as I knew." His voice lightened slightly, "then Shinobu caught me. I ended up becoming attached to him. We were always together."
"So Sensui was like you family?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"What happened next?" Keiko questioned.
"Shinobu watched the Chapter Black. He was different after that," Itsuki shrugged. "He found more psychics and brought them into his plans. I didn't really care, I knew that he didn't care for them. They were pawns in his great plan."
"And then Koenma sent Yusuke after you."
He nodded, "Shinobu was near death at the end of that battle. I sent us into another dimension to recuperate. Afterwards he found the book."
"And now you're here," she finished.
"And now I'm here," he agreed.
Keiko sat up and looked down at the youkai lying next to her. She bent down and kissed his forehead.
"You're not alone anymore," she told him. "You have me."
"I have you," he repeated.
She smiled and laid down again, this time closer to his heat.
"And you have me," he added.
M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M .
Souji drummed his fingers on the study table as he considered the facts over and over again. He ran through multiple options simultaneously and discarded them with alarming frequency.
Across from him he could see Hijikata doing the same. His face was masked with a black scowl as he came to dead end upon dead end.
Souji was forced to consider an option he didn't care for in the least. Unfortunately, the person fit description of the person that had attack Kagome the pervious night. As far as he knew he was still alive too, he would send out his informants and underlings as soon as possible.
Clapping his hand flat to the table, Souji rose. Hijikata immediately looked at him and caught sight of his look. His scowl lessened in degree of fierceness.
"Well Souji?"
"I believe I know who we're up against," he announced.
Hijikata leaned back, his lip curving in a slight smile.
"Good."
M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M .
Excitement burned through him as he finished the incantation.
His sensitive ears picked up the sound of her first breath and he rushed to her side. Her body stirred as if awakening from a good night's rest. He leaned over her head as her eyelashes fluttered.
His heart beat rapidly as her eyelids opened.
Drowsy brown eyes met anxious violet.
A smile curved his face.
"Rin," he breathed. "Hello again, beloved."
She blinked and smiled shyly. He reached out and cupped the side of her face gently. He could hardly believe she was alive now, her body was cold no longer.
"Hi," she whispered.
"I've waited so long for you to come back to me, beloved."
"I'm sorry, Rin didn't mean to make you wait," she apologized sweetly.
His smile widened and his hand moved to stroke her soft hair.
"It was well worth the wait, aijin (beloved)."
He pulled her forward and sealed their lips in a kiss.
. : End Chapter : .
: . Author's Note . :
Wah! This chapter was supposed to be written last week but I got my wisdom teeth pulled and I couldn't concentrate.
Anyways this chapter features lots of fluff, yes and now we'll be diving right off into more of the serious stuff. Rin was brought back to life! And the relationship building between Naraku and Sango just screams trouble to some of you out there, isn't it?
This is your last chance to guess who the creepy guy is, he is reveal next chapter. I'll try to have the next chapter out next weekend.
Props to my beta!
Bye peoples.
. : Beta's Note : .
Hey all! Another great chapter by Akikazu. Be sure to review and thank her. I hope some of you have good guesses who the bad guy is. I don't know it either. When reading this over, I noticed how many Japanese words there are, and recently I learned that I had been pronouncing them wrong. So I'm going to give you guys a pronunciation section for now. Hope you like it.
Youkai (demon)- Yo ky(like the end of sky)
Taiyoukai (demon lord)- Tie yo ky(like the end of sky)
Kitsune (fox demon)- Kit soo nay
Kami (god)- Kah me
Youki (demon energy)- Yo key
If you see any others you'd like to know, just put them in your reviews. Be sure to thank Akikazu for writing this wonderful story.
. : Next Time : .
Away
Revealed
Remembrance
Death