Chapter Fourteen: A Lesson In the Rain
I was kind of tired when I wrote the last chapter, so sorry if it was a bit confusing…all questions will be answered at the end of this chapter. (Or maybe even during this chapter.)
I've reached 100 reviews! In celebration, I am going to actually make a longer chapter!
–-Clenches fists in determination—
(Well, it's 8 full typed pages instead of 5 now…)
Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha.
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"Oh, wow," Kagome breathed, gazing at the splendor that surrounded them. "The mountains are beautiful…"
Sesshomaru caught himself nodding in agreement; even he was able to recognize those things that were truly incredible. He stopped as soon as he noticed what he was doing, annoyed with himself. Takumi would never have shown even such a small amount of feeling. Reveal what's in your heart, and no one can hide you. Sesshomaru was finding it increasingly difficult to remember these words. The day was so perfect, and everything that surrounded him was so different from what he was accustomed to.
The mountains rose up as if reaching for the lovely sky that was forever out of reach. Many trees covered their sides, but the foliage petered out near the peaks to expose dark stone, and dirt. The sun was situated high above all else, spreading its life-giving light upon the glory of the world.
So much of the time, Kagome had to be strong for her companions. She had to put on a brave face, and pretend that everything would be alright. At this moment, however, Kagome was feeling truly happy. She released her troubles, letting them float away into the infinite sky.
"Come on Sesshomaru," she laughed. "Into the mountains we go!" Her joy was infectious, and even the stoic demon accompanying her had a new spring in his step as he followed her along the clearest path through the mountains.
The weather was perfect for traveling, and it continued to be so all day. As it neared noon, white clouds began floating in to cover them with wonderfully refreshing shade.
Their first day into the mountains passed uneventfully, and so they were able to make good time, continuing on their way until it was dark. They made camp near a large cliff that loomed high above them, shielding them from the sometimes-merciless wind.
………….
"Get up," he commanded. "Enough of this, it begins to bore me. I have been forced to change my plans due to your ineptitude, Kagura, don't think that I will soon forget what you have cost me."
Clenching her teeth in anger, Kagura slowly raised herself up off of the floor. She did not dare disobey Naraku's command now. She had already endured enough of his cruelty.
"We will still obtain the girl, along with the Shikon Jewel," Naraku said casually. "However, we will lure her to us. To do this, we will need bait. She will come for Inu-Yasha."
Kagura hated her master more fiercely than ever before at this moment. Not only was he going to send her on another mission right after constricting her heart; he was going to tell her to do the impossible. She knew, as well as he did or better, that she could not capture Inu-Yasha. Therefore, she was surprised at his next words.
"Find Kikyo. Bring her to me—"
The demoness had been shaking violently from a combination of the recent loss of blood she had suffered, and standing. As Naraku had given her his orders, her legs had given way, and she had collapsed to the floor. He frowned. Obviously she would be unable to complete this particular job.
"Never mind, Kagura, I will be taking care of this matter myself. You will simply inform Inu-Yasha that the priestess Kikyo is with me. Go."
…………
Kagome was woken when a drop of water landed on her cheek. Huh, she thought. What was that…? She quickly decided that it was just her imagination; it wasn't light out yet, and she didn't want to open her eyes. Just as she began to drift off to sleep again, she felt several more drops. Kagome swatted at her cheek and rolled onto her back. Slowly, she opened her tired eyes. Dark clouds marred the morning sky, and the sun was nowhere to be seen.
Kagome wiggled out of the blankets that she was wrapped in, exposing herself to the cold air. She shivered as another drop hit her shoulder.
It's going to rain, Kagome thought miserably. We finally reach the mountains and it's raining. She sighed. We'd better find shelter.
As quietly as she could, Kagome stood and gathered her sleeping bag and blankets together. She struggled to push them into the cloth bag she kept them in, and then shoved it into her slightly worse-for-wear backpack. She had been too tired to change into pajamas the night before, so she was already dressed, and ready to go.
What happened to Sesshomaru, she wondered, looking around their camp. Her delicate eyebrows drew together, and she paused in her search. Did he…leave? Her head dropped and she closed her eyes, inhaling the chill of the dawn. Where was he?
"Come, follow me," came the command; it had been issued from someone directly in front of her.
Kagome's head snapped up, and her eyes met Sesshomaru's. Relief washed over her; for a moment she had thought that her worst fears had been confirmed… Ever since she had fallen for Inu-Yasha, Kagome was desperately afraid that she was replaceable.
"Hurry, the rain has already begun to fall," Sesshomaru told her.
"Alright," Kagome answered, walking as quickly as she could after her companion. "But where are we going?"
"I have discovered a cave close by. If you wish it, then we shall await the end of the rain there."
Kagome blinked. If she wished it? She must have gotten water in her ears, as there was no way that Sesshomaru was actually letting her make a decision…was there? "If you don't mind," she said hesitantly. "Then yes, that would be nice."
"Fine. Come along."
Kagome ran along behind Sesshomaru, trying to look ahead to see where they were going. Finally she spotted a dark patch in the cliff face. If she squinted, she could just make out the edges of the cavern. They made a dash for the opening, as the droplets of rain became increasingly persistent.
They reached it just as the downpour began, and for a few minutes Kagome simply stood inside, watching the water come down in black sheets. When she realized how long they would probably be waiting for the rain to let up, she picked a rock, and sat down on it. Sesshomaru continued to stand, glaring out at the cold rain, as if daring it to follow him into their shelter.
What was there to do? Kagome groaned inwardly at the answer. There was no avoiding it; she would have to take this opportunity to do schoolwork. Normally when it rained, she would find a place to wait for it to clear up with her friends. They would usually pass the time talking, and telling stories, while also attending to the small tasks that each one of them found necessary to perform. Sango would inspect the Hiraikotsu, and Miroku would check to see if the string holding the beads that sealed his wind tunnel was frayed. During these times, Kagome usually avoided her schoolwork, preferring to spend time with her friends. Somehow, she didn't think that things would be quite the same now that she was with Sesshomaru, Lord of Short, or Nonexistent, Conversations.
With great dissatisfaction, Kagome pulled her math textbook out of her backpack. Despite her annoyance at having to do schoolwork, Kagome set about her task with vigor. Her brow furrowed in concentration, and she soon forgot about everything but the problems she was supposed to be completing. Her work was entirely comprised of review problems from her previous school years. Finals would be coming up in a month, and already her teachers were madly trying to prepare their students by handing out every worksheet they could find, and assigning as much bookwork as they could.
"What do these thingies mean," Kagome mumbled, talking herself through the problem. "They're like brackets, only not… where are they in the book, I can't find them anywhere! What do I search under in the index? Line thingamajigs?" Kagome flipped through the pages of her book, unable to find what she was looking for. "Oh well…I guess I'll have to make something up, and ask the math teacher later…hmmm…I choose…lucky number…negative three!"
"Wrong."
Kagome almost dropped dead in surprise. Sesshomaru was peering over her shoulder to see what she was working on. She was amazed that she hadn't noticed him; his face was inches away from her own.
"That is wrong," he said again, this time turning his head to face her.
"Wait…what do you mean,' she asked, still startled by his proximity.
"I mean that your answer is incorrect. You see the lines on the sides of the problem," he asked, leaning over her, and placing one fingertip near the point he wanted her to observe. "Put simply, they will make your answer positive."
Kagome stared at him, her eyes wide, and mouth ajar. "You know math," she asked him incredulously. A curt nod was the only response she received. "How," she asked, baffled by the news.
He arched a silver brow. "Did you think that I knew only how to fight?"
Kagome shook her head. "I don't know what I thought…I just would never have pictured you…doing math problems…" A slow smile spread across her lips. "I can't believe it," she said. "You know math…"
"Indeed."
"Where did you learn it," she asked persistently.
"I learned mathematics at the castle. One day, I shall become the Lord of the Western Lands. Nothing in such a life can ever be certain. Although I find it unlikely that it shall ever be necessary for me to lead an army, or distribute supplies, Takumi thinks it is in my best interest to be knowledgeable in many areas."
Kagome's jaw dropped. "You mean that you might not ever have to use math, but you had to learn it anyway?"
Sesshomaru nodded once.
Kagome was horrified. "That's awful! It should be illegal! I can't even imagine. That's the kind of thing that I have nightmares about…"
Sesshomaru regarded her thoughtfully. "You do not care for the subject," he stated, rather than questioned.
"That's a nice way to say it," Kagome answered. "No, I don't. Do you?"
"Not especially."
Kagome smiled. "Wait till you see this," she said, reaching into her backpack. She fished around in it for a minute, before locating the object she was looking for. "Got it," she said triumphantly, pulling out an old calculator. "Take a look at this!"
…………
Crisp leaves crunched under her feet as she walked, and huge trees shaded her from the sun's rays. A soul-stealer floated at her shoulder. Nothing had changed since five minutes previously, except that the birds had stopped their songs.
There was a demon nearby…and she recognized his aura.
"Naraku," she said quietly. "You were looking for me? Reveal yourself. I know you are present; it does you no good to hide."
"Well done, Kikyo," Naraku told her, stepping out from behind a tree. "You always sense when I am near…"
"What do you want, Naraku," the priestess asked bluntly.
Naraku laughed derisively. "Jumping to conclusions, Kikyo… but you are correct, there is something that I desire."
"You have the jewel," she reminded him softly. "What more is there?"
"I…am still a half-demon, as you know."
"I cannot change that."
"Not directly…I need the rest of the jewel shards. The girl that accompanies your precious Inu-Yasha carries the majority of them. The only ones remaining after that belong to that fool of a wolf, Kouga. I will take the shards from the girl first."
"If you think that she will give you the jewel to save me, then you are mistaken, Naraku."
"Kukukuku," Naraku laughed. "I did not think that she would…"
Kikyo's eyes narrowed; in a flash she had an arrow to her bow, and was aiming straight at Naraku. "Inu-Yasha is mine," she told him angrily. "If you do anything to him that interferes with my wishes, then I will kill you!"
"So clever, Kikyo," he said. "I see that you have already figured out my plan… if I swear not to kill your Inu-Yasha, then will you come?"
Slowly, Kikyo lowered her bow. "It is of no concern to me what befalls the girl…I will…accept your proposal."
"I thought you might," he smirked.
My opportunity has arrived at last, she thought. Once the Shikon-no-Tama is complete, I will send Naraku to Hell.
………….
Kagura held the edges of her transport feather firmly with both hands. She loved flying. It was her solace; a scrap of happiness that contrasted sharply with her hatred of life as it was. Naraku…how she loathed him. Someday, he would get what was coming to him, and she hoped that she would be there when it happened.
She swooped low over the trees, searching for the half-demon that she had been sent to find. Her face twisted with anger. She was nobody's messenger. She was nobody's servant. No one could harness the wind! Naraku would learn that one day…but by then it would be too late. His mistake had been made. Now that she was here, she would do everything in her power to break free from his control.
Kagura spotted a flash of red, as she zipped by the green treetops, and she turned back. As she had suspected, it was Inu-Yasha.
Kagura didn't really think that Inu-Yasha would be especially pleased by the news that Naraku had Kikyo. However, she planned to be far away by the time the information had registered.
………….
"Did you see that," Shippo asked, his wide-eyed. "It was really fast! It just flew by, and—"
"Naraku's scent is in the air," Inu-Yasha growled. "It must be Kagura."
As he announced this, she appeared between the trees above them once more.
"Inu-Yasha," she called. "I come with a message from Naraku!"
"Give me your message," Inu-Yasha yelled back.
"Naraku wishes for you to know…he has Kikyo," she told them, immediately waving upwards with one arm. Her feather rose to a much higher altitude before speeding away across the sky.
"He has…Kikyo," Inu-Yasha repeated, fear in voice. In an instant it was gone, replaced by a powerful hatred. Fire blazed in his eyes, and he spun to face his friends.
"I'm leaving. Now. And I won't be back until Kikyo is safe." He leapt up above the canopy of trees, rushing blindly along a path that he thought the wind witch might have taken.
"Inu-Yasha, no," Miroku yelled.
"Quickly, Miroku, we have to catch him," Sango gasped. "This isn't only his battle, and he'll get himself killed! This is exactly what Naraku wants! Inu-Yasha is playing right into the enemy's hands!"
They flung themselves upon a now transformed Kirara. Shippo was already on her back. With one great leap, they were in the air. Each of them looked about wildly.
"I don't see him," Sango cried in dismay. Miroku placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Poor Kagome," she whispered, reaching for the monk's hand with her own. "She would be so worried if she knew…"
He nodded anxiously. "There is still hope of finding him," Miroku told her; trying to convince himself as he said it that it wasn't a lie. "We'll go in the same direction that we saw Kagura go. We might see him."
"Stupid Inu-Yasha," Shippo said angrily, tears in his eyes. "What about us? What about Kagome? How can he just abandon her? She might come through the well at any moment… If she were here, then everything would be alright, I just know it."
………….
"Why is it necessary for you to learn mathematics when you possess one of these small contraptions?"
Kagome sighed. "I have no idea." She glanced up, and was pleased by what she saw. The sky was still filled with dark clouds, but now rays of light shone through the blackness, and it didn't seem to be raining quite so hard as it had been.
"Hey, Sesshomaru, I think that the rain is letting up," Kagome exclaimed.
"It does appear that way."
"Well then, I guess I won't be needing to do any more math today! Good," she added cheerfully. "I've had enough of this to last me a lifetime—no, scratch that, several lifetimes. I'm ready for a break!"
Sesshomaru looked at her skeptically. "You cannot have been working for more than half of an hour," he informed her.
"Oh, I know," Kagome replied. "But it's not the amount of time spent that matters…it's the quality of the work done!"
"You spent the majority of your work time conversing with me on the subject of…'cal-cue-lay-ders.' This was informative for you?"
"Well, no," Kagome said, giving him a sidelong glance. "But you did explain the first problem to me. That means that I got one of them right! If I keep this up, I should be able to finish my assignment with all correct answers by sometime at the end of next month."
Sesshomaru made a strange coughing noise, and Kagome looked at him in alarm. "Are you alright," she asked. Then her eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Wait…are you…laughing?"
He straightened quickly. "Don't be foolish. Are you ready to leave," he asked, walking out of the cave.
"Hey," Kagome cried. "It hasn't even completely stopped raining yet!"
"It matters not, we are leaving," he called back to her.
"Okay, okay, but wait for me," she shouted. "I'm coming!"
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Please Review!
Well…I did my best to make it a long one. Hope that you liked it!
Shadow Eclipse- I've been thinking about that…I have several ideas, but as of now I'm not entirely sure which one I will choose. It will probably depend on what I think best fits with the story. This question will be answered in later chapters!
Silverstar871- Thank you:)
Cold-Hearted NightFox- Lol, I know, it's sometimes hard to come up with stuff…I'm actually amazed that I seem to have figured out my plot already. The ending too…it just sort of…came to me. During testing in school. What a weird thought process. I couldn't believe it.
NekoYasha101- I kind of tried to answer the 'why he hurt Kagura' thing in the chapter. No, you didn't miss anything. Naraku hurt Kagura for failing, and for not responding to his questioning. Sorry that it was unclear, and thank you!
aninaig- Less mikos? Not really. If you're wondering why Sess seemed so surprised by Kagome's powers, then it is mainly because he hasn't dealt with any mikos before. (Unless you count Lady Asherah, to whom he didn't even speak…) Remember, he hasn't seen nearly as much of the world as he has when he is older. He is just now taking the test to determine whether or not he has completed his training. Thank you!
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Esk42- I know, I know…I failed with making the last chapter long... But hey, at least this chapter is longer:) Thank you for pointing out the whole 'suite/suit' thing, I appreciate it. I can't believe I wrote that…-slaps forehead- I know that it's 'suit'…Argh. Anyway, I was thinking about ways that I could incorporate Inu-Taisho in this fic, and I think that I may have found a simple way to add in a little more about him. We'll see how things go… Thank you for the great review—It was very helpful, it made me smile, and I really appreciate the kind words!
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princess of the western lands- Hmmm…I was trying to figure out a way to respond here without spoilers, and finally I decided that I would just have to restrain myself from saying what I'd like to. Good try at guessing what would take place in this chapter… so close, yet so far. '…a tender moment with the younger sesshomaru and kagome.' Well, not quite. Unless you count becoming 'math buddies' as a tender moment, lol. ;)
Himiko-chan- Wow, thank you! I hope that you all enjoyed chapter fourteen!
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I could not believe how many reviews I got for the last chapter! I really appreciate the time that everyone took to do that…they made me happy. Thank you for reading my story! --Kat