Enchanted Orbs
Chapter 33 The Effects of Laughter
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Sesshoumaru hated it. He hated leaving Rin in another time; he hated Kagome coming back with him where she would be in danger.
But he refused to tell Kagome why he was so adamant about her staying, and it was because of this that she refused to be left behind. It was why she now sat in that tiny hut with her friends instead of staying to protect Rin.
He had to admit, he really hadn't sensed any dangers in any near proximity to the shrine; there were threats in the city, but he was forced to realize that Kagome's time was much safer for humans than his age. Her mother, he could tell, was a very loving woman who would take exceptional care of his ward, as if Rin was her own child. And Rin seemed to be happy there.
But he still didn't have to like it.
He heard an indignant cry and the resounding resonance of flesh hitting flesh followed closely by the twinkle of Kagome's laughter. He saw the taijiya storm out of the hut in a huff.
Sesshoumaru was growing impatient. Aishi was taking quite a while with his task. The taiyoukai released something similar to a sigh.
He was wronging his first general now. Aishi had done nothing inefficiently since he had come into his service; Sesshoumaru knew it was his impatience which was responsible for drawing out the seconds, making them feel like hours.
Shouron was in the hut with Kagome and his new friend the kitsune.
He sniffed the air out of habit and almost groaned at the scent nearing him. Why did Inuyasha choose now to bother him? He was already nearing the end of his patience as it was, the lord did not need his whelp of a sibling bothering him.
Why couldn't he have just stayed with his wench in the river? The two had quietly slipped away when the commotion of Kagome's return had settled into a low rumble.
"I don't know what happened, but I have a feeling its your fault." Inuyasha's gruff voice reached his ears as he saw the former hanyou drop from the trees near his chosen seat.
Sesshoumaru didn't gratify him with an answer, but he did look over at Inuyasha. This was much more than he usually graced the idiot with.
"What did you do to her?" Inuyasha persisted.
"I did nothing." He answered.
Inuyasha would have thought he was lying, but a lord would never lower himself to lie in such a manner. And it was the absolute truth. Sesshoumaru did nothing, said nothing, and because of that Kagome had been crushed.
She was no longer obviously uncomfortable around him, but there was a shadow under her eyes. Some kind of confirmation was wanted, needed from him, and he did not give it. And it had almost resulted in Kagome falling to her death.
He reaffirmed her later with words as well as actions, but the damage had been done to both of them. Kagome had been so intensely terrified of him that it had caused her to step off the edge of a mountainous building.
Neither would ever forget that.
But that didn't mean he couldn't try. Sesshoumaru and Kagome had both dived back into their quest. Both longing for something to occupy their minds. Busy minds would not allow painful thoughts of each other, would not allow unstable emotions and emblazoned memories.
So immediately upon reaching the shrine, both had said quick but polite farewells and departed for the well.
Kagome sought refuge in the familiar; surrounded by the taijiya, monk, two priestesses, and three youkai (Shouron was added) she exchanged partial stories and listened eagerly to news. She renewed the bonds of love between her and her kit and watched lovingly as Sango and Miroku flirted discretely.
Sesshoumaru had driven into his plans. He sent Aishi back to the Western Lands. He was to notify those soldiers he considered to be of sincere loyalty of a meeting place and time. Mokuso, the scout, had been sent, reluctantly, to the Northern Lands to identify their allegiance.
The flame-haired female did not enjoy following the orders of a lord that was not her own, but she knew the information she found would be used to protect her lord. She was the swiftest among the company, so she knew she would be selected for this duty. Mokuso also took it as a silent challenge from Aishi.
The Western Lands were much closer than the Northern Lands. While hers was a straight shot and infiltration job, Aishi needed to travel all over the Western Lands to summon several soldiers. They had a race set in mind, though neither spoke it allowed.
"What do you mean you did nothing?" Inuyasha's voice was more than an irritant at this time, and Sesshoumaru had to restrain himself from physically lashing out at him.
"If you are so insistent to know information that does not involve you, why don't you ask Kagome?" The taiyoukai ground out with a growl.
Inuyasha was no fool; he knew how close Sesshoumaru was to lashing out. But he also saw the signs of something of greater concern. The great and powerful Sesshoumaru had used Kagome's name and was on edge. He had to restrain himself from smirking.
'Maybe Sesshoumaru has become involved with something he doesn't want to be concerned with.' He mocked echoing the barb thrown at him. But Inuyasha did not want his brother to know his suspicions, so he held his silence.
"Feh! I would have to pry the brat off of her before I could talk to her at all." He said with a huff before standing and walking away from the stewing lord.
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Kagome tried not to laugh as she watched Sango trounce out of the hut, but when she looked to the new shade of red decorating the houshi's face, laughter bubbled out of its internal container.
Shouron watched on in amusement as Miroku gained a wistful appearance and said, "The pain was worth it."
Shippou grumbled about perverted monks, and Shouron couldn't help but laugh.
He looked over at Kagome who still wore a smile, but she seemed sad underneath the exterior. She had been that way ever since she returned from the well, but that didn't make sense. Wouldn't visiting her home and family make her happy? She seemed so excited before she left. Maybe leaving Rin was hard for her?
No, that is not right; that wouldn't shadow her face in melancholy.
Demonic eyes catch the slight shift of Kagome's weight. A small movement allows her to look to the door of the hut. She can't see through it, but she can sense the auras; she can tell he's there.
'Sesshoumaru.' Kagome thought with a clench in her chest.
Her head dropped, and she began to stroke her fingers through the kit's mane.
Shouron was a silent witness to all of this, and he now realized where the shadow came from. Something had happened between Kagome and his lord.
Something big enough to have effects on both of them. Something big even to weaken her indomitable spirit.
Kagome sat amongst her friends, but she still couldn't get past her feelings. 'Why? Why am I so hung up on this? Big deal, the arrogant demon didn't deny my cruel thoughts on my race. Inuyasha used to belittle humans constantly. Why is Sesshoumaru's opinion so important to me?'
She felt Shippo nuzzle into her stomach, effectively bringing her out of her state of confusion. Kagome reassured the kitsune with a bright smile, and raised her head to see everyone looking at her. Her smile brightened as she donned an innocent visage.
"Did I miss something?" Kagome asked.
Miroku smirked at her. "I guess they were just surprised that you didn't turn down my advances. I must say that I am very pleased you didn't." He said while waggling his eyebrows.
Kagome's blushed and her jaw dropped as she spluttered. "W-what? N-no!!"
The laughs erupted again, and Kagome realized she had been pegged the fool for not paying attention to the conversation going on around her.
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After tucking Shippo in, Kagome excused herself and stepped outside into the quiet serenity of growing night. Shouron was leaning against the wall of the shelter as she walked by.
"Its getting late." He spoke softly to prevent disturbing the inhabitants of the shelter.
Kagome turned and smiled gently at him. "I wanted to take a walk. I won't be able to sleep until I clear my head of some things." The smile faded as she spoke.
Shouron gave her a sympathetic look and nodded.
Kagome let her feet lead her while her thoughts ran away with her. Before she knew it, she was sitting on the ledge of the old well.
She sighed and gazed at the stars. The map of the heavens was so much clearer when it wasn't obscured by city lights. The stars and the forest surrounding her filled her with a sense of peace.
She removed her shoes and began walking around the clearing. Soft, sweet-smelling blades of grass curled between her toes and cradled her feet. Everything in the world was right at this moment because she had no thoughts of anything except the solitude found at night.
Kagome let her head fall back to face the sky and twirled around, dancing through the clearing. It was a long needed release; it was an expression of gratitude towards the scenery that flushed troubling thoughts from her mind.
Sesshoumaru felt her aura gliding through the forest and wondered if she was seeking him out, but she passed by without so much as a glance. He could tell she was completely immersed in something.
Against his better judgment, he rose to follow her. The reasoning in his mind told him of her obliviousness to any danger that might present itself, and she would need protection in case trouble rose.
But in truth, he enjoyed watching her. Her lovely form had been something he only recently acknowledged, but since he had, it became more and more difficult not to study it.
Now, as he sat in the canopy of a nearby tree, it wasn't her shape he watched. It was her spirit. He watched as all the strife of earlier faded from her, and she danced with the nighttime breezes.
She was stunning.
With her carefree movements, Sesshoumaru lost his grief as well. His worry about his kingdom was never expressed, but he felt it at times when he was certain of solitude. The guilt of upsetting Kagome melted away. And the shame of nearly killing her burned away leaving only them.
Only power and purity.
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Aishi arrived back with the dawn and reported to Sesshoumaru. The soldiers had been instructed to meet Kagome and Shouron outside a human village about half a day's journey from Inuyasha's Forest in two days time. They would leave first thing tomorrow morning in order to accommodate those who would arrive early.
Both the general and the miko were informed of their duties, and Aishi was aware of his role in Sesshoumaru's operation.
Everything was going smoothly until late afternoon arrived.
Aishi smirked as he felt Mokuso's aura closing in on the camp. He opened his mouth to make a ruse comment as she came within hearing range, but he was stopped short.
Blood. Sesshoumaru, Aishi, and Shouron all snapped their attention to the encroaching scout.
Kagome noticed her approach, and felt the tension of the demons around her. But without a superior sense of smell, she was left clueless as to the situation.
But when she saw Mokuso, she understood perfectly. The youkai was clutching her arm, and a huge gash in her kimono showed some nasty looking wounds from collar bone to elbow. It was as if she caught the edge of an attack.
"It is safe to say that the Northern Lands are not friendly towards us." Mokuso said in a weak attempt at humor.
Kagome rushed towards her. "Let's get you to the river. I can heal you, and then we can see to cleaning from your kimono." She said gently as she began to lead the girl away from the now tense males.
Shouron sighed. "This will definitely put a kink into our plans. The journey to the Eastern Lands will be much more difficult crossing enemy territory on both sides."
Aishi nodded but spoke up. "But if we proceed with care, we may be able to force the Northern and Southern Lands into a two-front battle, weakening them from east and west."
"But if we are careless, West and East will be forced into the two-front position." Sesshoumaru spoke tersely.
At this time, lord and both generals turned to look at Inuyasha as he crashed into the clearing. "What happened? Why do I smell blood?" He demanded.
Aishi and Sesshoumaru didn't answer, but Shouron spoke up. "The scout returned from the Northern Lands. Apparently, she did not receive a kind greeting."
Inuyasha's brow creased for a moment. "The Northern Lands? Isn't that the way you and Kagome were supposed to travel to reach the East?"
Aishi's jaw tightened. "And who made you privy to this information?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes, but rounded on Sesshoumaru. "You're not sending Kagome into enemy lands without someone capable of protecting her!" He screamed.
Sesshoumaru almost sighed. It was not his wish for her to be involved in this scheme in any way, let alone put into grave danger. But she would not be convinced to stay out of harm's way.
"And just what do you suggest, Inuyasha? I doubt you could convince her anything but the course already set." The taiyoukai spoke, betraying none of his wariness.
"Feh." He replied to Sesshoumaru's comment. "Kikyou and I will go with her and Blondie to make sure she is safe."
Aishi was angered by his audacious comment. "Just how do you presume to squeeze into a plan that was constructed without you and does not concern you?"
"Kagome is my concern. I will protect her as I promised to, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it either." Inuyasha said stepping toward the first general in attempt to threaten him.
Shouron spoke up quickly. "It may be best, milord. The Lord Dachi could not question your incentives, Lord Sesshoumaru, if your brother was present as well. You could send him as a representative since you would be absent."
Sesshoumaru was silent for a moment before replying reluctantly. "Yes, even with his scout, any lord would be wary of admitting foreign soldiers into their gates. And suspicions would be high following the recent attempt to overthrow."
Inuyasha cast a mocking smile towards Aishi who returned with a vicious glare and a scathing comment.
"And the wench? Why would Lord Sesshoumaru allow such a worthless creature to go?"
Amber eyes narrowed dangerously on the general. "She is my intended, and I will not leave her side in such unstable times." Inuyasha replied, conveniently surpassing information about the soul bond he and Kikyou shared and the danger present should he be separated too far from her.
Aishi smirked at him. "You finally rid yourself of your cursed human blood, only to choose to have hanyou pups. You really are a fool." He spoke caustically.
Sesshoumaru was irritated with Aishi's comments. "Enough, Aishi." He spoke with no emotion. "The priestess may join the expedition."
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Kagome sat with Mokuso. The scout had been healed, and now she sat in only her under kimono. The outer kimono was currently being subjected to furious scrubbing in attempt to free it of the dirt.
The bloodstains had been purified from the silk, but the grime from days of traveling had darkened the color and obscured the Seal of the East which had once been emblazoned onto the fabric, easily identified.
The girls took the time to get to know each other better. They would be traveling together soon, and wished to become friends now.
Both doubted their people skills when it came to traveling. Mokuso knew she would get a bit edgy traveling at the slowed pace of the soldiers, much slower than her usually speed.
And Kagome knew that she would be forced to keep pace with fully trained youkai warriors and stay alert enough to defend Shouron should the need arise. She would probably be too tired to maintain a conversation. Or, in the very least, wouldn't want to show fatigue or weakness to the youkai around her, just in case they were entertaining traitorous thoughts.
It would be a difficult journey, taxing both physically and emotionally.
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Inuyasha returned to Kaede's village to find Sango and Miroku sparring with each other. The taijiya's katana clashed against the monk's staff as they both attempted to sweep the feet from underneath their opponent.
Kikyou knelt in the herb garden several feet from the sparring couple. Because of her youth, she always offered to gather the stubborn plants from the earth. Kaede was much too old to be forced to do such menial labor when there were others who could take the brunt of such tasks.
"Hey! We've got to talk!" Inuyasha yelled at them.
The priestess looked up from her basket, and the fighters jumped apart to glance at the familiar voice.
When they gathered in the hut, Inuyasha sat down and crossed his arms and legs in his characteristic pose. Miroku leaned against the wall, and both girls gracefully kneeled.
"What has happened, Inuyasha?" Kikyou began the conversation.
He looked at her. "You and I are going with the general and Kagome through the Northern Lands." He spoke firmly.
Her eyes widened slightly, but she set her mouth firmly and nodded.
Sango's voice raised above normal level. "Why only you?" She grit out.
"Someone needs to stay to protect the village. Plus, I don't think it is a good idea to bring along more humans than necessary. Some of the soldiers traveling will probably have a problem with ningens."
"All the more reason for us to go for her protection." Sango pressed, nervous about her friend leaving, especially since Inuyasha was overtly concerned about her welfare.
"Inuyasha is right." Miroku spoke up. "The more humans there, the more of a distraction the soldiers will have. The best idea is probably for Kagome and Kikyou to avoid unnecessary attention, and while two may be overlooked, four probably will not." His voice was grave.
"I still don't like it." Sango said.
"Like what?" Shippo said as he bounded into the hut.
"Kagome's leaving again. Inuyasha and Kikyou get to go, but we have to stay here." Sango offered before anyone else could put it more delicately.
"What?!?" Shippo's lip quivered as a terrified look crossed his face. Without another word, he tore out of the hut in search of his Kagome.
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A/N: I intended to write more on account of my recent absence and broken promise. I am truly sorry for that, by the way, but due to electrical storms, I couldn't turn my computer on for the majority of the weekend.
It took me forever to situate these two chapters, and yes they are short. I'm sorry, but I HATE WRITING DIALOGUE!! And frankly, I think I severely suck at it, so since last chapter was almost strictly dialogue, yeah, it got hacked to pieces, leaving it sparse.
BUT we are beginning to get back into my area of comfort: Strategery (yes I spelled it wrong on purpose) and Battle. It's going to heat up again soon, so the chapter lengths will even out.
Special note to Sailor Saturn: Thank you so much!! It was so nice of you to ask about me! I felt so loved. Someone actually cared about me rather than the story being updated. sniff I'm so happy!!
On that note. Review responses will be dealt with soon, but I'm too tired to do it right now. Goodnight All, and I hope you enjoyed.
