A/n: thanks for the great reviews, you guy's really want me write the chapters so much faster. And since I'm writing more stories at the same time I can honestly say that the one with more reviews get posted so much quicker. Hint hint.
Disclaimer: the story is based on the book the silver wolf from Alice Borchardt so I don't own it, neither do I own Inuyasha characters. Even if after seeing this really gorgeous picture of a half naked Sess I really, really would like him to be real and preferable in my bed, all mine.
This story was edited by IchikoKitsuneKoumori who has kindly offered to beta this story. The other chapters will follow with time. Thank you all for being patience with my bad writing habits. And thank the beta for this clean version.
scene change
: time change
'' thoughts
"" speech
THE SILVER WOLF
BY PANTHERA1984
CHAPTER 2
Kagome walked on one of the many dirt roads that twisted through Rome's back streets. Once these same roads had been paved with cobble stones, now all that was left were your random stuck in the mutt stone, a silent memory of the former glory.
She wasn't alone Silve her new maid was walking a few feet behind her. This morning when Kagome first looked at her she thought that Naraku had spoken the truth. Most goats looked indeed charming next to Silve. And it wouldn't be so bad if she was ugly and had some charm in character. But Silve was what she looked.
: Kagome woke curled up underneath her ragged blanket, as always she was naked since in her wolf form she didn't require a nightgown. Making hast in grabbing her discarded clothing she jumped back on the bed to prevent getting cold feet. For just a tiny second she felt her other part steer behind her eyes, but then it was gone.
Donning the same tunic she had wore yesterday Kagome eagerly put on her slipper and hurried to the door, her stomach was rumbling loudly stating its wants. As usual the door had been unlocked. The moment her fingers touched the cool wooden surface she remembered that last night she had been clawing at it. And indeed when she looked a little lower deep carvings could be found, her wolf side was getting annoyed with being locked up. She was after all a wild animal.
Pushing the door open she walked into the room. Naraku and Onigumo were already at the table, as was the girl Onigumo had brought home last night. She was sitting in Kagome's usual place, silently Kagome got closer wanting to have a look without being watched.
The girl had dirty blond hair that was messily put up in a bun on the back of her head. Her skin was that of milk gone bad she smelled like that too. Kagome and the wolf took offence. Coming to the one chair left vacant Kagome sat down and was now able to see the girls face.
Kagome swallowed hard, the girl had her front tooth sticking out so far they almost were horizontal. Her eyes were placed very close to each other an looked like pigs eyes and had the color of dull brown. The left side of her face had an ugly purple drooping spot, and her ears resembled spread bird wings and last but not least she had a uni-brow.
Opposite her on the square table Onigumo had looked up to see Kagome had joined them, but this morning he didn't do a thing but quickly turned his eyes downward looking at the table with fascination.
Not particular caring Kagome reached out for the bread to tear of her piece. She was stopped halfway by Naraku's knife this time he used the blunt side of the knife leaving a bright red and bruised imprint on Kagome's hand and at some places the skin broke and blood trickled from it.
Too amazed Kagome pulled her hand back swiftly holding the abused appendix against her stomach, cupped in her other hand. Her dark eyes shot at Naraku who was giving her a wide grin showing his white teeth – quite a amazement considering how he lived- the sight was chilling normally he would at least allow her to take one helping. Next to her the new girl was snorting with laughter sprouting bread everywhere. It caused Kagome to have a tense feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Naraku eyed Giselda's daughter while she looked him in the eyes, her chin up a little so she was looking at him like he was her lesser. In a sudden burst of anger he lashed out with the knife again bringing he flat side against her cheek leaving a nice fiery red imprint, the sight gave him satisfaction until he looked in her eyes, and for just a moment he could see the wolf behind them looking at him not a human girl. He sobered immediately.
Kagome eyes had always been strange animal like. Under normal circumstances they were dark almost to the point of looking black, but when the light hit them in certain ways they glowed with a blue fire a pure dark blue the likes no one would have seen before. And then Naraku mussed 'there are other things as well, like her hair' . A black mass that fell in waves to her waist. He had never seen it get tangled, there even was one time he saw it being lifted up and tossed around only to fall back and looking like it had never been touched, not a single hair out of place. And when the light hit it just right it shined like polished silver. Those were the only two real features that would interest a man for the rest she was just plain, no nice shapes at all. Yes Naraku liked shapely woman, woman you could grab.
"A man has been found for you." Naraku spoke like he was talking about the weather, but his brown/reddish eyes never wavered or blinked while he watched Kagome intently. His mouth curled in satisfaction when he saw the panic in her eyes. "You of course will be obedient and not shame your uncle, see." He waved a hand in the direction of the blond Girl who was now casting heated glares with Onigumo. "I even got you a maid. You'll be a nice obedient girl won't you Kagome."
Kagome choose not to answer that and she knew Naraku didn't expect her to. "Onigumo, you'll see to the old bird. I want this place clean when I get back. And you." He pointed at Kagome bringing his finger to the tip of her nose. "You will not go anywhere without your maid Silve. Is that understood." The last three words were spoken with great accuracy and Kagome nodded. She would even agree to be tied to Onigumo to get out of the house to be able to breath freedom again. Naraku rose from his seat and left to god now's where, giving his son no change to protest about his assignment.
: So now her she was walking around with her 'maid' walking but a few feet behind her trying to ignore the constant stream of complaints. Kagome rolled her eyes when behind her Silve began to complain for the third time how her delicate feet weren't mend to walk this much. Kagome let out a snort when she heard Silve mumble about telling this abuse to Onigumo. 'yeah like he has any influence and girl you don't have delicate feet. Your just not used to walking because normally you're lying on your back trying to earn your money for meals and drink in the backroom of a tavern.' Kagome though nastily before looking at a ruin that was attracting her attention.
She felt a true holiness coming from inside the building. Her curiosity perked she left the road and entered the building. Going to the inner room of the house she looked around carefully but no one lived her anymore and Kagome focused her full attention on the room she felt the vibes coming from. Behind Kagome, Silve had shut up for the moment and was also looking around only in her case it was for things she could steel and sell.
Coming into the room Kagome noticed at once, that this room used to serve as the altar room for the family that had once lived her. In the back stood a stone altar that probably in better days had been covert with the best silks and gold. On the walls Kagome noticed the vague residue's of paint. On the right side was a pond with a bench standing before it, so one would be able to sit in this holly room and enjoy looking at the pond while pondering religious thoughts or other more human problems.
Gracefully walking to the bench Kagome sat down she felt Silve do the same, and for once the girl was keeping silent a look of almost seriousness on her face. She probably felt the vibes too but wouldn't know it.
Sitting on the bench now Kagome noticed that on the opposite of the pond was another bench. This one had a woman and a little boy sitting on it, and like Kagome they seemed to be enjoying the spiritual energy of the room.
There was a whole somewhere in the roof for the woman and her child were sitting in a ray of sunlight. The woman had the boy in her lap, she had a queenly air about her. She was obviously of high breeding, but she had nothing of the haughtiness that went with her kind. Instead she looked kind and caring. The boy was playing with a piece of his mothers clothing and the sunlight played on his chestnut colored hair, conjuring tiny red flames in it. The woman had the same color of hair but hers was pulled up in a elegant bun and only by each side of her ears was one lock left dangling framing her face. The color of her hair was complimenting the color of her skin and her eyes were a deep sea green.
Then the woman lifted her eyes from the pond and looked Kagome directly in the eye. A bit shocked Kagome kept looking back. The woman gave her a big warm smile, a happy smile and then she and the child became transparent until they were no more.
Kagome did a sharp intake of breath. 'Spirits, the woman and child had been spirits.' It wasn't that Kagome wasn't used to seeing them, and really most of the times she saw them when she came near a church. But those creatures were nothing compared to what she had just witnessed. Those were sad, angry desperate spirits, some of them even evil. They were surrounded by the smell of death and decay, and they usually looked like corpses. But this woman and child had looked so real and so angelic, and they were truly at peace. Happy with each others company. And none of the usual warning had surrounded them, no bad smell or bad looks. Kagome wondered what had caused them to turn into spirits instead of them moving on.
Next to her Silve started fidgeting she probably felt they had been here to long. But before Kagome could suggest for them to move a creature coming out of the pond caught her attention. It was a snake, and with a keen eye Kagome complimented it on its well chosen colors that would make it hard to spot when hiding in the dirt. The perfect disguise.
The snake slithered toward the bench and stopped near Kagome's right feet. Silve who had just noticed the snake sat petrified Kagome could smell the fear coming of her in heavy waves, but she state still merely watching the snake. The animal's tongue tasted the environment around it, and crept closer to Kagome tasting the smell of her dress. Without thinking Kagome lowered her hand towards the snakes head. The snake rose up and his tongue shot to Kagome's hand tasting her body scent. All of the sudden it made a weird kind of bow then did a U-turn and slithered back to the pond and disappeared.
Silve's mouth had fallen open at seeing this strange exchange. "Damn did you see that? It was like seeing a subject bow down to its ruler, damn." Kagome's head snapped towards Silve and she gave the girl a hard stare. "Don't be silly it only wanted to know who was trespassing, when it saw I was no threat it left. Let's go now for I'm growing hungry. We will search for a merchant." Kagome stood and went for the exit, leaving a befuddled Silve behind. The blond did for once as she was told for she could have sworn that those eyes that were turned upon her belonged to a predator.
Outside the girl moved to the more inhabitant area's, where street merchant could be heard yelling to bring there goods to the attention to those around them. While Kagome was counting out some copper coins for bread, Silve disappeared in a tavern only to come out a few minutes later carrying a flask under her arm.
Kagome didn't question her how she paid for the wine, she already knew. Instead she focused on getting to a more peaceful part where they would be able to consume the goods. After some walking they reached a tombstone that would serve as a bench and sat down. The view was great.
Kagome had taken them out of Rome, and had chosen a place that was slightly higher so that they were looking down upon the old city. From this distance you were able to see some of its old glory. Kagome tore the bread in half and gave one part to Silve, who had already started downing the wine.
Slowly chewing on the bread Kagome looked around. They were sitting beside a road that from the marks Kagome could tell was a sheep trail. If she looked to her left she saw Rome, and when she looked right freedom begged her. Kagome was unable to ponder more when next to her Silve started to scratch herself with devotion.
Sitting back Kagome watched her for a few moments. "What is it? Don't tell me that you're suffering vermin too." Kagome's voice sounded sarcastic while kept her eyes on the scratching Silve.
"No." Silve said her voice thick from too much alcohol. "It's from the poppy in the wine. Sometimes its causes terrible itching, but I say it's worth it. Gives me this nice feeling in my head and... Silve took another swing from the bottle then trusted it out to Kagome. "Want some, this is good stuff and deserved for letting that boss take his horse dick to my behind."
Kagome would have gladly done without that bit of information. "No thank you, I like to live somewhat longer." Silve shrugged her shoulders and brought the bottle back to her mouth pouring half of it down her gown.
Swinging the bottle up Silve pointed to the darkening sky. "Shoot it's going to rain. You know what I feel like. To go to a tavern and sell my goods." She swung both her arms open wide. "Come man a nice shack for but five copper coins." She laughed in a weird way. "At least it'll be warm and the bartender will give me wine. Plus there will be no Onigumo. That good looking gets his equipment up in a drunken state but it won't come down." She took another deep drink from her bottle and sunk back in thought, mumbling about it was a good idea but that at the one tavern she owned money and at an other a woman had threatened her if she would show her face again.
'Poppy' Kagome thought. 'That stupid slut, didn't she know that itching was the first sign of danger. Then the madness would come, it would usually end with the person taking his or her own life. Throwing a last look of disgust Silve's way Kagome noticed them. Wasp had started crawling over Silve's left side, there antlers twisting and turning while they walked over the drunken and drugged girls body.
Her eyes wide Kagome looked back and saw a whole colony of wasp coming their, way not waiting it out Kagome jumped up dragging Silve up with her. "Move Silve, get running there are wasps coming our way." Kagome's voice held a note of panic in it, but Silve didn't seem to hear her as she discovered the insects sitting on her body.
Letting out an ear splitting scream Silve started turning and twisting using her hands to shove the wasp of her body. In her frantic moving she had sent the bottle of wine flying. It missed Kagome buy mere millimeters.
Kagome herself was busy watching the cloud of wasp coming nearer. She did not wait, but took a run for it. Behind her Silve did the same, but by now the blond was in a right state panic and she passed Kagome pushing her of the road. Caught of guard Kagome swayed a moment trying to re-catch her balance, but it was no use the cloud had reached her.
It enveloped her and Kagome immediately felt the evil presence. It was a spirit, but this one was vile and bad. She heard a male voice in her head. "Help me I deserve help, it wasn't my fault." Kagome could barely contain her panic. The wasp were stinging her everywhere, in her arms her legs and face, even in her eyes. But another part of her was taking back in the memory of the man. She saw the same woman and child she had seen back in the altar room, but this time she knew it was a memory of them in while they had been living. She saw a man, a husband a father. How he had no money to buy his family food and how he took an axe to them and killed them. "Help me I did what was needed, I stopped the suffering." The voice wailed in her head. Kagome had enough. The pain to her body was becoming unbearable. "Leave you worthless piece of shit. You killed two perfectly happy people only because you lost your money with bets. Leave me, be gone." With the last words she spat out the wolf emerged. For a moment she had the feeling she was inside a fire then all became black.
:Slowly Kagome regained her conscious. The first things she noticed were that she was lying on the ground. The smell of earth and grass was overwhelming, and for a moment she had no idea how she got in this state. Then the memories returned and Kagome shot up, her hands going over her face feeling for wasp stings but finding none.
Now a bit suspicious Kagome got up. Had everything been a dream? she though that she remember changing into her wolf form to escape the pain. Feeling uncertain Kagome looked around and saw that she was still near the tomb that she and Silve had used as a bench. But now she saw paw prints on the dirt road she hadn't dreamed it all.
Feeling relieved and scared at the same time Kagome started to go back to Rome. In the time that she had been unconscious the rain Silve had predicted had begun to fall and Kagome's clothing was slowly plastered to her form. In the half hour that it took to get to Rome's outskirts Kagome was almost soaked.
Entering the worst parts of Rome Kagome found herself wondering what had happened to Silve. The last she had seen of the girl was her back vastly disappearing in the direction of Rome. Then she shrugged her shoulders, why worry about Silve. Instead she should be glad to be rid of her. Maybe she would get lucky and Silve would never enter her live again.
Slowly following the streets back to her house, Kagome suddenly found herself unable to walk on as a procession of black clad people moved by, blocking the way to the others side. Following the line Kagome saw six men holding a coffin between them. It was a death procession. Then everything started happening at once.
From somewhere Silve appeared her eyes rolling wildly in their sockets, and she was screaming something that Kagome at first didn't hear. Then realization hit her, Silve was yelling to the people of the deceased that Kagome was here to steal the soul of the dead. The six men with the coffin placed it on the ground and started collecting stones. The rest of the procession took followed their lead, and within minutes Kagome was standing in a rain of stones.
At first she was too shocked to move, but when one of the bigger stones hit her full on her right shoulder Kagome started moving. Dragging her dress up to give her legs more freedom, Kagome took off. Her hair fanning out behind her. Two more stones hit her before she was out of throwing distance, her left knee took a hit and an another stone hit her right underneath her neck. Had it been a bit higher the force would have broken her spine, rendering her helpless.
Kagome never stopped running until she reached the stair leading up to the apartment Naraku, Onigumo and she housed in. Taking the stone worn steps three at a time she was inside in no time at all. The first thing to gather Kagome's attention was the smell of food. Not the crappy kind she was used to, but real flavorful food. The moment her eyes reached the table, at which Naraku and Onigumo were already indulging themselves, Kagome's eyes grew very wide.
Stuffed goose stood in the middle of the table, and surrounding it were at least twelve different side dishes. Those contained saffron colored potatoes to delicate fragrance soup that would seduce anyone into drooling over the floor. Because of the food Kagome didn't notice Naraku getting closer. The first blow sent her flying into the wall.
It was a shock of suddenly finding herself on the ground, the left site of her face completely numb. But before she could register what had happened or even get up Naraku stood before her. Slowly Kagome lifted her head up to look Naraku in the eye. "So you've finally decided to come back, bitch! The last was sad with so much venom in his voice that Kagome winced. Deciding that staying on the floor would render her only more vulnerable Kagome stood up.
Carefully pushing her hair back from her face and brushing sand from her butt, Kagome displayed a cool demeanor to Naraku. "I was delayed and later attack by a group of people leaded on by Silve's remarks." At last Kagome had found her composure back and once again she looked like an ice queen. Not caring about what Naraku did and certainly not being impressed by what he did.
Of course Naraku got annoyed by that and he hit her twice more in the face at full strength. He was disgusted with himself when he noticed that she was bleeding profusely but still stood. A look out the window confirmed his suspicion darkness was approaching, her other side was close enough to set her fast healing ability in working. Next time he would pick a time less closer to the dark.
"Now listen and listen close." Naraku grabbed Kagome by the hem of her dress and dragged to the table, almost pushing her face in the steaming bowl of soup. Suddenly she wasn't that hungry anymore. "As you can see your fiancée is well know for his riches. I want it, and you dear Kagome are going to help me." He pushed Kagome's face even closer to the soup, the point of her nose was already touching and Kagome's eyes started to water not only from the steam but from pain as well.
"You are going to help us kill your new husband. Of course after we get back in his mountain house and only after you find out were he keeps his money, aren't you Kagome." Naraku pulled her back up and looked in the now red face of his niece. He was surprised by her answer and not pleasantly. "I will do no such thing." Kagome said.
She tried to be brave, but when she saw the rage consuming Naraku's face all she could do was being frightened. In a sugary false tone Naraku continued. Pretending he didn't hear what she had said. "Of course we." He pointed at his, son who stopped eating for barley a minute, to send her a stuffed looking smile. Pieces of flesh escape his mouth, making Kagome want to gag. "Are going to help you keep your secret. Who knows what happened if they were to find out you're a werewolf."
Kagome could guess what would happened, and burning was the most mild punishment. She looked in Naraku's gleaming red eyes and knew she was stuck. If she wanted a live she helped them kill this stranger otherwise she would die a horrible death.
Naraku saw the understanding cross her eyes and his wicked smile grew brighter. He lifted her from the ground and flung her towards the door, he was particular pleased when she hit the ground head first. "Now be a good girl and go to your room I don't want to look upon you before daylight. And do something about that blood it looks tasteless."
Kagome could feel the tears creeping up in her eyes, but she pushed them back. 'If I cry now I will lose completely' so Kagome just rose up and brushed the folds of her gown strait and like a true lady she left the room and entered her bedroom. Already she could feel the powers of her wolf side starting to heal the cuts and bruises. At least the physical pain would be gone soon.
Pulling her gown over her head Kagome flung the rain and blood soaked piece into a corner of the room. Opposite the window an unsteady looking nightstand had a ceramic bowl with fresh water standing on it. A present from the old woman.
Using a piece of cloth that the woman had left also Kagome washed herself as good as possible. Now a bit cleaner Kagome noticed the smell of stew coming from underneath her bed, another present from the old woman. Crawling down on her belly Kagome reached under her bed and recovered the bowl. The stew inside was still a bit warm. With her first taste flavors came rushing over her. She could taste the different types of flesh used for the stew, it might be a simple meal compared to what Onigumo and Naraku were eating. But for Kagome it was heaven.
Now that her stomach was filled, and most of the pain was gone Kagome sat down on her bed. She needed to think what she was going to do for much choice wasn't left too her. She didn't need to think on Naraku's plan for long, so that left only one possibility. She needed to escape. This mend she had to trick Naraku into believing that she would do what he wanted first, for he would keep a close eye on her until he was convinced that she would do his bidding.
in the other room Naraku was found passing the room his hands folded on his back, a thoughtful expression on his face. He was brooding on how to go on with his campaign of convincing Kagome. He felt like he had made a good beginning, and finally this would allow him what he had wanted to do for a long time. Make that bitch suffer, and suffer greatly.
: A/n: now don't forget to tell me what you all think.
Answer to reviewers:
Raven Grantham: thank you, reviews like this really get me in a writing mood.
ShadowDncr2: nice name. And I'm glad you like it, thanks for reviewing.
Kogas girl: what can I say but that I'm honored. Thank you so much for the compliment.
Kogichan2000: well I'm glad that I can provide you with a nice story starring your favorite combination.
