Disclaimer: one of these days….one of these days….
Chapter 8
Journey began
Yoko's sharp intake of breath was enough for Kagome. She had asked so blankly, like she was looking Death in the eye and didn't care. Torture? How to 'break' women?
Whoever did this to her was going to die a very long and painful death.
"Who did this to you, Kagome?" he asked.
Kagome sat up, facing him. "Don't worry. He's dead. I killed him myself when he thought I was weak. He was a hanyou. Naraku. He wanted the Shikon Jewel, which I protected,"
Yoko's eyes widened. The Shikon Jewel? Kagome was that miko?
"He figured if he kept it up long enough I'd just give it to him. Shows what he knew. He's dead but he still haunts me. Most of these scars I got from him," she held out her arms, wrists upwards. Yoko took an arm and examined it in the darkness. Silver threads, thick and thin wound themselves up and down Kagome's slender arm, writing a tale of hardship in pale permanent ink.
"The scum deserves to be reborn as no better than a dust mite," he hissed.
"He won't even get that, don't worry. As part of the deal I made with Enma-sama Naraku's soul is bound for eternity," Kagome sighed, reclaiming her arm. "That way he can't hurt anyone else,"
"You are amazing, Kagome," Yoko looped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a hug. "So much evil has happened to you and yet you are still so pure,"
She did not answer. She also did not pull away. That was a good sign. They sat in silence just waiting.
"Momma!" Shippou knocked on the door. Kagome hastily pulled away, scrubbing the tear tracks from her face. Yoko scooted back to a respectable distance. As much as he loved to aggravate the other kitsune, now was not the time.
"Come in Shippou-chan," Kagome called, trying to sound cheerful.
Shippou slid the screen door open and stepped in, eyeing Yoko's position on the bed. "Momma, forgive me for what I said, my words were careless," he apologized.
Kagome waved it off with a carefree smile, "Don't worry about it Shippou-chan, it's something I have to get past anyways,"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," she smiled slightly. "Don't worry about me, I'm a big girl,"
Now the red kitsune looked downright suspicious. He did not move.
"You can go Shippou. Yoko and I were just talking,"
Yoko nodded. Shippou reluctantly turned and left.
"I'm sorry," Kagome sighed, the smile dropping from her face, "I just don't want him to worry more than he already is. No one should have to worry about my mental health,"
"Ah, Kagome," Yoko sighed and stroked her long hair, "They care for you. That makes it their duty and pleasure to worry about you. You worry about them, do you not?"
"Yes, but – "
"No 'buts,' Kagome-chan, it is the same thing. You cannot help but worry over your friends when they are hurting and they cannot help but worry about you," he chided. Kagome sighed, leaning in slightly to the rhythmic motion of his hand in her hair. "You are human, subject to the frailties of your race. Just don't let those frailties drag your spirits under,"
Silence reigned for a moment or two as Kagome digested his words. Yoko continued to stroke her hair, and she did nothing to dissuade him from it.
"Well, at least now I shouldn't have to go to a psychiatrist," she quipped, flashing him a toothy grin. Yoko grinned back. That was more like it.
"Okay, that's it, it's official. The Makai is starting to thoroughly creep me out," Kagome declared with a dramatic shiver.
"It is different, isn't it?" Miroku commented as if he had not noticed. The resident youkai snorted at the human's antics. Shippou decided to play stupid.
"It's different? How? I don't see anything out of the ordinary,"
Kagome bopped him on the head. "You must be going blind in your old age, kit," she mocked.
"If the kit is old, what does that make me, Kagome?" Sesshoumaru asked blandly. Kagome grinned wickedly.
"Why, Sesshoumaru, you are positively ancient. And with old age comes a whole slew of terrible maladies," she said seriously. Sesshoumaru's eyebrow rose.
"Is that so?"
"Oh yes," She teased, "For example, when a warrior ages he tends to slow down. And obviously you are getting very old if I could catch you off guard with a motion freezing spell,"
Sesshoumaru growled at his grinning sister. Everyone, save Hiei, laughed.
"That begs the question, just how old are you Sesshoumaru-sama?" Shippou asked. Sesshoumaru pondered the question. His eyebrows furrowed. He shrugged.
"It matters not," he finally sniffed decisively.
"In other words," Miroku translated, "Sesshoumaru-sama cannot remember the exact era in which he came to be, am I right?"
"Wow, that's old," Yuusuke chuckled. Sesshoumaru did not even bother to glare at the impudence of his sister's companions and friends.
"That reminds me," Kagome turned to Shippou and Sesshoumaru, "Is Myoga still around?"
"No," Sesshoumaru shook his head and tossed some silver hair back over his shoulder, "The old flea died a century past. It was his time,"
"Hm. Too bad," Kagome said with a frown, "I'm gonna miss the old bloodsucker,"
"Sesshoumaru-sama," a servant bowed, holding a long, slender box. "A package has arrived from Totousai,"
Sesshoumaru nodded and relieve the servant of the box. He lifted the lid and peered inside. "Well, priest, I hope that this will suit your needs,"
Miroku slid over to peak inside as well and grinned. Reaching in he pulled out a long, ornate, golden shakujo. The rings tinkled musically, innocently. With another grin Miroku channeled his houriki into the staff, causing it to glow a vibrant blue for a second before the holy power calmed and settled itself into the very metal.
"Looks nice Miroku-sama. How's it feel?" Kagome asked.
"Perfect. Truly Totousai has outdone himself with this," he ran his fingers over the fine scrollwork and smooth, perfect rings.
"Takes to you well, doesn't it?" Shippou smirked. Miroku bonked him on the head.
"Yes," he decided, watching the kitsune rub the welt it left resentfully, "it does seem to have taken to me quite well,"
"Stupid priest," Shippou grumbled.
"Now, now, you two," Kagome held up a warning hand, "Do I have to put you both in separate corners? They say that children should only be in the corner one minute for every year. Shippou-chan your five hundred years adds up to what?" she asked sweetly.
Shippou swallowed hard and answered timidly, "Eight and a half hours,"
"Now play nice," Kagome cooed, getting up and leaving.
"Man," Shippou wiped some sweat off his forehead, "Momma's still really scary,"
"Well," Sesshoumaru smirked, "She did learn from the best,"
"Yeah, that may be, but sometimes she's got you whipped,"
"I still can't believe that my little cousin is an all-powerful miko who's as much a veteran as I am," Yuusuke grumbled. "She's too sweet and innocent for this kind of life,"
:Sweet? Yes. Innocent? Only on the outside. Everly optimistic, on the other hand, most defiantly. I think Yuusuke is getting the two confused: Yoko commented. Kurama agreed. He had, after all, seen what Yoko had in Kagome's bedroom. She was broken inside and hiding it.
"Yes, Kagome-sama does seem to be able to maintain a sweet innocence around her like no other," Miroku sighed, a perverted smile drifting across his lips. Inside Kurama Yoko twitched, unable to trounce the letch for thinking such things. He blessed Shippou when he laid the priest flat.
"You never change, do you?" he grumbled at Miroku's unconscious form.
"If he changed," Kagome reasoned, "He wouldn't be our Miroku-sama anymore,"
"True,"
:No excuse: Yoko grumbled, eyeing the fallen Monk through Kurama's eyes.
-Positively reprehensible, isn't he, Fox?-
:You trying to say something firebrat:
Now, now, you two, do I have to send you two to the corner like Kagome-san suggested?
-Like you could-
:I'm with the pyro on that:
Kurama sighed, rubbing his temple, feeling a headache looming.
"Kurama-san? Are you alright?" Kagome asked, leaning over to peer into his green eyes. Kurama smiled and brushed aside her worry with a wave of his hand.
"I am in perfect health Kagome-san, you need not worry,"
"If you say so." She smiled and sat back.
"Well, now that Miroku's new shakujo has arrived does everyone understand that Sesshoumaru-sama wants us all up and on the road before daybreak?" Shippou asked, grinning at everyone's – sans Hiei and Sesshoumaru – grimaces.
"Sadist," Kagome muttered. Sesshoumaru smirked.
"Would I ever change?" he asked blandly.
Kagome shot him a sideways glance. "Well, that would be a matter of opinion. Personally I think your getting soft compared to five hundred years ago,"
Sesshoumaru snarled at her playful jab. "Just be glad I'm not training you right now. When this is all over and done with your training resumes. And trust me little sister, not that much has changed,"
Kagome looked away and swore. "It's just not fair,"
"Ouch, momma, I'm glad I'm not you," Shippou grimaced. "But you did ask for it,"
"Gee thanks," if one could cut sarcasm...
"As it is," Sesshoumaru said, getting to his feet in one graceful, fluid motion, "it would be best if we were to all retire for the evening,"
"I agree," Shippou said, "even the youkai," He said shooting fleeting glances at Hiei, Kurama and Yuusuke.
"You don't need to tell me. I've been on enough battle marches," Kagome smiled and bid everyone a good night.
"'Night, Momma," Shippou called after her.
:Sleep well, Kagome-chan: Yoko called, not that she could hear him. Kurama shook his head.
Dawn broke, shattering the chill night's darkness. Greeting the new light were the merry, and still mostly comatose, band of fighters. The only ones looking like they had gotten a full night's sleep were Sesshoumaru, Shippou, Kurama and Hiei. Everyone else, the wolves included, were still rubbing bleary eyes and sipping on a popular youkai energy drink. Well, the wolves were sipping the drink. The humans had to do without, as it was poisonous for them to ingest.
The only thing keeping Kagome from protesting at the inhumane hour was the fact that it was the first step they had to take to rescue her brother. The party has been assembled and were ready to march under the leadership of the Ruler of All Makai.
Of course, just because Kagome was not complaining doesn't mean that Yuusuke didn't feel the need. And since it was Yuusuke the complaining was done at a fairly impressive volume. Until Kagome hit him over the head and glared him into meek submission.
Yuusuke could not believe the look his cousin had given him. It almost matched Sesshoumaru's for coldness but it was liberally laced with determination and frustration.
"Yuusuke, this is to get Souta back and complete our mission. It would be prudent to follow what Sesshoumaru-sama wishes," Kurama advised in his most calming voice. Everyone else nodded, agreeing.
"Still think it's inhumane to get up at this hour. He's as bad as the old hag," the toushin grumbled.
"Of course he seems inhumane, Yuusuke," Kagome sighed. "He's youkai through and through so why would he bother being humane?"
Yuusuke sighed and ran a hand through his un-gelled hair. Kagome had a point. There were not many youkai he had met that bothered with human sensibilities.
"Besides, just look at the logic. The sooner we set off, the sooner we arrive. Sesshoumaru has hundreds, if not thousands, of years on everyone here, except maybe Yoko-san. Just trust his judgment. He's one of the most trustworthy people I know," Kagome pleaded.
"Whatever," he grunted.
Kagome gave him a brief, heartfelt hug before scampering to catch up to her son. The roads in the Makai were much like the roads Kagome was used to traveling in the past: unpaved, uncobbled, dirt roads with formidable forests lining the sides. Except here the forest wouldn't think twice about devouring anyone foolish, and weak enough, to wander into its depths. Just to spice things up.
The group of warriors, holy-human and youkai, set out following the information given them by Shippou's Kids. Hardly anyone spoke. On the other hand, no one needed to say much.
The day grew and the morning shadows faded under the glare of the sun. Sesshoumaru paused, testing the air with his nose.
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked quietly. He held up a clawed hand and flashed four fingers. Those who had fought with the youkai lord before went on guard, everyone else following suit.
"Aw," said a voice from above them in the trees, "And here I was hoping to catch you off guard,"
"Too bad they noticed us," said another from a different direction.
"Yeah, well we noticed. What're you gonna do about it?" Yuusuke demanded, itching for a fight.
"We could kill them," yet another voice suggested. A fourth laughed and agreed.
Their attackers dropped from the trees, apparently trying to be intimidating. No one was impressed.
"You want them Yuusuke?" Kagome asked. Yuusuke grinned, cracking his knuckles in anticipation.
"Very well," Sesshoumaru nodded, stepping to the side of the road.
"Oh, you guys are in for it now," the young toushin sang before leaping forward.
The four bandits sprang back in surprise at the sudden attack. Yuusuke pressed the offensive, easily keeping the four lower-class youkai on the defensive. It was a short and extreamly unfair fight as Yuusuke dispatched of all four within minutes. He had not even needed to use his reigan.
"Man," He sighed, kicking a body, "They weren't even good enough to vent stress on,"
"Poor, poor Yuusuke," Kagome mocked, "What are we ever going to do?"
"Find me a decent fight," He asked hopefully.
"So much like Inuyasha," Shippou muttered, falling into step behind Sesshoumaru.
"Hey!"
Kagome laughed.
:Kurama, let me out: Yoko directed.
Why? So you can schmooze up to Kagome?
:It's not schmoozing:
Sure it is.
:How can I court her when you won't let me out:
Good question. When I figure out an answer I'll tell you.
:Kurama: Yoko whined. Kurama grinned and handed control over to the kitsune. It was fun to tease him now that he could.
Kagome paused when she felt Yoko take control of his shared body. A smile tickled her lips when he came up behind her and took her hand in his.
"Kagome," He brought her hand to his lips, kissing the palm, "It has been far to long since I have been able to behold your angelic visage with mine own eyes,"
"Yoko-san," Kagome smiled, "How are you doing?"
"My heart has been lifted with your smile," He smirked, still holding her hand.
"You, Yoko Kurama, are a shameless flatterer," she huffed, unable – but trying – to hide her pleased smile.
"I tell but the truth," he said gallantly.
"As you see it," she shot back.
"Oh break it up," Shippou grumbled, a step or three ahead.
"I'm with your brat, Kagome," Yuusuke seconded.
"Oh quiet you two. Can't I just have a decent conversation with a friend?" Kagome frowned, shooting both protestors dark glares.
"He's just trying to get into your pants, Kagome," Yuusuke warned. Kagome flushed bright red.
Yoko sniffed, "How like you to say something like that Yuusuke. My intentions are nothing so vulgar. I intend to get into her pants only after we've mated, not before." he stated.
A tomato had nothing to the colour on Kagome's face.
Yoko! That's not going slow! Kurama admonished, embarrassed.
:Would you rather I lie? I'd rather set them straight on my intentions now rather than later:
"Yoko," Kagome said slowly. The whole group had stopped and Yoko was suddenly very aware of just how many eyes eight people possessed and the weight they held.
"Yes Kagome?"
"Who said that I was going to mate you?" her blue eyes sparked with hidden fire.
Yoko felt his hopes drown. He visibly deflated. "Kagome..." his golden eyes begged her for some hope.
"I'm only human after all," She said.
"So?"
"And I'm a miko,"
"And family to youkai. What's the problem?"
"I can't live in the Makai for long,"
"The ningenkai is a nice place once you get used to it, and I have lived there for years now,"
"I have a horrible habit of crying when I'm feeling stressed,"
"That's why we were made with shoulders. It's a strange fact, but true,"
"I'll beat anyone who touches my chocolate to a bloody pulp,"
"Kagome's chocolates are off limits, check,"
"I'd need a proper courting,"
"I was prepared for that from the start,"
"You're insane to want to get into something like this," she stepped closer. Yoko took her hands in his.
"Never claimed to be anything other,"
"Is anyone else lost?" Yuusuke asked from the sidelines. Shippou groaned.
"Momma's just agreed to let Yoko court her. Seriously court her," he sighed. "Well, I guess there's not much I can do,"
"It seems that way," Sesshoumaru commented.
"If he tries anything funny…" Yuusuke growled.
"You'll have to get in line," Shippou said blandly. "As her brother, Sesshoumaru would get his blood first and as her son I'm next. You're only a cousin,"
"Oh quiet you two," Kagome called, "I'm a big girl and I think I can handle myself in a relationship,"
Shippou and Yuusuke cast her skeptical looks, which she tactfully ignored. Miroku on the other hand leered.
"So I take it that love is blossoming under the starless skies of the youkai world?" he asked innocently. Kagome smiled an evil smile.
"One of these days Miroku-sama I'm going to hook you up with someone who can keep you in line,"
Miroku shut up.
"Wise move, priest," Yoko commented.
"Wise move indeed," Kagome agreed.
"Can we continue? Or is there some other drama unfolding that I am as of yet unaware of?" Sesshoumaru asked blandly.
"Lead the way, brother," Kagome waved a hand grandly. Sesshoumaru snorted, turned on his heal and started down the road once again.
