WINK WINK
Disclaimer: Do I need to repeat again: P YYH and IY are not mine! Neither is the meaning of flowers!
Chapter 8: The Deal
After a quick bath in the spring, Kagome returned to the present in record time. Climbing up the ladder, she heard dreadful voices.
"Kagome is sick with Mad Cow Disease." she sweatdropped, was he out of reasons AGAIN? Slamming the well house door open, she glared icily towards her grandfather, "Jii-chan..." she warned.
His hairs stood up in alarm, she was back?
"Ah Higurashi! You're back from the hospital?" It was Hojo, the infamous 'perfect' boy who had a huge crush on Kagome. He presented a basket of fruits to her before stating his intention of asking her out. Kagome sighed, 'The same old 'give her present and ask her out' style, could he ever change his boring actions?' Just when would poor Hojo realized that Kagome harbor no interest in him? Probably never.
"Gomen Hojo-kun, but I'm still not fully recovered yet." she coughed, inwardly sighing, 'Everybody except for him could see that this is fake... I am never a good liar.'
His face fell in disappointment, but it brightened again after a moment, really... Hojo and his mood swings, "Well, I guess it'll be best that you rest." He began to walk away, waving goodbye at her.
Kagome let out a breath of relieve, handing the basket of fruits to her grandfather, she rushed into her house, "I'm back!" she announced cheerfully. Out from the dining room, Kun Loon's head popped out, "Kagome, I brought a new bag for you, it's in your room!" she informed her.
Thanking her mother, Kagome mused, 'Sometimes, I think mothers can predict the future.' she burst into the bedroom.
The bag was an exact replica of the previous one, only that it was a shade of blue instead of the old yellow hue. 'Alright, let's see... I won't be needing a sleeping bag now that I have this haori.' she crossed her arms around her chest, loving the warmness and the feeling of safety that it emitted. 'Now I need to tie this...' she rummaged her closet, flinging clothes over her head.
She found a few obis deep inside, tying a blue one into a bow on herself, she faced the mirror, twirling around. The haori reached her mid-thigh, allowing easy movements for her slender legs. 'I really look like a ningen from Feudal Era' she giggled, 'Now all I need is my bow and arrows, though a sword will look better.' No one except herself knew about her desire to learn swordsmanship, she always felt useless whenever the opponent were those close combat kind, for she dared not shoot in fear of purifying Inuyasha or Kirara.
Throwing all the things she required into the bag, she ran down with the now oversized bag pack, asking her mother for Ramen and Pocky for Shippou. "Mama! I'll be back in a month time!" she promised before she head out to the well house.
# Feudal Era #
She climbed up the vines which functioned as a ladder, throwing her oversized bag pack out of the well, she hopped out of the old 'time portal'.
"Kagome-sama, I see that you're back." she was greeted by her comrades; Miroku, Sango Shippou and the little Neko Kirara. "Kagome!" the fox kit cried, launching himself to her chest, "Do you bring anything for me?" he beamed her with those irresistible grin of his. "Of course I do Shippou-chan." Kagome ruffled his hair when he perched himself on her shoulder.
"Kagome-chan we missed you so much." Sango went over and enveloped her sister with a bear hug, "It was always so quiet without you." she stated before releasing her. Kagome laughed, "Quiet because there's no sound of a certain Inu being slammed to the ground?" instead of the laughter she had expected, she received a pregnant silence.
All their gazes were lowered to the ground, even Shippou and Kirara too keep their lips tight. "Nani? What happen?" she inquired, a wave of panic started to form in her heart. "Where's Inuyasha?" she questioned.
"He..." Miroku nibbled the bottom of his lips, "He's in Kaede-sama's hut... Kagome-sama." he answered, fidgeting at the awkward situation he was in. Something was amiss, Kagome could spot it from her companions' expressions, "Why didn't he come to fetch me as usual?" she tilted her head to the side, perplexed.
"Urmm... he... well h-he..." Sango stuttered, "h-he... he was occupied at the moment..." she glanced at Miroku in nervousness. Now something was definitely wrong. For she was aware that, no matter how busy Inuyasha was, he would never miss the chance to berate her for being late, despite the couple of sits he knew he would receive.
"Occupied? Occupied by what?" Kagome demanded for an answer.
"Occupied by me, dear reincarnation." Kagome faced the left as the sudden pungent smell of soil and decay assaulted her nose. The infamous dead Miko stepped into the clearing, her head held high, Inuyasha by her side. Kagome's worries were being kicked out of her heart, replaced with sorrow and fury. 'So he was busy with her eh? Make me wonder how he could stand her when I want to puke right now... and I'm 100ft away from her!'
Seeing no immense sorrow whatsoever in her features, Kikyo frowned, latching onto Inuyasha's hand, the Inuyasha whose ears dropped in guilt. "What lovely haori you are wearing reincarnate, did Kaede bought it for you?" she smirked at the malicious statement.
Kagome caught it though.
"Of course not, Kaede baa-chan had better things to spend her money on then such expensive silk." she made sure she pronounced the word 'silk' louder. "It was given by my protector." she stated through half-lidded eyes, two could play in the game. 'No more shall I yield, she wants a fight? A fight she shall get.' her conscience cheered for her, saying that this 'battle' was far postponed.
As though to prove her statement, a blue rose flowed down right in front of her, heeding to the law of gravity, right into her open palms. Kagome beamed a sincere smile of gratitude for the perfect timing.
Kikyo seethed in anger while Inuyasha hung his head in shame, she did not need him anymore... Serve him right for putting her through all the torture, now she had a new protector...
A growl vibrated in his throat, she might have a new protector, but his vow to keep her from harm was still intact, she was still his to protect! Not some blue rose guy! He scanned the area with sharp molten gaze, he would tear the bastard from limb to limb, then Kagome would understand that none other could protect her except for him, yes... she would understand, and would come back to him.
Miroku gulped, he did not need spiritual powers to sense the tension in the air, the two Mikos were now in the middle of glaring contest, he was positive that if he were to stand in their middle to stop them, he would be a roasted servant of Buddha.
"Since today is the new moon, I suggest that we stay in Kaede-sama's hut till tomorrow morning." Miroku coaxed, keeping his distance from them, but to no avail. He never thought that he would see the day when Kagome stood up to Kikyo instead of sobbing in sorrow, this proved that someone had began the process of healing her heart, and strengthening it. Perhaps it was the Blue Rose youkai.
"Let's go Inuyasha." Kikyo commanded the once obnoxious hanyou who by now had transformed into an obedient puppy. Kagome began to walk to the opposite direction. "Kagome-chan, where are you going?" Sango asked, wondering why she was heading deeper into the forest.
"To get some clean air." she stated simply, giving Kikyo a momentary glance before she disappeared into the foliage with Shippou. Kikyo, too moronic to understand the meaning behind the words, just walk away with Inuyasha in tow. Sango blinked in bewilderment when Miroku started chuckling, "My my... I never knew that Kagome-sama is so good with words."
"What is it Houshi-sama, I don't get it." Sango inquired. Miroku merely smiled, softly whispering in her ear, explaining it.
"Oh..." Sango finally grasped the meaning, "Very true... I wonder how Inuyasha could walk so closely to her..." she muttered, "I guess dogs love bones." she mumbled in contempt.
# Eastern Lands #
Eastern palace was a calm place, servants were happy under the two well-known lords, Youko and Kuronue. They were both intelligent and worked together in a way none other could, one was rarely seen without the other, unless of course, when the moon was high up in the sky. They were very harmonious, so harmonious that many believed that they had the same mind.
Though for today, that was not the case.
Servants scurried around with their works, cleaning the castle, washing laundry. It was a typical day, only that, all of them was avoiding a hall, no cleaners dared to cleaned that particular area and no youkai dared to walk past it.
It was where the office was.
The two lords were facing each other, one glaring while the other had his head bowed. "Damn you Youko! How can you forget to heal her? She could have died!" after a long silence, Kuronue moved his lips in a scowl. The silver Kitsune's ears flattened against his head, mimicking a child who was caught breaking an expensive vase. This time though, it was not a vase he broke, rather, it was the Miko's priceless trust that was shattered.
Seeing his pitiful countenance, Kuronue was unable to say anymore, no benefits came from scolding him. After all, he had learnt his lesson the hard way. "I'll give you seven nights Youko." he growled, "Seven nights to prepare yourself before we search for her." Youko's head sprung up in confusion, why were they going to search for her? His question was soon answered, though not the way he preferred it to be, "You're going to apologize to her." stated the Koumori youkai.
Youko's eyes widen to saucers, "You can't be serious! Me? Apologize to her! AGAIN?" he thundered, totally against the absurd idea, once had been damn
embarrassing for him, he was not about to do it again. "She's ningen Kuronue! A Miko at that! WHY?" he demanded from his partner.
"Why? Because she's a woman!" Kuronue yelled back, "Remember how old we are now, Youko! The three of us! We're over five centuries old! That's why that iceberg was looking for a mate!" he took Youko by the shoulder and shook him, as though wanting to shook some sense into him. "We're no more pups Youko! Goddess knew what those elders will do if we don't get a MATE!" he amplified his voice on the word 'mate'.
"M-m-mate?" Youko stuttered, yes, those busybodies' elders had been warning them to take a mate soon for youkais took their mate at three centuries old and they had far extended the period. Kuronue released the hold he had on him, "Yes mate! There is a perfect one right under our nose! One who don't give a damn about your status! She has the brains, the personality, the face, the body and the power! Those Miko purifying abilities of hers! Imagine if she could control it." shouted Kuronue, "What else do you want in a mate?"
Youko snarled, "I don't give a damn about her! She's nothing to me! Since you like her so much, you get her!" he bit out in rage.
At that sentence, all emotions were drained from Kuronue's face, save the cunning pair of violet eyes, "So... She's nothing to you?" he smirked, "Then... I guess I won't hesitate to stake my claim upon her." he stated with a tone of satisfaction.
Youko took a step back, his golden orbs wide, dumbfounded, "What...?" that was all he could get out of his vocal cords. Kuronue took off his hat and began
playing with it, a smile tugged on his lips, "Why what? I like her... I'm just keeping it back because I thought you want her." he purred, putting the hat on again.
After a period of silence, Youko huffed, "Do what you like Kuronue." with that, he left the room, not understanding the sudden squeeze in his heart.
# Back To Inuyasha #
'Kami-sama.' Kagome sighed, three days, they had been traveling for three days, with half of the days resting as her 'royal highness' was 'exhausted', 'Whose dog did I kill in my previous life?' she cursed, their pace was slower than a turtle! All was for those, 'Inuyasha, I'm afraid of heights' Bullshit! If she feared anything, it should be those creepy snakes she hung around with, not some hundred feet height!
Speaking of the devil and she would start.
"Inuyasha." she whined, giving her best disgusting puppy-dog eyes, "Could we stop for a rest? My feet are killing me." 'Yeah right, as if you're not dead.' Kagome mumbled, silently wishing that Inuyasha would not agree.
No suck luck.
"Yeah... It was getting late anyway..." he muttered uneasily, "I guess we could make a camp..."
That did it.
Stomping to his front, Kagome put her hands on her hips, "Excuse me? We have only been WALKING for a moment and you want to stop? How could we
catch up to Naraku this way?" she glowered, "WE WILL CONTINUE!" she shouted heatedly.
"Dear reincarnate." Kikyo spat out, "I know of your endurance, so don't compare yourself to me, my delicate self cannot withhold such pace." she stroked one of her Shinidamachuu as she pleaded Inuyasha to stop again. Kagome, without second thought, lashed out at the dead Miko, slapping her right on the cheek.
PLAK
"You...Grrr... delicate my FOOT! You can't even bleed, you... you CLAYPOT!" she stared down at the terrified Miko, "Who DIED and make YOU queen?" she glared at her.
"Indeed..."
A deep masculine voice had them went into offensive stance. Inuyasha took a deep breath, not bothering to help Kikyo up. His eyes snapped open,
"Sesshoumaru." (All Sesshoumaru fan cheered : P) his hand went to his Tetsusaiga as a blue sphere flew to them, stopping fifty feet before them.
As the sphere disintegrated into thin air, a figure stood in its place, his once white haori and hakama were replaced with a black one which had white flower
embroidery, and a white sash instead of the usual yellow one. "I see that you're alive." came the typical greeting of the Taiyoukai. He narrowed his golden eyes
towards Kikyo who was cleaning dust off herself, glaring at Kagome in contempt, "With a new dead Miko." he added with his usual monotonous tone, "and to think that this Sesshoumaru had assumed that you have made an improvement..."
Kagome bit back a laugh while Inuyasha growled, "Keh! At least I'm not one who had broken his sword!" he smirked, "and not to mention that the other one was a sword that can't kill" Sesshoumaru, instead of glaring at him, had a wicked smirk on his face, "Care to put that to a test hanyou?" he placed a hand on his modified katana.
"Matte Sesshoumaru." Kagome bravely stepped forward, gazing at his clothed chest, "You have a kakera..." she mentioned calmly.
"NANI?" Inuyasha abruptly sprung into action, how could he not? When a Shikon No Kakera had came to him rather than running from him.
Sesshoumaru advanced forward till he was face to face... more of chest to face with her, "I see that concealment spell did no good..." he stated emotionlessly.
Kagome shook her head, "No, I barely sensed it just now." this was the first time she actually stood so near to him, so near that she could feel the heat that radiated off his body, so near that she could examine his golden orbs, which held the tiniest prick of... loneliness.
"Keh! Get away from him Kagome!" Inuyasha unsheathed his Tetsusaiga as he bellowed. Kagome glanced back, closing her eyes, "Inuyasha, Osuwari." she
sighed, allowing the Taiyoukai to watch in outmost amusement of the introduction between Inuyasha and the Earth.
"I've no business with you hanyou." he reached into his haori and pulled out a small pouch, letting it fell into Kagome's hand, "Ariga-"
"Wait!" Kikyo's high pitch tone interrupted Kagome's word of gratitude, "You have given the kakera to the wrong Miko, for I am the original keeper of the Shikon No Tama!" she announced boldly. Sesshoumaru gave her a brief glance, "Indeed." Kikyo brightened up at his single word, before her face took an ugly twist. "Keeper of the Tama before the Guardian claimed it."
She scowled, "I'm the Guardian! That girl!" she indicated Kagome, "is merely my reincarnation! I'm stronger than she will ever be!" she declared in jealousy that the Great Lord took her side, she had been lusting for him ever since she first laid her eyes on him at Mt Hakureizan. He was so perfect in every way, power, status, looks and all, she wanted him.
"If you are... she won't be here." he took sight of the genuine smile Kagome flashed at him. Giving it a cold shoulder, he turned to continue his own path.
"Sesshoumaru-sama..." Kagome called with a tone of respect for his strong will of not using the Kakera's power, but then again, he was too proud to use it. He stopped in his tracks, but never turned back, "I...I..." Kagome started, "I want to make a deal." getting the courage, she voiced it out.
"Nani? What the hell are you thinking Kagome?" Inuyasha yelled, "you can't possible make any deal with him!" he pointed at the Taiyoukai who had by then faced her. Sango and Miroku approached her, "Yes Kagome-chan, what deal are you making?" Sango tried to persuade her into forgetting whatever she had in mind.
Taking a deep breath, Kagome smiled, "I've made the decision Sango-chan, Miroku-sama. Gomene but please understand." with those words spoken, she stepped forward and stare directly into his eyes. "You want to kill Naraku right?" she asked, earning a barely visible nod.
"Then take me with you."
(A/N : Wanna stop here but since I've promised to write longer... let's say that what after this is for those who like this story, whether you review or not :P )
Sesshoumaru's cool and calm facade cracked a bit, his eyes, his golden irises were filled with a slightest bit of bewilderment and surprised at the request.
"With me following you, Naraku will one day come to get rid of me to take the Kakera. More ever, I can take care of Rin-chan better than that toad could." she did not waver about her decision, it was purely her own idea. "In exchange for that, you'll protect me and help me gather the Shikon No Kakera until the quest ended." she paused, "unless if I die and the Tenseiga refuses to revive me of course." she added solemnly, choosing the correct words.
The Inu-tachi, all excluding Kikyo, gasped, staring at her as though she was insane, "Kagome! What makes you think that he will keep the deal? He will just kill you when you followed him!" Inuyasha gripped his Tetsusaiga tight, "I'll kill him! Kaze No Ki-"
"Osuwari!"
BLAM!
"Baka! He had nothing to gain from my death! Besides, I'm helping him to locate Naraku, you BAKA!" Kagome shouted to the Inuyasha crater. Sesshoumaru was silent, his arms folded in deep concentration as Inuyasha flattened his Inu ears, "But why Kagome?" he got back to his feet.
"I don't want your protection Inuyasha." Kagome's sentence struck a cord, flabbergasted, did he hear her right? 'She doesn't want my protection anymore?'
Inuyasha's eyes went huge in disbelieve.
"Ever since you know that I've another protector, you've been very possessive to me, more than usual and I could see it in your eyes Inuyasha." Kagome tore her eyes away from him, "You're not protecting me because you want to, you're protecting me because you promised to."
Inuyasha stood rooted to the ground as realization dawned to him, she was right, he was frequently telling himself that his promise was still intact and that made him her guardian, he had never once thought about how she would feel. "I... but... but Sesshoumaru will never protect you because he wants to either!" Inuyasha pointed at him with a claw.
"It's different Inuyasha." Kagome calmly explained, "We're making a deal... It was not something personal." she stood upright when Sesshoumaru utter out,
"Inuyasha." Facing him again, she was astonished by the small smirk that adorned his face, directed towards Inuyasha.
"Perhaps, when you've see through her ghost," he gave Kikyo a side glance, "you'll see the real her." Turning to Kagome, he spoke, with a smooth and slightly
satisfied voice that belied his intense facade.
"This Sesshoumaru accepts your deal, Miko."
TBC...
Reviews
Brittany : You're the latest to review but it's okay! There! your Sesshoumaru! (Kagome : No he's mine!) : P
Kitten : BINGO! You win ablue rose from me: P Inu was indeed with Kikyo!
animebook fan: There! Did I update soon enough for you? I hope so! 'Peace sign'
snowball identical twin : really bad idea I agree hahahaha I like ur sis! and I dun giv a damn about vulgar words so dun worry!
midnightloon: Well I've researched many, I mean MANY sites and can't remember them : P That's why I only write that the meaning of flowers are not mine and did not write the site's address.
kandy42 : Don't flatter me so much cause it'll inflate my ego and one day when I burst you'll be the first I haunt! ahahhaha jkjkjk
ranchan23: Hahahha that's really sweet! What's ur fav flower? Anyways you've seen what Kuronue's reaction is so I wun say anymore! hehehe
For the rest of the reviewers THX YOU FOR THE REVIEWS! It means so much to me! Giv you allAgrimony (flower of gratitude) HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER!