Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, but if I did, he would be MINE, ALL MINE!
OtakuGirlEmi: Hello there everyone! I hoped you all like chapter 1. I want to take a moment thank darkmoonfang, kattygirl32132, and leara the brat demon for their reviews. I was so happy to receive them! Sorry it took me so long to update, I got writers block and was out of town for 2 weeks. But hopefully the next chapter shouldn't take nearly as long. Anyway, I won't delay any longer, so ONWARD TO CHAPTER 2!
Chapter 2: Arguments and Arrivals
"YOU JERK, why won't you just listen to me!"
A night had past, and the group was traveling once again. Everything had been going smoothly until they had reached an intersection. Coming to this caused Inuyasha and Kagome to get into an argument on which way to go. Kagome insisted on taking the road that led to the nearest town to restock on supplies and bandages before heading to Keade's village. Inuyasha said that they should head straight to Keade's village to save time and get the jewel to a safer place.
As usual, neither of them would back down, and it seemed like Miroku, Sango, and Shippou would have to make the decision on where to go. But they were afraid to further upset Inuyasha or Kagome even more, so they let the argument continue.
And continue it did as Inuyasha yelled back. "You're wrong, wench, that's why! Going to the village would waste 2 days there and back! Don't you get it? The longer we delay, the more demons will come running to the jewel!" Inuyasha gestured over to the fearful-looking Miroku, Sango, Shippou, and Kirara. "Everyone can survive a couple of days without new bandages. It's most important to get the jewel to a safer place soon." Inuyasha finished his speech, crossed his arms over his chest, and smirked in triumph.
Kagome stood there and glared at the infuriating half-demon. Her pale, slender hands were balled into fists and her head was buzzing with irritated questions. Why can't he trust me? Why won't he back down for once?
Arguing with Inuyasha had almost become a habit for Kagome, but lately they fought over the smallest things and every mean comment he made seemed truly directed at her. Kagome was getting tired of always arguing like this: she was tired of getting yelled at (Though she did her fair share of yelling back). She was simply sick of it.
I'll show him! He's not winning this time!
"Oh really Mister Smarty-pants?" Kagome asked, stepping closer to him and shoving her face near his. (Being that close to him made her insides flutter and her brain melt, but she didn't let it show.) "You want to know what I think?" She challenged him with her eyes, waiting to see if she would respond.
Inuyasha couldn't refuse a challenge, "yeah, what?"
"I agree with you."
Inuyasha was so surprised by her sudden agreement that he simply stood there gaping at her. Kagome never gives in like that, what's goin' on?
Kagome tuned away with her hands on her hips and kept talking. "You're right Inuyasha, maybe we should just go to Keade's. Like you said, a frail old woman probably could guard the jewel better than you!" She spun around quickly and glared at him.
Inuyasha's mouth was open and trying to respond to Kagome's remark, but he was cut off as a strange sound met his ears.
"Teeheehee…"
Inuyasha whirled around, looking for the source. His eyes fell on Shippo. The small kitsune was trembling with the effort of trying to suppress his giggles. Unfortunately, he was failing.
Inuyasha picked the fox demon up by his shirt and held him up in the air, Shippo immediately stopped laughing. "I'm sorry Inuyasha! But it's kinda funny to watch you and Kagome fight over the dumbest things." Shippo mumbled something else under his breath, but Inuyasha heard him.
"What'd you say, you stupid furball!" Inuyasha yelled at the terrified fox.
"I just said…" Shippo hesitated, afraid to finish the statement. "Kagome's last remark was pretty funny. She sure showed you." Kagome smirked as she heard this. A small laugh escaped Sango's lips and Miroku had a small smile on his face, showing that they agreed with the small fox.
But this statement didn't please Inuyasha nearly as much…"WHAT DID YOU SAY? I'M GOING TO THROW YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE VILLAGE FOR SAYING THAT!" Inuyasha raised his arm and prepared to launch Shippo into the air. "Say hello to the old hag for m-"
BOOM! (wow, that's really dramatic…)
A large boom interrupted Inuyasha and everyone looked around for the cause of the noise. Kagome and Inuyasha's argument was completely forgotten.
"What the hell was that?" Inuyasha yelled to no one in particular as he spun around. His small, white dog ears were perked up, trying to catch sound.
He's glaring at whatever made that boom as if it just insulted him, thought a smiling Kagome as she, too, tried to locate whatever had made the noise.
"Look, over there! Something's heading this way." Everyone turned to look at Miroku as he pointed toward the forest near the road.
He was right. Branches were swaying violently as something made its way through the forest. Loud cracks could be heard as trees broke in half, hit the ground, and echoed with booms.
"Everyone, prepare for battle! We don't know what's coming, and it could be dangerous!" cautioned Sango as she threw off her kimono that hid her black and pink demon exterminator cat suit. Miroku grabbed his staff, which he had laid on the grass during the argument. (Even though Miroku and Sango weren't fully healed yet and couldn't fight they could at least look like it) Shippo ran up onto Kirara's shoulder, and Kagome hastily pulled out her bow and notched an arrow. Inuyasha drew the Tetsusaiga out of its sheath as it glowed and changed into its glory.
Everyone's eyes rested on the shaking trees as the mysterious creature approached. A few seconds later the creature burst forth from the trees.
Standing about 15 yards away from the group was a demon.
He had long, choppily-layered white hair that hung loosely around his shoulders. A pair of pointed ears, canine-like fangs, and a white tail helped to identify him as a demon. Around his neck rested a chain of bones made of glass, along with a fang that dangled from one ear. He gripped a sparkling, silver halberd in one hand while he used the other to shield his green eyes from the sun to look over at the small group.
(Author's note: For those of you who don't know, a halberd is a wooden rod that has a long, axe-like, blade on the top of it. They vary in height and weight. But I think they're cool so I decided to put one in my fic.)
"It's a damn wolf demon," muttered Inuyasha to the other as he continued to glare at the new arrival in contempt. "Just what we need, a stupid flea-bag sniffin' around for the jewel…"
"Maybe he doesn't want the jewel." Shippo suggested hopefully from his perch on Kirara's back.
Everyone turned to Kagome. "I don't think so, Shippo," She said as she squinted at the demon. "He has a jewel shard in one of his legs."
"That's why the trees were shaking. He was going fast enough to actually create a whirlwind, much like Koga. Because of this, he was moving so fast that Kagome couldn't sense the jewel shard." Miroku concluded and looked over at Kagome. She nodded in conformation.
Sango looked concerned. "But the only person besides us that has any jewel shards is Koga. So how did this demon get one?"
"I can answer that!" An unfamiliar voice chimed in.
The group looked up at the demon as he walked briskly towards them.
Everyone tensed and readied for an attack. But the wolf demon simply kept walking towards them, oblivious to their wariness and weapons. When he reached the rat-tag group he paused, held out his hand, and bowed. "Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Darkmoon of the western wolf-demon tribe." His voice had a thick French accent that made him sound nothing like a demon. He looked up at the group and locked eyes with Kagome. "And it is a privilege and a pleasure to meet the lovely Kagome and her group of protectors."
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Oh great, thought Kagome as she sighed inwardly, just what we need, another Koga catastrophe. Kagome took her eyes off of the (though she didn't like to admit it) handsome wolf bowing right in front of her and glanced over at Inuyasha. Sure enough, he was gritting his teeth and gripping the Tetsusaiga with white knuckles in anger as he glared daggers at Darkmoon. Kagome had to admit that she found it somewhat entertaining that Inuyasha got jealous so easily. She looked back up at Darkmoon and smiled sweetly. Maybe she would play along, just to get back at Inuyasha for being so mean to her lately.
Kagome put down her bow, walked over to Darkmoon, held out her hand for a handshake, and said, "Hello, Darkmoon. I'm very happy to make your acquaintance. Since you already seem to know me, I'll introduce you to-" But before Kagome could finish her sentence, Darkmoon grabbed her outstretched hand and planted a kiss on it. Kagome was suddenly dumbstruck and was left speechless and blushing while Darkmoon straightened up and smiled at her. "Ah, Kagome, you have such beautiful skin. And your face resembles that of an angel's. Perhaps you would consider being my mate instead of Koga's?"
Inuyasha growled low in his throat without realizing it. What's up with this guy! How can he waltz in here and everyone seems to forget that he's an enemy? And how dare he act that way toward Kagome, all suave and debonair! How does he know her anyway? Plus he called me a "protector", what am I, a guard dog? That bastard! I'll show him that he doesn't fool me, Inuyasha thought angrily as he gripped the Tetsusaiga and started to walk over to a stupefied Kagome and the new arrival.
When Inuyasha approached Kagome she was finally regaining the ability of speech. "I-ummm…"she stammered as she pulled her hand out of Darkmoon's grasp. "I-it's amazing how polite you are, not many demons are…umm… not to be rude or anything, but how do you know me?"
"Yeah. I was just wondering the same thing. And buddy, Kagome isn't anyone's mate. So don't talk to her like she's your damn property!" Inuyasha practically snarled at Darkmoon as he wrapped his arm around Kagome's shoulders protectively.
Darkmoon appeared unfazed by Inuyasha's anger and replied, "Well, you see I was just visiting a friend of mine, Koga the leader of the nearest wolf-demon pack, when he mentioned that he had his eye on a lovely maiden to be his mate. He said that this maiden was traveling with a group looking for the famous Shikon jewel shards. When he explained to me what the Shikon jewel was, I knew I had to have it for myself, so I set out to find this lovely maiden named Kagome and the jewel that I was told she helped to protect."
Sango and Miroku walked over to Inuyasha and Kagome, who were staring at Darkmoon. Sango still looked confused. "But how did you get a jewel shard? There are only 2 left, and Koga has them both. In fact, we were going to ask Koga for them. So how come one of the last jewel shards is jammed in your leg?"
Darkmoon seemed to notice Sango for the first time; he walked over to her, gently grabbed her hand, and kissed it. Miroku looked like he wanted to punch the wolf. Surprisingly, tough Sango just stood there and blushed. "I have never seen such a beautiful warrior maiden. You are one of the legendary demon exterminators?" Sango nodded, she was very proud of her village and duty. "I have heard of you. You are Sango, one of the few people who can wield the mighty Hiraikotsu, are you not?" Sango managed another small nod and continued to stare at the ground. "Would you consider being my mate too? Together you and I would be the greatest warriors in the land."
Miroku cut in before Darkmoon could say any more. "In case you forgot, Sango asked you a question. One we would all like answered." Before you get any friendlier with Sango, Miroku added silently.
"Oh yes, I had forgotten. Sango's radiant beauty had stunned me." Miroku cleared his throat loudly, and Darkmoon moved on. "Well, unfortunately, when I insisted that Koga hand over his jewel fragments he refused, so I decided to get them the hard way."
"You stole them from your, so-called, friend." Miroku concluded as he joined Inuyasha in glaring at the wolf-demon in contempt.
For a fleeting moment, Darkmoon's handsome face was marred as a look of anger and annoyance crossed his features. But it was quickly gone and replaced by another dazzling smile. "Yes, I did," Darkmoon turned away from the group and continued. "But I had to. You see, when I want something, I always get it. No one denies me anything. And if they try to, they end up regretting it. As I told you, Koga tried to deny me the shards, so I was forced to take them."
Inuyasha, Miroku, Shippo, and Sango all looked disgusted as they listened. This guy's crazy, thought Inuyasha. How can he stand there and act like he's not even aware of what he's done? That low-life, flea-bag, bastard!
Kagome looked worried and irritated, her fists were clenched and shaking as she grabbed her bow off the ground as she raised it and pointed it at Darkmoon. "What did you do to Koga? Where is he! He better not be hurt or you'll regret it!" Darkmoon was stunned by Kagome's sudden outburst. Inuyasha felt happy and irritated at the same time. Kagome was finally seeing this guy for who he really was and was yelling at him, but she was only worried about Koga.
Darkmoon regained his composure and tried to comfort Kagome. "My dear maiden, Koga is relatively okay. He's simply lying unconscious somewhere in the wild. Besides, I only managed to take one of his jewel shards. (though I plan to return for the other one eventually) So do not fear for Koga, I would not kill one of my friends, what do you think I am?" Darkmoon chuckled as though he had just told a wonderful joke.
"No, you won't kill your dear "friends", you'll just steal their processions, trick them, beat them unconscious, and leave them for dead." Inuyasha snarled sarcastically as he finally let go of Kagome's shoulders and drew the Tetsusaiga out in front of him. "I think I've heard quite enough, you flea-bitten, French-pansy! (A/N: I have nothing against French people, this insult just sounded like something Inuyahsa would say. Really, French people are fine with me. I even want to visit Paris someday.) I'm giving you 10 seconds to hand over the jewel shard and leave before I kick your ass into oblivion."
"I agree." Said Miroku as he started to raise his hand that the wind tunnel had been in. But he realized his mistake and quickly dropped his hand and raised his staff instead.
Sango didn't say a word as she raised her Hiraikotsu and prepared to throw it. (she and Miroku were both bluffing, as Sango was still healing from a broken arm and two broken ribs while Miroku was recovering from his sprained wrist and broken arm.)
Kagome drew back her bowstring. "Darkmoon, you should listen to Inuyasha. Leave now, please, or you will get hurt."
Darkmoon looked at them, surprised at their sudden retaliation. He took a few steps backward, but stood his grounds and offered a comment while he raised his halberd and pointed it at Inuyasha. "I had hoped it would not come to this. Koga did the same thing." He shook his head sadly as if in remorse and lowered his halberd. But a second later he looked up at the group and shrugged his shoulders. His face lost all friendliness and warmth and was contorted in rage. His voice took on a savage and angry tone as he said. "I did warn you, you shouldn't have made me angry. Oh well, I guess I will have to kill you to get the jewel."
Darkmoon raised his halberd and charged.
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OtakuGirlEmi: Well, that's all for chapter 2! I hope you enjoyed it, it was hard to write. I want to send a huge thank-you to one of my best friends, darkmoonfang, who gave me the idea for Darkmoon. Thanks so much! Chapter 3 is on the way soon and hopefully it won't take as long as 2 did. I promise the next chapter will have a battle scene! Remember to review! I'll accept any criticism, compliments, and, of course, ideas for the story! Arigato and Ja ne!