Chapter Seventeen: Wonderland
Shippo leads the group to the tunnel he had found the other day. They walk inside and look around. Inuyasha sniffs the air, "I don't smell anything out of the ordinary." Kagome walks over and holds tightly to his arm. She gets a bad feeling and looks around for anything weird.
Miroku sees a silver bracelet laying on the ground. As he reaches down to pick it up, a light shines and hole opens up in the ground. Miroku falls in, then as Sango turns to see what happened, the hole got bigger and she fell in. Shippo runs over to Kagome and Inuyasha, "Ah! Inuyasha, Kagome! That hole just ate Miroku and Sango!" he panics. Kirara jumps over and sits on Inuyasha's shoulder. The neko hisses as the hole gets larger. Inuyasha pulls them close, "Hold on!" Inuyasha jumps in and disappears in the light.
A women bows to Serenity, "M'lady our guests have arrived."
"Thank you. Now make sure they are dressed nicely for the party.", her servant nods her head and walks out of the room. Serenity grins wickedly as her plan falls into place. "Soon the masquerade will begin, and when Red Death shows his skeleton face the curse of the Higurashi family will return.", she walks to her window and looks out. She sees Yumi running toward the castle gates. "My sister brings me news."
Yumi runs up the castle steps and busts open the doors. She walks over to the maid, "Where is my sister!"
"I'm here Yumi.", Serenity states calmly before the maid can answer. "Now, what news do you bring to me?" She takes her sister's hand and together they walk to the other room.
Yumi smiles softly, "Lord Sesshomaru will arrive soon as well as Inuyasha and his pack."
"Splendid."
"But, unfortunately, the fox has been here before. He might know its a trap."
"Fool! I was wanting that child to find the portal! It makes it easier for us." she smiles and turns to walk away. "Tell the maids to get ready for our guests. They should appear at the front door in two minutes."
"Of course Serenity.", she bows.
Shippo looks up at the large doors. "Wow! This is it! This is the place! But all the guards are gone." he looks around. Miroku looks at the doors then knocks. They slowly open everyone stands there in amazement. When the doors are fully open, they are welcomed inside by the maids. After they enter the large room, the doors shut behind them. Shippo's mouth drops at the site. The room is covered in red roses and other bold colors. Paintings and statues decorate the room along with candles.
Sango smiles at one of the maids, "Excuse me, but where are we?"
The maid smiles back and answers, "You are in my master's castle. You are welcome to stay here for the masquerade. We have extra clothes."
Another maid speaks, "Yes, and you are welcome to stay the night here as well. We have plenty of rooms."
Miroku grins, "Oh? Is that so? Well, I guess we would love to stay here. Isn't that right?" he looks to the others. "Oh by the way, would one of you lovely ladies like to bare my c7hild?" Sango quickly slaps him. The maids giggle and wave for them to follow. Together they walk down a long narrow hallway toward a row of eight bedrooms.
"Each room has two beds. So if you like you may share bedrooms." one of the maids explain, "Oh and there are clothes inside you may choose from for the party." Both maids quickly walk away and get back to decorating.
Kagome takes Inuyasha's hand, "Inuyasha lets take this room." She opens the door and walks inside. Inuyasha follows her closely. She turns to him, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just don't know if we can trust these people." Inuyasha growls softly.
Miroku walks up behind him, "Now, now Inuyasha, just enjoy yourself. If anything happens we can deal with it, right Sango?" Sango glances at the monk then shoots him an evil glare. Miroku grins and quickly runs up to her.
Kagome grabs Inuyasha and pulls him over, "Inuyasha, come here look at this!" She holds out a very long beautiful white dress with glass beads covering it. "Inuyasha, there is something here for you too." She hands him a white tux shirt and black pants.
"Thanks Kagome, but I-" she shakes her head and kisses his cheek. She pulls on his arm wanting him to go change into the clothes. He smiles and takes the clothes, "Fine, I'll change, but only because you are."
After everyone finishes changing into their costumes, they head toward the ball room. Shippo pounces on Inuyasha's shoulder and smiles. "Inuyasha, do you like my costume?" the little fox pulls of his demon mask and grins. Inuyasha nods then looks over at Kagome. His heart skips a beat, her beauty seems all too great to be real.
Kagome glances over, "What is it?"
"N-nothing. You just took my breath away thats all.", Kagome blushes at his statement. Inuyasha suddenly feels a small tug on his pant leg. He looks down to see Rin smiling brightly.
"Hello Lord Inuyasha!", she continues smiling then spins around in her costume. "Lord Sesshomaru picked out this costume for me. Do I look pretty?" Inuyasha looks up and sees Sesshomaru standing there with Jaken.
Sesshomaru stares at them, "Inuyasha, so you have come as well?"
"Yeah, so?", he growls. Rin runs back over to Sesshomaru's side.
"Do you know who is the host of this gathering?"
"Nope, but I'm sure this has got be a trap.", he sniffs the air for any demon scents, and gets nothing. He feels Kagome's hand slip away from his, "Kagome?" Her face shows panic. "Kagome, what's wrong?"
"There is someone over there... calling me..." she walks toward the faint voice that whispers to her.
Sango rushes over and grabs her, "Kagome! Snap out of it!"
The voice disappears and Kagome looks to Sango. "What is it?"
Sango looks to Inuyasha and Miroku, "I don't trust this place anymore. We have to get out of here!" As those words escape her lips all the doors in the castle slam shut. The lights get dim and everything suddenly gets cold. Sesshomaru's fangs crease his lips and a low growl rumbles deep in his throat. Jaken and Rin hide behind him, nervous whimpers come from Rin's mouth.
A voice whispers through the castle, "Soon the masquerade will begin, and when Red Death shows his skeleton face, the curse of the Higurashi family will return."