A/N: And back again we are…disclaimer…uhhh…oh who cares…I can't think…um…oh hell, I'll do it myself…since all those lazy bum Naruto people are lounging in the hot springs…with a certain cast of characters that this story is actually about!!! (Clears throat)
Me: I don't own Inuyasha, Naruto, or whatever it is I may have the possibility of stealing from you people out there! I just write this junk because I'm bored, I have no life, and it's entertaining to me as well as others. So you have no right to sue! Muahahaha!
Angie, (Cough)Howaboutlateron?(Cough) Sorry…the End-of-the-World type rain here is affecting me…Yes, I know…hopefully this chapter won't be too boring, as it's a filler chapter to get me to Ch. 6 where something semi-interesting happens…
Dragon Man, lol…that's nothing! This chapter is 14 pages in Word. But anyway, drama/romance…sounds good! Can't wait for it! (Grins very Naruto-like) Hinata and Naruto-kun are so CUTE together! Oh that's alright, I needed time to chill out and work on my other story which has been completely ignored and has been a work in progress for over a year…Actually, I've been having problems with visualizing scenes in my head about Mei. I keep seeing her as a hanyou, but then I have to remind myself, "No, she's still human!" And it's been aggravating me. So, a little secret, I got so tired of it, and before I knew it, the story couldn't progress if she didn't change back. And so the secret is…this chapter…she's back to normal. Lol…yes, that's a classic moment. Yes he does! And in due time Harukichi's parade will be rained and trampled on like no tomorrow. The way I have plotted his demise is so cool! But I won't spoil it for you…unless you really want me to…lol…Yes, you inspire me so magically very much! In fact, I'll have to read your next chapter now, and I'll get inspired yet again! You're just like a magic person! I get inspired and I get the most amazing ideas whenever I'm doing something associated with you! Reviewing your work, reading your work, reading a review from you about my work…yeah…I think you get it. HELLZ YEAH! (Imitation of Sakura) NEJI IS THE BEST!!! Oh and you're included in the Ch. 6 disclaimer…Sasuke's reviewing that one…you happen to magically appear…lol…I can't wait to read about Neji's new kick-ass move! Anyway, enjoy this chapter!
Riku, lol, that's ok, I don't mind. Yeah, I wanted to change the play to something else, but then it was too late. (Sighs) Oh well. I'm glad you enjoyed Ch. 4…this one is probably longer. Yes, it is, actually. Eh…well you didn't miss too much…lol…
Yes, it thickens and grows thicker yet! You and Dragon Man may feel free to go do so now…he's sitting over in the corner sipping tea. Besides, it's not like he can go anywhere. I made him up, so he'll be forced to sip tea through his bludgeoning of DOOM! (Laughs evilly) lol…that damned C2 again…rofl…Yes, it is very sad that he wants to kill poor Mei. But he's just another one of those assholes who don't like hanyou. Are my details that good? Perfection? Ha! I had to work like a slave to complete it. I had something written, then I was like, "Oh god, that is utter crap!" and I got rid of it until the image was at last clearly in my mind and it went smoothly. Hang on…that was the play…the fight scene was in my head perfectly. Damn school. You've confused me beyond reason! Yes, it was complete agony for him. He's in therapy right now trying to get over it. He read the scene and he fainted. Poor thing…he thought that it actually happened when he blacked out on New year's…but really he had too much sake…
Huh? It was always that long…maybe this site was being stupid and didn't display it? I dunno…
Yes, I'm trying to make Mei less of a bitch…lol! She can't help that! She is one!
Mei: (Eye twitch) Excuse me?! You wanna repeat that for me?
Me: No…that's ok…
Mei: Thought so…
Anyway, I tried to make her less annoying. And she is in this chapter…well, I kind of think I'm unnecessarily prolonging her agony from injuries. But it was yet again one of the few ways I could get to point A to point B…and I rant on this at the end of this chapter I believe…anyway…Yeah your angst does beat mine…very muchly.
Ah, that's good. Oh wow…C2 makes you lose brain cells…and combined with TV…oh my, I've completely forgotten what I was saying…Oh right…well, write longer chapters! I need more to read! Remember Riku-chan, I have no life…
Don't worry. I won't hurt you…I need you alive to write more of your story. But Inu-kun will threaten you from time to time when you've been lacking in posts…I'll keep Inu-kun under control, so don't worry. Yes he is loyal…just… (Snickers) Like a dog. (Falls over and out of my chair in front of my desk laughing) Thank you Inu-kun! (Gives him huge bowl of ramen) Yes and I read it! It was great! Well, chapter five is here for you and everyone else! I haven't updated in a while…lol…I'll shut up…
Ohiowriter, thank you that I will! Here's more to read!
Sammi, why thank you! Oh your friend must've been the one that asked if I could email her…anyway…well, thank you. But I personally think Riku and Dragon Man are awesome writers. But I accept your compliment! You have no idea how good it feels to have people tell you that they enjoy your work…I just try to stay cool about it and not get big-headed about it, lol…next chapter is here, and I hope you enjoy it!
John Bellamy, thank you so much! Wow, you really like my work…Ok, calm down…I can't get hyper-crazy now…not yet…I'll have my happy-crazy-hyper screaming session after this chapter…lol…I'll try and hold out until then…lol…anyway, enjoy Ch. 5…
On to the chapter!
Chapter Five: The Lands of the West
"Sesshoumaru, what brings you here?" Miroku asked.
"…are the rumors true…?" The taiyoukai asked.
"What rumors do you speak of?"
"Chichiue means the rumor of Inuyasha-ojisan coming back from jigoku!" A happy voice said by the demon lord's knee.
"Tsukimaru…iya…not now…"
"Gomen, Chichiue…"
"And to answer your question, Sesshoumaru…the rumors are true. He left for the world beyond the well over two weeks ago." Miroku replied finally.
"…sou ka…we shall meet again soon, Monk…Tsukimaru, let's go…"
"Hai, Chichiue!"
Sesshoumaru turned and left, lifting his daughter onto his shoulder.
"Did you find anything useful, anata?" Hana asked.
"…not anything I could have easily figured out on my own…" He replied.
"Ma…we should be heading back home…I don't want Tsurugi to be out in the cold this long…"
"Hai. Jaken! We are leaving, get Aun!"
"Chichiue…can I…visit Shippou?" Rin asked.
"Iie, Rin…not today…some other time…perhaps when Inuyasha returns…"
The toad demon finally arrived, bringing the two-headed dragon along with him.
Hana, Rin, and Tsukimaru all got on its back. The miko-youkai brought her son closer to her body to keep him warm.
'It would not bode well for his only son and proper heir to get sick…and being this young…he could die…demo…I know Sesshoumaru would bring him back with Tenseiga in a heart beat…' She thought.
Aun took flight, Sesshoumaru alongside, together they left Kaede's village, setting off for the Western Lands.
-
"Inuyasha, check on Mei-chan, please." Kagome said.
The hanyou nodded and approached his sister.
She had been sleeping for the most part of three days.
"…Onii-chan…I'm hungry…" Mei Lhi murmured.
"Hai…hang on a minute, ok? I'll ask Kagome if it's alright for you to have some ramen…"
"…Baka…it should be fine…it's not like I have the flu…"
But the hanyou asked anyway, and in a few minutes time the smell of freshly-made ramen wafted through the Higurashi household.
"Kyo! Help Imouto-san so she can eat!" Inuyasha yelled over his shoulder.
The Ryuuyoukai came at once, tending to the matter.
Inuyasha made sure that Kyo was too distracted before turning to Kagome.
"Kagome, I was thinking…maybe she'd have more rest and peace if she were in our time? Because both of us have friends and family we haven't seen for a while…" He said.
"I know, but I'm worried that it would be too soon for her to go through the well…" The miko replied.
"Well…wouldn't it be easier for her to recover over there? We could just ask Hana-baba to seal her wounds for us. She did it for Kyo…"
"Oi, just because I'm not looking at you doesn't mean I'm deaf, Inuyasha!" Kyo called. "And as much as I like your idea, it doesn't matter what era we're in. There's still going to be danger, youkai in one time, and Harukichi's men in the other. There's no big difference really."
"He has a point…" Kagome agreed. "And so do you, Inuyasha…"
The hanyou nodded.
"Well…when she can walk without hurting herself we'll go back…"
-
Later that afternoon…
"Inuyasha…" Mei Lhi said.
"Hm? What is it?" Inuyasha asked.
"I want to go back…I want to see the lilies you told me about…I want to see Hana-chan's pups that Kyo and Kagome told me about…maybe bother Sesshoumaru a bit too…"
"We'll go back soon…when you're better…"
"I'm fine, Inuyasha…"
"Feh, whatever…"
"I'm fine."
"Keh. Just don't complain on the way…"
Mei Lhi smirked.
"Me? Complain?"
Inuyasha smirked, turning and walking away.
-
"Oi…get up! Put something warm on and take your sword." Inuyasha said, shaking his sister awake.
Mei Lhi opened her eyes, hitting her brother on top of his head.
"You baka! It's so early it's dark! Are you out of your mind?!" She demanded.
"The sooner we get out of here, the more time we have to go around and visit everyone. I'd like to get to Sesshoumaru's before sunset."
"Well we've got plenty of time for that! It's not even sunrise! The sun has to actually rise before it can set, if you didn't know…"
"Shut up! I'm not stupid! It's going to take us a long-ass time to get to the damn Western Lands. That bastard Sesshoumaru just has to live so fucking far away!"
"I'll get up when Kagome does."
"She's been awake for awhile. She's packing food for all of us."
"Wouldn't it just be faster if Kyoshi-kun flew us there?"
"Baka! Don't you think I would've asked him that already?! He's left to go visit with somebody…probably his damn mother…but he said he'd meet us at Sesshoumaru's."
"Fine…I'll get up…you're so fucking annoying…"
Mei Lhi rose from her futon, ungracefully shoving her brother out the door of Kagome's bedroom and slamming it in his face.
She went into the closet, her hands brushing past her fire rat fur clothes. She smiled slightly, the familiar feel against her fingertips. She grabbed a bag, throwing them into it, along with a silken kimono, before finally dressing in jeans, a simple shirt, and a thick warm tan coat, the neck, wrists, and hem of the coat lined with fake white fur. The coat went down to her knees and had a fur-lined hood along with it. She slowly made her way downstairs, her wounds still not completely healed.
"Hurry up! We haven't got all day!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Mei-chan, just take your time." Kagome said, shoving some food down the hanyou's throat to keep him quiet.
Mei Lhi smiled slightly, reaching the bottom of the stairs and making her way to the kitchen table to eat her breakfast.
-
"Oi, you both ready?" Inuyasha asked over his shoulder.
"Hai!" Came two female voices.
"Kagome, do you have the Shikon no Tama?"
"Hai, Inuyasha…I do."
"Alright, then let's go!"
All three jumped into the well, colors swirling around them as they crossed through time, into the past.
-
Shippou sat outside Sango and Miroku's hut, taking a nap. His small nose twitched, catching some scents on the wind. Kirara mewed, nudging the kitsune youkai, trying to wake him up. Shippou opened his eyes and yawned sleepily, taking a long breath, his eyes widening.
He scrambled to his feet, rushing inside the hut.
"Sango, Miroku! Inuyasha's back! And Kagome's with him!" He exclaimed.
"Kagome-chan?" Sango asked curiously. "Kirara, let's go!"
Miroku nodded, the monk eager to see his friend again.
Kirara transformed, the houshi and taijiya mounting the nekoyoukai's back. Shippou sat on Sango's lap, and at last Kirara took to the air, flying towards the Bone Eater's Well.
-
"Hey! Inuyasha no baka! Some help would be nice, you know! I can't exactly climb my way out of here! I'm still recovering!" Mei Lhi yelled up to her brother from the bottom of the well.
"Yeah, hang on…let me get Kagome out first! I'll get you in a minute!" Inuyasha yelled back at her.
Mei Lhi rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest, leaning against one of the walls of the well, waiting impatiently.
"Inuyasha! Kagome-sama!" Miroku's voice greeted.
"Miroku-sama! How are you?" Kagome replied cheerily.
"I'm well, thank you…"
"Kagome-chan!!!" Shippou exclaimed.
"Shippou-chan! You're so big now! I hardly recognize you!"
"Kagome-chan, it's so good to see you again…" Sango said.
"You too, Sango-chan…I missed you!"
"INUYASHA, YOU IDIOT! DID YOU FORGET ABOUT ME DOWN HERE?!" Mei Lhi yelled, shattering the moment.
"Oh kuso…" Inuyasha muttered, clamping his hands over his ears in pain.
Miroku, Sango, Shippou, and Kirara all looked towards the well, not expecting a third visitor.
Inuyasha jumped into the well, and came out again, his sister on his back. He set her down without a word, noticing that all the others were staring at him in shock.
"What?!" He snapped.
"Mei-chan…you came back?" Sango asked, shocked.
Mei Lhi nodded.
"So you're not mad at Inuyasha anymore?" Shippou asked.
"Ummm…he's off the hook…for now…" She replied.
"Anno…would you all like to meet Minoru?" Miroku suggested.
"Hai, good idea, Miroku-sama!" Kagome agreed.
Miroku led the way, all of them returning to the village. Kaede stepped outside her hut, observing the new visitors.
"Kagome? Inuyasha? Ye are back…and…Mei Lhi? Nani?" She said, bewildered.
"Oi, Kaede-babaa, about how long do you think it is to go to Sesshoumaru's place on foot?" Inuyasha asked.
"Ye are going to the Western Lands on foot? It will take ye several days. Perhaps it may even take ye a week…" The elderly woman replied.
"Inuyasha, that reminds me…Sesshoumaru stopped by earlier…he was looking for you." Miroku said.
"Nani? That bastard missed me?" Inuyasha exclaimed in shock.
"If you're going to see Sesshoumaru, then we have to go too. We'll take Kirara." Sango said, holding a toddler boy in her arms.
"Keh! Your pup won't make the journey!" The hanyou scoffed.
"Inuyasha…don't be so negative! Minoru is a strong pup. He's the son of a houshi and taijiya. He'll make the journey just fine." Shippou commented.
"Keh…whatever…"
"So does that mean they're coming along with us?" Mei Lhi asked.
"I guess…" Inuyasha grumbled.
"Good…because I need to sit down for a minute…"
The girl sank to the floor exhaustedly. She coughed, feeling warm liquid on her palm, seeing crimson blood on her hand. Her brother noticed immediately, taking her wrist with the blood-covered hand, pointing and making a demand.
"How long have you been coughing like that?!" He inquired fiercely.
"A few days after I was attacked…" Mei Lhi replied.
"Baka, do you know what that could mean?!"
"No…what? Please educate me, oh all-knowing one…"
"You could have internal damage!"
"Uh-huh…oh well…"
Inuyasha lightly hit his sister over the head.
"Baka! You're as stupid as Kyo! Don't just say, 'Oh well' because you could probably die!"
"No, I'm not stupid, neither is Kyoshi-kun. I just happened to inherit more of your genes than I would have liked…"
Everyone burst out laughing.
"What the hell's that supposed to mean?!"
"It means that she's more like you than she thought." Kagome replied.
"Anyway, if it's annoying you that much, we can all go visit Sesshoumaru, we'll ask Hana-chan to use her powers and then we can all be together and enjoy one another's company…" Mei Lhi said.
"Keh! Then get up…let's go…"
"Get up? You baka kusotare! Help me up, stupid."
"You said you wouldn't complain!"
"Well, you're making it hard not to!"
"Gomen, but if we are to go to the Western Lands, I advise we begin now…the sun has risen. It will take us some time to get there." Miroku said.
-
A few minutes later, everyone was outside, wishing Kaede farewell before taking off.
The now-reunited group covered a lot of ground and put several miles between their current position and Kaede's village.
On the horizon, you could make out a dark blur in the distance. It was the Western Lands.
They were getting close.
"There are plenty of stray youkai in this area, Inuyasha. Be careful." Sango warned.
Inuyasha looked over his shoulder at the taijiya, nodding in understanding.
He faced forward once more, a stoic expression on his face. His sensitive ears could pick up Mei Lhi trying to stifle her coughing. He could smell more and more of her blood. All that he cared about at that moment was to reach his half-brother's home, and have Hana tend to his sister's wounds.
He pressed on, quickening his pace.
-
"Sesshoumaru-sama…our lookout…in the tower…" A soldier began.
"Hai…and?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Our lookout has spotted a strange group of people. There destination appears to be here, at the castle. Shall I alert the armies?"
"…did you see what this strange group looked like?"
"Iie, Sesshoumaru-sama…we have been unable to see the intruders clearly. Their pace however, is swift. They will arrive in a few hours."
"Once you can see what these newcomers look like, alert me at once. Then I shall decide which course of action must be taken."
"Hai! It is understood Sesshoumaru-sama!"
The soldier saluted and bowed, leaving the room.
Sesshoumaru paced his study once again. The taiyoukai had many things on his mind. His lands were constantly being plagued by young male youkai, all of them looking for his half-sister. The demon lord had been attempted to be murdered four times in the past two and a half years by youkai assassins. Each of the four times he killed the one who had come to kill him. He had received many death threats already, and other youkai tribes were attacking some of the bordering villages in his lands. But the death threats weren't only directed at him…but at his family as well. Each of their lives had been threatened.
He left the study, deciding to take a short walk. As he looked to the sky, he noticed that it was midday now.
He watched amusedly as his daughters ran past him, playing a game of chase. Hana sat under a nearby Sakura tree, smiling happily.
"Daijoubu, anata?" She asked.
"I'm fine, Hana-chan…" Sesshoumaru replied. "…We will be having some visitors soon…"
"Who's coming? When?"
"The lookout expects them to be here in a few hours. It is a small group of unknowns. The lookout is currently unable to see who it is exactly that's on their way here. However…one of the soldiers informed me that this group is moving with haste. Be prepared…once they have reached the five mile mark, you will have to take the children to Jaken."
"Hai, I understand."
-
'Almost there…just a little bit more…hang on, Imouto-chan…just another hour or two. I know you're strong…just hold out until we can see Hana-babaa…'
Inuyasha sped along the dirt road, leaping into the air and touching down on the ground before taking off again. His sister's coughs were more frequent now, and the color in her cheeks was waning. Her breathing was shallow and ragged.
Again, Inuyasha quickened his pace. Kirara was starting to fall behind.
"Inuyasha, slow down! Please wait for us!" His companions cried out.
Their cries fell on deaf ears. The hanyou ignored them, continuing forward.
He could see it. He could see Sesshoumaru's castle just over the horizon. They would be there soon. He had hope. He had to make it to the castle. He had to make it…for her.
'If I can get there…she'll be alright. She'll be safe. If I can only just get there…'
-
"Sesshoumaru-sama, the intruders have increased their speed!" The soldier exclaimed, rushing out onto the sloping lawns where the Lord of the Western Lands sat with his mate and pups. "They'll be arriving sooner than expected. They've just crossed the five mile marker! They should be here within the hour."
"…Has the lookout been able to see who they are?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"No, they're moving erratically, so it's very difficult for him to find them. He's just been able to see a red blur and a yellow blur coming towards the castle."
"…Sou ka…you may leave now."
The soldier saluted and bowed, rushing off. Sesshoumaru looked to Hana, who nodded, understanding.
"Rin-chan, Tsuki-chan, come on…let's go visit the kitchen and get some snacks and you can go play with Jaken-sama!" She said, calling her children to her.
The two girls followed their mother obediently and entered the castle.
"…Red and yellow blurs…? This Sesshoumaru wonders…can it be…?"
-
"Oi! Sango, I know Kirara can move a hell of a lot faster than that! Come on!" Inuyasha yelled over his shoulder.
"Inuyasha, Kirara hasn't traveled this quickly and this far for a very long time! She isn't used to it anymore!" Sango yelled back.
"All that happened is Kirara's just gotten lazy and domesticated!"
Kirara growled and quickened her pace, trying to prove the hanyou wrong.
"Kirara, please, don't push yourself." The young taijiya whispered in her pet's ear.
Kirara nodded, growling as she matched Inuyasha's speed.
Inuyasha glanced at his sister from the corner of his eye. He knew he had to hurry.
Sesshoumaru's castle loomed tall overhead. They would be there soon. Just a few minutes longer…they would make it.
-
"Hanajima-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama, they'll be here in just a few minutes! Shall we send archers to guard the wall?" The soldier asked.
"Anata, I will do it." Hana said instantly.
"Iya, it is putting you in danger." Sesshoumaru replied.
"Anata…you said that Inuyasha has returned from hell. Perhaps it is him that is coming? If it is him, you needn't worry about the danger. And even if it isn't, you know that I can handle on my own. Ningen or youkai, I can kill them if they are intruders. Besides, I would be on the wall. No harm could come to me…and I would have the archers up on the wall with me." Hana said reassuringly.
"…Fine…you may guard the wall and give orders to the ranks. You are in charge of the forces for now." The taiyoukai obliged at last.
Hana nodded, and asked the soldier to retrieve her bow and quiver of arrows.
The soldier reappeared, bearing the miko-youkai's weapon. Hana relieved the soldier of his burden, slipping the quiver over her shoulder, taking an arrow and notching it to the bow, prepared to fire at a moment's notice.
Sesshoumaru stood back a few paces, prepared to step in if necessary.
-
"I can see the gate! We're almost there!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Inuyasha, I'm sensing a lot of youki! I think they're expecting an attack!" Miroku and Sango yelled.
"I'm sensing two very powerful auras, Inuyasha. One of them is pure, and the other is Sesshoumaru's!" Kagome added.
"Good! The bastard and Hana-babaa are waiting for us on the wall! We'll have no trouble at all!"
"Inuyasha…I don't feel well…" Mei Lhi said quietly.
The hanyou glanced back at his sister. She was very pale and looked very tired.
'Kuso…she's coughed up too much blood…and she's lost too much…' He thought.
"Just hang on, Imouto-chan. We'll be there really soon, I promise."
"Hai…I'll try…"
A bright glowing object streaked down towards them.
"Inuyasha! Watch out!" Kagome exclaimed.
The hanyou dodged the object, which turned out to be a purifying arrow.
"Oi Hana-babaa, don't shoot!" He yelled.
Hana lowered her bow.
"Then say something that only Inuyasha would!" She said, knowing perfectly well that the hanyou could hear her.
"What the hell would you need proof, Hana-babaa?! You have a nose, don't you?!"
"Inuyasha, I don't think that's working very well." Kagome said.
"Shut up, wench!"
Mei Lhi clumsily dismounted from Kirara's back.
"Hana-chan, it's us…it is…" She called up to her friend, walking closer to the gate, making the archers along the wall tense as she approached.
Hana gasped, catching the scent of Mei Lhi's blood.
'Shimatta…what happened over in Kagome's time?' She thought.
"Let them in! Open the gate at once! Hurry, open it!" She yelled at the soldiers.
"But who is it that has come?" A nearby soldier asked.
"It is the second son and first daughter to the Western Lands and their companions. You will open that gate and let them through. That is an order!"
"Hai, Hanajima-sama!"
The gate opened, and Mei Lhi fell into the snow, weakened and unable to move.
Hana dropped her bow with a clatter, rushing down the steps and coming through the open gate.
She rushed over to the girl she had once looked after.
All the others had gathered.
"What happened to her?" Hana asked.
"Harukichi…he hired some men to kill her. She got wounded pretty badly. I don't think the trip here was very good for her, either. She was still recovering." Kagome replied.
"She's Ningen…shimatta! When was she last in her hanyou form?"
"The day Inuyasha left and went to hell with Kikyou. She's been Ningen ever since and hasn't changed back."
"Sou ka…this is bad…help me get her up…we have to get her inside."
Inuyasha easily picked up his sister and carried her inside, the rest of the group following as the gate closed behind them.
-
Everyone sat inside the castle sipping tea. Mei Lhi lay on a futon nearby.
By now Inuyasha and Kagome filled Hana and Sesshoumaru in on everything that had happened in the past couple of years.
"…so you want me to completely seal her wounds?" Hana asked.
Inuyasha nodded.
"You did it to Kyo, and he was fine." He said.
"I can't do it."
"Nani?! Why not?!"
"Don't you remember what all of you had to do for me so I could do it?! And don't you remember how much pain he was in?!"
"Keh. So?"
"Kyo is a youkai…a Ryuuyoukai. Even when I was sealing his wound, he was experiencing a lot of pain. And youkai are usually able to tolerate a lot of pain. But this pain was of such intensity that even Kyo couldn't withstand it."
"Kyo's just a wuss…kind of like you, Sesshoumaru…you both are pansies…"
"No he's not, Inuyasha. And neither Kyo nor Sesshoumaru are weak or pansies as you call them. A Ryuuyoukai's skin, even when in their human forms, is virtually impenetrable. Since the wound he received was inflicted by a member of his own clan and a family member no less, it was able to penetrate and cause a lot of damage to him. And that wound was deep and quite large. And even after I had sealed it, he was still sensitive in that area where the wound was afterward. As we all saw when Mei Lhi hit him. And you of all people should know how painful it was for him. You and Miroku were holding him down! I know you heard him, as he yelled and cried out from the pain."
"Yeah…so what's all this got to do with Imouto-chan?"
"Mei Lhi has received three wounds, possible internal damage. The wounds were deep, as Kagome had described to me. Mei Lhi is in her Ningen form at this time. Therefore I cannot seal her wounds. Kyo is a youkai, he had only one wound, and it hurt him greatly."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
"…It means, little brother…that if Hana-chan seals her wounds, it will kill her." Sesshoumaru said.
"Well, I still see Tenseiga on you…so that shouldn't matter if she dies."
"Baka! Don't you see? If she were to die, wouldn't you feel anything of her passing? Even if with the knowledge that she would be able to come back once more, wouldn't you still feel sorrow of also knowing that she has given up?"
Inuyasha was silent.
Hana sighed.
"I can still seal her wounds…but it can only be possible in one way…" She began.
Inuyasha looked at her, silently urging her to continue.
"…I must force her to transform…I must force the youkai blood to awaken once more. It's very bad that it has been slumbering for so long. She may be stuck like this…and that is possible. But if she's not stuck as a human forever, it will work, and she'll be forced to revert to her hanyou, or even full-youkai-like form. Either form is fine, although I'd prefer the less violent of the two…" Hana explained.
"Hana-sama…how would you do this?" Miroku asked curiously.
"With an ofuda…Miroku-sama." Hana replied. "Just simply have the ofuda's effects make her body only think she's endangered, her instincts of self-preservation will cause the youkai blood to awaken so she can protect herself…so she can protect her own existence."
With those words said, Hana took out an ofuda from a pocket in the skirt of her kimono.
"Inuyasha, all of you stand back." She said, walking over to the young girl.
Hana began chanting, and the ofuda began to glow. She brushed Mei Lhi's hair from her forehead with her free hand and placed the ofuda on the girl.
Hana jumped back as several branches of electricity cracked around Mei Lhi's body. It cracked fiercely and ferociously around her, and the branches of electricity grew immensely in number.
'Come on, Mei-chan…you can do it. Transform…come on…I know you can! Don't fight it back! It needs to come back again. Please, don't stop it!' The miko-youkai thought.
Hana watched Mei Lhi, and suddenly noticed something. It was faint, but it was definitely there. Coming from the girl was a very faint and very weak youki.
"Just a little more…" She whispered.
B-bmp…
B-bmp…
B-Bmp…
The youki was strengthening.
B-Bmp.
B-Bmp!
B-Bmp!!!
The ofuda vanished, but its glow spread over Mei Lhi's entire body.
B-BMP!!!!
The electricity stopped, and out of nowhere, a powerful youki appeared. The glow faded, and slowly, everyone took a step forward, curious as to what had just occurred.
Sound asleep on the futon, a silver-haired, inu-eared Mei Lhi met their eyes. One of her soft white velvety ears twitched as she took notice of their approach.
Hana smiled.
"Sealing her wounds will not be necessary. Her transformation has made her heal herself." She said.
Mei Lhi stirred and woke up, rubbing her eyes with clawed hands and yawning, exposing long canine fangs.
"…why's everyone staring at me? Did I pass out on you or something?" She asked sleepily.
Kagome pulled her hand mirror from her pack and gave it to the girl.
Mei Lhi thought nothing of it and opened the mirror and gazed at her reflection. She was so shocked and so surprised that she did the only thing that she could think of. Scream.
"Mei Lhi…your brother wanted me to seal your wounds, but I told him that it wouldn't work. So in order for it to work, I had to force you to transform with a special ofuda, and it turns out you healed yourself." Hana explained calmly.
Mei Lhi remained silent and without saying a word, she promptly left the room.
'It's been so long…since I've been…normal…well, myself…I mean, it's great and all to have my youkai blood back, but still, it feels so…strange…I bet Kyoshi-kun's gonna flip! I'll probably give him an aneurysm…or an ulcer…well, maybe not an ulcer…it'll either be an aneurysm or a heart attack…speaking of Kyoshi-kun…Inuyasha said he was supposed to meet us here. I bet he forgot…idiot…oh well.' She thought. 'I wonder where he is right now…I hope he's alright…'
-
"Kyoshima…deliver this to the Western Lands. Give it to Sesshoumaru himself. Don't stop to speak with the girl. I know your intent to see here there. She and her companions have already arrived. Just get back here as soon as possible. Harukichi-sama willnot approve if you are gone for a long time." Megumi instructed.
"Hai, Okaa-san…I'll be back very soon." Kyo replied.
Megumi nodded, and Kyo transformed into his Ryuu form, spiraling upward into the cloudy sky, heading southeast.
A few minutes of travel, and Kyo could already see the castle where Sesshoumaru resided.
He landed in front of the front gate, still in his dragon form. The guards on the gate wall tensed, not knowing what to do.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! What are we to do?! SESSHOUMARU-SAMA!!!!" The soldiers yelled.
Kyo returned to his human form, the wind surrounding him, bringing all the scents in the area to his awareness. He felt his body stiffen when he recognized one as Mei's blood.
"Kaze no Ryuu…what have you come for?" Sesshoumaru's voice asked from above.
"I would like to go inside and have a word with you." Kyo replied.
"…Let him in…"
The gate opened once more, and Kyo walked inside. Sesshoumaru jumped down from the gate and met the Ryuuyoukai at the entrance. Without either of them speaking, they walked towards the castle and stepped inside.
They entered the taiyoukai's study where the two of them had a seat and waited for the other to begin the conversation.
"…I've brought an invitation from Harukichi-sama. I am representing my clan. So…we, the Ryuu clan cordially invite you, the Inu clan to attend the youkai banquet in the Northern Lands. This banquet is simply to be a way for all the clans to unite and have a good time and not worry about anything. Basically, it's just a place to get away for a few days. All clans of youkai will be invited to attend and the youkai festival will be held at one particular clan's domain which will be chosen at the banquet…The banquet will be held this week, two days from today." Kyo explained.
"…Sou ka…" Sesshoumaru said after a few seconds of thought.
"I noticed that Inuyasha and his friends have arrived. I forgot to mention that the Ningen are allowed to attend. But since there's so many of them, representatives from each village will have to be sent. And everyone can go…even the children. But all members of a noble family are urged and sometimes, depending who exactly the family is, is required to attend."
"…where does this Sesshoumaru stand? Am I required to attend, or may I decline?"
"…You have to go…since you're the Lord of the Western Lands. Will everyone be joining us?"
"It appears this Sesshoumaru has no choice…we shall attend this banquet in the North."
"Arigatou, Sesshoumaru-sama…I shall see you there. Sayonara."
Kyo became the wind and disappeared.
Sesshoumaru rose from where he had sat in his study, deciding to tell everyone of the invitation. The taiyoukai didn't like the sound of the banquet. Already, his mind was working to try and discover the purpose of Harukichi proposing to have this event. He could tell something was up, it reeked of treachery.
A/N: I'm so sorry it's so long. But at least lots of fun stuff happened. Yay, Mei's back now! I was originally going to have something else change her back, but I didn't know how to work it into the story…besides it was easier to have Hana do it. It made more sense anyway. Although it would only work best if I prolonged Mei's agony…although to me it seemed a bit drawn out and stretched out too far…so it sort of annoyed me. But anyway, my thoughts are occupied with many things…so excuse the completely stupidly idiotic bits and places in this chapter…to be honest; this chapter's just a filler. The next one actually has a purpose…so this pretty pointless bit of writing is a way to get from point A to point B. Anyway, review this chapter. Dragon Man, you need to write more…I need more inspiration…lol…and to all you other people, NO I am NOT stealing Dragon Man's ideas. I just suddenly get inspired to write more for this fic when I review his chapters, or when he reviews mine, or when I read his work. It's weird…lol…anyway…going away now…
Do I really need a dictionary now? Well, I'm really tired right now, and my entire left arm hurts like hell and I'm getting hungry…I've barely eaten anything today…I've been working all day, a slave to my desk…typing this chapter for you all. So if you need a word or two translated, just leave it in your review, or email it to me, and I'll tell you what it means in the author's note at the start of Ch. 6, or I'll reply to you in email and let you know. Ok, until next time, ja!
