A/N: Ok, here's the next chapter. Disclaimer! Naruto, go for it!
Naruto: Aki doesn't own Inuyasha or me! Because I will be Hokage! No one can own me! Or my series!
Me: Sure they can…Does the name Kishimoto Masashi ring a bell? (I'm sure I spelled something wrong in there…hopefully not…)
Naruto: Damn. Shut up! Anyway, how could you let Sasuke do the disclaimer, and let him walk away like that! You didn't even make him stick around so I could kick his ass!
Me: Look, he went to the Sound Village. I need to answer reviews and get this chapter going. I don't have time to argue with you right now…Anyway, whilst Naruto is occupied, I shall answer my faithful reviewers…
Dragon Man, Naruto Chuushin is one of my favorite places to go. And thank you for a part in your story! I'm so happy! This chapter's for you, dude! Lol…no, Sesshy is too preoccupied with paper work to look into pets at the moment…I got a mental picture on that one! (Thinks about how friggen useless and weak Inu and Mei seem to be in this chapter) Well…uhhh…they'll both hopefully be out of their OOC-ness by the next chapter…Your ideas for everything are just so imaginative! I'm getting more mental images…Yes, fluffies are GOOD! Your chapters are amazing, keep them coming! Please enjoy this chapter. Hopefully it'll make sense. I wrote it on speed-demon mode, just kept the ideas coming out and poured them out.
Angie, lol, you're lazy mostly all the time…lol no it isn't. I'm glad you liked it. Sorry this took so damn long. Well, Miroku, Naruto, and Sasuke can help make your foot better. (Grins) Yes they broke up. But they got back together…AGAIN!
Ohiowriter, Yay! Well here's part two! Oh thank Kami it made sense! I hope this one does too! (Sweat drops)
Sammi, yay! I'm in her faves? I feel so honored! Of course I want the review! I need all the reviews I can get! Here's the long-awaited update!
Ghostchick, why thank you! Lol…it took me a little thinking in order for me to decide…but I decided she needed one…lol…you're so silly! Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter!
Riku, lol now, now, there's children out there…we gotta keep it "G" Rated! I'm glad you liked it! I never knew that I was that deep with her character. Lol…yes, Inu/Kag scenes are always good. No I'm not! I'm not that good! You'll never be out of place with me! I don't mind that you took a while. I'm sorry I took so long to post! Lol…thank you Jaken! And you should thank Dragon Man. He motivated me to post! Lol…poor Riku! (Beats Jaken away from you with a stick) Lol…that may very well work. Kagome will definitely keep him in line…she only has to say a single word, and he'll obey! You're welcome for the review! I was simply saying what I felt, you know? Please enjoy this chapter, in its possible complete nonsense-ness.
Kagome's Pup, yes, Mei's back. I just couldn't leave her out. Most of this story is about her. Thank you very much; I try to make this story as good as humanly possible…and thank you for so loyally reading it all through the night! Lol…she will…yes, they both have beads. Oh you see, Kagome has to say the name of who she wants to "sit". And if she doesn't say a name, then they both get "sat". And for the review answers, I tried to make them shorter this time. (Grins) Enjoy Ch. 7!
Finally, Ch. 7! (Or also known as, Ch. 6 Part B…)
Chapter Seven: Ryouji, Noble Ruler of the Sand
"Mei…" He said quietly.
"Kyoshi-kun!" She greeted with a genuinely happy smile.
"Listen, I can't stay long…Harukichi's most likely going to get on my case when I get back. He probably knows I'm gone already."
"Ok…"
"I just heard something, and it's really important that I thought I had to tell you right away."
"What is it?"
"There's some youkai, obviously about both our age, they're planning something. And it's not good. They were talking about you. They plan to get their friends involved. I just came to warn you to stay close to company."
"Arigatou, Kyoshi-kun…"
"Hai…please, be careful…"
"I will. I promise…"
She reached out for him and hugged him, feeling his body close to hers once more.
"Mei…everyone can see us…I don't think this is a good idea…"
"Hai, I know…But I don't care! Let them see! Maybe they'll leave me alone! I miss being with you, Kyoshi-kun! I don't care what anyone else thinks! I don't care about Harukichi! I don't care about anyone but you! And it's so hard, Kyoshi-kun! It hurts, each moment we're away from one another! And I…just hate having to pretend all this time…that we mean nothing to one another! I hate having to lie! I hate having to go with the act! Please…I don't want to lie anymore…"
She looked up at him, their eyes meeting. She found herself leaning towards him, just as he found himself leaning towards her. In the middle, they found each other, sharing the first kiss the two had had in what seemed like an eternity. At last, they parted, although it was very reluctant.
"…I love you…" The hanyou girl whispered in Kyo's ear.
"I love you too…" He replied softly.
Mei Lhi continued to hold onto him, as if afraid in that moment he'd be gone forever.
"…Kyoshi-kun…"
"…Hai?"
"…I…want to break that promise…that we made each other…to wait fifty years…I want to break it…"
"So…what's the new wait time going to be, then?"
"It doesn't matter to me anymore…I just…want to be with you…"
"Hai…I know…so do I…"
She leant her head against his chest, his head resting lightly on top of her own. She shifted her head so she only saw the fabric of his pale blue haori and part of his neck. Half-tempted, half-instinct, she moved closer to his neck, and bit down lightly. She felt his body tense with shock as he realized what had just happened.
"You're sure…?" He asked.
"Most definitely." She replied.
"My son…you should return now…" Megumi's voice interrupted.
Kyo jumped away from the hanyou girl in surprise.
"Okaa-san! What're you doing here?" He asked.
"My boy…so foolish…you're lucky nobody saw a thing…you should be glad I was walking over and when I saw you two, I transformed into a tree!"
"Nani? You did that, Okaa-san?"
"Hai. I don't want you in any more trouble than you already are with Harukichi-sama."
"Arigatou…Okaa-san…"
"You're most welcome, my son…now, we must hurry back to where the others are…"
"Hai…goodbye for now, Mei…just remember what I told you, ok?"
"Hai! I will! I promise!" She said.
The mother and son walked away, the hanyou girl suddenly feeling alone.
"Saiki, tell Sesshoumaru-Onii-san that I'm going inside…Tanrei, Hisui, please, come with me. Momo, Kai, please have some tea sent up to my room." She said.
"Hai!" Five female voices replied.
-
The rest of that day faded into the next, the second day of the festival.
Harukichi had managed to extend it to five days and four nights.
On this second day, not much happened, except all the guests stayed up late and drank sake until they passed out. Servants had to drag each guest back to their room. Sesshoumaru found the most pleasant place other than his sleeping quarters was his study. And another day passed.
On the third day, Inuyasha and Kagome were seen together the entire day. Not many of the guests were around. Most were either sleeping off all the sake from the previous night, or paying for it dearly by retching up anything they tried to eat. The servants were very busy that day.
The fourth day was also just as eventful as the second. The guests became intoxicated again, but Inuyasha and Kagome were more and more frequently seen together, publicly displaying their affection for one another. Servants again, had to drag guests back to their rooms.
It wasn't until the fifth day that something actually happened.
-
Breakfast was uneventful, since Sesshoumaru had officially banned sake. The servants finally had a break.
"Ma…it has finally come to our last day here…we shall make it worthwhile, ne?" Harukichi said.
The guests nodded in agreement.
Mei Lhi was happy everyone was leaving, but saddened she would not see Kyo very much. She sighed, letting her mind wander.
"Daijoubu Mei-chan?" Hana asked.
"Hai…I'm fine…" The girl replied.
'Nothing's happened…Kyoshi-kun warned me…but so far, during the entire festival…nothing's happened…but…I've been with lots of company each time…I dunno…I have so much to deal with at the moment…'
-
A few hours later Mei, Sango, Kagome, Hana, and Inuyasha were all sitting inside sipping tea on the cold day, watching as guests began to make their way out of the Western Lands.
Sesshoumaru arrived a few minutes later.
"It would be polite if we saw off all the guests…but it is your choice whether you wish to do so or not…" He said, departing as quickly as he had come.
All nodded in understanding, setting down their tea, stepping outside into the snow.
-
The youkai said their farewells, thanking the lord and lady for their hospitality and quickly departed.
The many of the youkai clans had already left, however the Ryuu clan, Tora clan, Yamainu clan and a few others remained.
The Yamainu clan approached the group of Ningen and Inuyoukai first.
"See you, Inu-kuro…" Kouga said.
"Take care of yourselves." Ayame added.
The two took off, their wolf pups in tow, the rest of the clan being left behind as usual. They said a quick goodbye before taking off after the young wolf prince, yelling loudly, "KOUGA! WAIT!"
The Torayoukai approached, the elders bidding their farewells.
It wasn't until the young males approached that Mei noted Inuyasha had gripped Tetsusaiga's hilt, prepared to attack at a moment's notice.
Sesshoumaru also appeared to be on guard, as well as everyone else around the hanyou girl.
The first two males, taking note of the killing intent radiating off everyone politely bowed and ran off as quickly as possible.
It wasn't until the third one had decided to not use his senses and try something, the very thing Mei had been expecting for days.
"Good day, My Lady…I hope we shall meet soon…" He said, bowing low.
Mei Lhi returned the gesture, also bowing low.
But as she was straightening herself up, she found her head pulled forward roughly, her eyes widening as she realized her mouth was connected to the Torayoukai's before her. In a second she shoved him off her, forgetting completely to be lady-like.
"What the hell is your problem!" She screamed at him, raising her claws in defense.
Inuyasha had drawn Tetsusaiga.
The hanyou grabbed the kimono front of the young boy, holding him up in midair.
"Go ahead…try it again…see if you live to see an hour from now…" He growled. "Don't you even dare touch my sister again, bastard!"
"You don't scare me, half-breed." The younger youkai spat back.
A few of the youkai's friends appeared, pulling the hanyou off their companion. They turned towards Mei, who took a defensive stance.
One grabbed her and forced her down into the crispy cold snow, clawing at her kimono.
"NII-CHAN! HELP ME! PLEASE!"
The other Torayoukai lunged at the hanyou boy before he could make a move to do anything. Several sets of claws embedded themselves in Inuyasha's abdomen at once. The hanyou grunted, plunging the tip of Tetsusaiga into the snow to keep himself upright.
"Fucking bastards…you're going to pay…right now…" He snarled at them.
"Try your best shot, half-breed!" They taunted back.
Inuyasha growled, taking a quick glance at his sister.
Mei took a swipe at her attacker with her claws. He growled angrily and slammed her down harder into the snow.
"God damn it, she won't stop struggling! Hold her fucking arms down!" He roared over his shoulder at one of his friends.
One of the Torayoukai came to his aid and pinned the hanyou girl's arms at the wrists.
By now, what was going on had drawn many of the lingering youkai's attention. Mei Lhi's handmaidens arrived and screamed in horror, rushing to their lady's aid.
"Leave Mei Lhi-sama alone, you wretched scum!" Tanrei said shrilly, flinging herself onto one of the youkai attacking the girl.
He threw her off easily, only to have the other four handmaidens come after him next. He threw each one off with such ease, as if he were doing something as simple as brushing away a stray hair.
-
Many youkai were watching, Harukichi turned and watched, somewhat amused.
"Serves her right…she'll be bedded in public like the whore she is…" He said in an amused voice.
"She's not a whore, Harukichi…" Kyo growled.
"I'm sorry; I didn't quite catch how you were addressing me, Kyoshima…" The Ryuuyoukai of the Sun said, turning to the young kaze Ryuuyoukai.
"You sick bastard…"
"…What?" Harukichi asked in a dangerous voice.
All of the Ryuuyoukai in hearing gasped in surprise.
"You heard me, Harukichi…"
Kyo turned quickly, vanishing into the wind.
Harukichi seethed silently, his lip curling.
-
Inuyasha struggled to beat back the Torayoukai, trying to reach his sister before the inevitable happened. He wouldn't let this happen to her. It was unjust and just plain wrong.
'I can't kill them or else Sesshoumaru's going to have a fit and complain about me starting a war…fucking rules…' He thought.
He was beginning to slow down. He was losing a lot of blood. The once white snow around him was stained a deep crimson.
'I can't let go of Tetsusaiga…not now…I could revert to my youkai form…'
He swung his mighty blade, his attackers receiving shallow wounds in the process. He shoved them away and ran towards his sister, only to have his progress hindered as one of the Torayoukai attacked him from behind.
The hanyou coughed up his own blood, and fell forward onto his knees, struggling to stay upright.
Kagome ran to him, screaming his name. Mei Lhi watched stunned as her only chance of salvation fell. She clamped her eyes shut, not wanting to see anything in the world for a moment longer.
It took her a second to realize that she wasn't being held down anymore, and she felt someone drape something warm over her body. Slowly opening an eye, she looked at her surroundings.
Her brother was on his feet again, with Kagome's help, sheathing Tetsusaiga. The Torayoukai that had been attacking her lay defeated several feet away.
"Daijoubu, Mei?" Kyo asked, crouching in front of her, looking worried.
The hanyou girl nodded, breathing a sigh of relief.
She noticed that he had taken off his haori and wrapped it around her. She smiled slightly before leaping onto him and holding him tight, ignoring the fact that there were other people around. Kyo softly returned her embrace.
Quick, heavy footsteps approached, Kyo turned and laid a protective arm on the hanyou girl, his gaze meeting Harukichi's burning stare.
The Ryuuyoukai of the Sun roughly seized the young kaze no ryuu's arm, dragging him to his feet. Harukichi's stare was fixated on Mei Lhi, his eyes boring into her golden ones.
His eyes rested on a place on the hanyou girl's neck, spotting small puncture wounds. His eyes narrowed, and he pulled the girl up, yanking the collar of the hanyou girl's kimono down.
"What is that!" Harukichi demanded angrily, knowing full well what the marks were, all the while growling at Kyo.
"They're exactly what you know they are." Kyo replied, his eyebrows narrowing.
"When was this done?"
"Long before you got in the way…"
Harukichi growled again, greatly angered by Kyo's blatant disrespectful attitude.
Kyo turned his head nonchalantly, making a quick observation of everyone that was watching.
Harukichi's anger reached boiling point, now seeing the mark on Kyo's neck.
"Kyoshima…it appears you have one as well…and it appears to be no more than a few days old…" He said in a soft dangerous voice.
Mei Lhi flushed slightly, which Harukichi caught out of the corner of his eye. He shoved Kyo away, rounding on the hanyou girl.
"You bitch…" He spat, the hand that held the girl's wrist tightening its grip.
He raised his free hand to strike, only to be stopped by Sesshoumaru.
"…Let her go. She has suffered enough today. Then kindly vacate my lands…" The taiyoukai said in a level warning voice.
"Took you long enough to do something, Sesshoumaru…" Inuyasha growled. "You didn't do anything. You just stood there and watched everything like it was a show! What the fuck took you so long!"
"Damare, Inuyasha!"
Harukichi lowered his hand and released Mei Lhi, quickly regaining his cool and collected demeanor.
"But of course Sesshoumaru…Kyoshima, we are leaving!"
Harukichi yelled something in Ryuuyoukai at the other dragon demons, all of them nodding and making their approach towards their leader.
Kyo quickly went to Mei Lhi's side, holding her tightly.
"I have to go Mei…" Kyo said.
Mei Lhi nodded.
"Will I see you again?" She asked.
"I hope so…"
"Come, Kyoshima!" Harukichi ordered impatiently, the other Ryuuyoukai now gathered around.
Kyo sighed and turned, following after the Ryuuyoukai of the Sun.
-
The Ryuuyoukai departed, arriving quickly in their Northern homeland. Upon their arrival, Harukichi called for meeting in the throne room.
"One of us has defied me and has tried my patience to its fullest extent. He has defied me on numerous occasions, and no matter what I say or do, he will not obey. I have but no choice as of now…Kyoshima, come forward and face the consequences of your actions!" Harukichi said to all of them.
Kyo stepped forward, into the center of the throne room without saying a word. He dropped to one knee in a respectful bow, keeping his eyes to the floor.
"Kyoshima, the only reason for you living this long is because of your father. But I have waited far too long. You will be exiled, and you will lose your youkai blood, and become a lowly Ningen worm! You will face Jigoku no kokonoka."
Megumi gasped, rushing out to her son, motherly flinging her arms around him.
"Please, Harukichi-sama! Reconsider your decision! He's my only son! The only one I have left! Harukichi-sama, I beg of you, spare my child! Take me instead!" She pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
Many of the Ryuuyoukai sympathized with Megumi. For Jigoku no kokonoka was torture…usually the one on the receiving end died before the entire Nine Days of Pain were spent.
"Silence, Megumi! I will not allow you to protect him from his fate! He is grown now, and he is no longer a boy! He knows right from wrong, he simply refuses to obey! He must be taught!"
Megumi wailed miserably.
"Harukichi-sama, please I beg you!"
"Mother…do not waste your tears on me…I deserve this…It's no one's fault but my own…" Kyo said quietly.
"Silence, Megumi! Now, Kyoshima, before I proceed with your punishment, is there anything you'd like to say to us?"
Kyo shook his head.
"Anything at all? Final words to the hanyou girl, perhaps? A goodbye to your mother? Anything?"
Kyo shook his head again.
"No? Fine. Now let us for a moment, feel the utmost deepest sorrow for our dear Megumi…she has now lost both her sons…and any chance of continuing the rest of her husband's noble blood."
'Chichiue…you're still out there somewhere…aren't you? Okaa-san said you're still alive. But everyone else thinks you're dead…are you truly out there somewhere in the world? Chichiue…I wish you were here…' The Ryuuyoukai boy thought.
-
Golden grains blew about through the howling winds. A lone figure stood on a flawless stretch of this golden earth, before suddenly vanishing.
-
"Kyoshima, you are hereby being sentenced. Your youkai blood, rank, and any powers you have attained will be taken from you and given to your closest replacement. You will face Jigoku no kokonoka, and if you do survive that, feel free to do whatever you like…I don't care anymore…you are truly a nuisance to me…" Harukichi said, annoyed.
The doors to the throne room burst open, a flurry of golden grains of sand along with it.
All eyes turned to the door, wondering who had dared to enter.
"Hmph…so…how's being in charge like, Harukichi? I'm sure you enjoy all that power…" A voice said, from the door.
The sand settled, all the Ryuuyoukai gasped in surprise and fell into deep bows. A nerve in Harukichi's jaw twitched angrily.
"So…you are alive…after all these years…" Harukichi ground out.
The newcomer, clad in bronzed gold colored armor, wore pale grey hakama and a matching colored haori. His white-blonde hair was incredibly long, tied high on top of his head, the length cascading down his back. His sapphire eyes narrowed as he approached, coming closer and closer to the Ryuuyoukai of the Sun. His steps echoed as he strode forward, the silent room watching in awe.
He paused suddenly, finally noticing the two lone Ryuuyoukai on the floor, sitting before Harukichi.
"Megumi-chan…Kyo…why aren't you in line with the others?" He asked.
"Oh…of course you have not heard…Ryouji, your son…is being punished for defiance…" Harukichi replied, sounding absolutely delighted.
Ryouji raised an eyebrow.
"Kyo…I know I've taught you much better than that…" He said.
"As did I, Ryouji…and I'm very disappointed with him…I have just finished sentencing him…" Harukichi continued.
Megumi began to cry again.
Ryouji turned with surprise.
"Megumi-chan, what's wrong?" He asked, concernedly.
"…Anata, he's going to turn our son into a Ningen! And then give him Jigoku no kokonoka!" She sobbed.
"Nani! What for!"
"…Because…he found love…for a girl not of our clan…and Harukichi-sama does not approve…"
"Is this true, Kyo?"
Kyo nodded silently.
Ryouji looked around, as if searching for something, or someone.
"Where is your brother, Kyo? And Hinoki?"
"Hakaru…is dead…Hinoki-sama is ill…" Kyo replied.
"Dead? How?"
"…I killed him…but…he had joined with Naraku, and he was going to kill her…he was going to kill Mei…I didn't have a choice…he tried to kill me…and his heart had been so corrupted, so consumed by the darkness, there was nothing else I could do…to set him free…"
"I believe I've heard enough…step down from your place as ruler, Harukichi."
"Ha! Last time I checked, you were the same rank as me! We were both yon ban then…" Harukichi scoffed.
"…That was thirteen years ago, Harukichi…I can see you've moved up one rank…I, on the other hand, have surpassed you. My time away did me well…you will now bow to me!"
"I refuse! I'm certain that you're lying…you probably haven't moved up any ranks at all, have you? You have spent thirteen years away without return…there were no higher Ryuuyoukai that could promote you…now that I wonder where were you?"
"You are making a mistake Harukichi. And you should know…I never lie…And to answer your question, I have been to all the deserts in the world, strengthening myself, challenging foreign youkai lords, even fighting entire armies by myself…you don't need someone of higher ranking to raise your own status. You can easily do it on your own. Therefore, you will succumb to my rule, but before you step down, you will apologize to my son, and you will remove his sentence."
"If you are indeed surpassing me in rank, Ryouji, then where is the proof! Then I will consider your requests…"
Ryouji muttered something inaudible, before shifting a part of his bangs to the side, revealing an almost invisible pale blue kanji for 'sand' on the left side of his forehead. The kanji was small, and the lines themselves were spider-silk thin, which made it even more unnoticeable.
Harukichi paled considerably. Megumi and Kyo had turned to look, completely stunned.
"That…that's not possible…" He said, shocked.
Ryouji smirked at his rival's reaction.
"But it is, Harukichi…now, like I was saying before, you will step down, apologize to my son, and drop the sentences." The Suna Ryuu said.
"Hai…Ryouji-sama…" Harukichi replied with a scowl.
"I would like to speak with Hinoki-sama also…"
Harukichi turned abruptly on his heel, storming away in a rage.
Ryouji smirked again.
"It's good to be home…" He said with a small grin.
A/N: OMG I'M SO SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO GET THIS UP! But at least it's here, right? I'll try and get chapters out quicker, but I've been preoccupied with too many things. But you should really thank Dragon Man for this chapter coming up. I read a new chapter of his, and I was filled with the fire of passion! Kind of like Jiraiya seeing a really hot girl…except in a nonsexual way…lol…anyway, please review. This is the second draft of this chapter. I had an original version, but I totally ditched because I hated it. So if you want to read it in its incomplete and nonsensical glory, leave me your email in your review and I'll send it to you. Anyway, hopefully, Ch. 8 will be up much sooner…and not over a month later like this one…lol…so I'll shut up and go away…until next time, ja ne! But real quick, Jigoku no kokonoka means "Nine Days of Hell". Suna means "sand". All you Naruto fans knew that one though…lol…ok, I'm off! Ja ne! And please review!
