Monarchy
Chapter 4; Reincarnation
"H-hey what are you doing?" Kagome asked in a frenzied voice right before the dog-eared man's hand came up toward her. Before InuYasha could even touch her arm Kagome lashed out a well aimed kick to his groin. As Kouga watched his other friend hunch foreword and fall down to his knees he gave a painful groan grabbing his own goods. Man… ouch!
"Hey jackass didn't you just hear my speech about being manhandled?" Her only reply was an agonizing moan and a mumble string of curses. "And that goes double for the rest of you," she rose her voice loud enough for the tall man in the back of the cave to hear. "Now if you'll excuse me I'll be on my way." With that she turned sharply on her heal and started to leisurely walk toward the exit.
Kouga made no attempt to stop her; in truth he was to dumbfounded to do much of anything. He just stood there letting his now lust filled blue eyes follow her swinging hips towards the exit. Miroku was beginning to stir at his feet.
"Why yes I would be glad to pleasure both of you lovely ladies at once." Miroku's voice echoed in a groggy mumble across the stillness of the cave. A lecherous grin still plastered on his face.
"Fucking pervert," Kagome muttered under her breath as she shook her head, continuing toward her freedom.
One violet eye opened, then another, then with a sigh, "but alas twas only but a dream," Miroku said as his eyes came into focus taking in his surroundings. First he realized that InuYasha was in the fetal position next to him on the floor in obvious pain. Then he observed the dazed look in Kouga's face. Following his line of sight he spotted Kagome about a ¼ of the way down the entrance.
"Hey, shouldn't you be going after her?" Miroku asked as he admired the view from the floor.
"My god that little lady is gorgeous." Kouga replied in a rasp still dazed.
Miroku still a little confused about the current situation just let his eyes follow Kagome's swaying hips as she walked effortlessly toward one of the cave's many entrances and out of their lives forever, or so they though. Well put my friend, well put. You don't see one like her everyday.
"Get back here wench… oww," InuYasha ground out agonizingly between his teeth, "I'm not done with you yet. When I get my hands on you…" the rest of his threat was never finished.
"Be quiet and leave her be!" Sesshomaru said from the back of the cavern.
"What are you on? You can't just let her escape!" InuYasha yelled starting to get to his knees, the pain still very readable on his face.
"She is of no use to us. She obviously knows nothing about Naraku or his plans. Let her leave. I have neither the time nor patients to deal with that woman. Besides she seems hell bent on getting out of here."
"Sesshomaru, do you think it wise to let her escape…. I mean she does know the location of our hideout. What if Naraku catches her and…" Miroku added warily letting his sentence hang on the air.
"Do not question my decision," Sesshomaru demanded as he got up and made his way over to the diminishing fire in the center of the cave. "Besides if she could take InuYasha down for the count she will be able to handle herself."
"Sesshomaru, are you alright?" Kouga asked cautiously.
"Just wonderful," sarcasm dripping with his words, "I mean who wouldn't be after one of their siblings got kidnapped from right underneath their nose, only to be taken away, by the king to be hung for something she had nothing to do with." An awkward silence filled the air until Sesshomaru broke it, "God it's all my fault. I'm so sorry Rin," by now the forming tears were evident in the corners of his eyes; the sarcasm had left his voice leaving it raw and exposed. The anguish going on inside of him was as plain as day on his face, shocking the men around him into silence.
Sesshomaru; always known for keeping an emotionless façade when they would pass a village burned to the ground by the king's infantry. Never shedding a tear when they buried the dead bodies of the children and infants, sometimes just out of the womb; he was their rock. He was the foundation that kept them alive for so long against the king's tyranny. Never had these three men seen this one man, their captain and brother, show this much emotion. They now understood that without Sesshomaru's will to survive their days were numbered.
At the waterfall…
Kagome stumbled into the shallow water, almost jumping out again because of its coldness. After a few moments she pushed the boat off shore and in to the little lagoon. Hurriedly she hopped in and started rowing out through the secret passage. As soon as she left the safety of the cove and became exposed to the night air she almost regretted her decision of leaving the nice warm fire and food. Shaking the feeling of an impending doom away she continued her trek onward.
The first rays of dawn started to peak out over the horizon. The ocean began to recede back into the endless blue, leaving debris from passing ships and seashells from the deep shimmering in the morning light along the beach. Kagome began to feel the pull of the current dragging her out to sea. She knew she wouldn't have a chance to get home if she were dragged out to open water so she began to fight her way towards shore.
After a half an hour struggle…
Kagome relished in the feeling of sand between her toes as she pulled the small boat up on to the beach. Taking a couple of deep breaths she sat down on the sand and watched the sunrise, letting her tired muscles rest.
As Kagome looked over the ocean and watched the sunrise she began to contemplate how she was going to get home. The more she thought about it the more hopeless her situation seemed to become.
"Well at least the sunrise looks as beautiful as ever," she sighed as she continued to watch the sun's morning light chase away the dark of night.
Her serene moment was disturbed when a blood chilling scream reverberated off of the trees. Kagome jumped to her feet, her blood ran cold. Clouds began to gather in the once clear morning skies as if they were conjured. Kagome looked around frantically trying to find the source of the scream. She didn't have to search long because another ear splitting cry came from the woods along with a flash of pink light. Going on instinct alone Kagome ran toward the woods and the source of the noise.
Kagome worked her way through the dense foliage. After a fight against a particularly strong tree branch she stumbled a few feet. After regaining her balance she tripped over a protruding tree root.
"Oww! That hurt," she gritted out between her teeth. She began to push herself up but stopped when she heard voices. Realizing that they were close she brought her knees underneath her so she was sitting on them. Then looking through the bush in front of her she saw a clearing.
In the clearing was a little girl huddled underneath a massive tree. Her left arm was bleeding profusely. Looming over her was a man in black. His back was toward Kagome so she couldn't get a good look at his profile. He held a rusty sword in his right hand, the girl's blood dripped off of the tip and onto the forest floor. In his left hand he held something that looked like a glowing gem. Next to him was a woman who resembled Kagome.
"What the hell she looks just like me," Kagome whispered staring at the mystery woman.
"Kikyo," the man demanded. Kagome's interest had been sparked. Kikyo that's who the asshole thought I was…
"Yes my king," The woman replied bowing her head in the process. King? Who the hell are these people and why are they hurting this little girl? She can't be more than eight years old.
"Heal the whelp. We have what we need," the man said holding up the gem between his thumb and forefinger admiring it, "besides she needs to be nice and healthy for her rendezvous with the guillotine tomorrow. She has to be able to feel every single ounce of pain." The woman named Kikyo bent down in front of the girl looking at her pain filled face.
"Forgive my asking Naraku, but why go through all the trouble of a beheading when you could just finish her off right now."
"Well my little minion, this gem was just phase one of my scheme," Naraku said as he pocketed the jewel and circled around so Kagome could now see his face. She almost gasped but caught herself before it could fall from her lips. The man before her, Naraku, was the man from her vision, the same man that was battling Sesshomaru, and the tyrant that Miroku told her about.
That means that this little girl is the one that brought me here and will probably be the only one who can send me home. I have to save her but how? Come on Kags think, think…
"Do you care to elaborate Naraku?" Kikyo asked getting a little frustrated.
"Well her death must be public for my plan to work. Now if I told you more than that it ruins the surprise. Besides can't you tell what I'm going to do? What kind of seer are you?" Naraku asked suspiciously getting closer and closer to her face, "Maybe you never had any powers, all just lucky guesses."
"If so than how would I have known the child possessed the sacred jewel?" Kikyo said smoothly through her nervousness. Naraku's face was pressed right up against her cheek.
"Anyone can be lucky Kikyo," Naraku said in her ear then backed away much to the relief of the seer. "Now enough talk heal her." Kikyo bent down to the girl and put her hand over her wound, but nothing happened.
If I'm going to do something I have to do it soon… uhh… I got it.
"Kikyo what are you doing?" Naraku asked annoyed after a few moments.
"I don't know my healing powers must be drained from finding the jewel yesterday."
"You little whore, after all that you didn't finish the spell to keep my powers." Kagome said stepping out of her hiding spot.
"Spell? What spell? I didn't sanction you to do any spells it drains your powers… Oh so that's why there's two of you. Tsk tsk tsk Kikyo using your powers for mind games. I must applaud you though it is a very real double." Naraku said as he looked over the clone then faked applause.
"My king this is not my doing," Kikyo replied.
"Of course it's not. My lord that woman is an imposter," Kagome said with confidence as she strode up to the couple.
"Excuse me but who are you?" Kikyo asked putting her hands on her hips.
"Well I'm Kikyo and who the hell do you think you are tying me to a tree, saying a little spell, then going off with my lord and the girl trying to masquerade as me? I should kill you right here." Kagome said angrily. Oh my god thank you mom for those drama classes. I really hope this works.
"You can't possibly be Kikyo because, I am Kikyo. The seer of all things," Kikyo responded throwing her hands up in the air.
"Enough!" Naraku stated firmly, "I do not like being deceived."
"My lord," Kikyo started bowing in fear.
"Be quiet," Naraku yelled. "Prove to me that you are Kikyo, seer of all things and answer this simple question… where did I place the jewel? You answer first." He finished as he pointed to Kagome.
Kagome looked him up and down once then twice. Oh no I can't remember what pocket he put it in! Wait what's that pink light?
"It's in your left pocket," She finally said faking confidence.
"Well if your so sure of yourself 'Kikyo' come and look." Naraku said as he opened his cloak moving to allow her access to his left pocket. Kagome gulped then started forward. Great going Kagome. What if you're wrong? Or what if he's a demon and can smell you? Oh shit…
As she continued forward time seemed to slow and the sounds of the forest melted away. She looked back at the real Kikyo the forward again, but as she looked forward she realized she saw herself walking in front of her. She saw herself reach into Naraku's jacket and pull out the jewel. Then she looked him in the eyes smugly.
"Goodbye Kikyo," Naraku said right before he dropped the rusty sword and drove his hand through her stomach. Kagome gasped and looked around again. The noises of the forest filled her ears again.
"Is something the matter Kikyo?" Naraku said faking innocence.
"No nothing at all," Kagome said then took a step forward then stopped. Her intuition told her to remember what she just saw and to use it to her advantage. Since her impulses hadn't failed her yet she decided to run with it.
Alright since he knows I'm not Kikyo, lets just use the jewel to get the girl. Then I'm booking it.
Kagome looked straight ahead at Naraku. She then took her left hand and held them out in front of her. She closed her eyes focusing on the pink gem, after a few seconds she opened her eyes and said, "Come to me jewel."
Naraku's eyes widened to the size of saucers as the small jewel flew out of his left pocket and into the small hand of the strange girl. Kagome closed her hand around the jewel turned it over then opened it. All that fell out was dust and it just drifted harmlessly to the ground.
"What sorcery is this wench? What did you do with the jewel?" Naraku asked infuriated. He dropped his sword onto the ground next to the girl preferring his claws.
"It's in a safe place, and this is my exit cue," Kagome said right before Naraku lunged at her. Kagome dove right toward the tree and the little girl. Before she landed she tucked and rolled picking up the old and rusted sword as she went.
Behind her Naraku skidded to a halt then spun around, his blood red eyes staring straight into Kagome's soul. Kagome looked at him defiantly then broke the eye contact. She then snatched up the little girl. She held the child against her chest with her left hand and the sword in her right, looking back daring him to take her on.
"Well what are you going to do my lady?" Naraku asked.
"What do you mean what am I going to do?" Kagome asked angrily back at the man not caring if he was a king or not.
"I mean what are you planning upon accomplishing here?" Naraku asked again.
"Well I'm going to escape before you kill an innocent child," Kagome said with a mix of emotions.
"How will you do that?" Naraku mocked with a chuckle.
"How the hell do you think numb nuts?" Kagome spat. Naraku's eyebrows rose at her comment. Great Kags yell at the demon king and piss him off. Perfect. "First I'm going to kill your minion. Then I'll wound you fatally and leave you here to die from blood loss." OOO nice one Kags you sound really fierce… you can't even kill a spider. Fuck I'm screwed.
"You are? Well if you are able to do all that with a human girl in one hand and a rusty piece of shit sword in the other I would gladly take my own life for you," Naraku said mocking her, his eyes full of amusement.
"Are you mocking me?" Kagome asked in anger. Ugh I'm going to wipe that stupid grin off his face.
Before Naraku could answer the wind picked up around the older woman. The hairs on the back of his neck pricked up, as her power became evident in the air. Tiny sparks could be seen in the space surrounding Kagome and the small child. The two girls seemed to be in a bubble though, because no matter how hard the wind blew the two girls seemed to be in a peaceful environment.
There was no wind inside of the barrier Kagome had erected. This seemed odd to her because Naraku's hair was whipping around his face violently in the wind outside. What the hell is this…
Suddenly a bright light began to form around the two inside the barrier. Naraku tried to keep his eyes on the two but that only worked for about twenty seconds. There was a loud whoosh as the barrier spread then collapsed, shaking tree limbs and bushes for miles.
"Damn, all of that raw power," Naraku said opening his eyes and looking at the spot where the duo had been moments before. Catching his breath, "amazing…Kikyo?"
"Yes Naraku," Kikyo replied from behind him bowing low.
"I want you to find that woman and bring her to me. She will be of great use to us in the days to come," he concluded with a sinister smirk.
"What about the small girl?"
"With her wounds she will die of infection with in the hour." Naraku said as he walked away from the seer and back to his horse.
"What could you be planing?" Kikyo asked herself as she watched her master ride off into the woods.
Somewhere in the woods…
"Ok what the fuck is going on here?" Kagome screamed her voice echoing through out the woods.
Word of the Day
Watermelon
Brought to you by the HHS WCA
OK where to begin. Thank you all very much for your support and patience with me. I've been at a… well I could be explained as a creative high. I have been writing like crazy lately. Oh and thank you for pointing out that time flaw in the second chapter, and as you can see it is all fixed. All in all, my hometown Hamilton, Indiana has been pretty quite. With semi-formal around the corner and basketball season in full swing these winter months prove to be promising for an author. Hopefully I have another chapter of Monarchy up before Christmas, but I'm not promising anything. Look for my other story Mutiny coming out in January 2006, I've gotten good reviews from my friends so far and I'm very pleased with it. Until Next time… May the force be with you! (Hehe I love saying that!) Oh before I forget, Shel second times the charm with driver's licenses and love… oh and happy Born-day Dove. you and Eric have fun but I don't want to see anymore love bites from him on you. Lol. Peace Out!
