Author's Note: Once again, thank you everyone for the reviews! I'm really psyched at all the positive responses that this fic is getting! And you have no idea how happy I am to hear that my fic is different from others…Here I thought I would fail miserably…
Just a couple explanations…Hehe…Kikyo was referring to Kagome as 'the next best thing' in terms of blood only. Since Kikyo is the High Priestess, and well-renowned, she believed her kin would be more acceptable over the other priestesses that were not blood-relatives. I also thought about making more scenes between Inuyasha and Kagome, but I went against it, since it's not really a Kagome/Inuyasha story and it was getting really long without Sesshy making an appearance at least. People clicked on the story to read a fic about Sesshy-sama and Kagome, and I didn't want to drag it out too long. ; But they will get a few more moments in the future, that I promise you, duke of spades. )
Oh, and I'm a bit miffed at FF . net for removing my asterisks in my author's notes. So all of my 'actions' look like regular words. I tried saving the document as html and it STILL did it. Phooey. The whole content (asterisks and all) of chapters will always be on my other accounts on Adultfanfiction . net and A Single Spark (also, they will usually be updated first, since FF . net doesn't let me upload for a while from time to time).
I will try to keep updates to one chapter per week (if I edit the last chapter you've read, they'll always be a note for what day the new chapter will be posted), unless I get things done faster than I had anticipated. If not, I will most likely update the next chapter with a particularly long update as an apology or post two chapters instead of one.
Alright, let's get to this thing, shall we? Cracks knuckles (those were in asterisks, for those reading on I'm sure they were removed upon posting. --)
ooooooooooooooo
She couldn't believe it.
'Why me?' was the only thought that went through her mind when she was crammed into the decorative box the shrine used for offerings--by the people she used to refer to as her friends. They had grabbed her shortly after she had walked up to them, binding her arms and legs with rope. Kikyo--her own sister, no less--had taken the liberty to tear off a strip of fabric from Kagome's robes and secure it to her mouth before she was stuffed into the coffin, as she now so fondly called it.
What had she done to deserve this fate, she wondered. Kagome was always nice to the other mikos in the shrine, save Kikyo, but she had stopped being nice first. It seemed almost inconceivable that they had the ability to turn on her that quickly.
Shortly after the lid had been closed, the only thing she could focus on was the muffled sounds from outside. The low tone of her sister's voice and the other mikos, followed by a squeaky high-pitched voice. She wished she could hear exactly what they were saying, if at least to discover the reason why she was even in this box. Kagome didn't have claustrophobia, but understandably even she could barely handle this…
Suddenly, she felt the container being moved--dragged, more like it--since the back of her head was constantly bashed against the bottom upon impact. 'Well, this is nice…' she thought while gritting her teeth. 'I'm probably going to have one splitting headache in a few minutes.'
She hated the fact that she was entirely helpless, forced to be taken to an unknown location. Kagome knew that she was no longer in the possession of Kikyo, her voice having disappeared a while ago. She only had one option: wait. That thought unnerved her, but she had no other choice.
Without warning, the casket stopped, and Kagome felt her body tense, adrenaline running high. What met her when she would be able to see her surroundings, she could only guess. 'If Kikyo is the one behind this, then I'm sure it won't be good.' Her face winced when she heard the squeaky voice again, this time amplified. 'What is that? A cat being run over by a carriage?' Whatever it was, it was very close to where she lied in wait. 'Too close,' she mused.
After waiting a while, she hit the top of the box with balled fists. Luckily, the design on the box had a few small holes in the side so air wasn't a problem for her, but her captors probably were unaware. She hoped that whomever they were, they would be merciful.
Then, the lid to her cask opened and she was greeted with light as well as a pair of cold eyes. The color, she had to admit, was beautiful and unique, unlike any other eyes she had seen. But the expression on the holder's face was one that could have made her shiver, had she not already been practically scared out of her wits.
Her eyes trailed along the man's facial features and she couldn't help but think that there was something very….familiar to this being. Though Kagome had never seen that particular shade of white hair on any man she could remember, or those distinctive markings on his face, the feeling failed to ebb. She was certain she had never met this guy before, but there was an item to him that she couldn't quite place.
They stared at each other for a moment before the male's face hardened in the slightest increment.
Her hands were getting numb and she raised her arms and gave him a pointed look as a sign that he could remove the ropes that bound them. His eyes followed the movement, although the expression on his face never wavered from the bored glare. Then the gold hues of his pupils returned to her face, his brow cocked. He paused before rising and walking several feet away from the box.
"Jaken. We are leaving."
"Y-yes, my lord!" Kagome heard the squeaky voice once more, but couldn't see anything but sky, a few treetops, and the colorless crown of the jerk who refused to assist moving away from her.
She gaped in disbelief before struggling to rise. That feat, however, was a difficult one due to the ropes hindering her movement. The miko finally managed to stand, but her relief was short-lived, as she immediately found herself unbalanced and tumbling over the rim of the container. Face planted in the dirt, she attempted to at least get herself upright into a sitting position, which required her falling backwards and landing flat on her rear end. Kagome fumed at the back of the man's head as she watched him walk away.
"Aren't you going to help, you dolt?"
…was what she would have said, had she not have had the cloth tied in her mouth.
'Thanks a lot, Kikyo.'
The tall male continued without looking back at her. Brows slashing downwards, the miko looked around to spot something--anything--that would free her. Her eyes landed on a nearby bolder, ridged with sharp edges. Kagome scooted towards the stone, quickly rubbing the edge of the ropes binding her hands against it. The cord gave way after a few moments and she wasted no time ridding herself of it as well as the one wrapped around her legs. As soon as she was free, she ran towards the insufferable man, snatching the gag from her mouth.
"Hey! Why didn't you help me back there!" Kagome asked, as soon as she had caught up with him.
"Deplorable human! You should speak with respect when addressing Lord Sesshoumaru!"
That voice…it was the shrill one she had heard earlier. Her gaze went downward and was met with a short little demon. What was his problem, anyway?
'Wait…if he's a demon…does that mean…?' Her eyes returned to the man's retreating back, and she then realized that yes, he too, was a demon. How she had not sensed the youkai energy from him when she first saw him, she had no clue. But at least now she knew. None of the demons she had met had ever been nice to her…well, all of the demons that she had met almost never lived long anyway, since they were always the ones who tried to cause havoc in the village or the forest surrounding it. Kikyo and the others were always the ones that disposed of them.
'Let's not go back to that right now, Kagome.'
She returned her thoughts to the ugly little toad demon. "Respect him? Why? He didn't even try to help me when I needed to! He should be apologizing to me, not running away!"
"'Running away?' Sesshoumaru-sama flees from no one--!"
"Silence."
It was amazing how that one word could be spoken so calmly, yet contain so much power and weight. The annoying little toad instantly obeyed him, and Kagome found herself pausing for a second, before remembering her original anger at the pale-haired demon.
"Look," she started, eyes closed and rubbing the bridge of her nose. "All you have to do is say a simple 'I'm sorry' and I'm out of your hair."
He turned at her statement. "And what…grounds would I have to attempt to make amends? To a human, no less." His molten eyes grew a fraction colder after his comment.
"You can't seriously be asking me that! You practically left me there! If I didn't have the ability to trip over that-that coffin, I could have been eaten by a bear or something! How would you like to have that on your conscious, you big jerk!"
His eyes remained in the glare as he regarded her. "I do not care. One less pathetic human."
Kagome made a noise in the back of her throat that almost sounded like a growl. "Fine! You win. I don't even want that apology now! Even if you did, you'd just come off as an oaf anyway. Hope you get struck by lightning someday." She turned around and practically stomped away, mumbling to herself. "What is with all of the guys I meet anyway? First, that cretin Inuyasha couldn't say anything nice to save him, and now I've got Mr. High-and-Mighty here--"
"Repeat what you said, wench."
She turned around to stare angrily at Sesshoumaru. "What? About the lightning?" She glanced up at the sky. "Looks like it'll rain soon, make sure you walk in a field well away from trees. Now, goodbye." She made to leave again, but he spoke again.
"Repeat what you said about…Inuyasha." The last word sounded almost strained, but Kagome was past caring at this point.
"I don't have anything to say to you, especially since you don't know how to ask. I have things to do, so leave me alone." She turned around and began walking.
Suddenly, he was in front of her, her surprise clear on her face as she hadn't even heard him move. She took a step backward, but he grabbed her hand.
"I will not say it again. You will obey this Sesshoumaru's orders."
"Why should I help you? Did you already forget what happened a few minutes ago? I don't have to tell you anything, you jerk!" she said, trying to pull her hand from his grasp, glaring fully into his eyes.
His eyes narrowed slightly at her refusal and suddenly she felt pain shooting up her wrist. His hand was glowing green and his claws dug marginally into her skin. He was burning her hand with some sort of…energy, she realized. 'Well,' she thought bitterly. 'Let's see how he likes it!' She began focusing nearly all of her power into searing his own hand.
The challenge was issued.
Both glowered at each other, willing the other to surrender. Her hand was going numb after a few moments, and determined to win the twisted sport they were playing, she increased her power even further. His scowl darkened seconds before he released her.
His hand dropped to his side, the gold of his eyes smoldering in the heat of his annoyance. "Despicable girl."
Kagome rubbed her wrist, wincing in discomfort as her hand passed over the burnt flesh. "Inconsiderate bastard."
The staring match ensued between the pair, though Kagome used it as bravado for concealing the pain she was in. Sesshoumaru, however was sending a glare that would hastily send all of the fuzzy, cute little woodland creatures back inside their burrows had he directed it anywhere other than her. She took a half-step back, since it almost looked as if he really wanted to kill her.
'Well, at least I did some damage to him before I died…' she mused, her eyes going to his hand. Unfortunately for her, his skin was repairing itself, and she could do nothing but stare at it bitterly. "Stupid demonic regenerative abilities…" she muttered under her breath.
Thunder crackled above, shortly before the rain began to fall. 'Yep…that sounds about right,' she thought as she felt the water start to soak her. 'The perfect end to such a perfect day…
Thanks a lot, Kikyo…'
ooooooooooooooooo
"Kikyo!"
The priestess turned from her position on the path to the village when she heard the voice, mouth set in a thin line while she prepared for the confrontation with Inuyasha. She was certain that he would not be pleased with the methods she had used to keep him away from harm's path.
As she had expected, his handsome face was drawn into a glower as he approached her. She inwardly sighed although she knew that the conversation would happen eventually.
"Yes, Inuyasha?"
"Don't 'yes' me, wench! What the hell was that back there?" he asked, face dark with anger she had no doubt was directed towards her.
"That was me keeping you safe. Would you rather have died by the hands of some atrocious youkai?"
"That's for me to choose, not you!" He jabbed a finger towards her in the air. "I don't like people trying to control me, and I never would have thought you'd do something stupid like that!"
Kikyo merely blinked at him. "Yes, of course. I'm sure it will not happen again." Sitting on a nearby tree stump, she carefully laid her bow on her lap as she regarded him. "Although, the threat to the townspeople has been…alleviated at the moment."
"What, you think this is all over! As long as I'm here, he won't stop coming. Even if you think by cooping me up in that room will save me, it don't matter. My brother…wants something of mine, and he's pretty hardheaded and stubborn."
"Reminds me of someone else that I know," she commented offhand. Ignoring his glare, she continued. "And what is this thing that he wants from you, Inuyasha?"
The man in question's hand went to his sword. "Stupid bastard wants it even though he knows he can't wield it. Only wants to prove a point to me that he's the better son or something and get a one-up on my father." At her quizzical look, he sighed and shook his head. "I don't expect you to understand, but the point is, he wont leave this village alone until I face him. I can't run any more."
There was a pause as she upheld her inquiring look. "And you feel the need to go?"
"Don't you understand? I have to go!"
"Even if you are not in top condition? You once told me your brother was the being who put you in the state you were in a month ago. If you face him now, will you not die?"
Inuyasha looked to the ground, not wanting to answer her, but she refused to drop her stare. "Probably will."
"So, you are going to give up, then?"
His eyes flew back to her, a frown on his face. "WHAT! No!"
"Foolishly rushing into a battle you know you cannot win is giving up," she said, rising and straightening her robes in one graceful movement. "Besides, we could use your help here, as you continue to heal, of course."
"What are you talking about?" He chose not to respond to her earlier comment.
"Since this attack was--as you say--your fault, you can help us repair the village."
"But…" his eyes dropped to the ground again. "Sesshoumaru…"
"--is but one demon. Will he send another demon to come after you again?"
Inuyasha slowly shook his head. "Probably not, since it was Jaken the last time, and Sesshoumaru isn't exactly the patient kind."
"Then we will deal with him when he arrives. In the meantime, you can help the villagers fix the houses and crop fields that were damaged. Your demonic strength is returning, correct?"
"Yeah…how did you figure that one out, anyway?"
It was Kikyo's turn to shake her head at him. "Another time, Inuyasha. Right now, we must get things in order." She began the trek down the path to the village.
Inuyasha could do nothing but stare at her retreating form. What she had said made sense, though. And if it was only going to be Sesshoumaru coming next time, he'd only be interested in him and not taking out any villagers in the process…unless they tried to interrupt. The village repairs…The least Inuyasha could do was help out.
He also wondered if Kikyo had told anyone else about him being related to youkai. He didn't think so, since everyone generally treated him nicely, and if they even caught a hint of anything else, they'd probably turn on him. The only one he believed wouldn't care would be Kagome.
Inuyasha couldn't say what he liked about her, just that he did. Whether it was her overall kind nature, or that usually hidden--well, not so much when she was around him--fiery essence. She at least checked on him once a day and made sure he was somewhat comfortable…before he fed her temper and she exploded on him.
He took pleasure in making her angry, since her whole attitude could change in seconds flat. It kept him on his toes, and even though he couldn't fight physically (not much, anyhow), she always managed to give him a workout, even if it was strictly verbal.
Just where was she, anyway?
'Keh, Kikyo must be working her to the bone again,' he thought as he followed the path Kikyo took down to the village, slight irritation spawning as he felt raindrops pelting him. 'She'll probably be bitching to me about it later…'
ooooooooooooooo
He was seriously going to kill her.
Although not at the moment, as she held information of his brother's whereabouts. But he promised himself, she would die a painful death as her reward for pushing his buttons so thoroughly.
A smirk almost reigned Sesshoumaru's face as he watched her take a step back, almost as if she had heard his thoughts. At least she was not stupid.
His triumph was short as the rain began to fall.
With the rain, his brother's wretched scent would be difficult to find with all traces washed away. The taiyoukai decided then and there that the gods were most assuredly casting some form of divine retribution onto him for some unknown deed. It was absolutely no way a dignified being such as him could ever encounter such bad luck in one simple day.
He resisted the urge to rub his temples as he felt the start of an unsettling headache coming on. "Jaken."
The toad youkai was at his side in a flash. You really couldn't get that kind of loyalty easily. "Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Journey back to that worthless village and inquire about my half-brother's direction. We shall start from there."
The toad's face dropped a bit, but he did not waver. "Yes, my lord." Shoulders slumping, he began to walk away from the demon lord.
'Half-brother? But he was interested in Inuyasha a moment ago...Unless…' Kagome's eyes widened.
'He's the 'no-good-idiotic-stick-in-the-mud' brother Inuyasha told me about? Now I understand why he couldn't say one good word about his brother!' Kagome thought as she looked at the youkai.
After Jaken had completely disappeared from sight, the two engaged in another staring match. Kagome broke it first after a few moments, sighing before slightly sneezing from the chill of her soggy clothes. "Well, this was an experience. Can't say I want to do it again, but…" She sent him a glance, noting that he did nothing but watch her. "Okay…I'm going to leave now. I meant what I said about that lightning bolt, by the way." She turned and took a few steps away.
"You will stay right where you are."
"Not this again…" she mumbled before turning back around. "And why would I do what you tell me to, for the last time?"
He was reaching; he knew it. But he was reluctant to let her go at the moment, mostly because she knew his pathetic brother and if all else failed, he could use her as a ransom for the Tetsusaiga.
'Besides…' he mused. 'I still do owe her for aggravating me to the point where I desire to pull out my hair.'
"Jaken had informed me that the box was sent in order to placate a high being such as myself."
'Kikyo….she--' Kagome's eyes widened as she came to a realization. 'The box…Kikyo wouldn't do that, would she?'
Silly question, and Kagome knew the truth.
"That…that means…" She trailed off as a wicked smirk conquered the edge of the taiyokai's lips.
"That is correct, little miko. You now belong to me."
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Yeah, I know. Sesshoumaru doesn't know how to play nice, does he? Hehe…well, that's just how I love him anyway. Tough break for Kagome, eh?
I'm probably going to redo this chapter sometime down the line. Although it covered what I wanted it to cover (even though it was a page shorter than intended), and it flowed easily when I wrote it…some parts could be improved. I'll most likely go back later and revise it.
Uh…yeah. So anyway, generally, I hope it was at least entertaining…and yay, they've actually technically met each other now! Goal completed. I just hope they were in character….somewhat. I'm going to go celebrate with a cheese sandwich and Genji. Hehe.
Alright, that's it. See ya'll next week. And if you saw anything in the chapter that you feel I should change or correct, don't be afraid to holla' at me. ;
ACP