You know, these chapters always look longer when I'm typing them out to how they appear on this site. Hmmm... Anyway, in this chapter you see what happened to Miroku and Shippo. That's all I'm saying! Also, i found out how to use those grey ruler things. YAY! (grins)
Chapter 5: Ontai-Wasupu
Kagome watched as the wall started breaking. The wasps were no longer trying to block them, now trying to surround Miroku's body and take him away. Kagome could tell that was what they were doing. The demon's last words suggested they were all on their way out.
Kagome desperately tried to locate Miroku, but there was so many wasps in the air it was impossible to see anything. Kagome dashed forward, hoping to reach him before they got away. Suddenly she felt strong hands yank her back. At that moment, a wasp buzzed past where Kagome's head had just been, it's stinger sticking out.
" Stay back! " She heard Inuyasha's voice in her ear. The wasps were determined to get away with him. None of them would be able to face the insects without getting stung. It was clear that she and Sango would fall if they got stung by them. Inuyasha might have a better chance, though being half human there was also a chance Inuyasha would fall too.
Kagome could see Sango in the corner of her eye. It hurt her to see Sango's face with that expression, a look of despair and lost hope. She held her Hiraikotsu ready, but knew full well that with all the wasps blocking their view, it was impossible to determine where exactly Miroku's body was. Sango's Hiraikotsu could end up hitting him.
As the flurry settled, they could make out more of their surroundings. They could see the large wasp ball flying away in the sky, the hundreds of wasps covering a defenceless Miroku, the Wasp Demon sitting on top of the ball, looking down at them with a hidden smirk. Kagome could even see the monks limp arm hanging out, making her feel like his chance was more pitiful, and destroying all her hope of getting him back now. But there was something on his arm..
" Look! " Sango shouted. Clearly she had seen it too. " It's Shippo! " So that's what it is! Kagome thought. Shippo had attached himself to Miroku's arm! But he wasn't strong enough to get rid of the wasps. All he can do now is stay with Miroku as company when he wakes up. If he wakes up...
" Hurry, Kagome! " Inuyasha's voice sounded. She looked over to him and saw him Kneeling on the ground, expecting her to climb on his back to follow the wasps. Quickly, she ran over to him and climbed on, holding onto him tightly with one hand and holding her bow in the other. Once she was on, Inuyasha stood up and began running. She could see Sango slightly in front of them, riding Kirara and holding her Hiraikotsu, ready to throw it. Looking up, Kagome could just see the wasp ball disappearing over the tree's. She could still see glimpses of it through the branches, but it was moving so fast it was soon far ahead of them, and Kagome could no longer see it.
" It's gone.. " Kagome said unhappily. Saying it made her feel like she was sentencing Miroku to death. With a growl, she felt Inuyasha speed up. Kirara even started moving faster, like she was sensing the silent plea's from her rider. Suddenly, Inuyasha began to slow down.
" Argh! " He growled. " I've lost them! " With that, Kirara began to slow down also, but Sango had the look that said she wished to do no such thing.
" Keep going, they can't be far! " She urged, despair in her voice.
" No! " Inuyasha shouted back. His voice suggested he didn't want to either, but thought it best. Sango, noticing this tone also, sighed loudly and looked forward again to where they had lost them. Inuyasha screeched to a halt and Kirara slowed down as she turned around, coming to a halt in front of them.
" They turned. " Inuyasha said, panting slightly.
" What? " Kagome replied, looking at Inuyasha questioningly. Sango had the same expression, though it had more pain from the loss in her eyes than Kagome.
" They turned. " Inuyasha repeated. " The wasps turned, but then i lost track of them. Their scent and demonic aura vanished. "
" How? " Sango wondered out loud. " How can they do that? " She now had the look of frustration and anger on her face. Kagome could only wonder what Sango was feeling at the moment. She seemed stunned and upset back at the clearing, when they had been trapped inside the wasp wall. Sango must... really like him... Thought Kagome.
" So what do you know about this Ontai-Wasupu? " She heard Inuyasha say. She must have missed a part of the conversation, a part where Sango told Inuyasha that she knows about the demon. Or he could just be guessing. Kagome shrugged inwardly.
" He is, as that demon said, a powerful wasp demon with the largest colony in Japan. " Sango explained. " He has given us exterminators great trouble, and has even killed one. Or so we assume, as we never saw him again once Ontai-Wasupu kidnapped him. I also know that if we dawdle for too long the same fate will befall Lord Monk! " Sango added, urgency in her voice.
" I know. " Kagome chimed in. " But there is no point running if we're going to go in circles. Do you have any idea where his lair is? "
" No. " Sango sighed. " I've never been one of the exterminators to fight Ontai-Wasupu. I have only heard tales of him. "
" Well then this conversation is pointless! " Inuyasha yelled. " We have to find a way to him! "
" Well... " Sango mumbled. " I do know that whatever he uses the body's for, he needs them uninjured.. Maybe because of that cut i gave him, we might have a bit of time... "
" How much time? " Inuyasha demanded.
" I don't know... " Sango replied glumly, her shoulders drooping as she glanced down to the ground.
"Ughhh... " An almost silent groan passed Miroku's lips. He had yet to open his eyes, deciding to wait for the dizziness to pass first. He could feel he was laying on his back on a hard surface, so he must be inside. He could only partially remember what had happened before he passed out. He felt so light headed, like some of his senses decided to turn off. Miroku tried to move his fingers. They remained limp, not even twitching despite the monks efforts. Though he could move his mouth, however slightly, so it must mean he had some movement in his head.. Right?
Even though he still felt dizzy, Miroku opened his eyes slowly. The room gradually came into focus, and Miroku could make out a hard, wooden floor with wooden walls and roof. The only objects in his field of vision were a few clumps of straw, spread messily in the manor corners. Strangely, everything was tinged blue. Was it always like that..? He thought. It didn't look right though.. It couldn't be.. Miroku groaned again, closing his eyes. The light-headed and dizzy feeling hadn't faded in the slightest.
" Miroku! " A shrilling, yet recognised, voice filled his ears. Miroku winced slightly. It was like having a hangover from too much rum. He thought. That had only happened once though, when he had let his guardian, Mushin, coax him into having too much to drink. Though the pounding caused by the voice quickly passed, leaving him with a mere dull throb.
Miroku opened his eyes again to see what the voice was. Strangely, the room was blurry again, making him wait another few seconds to be able to see clearly. When his vision focused, Miroku could see the wide, fearful eyes of the young kitsune, Shippo. It was Shippo.. right? He seemed to be having slight trouble putting names with faces, but after a few more seconds he was confident the demons name was Shippo.
" Sh-Shippo... " He managed to mumble. He felt so stiff, and he couldn't move any part of him. " H-how long... was i out...? " He asked, though it took him a few seconds longer than usual to get the whole message out.
" U-um, thirty minutes since we got here. " Shippo stammered. Thirty minutes.. Miroku repeated in his mind. How long was that..?
" Where... " He mumbled. He knew he traveled with companions, but... Who were they again..? One is.. Inu.. Inu-something... This isn't good.. He thought. I can't even remember my friends names... What kind of poison is this..? He then decided to ask for the one name he could remember. He could even match it to a faded face that appeared in his mind.
" Where.. is Sango..? " He managed to say after a few seconds.
" Sh-she's not here, but she, Inuyasha and Kagome should be coming soon. " Shippo answered. Yasha.. Miroku thought. That was it, Inu-yasha. And Kagome.. Lady Kagome, and Lady Sango. How could he have forgotten..?
" Where.. are we..? " He then asked. He was now feeling drowsy, but was determined to stay awake. He had to know where he was, and where his friends were. But.. He couldn't move.. Hopefully it is as Shippo said.. He thought. And they are coming..
" I don't know.. " Shippo answered Miroku's question after a few seconds. " I couldn't see since i was too busy hanging on. But if I'm right, my Mushrooms should be sprouting now. " Mushrooms? Miroku thought. He defiantly heard correctly. What's Shippo doing with mushrooms...
" Mmm... " He replied, to let the Kitsune know he heard him. Miroku closed his eyes. Still he felt light headed and dizzy.
" Miroku! " Shippo uttered. " Stay awake! " Miroku answered with just a sigh. I won't fall asleep.. I won't...
Shippo sat back. Miroku's breathing had steadied, suggesting that he was now asleep again. He seemed so weak.. And it was like he wasn't all there.. Shippo thought. He looked back over at the unconscious monk. The demon, Ontai-Wasupu, had encased him in a shield, preventing Shippo, and anything else, from reaching him. The shield was tinged blue to show of it's existence. Or maybe the demon just couldn't create clear ones..
Shippo sighed and looked away. He hated seeing one of his friends like this. Miroku had protected him many times before, but now he would have to protect the monk. Shippo thought over what had happened when he got here. That mean demon that took Miroku wanted to eat him...
" Heheheh.. " He heard the demon laugh. Oh no! Shippo screamed in his head.
" Waaa! " A scream passed his lips.
" Heh heh heh... " The demon laughed again. Still holding Shippo by the head, the demon paused for a moment. Out of the corner of his eye, Shippo could see the wasp ball flying away, still with Miroku. Though Shippo couldn't turn his head, locked forward by the demons hand, and soon the wasp ball disappeared from his view. Then the demon moved again. It started hovering in the air, it's long, wispy wings buzzing at a great speed as the demon flew up. Shippo was stuck facing forward, and couldn't see where he was heading, only being able to gaze at the demons ugly body. But soon the demon stopped and landed on the ground again.
" Welcome back, Gaidoku-maru..Shippo heard a voice speak. It was chilling, like the demon that held him's voice, but different..
" I have brought you the monk like you asked, Master. " The demon, Gaidoku-maru, spoke. " I have also got here a nice afternoon snack.. " It laughed. Gaidoku-maru then turned his hand so Shippo was facing forward. He could now see his surroundings. They were in an orange and yellowish room, the little furniture that was there was made of wax and dry mud. Sitting in a mud and wax chair, like a throne, was a human. The human's skin looked sickly, like it was dead but not rotting. Also its eyes were dull, but clearly showed evil. It was what Gaidoku-maru was talking to. Was this his 'master', Ontai-Wasupu?
" You brought this runt back with you? " The human-like creature, Ontai-Wasupu, spoke calmly, but Shippo could tell he was not happy by this. Gaidoku-maru could tell as well.
" Actually, this Kitsune delivered itself. " The demon said, slight nerves traceable in his voice. Clearly his excuse didn't help the situation.
" I told you to only bring the monk, and you let this litter runt tag along..? " Ontai-Wasupu replied, his voice now chillingly calm.
" Ye- well, Master, i didn- i hadn't noticed it's presence until i got here with the monk. " Clearly the demon was choosing his words carefully. He must really fear this guy. Shippo thought.
" Well you should have, Gaidoku-maru. " Ontai-Wasupu's human eyes narrowed. " It is a mistake you will pay for.. " Suddenly he opened his human mouth, and a strange, purply gunk sprayed out like a thick, sticky thread. It hit Gaidoku-maru in the arm and wrapped itself around it.
" Gyaaaarrrggh! " The demon screamed. He dropped Shippo onto the ground and began to furiously wipe off the purply gunk. Dashing away from Gaidoku-maru, Shippo looked back and could see the gunk eating through Gaidoku-maru's arm. Finally he got it off and stepped back from the gunk now eating through the wax floor.
" I will spare you this time, Gaidoku-maru. " Ontai-Wasupu said calmly, but threateningly. " Because i am a merciful master.. But you will not live through your next mistake. Now go. And get a few of the colony to repair this damage you so clumsily caused. "
" Y-yes, Ontai-Wasupu, master.. " Quickly, Gaidoku-maru hurried out of the room through a wax arch, turning and disappearing from view. Nervously, Shippo looked over at Ontai-Wasupu. The demon in human skin was already watching him. He swallowed and took a step back, unable to hold in a whimper.
" Heh heh heh.. " Ontai-Wasupu laughed. " You know your place, Young One.. "
" Wh-what do you want with Miroku? " Shippo stammered, trying to sound fearsome but failing.
" Heh heheh.. You have guts, Young One, to speak to Ontai-Wasupu. " The demon in human skin laughed. " Do not worry, you will be with him soon... " Just then, a few wasps appeared and started trying to repair the floor. Ontai-Wasupu waved one over and spoke in a strange tongue. When he stopped, he looked back over at Shippo. Again he felt his nerves fail him and Shippo shivered slightly. " I have no use for you right now.. " Ontai-Wasupu said in a bored tone. " You will go with this wasp to your friend until i can think of what to do with you. " The wasp then flew over to Shippo and lifted him by the head. With a yelp, he struggled, trying to kill the wasp. " I'd stop, if you want to see the monk, or I'll just kill you now. " Ontai-Wasupu threatened. On the brink of crying, Shippo layed still, and the wasp carried him out of the room.
They flew through a few more wax corridors until Shippo could see the outside sunlight. They were then suddenly outside and heading down. Once they were at the ground, the wasp turned and dropped Shippo in front of a Manor. Not thinking, he dashed inside. There was absolutely nothing in the room except for some straw, and an unconscious Miroku.
Now Shippo sat beside his friend. Sighing, he pulled out the mushroom again. They should be starting to sprout now... He thought. It shouldn't take long, then, for Inuyasha and the others to find them... Suddenly, Shippo heard a noise outside. Looking up, he just saw a figure enter the Manor.
" Waa! " Shippo couldn't help but utter. Ontai-Wasupu!
" Me again.. " The demon in human skin grinned.
Another decent sized chapter by yours truly:D I SHOULD have another chapter up by tomorrow, but i haven't written it yet, so i can't be sure.. (sigh) Well what ever happens, it won't be long before i put up the next chapter!