Cobra's Bite
Bunnyasha: Hi people! I got a ton of reviews that said they were dying! Hang in there guys! I'm sorry for being the source of your pain!
Inuyasha: When are you never the source of anyone's pain?
Bunnyasha: Grr… shut up, or I'll become the angel of your pain, and trust me, I love playing my notes of pain….
Inuyasha: ….I'll just go over there and sit down… (Huddles off in some corner)
Bunnyasha: Alright! I don't really think this is my best work, but a lot of you guys like it so…I guess I'll continue with it. And here is a small reminder. Please review Hiryuko Ryugu 's stories! I really want you guys to do that for me! I owe a lot to her. After all she did introduce me to fan It's the least I can do! Well onward to the story!
Chapter 8
Ballroom Frenzy
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Kagome slowly cracked her eyes open, trying to peal them against the horrid light that flashed in her eyes. The pain was unbearable. Her head throbbed and her eyes felt sore and dry. She rubbed her eyes as she tried to focus on her surroundings. She was sitting on the floor, with her arms draped across the seat of a velvet red chair. A ripped up pillow lay in her lap and the feathers tickled her legs. She lifted her head in a cat like gesture and stared at her room. It seemed that the storm had passed.
She sat up feeling her bangs were probably sticking up from where her head was resting against the seat. She glanced around for a while to make sure she hadn't been having a nightmare, or to see if anyone else had been in the room. She brought a hand up to the back of her head. For some reason it felt as though someone had been comforting her as she cried to sleep. Of course she couldn't remember the touch of anyone but she could clearly feel that someone had been there. "I'm always there, under your skin." She shivered hearing the voice whisper seductively in her ear.
"Oh! Kagome, are you awake?" Kagome drowsily turned her head to stare at the voice. There was Sango, with a basket of clothes and sheets in her arms. She stared at Kagome for a moment before she began to giggle. "Kagome… y-your hair…" She gasped. Kagome touched her bangs feeling how haywire they really were. In a sweep of embarrassment she began to run her fingertips through her bangs trying to flatten them. "No, no! You can't flatten them like that!" Sango placed her basket on the floor, and then rushed over to a small salon of brushes and creams that Kagome hadn't noticed at first. She grabbed a brush lying on it's side and came to Kagome's side. "May I?"
Kagome stared at the brush for a while and then stared at Sango. She seemed like someone who could be trusted, Kagome now saw. With a cheerful smile and honest eyes, Kagome couldn't find any reason not too, except for the fact that she spent her time serving demons. With a nod of her head she turned her back and allowed Sango to start stroking her long tresses of hair.
Kagome of course could brush her own hair and flatten her own bangs, but as soon as Sango began to stroke the brush through her hair she felt as ease and relaxed. Sango's fingertips felt like that of a relative in a time of need. Soft and gentle. Sango finished brushing through Kagome's hair and set the brush down on the floor where they were both sitting. "Now this is rather strange!" Sango said cheerfully hugging onto Kagome's shoulders. Kagome felt uneasy at first but then relaxed into the older girls arms. Or at least she thought she was older. Something about her reminded Kagome of an older sibling.
"Sango…?" Kagome asked a little unsure if she had the name right.
"Yes?" Sango asked curiously.
"Why are you here?"
"What do you mean?" Sango asked, releasing her hold on Kagome slightly.
"Well, why are you working for them? Did they kidnap you too or did they force you to stay here? Why in the seven hells would you ever come to work for demons!" Kagome had pushed Sango away from here and turned around to face the other girl.
Sango stared at Kagome for a while and then slowly smiled sadly at her. "Like hell anyone would be able to kidnap or force me to stay here." Sango began to place a few stray strands of hair behind her shoulder. "Kagome, the truth is that I am a demon slayer. My whole family has gone into the business and I am still working in the business."
"What!" Kagome was shocked. A demon slayer living with demons? "Why then! Are you trying to deceive them? Or are you corrupted or something?" Kagome yelled. This didn't make sense. None of it did.
"Heavens no." Sango shook her head and then stared at Kagome in amusement. "I am working for the Taiyokai family. You see, the Taiyokai have hired me for their services. I kill rogue demons that threaten the Taiyokai household in exchange for shelter, food, and a salary. I do extra chores like this to keep myself busy." Sango stood and began to pack away the blankets and garments of clothes. "You see, they had hired my family in the past. I didn't trust them at first, but my father had explained and taught me how to tell a good demon from a bad demon."
"I know all that! I know about bad demons and good demons, but people who would imprison others are not considered good!"
"It is the same for humans, no?" Sango questioned with a smile. "Humans do that as well. It doesn't make it right, and I am quite angry with the two head priests for doing such a thing, however we do not treat our prisoners or slaves as animals until we know they can be trusted. As it is, you have a bigger room than I do. Kind of jealous."
Kagome could have argued further but wanting to hear Sango's tale won over. "Continue with your story." Kagome encouraged.
"Thank you. Anyway, my father became friends of the Taiyokai's. They became a second family to me. We lived in peace, my family and I. Even the whole village was happy and content. We killed demons for their bones and to help fellow villages. Everyone was happy." Sango paused for a moment, a sad smile returning to her features. "Until one night, our happy home of peace, was plunged into a night of hell." Sango began to work on making a bed. Kagome got up and walked to the opposite side helping in the task.
"What happened?" Kagome almost whispered.
"Someone led a group of vengeful demons to rein on our village. They slaughtered everyone. My whole family." Sango appeared to bite down on her lip in anger. "But they had help. Someone in our village helped the demons." She clenched the blanket in her hand for a moment in silence before unclenching her fist with a sad sigh. "My entire village fought to the end. We kept fighting until almost all of us were dead. We still didn't know who the traitor was but I kept fighting. I was almost dead when the Taiyokai's came to our village." Sango's atmosphere began to lighten up at the mention of the Taiyokai name, as though she was caught up in her reminiscing. "I was standing in a bunch of ruin, I believe. My father's blood was still on my hands. If memory serves me right, the king wrapped his arms around me and carried me off. I awoke in a bed somewhere in the castle. I was given quite a shock and went into a fever for three days. The doctors said that my shock was due to when I found out who the traitor was. Of course I thought that he died in my arms." Finishing the bed, Sango stared down at her hands as though something was on them, before closing them into a fist as she continued on with her story. "But I heard about him about a month later. The Taiyokai's offered me a place here. A life, to continue what my parents had started. I agreed so I could one day, finally meet the traitor again and ask him why." Sango began to stare at the torn up pillow for a while before she began to pick up the scattered pieces.
"Who was he, Sango? He sounds like he was close to you." Sango paused, turning around to stare at Kagome with a sad and hurt look.
"He was my younger brother, Kohaku." Kagome stared at Sango's blank face in all the sadness she could muster. How terrible. To be betrayed by your own kin. "Well let's get you ready!" Sango said cheerfully.
"Eh? Ready? For what?" Kagome asked startled at the sudden change of attitude.
"The banquet that's being held tonight, of course!" Kagome backed away. Sango headed over to a sort of tube that stood by the door. "Aki?" Kagome spoke into the tube. "Can you bring up the dresses, please?"
"Dresses? What the hell?" Kagome cautiously backed away running into the stairs that led to her bed, causing her to fall to the ground. Sango advanced on her prey with a wide grin.
"Didn't I tell you?" Sango inquired. "There's a ball tonight, and you are to attend. We have to have you look your best! After all, you can't be seen in rags!" Sango said mischievously. She began to corner Kagome who helplessly tried to flee. The door burst open and in popped three Demon maids, and a higher stature demon maid, holding bundles of dresses in their arms. The maid of higher status stopped in her tracks at the sight of Kagome. She made a soft gasp with wide eyes; an elegantly like hand covered her mouth.
Kagome stared back at the golden eyes that seemed to search all over Kagome's body. Soft white hair was pulled back into a ponytail, leaving the bangs and to long locks of hair on either side of her face hanging down. She had the distinctive marking of a full breed yokai, of yet again, a high strength level. She had a plain maid's dress and a very nice figure. Of course her face was very young looking and her features carefree. "You are…" The girl began still covering her mouth in shock. Kagome backed away in fright. "Beee-yoooo-teeee-ful!" She squealed as she glomped a surprised Kagome. Kagome began to squirm reaching out for Sango.
"Help me!" she gasped reaching up for the girl. Sango began to chuckle as she pulled the young yokai off of Kagome.
"We need to get her a dress picked out and then adjust it." Sango glanced at the many dresses that the other three maids were carrying. "And with such a big selection we might be here all day!" Kagome made a horrified look at the group of people before her. 'All day! All bloody day!' The maids began to lay out the dresses in an orderly fashion, while Sango led Kagome to a small changing area she hadn't noticed before. It was portable and moveable, adorned with fancy decorations and expensive fabric. She was shoved behind it, while Sango picked out a dress. She then walked back to the confused girl and began to undress her.
"Hey!" Kagome screeched, covering her chest. "I can do that!" Sango giggled letting Kagome undress, and the slipping the dress over Kagome's frame. She closed it up and then stepped back to stare at her appearance.
"Kagome…" Sango beamed at the girl, "You look great in anything, but this dress doesn't suit you! Bring me the one with the bows!" Sango ordered to the maids.
After a few hours of struggling into dresses, and pulling Aki off of Kagome a few times, they had finally narrowed down to two dresses. "This one looks really nice on your figure, but this one goes better in contrast to your skin." Aki began to list off reasons for the dresses. Kagome stared at the two dresses that were selected.
"Is there anything that covers a bit more skin?" Kagome asked, now in a dressing gown meant for sleeping in. (It was quite see through.)
"The more skin shown the better." Came a voice from the door. "What are you girls doing in here…?" Kagome shot her head around the changing room to see the face that she loathed. Inuyasha had strolled into the room and was staring at the dresses strewn on the floor. The guy Kagome remembered as Miroku was trailing behind Inuyasha, smiling widely at the maids.
"What are you two doing in here?" Sango said angrily.
"Get out of here, you bastard!" Kagome's head hissed at him. Inuyasha glared back at the floating head in annoyance.
"Excuse me?" He now made his way around the changing room and roughly grabbed Kagome's wrist when she tried to hit him. "There are some things you need to learn about respect, girl." He tossed her away from her and picked up a dress. "Where this to the ball." He demanded. Everyone in the room stared at the pair, waiting for Kagome's reply. She gritted her teeth before outstretching her hands to catch the dress. Inuyasha smirked. "I thought so."
Aki stared at Kagome's wrists in amusement. 'Ah, so that's what's going on…' Sango had seen quite enough and was about to yell at Inuyasha but was cut off by Aki, "What a great choice, my prince!" Sango stared reproachfully at Aki for a while in shock. "I thought the one that looked nice on her figure was a good choice too!"
"Aki!" Sango hissed. Aki ignored her and hurried over to Kagome's side to help the girl change. Kagome was being undressed yet Inuyasha didn't move.
"You trying to get a free show?" Kagome asked throwing her dressing gown at his face. He blushed slightly turning away from the now naked girl, also seeing the blush on her cheeks.
"You know, I didn't come here to just tell you what to wear." Inuyasha said still embarrassed.
"I figured as much." Kagome said coldly. "What do you want?"
Inuyasha was now getting ticked off. "I just wanted to let you know that you are free to move about the palace as you feel. The library is just down the hall." Kagome was silent. "I don't know if you can read, but we've got millions of books in there…" He clenched his fists. 'Damnit! Is she listening to me!'
"I know how to read." Came an angry voice from behind him. He turned around angrily but then quickly turned back away. There was an uncomfortable silence between the two for a while. "I would like to see the library if I could." Kagome said in a softer tone.
"Alright. When you're done here, Sango will take you there." Sango nodded and Inuyasha took his leave, dragging Miroku by the ear behind him. Once outside of the room, Miroku pried his ear out of Inuyasha's clawed fingers.
"Owie…" He complained rubbing his ear. He regained his composure following Inuyasha down the hallway, now glaring at the back of his head. "Was that really necessary back there, Inuyasha?" Inuyasha was obviously ignoring Miroku when he didn't answer back. Miroku sighed turning a sharp corner to keep up with Inuyasha. "We still have some final arrangements we need to take care of." Miroku reminded Inuyasha.
Miroku began to intensify his glare when once again he was ignored. "Fine, but don't blame me when your mom has your head on a platter."
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Kagome was awestricken when she saw how big the library was. She gaped for what seemed a good long five minuets before computing that all these books were here for her to read. She began to shift through piles that couldn't be placed on the many shelves. There were a few tables in the center of the room that were also littered with more books that could not fit on the occupied shelves. She stared in more astonishment at the staircase that led to a second level of even more shelves. (Do you get the point? It's really big!)
Sango had chuckled and took her leave shutting the door silently behind her. Kagome was now running through the rows, her eyes skimming over the covers and titles. This was amazing! All these books, collected in what must have been hundreds of generations. No, it was probably less, because demons have very long lives. But to collect this many books was still amazing.
In Kagome's village they had a few books and the elder had a very tiny library. The rest was all scrolls containing the history of her village. She could never quench her thirst for knowledge as a child and was always begging for books from the elder. She had read all of them by the time she was ten. She practically knew her whole villages history by heart.
Kagome slowed down, halting in front of a shelf. This was just too amazing. Even if these were belonging to demons, it was still amazing! Kagome had never seen such a vast amount of books before. However awestruck she was, she could still sense the presence of someone else. She quickly turned on her heel to locate the stranger, but only caught what seemed to be a black figure quickly moving away. She chased after it, always missing by a few meters as the stranger jerked through the rows of books making sharp turns at every corner.
She insisted upon her prey, now wondering why anyone would want to evade her. "Stop!" She cried out, quickly following after the shadow, but it only sped up. She tried to quicken her pace but fatigue was taking over her human body. Up ahead though, as she could see through some of the gaps between the shelves, was a dead end. She could trap them there. "I've got you now." She hissed as she turned the corner to confront the intruder. Upon further inspection, Kagome realized that no one was there. She glanced about herself to find an empty study. There was a small table against the wall with a small oil lamp in the center. To her right was the bookshelf; to her left was another bookshelf. No person creature, movement or sound.
Kagome sighed walking forward to lean against a chair. There were various papers littering the table, old maps, and documents of a sort, scrolls and an inkbottle with its pen. She glanced at the papers with no interest until her eyes landed on the spine of a bright green book, hidden between some of the parchments. "What have we here?"
She curiously bent over and picked up the book. She inspected the cover, but found no title or author apparent. She flipped open the cover to look at the first page. Here was written, in an untidy scrawl, "This book belongs to the great Demon Lord of the Dogs. If you dare to steal this book, I'll have my father sentence you to death." Kagome could tell that, this must have been written by a young boy. Probably Inuyasha. However, turning the page revealed that the book was over a century old. There was no way Inuyasha, a half demon, could have lived that long when his human mother was still alive. Kagome stared at the fine pages in astonishment, for an old book it was still in very good shape. She flipped over the page with the threat scrawled on it to reveal the title page.
Words were written in an intricate design; at least she thought those were words. She traced her fingers across the letters, or shapes as though she could feel what they were saying. She then paused, staring at the wrist shackles she was wearing. She then lifted her fingers and stared at the page with words. "Well that's a start." She irritably turned the page over, flipping through the pages to see if anything interesting caught her eye. She inspected the few pages after the title page, and then halted reading the first sentence her eyes landed on. "…In the west wing, to the right of the corridor on the left…" Kagome swiftly turned the next page. "…Push forward the lamp…" Her fingers ran excitedly through the pages as she began to glance at the contents within. She quickly shut the book, smiling to herself. "Interesting…" She whispered against the spine that was now pressed against her lips.
From the shadows moved a person, however Kagome was too happy to discover their presence. With a smirk upon their lips, they swiftly took flight through the vast library.
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"Where the hell is that wench?" Inuyasha seethed as he paced about the main dining gallery. Sango was putting finishing touches on the decorations as Miroku "helped" the maids set up some of the plate settings.
Sango let out a long and exasperated sigh. "You said she could go to the library, so I dropped her off there. She knows how to get here, because I told her the directions. You were the one who told me to let her go." Inuyasha continued to pace back and forth, his ears twitching irritably.
"The hell with what I said. I don't want her walking around on her own! Last time she almost killed herself. And who had to bring her back? Me! That's who!" Inuyasha paced past Sango, forcing her to stop her work and start to stare at him with a bored look in her eyes. Miroku was now flirting with the maids his hand on one of their cheeks, his thumb rubbing across it. "I'm sick and tired of the girl trying to kill me! What's she got against me?"
Sango raised an eyebrow, not believing what he was saying. "You can't be serious." Miroku had two maids huddled around him, the two giggling and blushing furiously. "Well to start things off, you kidnapped her."
"Technically, I didn't. It was those damn priests…" Inuyasha folded his arms, his fingers drumming against the forearm.
"You forced yourself on her, demanded she stay here, treated her like garbage… Must I go on?" Miroku now began to whisper softly in one of the girl's ear, her face turning a bright shade of red. "Why does it matter to you anyway? You usually say that you "Don't fucking care" if someone doesn't like you. After which you either beat them to a pulp or ban them from the court." Miroku and the maids began to slither away, the two blushing and giggling, draped on either side of his arms.
"I only did that once." Inuyasha snapped at her. "Besides, I don't care if that wench doesn't like me. I could truly care less. However, she's crazed with killing me. I just don't get it!"
"Menomaru is also crazed with killing off your bloodline, remember? So is the Sakagamino Yura clan, your brother, the Shibugaras, the Mukadejoro, Mu'onna, Hiten and Manten the Thunder Brothers, you brother, Ryoukotsei, Tsukumo no Gama, the Ookamakiri, Oomukade, the Neko tribe and your brother." After a while she began to glare at Miroku who was behind Inuyasha. She picked a plate that was set on the table to her left and threw it at his head. She of course, hit him square in the head, the plate shattering everywhere. "Bull's-eye." She said with satisfaction as the two maids tried to help the bleeding monk.
"I give you an eight. The plate didn't lodge into the useless idiot's head." Inuyasha stared at the catastrophe, shrugged his shoulders and then continued his pacing.
"Target practice on him never gets boring." Sango said with a smirk. Miroku now teetered over to where the two were.
"Sango that was very unnecessary. You could have seriously hurt me. If the glass hadn't bounced off to the sides I would have had some wedged in the back of my head." He continued to wipe blood from his forehead with a handkerchief that one of the maids had given him. "By the way Inuyasha, I am NOT an useless idiot. I have my uses too."
"What?" Inuyasha questioned. "Breeding with the female race?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.
"That," Sango snorted, "AND I am both spiritually and intelligently endowed. Who was it that helped with your little problem last year, hm?" Sango stiffened at the mention of the subject, while Inuyasha glared at Miroku.
"Ta hell with you." Inuyasha growled, picking up his pace again. "Where the hell is that wench!"
"Who're you calling a wench?" came the familiar voice of a ticked off girl. The trio turned to see Kagome being escorted, roughly by the arm, by some soldiers. Kagome was wearing the dress that Sango had forced her into and had a small handbag clutched to her side.
"What'd she do this time?" Inuyasha asked irritated with how tired his voice sounded.
"We caught her strolling about the castle, your majesty. We think that she was stealing-" Kagome broke herself free of their grasp and glared at the guards.
"I told you, I wasn't stealing!" She hissed. The men tried to grab a hold of her again but Inuyasha raised an arm to stop them.
"I'll deal with her, you're dismissed." The soldiers took their leave with Kagome glaring holes into the back of their heads. Inuyasha stared at her. This was so different from how she usually acted like in front of him. He had known her to be irritable, noisy, and dangerous, but now… now she was acting like a stubborn child falsely accused of eating a sweet before dinner. He scowled at her, folding his arms. "What were you doing?" She froze.
"Nothing. I just got lost is all." Inuyasha forcefully grabbed her wrists spinning her around to face him. She gasped and then hissed in pain. Sango and Miroku stepped forward, but a glare from Inuyasha warned them not to interfere.
"Tell me what you were doing." He looked deeply into her eyes, which were cringing in pain and desperately trying to look away.
"You're hurting me…." She gasped as he tightened his hold.
"Tell me what you were doing, or I'll break your wrist!" He threatened her by clamping his iron fingers down tighter onto her. Her knees gave way and she stumbled slightly to the floor.
"I told you! Nothing- ah! I swear it! I got lost!" He released her in a fury, pushing her to the ground and then stomping away. Sango immediately ran forward while Miroku sadly looked at Kagome as he trailed after Inuyasha. Kagome was holding her wrists as Sango grabbed them to stare at the injury Inuyasha had caused. The damage was a minimum, but without a doubt it was very painful to endure.
"Are you okay?" Sango asked. Kagome nodded her head, not even daring to look at Sango in the face. If she did, what she had been doing would be revealed. She had deserved the pain on her wrists, for Inuyasha did have need to be suspicious. Kagome guiltily lifted herself off the floor. "There's not much you can do here. How about you sit down for a while and cool off?" Kagome nodded, turning toward where the royals were to sit. With a smirk she made her way to the king's seat at the center of the table and then plopped into it. She let out a sigh as she stared at the tall vaulted ceiling above her.
Then, trying not to cause suspicion, she opened her handbag and retrieved the bright green book. She tried to hide it in the ruffles of her lap as she opened the book to the dining hall section. She read for a few minuets, clearly intrigued by what she was reading. Then she lifted her head up from the book and glanced up at the back of the chair. With a mischievous grin she checked to make sure no one was watching her before she quietly snuck behind the large chair to push against a concealed stone. Instantly a passage cleared for her and she was allowed entrance. Yes indeed. This was a very interesting book.
----
"Sango, do you know where I put the goblet?" Sango put down her final touches on silverware and assortments, and then turned toward Miroku as she began to reflect where she had last seen him with the cup. (Okay, they do use chopsticks but since they are rich, the family likes to use western tradition to show off tot heir guests. At least that's my explanation, kay?)
She pondered for a while before her memory came back to her. "I think you set it down by the Kings chair, where Kagome is sitting." She picked up the silverware again and then continued her work. She stopped when she heard a surprised sound from Miroku. She turned around and stared at him. "What's wrong, Miroku?"
Miroku was staring at the king's seat in anxiety. "Lady Sango, where is the Lady Kagome?" Sango then too made the same sound staring in surprise at where she had thought Kagome had been. The two then nervously looked around the room turning their heads this way and that. Sango dropped onto her hands and knees to see if the girl was under a table, hiding like a tiny child.
Miroku began to search around the sides of the room as Sango got up and worriedly glanced about. "This is not good." Sango followed Miroku about the room also helping in their search. "The banquets about to start. As it is we already have some guests here." She watched as a few people piled into the room, the scheduled time for the party had begun. "If Inuyasha finds out… He'll…. He'll kill her, and us."
Miroku nodded in agreement. "If he asks, we'll just say Aki came to put the final touches on her makeup or something. We must not let him know she has wandered away, and we can't find her."
"WHAT!" The two froze in their tracks at the sound of the piercing growl. Slowly they turned around and nervously smiled.
"Oh hey, Inuyasha! What are you doing here?" Miroku began to pretend that Inuyasha had not heard what the two had been conversing about.
"What did you say?" Inuyasha began to move toward them and the two retreated safely backward.
It was Sango's turn to try and quiet his wrath. "Did your father send you here to welcome the guests? That's great! At least we know he trusts you more, since the last time you flipped them all off!"
"Where did she go." He demanded in low angry tones.
The two innocently looked at each other. "Where'd who go?" Miroku glanced around nervously showing right threw his lie.
"Kagome! Where did that little bitch run off to?" Inuyasha was on the brink of smashing things. Anything his fists could find.
"Well you see that's the thing." Miroku began to nervously chuckle, scratching the back of his head. "We don't know exactly where the Lady Kagome has gone off to, but were pretty sure she's somewhere in the palace." Inuyasha slammed his fist down on the table next to him causing the scared pair to jump.
"When I get my hands on her…" Inuyasha let the statement hang in the air as he briskly turned around and marched out of the room, knocking over a guest in the process.
"Well that went better than expected." Miroku sighed.
----
Kagome pressed against the wall in front of her. She heaved for all her might but it would not budge. She pushed again against the dark. Maybe this was the wrong part of the wall. She pushed again; now noticing a crack of light came through as she did so. No doubt about it, this was the spot mentioned in the book. "Damn heavy door." She muttered.
Kagome pressed her ear against the wall and listened intently. The muffled sounds of a far off orchestra and the bustle of a crowd could be heard on the outside of the wall before her. She could see through the crack the full moon up above her. The party had probably started. She sighed, knowing that what she had planned could not possibly be fulfilled at that moment. She had hoped to check out the passage in the book and then get back before anyone had noticed she was gone. The same thing had happened when the guards had caught her.
The book that was stowed away in the tiny bag by her side, as she remembered the words kept within them. Actually it wasn't completely all words. There were also many maps hidden in between the pages, showing all the hidden passages of the palace. The Great Demon Lord sure knew how to pick a good book.
Kagome sighed again resolving that thinking about everything was a waste of time at the moment. Inuyasha would be furious when he found out. She heaved against the door, this time it swung open so easily she fell forward onto the ground, flat on her stomach. She let out an utterance of pain, sitting up and rubbing her sore parts. She had landed out onto a balcony and the fresh air that she had longed to feel against her skin revived her. She was surprised because only a moment ago she had never been able to step outside for even a moment. However this balcony was hidden between the seal that kept her inside and she was able to feel the breeze again. That's when she noticed she wasn't alone.
She looked up to meet startled teal eyes glowing in the darkness. Dark hair framed about the face and came together in the back at a high ponytail. His hair was straight and his ears pointed. He wore an expensive kimono that looked like it was easy to move about in. He stood as though he had turned slightly to see what had appeared behind him. Then she saw the tail that came from behind him. This was a wolf demon.
She backed away remembering what she had learned of the fierce wolf demon tribe and their liking for human flesh. But he just stared at her for a while before finally speaking. "Are you alright?" He moved forward helping her up onto her feet, setting down a glass of wine in the process. She stared at him in amazement. This castle was too weird. Half demons living among demons, humans helping kill the enemies of the demons, demons who like to play dress up, and a wolf demon who helped Kagome to her feet. Too confusing.
"Umm…" She backed away as soon as she was standing, but found the hidden passage closed.
"How did you get here? There wasn't anyone coming through the door." The wolf looked behind her where she had seemingly appeared out of thin air from.
"Umm…" She continued to stare at the wolf as she continued to back away. He took note of it and then gave a small smile.
"Hey, what are you scared of for? I won't bite you!" He chuckled, picking up his wine glass again. "Say, what's your name?"
"Uh… Kagome." She replied.
"Hmm…. Kagome…? Has a nice ring to it!" He said grinning. "My name is Koga. I am the young leader of the great wolf demon tribe. Of course I believe you could already tell by your reaction. What's a beautiful human girl, doing among such swine?" He asked smoothly, like a true player.
Kagome stared at him in embarrassment for a while. "What's a wolf demon doing congregating with a bunch of dog demons? I thought you guys hated each other."
Koga let out a sigh. "Well unfortunately, my old man made a treaty with them, that we wouldn't fight and instead just come to each others aid when someone needed the others help." She leaned forward onto the railing of the balcony looking out upon the vast land. "We're still pretty tense with each other, but I am by law to hold up the treaty, no matter how I feel about it. Wolf's demons are strong on their family duties. They aren't allowed to singly put the whole tribe into war." Kagome never thought in her life she would live to talk to a wolf demon. She had always thought that they would kill her on sight. So she nervously leaned against the railing alongside him, looking up at the moon instead of the land. "Why are you here? You don't look like a maid to me." Koga asked searching her outfit up and down.
Kagome sighed. She didn't know why but ever since she had gotten to this palace, she couldn't help but think of the demons here as humans that she could talk freely to. She felt irritated that the Princess of the Jewel was brought to such a level. "Not much. I just want to get out of here as soon as possible." She felt the breeze pick up as it ran threw her hair. Damn. Why was she conversing with a demon?
"Hey, Kagome? Why has your attitude changed so suddenly? A moment ago you dared not breathe." Koga inquired.
"Dunno. Something about this place makes my head all weird. I think I might be depressed or something, and just want someone to talk to. I don't know. But you seem different, Koga. I guess it's your smile that warmed me up." Kagome really couldn't find her reasoning's for all of this. Well if she was going to stay here in the meantime, she might as well have some one to talk to. "I guess you're the first person who's actually made me feel like I'm safe. You remind me of a friend I had." She smiled softly at Koga as her hair ran across her face in the breeze.
Koga gulped. He couldn't contain himself. "Alright! I've decided! You're the one!" Koga said excitedly, grabbing her hands in his.
"Huh?" Kagome stared blankly at him, not understanding a thing that he was saying.
"You're the one, Kagome!" He squeezed her fingers more tightly in his own. "I've decided that you're going to be my lifelong mate!"
"HUH!" Kagome's jaw dropped to the floor. "When did you decide this!" She asked in a loud voice.
"Just now!" He pulled her into an embrace, hugging her tightly to his chest. "You're a sweet girl, and you're caring. Anyone can see that. I've been searching for someone like you to be my mate, and now I've found you."
"Let go of me! We just met and I'm a human!" She tried to push against his chest to free herself, but his strength over powered her.
"That doesn't matter to me! I'll make my men understand!" This was to fast for Kagome. Her head began to spin at Koga's sincerity. No way! This was just way too much for a first meeting!
"Koga! L-let me…" She strained more fiercely against his strong chest. "Let me go!" He dropped his head down and caught her lips with his. She gasped into his mouth allowing an entrance for his tongue to slip through. She tried to scream against him but his tongue began to wrestle with hers. This was it. She couldn't get herself free of his mouth or arms.
She could no longer focus on what was around them and so didn't notice when another person came out onto the balcony. She was released from the kiss as Koga had stopped to glare at whoever had interrupted them. "Let her go, you filthy wolf!" Kagome turned her head to see Inuyasha trying to wrestle herself out of Koga's arms. Koga swept Kagome off her feet and jumped away from Inuyasha. Inuyasha was now glaring fiercely at Koga who was smirking. "Let her go she's mine!" This wiped the smirk off of Koga's face immediately.
"Wh-what!" Koga turned to Kagome, grabbing her by the shoulders. He stared at the emblem on her neck in disbelief. "It can't be…" He trailed off. "Kagome! Tell me you don't want to be with him! Tell me it's not true and I'll get you out of here. You'll come with me and you can focus on devoting yourself to me, instead of this mangy pup."
"I don't belong to anyone! Now let me go!" She shoved Koga away from herself, startling him slightly.
Koga stared at Kagome who folded her arms across her chest. "I get it. You keep her against her will and force her to serve you! I'll free her form you!" He grabbed Kagome again but was pushed away from her by the blow of a punch.
"Don't you ever touch Kagome ever again!" HE roughly grabbed Kagome's wrist and led her forcefully away.
Koga yelled after them, something about not living with the treaty, but the two didn't pay attention. Mostly because they had entered the heart of the party and the bustle and sounds raised over his voice. She stared at Inuyasha's angry face as he led her into the crowd.
"Ouch! You're hurting me Inuyasha." She tried to wrestle out of his grip but he only pulled her closer. They moved into a corner of a room and he pushed her into it. She was frightened for some reason and couldn't find out why. This was so different from how he usually acted. Then she realized. Dogs were territorial.
"Don't ever talk or even look at him ever again!" He demanded, his silver bangs shadowing his eyes. He bent over her wrist, which was still in his and then gently kissed it. Kagome who was surprised and shocked so she blushed slightly. And then a fang protruded from his mouth and he scraped it against her flesh, trickling blood onto the emblem. She winced slightly in pain, however it was over within seconds. The blood seemed to absorb into the symbol on her wrist shackles. "I hate him." He said angrily holding her hand against his face. "I don't want him to ever touch you again!" HE brought his own-clawed hand up to her cheek. She flinched away from his touch as he pulled her into a tight embrace.
This was the second time that she had been held by a man that night. He held her there for a while before releasing her and then quickly walked away. Kagome stood there stark still for some time. What just happened? Did he just mark his property? Kagome's blush deepened, and she brought a hand up to hide it, but then noticed the small cut on her wrists and her blush turned beet red. Her cut healed within seconds and she continued to stare blankly at where it had long since faded. What was wrong with her? Something was just so strange. It had to be the castle! Yeah, it was the castle…
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Author Note: Hey everyone! I am so sorry it took sooooooooooooo long! I had serious writers block! I couldn't even open up Microsoft word without getting irritated! I would stare at the page for hours… I feel so bad about taking so long, but if I had written it at the time it would have even suckier then it is now. I hope you all enjoy this version and it's length. I hope it lasts you a long while… Okay I guess I'll get on to the review response!
Review Response!
sexyvodka1125: I'm so happy to have you along for the ride! I hope you liked the story! If you compliment me anymore, I'll turn beet red! Thanks again! - Stay tuned for a preview of the next chapter at the end!
meme: Hi! It's great to hear from new people! Here's the next chapter! I hope you enjoyed it!
Summer101: Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad that you liked it!
Star Fire Kagome: Thank you! Here is the new chapter! I hope you liked it! It's nice to meet you!
Christy: Don't jump! Here's the next chapter! I'm sorry I took so long! Thanks for letting me know about the error! I feel kind of embarrassed that that happended…
Dracochick: Thanks for the idea! I might actually use that… I'm glad you liked the story! Thanks for reviewing!
Lil-angel-fairy: Here you go! I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for reviewing!
Abgle-tears-16: Thanks for reviewing, and I hoped you liked it!
INUYASHAANDKAGOMEALLTHEWAY: Thank you so much for the kind words! And yes this is most defiantly an Inuyasha and Kagome fic. Those are my two favorite couples, and NOTHING is going to change that!
Chakitattyla2h8: TT Oh my god! I absolutely love you! Your review was so long! I love you! Love you! Don't worry about being lazy I do that all the time! I just get so excited when I have such long reviews because that's what I do! --; There will be some more angsty parts for both Inu and Kag, and in the next chapter definitely, Kag will feel really sorry for Inu. I'm glad you liked my storry! Stay tuned for the next chappie!
SpaceKitten: No need to beg! I have it out for you now! I'm happy that you liked it! --
Darkangel129: Well here's another update for ya! I swear I'll have the next one up sooner!
Sangome: I'm really happy that you love it! I hope you will continue to love it in the future! --
Inu-Kag-inLove: I'll have to check out your story! What's the name? I'd love to read it!
Inashosetai: Thanks! I'm glad you could feel the creepy effect! That's what I was going for! I'm happy you picked up on that! I thought it wasn't going to work at first!
Rose-chan: Well the first chapter was taken from the Prince, but I changed it a lot, no?
Gothkikyohater: Yes it is…Please continue to read it though! It's much different after the first chapter!
Darkness spreads: I have it up now! I hope you enjoyed it!
Mayiko: I'm happy you liked it! --
Preview to next chapter!
The lightning flashed through the room, revealing the furniture standing like specters before her. The thunder went off in the distance, sounding how far off the storm was. "Who's there?" She demanded into the darkness. The lightning came again flashing in the room revealing a tall figure before her bed, before the light disappeared again. She gasped trying to retreat as soon as possible, however the figures arm reached out growing abnormally long and spreading around her neck like the roots of trees. She struggled against the now deformed hand, her air cut off. The lightning flashed again as he moved forward to her side, the light flashing across his face. She stared in horror at the smile that was upon the face.
"Hello, Kagome." His deep voice mocked her in the darkness. "It's been a while." Kagome scratched at his hand, trying to free herself, uttering small gasps in between. "What was that?" He loosened his grip to allow air into her lungs.
"What…. are you doing…. here, you lame excuse…. of a half breed? Muso, how the hell did you get in here!" She glared at his face through the darkness, lightning flashing again.
"I have come with a message from my master. He is very angry at you for leaving, and he wishes me to give you a…" A smirk played upon his lips, "proper punishment."
That's an exert from the next chapter that I need to type up. Hope this can satisfy you guys for now! Sorry once again for being so late in updating!
